2008 Ducati HyperMotard - New owner review - Ducati.ms

DrSard · Sep 5th, 2007, 9:51 pm

Hi... New to the forum and new to Ducati...

I have had my HM standard for a week and have got 1380 miles on it. Most of these miles were put on during a three day ride to Eastern Oregon and to Hells Canyon in particular. I rode some of the best twistys that you can imagine. Perfect ribbons of banked highway and extreme goat trails. This allowed a good assessment of the bike.

Basis of comparison. I also ride.. 04 YZF R1 and 06 Husky 510SMR. (the HM is my first twin)... also just sold 02 Honda 919 (standard street)

1. The HM is fast in the tight stuff and handles well but there is no kick in the pants. The power delivery is smooth and extremely safe ( just not enough to make your heart race). The bike flicks about very easy and holds a line well. At higher speeds the suspension seemed a bit soft and the bike tended to wallow a little.

2. The brakes are good but could be a bit stiffer. I had to pump it a little bit to get the feel I wanted.

3. The clutch worked very well. The gear box is a bit notchy and I found a few false neutrals (3rd-4th or 4th-3rd) when my shifting was without conviction.

4. The riding position is relaxed. Pegs are too low. (they touch down too easy). Seat is too hard for long (300+ mile) days.

5. Tank is small but... I only ran out of gas because I ran out of time. (gas station closed). Just got to plan your trips. I would buy an aftermarket tank if they made a larger one.

6. The HM styling is fantastic. Fit and finish is great.

7. Instruments were easy to read and navigate. Need to fix inaccurate trip meter.

8. Sound. The standard HM pipe is very stealthy. good/bad ??

9. Mirrors. I like them. Very good field of view. Vibrations kill it at times.

Am I happy with the bike ? Yes and No !

It is an awesome bike but I need to find the HM's soul and learn how to let its spirit out. This I am looking forward to, and the next 10 000 miles.

Cheers.

Duct tape for rock chips.....

Motard-Menace · Sep 5th, 2007, 10:35 pm

Welcome,

Get the Termi Race Pipe to let the machine out a little, you would be surprised at the difference in responsiveness it gives. Don't have the cams yet but that will be coming soon I hope.........

nwrob · Sep 5th, 2007, 11:37 pm

From your picture, it looks like you need this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ducat...spagenameZWDVW

Good write up though! However, I'm a little disappointed with the fit & finish. Overall, it's fine but I think the Japanese makes have this mastered ( I have an '05 R1, too). Some of the details and finish quality on my HM looks like it belongs on a Kymco.

nobowl · Sep 5th, 2007, 11:53 pm

Welcome to the site DrSard!

phlewid · Sep 6th, 2007, 12:46 am

good review sard. Good to see you on the site. I feel about the same on most of your points, although coming from an r6 and sv650 the hyper seems to have plenty of power for 95% of the riding I do...ow it's that other 5% that I've got to deal with trying to chase you down... and to me the brakes work fantastically... I wonder if the soft suspension has something to do with the feel... Maybe turn a couple knobs? I'll have to post that video from the canyon you were moving pretty well out there. I also noticed that after stiffening the preload on my rear suspension, I never touched a peg during our ride even with my tail pack on.

levert · Sep 6th, 2007, 8:17 am

Only hit pegs on the track.

DrSard · Sep 6th, 2007, 9:00 pm

levert... Nice photo... good to see 'ya ahead of the SD....

Phlewid... I will have to turn a few knobs... I know I can get it dialed in...

Nobowl... I am a new convert....

nwrob... that is exactly what I needed...

blitzenduden · Sep 6th, 2007, 11:29 pm

Nice review!

Haven ridden both the S and the standard... Mine is the S with the 4:1 Termi... Let me tell you the quickest way to the soul of this motorcycle is the ridiculously expensive full exhaust.

I too had to push the brake levers out.

Buy an aftermarket seat... makes a world of difference.

Yes, the shifter almost needs to be slammed sometimes.

Yes, I have buried the pegs as well. Also the shifter and touched the rear break lever a couple of times. I think two things... more front compression preload and what a testimony to how easy and inspiring this bike is to twist... even when the suspension is all wrong.

I spent a bit of time getting my set up right. Buckaloo made a nice post on how to do this in a more principled strait forward manner.

As a matter of elucidation... I have lots of 3/4 liter racing experience and also ride a BMW1200 GS, a GSXR1000 (have had them since they were 1100 cis) a couple of old Yamaha GP 500s, a 996, a 998 and hopefully soon... a MV Brutale.

Get the pipe, get the pipe, get the pipe!!! more kick in the pants!

blitzen

sfarson · Sep 7th, 2007, 12:21 am

A software fix for the trip odometer is due in 2-4 weeks according to my dealer.

AZ_Scott · Sep 7th, 2007, 12:22 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by blitzenduden

... Mine is the S with the 4:1 Termi...

Where'd you get a 4-cylinder HM???

Hey Quent, are you going out to the Arroyo track day at the end of the month? I'm taking the HM out there, and I'm not sure we've ever met. Be nice to put a face to the name...

Scott