The Ducati Hypermotard 698 RVE + The Best Backpack For Taking A Dog On A Motorcycle!

Hey, it’s Mike from Ride with Packmate! In this post, I’m going to break down why I went with the Ducati Hypermotard 698 RVE instead of a sport bike—or really, anything else on the market.

I’ve pondered the idea of getting a Supermoto for years, but when Ducati released the 698 Mono, I knew this was the bike I was going to pull the trigger on. The other Hypermotards Ducati offers just aren’t Supermotos in my opinion. This thing is a proper daily rider, but it still tears up highways and back roads with ease in any road conditions. And from what I hear, it’s an absolute beast on the track (though I haven’t hit the track yet—but that’s on my list for this year!).

Why a Supermoto and Not a Sport Bike?

The question I get asked the most is, “Why go with a Supermoto over a sport bike or something else?”

For me, the Hypermotard 698 or any Supermoto on the market is simply more attractive than other bikes. If you’re stuck deciding between a sport bike and a Supermoto, or you’re just comparing top-of-the-line Supermotos, let me tell you why I think the Hypermotard 698 Mono is the way to go.

Supermotos are pure fun—plain and simple. When I first went to Colombia years ago, I saw tons of dirt bikes converted into Supermotos. I kept hearing the deep thump of those exhausts and thinking, I need to get one of those! Supermotos are the ultimate street-legal dirt bikes.

With the 698, Ducati is going head-to-head with KTM, Husqvarna, and GasGas in the Supermoto game, and in my opinion, Ducati wins hands down. The styling is on point, the paint job is incredible, and the sick dual-tone wheels are a real standout. Even the stock exhaust gives off that classic Ducati growl, with sweet pops and backfires as you shift through gears.

The Upright Positioning: A Game Changer for Taking A Dog On A Motorcycle

Another key factor for me in choosing a Supermoto is the upright riding position. I ride a lot with my dog, and with the Hypermotard’s seating and handlebar positioning, my dog can sit right behind me in her backpack, spreading out the weight across the bike. Riding with a dog on a sport bike? Forget it. You’d be crouched over with all the weight on your shoulders, which is a tiresome experience. The Hypermotard’s upright positioning makes it feel like you’ve just got a passenger chilling behind you, making it more comfortable and practical for everyday use—even if you’re not riding with a dog.

The Hypermotard’s Strengths

The Ducati Hypermotard 698 RVE is a blast whether you’re on city streets, back roads, or doing some light off-roading. Here in Mexico, the roads can go from perfectly smooth to pothole-ridden disasters in seconds, and the Hypermotard handles it all with ease. This bike is lightweight, nimble, and incredibly agile. It’s not like wrestling with a heavy cruiser—it weaves through traffic and handles back roads effortlessly.

The power on this bike is spot-on. If you’re into wheelies, the front tire loves to lift off the ground, but Ducati’s wheelie assist will help keep things in check, allowing you to adjust settings to your comfort level.

Ducati’s Premium Tech

Ducati is known for packing their bikes with premium tech, and the Hypermotard is no exception. The electronics are top-notch, and the bike’s high-end torque begs to be pushed, especially on highways or back road twisties.

Why I Chose the 698 Over the 950

I went with the 698 instead of the 950 because it’s more my style—it’s lighter, easier to handle, and I don’t feel like I need the extra 250cc for most rides. Unless you’re consistently pushing the limits, the 700cc engine on the 698 is more than enough to give you all the thrills without the extra weight.

A Few Drawbacks Of The Ducati Hypermotard 698

As much as I love the 698, there are a few things that bug me:

1. Stock mirrors – They’ve come loose a few times already. I’m planning to swap them out for stealth mirrors, which still offer a decent field of view.
2. The seat – The fasteners on the seat aren’t great, and the seat tends to pop out, especially on hot days. A simple fix is switching them out for the KTM version, which is a cheap and easy solution.
3. Stock tail and license plate holder – The first thing I replaced was the stock license plate holder. I swapped it out for an NRC tail tidy, which cleans up the back of the bike and improves the look of the signal lights and license plate.
4. No gas gauge – Ducati packed this bike with tech, but for some reason, they left out a gas gauge! It’s a bit frustrating, but you get used to topping off the tank before any long rides.
5. Red plastics on the standard version – If you go for the base version instead of the RVE, the red plastics don’t hold up well. They look cheap after some use, so I definitely recommend upgrading to the RVE for that premium paint job that lasts longer.

Final Thoughts

If you’re after a bike that’s a blast to ride in the city, on back roads, or even at the track, and you want a daily dose of adrenaline, the Ducati Hypermotard 698 RVE is the bike for you.

And if you like riding with your dog, I highly recommend checking out our website at ridewithpackmate.com. We offer dog backpack carriers that fit perfectly with your brand-new Ducati Hypermotard.