DNA Air Filter & Stage-2 Combo Kit for the Ducati Hyper 698 Mono

When it comes to the brand new DNA Air Filters and the DNA Air Filter & Air Cover Stage-2 Combo Kits for the Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono, there's no need to worry. The Greek company DNA High Performance Filters guarantees a certified filter efficiency of 98-99%, extended engine life, reduced fuel consumption, and easy cleaning. Replacing the filter ("Road & race use") alone is said to increase airflow by +77%and with the open Stage-2 air filter cover ("Race use only"), by +161.4%. The filter is reusable, easy to clean, and fits plug-and-play into the original airbox.

But how complicated is the upgrade really? What noticeable performance gains does the DNA filter provide despite the street-legal Euro 5 exhaust and stock mapping, and does the change make a difference on the road? To answer these questions, we tested the DNA products on NoPains Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono and compared them on Martin Bauer's test bench with both stock parts and an open racing setup.

Attention! Replacing the filter is completely legal and doesn't affect the warranty in any way, while the open air filter cover is intended solely for use in racing or on closed circuits. Additionally, for optimal performance, recalibrating the injection system is recommended.

Whether you're just swapping the air filter or, as in our case, also replacing the air filter cover: both tasks take a maximum of 15 minutes, a 4mm Allen key, a pair of pliers, two healthy hands, and an understanding of the concise yet clear installation guide. In short: the process is foolproof.

The DNA Air Filter & Air Cover Stage-2 Combo replaces the OEM air filter, the OEM air filter cage, and the nearly fully enclosed OEM air filter cover. We removed the four original cable ties, took off the stock cover, air filter, and cage, and meticulously ensured no dirt entered the air filter housing or the inside of the DNA air filter.

Next, we applied a small amount of the supplied red grease to the sealing and contact surfaces of the DNA air filter and placed it solo into the air filter housing. We then mounted the DNA Stage-2 air filter cover with the four existing OEM screws, taking care not to overtighten them.

Using the three supplied cable ties, we secured the OEM wiring harness and USB connection to the DNA Stage-2 air filter cover. All cables should not touch the motorcycle frame, as it can become very hot.

After installing the filter and cover, we let the motorcycle idle for 10 minutes to allow the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) to adjust the injection timings and air-fuel mixture for more efficient combustion. We then rode the bike for over 100 kilometers on the road, utilizing all rev ranges and gears to properly calibrate the ECU and ensure consistent results on the test bench.

With that, the installation was technically complete. Maintenance of the DNA air filter is recommended every 15,000 kmor sooner if the motorcycle is used in extremely dusty conditions. For cleaning and oiling the DNA air filter, only the special DNA Service Kit DSK-3001 (sold separately) should be used; it is imperative to follow the instructions included in the service kit. "Less is more" is the motto when re-oiling.

Right after starting up, we immediately noticed that the airbox with the open cover operated more intensely and mechanically. However, during several sound level measurements at a standstill, with the device placed next to the airbox and engineboth at idle and at the standard noise measurement speed of 4,875 RPMit became clear that the intake noises were completely drowned out by the overall engine and exhaust noise. Conclusion: No measurable increase in noise level while stationary.

On the road, we experienced the next big surprise. From around 4,500 RPM, the Hyper responded to the throttle significantly better than with the stock setup, allowing for a smooth 50 km/h in second gear without any load change reactions. From 5,500 RPM, the bike pulled brutally, and from 8,000 RPM there was no stopping it until the rev limiter LEDs lit up at 10,000 RPM. The difference was impressive, with no chance of it being imagined. The sound also changed: the already punchy tone of the legal SC-Project Slip-Ons became huskier, deeper, and took on a noticeably more racing-like character due to the increased airflow.

Seat-of-the-pants summary: Besides a significant increase in torque and power at higher RPMs, this upgrade, combined with the legal Euro 5 SC Project Slip-On and stock mapping, noticeably improves throttle response in the lower and mid-range RPMs. Especially in the partial load range, where the stock Hyper 698 Mono runs extremely lean due to restrictive Euro 5 emission regulations, we observed a reduction in constant-speed surging, finer throttle response, and a significantly improved pull. Additionally, the front wheel lifted spontaneously when throttling up from 5,500 RPM, something that was only possible with the closed air filter cover by using the "load change trick" or engaging the clutch.

In total, three Dynojet measurements with three test runs each were conducted: DNA air filter with open air filter cover (Stage-2; Blue curve) vs. DNA air filter with the original cover (Stage-1; Red curve) vs. Original air filter/cover/cage (Stock; Green curve), all with stock mapping, a legal SC-Project Titan S1-C Euro-5 Slip-On (D42A-169T), and 95-octane fuel. The results were impressive across the board.

