Chris Northover is the perfect journalist to show just what a bike with the most powerful single cylinder engine can do.

The *right* man for the job.

Thanks for not beating about the bush and immediately comparing it to the 690 platform :-)

😎👍🇺🇲 58 year old old school analog rider here. I recently sold the fully mod'ed DRZ SM to a coworker. Bought a used KTM SMCR that's also fully kitted with basically all the mods. By comparison to the DRZ. It an animal. Due to weather and the usual sketchy road conditions. I have really had a chance to push it. But the few opportunities I've had. It's shocking. We're waiting for decent weather to get the bikes together and see the difference 😏 My coworker is a new rider sooo.... I know this video is about the new Ducati. Just wanted to add my 2¢ from the elderly crowd 😈

Agreed, Sm bikes are all star athletes - do anything, anytime anywhere. Love the back seat stand ups!

Chris northover really is a very impressive bike journalist, probs the best, very talented rider, very knowledgeable, and a bloody nice bloke

Chris is my favorite moto-journalist. He has a great attitude while translating his subjective and objective observations straight to my brain. I'm already a seasoned bike-nut, but somehow, he knows how to reignite my passion! You're awesome, Chris! Oh yeah, can't wait for the comparison with the other named sumos.

Take a shot every time Chris says "riot" 😂 ... Top guy for the top job, beautiful review for a beautiful bike

this is the review I've been waiting to see!! My order goes in for one tomorrow and I couldnt be more excited. Also pumped to see Fagan on the RVE and looking forward to 44's review of it.

Chris for president. Love, peace, happynes and motorbikes for everyone😊

This dude has one of the best job world...He got me into Duke 890r still loving my bike 6k miles of smiles...

Chris always standing ovation! You put a smile on my face!

What a great bike and presentation! Chris is the perfect journalist to show this thing off.

came from the MCN review, nice to see someone who can actually ride this bike :D

Ballocks! I'm 56 & 3/4 and just love my 701 SM, come on youth try and keep up✌

I’ve a 70bhp xr650r sm and it’s 20kg lighter. I’ve ridden a smc690 which I believe is the same weight and just feels heavy compared to my XR. Amazing how 20 years of progress hasn’t produced a road supermoto I’d prefer over my big pig…the XR has absolute legend reliability too…king of the dessert. El campèon

Dag, Chris can ride ANYTHING! Dude has unbelievable skill

Chris never disappoints!

Impressive that it still has that distinctively mean Ducati induction roar.

Should be a 36 month warranty ,What a great rider to review bikes . We need more

Chris Northover + skids and wheelies = thumbs up...

Alright, let's give credit where it's due-this review wouldn't have been half as entertaining if it weren't for my main man, Chris. His reviews are like a masterclass in riding and wit, setting the bar sky high! Now, let's talk dream bikes. Picture this: a Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono sitting pretty in my garage, begging for a spin. And hey, a little birdie tells me a SP version might be in the works-fingers crossed! Then there's the KTM Duke 890, the trusty steed for daily commutes and for the weekend adventures I'd take the 698 to bring that grin on my face. Sure, the new Duke 990 has its perks, but those headlights? Not my cup of tea. Anyway, until my dream garage becomes a reality, I'll be tearing up the streets on the new KTM Duke 390 Gen 3 (2024) I just got. And Chris, hats off to you, my friend! Your reviews are the gospel for bike enthusiasts everywhere. Keep riding safe and riding hard! Peace out. ☮️

Perfect.. right person for the job - then the rest of us can take over with our real world review and usage 👍🏻👍🏻

Just got mine last Friday. Put 188mi on it my first ride. Absolutely love it. Rides like my 510 SMR but better. Don't even notice the extra weight on the 698 vs the 510.

Awesome bike! Chris makes it look so easy 🔥

Chris at his best as always......the excited child smiling behind that black visor 😊.... love u brother.

Great news for the future as these bikes hit the used market. A ray of sunshine against all the platform based smaller bikes.

You know it's going to be an AMAZING video when it's a super moto and Chris is on it !!!

Excellent video as always. I got my Hyper 698 in my garage and I can't wait to ride her more!!

