Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1545207
P124 RIDE REVIEW I 2026 DUCATI HYPERMOTARD V2 SP The SP is priced at $20,995, while the base bike, with less sophisticated KYB suspension, cast wheels and lower-spec brakes, is priced at $16,995. With no direct supermoto com- petition, it's hard to assess that price point. If we regard the SP simply as a fun-loving sports naked with around 120 bhp, it certainly looks like a pricey alternative to bikes such as the Triumph Street Triple 765 RX. TRACK TESTING THE V SP One thing that hasn't changed much is the styling. The famous beak-nose up front and twin underseat exhausts at the back survive the overhaul, but the new bike features an aluminum monocoque frame, with the V2 deployed as a stressed ele- ment, which saves a claimed 10 pounds over the traditional trellis frame. Pleasingly, there's still a trian- gulated steel-tube subframe to satisfy the purists, although a new double-sided swingarm is likely to divide opinion, as it has on other Ducati V2 models that no longer feature a single-sided 'arm. Up close, the finish and detailing are, as they should be, absolutely on point. A new five-inch TFT dash runs three different displays: Road, Road Pro and Track. Road and Road Pro show road-relevant information like speed, gear, etc., whereas in Track mode, the rev counter and gear number are more prominent, with the active rider aids clearly displayed and providing real-time intervention. Ducati's big supermoto has never been particularly practi- cal on the road—think zero wind protection, a small 3.3-gallon fuel tank and a tall, hard seat— so we weren't overly surprised to find ourselves riding solely on a racetrack for this test. But while it is no Multistrada, the new Hypermotard V2 is more practical than before, with wider service intervals (9000 miles for oil and 28,000 miles for a valve check) and a lower 34.6-inch seat. There's also an optional 34-inch seat, and a sus - The SP gains new colors for 2026. And a new frame. And a new engine. And new electronics. But the same bad attitude. V2 SP