How does the HM handling compare to say an R6 or similar sportbike....

[irongrady]

I have had my hyper for about 2 months and I'm loving the bike. So much so that I am looking to do some track days to get my riding skills to the next level and I am seriously considering getting a track only bike. I come from a dirt bike background and my previous street bike was a wr250x. I have never ridden a sportbike... not around the block... not anything. I was interested in what you hyper owners who have ridden both think about the handling differences and such.

[AZ_Scott]

Almost night and day.

The Hyper is certainly capable of getting around a race track at a decent clip, and it's a boatload of fun, there's no way around the fact that a given rider will go much faster on a 600.

Modern 600's are MUCH faster in a straight line, have fantastic brakes, better lean angle than the Hyper, and frankly, the suspension works better. Not to mention, the riding position on a 600 (or any true sport bike) is much better suited to the track.

The Hyper's main advantage (and this is because it's a twin) is that the bottom end torque and power delivery lets you shoot out of slow corners more efficiently than a four-cylinder, so that's kinda cool.

If you want to take the Hyper to the track, as many people do, you'll have fun, no doubt. But if you're looking for a full-time, dedicated track bike, the only reason to do it with a Hypermotard is because you simply want to be on something different. If your goal is to drop your lap times as much as possible, cheaply and easily, it doesn't get much better than a 600...

[nitsuj8686]

He speaks the truth.. I loved my r6 as a track bike.. Being able to do 150+ on the straights is nice..

The hyper is my back roads fun bike..

[Chris R.]

yep, the above is pretty true.
I just came back from 2 days of track with my HM and while I had a blast, I was getting passed on the straights by everyone. The cornering speeds are comparable to s sports bike and I was catching and passing several riders under braking and through corners but once on the straight, they were gone.
My biggest issue is the lack of ground clearance with the stock foot pegs and the kick stand 9easy to remove). I'll get a set of rear sets for next year if I do more track with this bike. You really have to lean off of it or else hard parts start to touch down.

Anyway, I made a video that pretty much sums up HM vs. sportbike.
here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4c7Lesklozc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4c7Lesklozc

[freezer16801]

[QUOTE=Chris R.;938956]yep, the above is pretty true.
I'll get a set of rear sets for next year if I do more track with this bike. You really have to lean off of it or else hard parts start to touch down.

Anyway, I made a video that pretty much sums up HM vs. sportbike.
here:
[QUOTE]

before you spend $600 on rearsets, try sending your shock away to be revalved/sprung, replace the springs and fluid in the forks and get a ride height adjuster if you ride a non-S. I ride in the A class and never drag pegs. Also hanging off the bike helps a bit too.

I do agree that sportbikes torture a Hyper on the straights. The corners and acceleration can be an advantage, but not enough to overcome the top speed deficiency. With all of that said, I actually prefer to ride my Hyper on the track over my R6. Just going fast isn't everything. There is something about making a slow bike go fast that is more appealing than the contrary.

[dropbars]

I agree that the r6 is better suited for the track but in no way a better bike. I have the sp model and I consider my brakes way better then the r6. And for suspension the r6 is less travel and stiffer which is what's needed for the track, but not better actually lower end. But all in all a sport bike is better suited for a track but just by design.

[HYPERR]

The only place my Hyper may be quicker than my CBR600RR is on a super tight narrow backroad twisties and you are in second gear. The superior low end torque of the Hyper will come into play. Also the CBR or the R6 is so confidence inspiring. I have never really felt totally comfortable with the front end of the Hyper.

[Chris R.]

Really, the HM is a play bike. I like to play at the track and on the backroads. As long as you don't care too much about having the fastest lap times, its a great bike. I love mine.
I came from riding R1's and RC51's before.
Thanks for the advice Freezer, I might just re do my suspension over the winter.

[mental999]

I can brake harder on my S than any sportbike i've ridden. FWIW my Laguna Seca laptimes were 5 seconds slower on my Hyper vs. my GSXR750.

[NYSport]

The Hyper is definitely a fun track bike. The brakes are insane and torque out of the corners makes up for a lot of mistakes going into corners. The problem as stated before are that the straights makes you feel very, very slow. This can be a little frustrating after you pass slow pokes in the corners only to be passed by WOT runs down the straights. If you are going to the track for fun then the Hyper is great. If you are going to the track for "fast times" then the Hyper is not going to fit the bill.

The experience is very different, superbikes are unbeatable for the track and less than fun for the street (imho). The Hyper is good for both as long as your expectations for the track are realistic. The cornering with the Hyper is beyond expectation and hangs with any 600 just be prepared to be passed in the straights.