EICMA 2015 FIRST LOOK: 2016 Ducati 959 Panigale & Hypermotard 939

Less dramatic than the other new models unveiled at Ducati's pre-EICMA show event but still very newsworthy were new, enlarged versions of the Panigale 899 and Hypermotard 821. So as not to lose power while meeting stringent new Euro 4 emissions standards, the two bikes' engines were enlarged to 959 and 939cc, respectively.

Ducati's Chief Engine Development engineer Gigi Mengoli keeps playing with bore and stroke numbers and somehow always comes up with positive results. Thus the new 959 is stroked from the 899's previous 57.2mm to the same 60.8mm of the 1199/1299 Superbikes, while retaining the 100mm bore. The new, enlarged motor retains the same valves and the same throttle bodies of the previous edition, yet the extra stroke brought a meaningful improvement in volumetric efficiency, with peak power going up from 148 to 157 bhp at the same 10,500 rpm and peak torque making an even more substantial increase from 73 to 79.2 lb.-ft. at the same 9,000 rpm. Helping here is a new exhaust system that looks more conventional than before.

In the case of the Hypermotard, Mengoli took the former 821cc motor and bored the cylinders back to the old 94mm diameter of the 848, retaining the 67.5mm stroke. Again, the final result is very appealing. Output is up just 1 hp, from 112 to 113, but torque jumps from 65.9 to 72.2 lb.-ft. New styling and graphics make the bike look even leaner and sharper while keeping its basic inspiration. As before, the model line includes the Hyperstrada version with saddlebags and a more comfortable seat.