Twenty years ago at EICMA 2005, Pierre Terblanche’s Hypermotard concept took “Best in Show” and kicked off one of Ducati’s most rebellious lineups. Now, two decades later, the Italian marque is doing something it’s rarely done by abandoning a signature technology. The 2026 Hypermotard V2 ditches desmodromic valves for the first time in the model’s history, and the result is a bike that’s sharper, lighter, and more powerful than any Hyper before it.
Saying Goodbye to Desmo
For Ducati purists, this might sting a bit. The Hypermotard has always been about that raw, mechanical soul — trellis frames, desmodromic valve actuation, and an aggressive supermoto stance that begged you to loop out in a parking lot. But the new 890cc V2 engine (already seen in the Panigale V2, Streetfighter V2, and Monster) swaps those signature Desmo valves for conventionally sprung units with variable intake valve timing. The trade-off is it’s a full 28.7lbs lighter than the outgoing 950, with the base model hitting just 397lbs wet and the SP trimming down to 390lbs.
The V2 also bumps power to 120.4hp at 10,750 rpm while delivering 69 lb-ft of torque at 8,250 rpm. More importantly, Ducati claims 70% of that torque is available as low as 3,000 rpm, which means you’re getting usable grunt across the entire rev range. There’s also a Termignoni track pipe that adds another 4hp and shaves nearly 10lbs.
A Nod to the Past
Visually, the Hypermotard V2 pays homage to the original 1100 that debuted in 2007. The double-wing fuel tank, twin underseat exhausts, and its unmistakable beaked front end are all callbacks to the bike that started it all. But Ducati has modernized the package with a full LED light cluster, a 5-inch TFT display with three viewing modes, and a frameless monocoque design that uses the engine as a stressed member of the chassis. The steel trellis subframe out back is more of a visual nod than a structural necessity, but it ties the whole aesthetic together.
The Rest of the Updated Specs
Suspension differs between the base and SP models. The standard Hypermotard gets 46mm Kayaba forks and a matching shock, while the SP steps up to 48mm Öhlins NIX 30 units up front and an STX 46 shock out back. Both bikes come with a Sachs steering damper and a suite of electronics that includes cornering ABS, traction control, wheelie control, and four riding modes. The SP also adds launch control and a pit lane limiter for track day shenanigans.
One of the more interesting chassis changes is the switch from a single-sided swingarm to a double-sider, borrowing design language from the latest Panigale models. Brakes are equally impressive, with the base bike running Brembo M4.32 Monoblock calipers and the SP upgrading to M50 Monoblocks.
Spec Sheet
Model: 2026 Ducati Hypermotard V2 & V2 SP
Engine: 890cc V2, liquid-cooled, DOHC, variable intake valve timing
Power: 120.4 hp
Torque: 69 lb-ft
Transmission: 6-speed with Ducati Quick Shift 2.0
Suspension: 46mm Kayaba fork, Kayaba shock (Base); 48mm Öhlins NIX 30 fork, Öhlins STX 46 shock (SP)
Brakes: Brembo M4.32 Monoblock calipers (Base), M50 Monoblocks (SP), dual 320mm discs
Weight: 397 lbs (Base); 390 lbs (SP)
Seat Height: 34.6″
Fuel Capacity: 3.3 gallons
Wheels: Cast alloy (Base); Forged aluminum (SP)
Tires: Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV (Base); Diablo Rosso IV Corsa (SP)
Pricing & Availability
The 2026 Ducati Hypermotard V2 arrives in early 2026, with the base model starting at $16,995 and the SP priced at $20,995. The standard bike comes in Ducati Red, while the SP gets a special 20th-anniversary livery celebrating two decades of Hypermotard history.
Recap
Ducati Hypermotard V2
Ducati’s 2026 Hypermotard V2 ditches the brand’s iconic desmodromic valves for the first time, resulting in a bike that’s nearly 29lbs lighter and more powerful than before. At $16,995 for the base model, you’re getting 120hp, modern electronics, and that rebellious supermoto spirit that’s defined the Hyper for two decades.
