Is it realistic to use the Ducati Hypermotard 698, which has a strong racing feel, on the street?

Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono…from 1,778,000 yen

Further updates to the race-oriented styling

The overall impression of the body styling is similar to that of an off-road model. The flowing form integrated from nose to tail is modern and natural. A distinctive feature is that it is equipped with a water-cooled single engine rather than the conventional water-cooled L-twin. The Hypermotard 950, which is in the same genre, uses a water-cooled L-twin as its power unit, but this 698 model uses a newly developed water-cooled single. I have the image that motards are single-cylinder, so I thought to myself that this is a Ducati motard in both name and reality.

Although I knew the bike looked tall, I was ready to climb aboard. The seat height is a whopping 864mm. Even for me, who's 178cm tall, it felt like that, so riders of an average height of around 170cm would likely need even more determination. However, once I got on, the front and rear suspensions sunk in just enough to allow me to place both feet on the ground, though not enough to give me a sense of security. It also made it easy to raise the bike when putting down the side stand. This is thanks to the bike's light weight of 151kg, which is not much different from that of a 250cc road sports model. 
The handlebars are just the right height and width, providing a natural, upright riding position. The seating position is also quite flexible, so I think most riders can find a comfortable position. Combined with the footpeg position, I felt the bike offered a comfortable ride. The seat itself is a bit hard to sit on, but the suspension has a soft action, so the overall ride is comfortable, which I think makes it suitable for general street use, from everyday use around town to touring.

The newly developed single engine is spartan, but also offers torque characteristics suitable for everyday use.

The name "Hypermotard 698 Mono" leads one to believe the single-cylinder engine at its heart is 698cc, but it's actually 659cc. It's quite confusing, isn't it? In fact, this is Ducati's first single-cylinder production bike in a long time. In 1993, they developed the Supermono 550 as a racing machine, but it wasn't a production bike. When I say "long time," I mean since the single-cylinder models like the 450 Desmo released in the 1960s and 1970s. I believe there were 250, 350, and 450 models, but these were collectively referred to as "single desmo." The 350 Vent, license-produced in Spain, also had an air-cooled single engine. While many people associate Ducati with L-twin engines, single-cylinder engines were once the company's flagship model. 
This introduction has been a bit long, but the engine used in the Hypermotard 698 Mono is called the Superquadro Mono, derived from the 1285cc Superquadro engine used in the 1299 Panigale. It's the most high-spec production engine in this category, a high-output, high-revving engine with a single-cylinder limiter set at 10,250 rpm. The valve drive system is desmodromic, continuing the tradition of the old single-cylinder desmo. 
As always, starting the engine with a starter that spins at a speed that makes you wonder, "Are the battery and starter motor okay?" The dual up-pipe exhausts on either side emit a characteristic single-cylinder exhaust note. While the volume at idle isn't as loud as you'd expect, a slight throttle opening produces a punchy rumble. 
Like a modern engine, it features ride-by-wire, four riding modes (Sport, Road, Urban, Wet), cornering ABS, traction control, launch control, and more. Furthermore, the Slide by Brake and Wheelie Control functions support motard-style riding, including entrant slides and wheelies. While I wouldn't engage in such extreme riding on the street, it's true that the latest electronic control systems ensure a high level of safety. And I think I'll be using the Riding Modes frequently. I 
started off in Road mode. Like a high-performance single-cylinder, it accelerated with an exciting burst of power. At first, I didn't push it too high, but as I operated the throttle as usual, by the time I shifted into third gear, I was already ahead of the pack. While it's a high-revving engine, it also generates ample low-speed torque, allowing me to use fourth and even fifth gear when riding within the speed limit in urban areas or on public roads. 
Urban mode provides a slightly milder response, but it's not much different from Road mode. Rain mode, however, provides a much gentler response, so you can literally throttle with confidence, even in wet conditions. Sport mode is definitely the best way to experience this engine's performance. Ducati, which has demonstrated overwhelming speed in MotoGP, is proud to present the most powerful single-cylinder engine, and you can experience a truly exciting power feel. This is possible even in the limited conditions of public roads, and although it's not exactly easy to use in reality, as long as you don't lose control, you can immerse yourself in the appeal of its instantaneous power. 
This test ride was limited to city streets and public roads in the suburbs, and I thought it was a single-cylinder engine that has race performance but can also be enjoyed on the street. At the same time, I realized that there is still a lot of potential for single-cylinders.