With the DNA Air Filter & Air Cover Stage-2 Combo, the Hyper 698 Mono delivered significantly more power on the dyno from 4,000 RPM. At 7,000 RPM, the performance boost was noticeable with an additional 6 HP (!) at the rear wheel. Although the peak power increased by just under one HP, the majority of the power was already available from 8,400 RPM, rather than 9,500 RPM as in the stock configuration. The blue curve (Stage-2) on the graph speaks volumes. The same goes for the torque, which also steadily increased from 4,000 RPM and gained a total of 4 Nm at 8,000 RPM. The entire team was impressed.

With just the DNA air filter along with the OEM air filter cage and cover (Stage-1), the performance gains compared to the stock setup were not as significant. Despite all the positive attributes of a reusable air filter, on the test bench, we measured only minimal power increases (red curve) between 0.25 and 2 HP, and sometimes even less. The trend curves of all three test runs were roughly similar to the stock. Without additional airflow, the racing filter cannot fully showcase its advantages.

After another 10-minute idle phase, we tested the OEM air filter with cage and cover; the trend (green curve) matched two other Dynojet measurements we already know from Pirate Racing and Hypermotard King.

To conclude, we addressed the question of whether the modifications with the DNA air filter and open air filter cover pose the risk of a lean mixture. For this, we conducted three additional runs with the open SC Project Racing Slip-Ons (D42A-T41TR), into which the Dynojet exhaust probe could be inserted.

The conclusion: According to our tests, there is no danger to the engine. The new DNA filter seals completely, and the air-fuel ratio remains in the safe zone even without individual engine tuning. Below 6,750 RPM, the engine was already running relatively lean due to its restrictive Euro-5 mapping before the modification, while above 6,750 RPM, it is set sufficiently rich. This allows the increased airflow to be safely utilized for better combustion and thus higher engine performance, even with open racing slip-ons.

It was also interesting to note that the open setup with the stock mapping brought only about half a horsepower more maximum power. Therefore, it makes little sense performance-wise to risk getting caught with an unauthorized setup.

Plug and Play: Oil-soaked high-performance air filter made from multi-layer, flame-retardant cotton gauze with a +77.54% increase in airflow and 98-99% filter efficiency.

DNA Part Number: P-DU65HM24-01
Ducati OEM Part Numbers: 42610751A Filter, 8291R811A Filter Cage
List Price: € 106.60 MSRP

PARTS4RIDERS.AT DEAL: Order your DNA air filter at a discount or have it sent to your servicing dealer for free.

Plug, Recalibrate and Play: Oil-soaked high-performance air filter made from multi-layer, flame-retardant cotton gauze, including an open air filter cover with a +161.40% increase in airflow and 98-99% filter efficiency. The cover is specifically designed for the DNA High Performance Filter and is not available separately.

DNA Part Number: P-DU65HM24-S2-COMBO
Ducati OEM Part Numbers: 42610751A Filter, 8291R811A Filter Cage, 24717531B Filter Cover
List Price: € 148.80 MSRP

PARTS4RIDERS.AT DEAL: Order your DNA Stage 2 Combo air filter at a discount or have it sent to your servicing dealer for free.

For those who want to extract the absolute maximum from the DNA Air Filter Stage-2 upgrade, a custom engine tune is recommended. This involves connecting a programmable module (like Power Commander, RapidBike, etc.) via plug connections and permanently installing it in the motorcycle. The tuning is performed on an eddy current dynamometer, both dynamically in the partial load range and under full load. This process compensates for manufacturing tolerances and optimizes the injection specifically for the motorcycle, depending on the installed parts (e.g., exhaust system, air filter, etc.) or customer preferences (e.g., maximum power, lowest consumption, etc.).

Caution: Any modification to the engine control that is not authorized by the motorcycle manufacturer automatically voids the warranty. Moreover, it constitutes a structural change that, without individual assessment and registration with the certification authority, can lead to the expiration of the operating permit and, if used on public roads, the loss of insurance coverage.

Which exhaust should I choose for the Hypermotard 698 Mono?

NoPains Setup Tip: Definitely install the DNA Air Filter Stage 2. Either pair it with the stock system or the Termignoni Racing Full System.

Important: Always order and have the Termignoni installed by an official Ducati dealer. This way, the chassis number is matched with the system. Only then will you get the appropriate racing mapping appliedand thus the true approximately 76 HP at the rear wheel.