Ducati Hypermotard 939 SP 2016 — Specifications

Imagine a supermoto that had spent a little too much time in the paddocks. One that had spun its wheels with the best, absorbed some racing settings, and decided one morning to return to the road with serious ambitions. That's exactly what the Ducati Hypermotard 939 SP is: a production machine that refuses to act like one.

Compared to the standard version, Ducati didn't simply check a few boxes on an options list. The work is deeper. The 937 cm3 V-twin, with its 94 mm bore for 67.5 mm stroke and a muscular compression ratio of 13:1, develops 113 horsepower at 9,500 rpm and, above all, 97.7 Nm of torque at 7,500 rpm. Figures that speak volumes, but don’t tell the whole story. What truly distinguishes the SP from its ordinary sister is the fully adjustable Öhlins suspension equipment, a 48 mm inverted fork at the front with 185 mm of travel, and a progressive mono-shock at the rear with 175 mm of stroke. On the previous 821 version, only the rear shock bore the Swedish signature. The 939 SP does better, much better, and you can feel it from the first few committed curves. The radial Brembo master cylinder completes the braking picture, with four-piston M4-32 monoblock calipers mounted radially on 320 mm floating discs. The Bosch ABS manages two levels of intervention depending on whether you want assistance or almost none.

The 890 mm seat height imposes a certain build, but that’s no surprise on a self-proclaimed supermoto. For shorter riders, an 870 mm option exists. Forged aluminum Marchesini rims, directly inspired by those of the 1299 Panigale S, allow dry weight to be reduced to 178 kg, three kilos less than the classic 939. The carbon front mudguard and belt guards, the magnesium cylinder head covers, the Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP tires mounted in 120/70-17 at the front and 180/55-17 at the rear: every detail contributes to building a machine tailored for twisty roads.

The electronic management offers three engine maps recalibrated to get the most out of this configuration. Race mode opens the valves unfiltered or almost, with traction control dialed back and ABS limited to the front. Sport mode doses power more and lets the aids work in a more moderate way. Wet mode drops to 75 horsepower and protects as much as possible. This hierarchy is consistent, designed for a rider who wants to choose their level of engagement rather than endure omnipresent electronics. For a Ducati Hypermotard 939 SP road test on a winding road, Sport mode probably offers the best compromise between liveliness and safety.

That leaves the question of price. At 15,390 euros, the Ducati Hypermotard 939 SP price sits in an uncomfortable zone. For that budget, you approach a 959 Panigale, brush against a CBR 1000 RR or a GSX-R 1000. Machines radically different in their use, certainly, but the comparison inevitably arises in the buyer's mind. Ducati's answer is simple: none of these hypersports will follow you with as much ease on a tight hairpin-filled pass. That’s probably true. The Ducati Hypermotard 939 SP is an honest proposition for an urban and mountain rider with experience, seeking a motorcycle capable of doing everything without ever being boring. Cautious touring riders and beginners can move on. Those looking on the used market for a Ducati Hypermotard 939 SP with the Termignoni option and a few adjustments already done will probably find the most refined combination.