By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Supermoto
KTM 690 Supermoto (MY2007-R) vs Ducati Hypermotard 1100 (MY2007)
KTM 690 Supermoto vs Ducati Hypermotard 1100: which one's easier to live with every day.
Roll on at low revs and the KTM 690 Supermoto's early fuel injection won't feed power in gently: it snaps on and off. The Ducati Hypermotard 1100's air-cooled twin doesn't hesitate on that same grip and picks up the instant your wrist turns. Its midrange hits hard behind a raw, throaty bark.
So which one do you buy?
The 690 Supermoto has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
By a nose: 690 Supermoto
The 690 Supermoto makes slightly more sense as a commuter. Thank a smaller footprint and easier maneuvering in tight spots for that. Don't read much into a gap this small.
The Hypermotard 1100 has the edge if…
Racetrack use
Slight edge: Hypermotard 1100
The Hypermotard 1100 nudges ahead once you're on a closed course. Hardly a big enough gap to bank on.
What makes each one tick
690 Supermoto
There's almost no gap between picturing a direction change and the 690 Supermoto's light chassis carrying it out. Corner entry needs barely a nudge at the bar, and the front doesn't fight the drop toward the apex. The bar's already chasing the exit.
Hypermotard 1100
From the first bend, the Hypermotard's wide motocross-style bar and slim waist leave no doubt who's steering the front. It flicks like a sportbike. On the brake lever, the stiff chassis doesn't squirm; it eggs you on to back the rear in toward the apex. The front tire's still hooked up deep in lean.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Hypermotard 1100 has the lower seat: 33.3 in (845 mm) vs 34.4 in (875 mm).
- The Hypermotard 1100 makes more peak power: 92 hp (68 kW) vs 63 hp (47 kW).
- The Hypermotard 1100 makes more peak torque: 76 lb-ft (103 Nm) vs 48 lb-ft (65 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Not built for it: Hypermotard 1100
The Hypermotard 1100 has too much motor for a first bike. Get your basics down on something smaller.
There's no real gap on twisty roads and running costs. Sit on both and let fit and price decide.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
690 Supermoto
What owners say
Trade-offs
- Hard seat and minimal wind protection
- Jerky low-speed throttle
Hypermotard 1100
What owners say
Strengths
- Torque-rich, soulful air-cooled twin
- Instantly intuitive riding position
Trade-offs
- Short tank range limits serious road trips
- Stiff suspension on anything but smooth roads
- Zero wind protection
Known problems to check before you buy
690 Supermoto
- Rocker arm bearing failure The roller rocker arm bearings can disintegrate, leading to catastrophic top-end damage. Regular inspection and replacement every valve check (approx. 6,500 miles) is recommended. KTM partially acknowledged the issue for bikes with full dealer service history.
- Fuel pump / fuel filter clogging Debris in the fuel system can clog the filter, leading to fuel pump failure, hard starting, and stalling. Regular filter replacement and using clean fuel are essential.
- Electrical gremlins Intermittent starting issues and instrument cluster failures have been reported, often traced to corroded connectors or a failing voltage regulator.
Hypermotard 1100
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
What they share
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
Where the spec sheets split
| 690 Supermoto | Hypermotard 1100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 34.4 in (875 mm) | 33.3 in (845 mm) |
| 690 Supermoto | Hypermotard 1100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 654 cc | 1078 cc |
| Engine | Single-cylinder | L-twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled | Air-cooled |
| Power | 63 hp (47 kW) | 92 hp (68 kW) |
| Peak power at | 7,500 rpm | 7,750 rpm |
| Torque | 48 lb-ft (65 Nm) | 76 lb-ft (103 Nm) |
| Top speed | 115 mph (185 km/h) | 123 mph (198 km/h) |
| 690 Supermoto | Hypermotard 1100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 33 mpg (US) / 7.1 L/100 km | 32 mpg (US) / 7.43 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 3.6 US gal (13.5 L) | 3.0 US gal (11.5 L) |
| 690 Supermoto | Hypermotard 1100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 320 mm | 305 mm |
| Rear tire | 160/60-17 | 180/55-17 |
| Wheelbase | 57.5 in (1460 mm) | 57.7 in (1465 mm) |
| Ground clearance | 11.0 in (279 mm) | 6.5 in (165 mm) |
| Front travel | 8.3 in (210 mm) | 6.5 in (165 mm) |
| Rear travel | 8.3 in (210 mm) | 5.6 in (141 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| 690 Supermoto | Hypermotard 1100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Slipper Clutch | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
