Martin Child•20 Sept 2013

REVIEW

Ducati Hyperstrada

Name: Ducati Hyperstrada
Brand: Ducati

An entry-level 821cc Ducati designed for midweek fun and weekend tours, but where a test ride is essential before handing over the bickies

Filling out the accident report would have been easy. ‘What were you on?’ A Ducati. ‘What did you hit?’ A Ducati. ‘Where did this take place?’ At Ducati…

Yup, I’ve just been given the keys to the new Hyperstrada and it’s nearly gone pear-shaped before nothing more than a full revolution of its Pirelli-clad wheels. I’ve had to turn the bike around within the confines of the Ducati-laden carpark, and the resulting lurch, brake, lurch could not be described as my finest minute behind the ’bars of a two-wheeler. Now I’m hardly a novice at these things (from stunt rider to racer and nearly 20 years as a bike journo – not bad considering I’m only just 25…), so I’ve either left my skills under the doona this morning or the Hyperstrada’s a touchy beast.

After a week in its company, I’m happy to report (for myself, anyway) that my brain and body are still communicating well. Maybe even better than the throttle and clutch on this Hyperstrada…

Touchier than a larger lady you’ve inadvertently accused of being pregnant, the new 821cc V-twin that powers the one-model-only Hyperstrada “range” seems to be a victim of its own success. The engine itself is a peach. Obviously bigger than the 650cc favoured by the Japanese and Koreans, the new engine pumps out a claimed 110hp (in both Race and Touring modes, dropping to 75hp in Urban mode).

It’s fantastically vibe-free across the range and delivers instant torque from stuff-all revs. But it also has what can be best described as a lack of flywheel effect, meaning it revs up like a manic two-stroke. Add in a hair-trigger, ride-by-wire electronic throttle and a cable clutch with about 10mm of play between ‘dis’ and ‘engaged’, and it’s a difficult package to truly master. Maybe it’s called Hyper for a reason…

The huge Brembo monobloc front brakes prove you can sometimes have too much of a good thing by feeling grabby and over-braked at slower speeds. Basically, it’s a more challenging ride than the company’s macho Panigale 1199S, and that can’t have been the designer’s brief…

This is one bike that won’t win the traffic-light GP, as launching from a standstill is a jerky affair and I can honestly say I didn’t really master it over the week-long test. Obviously in Urban mode it’s not so noticeable, but it still requires more effort than a similarly powerful 75hp V-twin.

Launch issues aside, the Hyperstrada is as fun as it looks. Once aboard, the cockpit has a grown-up, enduro-bike feel. The sides of the tank stretch forward to level with the non-adjustable Kayaba fork, while the flat ’bar’s high yokes bring the action up to the rider. The ’bar-mounted mirrors are no better than average due to a design that sees them narrow towards the outer edges – exactly where you need more vision.

There’s a pleasingly deep snarl to the exhaust that makes you wonder why the equivalent Japanese bikes are so muffled in comparison, and the throttle response in Race model is as instant as you’d ever want, and then some. The gear ratios seem to be better thought out than on most big twins, with top gear not seemingly the overdrive ‘add-on’ ratio that some V-twin engines seem to be lumbered with. With short-shifting bringing out the most fun, there’s no change drama between the cogs. If only the Panigale’s quickshifter could find its way onto the Hyperstrada – that would make for a very rapid urban brawler…

With the on-board live fuel consumption readout as part of the digital dash, it’d be easy to maintain a constant 100km/h that sees the Hyperstrada drink under 4L/100km, meaning that there’s a potential 400km range from the 16lt plastic tank. That makes this bike a candidate for a spot of weekend touring, especially when the soft-shell panniers come into the equation. They’re key-locked to the bike and include waterproof inners to keep your mobile phone and party clothes dry. With two 12V power sockets, the bike can run navigation and heated clothes, for those Australian occasions where going out in a snowstorm without a map seemed a great idea at the time…

It’s not the biggest bike in the world and can feel a touch small for a taller rider. Saying that, at 188cm I never felt uncomfortable on it.

At $17,990 (plus on-roads), the Hyperstrada doesn’t sell itself quite like the recently tested Panigale and Multistrada models do. The 30,000km between major services (15,000km between the smaller ones) add to Hyperstrada’s carefree appeal, however, and the comfortable saddle and neutral riding position don’t detract either. But it doesn’t scream ‘standout’ like the bigger bikes do.

We’ll ride the similarly powered Hypermotard soon and that’ll help understand if the snappy clutch and touchy throttle difficulties on this test bike were either a freak or function of the new engine. Whichever way, this is one bike where a test ride is essential before handing over the pineapples.

>Ducati Hyperstrada in Bike Showroom

SPECS: DUCATI HYPERSTRADA

ENGINE

Type: Liquid-cooled, four-stroke, desmodromic, 90-degree V-twin

Capacity: 821cc

Bore x stroke: 88mm x 67.5mm

Compression ratio: 12.8:1

Engine management: Magneti Marelli EFI, 52mm throttle body

PERFORMANCE

Claimed maximum power: 110hp (80.9kW) at 9250rpm

Claimed maximum torque: 89.3Nm (65.8ft-lb) at 6800rpm

TRANSMISSION

Type: Six speed

Final drive: Chain

Clutch: Wet, multiplate

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR

Frame: Tubular steel trellis

Front suspension: 43mm Kayaba upside-down fork, non-adjustable

Rear suspension: Sachs monoshock, adjustable for preload

Front brakes: Twin 320mm discs with radial-mount, four-piston Brembo monobloc calipers, ABS equipped

Rear brake: 245mm disc with twin-piston Brembo caliper, ABS equipped

Wheels: 10-spoke alloy – front 3.50in x 17in, rear 5.5in x 17in

Tyres: Pirelli Scorpion Trail – front 120/70ZR17, rear 180/55ZR17

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES

Rake: 25.5 degrees

Trail: 104mm

Claimed dry weight: 181kg

Seat height: 850mm

Wheelbase: 1490mm

Fuel capacity: 16 litres

OTHER STUFF

Price: $17,990 plus on-road costs

Test bike supplied by: Ducati Australia, www.ducati.com.au

Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres

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Ducati Hyperstrada

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