Motorcycle USA Forums : Join the Revolution
  HomeLog InRegisterCommunity CalendarSearch the ForumHelp
   
Motorcycle Message Board - Motorcycle USA > MotorcycleUSA.com! > Bike Reviews > 2008 Ducati Hypermotard - Bike Test  Forum Quick Jump
 
You cannot post new topics in this forum. Post Reply Printable Version
85 posts in this thread.
Viewing Page :  1  2  3  4 
[ << Previous Thread | Next Thread >> | Show Newest Post First ]

Kenny
MCUSA - Editorial Director



Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to KennyAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Apr 2003
Total Posts : 460
  		   Posted 9/24/2007 8:43 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
It took a while but we finally go to put the 2008 Ducati Hypermotard through a proper Bike Test. Interested to find out how much it weighs, how fast it is and how much motor its got? Climb On and lets go for a virtual ride on the Hypermotard, baby.

Fire it up Holmes!

Post Edited (Kenny) : 9/26/2007 3:07:45 PM GMT

Back to Top
 

jimmihaffa
Registered Member



Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to jimmihaffaAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Dec 2004
Total Posts : 217
  		   Posted 9/24/2007 10:29 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
This looks like a really neat motorcycle.  Goes without saying, that the bad news is the stiff price of ownership.  For scavenger types, the good news, if you can call it that, is that I'm sure more than a few rich kid types will rack one of these babies trying to make like Rueben Xaus in that infamous picture of him sliding the tail end while giving the one thumb salute.
Back to Top
 

Desmolicious
Registered Member



Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to DesmoliciousAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Aug 2004
Total Posts : 4618
  		   Posted 9/24/2007 11:31 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Did you guys try to adjust the preload on the rear shock? A problem seems to be Ohlin's bizarre choice of using a plastic/nylon setting ring, with the aluminium ring used as the lock ring (see your photos). If anything, this should have been the other way around. Owners have found 2 issues. Either the plastic ring has become cross threaded as suspension force pushed it down, or if they attempted to adjust preload, the plastic ring gets chewed apart. Really weird cost cutting by Ohlins when all they had to do was provide two metal rings. How much money could they have possibly saved?
The cheaper base model Hypermotard has a shock that uses two metal rings...
As for the test, excellent stuff as always.

Børk! Børk! Børk!

Back to Top
 

louemc
Registered Member



Click to send louemc email.Personal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to louemcAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Mar 2003
Total Posts : 15451
  		   Posted 9/24/2007 11:42 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Ohlins suspension has to be suspected, when it is OEM. Ohlins has taken on out-sourcing manufacturing of high volume (OEM) components to China (or God knows where).

Their Race components are done in house, but, they don't have production lines sitting idle, waiting for a high volume contract to fill, to get busy.

Course I have no idea what's the pedigree on this shock, but...... when things go weird, usually weird weasles are there.

 Focus the forces, Be The Force

Back to Top
 

ianisme
Typical Bloody Brit!



Click to send ianisme email.Personal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to ianismeAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Mar 2003
Total Posts : 8110
  		   Posted 9/24/2007 1:48 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Good test and I appreciated the honesty about breaking every road rule. The clincher for me though is the price. Thats a lot of money for an air cooled Duke, however much fun it is to ride. Lets face it, many of its parts have been in production for quite a while and I can't help thinking they are counting on the name and the novelty by pitching it at this price. Think I'll pass.

At a stroke, the government solved the fuel crisis and the problem of a rapidly ageing population.
 
 

Back to Top
 

louemc
Registered Member



Click to send louemc email.Personal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to louemcAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Mar 2003
Total Posts : 15451
  		   Posted 9/24/2007 2:11 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Well, the can't build your own, dudes have to pay the fare, it's a rule lol

 Focus the forces, Be The Force

Back to Top
 

gagster
Registered Member

Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to gagsterAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Jan 2006
Total Posts : 62
  		   Posted 9/24/2007 2:26 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.

