Ducati Hypermotard V2 SP: Drift King on the Race Track

The Hypermotard shows its true face only when the rear wheel begins to slide. In Modena, at 20 degrees and brilliant sunshine, the 120 hp supermoto missile becomes a controllable drift king that puts a grin on even beginners' faces.

With the Hypermotard V2 SP, Ducati writes a new chapter in its nearly 20-year supermoto history. Instead of relying on brute force, finesse and controllability now count. The 890cc V2 engine, known from the Panigale, delivers 120.4 hp at 10,750 rpm - enough to lift the front wheel off the ground, but not so brutal that ordinary mortals would be overwhelmed. With just 177 kilograms dry weight and a seat height of 880 millimeters (optionally 15 mm lower), the SP positions itself as an accessible supermoto for ambitious riders. The Öhlins components front and rear, combined with Brembo monoblock calipers, already signal visually: this is about more than just road fun.

The V2 with a 90-degree cylinder angle develops its 94 Nm of torque already at 8,250 rpm, making the Hypermotard a versatile supermoto tool. Coming out of slow corners there's plenty of torque on tap without becoming uncontrollable. The front wheel lifts willingly, but never brutally. Power is transmitted via a 6-speed gearbox and a "very gentle" quickshifter that works smoothly even during hard upshifts between 9,000 and 10,750 rpm. The liquid-cooled engine with 13.1:1 compression and Euro 5+ compliance behaves well thermally - even at 20 degrees ambient temperature and track use, no annoying heat buildup occurs at the thighs.

The fully adjustable Öhlins suspension with 48mm USD fork (170 mm travel) and directly linked shock (160 mm) turns the Modena race track into a supermoto playground. The precision when turning in is impressive - despite the wide handlebar, the SP remains well controllable and very direct even at higher speeds. I was able to catch the front wheel well when I pushed hard on the brake. The aluminum trellis frame with a 26-degree steering head angle and 110 mm trail delivers the typical supermoto agility without tipping into nervousness. However, as is typical for supermotos, the footpegs scrape very early, so we increased the rear preload. A typical supermoto problem, but one that could be adjusted thanks to the Öhlins suspension's adjustability.

The electronic aids on the Hypermotard V2 SP know their craft. The ABS Level 2 mode is particularly convincing: here you can specifically switch into drift mode, where the system allows slight sliding up to 30 degrees of lean - perfect for less experienced riders who want to get to know the supermoto feeling. It soon makes you envious when almost anyone can drift with a machine like this. The traction control works discreetly in the background and only intervenes when it's really necessary. If you roll on the throttle gently, you barely notice it; with aggressive throttle application at lean, it naturally has to intervene harder. The TFT display and riding modes can be adjusted well between sessions, though you need some Ducati know-how for the detailed settings. While riding, adjustments to traction control and ABS are possible in Race mode - but only if you've internalized the controls.

The Brembo monoblock calipers on the 320mm double discs bite perfectly at first and offer enormous deceleration potential. After about ten minutes of intensive track riding, however, a small weakness shows: the pressure point becomes spongy and moves further back. The extremely stop-and-go track in Modena put particular strain on the brakes, which is why toward the end of the session the pressure point had to be "adjusted one click further forward." The 245mm rear brake with two-piston caliper does its job without issue.

A direct comparison with competitors like the KTM 890 Duke R or the Ducati Streetfighter V2 unfortunately wasn't possible - I hadn't ridden those models myself yet. What becomes clear, though, is that the Hypermotard V2 SP has found its own character. The controlled drifting works so well that even an inexperienced rider can conjure up first drift experiences. Lukas Tulovic and I had a great deal of fun with the model. That's the emotional core of the SP: it makes supermoto fun accessible to everyone without losing control. The 880mm seat height (865 mm with the lower seat) makes it manageable even for riders who aren't oversized.

As a pure everyday bike, the Hypermotard V2 SP shows its limits. The 12.5-liter tank and the stated consumption of 5.4 liters give a calculated range of 231 kilometers - considerably less during sporty track riding, however. The upright seating position and wide handlebar are reasonably suitable for everyday use, but not ideal for longer highway stretches without wind protection. As a city bike or for winding country roads, however, the SP should certainly impress with its agility and characterful V2 sound. Unfortunately, we didn't have the opportunity during the test to ride it on country roads, which is really where the bike belongs. Pillion qualities are secondary anyway on a genuine supermoto.

Beneath the Italian design lies well thought-out technology: the 890cc V2 with 96 mm bore and 61.5 mm stroke works with four valves per cylinder and the Desmo system. Fuel injection ensures clean Euro 5+ emissions at 125 g/km CO2 output. The aluminum single-sided swingarm and the 120/70 R17 and 190/55 R17 tires complete the supermoto package. With a wheelbase of 1,514 mm, the SP sits exactly in the supermoto sweet spot between agility and stability. The Brembo equipment with hydraulic actuation and the Öhlins components underline the premium aspirations.