group test

ark Manning bas-Cronin Pi cs: M Words: Benjamin Ku

do all the thrilling you desire, and still get Big 'motos are a breed apart too; far you home. hen a car driver sees a biker, more the 'toy' than constant companion. The two we have on test are the big that's all they generally are to But in many ways they're as different from dogs of a sub-class blurring the edges of You don’tthem. It doesn't matter W their smaller scale supermoto cousins, as the big naked performance categories – havewhether it's a scooter,to supermototake or sports they are the same. That's basically like we needed more to choose from. Both hack; to the uninformed we're one and the admitting that the overall appeal is are also the top-spec' versions, and ysame.our Sadly, theclothes general populous of the Psycho Motosminimal; the likelihood of anybody selling bristling with glamour and shiny bits. So if offUK are the to great uninformed have when it big numbers in these categories is slim. your wallet stretches far enough and a Mad, bad and dangerous to know,y're big right comes to bikes and bikers. But by Jove The larger versions broaden the bike like this is your thing, why not go for awe're good a diverse bunch, time, led mostly by spectrum of interest more, because on the best? So then, KTM's 990 SM R and machinery and purpose. some you can spend a little more 'me Ducati's new Hypermotard EVO SP it is. bore supermotos are so wrong the Take supermotos. Barking fun, but time'. Add in some creature Welsh roads and a hard thrash around but it sure comforts, relatively would you really want to go anywhere on Kinsham Raceway is the only way to speaking, and you • one? The hardcore might, but the separate these two. On your marks... domajority help hold more common sense than have a bike that can to even try.

and your testers are Benjamin 'BJ' Kubas-Cronin We had to prise Beej off the track on this pair, he absolutely loved 'em. It's not often he misses his obligatory fag breaks, so they must have been good.

Simon 'Rootsy' Roots We had to prise Rootsy off the roads on them, too. Silly speeds in a motocross lid was the only way we could get the bikes back to the manufacturers on time.

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Kneedown on a go-kart track normally means you're on a mini-moto – or crashing simon’s Ducati opinion

To crudely misquote Samuel Johnson, "When a man is bored EVO SP of wheeling the cock off aD ucati here's likely a few Ducatisti Hypermotard EVO SP, he is bored out there who have groaned of life." I love these bikes, and T after flipping the previous I love the Ducati. Beej is right, page and seeing the Ducati come up the first version was a hoot, but first. Well don't worry, coming cornering curbed the fun. Now, second in a test of two isn't a big deal the EVO SP rights all the wrongs, and, more importantly, the EVO SP is adds a bit of power to proceedings breathtaking. It's close to the bike we and turns even the most mild- always wanted the Hypermotard to mannered rider into a stunter be. Someone out there is listening! extraordinaire. It may not be the What the SP boasts for the extra real 'motard deal, but on the right two-grand over the standard model road I think the only bike that'll makes all the difference. Most beat it is its KTM arch enemy. The pleasing is the trick, fully adjustable Austrian machine is the better Marzocchi fork, a whopping 50mm bike, but can verge on being too longer allowing 30mm more travel. hardcore. For shits and giggles the It's nice departure from Öhlins, who supply the rear shock, itself boasting SP is hard to beat. No, I'll revise an extra 15mm travel. This is to that, it's impossible to beat. improve ground clearance, but we Simon's Verdict 8/10 also like the resulting extra 10mm on the wheelbase. The bike itself weighs eight kilos under the original Dash panels have moved Hypermotard, and a single bag of on a bit since the DT125 sugar under the EVO variant. There are other nice touches, such as lashings of carbon, higher bars, Ducati's data-analyser and, of course, a natty paint scheme. The engine It now makes over 80bhp – but produces five-horsepower more than the original Hypermotard, proved power was never a problem when slung on the dyno. It now ” makes over 80bhp for the first time. But power was never an issue in the Ducati Hypermotard EVO SP £10,750 A Hypermotard first place. needs a bit of getting Our biggest problem with the old used to; the riding bike was with the front end. It was far position and how to too soft on the initial stroke, and the position your body to use it. At first it things beautifully. The rear Öhlins is wheel was raked too far away in the feels a bit ungainly, a bit wrong, likewise as impressive. It's all gravy. 'motard position to give much although time is your ally and you And the engine is a welcome front-end confidence. This was true soon acclimatise. The new front improvement, too. The extra power is for both the original and the 'S', makes things easier, mostly because quite noticeable, making wheelies which the EVO SP supersedes. But of the far more sophisticated stroke even easier – if that's at all possible. pulling out onto Kinsham's tight and ride quality. It doesn't bounce up From a standstill it'll lift, and then at curves for the first time, the initial and down when you don't want any point in the first two gears thing to really signify progress is that it to now. For such a naughty on demand. But the curve is Marzocchi front end. machine, this is one bike more wholesome than that behaves. Pirelli don’t be before, allowing swifter Supercorsas provide all fooled by and smoother progress They were fresh Age. Apparently it gets on first thing... The Desmodue L-twin motor is now 5.2kg Highlights the grip you need to push across the countryside to better after 40.N ope, lighter than before, with lighter internals. ˲˲Best Hyper' yet the boundaries of the the air-cooled twin's beat. The engine is no wider than the cylinders and we don't believe engine ˲˲More grunt new envelope and before It's still pretty dead in increased compression and larger air intake them either... ports fuel a bigger explosion, now with a ˲˲Brembo Monoblocs long soon, we're kneedown the upper reaches, but super single spark. The engine also has new cylinder ˲˲Carbon goodies on a go-kart track. quick thrashes and superbike heads, cams redesigned ports and reworked ˲˲171kg Despite similar geometry, the EVO baiting down open A-roads aren't it's oil baths for improved cooling. Further cooling ˲˲86bhp SP is far more composed on corner forte, so it's a moot point. now comes from an 85% larger oil cooler. entry, through mid-turn and on exits. Overall, the EVO SP took me by track 7 surprise as I didn't expect that such a Make sure it's a short 'un Ride it traditionally or leg out, it still performs. And joy, this continues on big improvement was possible, let Minimal developments to the famous trellis fast road 6 frame helped the weight slashing. The giant Breathless up top the road, where the EVO SP feels far alone likely. But Ducati has listened, 50mm Marzocchi forks, fully adjustable, mounts more at home than any of its and reacted with big improvements.

