Is a slipper a must? - Ducati.ms

Tripyn · Nov 10th, 2009, 11:34 am

Hey, new member here who is thinking about buying a HyperS. A local member here was kind enough to let me ride his over the weekend and I really like the bike. Coming off a Aprilia Tuono I like the ergo's of this bike, how nimble it is in the curves, the torque, sheer power and the sound of the engine is just intoxicating! My plans for the bike? I do ride at the track as often as I can afford to go, commute to work once in a while and weekend rides on somewhat curvey roads (for Florida anyway).

My question is a slipper a must have on these bikes?

-Trip

CAlexio · Nov 10th, 2009, 11:38 am

I would say that I am glad I have a slipper on this bike, where I have not really used it on my 749R.

Reason for me is that I drive this bike much harder than my 749R on which I tend to be a lot smoother (opinions on correctness of this may vary). I have entered turns with this bike with front brake on hard, rear tire feeling like it's coming off the ground (often locked up with very little rear brake) and banging down 2-3 gears at once. I simply don't have the same confidence on my superbike, or maybe the hyper just brings out the hooligan in me.... not sure. I am sure however that a slipper on this bike is a great safety/peace of mind feature.

hope this helps.

lelenb · Nov 10th, 2009, 11:48 am

I am going to get a slipper because I put in the light weight Nichols flywheel and I have been sliding the back end a bit more then I should and have been blaming the current tire which I don't like. For normal roads it really is not necessary, but does help when things get slick when the roads are damp or on the track. It definitely is not required on the stock bike, but most of the parts we put on out bikes aren't either.

First thing to do is open the stock airbox when you get the bike and maybe get a Fatduc ecu manipulator as the bike is very lean and plugged up in stock form. I hope you enjoy your new ride.

Revelstoker · Nov 10th, 2009, 12:31 pm

It is my thinking, if you have to ask whether you need a slipper or not is, you don't need it.

I would say that a slipper clutch is "NOT" needed on any bike but is nice to have when you do trip it into action. The bike has enough torque that you probably can ride the track in a few gears and that should diminish your need to row the gears a lot????

However, after my lowly 3 track sessions, I never encountered a situation that screamed at me, "get a slipper" like my feet/pegs hitting the ground.

IMO, save the coin on the slipper and pop for rearsets.

**BillyD** · Nov 10th, 2009, 12:39 pm

Slippers are a crutch for cheaters who don't know how to downshift...just kidding.

Ride the bike for awhile without one. If you are getting a lot of rear wheel chatter under braking, then perhaps a slipper would have some benefit for you.

archimedio · Nov 10th, 2009, 12:41 pm

Absolutely not. Learn to rev match and forget the slipper. If you're going to be doing track days on this bike, your money is better spent on fork internals, rear sets and tires.

Decreasing Dave · Nov 10th, 2009, 1:31 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by archimedio

Absolutely not. Learn to rev match and forget the slipper. If you're going to be doing track days on this bike, your money is better spent on fork internals, rear sets and tires.

I agree.

I race Supermoto with a YZ450F and did so both with and without a slipper. The slipper does help you get into a corner faster by not having to worry about your clutch action. This time saved is ONLY important in a race, not on the street.

Without the slipper, I used the clutch to control slide into turns and I found that I could back it in more consistently with just a little practice than I could with the slipper. Plus, on the street, a slipper is not going to "feel" the difference if you hit a little sand or crackseal where your clutch hand will. The slipper action won't change but your clutch hand can easily make quick adjustments.

Good luck with you decision.

Dave

08hyper · Nov 10th, 2009, 7:47 pm

The slipper is not super important on a street only Hyper, but if you get into doing track-days, a slipper clutch can be just as important as suspension, tires, & a steering dampener in terms of lowering your lap times. For me its one of my better mods on my bike, just my 2cents, Aloha Alex

Tripyn · Nov 10th, 2009, 8:08 pm

Thanks for all the input guys!

johnchypermotard · Nov 10th, 2009, 10:15 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillyD

Slippers are a crutch for cheaters who don't know how to downshift...just kidding.

Ride the bike for awhile without one. If you are getting a lot of rear wheel chatter under braking, then perhaps a slipper would have some benefit for you.

stfu billy ... your just pissed off cuz you don't have a slipper on your hypertard, ya old fart