British GQ - 09.2019

I

s it a dirt bike? Is it a sport bike? Is it an

adventure bike? Er, no, because it is too

big, too heavy and too tarmac-centric

to fit any of those descriptions. Forget about

long motorway runs, daily stop-start com-

mutes or off-road trail riding: this is not

the bike for you. And if you are looking for

comfort, you best look elsewhere.

So, what exactly is the Ducati Hypermotard

for? The answer is simple: it’s for having the

most fun on two wheels... ever. Superfast,

ultra-responsive, slippy, slidey and scary, this

is the bike the person who taught you to ride

warned you about. But in a very good way.

For a start, it looks great. Then there’s its

Because every road-owning Hypermotard needs the apparel to match

+ What to wear... Ducati Downtown

C1 jacket and City C2 gloves

This classic full-grain buffalo leather biker jacket, with shoulder and

elbow protectors as standard (plus a pocket for a back protector), was

produced by motorcycle specialists Alpinestars exclusively for Ducati.

Which means it delivers fashion, form and function in equal measure.

The City C2 gloves were designed for urban summer riding and are cool,

comfortable and reinforced with lightweight Clarino leather. PH

The Hypermotard 950 SP pitches another

wild, adrenaline-fuelled ride from Ducati

Lean on me (if you dare)

Ducati’s Hypermotard

950 SP offers a choice

of three ride settings

plus ‘wheelie control’

This is the

bike the

person who

taught you

to ride

warned

you about

stance, which is high and upright but perfect

for shifting your weight around. The power is

delivered in a ferocious flash and the brakes

will stop you almost as quickly. And it is as

agile as a Russian gymnast. It also comes with

all kinds of electronica, including three ride

settings – “sport”, “touring” and “urban” –

plus “wheelie control” if you want it (which

you will... sometimes).

In summary then, the Hypermotard is

hypersensitive, hyperactive and hyperaggres-

sive. It will also leave you hyperventilating

and possibly fire you into hyperspace. For

once, you really should believe the hyper. PH

£14,295. ducati.com

Jacket, £399. Gloves, £75. shop.ducati.com

CARS

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