(BN) Ducati $13,295 Hyperstrada Beats Superbikes on Hot City Str
eets
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Ducati $13,295 Hyperstrada Beats Superbikes on Hot City Streets
2013-09-04 18:00:00.10 GMT
(For more Bloomberg Muse, click on MUSE <GO>.)
Review by Matthew Oakley
Sept. 5 (Bloomberg) -- The Ducati Hyperstrada is the kind
of bike that makes even difficult roads look easy.
The $13,295 motorcycle is being shown to journalists in
Bali, Indonesia, amid a bewildering jumble of cars and trucks,
while scooter riders dart from side alleys without looking and
packs of schoolchildren spill off the pavement.
For owners of high-end Italian motorcycles, life in the
urban sprawl is often arduous.
Struggling through six lanes of Asian traffic in 90 percent
humidity on top of a big V-twin -- the clutch hand burning with
pain as you coax an engine that lugs grumpily at low speeds --
is even less fun than it looks. Now there is an alternative.
On paper, the Hyperstrada sounds a bit of a joke. Perhaps a
German joke, given Audi AG's recent purchase of Ducati Motor
Holding SpA. Taking its infamously thrill-seeking Hypermotard
model (which was basically a turbo-charged fold-up bicycle),
adding a few practical accessories and calling the result a
Touring Motorcycle seemed like the most fanciful kind of
marketing guff.
And it would be, if it weren't for several things. First is
the superb new 821cc, liquid-cooled motor that's tamed the old
Hypermotard's wilder impulses and learned to behave itself
across the entire rev range.
The 2013 Multistrada aside, it's perhaps the first Ducati
engine that's a breeze to manage through heavy traffic.
Trademark Growl
The clutch is light and the motor is refined and smooth at
low speeds without sacrificing any of the trademark Ducati growl
or the kind of punchy throttle response necessary for squirting
out of trouble. Extremely light and agile, it makes light work
of heavy weaving.
Of course, with 110 horsepower at your wrist, there's
plenty of room to squirt into trouble as well, especially when
every breed of vehicle and farmyard animal is lurking along the
road to give you nasty surprises.
A comprehensive safety package, featuring anti-lock brakes
and an eight-stage traction control system, should be enough to
save all but the most lunatic rider from disaster.
The anarchic streets of Denpasar, the main city, test the
Hyperstrada's urban credentials to the full. Of the bike's three
electronically adjustable engine maps, the gentler Urban mode
made the work of threading through the chaos relatively simple.
Up into the hills, Touring mode eats up clear stretches of
rural road in a blur of acceleration, while the Brembo monobloc
front brake scrubbed off speed quickly at blind corners.
All-Rounder
The touring accessories that are meant to transform this
bike from a hooligan's weekend toy into a seven-day all-rounder
are mostly more than just baubles. The seat is lower, wider and
more sculpted, with grab rails for passengers.
There's a higher screen, two 12-volt sockets for GPS units,
mobile phones or heated clothing, a center stand and most
importantly of all two 25-liter panniers as standard, with a top
box as optional.
Even with all these modifications and extras, the
Hyperstrada isn't a full-fledged tourer. For the rider planning
long journeys, a bigger adventure bike or sports tourer would be
better. This is a lightweight supermoto with an upright,
aggressive riding position and minimal weather protection.
Where it does excel is in straddling the border between
unadulterated fun and practicality in a way few bikes manage.
Big bike sales are taking off in Asia, making up about 10
percent of global sales from less than 1 percent a decade ago,
according to Ducati. It has followed Kawasaki and Honda setting
up assembly plants in Thailand. Triumph may soon follow.
Thai customers have been swallowing Kawasaki's Thai-made
600cc ER6-n as fast as the plant can make them. Sales of Ducatis
in Thailand have gone from almost zero five years ago to more
than 2,000 this year. European and U.S. luxury makers are waking
up to big opportunities in the region. With the Hyperstrada,
Ducati might just have its perfect bike for Asia at least.
Ducati Hyperstrada at a Glance
Engine: 821cc liquid-cooled V-twin with 110 horsepower and
65.8 pound-feet of torque.
Transmission: Six-speed manual.
Price: $13,295 (U.S. price)
Best feature: User-friendly engine that delivers at all
speeds.
Worst feature: Question marks over pannier strength.
Target buyer: Daily urban rider who likes to take short
getaways out of town.
(Matthew Oakley writes for Bloomberg News. The opinions
expressed are his own.)
Muse highlights include Richard Vines on food, Rich
Jaroslovsky on technology, Lance Esplund on U.S. art and Amanda
Gordon's Scene Last Night.
For Related News and Information:
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Ducati's $16,995 Diavel Cruiser Leaves Harley's V-Rod on Corner
NSN LP9N8T0UQVI9 <GO>
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NSN L79GKC0D9L35 <GO>
More auto reviews: NI AUTOREV <GO>
Top arts and lifestyle stories: MUSE <GO>
Top transportation news: TOP TRN <GO>
News on Ducati: DMH IM <Equity> CN <GO>
--Editors: Mark Beech, Farah Nayeri.
