Move over 690, the Superquadro Mono is here!

[mangocrazy]

To me the 690 was like xtx on steroids or whatever saying means its just it's mad bastard cousin! The 690 would get on my nerves every ride as commuting through a city is not a suitable habitat for it. The 690 only seemed to make sense when you were caning it and then it was great fun as it was that bit sharper, as in faster, quicker turning, more flickable etc.

Opinions differ on this, but when I had my 690 remapped it completely transformed its low rpm behaviour and made it completely useable in traffic. I took mine to BSD in Peterborough and Andy smoothed out the low down fuelling and made the throttle maps in first and second a lot less aggressive, so pulling away was easy and smooth, whereas prior to that it could take off a bit sharpish. I really notice it when driving the bike up the ramp into the van, it's now beautifully controllable. It's still a mad bastard nutter where you want it to be in the higher gears and throttle openings but has a far more relaxed character when you need it to be, at low speeds.

[Taipan]

To me the 690 was like xtx on steroids or whatever saying means its just it's mad bastard cousin! The 690 would get on my nerves every ride as commuting through a city is not a suitable habitat for it. The 690 only seemed to make sense when you were caning it and then it was great fun as it was that bit sharper, as in faster, quicker turning, more flickable etc.

Opinions differ on this, but when I had my 690 remapped it completely transformed its low rpm behaviour and made it completely useable in traffic. I took mine to BSD in Peterborough and Andy smoothed out the low down fuelling and made the throttle maps in first and second a lot less aggressive, so pulling away was easy and smooth, whereas prior to that it could take off a bit sharpish. I really notice it when driving the bike up the ramp into the van, it's now beautifully controllable. It's till a mad bastard nutter where you want it to be in the higher gears and throttle openings but has a far more relaxed character when you need it to be, at low speeds.

Stop. Don't tell me such things...

[KneeToTheConcrete]

High revs and that much power from a single-cylinder, impressive stuff. I'm curious to see how it performs on the track.

[Supermofo]

Nice review here

[ChrisW]

Nice review here

The way Ducati (& KTM) are exploiting the electronics / rider aids etc. makes you realise that you don't compete in MotoGP/WBK just to sell race reps these days.

[Yorick]

11 grand !!!!!!

[KungFooBob]

He's wearing my leathers!

[Yorick]

Pricey here

Screenshot_20240212_190634_Samsung Internet.jpg (412.38 KiB) Viewed 558 times

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

11 grand !!!!!!

Bargain

[mangocrazy]

It's even got modes for backing it in and wheelies. You do have to trust the electronics though. Expect retaliatory action from KTM...

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

If you need electronics to help with backing it in and wheelies you probably shouldn't be backing it in or doing wheelies.

[mangocrazy]

If you need electronics to help with backing it in and wheelies you probably shouldn't be backing it in or doing wheelies.

Yeah, but that's the point - the Ducati SQM dumbs the whole thing down via electronics so anyone can do it, as long as they trust the electronics. I wasn't saying it's a good thing, I'm just saying it's a Thing.

[Couchy]

Most will be bought by typical ducatisti that’ll never wheelie or skid them or worry the sides of the tyres they’ll own them hoping people think they can do wheelies

[mboy]

Nice review here

Full Chris Northover fanboi here, he's a big part of the reason I bought my SM700!

He does love a Supermoto...

Interesting that he's stopped short of any direct comparisons already, waiting to do a back to back road test of the Ducati vs KTM.

MCN's test rider did go so far as to make a few comparisons, saying the Ducati is quite a bit more polished than the KTM and the rider aids are brilliant for wannabe hooligans on the track, but that the KTM still feels a bit more raw and whilst it doesn't rev as high, still offers a bit more low end punch. This Superquadro Mono engine is a true race engine by all accounts, crazily oversquare and revs 1250rpm higher than the KTM LC4, which probably makes it better on a track but remains to be seen how it compares on the road I guess.

I will be getting a test ride as soon as I can, though I'm realistic that it's going to cost me £5k on top of selling my SM700 if I go for one, so it's going to have to be a significant step up if I do!

[Supermofo]

I noticed Chris did intimate that it was more top-endy than the KTM and it certainly seems more advanced in terms of electronics, be interesting to see a back to back. I suspect the Ducati will be more Gucci than the 690 but given what you can pick a 690 up for you'd have to really want a Ducati. I did laugh when Ducati said it's to attract young riders, like they'll be able to afford one! I suppose it's the way of biking that young probably means late 20s now or something, plus I forget you can't ride what you want anymore below mid 20s.

[KungFooBob]

It's probably the 2nd cheapest bike Ducati make after the £10k base model Scrambler.

[Bustaspoke]

I've just watched this video,much as I think it'll be a hoot on the back roads around here it's a bit pricey for me.

[Supermofo]

Fun comparison test by Chris.



Sounds like the Duc might slightly edge it as a road bike from his comments. But I'd guess you'd be able to get a 690 at a discount somewhere esp in Gas Gas form.

[mboy]

Finally got to ride the 698 Hypermotard...



Got a call from Kal Heer the "Hypermotardking" on YouTube, he wanted to do a comparison video with the Gasgas SM700 (of which I have one) and he doesn't live too far from me, so I showed him some of my favourite local roads too...

Video incoming no doubt...

[weeksy]

Finally got to ride the 698 Hypermotard...



Got a call from Kal Heer the "Hypermotardking" on YouTube, he wanted to do a comparison video with the Gasgas SM700 (of which I have one) and he doesn't live too far from me, so I showed him some of my favourite local roads too...

Video incoming no doubt...

Yeah but, what did you think?