chassis through a huge triple-clamp. The EVO SP hooligan 10 This makes hooligan's quiver brethren. Again, it's all down to the What-a-bike-a-to-like-a! • gets 30mm more travel as well as Diamond- front; the confidence it gives and the like-coating (DLC) and a firmer setup.A fully new rider 4 adjustable Öhlins monoshock suspends the You can calm it, just supple ride. Even when hammering Verdict 8/10 This is the Hypermotard we’ve been waiting for, finally… rear with 15mm more travel over stock. Brembo desirability 10 the stupidly powerful brakes (that are provide the stoppers, and fierce they are f'sure. Full of Italian loveliness utter overkill on a bike like this), the + Style, bling, torque, wheelies bottom part of the stroke controls - Still a toy, slipper clutch please

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don’t be simon’s KTM 990 SM R fooled by What you get for the opinion hat a big, old thing the extra cash here. The stock KTM 990 SM R looks, 990 SM’s just as mad If the Ducati is the frivolous W parked next to the lithe and just as good option, then the KTM 990 SM R Ducati. It isn't really, being a trick of is the thinking nutter's machine. perception and a nod to just how The EVO SP can't quite live with skinny that Duke really is. KTM the hard edged KTM, meaning reckon the SM R is the fastest that the SM R will be first to supermotard in the world, and we're the pub every time. That's not not going to disagree with them. really the point with these bikes, One-hundred-fifteen gee gees is a hell because you're going to be pulling of a lot for a bike like this. wheelies and stoppies galore, but The SM R is based on the original it's always nice to have a bit of SM we first saw in 2008. A real classy performance in your back pocket, headbanger, to be sure. Aside from should a sneaky sportsbike want sharing the raucous LC8 engine, the to show you who's boss. If that's SM R has a stock of tasty assets to the case then the KTM has every distinguish it in terms of style and weapon in its armoury to fend performance. 10-spoke Marchesini off everyone on everything, wheels save almost two-kilos, while except if you happen to stray suzzies are provided by KTM's latest on the TT course mid-race. acquisition, WP. Fat, fully adjustable Choppy throttle aside, it can do 48mm forks grace the fore, while a the sensible thing better than high/low speed adjustable WP shock the Ducati, too. Shame on you! Simon's Verdict 9/10 One arse-biscuit from Rootsy can flaw even the biggest foe

