newbie Questions before buying - Ducati.ms

2low4nyc · May 4th, 2009, 4:49 pm

Hello all , im new to the forum but i am no newbie to motorcycles

i have owned
2005 suzuki gsxr600
2004 suzuki gsxr600
2001 honda cbr 929
2006 suzuki drz400sm supermoto
2007 aprilia sxv 550
2006 honda 600rr

and many scooters and quads

here is my dilemma

My fiancee is buying me a bike as a wedding gift and she knows i always wanted a Ducati, so i am looking at the Hypermotard and the 848

i know they are totally different but i have owned both styles of bikes so here are my questions

on both supermotos that i have owned i hated 3 major things...

1) is the bike stable at high speeds? my DRZ400SM was screeming and vibrating like crazy at 95mph

2) What is the absolute top speed on the hypermotard? id like to be at atleast 130mph preferably

3) how many miles does the gas tank last? my DRZ400SM was around 100miles and the aprilia was around 80

i am leaning more towards the HM - the 848 is second choice because i dont know if i want another street bike...

i wanna use my bike as a comfortable sunday ride bike for me and my fiancee , or the occasional commute to work ( 40 miles a day)
and the occasional once a year 120mile ride to pennslyvania from new york...

is this the right bike for me ?

OR

am i buying a $15K Suzuki DRZ400SM??????????????

2low4nyc · May 4th, 2009, 5:16 pm

anyone ?

STICKER · May 4th, 2009, 5:30 pm

Its definetly not a $15000 dollar Drz because I had one prior to the Hyper.
It wont go 130mph. Pretty close though.
I have taken the GF on the Hyper and find its much more of a solo bike.
You will love it...

Borracho · May 4th, 2009, 5:31 pm

Well...I've only ridden a DRZ a few times but I'll chime in.

It feels a lot lighter (I guess because it is) but it lacks a little in the 'snap' with the lackluster engine. But you do get what you pay for. I really liked riding it; perfect for a second bike. Or a straight and true 'supermoto' like the KTM.

What you miss out on is the Ducati styling, engine tech and mystique that only comes from owning a Ducati. It's beautiful to look at, rides like a pissed off bull on steroids, and you cannot help but just sitting back and listening to that beautiful Ducati twin sound. It is not a true supermoto but more of a cross between one and a naked sportbike.

It is comfortable for long cruises (nothing above 90mph for long distances for the most part as there's minimal wind protection), limited range unless you have the big tank, and not bad for riding 2 up. I've had mine up to 108 for short distances; once on a windy day. It felt okay; not entirely stable but it is a light bike. My BMW GS felt stable up to triple digits but it weighed more than twice what my Hyper does so...

Question is; will you be comfortable (along with your fiancee) hunched over a superbike? Coming from the Gixxer's I'm sure you know this.

Test ride both and see what you like.

2low4nyc · May 4th, 2009, 5:37 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Borracho

Well...I've only ridden a DRZ a few times but I'll chime in.

It feels a lot lighter (I guess because it is) but it lacks a little in the 'snap' with the lackluster engine. But you do get what you pay for. I really liked riding it; perfect for a second bike. Or a straight and true 'supermoto' like the KTM.

What you miss out on is the Ducati styling, engine tech and mystique that only comes from owning a Ducati. It's beautiful to look at, rides like a pissed off bull on steroids, and you cannot help but just sitting back and listening to that beautiful Ducati twin sound. It is not a true supermoto but more of a cross between one and a naked sportbike.

It is comfortable for long cruises (nothing above 90mph for long distances for the most part as there's minimal wind protection), limited range unless you have the big tank, and not bad for riding 2 up. I've had mine up to 108 for short distances; once on a windy day. It felt okay; not entirely stable but it is a light bike. My BMW GS felt stable up to triple digits but it weighed more than twice what my Hyper does so...

Question is; will you be comfortable (along with your fiancee) hunched over a superbike? Coming from the Gixxer's I'm sure you know this.

Test ride both and see what you like.

i am going to test ride both definatly... but do u think i could do around 200 miles to the tank?

im glad ur gf is comfy on it cuz she likes to ride but she always hated riding on the gsxr cuz it was uncomfortable ...

i hate the fact the the top speed is so low for an 1100cc bike ( 1078 actually )

Borracho · May 4th, 2009, 5:44 pm

^ you can only get around 100-110 mpg with the stock tank. <80-90 with mods. 200+ is possible with the big tank:

http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/docs/18...llon-tank.html

All the guys that have it love it.

Yes; the wife loves riding on the back of the Duc. Similar position as the BMW but with no backrest.

PS; yeah, but rarely can you hit those speeds, at least around here.

2low4nyc · May 4th, 2009, 6:28 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Borracho

^ you can only get around 100-110 mpg with the stock tank. <80-90 with mods. 200+ is possible with the big tank:

http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/docs/18...llon-tank.html

All the guys that have it love it.

Yes; the wife loves riding on the back of the Duc. Similar position as the BMW but with no backrest.

PS; yeah, but rarely can you hit those speeds, at least around here.

does this tank look stock once installed? can u tell it is installed?

are there any known problems with the bike .. for example the 07 sxv 5.5 had been known to basically blow up ....

any major known issues with the HM ?

also whats the deal with the air cooling system ????? all that money and the bike is air coooled? its gonna suck on hot days/nights in NEW YORK CITY

Borracho · May 4th, 2009, 6:35 pm

Tank looks stock as it's covered mostly by the plastic, seat and tank panel where the gas cap sits. You can see some of it peeking out but only another Hyper owner would know it looks 'different' from stock.

No BIG known issues. Some have some brake pump up issues but I think that's only with the standard model, not with the 'S'? Also; some experience the secret 'second neutral' between 3-4 or 4-5? Search using the terms 'problem' or 'issue' and see what pops up. For the most part, I've heard no complaints and I have no issues with my bike.

For the most part; the air cooling works good. Some guys here have installed larger coolers from NCR and Febur. Liquid cooling would have been too cumbersome for the clean and naked look of the Hyper.

Hehehe...clean and naked.

oalvarez · May 4th, 2009, 6:40 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2low4nyc

does this tank look stock once installed? can u tell it is installed?

the bike looks the same but you can tell that it has a larger tank if you look in the right place (above the rear wheel).

Quote:

are there any known problems with the bike .. for example the 07 sxv 5.5 had been known to basically blow up ....any major known issues with the HM ?

some have experienced stalling/hesitation issues but which are usually remedied with a quick visit to the dealer. i haven't read of anyone's HYM "blowing up" which is a good thing.

Quote:

also whats the deal with the air cooling system ????? all that money and the bike is air coooled? its gonna suck on hot days/nights in NEW YORK CITY

well, you could opt for the 848 with a liquid cooled motor and underseat exhaust that will roast your nuts better than any street vendor in NYC.

i think the HYM would be the better choice between the two (for what you're going to use the bike for) but some will tell you that the 848 is the best commuter in the world. different strokes, different folks.

have fun

jbernard · May 4th, 2009, 6:55 pm

I would say go for the Hyper. I was in the same boat as you trying to decide between the 848 and Hyper...I went with the Hyper.

I used to have 600RR and GSXR750 but I grew up riding motocross. I made the right decision. The Hyper is the best bike I have ever owned. It's like a dirt bike on steroids + it looks dope. Yah, you don't have the top speed of the 848 but honestly you don't need to be going 120mph + (unless your at a track)! The Hyper is great for city streets and canyons. It wants to pull wheelies out of every turn and after every light.

As far a riding a girl on the back, my wife loves it. She hated the riding on the back of my sportbikes.

All in all both are SICK!