It’s always a treat to watch Chris ride machines ❤️ Lovely ✌🏻

Best motorcycle journalist without a doubt!!

Best way to find out, let Chris have 5 laps on both bikes and see the best time!!

Supermotos are back in full force and I can't imagine a better reviewer to provide a first ride video!

What fun that looks like ! Now, someone please put a Maico 700 single two stroke in that chassis and compare that. Track only of coarse. What regulations are depriving us from.

Got a test ride booked this Saturday on a 690 SMC-R. Can get a new 23 model for £8000 at my local dealer 👍

Cant wait to see the ADV version...that engine will be the base for other models!

Is it just me or did Chris look like he was having so much fun there!! That bike was designed for you

Damn! I’ve always had a soft spot for Supermoto’s and this bike just looks so friggin awesome! What a great review Chris, definitely the right man to show how much fun you can have on this bike! 🔥🙏

The Aprilia SXV still remains the ultimate sexy supermoto ever made in my opinion - no aids, no restrictions, just raw rip your arms off power!

The supermono wasn't even on my radar but this video sure made me interested! Looks really fun!

Favorite motojournalist reviewing my favorite brand of bike 👌🍝

Kudos to Ducati for managing to squeeze a few more hp out of a thumper. Being a rider who usually takes it slow n easy on my rides, I'll probably never own an SM. But I've always wanted one anyway :) Love the KTM thumper (I ride a Svartpilen 701), so I'm really looking forward to your comparison!

what a machine.. and Chris's review is the best as always.. 6:01 I'm loving the speedo console too

Was getting ready to ask “is it worth dropping another £5k on over what I’ll get for my 18 month old SM700?” and then I got to the end of the video… 😂 Great vid as always Chris… Looking forward to the comparison! 👍🏻

Right man for the job bring on the Super Moto showdown 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

Fabulous! Love this channel ! If Norton made singles like this in 1953 maybe Geoff Duke wouldn’t have gone to Gilera !

Bloomin' fantastic as always Mr Northover! Such a great way of putting things across and savage skillz. Question: Could you maybe do a beginners 101 type series on how to develope and perfect basic wheelies. I know there's loads of other videos but I know you could get the principles across in a super understandable way 🙏😎

Statham slowing Chris down!

What an absolute riot

Such shit marketing. Yes, the Ducati got a few horses more, but the 701 SM has 73Nm of torque standard, the Hypermotard has 63Nm. The 701 also delivers that torque at 6500, compared to 8000 on the 698. People have been getting 80whp from the KTMs for years with minor mods. I was hoping for Ducati to make it much lighter, but its not. its the same specs as a 701, but €4000 more in Norway.

Ducati has a knack for making beautiful bikes, even this new supermoto! Sick bike. I' anxious to see how it compares to the KTM 690 SMC R.

Spec sheets rarely tell the complete story. We live in a world where in my opinion, there are no bad bikes, only ones that work for you or not. At the end of the day, motorcycles are an emotional purchase; you buy the bike that moves your soul, then look at the spec sheets later. We live in a time where technology has allowed a manufacture to create any bike they can dream up and as long as we can keep us riders interested, should make this the best time in history to be a motorcyclist.

Let’s go! That bike sounds like it breathes fire

Nice one Chris. Thank you. I can’t wait to test ride one of these.

I like that bike, I wouldn't buy any, even because in 1999 I bought a Huskvarna supermotard, and I had an accident, but the bike didn't have any fault, it was me that I'm not a good rider. I was just admiring you doing things that I can only dream of. Astonishing! Thank you for the video Chris!

I cant wait for mine to be delivered. Awesome review.

Haven’t seen Chris have this much fun since he rode the KTM 1290 Super Duke R at Portimao 😂

The perfect review

Perfect moto journalists for bike tests like these...

I own 3 supermotos and real best bit is after you constantly out brake and out corner sports bikes at a track day, you slide off gracefully and then laugh as you pick it up and the damage is £0.00!

Can't wait for the comparison video

Chris love your work and reviews, keep up with great work 🤟🤟😍🤟 Ducati made me considering it's bike once again with this one😂😂

In the US a 16 year old can get his license and jump on one of these or any other bike ducati makes. We don't have age or power restrictions if you take the MSF course you can ride whatever lol my 17 year old rides my 821 ducati monster all the time. As well as the buell xb12r firebolt that we owned.

