Thinking About Hypermotard, Questions

[Dirt_Sample]

I'm an ex-off road racer (KTM 450) looking for something that's fun to ride, a bike that can be ridden 50 miles on without feeling like I need to visit the Chiropractor afterwards. At 41 I'm not looking to race the bike, I just want something that I can enjoy the afternoon on.

I've already ridden an HD and it's just too heavy for me, and it really has nothing in the way of performance.

Here's what I'm down to....

08' Triumph Speed Tripple (1025cc)
08' Triumph Street Tripple (675cc)
08' Ducati Hypermotard (1100cc)

1. How is the Motard on the Fwy?
If I buy one I will want to ride it to work, round trip 20 miles.

2. Is the bike manageable at city speeds or does it need to be ridden like it's on a track?

3. I keep reading about all the maintenance issues, mostly dealers wanting to charge WAY too much for simple services, is this really an issue?

4. The owners manual seems to imply the bike needs to be serviced by the dealer in order for the warranty to be honored, is this true?

5. If you could own a different bike which one would it be, and why?

Thanks for you're time,

Tony....

[Motard-Menace]

I've owned a S3 and have a Hyper now. They are very different in some regards and alike in some. The D675 obviously is completely different then both since its a sportbike. I liked the S3 and made the switch primarily because I wanted a Ducati. Both very good rides however. As to your questions:

#1 It sucks on the superslab if you have to do any extended riding. I have routinely ridden 40-50 miles however and not that big of issue. No wind protection to speak of though.

#2 The bike is very manageable around town. It is an excellent urban warfare bike that can also carve the canyons. Nice riding position in town and you sit up higher then most bikes making it easier to see all around.

#3 There are no maint. issues. Yes European bikes cost a little more then Japo's but thats part of the price you pay to have one. DO the minor service work yourself and its not really an issue.

#4 No, you can do the work yourself if competent and as long as you can provide proof that you used the proper oil for example and didn't bugger anything up they have to fullfill the warranty. Of course having a good reputable shop that does not nit pick is helpful should a warranty issue arrise. There are some horror stories of crappy dealers making any type of work or claim a pain but wouldn't stop me from owning a Ducati.

#5 A Ducati 1098, Oops I already got one and I'm actually selling the Hyper but not because I don't like it but because I can't afford to keep both at this time in my life and I've swung full circle back to a sportbike. Had an itch to get one again after 7 years without and found a smokin deal that I could not pass up so its in the garage. BTW I've got a really nice clean Hyper (standard) with full Termi Race Exhaust for sale if you are interested I'll make you a sweethart of a deal.

#6 Of the bikes you listed I would get the Hyper, you won't regret it from what info you have provided. Goodluck

[Dirt_Sample]

Originally Posted by Motard-Menace

I've owned a S3 and have a Hyper now. They are very different in some regards and alike in some. The D675 obviously is completely different then both since its a sportbike. I liked the S3 and made the switch primarily because I wanted a Ducati. Both very good rides however. As to your questions:

#1 It sucks on the superslab if you have to do any extended riding. I have routinely ridden 40-50 miles however and not that big of issue. No wind protection to speak of though.

#2 The bike is very manageable around town. It is an excellent urban warfare bike that can also carve the canyons. Nice riding position in town and you sit up higher then most bikes making it easier to see all around.

#3 There are no maint. issues. Yes European bikes cost a little more then Japo's but thats part of the price you pay to have one. DO the minor service work yourself and its not really an issue.

#4 No, you can do the work yourself if competent and as long as you can provide proof that you used the proper oil for example and didn't bugger anything up they have to fullfill the warranty. Of course having a good reputable shop that does not nit pick is helpful should a warranty issue arrise. There are some horror stories of crappy dealers making any type of work or claim a pain but wouldn't stop me from owning a Ducati.

#5 A Ducati 1098, Oops I already got one and I'm actually selling the Hyper but not because I don't like it but because I can't afford to keep both at this time in my life and I've swung full circle back to a sportbike. Had an itch to get one again after 7 years without and found a smokin deal that I could not pass up so its in the garage. BTW I've got a really nice clean Hyper (standard) with full Termi Race Exhaust for sale if you are interested I'll make you a sweethart of a deal.

