Well I've had mine now since Feb 2008 and I ride it nearly every day. I have 48009km on the odometer and I've gone through six sets of tyres.
My fuel tank leaked after fuel softened the filler cap area enough to warp the upper surface of the tank so that it no longer sealed. The leaking fuel then made the side tank fairings go yellow.
Ducati replaced the tank and side fairings and I am still going on my merry way. The tail area guards below the seat that surround the exhaust eventually vibrated enough to crack and then break entirely. These were replaced by Ducati but alas they continue to do the same and can't be tightened any further to stop it re-occurring. I've also noticed the taillight cover is not as firm as it was when new.
I'm yet to replace any clutch plates however they make a hell of racket these days so I'm guessing I don't have much longer to go. The noise with an open clutch cover is now louder than the exhaust by far, even though I had the internal baffles removed from the standard exhaust pipes. 0.o
With the constant riding I do in all weather, the engine paintwork is hardly in the best condition anymore but the wheels, frame and bodywork seem to maintain their condition remarkably well. The belt covers really suffered from uv exposure and they have faded badly. The front brake reservoir has also started to corrode even with my best efforts to thwart it and I may have to replace it eventually.
I still run original front brembo brake pads and they have lasted very well considering i use mainly front brake. The rear pads wore out at around 34000km.
I still find it awesome fun to ride but I really wish it had better handlegrips, better footpegs and perhaps a screen to take some of the wind away. Unfortunately here in Australia, OEM Ducati handlegrips cannot be bought without buying the entire throttle assembly. My local store assures me it is the fault of the Australian Ducati importer who does not buy the grips by themselves.
Does anyone know where I could get grips from a traditional road bike (1098, monster, etc) without having to buy the entire assembly? I can get aftermarket grips but the throttle tube would need to be modified to accept them and I'd prefer not to.
I can say that I really had a good time with Pirelli Diablo supercorsa tyres and they gave me a respectable mileage for essentially a race tyre. I also like the new Metzeler racetecs but I won't recommend them as they are single compound and didn't last anywhere near as long as other tyres. Michelin power race tyres were also special but once again, don't quite seem to last as long as the Pirellis or Bridgestone 002R's. They do last longer than the Metzelers though.
Even two years later the bike still gets me feeling like I should be naughty and break a few road rules and I don't think that will ever change. If I can help it, I will never sell my Hypermotard for this reason.
Good riding to you all.
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