Hyper Come Back-Conquers California Sierra!

Some may have seen my previous unhappy Hyper-Disaster thread in which my "new to me" Hyperstrada lost a cam bearing and self destroyed front cylinder head on it's first long ride. Not a good start!

After months of screwing around with RPM warranty outfit, then more time waiting for Parts from Ducati, Marin Speed Shop (San Rafael, CA) built the bike back up promptly and it's running PERFECTLY! Took nearly 4 months in all.

I did two 100 mile shake down rides locally on the newly rebuilt bike before this longer ride up and around our Wonderful California Sierra.

A small group showed up for this 4 day jaunt. Mostly BMW R12GS's, a WeeStrom, 2 Tiger 800's, KTM 1190. Just 6 or 7 in total, no other Duc's. We had an October cool down first day, so chilly with snow on the road once up above 6000 ft. I like the 490W output on the Hyper! Ducati heated grips up next! My Gerbing elec jacket worked well ... saving the day in cold!

Forgot my Winter gloves ... so bought Snow Board gloves in Bear Valley
on Highway 4. WARM Fantastic! (but not too protective in a fall!)


The Hyper was running great, no issues. We wound round a few Sierra passes, eventually came down to Hiway 395 via Ebbett's pass where we headed down past Mono Lake to Lee Vining, which would be our "home base" for two nights.

Sorry for lack of photo vistas ... this ride leader NEVER stops for pics ... we just RIDE RIDE RIDE ... only stopping for food and fuel. I do MUCH better when I'm riding Solo. Next time!


Great roads off 395 leading over to Benton Hot Springs area.

Next day we went up Sonora pass and back down to 395 to Mammoth mtn. area, then over to June lake area for lunch. Dirt back road back down to 395.


Nice new R1200GSW ... Faster than you think!




June Lake area ... Hyper NOT HAPPY on this road ... no skid plate, soft rims,
nasty road in places (not shown!) Avoid!

On day three the group split 3 ways ... I went the longer way home, riding down 395 all the way (180 miles!!) to the Sherman Pass/Kennedy Meadows turn off. This infamous pass goes all the way up and over the Sierra to Kernville.

The ride down 395 was nice, still amazed how comfortable this bike is.
I also learned a lot about fuel economy and range on the Hyper. Remember, this is really my very first LONG ride on this bike. The first attempt was aborted.

Going at around 65 to 70 mph steady state I was able to go to 152 miles before reserve light. I've not pushed reserve to empty yet ... but will do soon. Most I've done on reserve is 45 miles ... I'm now convinced I could go further if riding very softly. Riding hard my light usually comes on between 90 and 110 miles. But you CAN do more if you ride slower and lay off throttle.

As we headed South on 395 temps SHOT UPWARDS into mid 90's, so heading UP into the mountains was nice .... but it just did not cool off that much!

Sherman Pass was in good condition, a great Hyperstrada road. I've tried to cross this pass three previous times ... all failed due to Snow closure. So this was a landmark for me, my first time over this pass. We go to Death Valley in Spring and Sherman is always the LAST pass CalTrans opens ... and it's often the first to close due to snow. There is NOTHING up there, no towns, no nothing. Be prepared if you cross it.

We arrived in Kernville and headed out 178 next morning, did a bit of I-5 then
cut off at Coalinga and 198 up to 25 to Hollister then home to Marin County.

The Hyperstrada never missed a beat.

RSL said:

You guys passed a delightful road on your way south, that being Hwy 120. No, not the road up and over to Yosemite. The other way, 395 east on 120 to Benton. Twisty, cool high altitude pass, and best of all the best roller coaster road I've been on.

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See that pic above that sez: Benton Hot Springs? We've not missed many of the good roads in the area ... had 20 years to explore them and some guys who are expert navigators .. unlike me who is always lost.

RSL said:

My experience is that the Strada wheels are quite durable. Heavens knows that Mattole Road tested them.

Just me and the Strada, naked without luggage, may be light enough to keep the wheels true.

Certainly not as tough as BMW wire wheels though. But, a well loaded, and heavier, GS needs tough wheels.

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I think you're right because I hit a few embedded rocks that scared me ... but no dents. I did bottom hard once even though I was crawling and the others were LONG gone and had to wait for me at the pavement.

I just was not going to risk busting something ... and no real hurry. We went to Bodie Ghost town as well ... for the fourth or fifth time! Great little paved road until the pavement ends.