I have both F800gs and Hyperstrada. I think it's a bit unfair to compare both bike as both from a different category. For really iron butt long distance I would go for the F800gs....
The Hyper seems to give me butt sore and numb hands after 300km.
The Hyper seems to give me butt sore and numb hands after 300km.
Talked to the dealer today about trading the GS for the HS . Think I can do it for not much cash difference , but still not sure I'll be happy with the trade . I know y'all have talked about a 800 GS but mine is a 1200 GSA . What do y'all think . Why do dealers still have 2013 and no 2014 ? Are there many acc. available for the HS ? How will the longer distance ride be ? I'm sure it will be quick and nimble . Which exhaust is best ? Slip-on's or Full system ? Thanks for any advice .
Joined Nov 2013
1K Posts | 1+
Inland SoCal
The BMW is a lot heavier, and certainly more comfortable on a long trip. Better range, luggage, more dealers and aftermarket support. But I'm done with 500+ pound bikes for riding the canyons in our area.
I think many potential customers were put off by some of the magazine reports, and others could not get along with the throttle response. I certainly hated the Hypermotard I demo'd, both for the awful seat and the too-sudden throttle. The Termi slip-on was embarrassing when splitting in traffic. Once I figured out how to tame the throttle and sat on the Strada, I was hooked. And I have no complaints at all about the clutch...wonder what those magazine guys have been smoking.
PS the stock exhaust is plenty loud enough for me, and even the full system only yields 5% more power. Feh. Why p*ss folks off for this? Remember that we are always the loser if a driver wants to take his anger out on us.
I think many potential customers were put off by some of the magazine reports, and others could not get along with the throttle response. I certainly hated the Hypermotard I demo'd, both for the awful seat and the too-sudden throttle. The Termi slip-on was embarrassing when splitting in traffic. Once I figured out how to tame the throttle and sat on the Strada, I was hooked. And I have no complaints at all about the clutch...wonder what those magazine guys have been smoking.
PS the stock exhaust is plenty loud enough for me, and even the full system only yields 5% more power. Feh. Why p*ss folks off for this? Remember that we are always the loser if a driver wants to take his anger out on us.
Two different animals.
I tested the HS a couple days ago! We ride mostly in the city with traffic. You can move the bike like a bicycle and switch lanes without a problem. It's a slim bike and you have no problem maneuvering the bike.
I did not had the chance to get off road but I'm sure it can handle some very light dirt roads.
I felt the bike very good and, yes, you can't take the sime out of your face when you ride the HS.
Test #2. BMW F800GSA.
This is a big, heavy dirt bike. While riding in the city, you will struggle to switch lanes and get ahead of the traffic. But once you get out of town is a very different story.
Very comfortable in the roads, highway, and is can take almost any dirt road. Still very heavy to do some serious enduro, but it is very, very good.
I felt the bmw more comfortable if you are going to do long trips and get into dirt roads, but in the other hand the HS is a blast arround the city.
The HS has more power, throttle response and way more less vibration at high speeds than the F800GSA.
The BMW has more wind protection, but you start feeling some vibration in the foot pegs at 65+ mph.
My final thoughts are.
HS - best bike to commute arround the city, great for short trips, extremely fun bike.
F800GSA - best for longer trips, good on and off road, best for 2 up.
There is no way to compare this bikes, both are good for their purpose and all comes down to what you are going to do with the bike.
I tested the HS a couple days ago! We ride mostly in the city with traffic. You can move the bike like a bicycle and switch lanes without a problem. It's a slim bike and you have no problem maneuvering the bike.
I did not had the chance to get off road but I'm sure it can handle some very light dirt roads.
I felt the bike very good and, yes, you can't take the sime out of your face when you ride the HS.
Test #2. BMW F800GSA.
This is a big, heavy dirt bike. While riding in the city, you will struggle to switch lanes and get ahead of the traffic. But once you get out of town is a very different story.
Very comfortable in the roads, highway, and is can take almost any dirt road. Still very heavy to do some serious enduro, but it is very, very good.
I felt the bmw more comfortable if you are going to do long trips and get into dirt roads, but in the other hand the HS is a blast arround the city.
The HS has more power, throttle response and way more less vibration at high speeds than the F800GSA.
The BMW has more wind protection, but you start feeling some vibration in the foot pegs at 65+ mph.
My final thoughts are.
HS - best bike to commute arround the city, great for short trips, extremely fun bike.
F800GSA - best for longer trips, good on and off road, best for 2 up.
There is no way to compare this bikes, both are good for their purpose and all comes down to what you are going to do with the bike.
Just do it!
I've ridden every sort of bike over the years (I'm a slightly barking 57 year old... going on 25) and the Hyperstrada is one of the best and by far the most fun. The Beemer is a good bike but a little slower and doesn't sound or look as good as the HS.
The HS does everything well and the dealer support has been second to none.
Give one a try and see how you get on but I've had no issues over the 12 months and 4,000 miles I've been running mine.
Good luck!
I've ridden every sort of bike over the years (I'm a slightly barking 57 year old... going on 25) and the Hyperstrada is one of the best and by far the most fun. The Beemer is a good bike but a little slower and doesn't sound or look as good as the HS.
The HS does everything well and the dealer support has been second to none.
Give one a try and see how you get on but I've had no issues over the 12 months and 4,000 miles I've been running mine.
Good luck!
Joined Apr 2014
12 Posts | 0+
Medina, MN
I've had some issues and would still buy the bike. Ducati dealers know what they're doing and have been quick to respond to issues. I also looked at the GS this winter and decided on the HS instead. My neighbor has a GS650 I've ridden some and I have no regrets at all.
HS is sportier for sure and is a great commuter as well.
Last note- I rode Ducati MPLS's HS on the track this Saturday and had a smile from ear to ear the entire time. The GS would be a completely different story.
HS is sportier for sure and is a great commuter as well.
Last note- I rode Ducati MPLS's HS on the track this Saturday and had a smile from ear to ear the entire time. The GS would be a completely different story.
Last edited:
I rode a '13 HS yesterday . I really have mixed feelings now ! It rode great , was light and quick . It didn't seem to have the punch my old '08 Hyper had . Is there any way to cut the traction control off ? Seemed when you gassed it there was a lung then a slip then go again . My old HM would have stood on the back wheel and gone ! I like to Wheelie !!!! I have another dealer working on a deal on a '14 now . Seems my BMW 1200 GSA is not worth much in the dealers eyes . I may have to sell it myself . Is the Arrow slip-on a good choice ? It's got to make more noise to suit me .
.
Joined Nov 2013
1K Posts | 1+
Inland SoCal
Download the Owner's Manual...you can set the TC to 1 (out of 8) and ABS to zero if you want. The hesitation off the line might be the clutch action, which takes some getting used to. Mine does not do that, and launches very well for a tall bike.
And there are a dozen differences between the standard Hyper 821 and the Strada, from the front fender to the rear rack. Not just a couple!
As for wheelies, check out "Game of Hype" on Cycle World's website for what an 821 can do. One rider popped a paintball capsule on his rear plate holder...
And there are a dozen differences between the standard Hyper 821 and the Strada, from the front fender to the rear rack. Not just a couple!
As for wheelies, check out "Game of Hype" on Cycle World's website for what an 821 can do. One rider popped a paintball capsule on his rear plate holder...
Last edited:
Similar threads
