796 Purchase Opinions - Ducati.ms

desmo796 · Jul 14th, 2011, 7:04 am

I need some input from you all about the hypermotard 796 covering a couple of points.

Unable to find a dealer willing to let me demo one, my concern is with me @ 6'4" and 245lbs that the bike may be underpowered and the spring weight may be too soft.
The springs are easily remedied. In addition having sat on one, the front seems as if I am already hard on the binders diving into a corner based on the way it sits.

I am looking at using this as an 20 mile radius commuter and poke around on the local twisties kind of bike. Opinions please. Thanks

Seven9Six · Jul 14th, 2011, 4:27 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by desmo796

I need some input from you all about the hypermotard 796 covering a couple of points.

Unable to find a dealer willing to let me demo one, my concern is with me @ 6'4" and 245lbs that the bike may be underpowered and the spring weight may be too soft.
The springs are easily remedied. In addition having sat on one, the front seems as if I am already hard on the binders diving into a corner based on the way it sits.

I am looking at using this as an 20 mile radius commuter and poke around on the local twisties kind of bike. Opinions please. Thanks

This is an easy answer. If you are above average in skills....buy it. Horespower isn't what is needed in street twisty riding. It's skill and handling that counts. My question is...why would you want a HM 796 when you are clearly too large and heavy to fit the bike properly?

desmo796 · Jul 14th, 2011, 5:57 pm

Any style of racing I participated in from motorcross to flat track, to road racing, it always seemed like I was too big for the bike and I had to get creative to make it fit me.
My stature was never ideal for motorcycle racing yet I did fairly well and enjoyed it immensely.

An HM796 is in my budget and mods to set it up other than the forks should be easy to obtain . . . yes? Thanks

SweFin796 · Jul 14th, 2011, 6:56 pm

I'm around 6 feet and weigh 225lbs at the moment, and my 796 fits me perfectly.
Done pretty much the same mods as everyone else and im still more than happy with it.

Mr Mike · Jul 14th, 2011, 7:30 pm

Im 6'1'' # 195. HYM is very accomadating for tall people.
Ive ridden my wife on back, total combined weight approx #340 and bike felt plenty peppy and did not sag to bad.

Still would be nice to demo

Liberator · Jul 14th, 2011, 8:44 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Mike

Im 6'1'' # 195. HYM is very accomadating for tall people.
Ive ridden my wife on back, total combined weight approx #340 and bike felt plenty peppy and did not sag to bad.

Still would be nice to demo

@Desmo796- Same size as Mr. Mike exactly and rode it from DC area to Chicago and back with loaded bags not 2 months after I first bought it and it was awesome. Commuting locally as well and doing the local twisties thing too. Sure you'll want to stiffen up the suspension eventually but she's fun as is if you can get used to the surging at low RPMs.

Lotta guys are putting in heavier oil in shocks and stiffer springs. Plenty of threads on that.

desmo796 · Jul 14th, 2011, 9:56 pm

Thanks guys, I know the stars would align.

I've been looking at heavier viscosity for the shocks as well as springs. Its always good getting direct experienced feedback.

I'm looking forward to it.

Liberator · Jul 14th, 2011, 10:25 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by desmo796

Thanks guys, I know the stars would align.

I've been looking at heavier viscosity for the shocks as well as springs. Its always good getting direct experienced feedback.

I'm looking forward to it.

Oh and if you do demo one or buy be really careful with that front brake until you stiffen up the front. Touch it once and grabs, touch it twice and it'll bury the front end in the ground! Scared the living piss outta me the first time it happened.

desmo796 · Jul 15th, 2011, 6:57 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liberator

Oh and if you do demo one or buy be really careful with that front brake until you stiffen up the front. Touch it once and grabs, touch it twice and it'll bury the front end in the ground! Scared the living piss outta me the first time it happened.

Thanks for the tip. Perhaps I could develop a progressive proportioning valve to offset that scary characteristic.

RichardU · Jul 15th, 2011, 9:10 pm

I'm 6'4" with 37" inseam and 210#. I'm happy on the 796, although I might look a little folded up on it. Since I also ride a DRZ with a 2" taller seat, the Hyper feels like a pit bike to me.

That's too bad about no demo ride. Even if you had one, chances are the bike would be stock and that's probably not how you would leave it. I haven't modified the engine, exhaust or suspension, but I have put on a 14 tooth countersprocket and changed the bars, mirrors, and handguards.

I'm not sure what is meant by surging at low RPMs, but basically the bike wants to stay above 4K. I had some grabbiness to the clutch, but fixed that by changing the type of oil. Other than that it is fantastic.