At the end of October last year, we received a story that we could hardly believe our ears. It was that Ducati had developed an ultra-high-spec single-cylinder engine and was planning to introduce it to the market. The engine called the Superquadromono, was unveiled in early November, just before EICMA 2023, and mounted on the Hypermotard 698 Mono. One such vehicle that has attracted attention from all over the world is finally being unveiled in Japan.
Not only the vehicle but also the engine, which was completely disassembled, was shown in its entirety to the media.
Only Ducati could have come up with the single-engine that only Ducati could have dreamed of!
While many motorcycle manufacturers have given up on developing new high-spec engines in the face of SDGS and sustainability, Ducati has done it. As they dominate the world racing scene, including MotoGP and WSBK, they have created the Superquadromono, the most powerful single-cylinder engine on the market.
The Superquadro Mono has a displacement of 659 cc and produces 77.7 hp at 9,750 rpm. The rev limit is set at 10,250 rpm. The bore x stroke is 116 x 62.4 mm, with a very short bore x stroke ratio of 1.86 to 1.
Superquadro means oversquare, or super short stroke.
The super large-diameter 116mm diameter piston turns up to 10,250 rpm (10,000 rpm in first gear only). This fact is nothing short of astonishing to those who know a little about engines. The key to this high spec is the Desmodromic valve opening and closing mechanism that Ducati uses in various production models and MotoGP machines.
Unlike ordinary valve springs, Desmodromic has the advantage of accurately tracking the opening and closing of the valves, as well as low friction and the ability to design camshaft profiles with a high degree of freedom from low to high RPM. The Superquadromono is the ultimate single-cylinder engine that only Ducati could have achieved.
Ducati will first install this superquadromono in the Hypermotard. Naturally, various models using this engine will be developed in the future, and we can only have high expectations for them.
Super Quadromono, a super short-stroke single-cylinder engine using the back bank of the 1199 & 1299 series L-twin engines.
The rational philosophy developed for the L-twin engine is reflected in the single-cylinder engine.
Each part is built and finished as if it were a racer.
The first model to feature the Superquadro Mono was the Hypermotard 698 Mono.
Two models are available: the RVE with flashy graphics and quick shift for up and down support, and the standard.
Trellis frame made of elliptical steel tubular pipes. It is a simple and rational pivotless type, a design typical of Ducati, which considers the engine as part of the chassis.
The slimness of the chassis can be seen from above. The pipework, which is slimmer than the engine width, directly contributes to the sporty handling.
Racy specs, but also easy to handle
Ducati had been producing single-cylinder motorcycles commercially until the 1970s but has since shifted to L-twin engines, and in recent years has also been working on V4 engines. In 2024, a single engine will be added to Ducati's new engine lineup.
I am one of those Ducati fans who have been waiting for such an engine for many years.
And the Superquadromono reminds me of Ducati's legendary racer, the Super Mono.
The Super Mono was Ducati's production racer that was unveiled at the 1992 Cologne show and supplied to a limited number of racing stores from 1993. The engine was of a unique design that eliminated the rear cylinder of the 851-series Superbike engines of the time and was fast in single races. It was expected to be made into a production machine many times, but it was never available to ordinary riders.
The Superquadro Mono is similar to the Super Mono in the idea of using an L-twin engine as a base and is based on the L-twin of the 1199 and 1299 Panigale. From its engine shape, we can see that the front bank is eliminated and the rear bank is used.
The crankcase looks large because it contains two large balancers, which drive the oil pump and water pump. The idea is rational in every way.
High spec but also easy to handle for the average rider and on public roads. It is very racy on the inside, but the valve clearance check is as long as every 30,000 km. The engine has been announced as the entry model to the Ducati family, and although the focus is on the high spec, it is probably a very versatile engine.
The φ116 mm piston has a strong presence among the dismembered engine parts.
It is the largest single-cylinder engine on the market and is quite powerful when seen in person.
The backside of the piston has a double-ribbed shape that allows the piston pin length to be shortened and contributes to weight reduction. The shape is similar to an enclosure. DLC coating is applied to the piston pin.
High compression ratio of 13.1 to 1. Stable combustion is achieved even with a large bore.
High technology is required to meet the current strict regulations.
The valve diameter is the same as 1299 Panigale. The intake is 46.8 mm in diameter and the exhaust is 38.2 mm in diameter.
The intake is made of titanium for a lightweight finish. Rocker's arms are DLC coated.
Hypermotard 698 Mono, the first superquadromono
The promotional video for the Hypermotard 698 Mono was like dancing on a motorcycle. The wheelies, slides, elbow rubs, and of course, the acrobatics by professional riders, but the movements are so light and free.
The Superquadro Mono is mounted on a trellis frame with elliptical pipes. The design is very simple and rational, in keeping with Ducati's philosophy of considering the engine as the rigid body of the chassis. Weighing only 151 kg without fuel, it has a full range of electronic controls.
The Hypermotard 698 Mono will be available in two variants, 698 Mono RVE and 698 Mono, with the RVE coming standard with flashy graphics and up-and-down compatible quick shift.
A test ride is scheduled to be held in Japan at the end of May. It is exciting just to imagine a world where the super-large φ116 mm piston turns up to 10,250 rpm by desmodromic.
The front brake is a single disc. The front fork is made by Marzocchi and the inner tube is lightweight aluminum.
The rear suspension is a Sachs mono-shock with a lower linkage. Tires are Pirelli Diablo Rosso 4.
Simple and compact instrumentation. Riding mode can be selected from Sport, Road, Urban, and Wet, and the degree of intervention of ABS, wheelie control, traction control, engine brake control, etc.
A sticker was attached to the fuel tank filler port on the day of the presentation. The Japanese version will be lowered 40mm as standard.
The tank capacity is 12 liters.
The author, who is 165cm tall, straddles a seat with a seat height of 904mm in the home country specifications. Naturally, the seat height of the Japanese version is 864mm.
I never thought I would get to ride a single-cylinder engine with Desmodromic, the latest Ducati technology. I can't wait to test-ride it!
Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono RVE & Hypermotard 698 Mono [2024] Main Specifications
Wheelbase: 1443mm
Weight (excluding fuel): 151 kg
Engine: Liquid-cooled 4-stroke DOHC 4-valve single-cylinder 659cc
Maximum output: 77.5 PS at 9750 rpm
Maximum torque:6.4kgf-m/8000rpm
Fuel tank capacity: 12 liters
Transmission: 6-speed return
Brakes: F=disc, R=disc
Tires: F=120/70-17, R=160/60-17
Price: approx. 12037 USD (approx. 11243 USD)
Figures in parenthesesindicate Hypermotard 698 Mono