I would think the real downside of this bike is the cost of maintenance not to mention the entry fee.  I guess this is why I've not ever been too anxious to own a Duc. I'll have to admit though, that the 996 is probably the most beautiful bike ever made. 

Now, when it comes to beautiful Italian women, I would have loved to have one of them.  Who cares if she's high maintenance.  One who, let's say, really knows how to have fun.  But, like the 996, I'll only ever have one of those sweet babes in my dreams. cry

Back to Top
 

Kenny
MCUSA - Editorial Director



Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to KennyAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Apr 2003
Total Posts : 460
  		   Posted 9/24/2007 3:15 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
FYI: When we unveiled the test this morning the video wasn't quite done. Its not as long as we usually like them to be but thats because we tested it in a comparo with another bike and we need to save some of the footage for the comparison test video. Either way, refresh the test and you should be able to have a look.

Des: We fiddled but honestly I didnt notice any issue but I see where it could be. I hate to say it but Lou's right about outsourcing the non-racing equipment. That detracts from the value a bit but I don't know what to see since it didnt get buggered when I used it.

Gag: The maintenance shouldn't scre you away at this point. With the Multistrada and Classics using this basic mill there are plenty of parts and the techs should have plenty of experience taking care of these motors at this point.

Ian/Gag: The price is obviously the first obstacle but its like this. If all you ever do is stare at the beautiful lady who's ben the object of your affection for so long and you never man-up and ask her out - you'll never know what its like. That's really a shame too because its really a blast to ride (The Hypermotard that is) when you consider it from the point of someone with the money to burn that likely is not going to be using it as the only bike in the stable, it starts to make a wee-bit more sense. For average Joes like us this bike doesnt make a lot of sense unless you really have a specific purpose/need: Like joining the Ducatisti, using it to pick up girls, stuff like that then it really makes sense. However, if you just want to be a bit different and the supermoto/streetfighter lifestyle is something you dig, well then this air-cool beauty is the answer. Many people think it looks like the bees-knees and even though its an oiler it goes good. It doesnt have much top-end but it gets with it. I feel a tear welling up right now just thinking about it being gone. It was good while it lasted...

Fire it up Holmes!

Back to Top
 

ianisme
Typical Bloody Brit!



Click to send ianisme email.Personal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to ianismeAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Mar 2003
Total Posts : 8110
  		   Posted 9/24/2007 5:36 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
It was like when the first FZ1 appeared. Everybody knew it was basically a parts bin special, but Yamaha were pricing it at almost the same as an R1. In a market that included the Bandit at about 33% less, it was a move doomed to failure and Yamaha were forced to drop the FZ to a sensible price. I love my FZ1, but no way would I have paid so much more than the Bandit for it. It's the same for this bike. If it were your money Kenny, I think it would be going elsewhere. Its easy to fall for a free bike; not quite so simple when it's your own hard earned beer tokens being prised out of your reluctant mitts.

At a stroke, the government solved the fuel crisis and the problem of a rapidly ageing population.
 
 

Back to Top
 

flickmeister
Registered Member



Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to flickmeisterAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined May 2004
Total Posts : 1021
  		   Posted 9/24/2007 6:24 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
If it is Ohlins via China, kinda makes that extra $2500 completely bogus, ya think??
Back to Top
 

masbuell
Registered Member

Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to masbuellAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Apr 2005
Total Posts : 389
  		   Posted 9/24/2007 6:54 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Agreed on many points already made. Kinda cool bike. Price too high for what you get. What do you get? 78hp a/c v-twin, 120 mile range (36mpg), heat your arse exhaust, dreaded chaffed-butt, a near $1000 option for a slipper clutch, Ohlins.... or not, good looks, a Ducati. As a play toy for a rich boy (or girl); maybe. Are they blissfully ignorant who consider this an unwise use of their hard earned dollars; not IMO.

If you ever, don't never, unless you will.