Looks an amazing bike. But then it's a whole £2k more than the KTM 690SMCR. That's quite a ducati tax

Brilliant intro!😂🤣

Well done Ducati !!

fantastic review. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for an enduro version as i ride quite a it off road and think i'd crack those pretty cast wheels in no time.

Even though I will never own a Supermoto myself I am still excited about Ducati investing in this new single cylinder bike. I hope they will bring a Hard Enduro version as well.. and who knows , maybe even a lighweight (~175kg wet) ADV / Rally bike built around this engine. But they probably won't to not compete with their own line-up (Desert X) 😢

Had 4 supermotos over the years, i am crap riding them to there full potential, a lotto win and one of these will be in my garage, those rider aids will give me the confidence i have lost over the years.

Most reviewers forget to say that wheelie control is unlocked only if you buy the special Termignoni exhaust that costs an arm and a leg.

Where's Chad? I wanted to see how the bike handled going slowly 🤪

I hope Ducati puts this electronic package on their other bikes (Monster, the big Hyper etc) eventually

This is everything I’ve ever wanted from a bike and 8:50 takes me back 20 years. Where can I do a track day like this? 😂😂😂

This guy can ride

Just flippin’ FAB 🥰

All the suspense of whether Chris would like the bike was ruined the moment I saw his giggling face on the thumbnail. Of course he loves the bike! It's the two-wheeled version of him.

Looks awesome.............Love Supermotos...........

Really interested for the comparison against the KTM 690 SMCR. I got one to sit alongside my 1290 SDR 😁

Big single supermotos make me so happy 😂

Chris Northover plus Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono = call the police!!!

I just wish he’d bring more enthusiasm to his job. 😂. Great stuff as always from the best hippie rider in the uk. Cheers. 👍🤪🏳️‍🌈

Absolutely bloody AWESOME.😊😊😊😊😊👍🏻

That brake line or whatever that is. What the heck, sticks out crazy😂

I'm 20, own an old 98 Sumo Husky and I'm completely in love with this thing, sadly the price tag is too steep for me but I don't think it's overpriced, I know for a fact that I'm going to aiming at getting this bike in the future

I am delighted Ducati is returning to single cylinder bikes.

Attract young riders? What young riders can afford a Ducati lol! On the real tho I think I might trade in my Enduro R sumo for an RVE this season. Love the Fagan cameo at the end!

Looks fun. Now I just need Suzuki to make a new supermoto to undercut this by a fair margin and I'm on!

Aw mannn… Now I want this one hahah! Awesome video dude.

after more than 30 years of supermoto the "Pasta Company" finaly made her own.

Chris is amaaaaaaaaazing

Great looking bike. Now an Adventure model with 698 engine and the modular frame.

Bitchen! Great video and test. I've got three of the old Doc singles, the ones with the hairpin valve springs. Love em.

Come on! We are all waiting for the 698 vs. SMCR road and track direct, side by side comparison! Your review will determine whether I hold on to my SMCR or swap it out for the 698.

Aprilia need to bring back the SXV

Surely the quickshifter should be standard? I'll be surprised if I see one of these in the wild.

I have a feeling ths "Hyper Supermoto" is going to sell really really well!

As a yoof on my ccm644 this is exactly the riding I loved - bashing round roundabouts like a twat. Sadly the dr650 derived engine was a bit 30th wheezy but still great fun. Traded in for gsxr1100 when I changed jobs and had to do big motorway miles which the moto was just awful at. Now I’m old would love one of these to play on 😂😂

Had a testdrive to! But will get back in 2 weeks with all electronics off! First video online now 💪🏻😁

I'm excited to see what they do with the hypermotard 950 platform. If the 890smt proves successful, which it kind of already is, they might want a piece of that market with their own supermoto tourer. I know they already did a hyperstrada but that thing was not a great supermoto and not a great tourer.

Im not sure and could be mistaken but i think Chris Northover loves supermoto bikes. The wheel device would be great on the RVE 950