#6 Of the bikes you listed I would get the Hyper, you won't regret it from what info you have provided. Goodluck

Very nice bike...

I'll be ready once I sell my 2500 Dodge Ram....

Thanks for you're reply.

[parkcrf]

The Hyper is just plain awesome! I am coming off of dirtbikes and have never owned a street bike until the Hyper. It's got great torque and the riding position feels totally natural. It's like a big dirtbike really and feels very light. I am thinking of gearing mine down a bit but other than that its awesome

[tunefx]

Dirt Sample:
Ditto everything said by everyone above. I still ride a WR450 and it now has a Hyper buddy in the garage. I looked for several months comparing a lot of bikes, e.g. KTM (no Triumph). You obviously like premium dirt bikes (KTM). The Hyper is a premium roadbike--not a cruiser, not a sport bike, and not a road warrior, but an awe inspiring ride that is difficult to comprehend. Go ride one. My first test ride I felt as if it were as nimble as my WR (just watch the front brakes because they a VERY powerful). The Hyper, IMHO, is in a class of it's own. It blends traits of many styles of ridinging into one. I know this sounds like "jack of all trades but master of none" but it sets itself apart.

I use mine for work and fun. The Hyper will make you smile everytime you start her up.

What ended up a close second? Nothing really. But I did seriously consider "motarding" a KTM 950/990 SE (Super Enduro). In the end, the low end grunt of the Hyper and less vibration (better road manners) won me over--not to mention I did'nt have to "build" the Hyper. It's good stock or with extras.

[mdemers883]

I'm glad I saw this post, I'm in the same boat as this guy. I'm also from a motox background. I've had several bikes over the years such as harley's, suzuki's, honda's, etc... I've had cruisers and sportbikes. I'm also looking at the Triumph Speed Triple as well as the Hypermotard. I've ridden ducati's before and I love them. I've never ridden the speed triple, but I love the muscular look and the hp that it produces. Has enough power to keep me satisfied while not having a lot of wind protection which will help keep me out of high speed trouble :-P

I've never ridden the Hypermotard either, but I love the look of it. I'm also a big fan of twin engines, very practical power and gobs of torque. The only prob that I may have is the seat height, I'm only 5'6" so I'm not exactly tall in any regard. But, I think a lower seat may help.

I'm having a VERY hard time deciding on which bike I want, in my book I can't go wrong either way...but I can only choose one. I'll definitely be keeping my eye on this thread.

[Dirt_Sample]

Thanks for all your input on this; my local dealer has a "S" model that they do Demo's on, I'm going to go down there this weekend and Demo the Motard. It's too bad they don't have a Speed/Street Tripple to Demo as well since they are a Triumph/Ducati Dealer.

[mdemers883]

Originally Posted by Dirt_Sample

Thanks for all your input on this; my local dealer has a "S" model that they do Demo's on, I'm going to go down there this weekend and Demo the Motard. It's too bad they don't have a Speed/Street Tripple to Demo as well since they are a Triumph/Ducati Dealer.

Let me know how it goes! My dealer is a Triumph/Ducati dealer as well, not sure what they have for demo bikes though. I'm dying to know how it goes!

[tunefx]

Mdemers883:
From my past review of threads it seems the seat height can be adjusted using a couple of methods. Several types of seats offered by Ducati Performance (DP) as well as linkage & suspension adjustments. I think the linkage adjustment is standard on the S model and an add-on to the standard (but I'm not 100% sure). If you do an advanced search on "seat height" in the HyperMotard section you will find a great deal of info.

Here is one of the many links you'll find by searching:
Tired of Tip-Toeing!! I need a rear shock ride-height adjuster.


Hope this helps.

Dirt Sample:
Get ready to pull out your check book!

[mdemers883]

Thanks for that reply, that was a great piece of info for me that I was unaware of