Back to Top
 

AK Duc
Alaska Born Ducatisti



Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to AK DucAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Apr 2005
Total Posts : 850
  		   Posted 9/24/2007 9:02 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
My main Duc mechanic got himself an "S" model and loves it. In fact he said it's the funnest bike he's EVER ridden! I was very taken aback by him making this statement as he used to race on the East coast and has owned dozens of motorcycles. Let alone the hundreds of bikes he's been able to test ride over his many years as a mechanic. Pretty cool.

Maybe someday I'll be able to experience the "flux capacitor hyperdrive" mentioned in the article for myself. Lord knows I sure miss my 'ol S4R the 17yo caused me to wreck. So many cool bikes to choose from these days.

As for the price, well I work retail and half jokingly sometimes remind folks that "it's all priorities." :p Freedom of choice. Gotta love it! smilewinkgrin

I like the way you guys wrap up these tests often putting things into a proper perspective:

If a potential suitor is intrigued by the pseudo-supermoto lifestyle but they are not interested in having their fillings rattled out and have discretionary income to the tune of $13,995 for the S-model or $11,495 for the equally entertaining though not as aesthetically pleasing standard version of the Hypermotard, then why not go for it? I can hear the complaints already: It's too expensive, it's too narrowly focused, it's no 1098 or pure sportbike. While these are valid points, if that is your state of mind, then this bike is simply not for you and you can sleep easy in your blissful ignorance.

When it's all said and done the question is why would someone buy this bike over a purpose-built sportbike, streetfighter or supermoto? Because the Hypermotard is a blend of the key elements from all of these genres. Its attacking supermoto riding position and flickability, exposed streetfighter-like design elements combined with top-shelf sportbike quality suspension and braking components make this bike an attractive way for sport riders to be lured away from the blinding light of the rising sun and into the seductive underworld of the Ducatisti. Believe the hype.

Current steeds in the stable: '07 KLR650, '05 Triumph Daytona 955i SE, '00 Ducati 996, '82 BMW R100S

Back to Top
 

haRd1
Registered Member

Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to haRd1AIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Sep 2007
Total Posts : 2
  		   Posted 9/24/2007 9:58 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Great I finally have a bike to get  me from the wine tasting to the opera while in Tuscanny. I can park it in  the cul de sac next to my Porsche Boxster.( my other wanna be status symbol) The neighbors will really be impressed then.  Honestly, it looks like a bike Orange County Choppers would build for Chef Boyardee.  Porky, red  and overstuffed.  You said it combines the best of sportbikes, nakeds and supermotos !   I think you've had too much vino. The best thing about a sportbike is it's awesome power . Ones with similar displacment have 160hp this tomato has half  of that.  Nakeds are  upright " more comfortable" sportbikes. You even stated this bike is not comfortable. Supermotos are 100lbs lighter and more  flickable and willing offroad.  You're saving grace was that this bike can wheelie. My paperboy can wheelie his bored out scooter all day. I think he paid $600 for it. If hypermotard is defined as " not able to do anything well for $13,000 usd "  you've got a winner  and you have a Ducati and that is all that is important to you.                         Ciao
.
Back to Top
 

Kenny
MCUSA - Editorial Director



Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to KennyAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Apr 2003
Total Posts : 460
  		   Posted 9/25/2007 7:32 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Hard1: Che cosa state provando a dire? The great thing is (hic), everyone is entitled to their (hic) opinion and since you haven't ridden it (hic) then as I said earlier: '...you can sleep easy in your blissful ignorance...' (hic)....Jeeves! 'Nother 7&7 please...(hic)... wherers da keys to the Porsh-uh Jeeves? Jeeves!

Mas: '...If you ever, don't never, unless you will..' N'uff said...

Fire it up Holmes!

Back to Top
 

masbuell
Registered Member

Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to masbuellAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Apr 2005
Total Posts : 389
  		   Posted 9/25/2007 8:11 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
I like the write-up, I even like the bike, but it still seems like a rich boy toy to me. I think the input here is all valid.

