Possible future new HM owner with some questions - Ducati.ms

dhc8guru · Sep 27th, 2008, 11:55 pm

I am considering purchasing a standard HM. I took one for a ride today and was very impressed. I didn't care to much for the seat comfort and the short fuel range other than that I loved it.
Any potential problems I should know about on this bike. Its my first Ducati, my last bike was a Harley.
My local dealer offered the bike at $11,800 out the door including tax and tags. Seemed like a good deal along with the 1.9% financing, it was making it hard to resist. This is a toss up between the HM and the 696, so I am trying to decide which may be a better bike for me.

swoop · Sep 28th, 2008, 12:54 am

Completely check all plastics for any cracks before taking delivery. If you feel any weird shifting whatsoever immediately take it back and have them adjust the linkage. Other than that it is awesome.

-K

AXE · Sep 28th, 2008, 1:32 am

The DP comfort gel seat will cure your problems for around $225. That price is pretty good. There are some really good deals on used HMs too.

Out!

ak57 · Sep 28th, 2008, 2:08 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhc8guru

I am considering purchasing a standard HM. I took one for a ride today and was very impressed. I didn't care to much for the seat comfort and the short fuel range other than that I loved it.
Any potential problems I should know about on this bike. Its my first Ducati, my last bike was a Harley.
My local dealer offered the bike at $11,800 out the door including tax and tags. Seemed like a good deal along with the 1.9% financing, it was making it hard to resist. This is a toss up between the HM and the 696, so I am trying to decide which may be a better bike for me.

Buy it, Now

dhc8guru · Sep 28th, 2008, 8:49 am

Axe, thanks for the info on the seat, the gals at the Ducati dealer said they hadn't heard of anyone coming out with any gel seats yet and only knew of the ducati performance seat which they said was not advisable.

Broken plastics and weird shifting...got it.

MongoWERA · Sep 28th, 2008, 9:05 am

Why did they say the PD seat wasn't advisable? FWIW - there are 2 DP seats, one racing setup and one shorter seat that has gel pads in it. Gel is more comfortable than stock for sure, no experience with the racing.

alounacara · Sep 28th, 2008, 9:11 am

You will fall deeply in love with your Hyper after a few hrs in the saddle
The standard seat sucks bigtime

kingsnake1650 · Sep 28th, 2008, 9:46 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhc8guru

I am considering purchasing a standard HM. I took one for a ride today and was very impressed. I didn't care to much for the seat comfort and the short fuel range other than that I loved it.
Any potential problems I should know about on this bike. Its my first Ducati, my last bike was a Harley.
My local dealer offered the bike at $11,800 out the door including tax and tags. Seemed like a good deal along with the 1.9% financing, it was making it hard to resist. This is a toss up between the HM and the 696, so I am trying to decide which may be a better bike for me.

Go with the Hyper. It is the most fun I have ever had on the street. I just Got back from the hill country, Bandera Kerrville and the 3's. In the tight stuff the Hyper will out perform any sportbike I have ever owned. I was a little worried about the fuel range issue, so I carried a MSR bottle with gas.... I didnt need it. Also CA Cyclework is developing a larger tank.

dhc8guru · Sep 28th, 2008, 9:50 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by MongoWERA

Why did they say the PD seat wasn't advisable? FWIW - there are 2 DP seats, one racing setup and one shorter seat that has gel pads in it. Gel is more comfortable than stock for sure, no experience with the racing.

They were refering to the racing seat, since they didn't mention the lower gel seat, they probably weren't aware of it.

Seat problem seems solved. Now my last hangup is the fuel range. My Harley had a 3.3 gallon tank which popped the fuel warning light on at 85 miles... it would have been nice when I went on longer rides not to have to go into panic mode to find a gas station when I was in the boonies. Not a deal breaker but it is dissappointing. I guess if the larger tank is developed it will be on my list...Whats the deal with not going that extra half gallon to make a bike perfect?
I did see they have a plexglass flyscreen coming out, that is a huge bonus, its amazing how 8" of plexiglass in front of you can make longer highway drives more pleasurable.

MongoWERA · Sep 28th, 2008, 9:56 am

On the Hyper due to the angles (I'm guessing) I didn't find a lot of difference with the screen vs without. Then again I'm 6'4" and most of it's torso so the screen would need to be bigger to really matter to me.