Used 1100 or new 796?

[flatovercrest]

Hi all, it's time for me to purchase an Hypermotard and would like an opinion from the Hyper owners in this forum.
Should I look for a used 1100 or purchase a new 796?
I don't see many posts here about the 796 for some reason.
Thanks in advance.

[mangler7]

Corvette or chevette? Both vette's right?

Seriously, the money you save on the used hyper you're gonna want for mods. And the 1100 isn't too tall, or heavy, or powerful.

[ducatiwop]

Originally Posted by flatovercrest

Hi all, it's time for me to purchase an Hypermotard and would like an opinion from the Hyper owners in this forum.
Should I look for a used 1100 or purchase a new 796?
I don't see many posts here about the 796 for some reason.
Thanks in advance.

New 796 Pros
you own it from day one
better financing rates (if you plan on financing)
great bike, light, nimble, and very fun to toss around
Good power for what it is.

Cons:
big depreciation right of the bat
Very little adjustability with suspension
Depending on your ability, maybe not enough power,
Still new, so aftermarket stuff may take a while to catch up.
Unforseen bugs that only time will tell.

Used 1100 Pros
power,
adjustable suspension
great aftermarket options
great bike

Cons:
hope that previous owner took care of it
bad mgp from what I hear
Depending on ability maybe too much power

Personally I went with the 796 because I thought it would do everything I could want. Looking back, if I was to do it over again I might go with a used 1100. I love my 796. I am just hopeing that as my riding gets better, the bike won't hold me back to much.

[the_rook]

As a relative novice I figured I was only using 65% of what the 1100S had to offer. Did I really need the Ohlins and extra 10 bhp? Probably not. With the 796 I now feel like I'm using closer to 80%: still room to safely grow/improve and better value for money (if that's a consideration).

In the twisties I ride in the Alsace I feel the 796 is just as quick as the 1100S - but I do have to change gear a bit more often (fun!?) and hit the throttle hard-stop quite frequently...

I do miss the deep thumping exhaust note and the rattling dry clutch of the bigger bike - that's what a Ducati should sound like after all! - but the light clutch pull, something-like-a-slipper and a (pending) free-flowing exhaust go a good way to compensate and make me feel better about my riding.

The only thing that really hack me off about the 796 is the non-removable passenger pegs - why the heck did Ducati change the design? Cost? Well no biggie - at least they're in black...

One thing I do know for sure: whichever Hyper you go for you won't regret it!

[Darsey]

it all depends on how much power you want of of your own capability as a rider. i love the 1100. it has all the power that i need and it also has the ability to go as easy as you want. The power in 6th gear is real good. At least if you by a good second hand 1100 you will not loose that bag of money that a man looses when he buys new.

[Blorton]

Personally, I just bought a used 1100S over a new 796 because there is so much greater aftermarket support, and frankly, it's a significant cost savings. (Plus this is my first Ducati after a string of Honda sportbikes and I knew I needed to get all the oomph I could get. )

However, the 1100 does have a pretty bad fuel range working against it, and Ducati actually made it a point to mention that the 796 is their most fuel-efficient new model. If distance on a tank is at all a concern to you and you don't necessarily want to immediately have to buy an aftermarket tank to improve that, you'll want the 796.

It might help if you were to mention how much you weigh. If you are a heavier type, you might find the grunt of the smaller engine lacking.

Maybe tell us what you've ridden in the past and enjoyed and we can form better recommendations....

[flatovercrest]

Originally Posted by Blorton

It might help if you were to mention how much you weigh. If you are a heavier type, you might find the grunt of the smaller engine lacking.

Maybe tell us what you've ridden in the past and enjoyed and we can form better recommendations....

Great replies all! thank you.
My previous experience include an Honda Hornet 919 which I bought new and several KTM supermotos (one Duke2 and three 625 SMCs) over the past ten years. I enjoyed my first bike ever, the 919, but didn't care for the heavy weight of it. Since then, the KTM supermoto has given me great fun, but sometimes I wish I had more power in situations of hwy use or short touring.
I don't ride very often due to a busy work/travel schedule and my weight is 150 lbs.
Thanks.

[Rob H]

One more thing to consider: you may be able to find a left-over 1100 with no miles. I went to my local dealer to check out the 796, and they had a brand new '08 1100 parked next to it marked at the same price ($10k). I talked to a sales guy for a bit, and the 1100's price dropped to $8k. Oh, and a two-year-old 1100 costs me less to insure than a new 796 would...

[joshuaz2]

i would go with the 1100 it allows for growth and allows a more casual riding experience, less shifting and the ability to run if in trouble with just a twist of the wrist.

[Nginear]

I had a friend ask me why I bought the 796 instead of the 1100. I told him I didn't feel I needed the power. To me the 796 has plenty of grunt for the riding that I do and gets around pretty good 2-up. It is a blast to ride in the twisties, gets 65 MPG, and for me the 796 had a shorter seat height which is another plus.

Either way you go you'll be smiling all the way