Ian nailed it: "Its easy to fall for a free bike; not quite so simple when it's your own hard earned beer tokens being prised out of your reluctant mitts."

With $13,000 of your own hard earned cash in-hand to go buy a motorcycle, is this it?

Kenny said: "Mas: '...If you ever, don't never, unless you will..' N'uff said..." I LIKE THAT! :-)

If you ever, don't never, unless you will.

Back to Top
 

eparks11
Registered Member



Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to eparks11AIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Sep 2004
Total Posts : 117
  		   Posted 9/25/2007 9:32 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
I sat on one of these over the weekend for the first time. To my 5'11" frame it was one of the most comfortable bikes I've ever sat on. Of course I grew up riding dirt bikes, so it could have possibly just made me flash back about 15 years. Not only that, with the Termi's on it had to be one of the best sounding bikes I've ever heard. I was actually out motorcycle shopping with one of my buddies. The purpose of our trip was to look at the FZ1 and Kawi Z1000; however we decided to run by the Ducati dealer for a bit after looking at those. Right after we got there someone on a Hypermotard pulled up, and second he heard it the Z1000 was no longer an option.

Like everyone else I think it is a touch over priced, but $11,500 is far from a rich mans toy. It's not like we're talking about a $100k Porche 911 here. The financing difference in a $12k bike and a $10k bike comes up to a few pizza's a month. If you like the bike enough to do without the extra food then get it. It's better then saving $50 a month and riding the bike you settled for.
Back to Top
 

GAJ
Registered Member

Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to GAJAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Jul 2007
Total Posts : 4763
  		   Posted 9/25/2007 9:55 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
I've never owned a Duc, I've always been nervous about the maintenance issues, don't really like the dealer, but I find them VERY attractive...especially compared to the cost of an equally attractive Italian 4-wheel exotic.

In that vein they're dirt cheap!

Not really for me, a bit showy, but I wouldn't knock anyone for buying one.

Practical??

Not that many Ducs are, so its really not much of an issue.

Showy and gorgeous...I'm glad there are Ducs out there.
Back to Top
 

Drunkula
Registered Member



Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to DrunkulaAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Dec 2006
Total Posts : 295
  		   Posted 9/25/2007 10:13 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Just read the review and I like what I read. Really sounds like a blast to ride! :)
Back to Top
 

Kenny
MCUSA - Editorial Director



Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to KennyAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Apr 2003
Total Posts : 460
  		   Posted 9/25/2007 11:26 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
eparks: What a tale. Did your pal buy the Hyper? If so, let us know the verdict after he rides it for a few days. Also, the price points were pretty decent arguments. Sure, the price is a bit steep but it depends on what you're looking for. If your brain is stuck on having the most power for teh cheapest price then its not for you. If its to get the riding experience you're looking for then maybe it is the bike of choice.

GAJ: As far as the Ducati maintenance and service being scary man? Its 2008, those points were valid in the early 90s but really the little Italian firm that could back then, is doing good work these days. However, if there is no local support or dealer than it is a good point because having a good shop at your disposal is a ey element to the decision making process.

Fire it up Holmes!

Back to Top
 

eparks11
Registered Member



Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to eparks11AIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Sep 2004
Total Posts : 117
  		   Posted 9/25/2007 12:08 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
They actually didn't have one on the floor to buy. He is currently waiting to see what kind of price they put on the upcoming 848. He as we as well as every other person I know (myself included) is highly interested in that. If they bring that bike in around the the 11-12k price range that will probably be the winner. I just hope I can get my order in before him so I don't have to wait until next year this time to pick it up.
Back to Top
 

leanin
Registered Member

Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to leaninAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Nov 2004
Total Posts : 3
  		   Posted 9/25/2007 12:50 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Great review.  I haven't been able to get the Hyper off my mind ever since test riding one...if the dealer had one for sale the day of the test ride, the '05 gixxer 1000 would've immediately been traded in.  Its kind of hard to buy a bike when they're all presold before they hit the dealer floor.
 
