Ducati Hypermotard 796 Review
"A brilliant used buy — if you do your homework first."
Used Buyer Review
The 796 is the sweet spot in Ducati's Hypermotard lineup — lighter than the 1100, friendlier on your wallet, and honestly more fun on real roads where you can actually use the revs. The air-cooled 803cc L-twin pulls strongly from about 4,000rpm and sounds absolutely savage through a decent aftermarket can. It rewards commitment and punishes laziness, which is exactly what a supermoto-inspired machine should do. Buying used though, you need to be smart. These bikes attract owners who ride them hard and maintain them poorly. Pull the fairings and inspect the trellis frame for crash damage — it's surprisingly common. Check the desmo service history religiously; that valve check runs $800-1,200 at a dealer and many owners skip it. Dry clutch chatter is normal and charming, but slipping is not. Budget for belts if they're overdue. Get all that sorted and you've got one of the most characterful middleweights ever built. It'll make every other bike feel beige.
Pros
Cons
You skip servicing or hate dealer bills
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