Ducati Hypermotard 950 India Launch Confirmed

The Italian bikemaker will be launching the motorcycle on 12 June 2019

• It will replace the outgoing Hypermotard 939.
• The 950 is more powerful, lighter and gets better electronics than its predecessor.
• We expect it to cost around Rs 12 lakh to 13 lakh (ex-showroom).

Ducati will be launching the Hypermotard 950 in India on 12 June 2019. The supermoto was initially unveiled at the 2018 EICMA Show and is set to replace the outgoing Hypermotard 939. Ducati has equipped the 950 with a lighter chassis, better electronics and a re-tuned engine.

Also Read - Ducati Hypermotard 950/SP: First Ride Review

Yes, it still sports the absolutely bonkers supermoto design. However, the company has made a few subtle changes for better rider comfort. This includes smaller tank shrouds and a slimmer seat, which aids in getting a better footing on the ground. 

The motorcycle now comes with a visibly larger catalytic converter placed under the engine. The redesigned exhaust end cans have also been rerouted below the seat and are stubbier than before. Speaking of which, it gets an all-black treatment along with the front forks. 

Its fully-digital TFT screen has been borrowed from the Panigale V4. You also get Ducati’s Multimedia System (DMS), which allows you to answer incoming calls, change music and more via the switchgear. To keep you err...grounded, it also gets three-level Bosch Cornering ABS, Ducati Traction Control, Ducati Wheelie Control and three ride modes (Sport, Touring & Urban). 

Powering the motorcycle is the same 937cc Testrastretta L-twin liquid-cooled motor as the Hypermotard 939. However, power has been bumped up by 4PS, and now stands at 114.2PS. Even the torque output is up by 1Nm at 96Nm. 

Ducati has also reworked how that power is delivered. It now arrives at 9000rpm, while 80 per cent of the peak torque is available from as low as 3000rpm. In theory, this should result in better low-end performance. It should also be noted that the engine is 1.5kg lighter than before. Also new here is the hydraulic-actuated slipper clutch for an effortless clutch lever action. 

At 200kg (kerb), the Hypermotard 950 is 4kg lighter than the 939! This is thanks to the new, lighter steel trellis frame, along with aluminium fork tubes. Speaking of which, suspension duties are handled by fully adjustable 45mm Marzocchi forks at the front and Sach’s monoshock unit at the rear. Braking hardware consists of 320mm front and a 245mm rear discs.

The Bologna-based company also sells an ‘SP’ variant of the bike internationally. And we might see it in India too, albeit in limited numbers. Considering the Hypermotard is Ducati’s version of a street-legal dirt bike, it faces no competition in India. We expect it to be priced around Rs 12 lakh to Rs 13 lakh (ex-showroom).