Ducati’s Lightweight Hooligan Moto Just Got a Dose of Refined Stealth

The Bologna-based moto brand has given its single-cylinder Hypermotard a slick new look with some choice upgrades to boot.

Close-up of black Ducati motorcycle fuel tank and handlebars with control switches and handguards.

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By Gray Van Dyke

Published May 15, 2026

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Updated May 15, 2026

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When Ducati launched its Hypermotard 698 Mono back in 2024, the bike made for the brand’s first street-legal single-cylinder in over 50 years.

Not only that, but its debut also heralded the arrival of the most powerful one-pot motorcycle on the market. Suffice to say, then, that the 698 amounted to quite an addition to the Ducati Hypermotard range.

Black Ducati motorcycle with red wheels and red frame details on a racetrack. — The Nera introduces a stealthy total-black look (with a few Ducati Red accents, of course).

Eager to keep the momentum going, Ducati just dropped a new variant of the road-going thumper that promises a more refined kind of appeal. Along with a stealthy visual makeover, it also brings some choice performance upgrades.

A stealthy single-cylinder hooligan

It’s called the Hypermotard 698 Mono Nera. In keeping with the name (Italian for black), it ditches Bologna’s typical bright hues in favor of a much more shadowy look.

Close-up of black Ducati motorcycle fuel tank, seat, and handlebars with gold front forks. — As a 333-pound supermoto bringing 77.5 horsepower, the Hypermotard 698 Mono is a true hooligan bike.

Accordingly, this Hyper keeps its incorporation of Ducati Red to just a few accents. Apart from a stripe on the front headlight, the wheels, frame and tank lettering are the only other areas that break up the total black digs.

Thankfully, though, the Nera isn’t just a colorway. As part of the package, Ducati is also treating the Hypermotard 698 Mono to some black-finished Termignoni silencers. Along with giving the bike a cleaner look, they bring a more polished sound.

Black Ducati motorcycle with red frame and wheels on a red rear stand on asphalt. — Those Termi pipes look the part and sharpen the sound, too.

Some pipes are bound to be a boon for anyone with a restless throttle hand, but the exhaust isn’t even the most impactful change. Like its graffiti-clad RVE counterpart, Ducati’s Nera-designated 698 Mono brings an up-and-down quickshifter.

In case you haven’t had the benefit of using one (make sure to change that), it’s akin to riding on easy mode. Moreover, with a supermoto like the Hypermotard, clutchless gearchanges give you an absolute b-road destroyer.

Close-up of a motorcycle's rear section showing dual Termignoni exhausts, red taillight, and Pirelli tire with red rim. — Even the finish on the silencers is a stealthy black.

Building on a potent foundation

While the rest of the Nera is consistent with other Monos in the Hyper range, the good news is that Ducati’s offering already makes for quite the compelling motorcycle.

For one, the brand bills the 698’s Superquadro Mono as the “most sophisticated and highest-performing road-going single-cylinder engine ever built.” Essentially a halved 1299 Panigale v-twin, it makes 77.5 horsepower, revs to 10,250 rpm and incorporates a massive 116mm piston along with trick Desmodromic valve timing.

Motorcyclist in red Ducati racing gear leaning into a turn on a black Ducati motorcycle on a racetrack. — Ducati’s impressive suite of electronics allows riders to back it in with more confidence.

What’s more, because of touches like its trellis frame, double-sided swingarm and aluminum-flanged brake discs, the bike is svelte. Ducati touts a wet weight of 333 pounds, though you will need to gas it up to ride.

Taken together, these attributes already make for a license-losing ride. In combination with Ducati’s electronic package, then, they’re bound to inspire some hooligan behavior.

That’s because, beyond features such as Ducati Traction Control and Engine Brake Control, the Hypermotard 698 Mono (Nera) brings advanced electronic aids like ABS Cornering, Ducati Power Launch and Ducati Wheelie Control.

Black Ducati motorcycle with red wheels and dual exhausts on a racetrack stand. — While subtler in looks, there’s nothing unassuming about the behavior Ducati’s Hypermotard inspires.

As if that wasn’t enough, an optional race exhaust activates an additional Wheelie Assist. Just as it sounds, it helps riders keep the bike pointed skyward by regulating its angle through torque delivery.

Availability and pricing

The Hypermotard 698 Mono Nera will be hitting dealerships beginning in June 2026. Pricing will start at $14,395, above the standard model but slightly less than the RVE.

Black and red Ducati motorcycle with red rims and gold front forks on a white background.

Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono Nera

$14,395 at Ducati

About the Author: Gray is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, motorcycles and anything else with wheels. When he’s not chasing the latest industry news, he’s probably wrenching on one of many projects. For better or worse, he believes classics make perfectly practical daily drivers.

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