KTM 990 SM R £11,125 suspends the rear. Complimenting pliable fork and shock, or rather the these are Brembo Monoblocs, the real particular set-up on this bike, deal, as seen also on the EVO SP. suddenly makes a lot more sense. But as the KTM's turn on When the going gets fast and bumpy, Kinsham's Tarmac arrives, the initial they soak up imperfections with style impression is of a big softy. Ridden and allow a modicum of grace if you directly after the Ducati, there's a lot get things slightly wrong. A big help more dive from the fork, and a here are the Monobloc brakes, which seeming lack of accuracy. It's a are as powerful as the Duke's, but testament to how different these with a less aggressive initial bite. This bikes feel from each other, in all makes the WP fork's job easier, and areas. The SM R is a tad heavier than gives you more time to concentrate the EVO SP, and in this arena you on corner entry. However, when you really feel it. Once more it's just a start to really push the SM R it does case of getting used to it, and fairly get a little bouncy. It never threatens soon a steady, fast pace is introduced, to go wrong, depending on how The 999cc motor is basically the same unit as Highlights tempered only by the big power. much of a dick you're riding like, but the one used in the base SM model and the ˲˲Bonkers... Where the Ducati gives it all up a little more composure would be ‘T’. The ECU has been remapped for a softer engine ˲˲...and then some low down the range, the SM R is nice on stock settings. delivery off the bottom. The motor uses Keihin injectors and is equipped with a cold starting ˲˲Brembo Monoblocs exactly the opposite. It's hardly Of course, it's made worse partly system and electronic idling control system. ˲˲WP suzzies lacking in torque, but there's a by the engine, which is bananas. It's The ‘T’ version has a glass oil sight instead ˲˲189kg distinct lag before it explodes in a bonkers enough to rip the front wheel of a dipstick like here. Cats and secondary ˲˲111bhp frenzy, with a top-end the 100cc skywards exiting a turn, in third gear. air systems are identical across the range. larger Duke can only dream of. What Get on the gas, feel the power track 7 Brands Indy would be a blast this bike really wants is a bigger track thundering in around 8,000rpm, push to let loose upon, or some flowing it upright and wham, up she goes. I The frame is a high spec tubular space frame fast road 7 made from chromium molybdenum with an Yes, it is. Beware of wheelies... country roads. gotta say, it's bloody addictive and a alloy subframe. The brakes are radial monobloc Heading out into Wales, the KTM whole heap off fun. Much like the

chassis calipers from Brembo, while the ten-spoke hooligan 10 Defines the very word itself is instantly more comfortable and entire bike, really. Winner. • light-weight wheels are from Marchesini and the enjoyable to live with. The Hyper' top quality suspension from WP with twin-speed new rider 5 adjustment on the shock. The paint scheme is Mmm, best not to really never strays far from its mock Verdict 9/10 It's bonkers enough to rip It is the world’s maddest supermoto, indeed… far more exciting than the stocker, too. Awesome desirability 6 supermotard heritage, where the SM Pirelli Supercorsas complete the package. Devastating rather than sexy R becomes almost a normal bike + THumping motor, chassis potential, bling the wheel up on exit. In third when you're sat in traffic. The more - BIT soft out the crate, Satan’s throttle ”

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The KTM 990 SM R will always be just in front of the EVO SP on tech the road - but only just data � KTM 990 SM R � Ducati Hypermotard EVO ˪˪Bike name ˪˪Bike name ˪˪Bike name Type 999cc v-twin 1078cc, air-cooled, 4v, L-twin 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd Bore x Stroke 101 x 62.4mm 98 x 71.5mm 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd

engine Compression 11.5:1 11.3:1 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd Fuelling Electronic fuel injection Electronic Fuel injection 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd Tested Power 111.38bhp @ 9,450rpm 85.79bhp @ 7,750rpm 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd Tested Torque 94.92Nm @ 7,250rpm 92.95Nm @ 5.750rpm 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd

Frame Chromium-Molybdenum trellis Tubular steel trellis 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd F Suspension 58mm inverted fork, fully adjustable 50mm fork, fully adjustable 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd Öhlins monoshock, fully adjustable 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd chassis R Suspension Monoshock Front Brakes Four-piston caliper, 305mm discs Four-piston caliper, 305mm discs 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd Rear Brakes Two-piston caliper, 240mm disc Two-piston caliper, 245mm discs 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd

