2019 DUCATI HYPERMOTARD 950 AND 950 SP
FIRST REVIEW
P74
Once on board and hammering around a
circuit, some aspects are crystal clear. Foremost,
the brakes have endless power and perfect pre-
dictability; Ducati brakes are often excellent and
the Hyper 950 is no exception. The suspension
is also very much up for a scrap, feeling right at
home on the track, with sublime compliance and
feel. The SP is ready to get rowdy at a racetrack if
that tickles your fancy.
One major complaint is not being able to shut
off ABS. Ducati applied a "slide-by-brake" system
on the Hyper 950—similar to the Panigale V4 in
that it allows a certain amount of rear-wheel slip-
page entering a corner—but it's not always fluid
to use. Perhaps it's Ducati being a step ahead
for Euro 5 regulations in 2020, which will require
ABS at all times. But of all the bikes to not be able
to back into a corner on a whim or a track, it's sad
(Left) The SP
comes with
beautiful forged
aluminum
Marchesini wheels.
(Below) The level
of finish is superb
on the Hyper. It
may say 950 on
the sticker, but it's
still a 939.
(Left) Gold Ohlins
and Ducatis go
together like
peanut butter
and jelly. (Right)
Take a Hyper to
a trackday and
embarrass guys on
R1s. You'll never
laugh so hard.
