[terrymasri]

I just purchased a 2015 Hyperstrada 821. During my pre-purchase research I learned the HS comes in two versions as per the spec sheet on Ducati's website, the Standard version with 150mm suspension travel front and back with 178mm ground clearance and 850mm seat height, and the Low Seat version with 130mm and 133mm front and back suspension travel respectively with 160mm ground clearance and 810mm seat height. Neither the seller nor the local Ducati dealer were able to confirm which version the bike I bought is. I tried to find an answer to my question online using the VIN number but I couldn't find any information regarding the specific VIN number (ZDMB200AAFB011101) on my HS, and the various online resources regarding "decoding" a Ducati VIN number are vague and conflicting.
Can anyone help me figure out which version of the HS I purchased using the VIN number or other identifiers aside from taking physical measurements, which are subject to suspension sag, preload adjustment and wear and tear?

 

[Uncle Brad]

Try this

Any Hyperstrada 'low' Version Owners Out There?

Mods, please delete this post.

www.ducatiforum.co.uk

 

[BOTT]

Stack a set of books 178mm high. Take bike off stand. Lift bars and rear end up and release. Hold bike upright. Slide books under bike. How many fell off? None? We own the highboy. Some books fell off? You own the squatter.

Signed,
Stay upright as possible, short legs

 

[terrymasri]

Try this

Any Hyperstrada 'low' Version Owners Out There?

Mods, please delete this post.

www.ducatiforum.co.uk

This should help.

Any Hyperstrada 'low' Version Owners Out There?

Mods, please delete this post.

www.ducatiforum.co.uk

Very helpful indeed! God sent!
Thank you Uncle Brad!
I also was somewhat dismayed when I found out my HS 821 might be the "lower" version HS with shorter travel suspension even though the bike fits me perfectly at 5'10" just being able to flat foot both feet on the ground (yet to be determined once I get the sag settings adjusted to my weight). I even assume with my very limited knowledge and recent experience it might be advantageous when it comes to stability at high speeds, but I might be off the mark here!
The whole premise behind my purchase of an HS 821 lies behind my initial intention to buy a mid-weight ADV bike s.a. the Tenere 700, but due to the lack of availability of the T7 in my country, the overinflated price the local Yamaha dealer is asking for the only brand new one available for sale in Lebanon ($13,800), and the lack of top end HP, I decided to go for the HS 821 instead, hence my preference for a higher suspension for my HS 821.
Luckily you brought up a point that flicked a switch in my head. A friend of mine recently bought a 2015 Hypermotard 821 that I believe comes with the standard suspension setup, which will give me the opportunity to compare both bikes side by side and to get a feel for the differences as to the handling characteristics if mine does turn out to be the Low Seat version.
I will verify based on the information you provided and the comparison with the HM 821 and chime in at later time. 🙏

 

[terrymasri]

Stack a set of books 178mm high. Take bike off stand. Lift bars and rear end up and release. Hold bike upright. Slide books under bike. How many fell off? None? We own the highboy. Some books fell off? You own the squatter.

Signed,
Stay upright as possible, short legs

I like your "squatter" designation! If my HS 821 turns out to be the Low Seat version, I shall name her Squatty!
Thank you for the great advice! I shall definitely try your book stack suggestion. I just hope I have enough books laying around the house to execute this task. 🤣 Should suspension static sag settings (preload) and suspension overall condition affect ground clearance or should I always expect factory specs numbers regardless?

 

[BOTT]

The spring extension being the static setting is all she wrote. Preload say, going stiffer, pushes the bike up to static, but will not gain but a few chapters of slide under.

Should be alright if set even lower with two riders. Foot pegs would hit first, they retract, but to get your foot tagged? That little touch [grabs the front of your boot under] can wrench your ankle even with taller clearance. Just watch out when Squatty runs more robust thru a turn.