Elite Traveler Fall 2024

elite traveler FALL2024 106

Ducati Hypermotard 6 98 Mono Motoring these days is not just limited to supercars, EVs and o ff -roaders. In fact, modern technology might have bene fi tedthe motorcycle industry most of all. Never have performance, safety and reliability fi gured into motorcycle development as much as today — and no bike typi fi es the current era more than Ducati’s new Hypermotard 698 Mono. Under Volkswagen AG oversight, Ducati has made great strides in engineering, which then made the Hyper Mono’s single-cylinder engine possible in the fi rst place. If a single piston sounds insu ffi cient for an exotic Italian motorcycle, keep in mind that the petite 659cc engine can crank out a ridiculous 77.5 hp at 9,750 RPM, plus 46.5 lb-ft of torque at 8,000 RPM. Admittedly, the entire concept of such a simple, lightweight bike comes out of nowhere from Ducati — for a bit of context, the larger Hypermotard 950 uses a 937cc engine to produce 114 hp, but weighed around 100 lbs more than the new Mono, which tips the scales at a featherweight 333 lbs. Yes, the desmodromic engine still requires regular valve checks, but advances in metallurgy stretch the Mono’s service interval to an impressive 18,000 miles. Every single one of those miles will be fi lled with fun on such a lightweight bike that’s equally at home on track, in canyons or ripping through the urban jungle — all only enhanced by an impressive suite of electronics that includes wheelie control, ABS tuning that purposefully allows mild rear tire slides, and an up/down quick shifter on the optional RVE package. Combining power, con fi dence and boisterousness in one package, this Ducati absolutely nails the exact kind of engagement that every supercar, EV and o ff -roader tries to emulate. Its simplicity is made possible by advanced tech working in the background. Expect no less from the Ferrari of motorcycles. From $13,000, ducati.com

Photo Alex Photo