Wheelbase 1,510mm 1,465mm 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd Seat Height 875mm 875mm 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd Dry Weight 189kg dry 171kg 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd

dimensions Fuel Capacity 15L 12.4L 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd

Price £11,125 £10,750 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd From KTM UK Ducati UK 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd price 01280 709500 08451 222 996 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd 21. Spec Copy Lite Cnd KTM.co.uk Ducatiuk.com Make bold Cnd Ital.com Make bold Cnd Ital.com Make bold Cnd Ital.com power speed data the verdict 120 Highest peak power: Dyno data supplied by: 200 BH P 110 990 SM R @ 111.38bhp eing a big supermoto is a tough old game, especially when you cost 100 speed 180 Bover ten large. That's right, if you №1 90 hadn't noticed the price yet, they really are 80 that expensive. But the question remains; 160 are they worth more than their cheaper, 70 Highest top speed: 990 SM R @ 141mph plainer siblings? 60 In the Ducati's case the answer is yes, 140 with cherries on top. The difference 50 between the EVO SP and the stock EVO is 40 palpable to say the least. Most significantly, 120 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 is that the EVO still suffers from that rpm x 1000 front-end malady we've berated in many tests, whereas the EVO SP has all but 100 banished it. In my book, that alone makes it torque Fastest to 100mph: 990 SM R @ 7.50s more than worth the extra cash. But despite the SP's new found impetus and improved 100 80 road manners, it's still more toy than real Nm 90 motorcycle. I can't imagine myself ever doing distance on one, or wanting to. This 80 60 Fastest to 60mph: 990 SM R @ 3.55s is for Sunday thrashes with the boys, or for 70 the inner-city vanity parade. It's not a bike you'd likely ride every day, and that's what 60 40 Knee-down or foot-out, Highest peak torque: keeps it behind the KTM. 50 the SM R is the outright winner 990 SM R @ 94.92Nm The KTM 990 SM R can do more than 40 20 ducati the Hyper', simply put. In fact, the stock SM ktm would do almost as well. Getting caught out 30 on a long ride won't hurt half as much; suit and the SM R will be your bitch. It's 20 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 though remember both have small fuel faster, and thus, even more fun, but there's tanks, so fill up regularly. Yes, the SM R's one remaining issue to consider. A brand 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 time rpm x 1000 throttle is as shite as any we've tested from new Honda Fireblade is cheaper than both � KTM 990 SM R � Ducati Hypermotard EVO ˪˪Bike s peenamed test notes ˪˪Bike name ˪˪BikeKTM, name but we've almost got used to it now. of these bikes. Is the exclusivity and leftfield 15ºc Light What the KTM has in its arsenal is approach worth dismissing one of the best 3.69s 22. Tech Copy Med 22. Tech Copy Med 3.02s 0-60 3.55s potential, and here it has the Ducati truly sportbikes on the planet for? Unless you've 0-100 7.50s 8.84s 22. T•ech ktm Copy 990 Med SM R 22.• T echducati Copy MedEvo SP 5.69spegged. Everything I moaned about can be got spinal issues, we'd have to conclude speed 0-120 11.67s 16.05s 22. TEasierech C toopy launch Med than the Duke, but 22.Bloody Tech hard Copy to launchMed due to first and 10.98sfixed with screwdrivers, as KTM send the that no, it isn't. But some may disagree, in wheelies through the first three gears second gear wheelies at full throttle, Stg ¼ Mile 11.67s @ 120.16mph 12.20s @111.49mph 22. Tlikeech a maniac,Copy Med mild instability at top 22.more Tech stable Copy at top Med speed than stock 10.36sbike @ 144.99mph out in a more forgiving mood. If you which case go and give an SM R a good Standing Mile 31.99s @ 136.96mph 33.61s @ 132.09mph 22. Tspeedech C dueopy to Med soft setup 22.EVO, Tech but Cmuchopy slowerMed than the KTM 26.36swant @ 175.84mph to go on track, then you can adjust to razz. You'll be grinning for weeks. • Top Speed 141mph 134mph 22. Tech Copy Med 22. Tech Copy Med 185mph

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