 
Back to Top
 

louemc
Registered Member



Click to send louemc email.Personal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to louemcAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Mar 2003
Total Posts : 15451
  		   Posted 9/25/2007 1:02 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
leanin said...
Great review.  I haven't been able to get the Hyper off my mind ever since test riding one...if the dealer had one for sale the day of the test ride, the '05 gixxer 1000 would've immediately been traded in.  Its kind of hard to buy a bike when they're all presold before they hit the dealer floor.
 
 
 
I guess you wouldn't be interested in doing the handle bar conversion to your 05 GIXXR 1000, and having a bike that kicks hyper ass?

 Focus the forces, Be The Force

Back to Top
 

haRd1
Registered Member

Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to haRd1AIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Sep 2007
Total Posts : 2
  		   Posted 9/25/2007 2:59 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Kenny, you described this bike as "sexy. " Wow, if that's your taste than you are in luck. I just happened to have a 400lb, high maintenace "joyride of bliss" that doesn't do one single thing exceptionally well to excite me. You can have it for free. My gift to you. You will have to come pick her up though.  I can't seem to coax  her off the couch . I am sure that once you offer her a ride on your Italian Stallion she will jump on board and you can effortlessly wheelie into the sunset ! Until then, always be  sure and wear your proper polarized eye protection so as to not be blinded by the rising sun.  You probably won't see it though because you're too busy checkin yourself out in store front windows as you drive by on your new Duc ...........you sexy beasts !  
Back to Top
 

Kenny
MCUSA - Editorial Director



Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to KennyAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Apr 2003
Total Posts : 460
  		   Posted 9/25/2007 3:57 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Hard buddy: How did you know I prefer Thermonuclear eye protection above all others? Now that the tears have stopped pouring out my peep holes I'll try to come up with a proper response. First of all you need to offer up a apples to apples trade - this one is siomplu unacceptable. We're talking at least a 175-185lb bodybuilder-cougar who has a pointy nose, hard sharp edges that wear skin of when you ride for long periods of time repeatedly (I've got 4 kids so you kow I like to ride a lot) and Chinese made bolt-ons that always require a soft hand for fear of stripping a knob! The coug still needs to be high maint though and with the rising costs of juice it will take to coax it off the Bowflex - you just might be able to make an analogy with the maintenance concern GAJ keeps rambling on about. Then as we ride by the window in matching Ducati tank-tops, flip-flops and things, we'll be on one wheel and I'll be looking at those well-lubed rippling biceps glistening in the sun as the life is choked out of minute by minute - all in the sake of the elsuive 'good ride'. Oh for Chrissakes man, I'd buy that for a dollar!

Fire it up Holmes!

Back to Top
 

Desmolicious
Registered Member



Email Address Not AvailablePersonal Homepage Not AvailableSend a Private Message to DesmoliciousAIM Not AvailableICQ Not AvailableY! Not AvailableMSN Not Available
Date Joined Aug 2004
Total Posts : 4618
  		   Posted 9/25/2007 5:22 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Dang haRd1, only your second post but what a classic!
You should take a leaf out of George Costanza's book, and just bow out while you're ahead!
;)

Børk! Børk! Børk!

Back to Top
 
You cannot post new topics in this forum. Post Reply Printable Version
85 posts in this thread.
Viewing Page :  1  2  3  4 
 
Forum Information
Currently it is Sunday, November 22, 2009 12:24 AM (GMT -8)
There are a total of 447,406 posts in 35,241 threads.
In the last 3 days there were 13 new threads and 230 reply posts. View Active Threads
Who's Online
This forum has 17572 registered members. Please welcome our newest member, hotlunch.
1 Guest(s), 0 Registered Member(s) are currently online.  Details
Forum powered by dotNetBB v2.42EC SP2
dotNetBB © 2000-2009
All content found on motorcycle-usa.com is copyrighted by MotorcycleUSA.com, INC.

Need Support? | Forum Help Manual