convince me

I love my Hyperstrada, so you wont get an unbiased view from me. Fully adjustable suspension would be great, but I have found the Ohlins Steering Damper I fitted has settled the front end nicely. Of course you could opt for the Hypermotard SP and option it with panniers and screen, you just need to have enough leg length (they are a bit taller) and enough $s, but you will get fully adjustable suspension on both ends.
For an independent review, chck out Michael Neeves at MCN on You Tube, he has three or four video diaries of his long term Hyperstrada.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_X...ew-vl&list=PLzNfXgKU0drkvtehVGdd3gWVhYnUA1R5b

ec, there's lots of handling talk on here but this is still a small enough forum that most will comment anyway. It's like a scalpel around town and it exceeds my abilities in high sweepers. You don't need to throw a leg out and moto it like Nicky does in the promo but I guess you could. The wheelbase and suspension compromise does mean there are more comfortable highway tourer's out there, but it's pretty darn close to balanced for all applications. Yes, non-adjustable front fork blows and it's pretty soft and springy but remember they do actually market this bike with some off-road capability.

As for the engine, don't be fooled by it's displacement. It's very powerful for it's weight. If you rode liter or bigger, you may get bored but the low grunt of the twin and big power band is still exciting and I've been twisting mine non-stop for 5K miles.

Looks like the Tuono is only $600 more with pretty similar electronic aides. I think the launch control feature on the Tuono tells you this bike is a little more serious about going fast than adventure-touring. I imagine you'll be close to or over $16K with bags and a decent windscreen. I don't see a center stand, either.

I couldn't find fuel consumption numbers but, 50+ mpg is achievable on the Strada. I ride mine like it's stolen everywhere and get 42-44.

I just gotta say, love Aprilla but, if the zombies were chasing me and these two bike were parked next to each other, I'm hopping on the Strada. And those ergo's are way more cramped than the Strada.

Depends on the speed. I have taken a test ride and got just over 3 digit speeds and it was planted nicely.

If you are wary about the non-adjustable forks, then get someone to set them up for you. To your preference, and unless you are a setup god, then they will do so much better than you would on the SP with fully adjustable suspension.

You are on a Ducati forum asking about a Ducati or something else. Can I put a fiver on what most of the answers are going to be ?

ecwestly said:

Thanks for the replies so far from everyone. I knew I'd probably be getting some slightly biased responses given this is a Hyperstrada forum, but I'd get similarly biased views on a Tuono forum, so it's understandable.

The short test rides the dealers allow you to do simply aren't adequate to see how the bike is going to respond in all circumstances, but the test ride I had on the Ducati was enough to tell me I loved the motor (at least around town). I'm guessing it's plenty up until the 100 mph mark or so, which is fine for me.

My primary concern is will the bike handle sub 100 mph cornering as well as a Tuono?

Also, for those of you who came off typical sportbikes, how was the adjustment to the different riding style on a Motard?

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If you have ever ridden a big trial bike, then its like that. Its different, a little removed from a sports bike, just different. Put your faith in it and it does wonders I was much more confident on this than my GSR600 in the wet at 60-90 mph on the back roads.

And she has plenty above above 100 too. I got a big stop on the big trial bikes at 90. They would go up to 75 sharpish, then crawl up to 85 or 90. This bike has 3 or 4 (or 5) times the power of them. Obviously the sit up position is not the most aerodynamic but we are getting older and want legroom! I got an iffy leg and so I am after a high seat, low pegs with a decent engine. So its the Strada for me.

I'm coming from an R6 and the Ducati was a perfect fit. Torque that the sport bikes were lacking, it really can corner with the fast bikes but with the relaxed seating position I don't feel like I have to. I actually bought the bike after taking the R6 to deals gap, I needed something quick and comfy for sport touring. Even did an iron but 1000 this summer (1000mi in 24hours) was mentally tiring but I wasn't sore or anything.

I thought the high speed rebound was too slow and the front studdered over small bumps in high speed turns. I cut 10mm off the spacers and put 5wt oil instead of the 7.5. Cured it for me on the front. I'm 185 lbs and 32" IS, the seat is restrictive as you can't scoot back any, but I can still do several hours at a time.

I have been on lots of roads in Arkansas including "Push Mountain" and the HS is perfect.

Just picked up the new KTM 1190 Adv, so have not ridden the HS for a while.

Superten, how difficult was the work you did on the forks?

Not hard at all, but you do have to remove the forks. Right side has spacer, left has cushion spring, I trimmed it 10mm but you can skip that one and probably be okay, but you still need both forks off to empty the oil, measure how much you took out and replace.

The amount did not agree with the service manual.

Or, you can complain a lot about front end buzzing and high speed handling and suggest the dealer replace oil for you. Maybe not free but at reduced price.

I had long-standing front fork 'noise' logged with my dealer and they ended up swapping heavier oil on last warranty visit.

Thats a great idea! The guys at the dealership where I go are pretty cool and they all ride bikes. One even rides a hyperstrada. Maybe I can appeal to their racer sympathies and have them do some work on the front end.