WORDS: DANGEROUS IMAGES: DUCATI
Devoid of eco-friendly exhaust notes, a million-miles-per-gallon fuel consumption, or an apologetically short seat height befitting of Snow White’s Seven Dwarfs, the 950 bucks the trends of convention and laughs in the face of political correctness. It is, without doubt, an ASBO- inducing renegade, modelled for pleasure above all other qualities… and unashamedly so. Of course, if you’re familiar with the Hypermotard concept you’ll already know that, but a lot has changed since Ducati’s original hooligan Hyper hit the streets back in 2008. The same can be said when comparing the dumbed down second generation 939 to the new 950 that is 4kg lighter, 4bhp pokier and 53mm narrower. Ducati’s claiming the third iteration’s an all-new motorcycle, which is mostly true, the only major crossover parts being crankcases and barrels, which still makes up the 939cc L-twin’s core. That said, the 950’s higher compression pistons are new, its exhaust cam has been reworked, and the Mikuni 53mm throttle bodies add more punch to the package.
Another big factor with the motor is its 1.5kg weight loss, having benefitted from magnesium cam covers and lighter crank cases. Peak torque is now up at 7,250rpm, but you’ll have access to 80% of the motor’s 96Nms from just 3,000rpm, and it won’t start dropping off until you’re over 9,500revs. Happy days! The same can be said for the 112bhp on tap, that’s customisable across three different rider maps (Sport, Touring, Urban). On reflection, the 939 was disappointingly basic, but the smarter 950 is in no such club. Via the Panigale-inspired TFT dash, you’ll be able to tweak to your heart’s content, managing everything from wheelie control to ABS levels, power outputs to traction control levels. It’s all there, it’s intuitive to operate and the bike’s all the better for it… even if you can’t turn off the ABS altogether, but we’ll come to that later. Shorter people will also be pleased to know the slimmer, lighter, tubular steel trellis frame facilitates an equally narrowed seat unit, which Ducati claims to make the bike feel 20mm lower than the last model that also had an 870mm seat height.