First Time Ducati Buyer - need Help

[asianmi18]

Hi guys, I love the way the Hypermotard looks and the upright position gives me hope of finally riding two-up w/ the girly. I do have some very specific questions before I'm sold though.

I come from a 2004 R6 (track/WERA race bike) and a 06 GSXR1000 streetbike. My concerns are these:

1) GP Shift? Is it possible w/out major work?

2) Lean angle; I'm very accustomed to extreme lean angles (racing) and thus my street pace/lean angle is quite aggressive. Will I have issues w/ the wide handlebars/pegs or is the lean angle comparable to a sportbike? (I'm 5'5" so my short legs won't allow my knee to be Ruben Xaus length).

3) I'm concerned w/ stalling issues reported on this board. Dealer by me (Michigan) report no problems (coming from the local service manager). I'm very worried in having to spend another 2k to get a good running bike. Any input on this? Unfounded worry?

4) Maintenance, what's the maintenace intervals for the HM?

5) Price. Honda East is known for their below MSRP prices on Japanese/Aprilia bikes. Is there a similar ducati dealer to ensure I get the best price?

[GReeK]

Originally Posted by asianmi18

Hi guys, I love the way the Hypermotard looks and the upright position gives me hope of finally riding two-up w/ the girly. I do have some very specific questions before I'm sold though.

I come from a 2004 R6 (track/WERA race bike) and a 06 GSXR1000 streetbike. My concerns are these:

1) GP Shift? Is it possible w/out major work?

2) Lean angle; I'm very accustomed to extreme lean angles (racing) and thus my street pace/lean angle is quite aggressive. Will I have issues w/ the wide handlebars/pegs or is the lean angle comparable to a sportbike? (I'm 5'5" so my short legs won't allow my knee to be Ruben Xaus length).

3) I'm concerned w/ stalling issues reported on this board. Dealer by me (Michigan) report no problems (coming from the local service manager). I'm very worried in having to spend another 2k to get a good running bike. Any input on this? Unfounded worry?

4) Maintenance, what's the maintenace intervals for the HM?

5) Price. Honda East is known for their below MSRP prices on Japanese/Aprilia bikes. Is there a similar ducati dealer to ensure I get the best price?

1. dont know
2.not a problem, you will need new knee pads soon
3. no problems
4. every 7500 miles, $700 service
5. MSRP out the door is fair for seller and buyer. Don't budge.

[bromike666]

Dude, it's Italian. Expensive to buy, expensive to own, cranky, tempermental and way more bitchin than Japanese iron.

It's either all worth it to you or not. No one else can decide that for you

[sconly]

cant change to gp shift without aftermarket parts and even then I am not sure, I have not done my research.

the bike is expensive when compared to the japanese bikes very un likely that someone will roll up next to you on another hyper. it gets more looks than a gixxer.

the bike handles like a superbike but cant hang on the highway, twisties will NOT be an issue nor will lean angles.

the bike has lots of available aftermarket options.

maint is easy to do yourself if your mechanically inclined, if you raced I will assume you are.

top notch componants on the S model, things you wont get on a gixxer.

no stalling issues on mine, like anything else there are always the chance of issues. but everything can be fixed.

the bike will save you speeding tickets but may increase your reckless driving tickets aka lots of wheelies. bike is very comfortable to ride if you get stuck in traffic or just lane split.

[Antigrav]

1) will cost you to do... but Maldin doesn't use GP shift so why should I....
2) will cost you. the pegs grind very quickly... but they make rear sets.
3) Never once has stalled on me, would be covered by warranty...
4) You won't have to spend 2k to get a good running bike, but you will have to spend 2K to get the bike running hard... I only did the 2 into 1 pipe and will leave it from there. Bike has gobs of bottom end, sign off early... goes about 125MPH
5) maintenance will cost you more 600 miles then 7500 I believe???
6) This bike isn't a hot seller right now. There are deals to be had especially in this economy and with the street fighter coming out, which might be a better option for you....Forget about comparing it to a Honda, its unique and that will cost you.

Ducati have a very loyal following, the bikes do have more soul than other bikes. And Ducati makes the bitchinest looking bikes with great performace...that is the bottom line isn't it?

[Surfdog]

1. Why ?
2. Just ride it like you stole it !
3. Not a problem w/ anyone I know. I'm running 2-1-2 (Termi slip-on)
DP race cams... best money spent on the bike !!!!
4. what everybody else said....
5. you'll pay MSRP.... it's a good price, but shop around some dealers
charge as much as $1,400.00 in setup fees... others only $800.00
6. Dude... It's Italian. Either you get it or you don't.

[johnnymotocros]

Here are the answers from an everyday rider, not a calculator, not a fanatic;

1. Don`t see why not posiible, but what for ? If you want to win, get a race bike, Hypers are for FUN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2. You must ride it. Rent one for a couple of days. I know where you can rent one.
3. On the stalling problem, you got the same answer I got from my dealer; " I never heard of it", or " Ours never had that " , Yeah right !!!! Well I am telling YOU, I have one, and mine DOES STALL, and its not me or my riding style, I have not seen this problem in any bike I had, including two other Ducs. And it happens at the worst time, at slow speed ( the other day it died when I pressed the clutch for lowering gears at around 60mph ). It starts right away, but is there. I keep telling my son to never ever take the fingers off the clutch lever when at slow speed because if it dies, and it has, if you don`t press the clutch, your bike will be on the ground a second later due to the rear wheel stoping fully.
The dealer never gave me any hope on this, just that they will thinker with it to see if they find anything wrong. So, I decided to keep mine intact until a real known solution is found. I don`t want my bike to be the one used for trial and error troubleshooting.
SO, don`t be a fool, ask about this and get something in writing. If you scratch the bike because it stalls and you drop it, they WILL NOT, have you heard me ???? they WILL NOT fix the scratches under warranty.
4. Mine has 8k of mild/hard riding under dry and rain conditions, other than the stall problem; a rubber footpeg fell off, and the rear tail fell off while riding ( and got stuck between the rear tire and the shock !!!!!! ). I have done the oil/chain/filter work so don`t know the dealer cost.
5. Bring cash to the dealer if you want a better deal, and call every dealer. But if you will depend on your local dealer for service, don`t piss them off and allow them to make some $$$ on you bike, so they will be nice to you when you need them later.

[lelenb]

Rearsets will give you the option of GP style shifting and they will also give you needed ground clearance. The stock pegs are too low and forward. Also you can get a lower seat for $250.

I have a light weight flywheel and I have never had stalling issues.

The price on Hypermotards is much more flexible then they were because of the soft economy. Morrison noted recently that Pat Clark in Las Vegas sold a Hyper S model for $11,500 so deals are out there.

This is not a sport bike so you should test ride one to be sure that you want one. If you ride alot of high speed highway you might hate this bike as there is no wind protection. If you live near the curves there my not be a better bike out there for pure fun.

[GReeK]

Be very careful some dealers might tell you that they will sell you the bike for $10,000 for example but then will add dealer fees, prep, paperwork, air to the tires, bike wash and whatever else they can think of and at the end they will ad tax. By the time you know it, you will be buying that bike for $15,000. When I say MSRP out the door, I mean $11,995 for a registered bike with a plate in the back ready for you to hop on it and go home. You give them $11,995 and thats it.

[asianmi18]

Thanks for the advice, sounds like I may have to wait until this stalling issue is quelled down (understanding its most likely a minority that have problems). The ducati dealer here is quite resiliant on price, so not sure how to approach just yet. I want it sooooo bad!!!!