The lightweight body provides nimble handling that also comes into play on the street.

The combination of a lightweight 151kg body and an engine delivering a maximum output of 77.5hp is sufficient for high maneuverability. From the moment I set off, it demonstrated nimble footwork, making narrow back roads a breeze. Its excellent cornering ability and stability during banking made turning at intersections a joy. 
It also responded very neutrally through corners, smoothly changing direction. This is of course due to the lightweight body, but the excellent performance of the Marzocchi inverted front forks and Sachs monoshock rear suspension also contributes. Initial response is soft, but under heavy loads, it firmly braces the tires to press them down onto the road. The suspension achieves a high level of performance, which I believe also contributes to its excellent handling. Both 
front and rear brakes are equipped with Brembo single discs. Both controllability and braking power were sufficient, and I felt that the standard settings were perfectly adequate for use on public roads.

Motard models are rare in the Japanese market these days, but that's exactly why I think it's the perfect model to enjoy its unique world of riding. Of course, you could choose the Kawasaki KLX230SM as an affordable bike, but if you want to enjoy the spartan riding of a high-performance single-cylinder, then this Ducati Hypermotard 698 is the only choice.

Detailed explanation

Main specifications

Type : Superquadro Mono, single cylinder, 4 valves per cylinder, Desmodromic valve actuation system, 2 balance countershafts, water-cooled

Displacement : 659cc

Bore x stroke : 116 x 62.4 mm

Compression ratio : 13.1:1

Maximum power : 77.5 ps (57 kW) @ 9,750 rpm

Max torque : 63 Nm (6.4 kgm) @ 8,000 rpm

Fuel supply system : Electronically controlled fuel injection, 62mm diameter equivalent oval throttle body, full ride-by-wire system

Exhaust : 1-2 exhaust system, twin aluminum mufflers, catalytic converter, O2 sensor

Gearbox : 6-speed, Ducati Quickshift up/down

Primary reduction ratio : Straight cut gear, reduction ratio 1.968:1

Gear ratio : 1st gear: 2.769, 2nd gear: 2.059, 3rd gear: 1.600, 4th gear: 1.318, 5th gear: 1.143, 6th gear: 1.040

Final reduction : Chain 520: Front sprocket 15T, rear sprocket 42T

Clutch : Wet multi-plate, hydraulically controlled, with self-servo/slipper clutch mechanism

Frame : Steel pipe trellis frame

Front suspension : Marzocchi 45mm fully adjustable aluminium forks

Front wheel : Light alloy Y-shaped 5-spoke 3.5″ x 17″

Front tyres : Pirelli Diablo Rosso 4, 120/70 ZR17

Rear suspension : Sachs fully adjustable monoshock, progressive linkage aluminium double-sided swingarm

Rear Wheel : Light alloy Y-shaped 5-spoke 5.0″ x 17″

Rear tire : Pirelli Diablo Rosso 4, 160/60 ZR17

Wheel travel (front/rear) : 215 mm to 240 mm

Front brakes : 330 mm aluminium flange discs, Brembo M4.32 calipers, radial pump with adjustable lever, Bosch Cornering ABS

Rear brake : 245mm disc, single-piston floating caliper, Bosch Cornering ABS

Instrument panel : 3.8-inch LCD display with improved black nematic (IBN) technology

Curbed weight (excluding fuel) : 151 kg

Seat height : 864 mm

Wheelbase : 1,443 mm

Caster angle : 26.1°

Trail : 108 mm

Fuel tank : 12 liters

Passenger capacity : 2

Safety features : Riding modes, Bosch Cornering ABS, Ducati Traction Control (DTC), Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC), Engine Brake Control (EBC), Ducati Brake Light (DBL)

Standard equipment : Power Mode, Ducati Power Launch (DPL), Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/down, full LED lighting system, Daytime Running Lights (DRL), tapered aluminium handlebars, Lithium-ion battery

Included equipment : Passenger footpegs

Optional features : anti-theft system, heated grips, Ducati Multimedia System (DMS).

Warranty : 24 months unlimited mileage

Maintenance service interval : 15,000 km / 24 months

Valve clearance adjustment : 30,000 km

Regulation : Euro 5

CO2 Emissions : 112 g/km

Consumption : 4.8 liters/100 km

Emissions Note : Euro 5 countries only

Note : Motorcycle specifications and equipment may vary by market, please contact your local dealer for details.