To contact the writer of this column:
Matthew Oakley in Bali, Indonesia, at +65-6212-1163 or
[email protected]
To contact the editor responsible for this column:
Manuela Hoelterhoff at +1-212-617-3486 or
[email protected].
eets
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Ducati $13,295 Hyperstrada Beats Superbikes on Hot City Streets
2013-09-04 18:00:00.10 GMT
(For more Bloomberg Muse, click on MUSE <GO>.)
Review by Matthew Oakley
Sept. 5 (Bloomberg) -- The Ducati Hyperstrada is the kind
of bike that makes even difficult roads look easy.
The $13,295 motorcycle is being shown to journalists in
Bali, Indonesia, amid a bewildering jumble of cars and trucks,
while scooter riders dart from side alleys without looking and
packs of schoolchildren spill off the pavement.
For owners of high-end Italian motorcycles, life in the
urban sprawl is often arduous.
Struggling through six lanes of Asian traffic in 90 percent
humidity on top of a big V-twin -- the clutch hand burning with
pain as you coax an engine that lugs grumpily at low speeds --
is even less fun than it looks. Now there is an alternative.
On paper, the Hyperstrada sounds a bit of a joke. Perhaps a
German joke, given Audi AG's recent purchase of Ducati Motor
Holding SpA. Taking its infamously thrill-seeking Hypermotard
model (which was basically a turbo-charged fold-up bicycle),
adding a few practical accessories and calling the result a
Touring Motorcycle seemed like the most fanciful kind of
marketing guff.
And it would be, if it weren't for several things. First is
the superb new 821cc, liquid-cooled motor that's tamed the old
Hypermotard's wilder impulses and learned to behave itself
across the entire rev range.
The 2013 Multistrada aside, it's perhaps the first Ducati
engine that's a breeze to manage through heavy traffic.
Trademark Growl
The clutch is light and the motor is refined and smooth at
low speeds without sacrificing any of the trademark Ducati growl
or the kind of punchy throttle response necessary for squirting
out of trouble. Extremely light and agile, it makes light work
of heavy weaving.
Of course, with 110 horsepower at your wrist, there's
plenty of room to squirt into trouble as well, especially when
every breed of vehicle and farmyard animal is lurking along the
road to give you nasty surprises.
A comprehensive safety package, featuring anti-lock brakes
and an eight-stage traction control system, should be enough to
save all but the most lunatic rider from disaster.
The anarchic streets of Denpasar, the main city, test the
Hyperstrada's urban credentials to the full. Of the bike's three
electronically adjustable engine maps, the gentler Urban mode
made the work of threading through the chaos relatively simple.
Up into the hills, Touring mode eats up clear stretches of
rural road in a blur of acceleration, while the Brembo monobloc
front brake scrubbed off speed quickly at blind corners.
All-Rounder
The touring accessories that are meant to transform this
bike from a hooligan's weekend toy into a seven-day all-rounder
are mostly more than just baubles. The seat is lower, wider and
more sculpted, with grab rails for passengers.
There's a higher screen, two 12-volt sockets for GPS units,
mobile phones or heated clothing, a center stand and most
importantly of all two 25-liter panniers as standard, with a top
box as optional.
Even with all these modifications and extras, the
Hyperstrada isn't a full-fledged tourer. For the rider planning
long journeys, a bigger adventure bike or sports tourer would be
better. This is a lightweight supermoto with an upright,
aggressive riding position and minimal weather protection.
Where it does excel is in straddling the border between
unadulterated fun and practicality in a way few bikes manage.
Big bike sales are taking off in Asia, making up about 10
percent of global sales from less than 1 percent a decade ago,
according to Ducati. It has followed Kawasaki and Honda setting
up assembly plants in Thailand. Triumph may soon follow.
Thai customers have been swallowing Kawasaki's Thai-made
600cc ER6-n as fast as the plant can make them. Sales of Ducatis
in Thailand have gone from almost zero five years ago to more
than 2,000 this year. European and U.S. luxury makers are waking
up to big opportunities in the region. With the Hyperstrada,
Ducati might just have its perfect bike for Asia at least.
Ducati Hyperstrada at a Glance
Engine: 821cc liquid-cooled V-twin with 110 horsepower and
65.8 pound-feet of torque.
Transmission: Six-speed manual.
Price: $13,295 (U.S. price)
Best feature: User-friendly engine that delivers at all
speeds.
Worst feature: Question marks over pannier strength.
Target buyer: Daily urban rider who likes to take short
getaways out of town.
(Matthew Oakley writes for Bloomberg News. The opinions
expressed are his own.)
Muse highlights include Richard Vines on food, Rich
Jaroslovsky on technology, Lance Esplund on U.S. art and Amanda
Gordon's Scene Last Night.
For Related News and Information:
Aprilia Superbike Outguns Bugatti, Rockets to Best in Class
NSN M5KVOE07SXL0 <GO>
Triumph Out-Monsters Ducati, BMW in "˜Naked Bike' Commuter Trial
NSN LUO4NF1A74E9 <GO>
Ducati's $16,995 Diavel Cruiser Leaves Harley's V-Rod on Corner
NSN LP9N8T0UQVI9 <GO>
Thai Beach Resort Teaches Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Racing
NSN LDSCLK0UQVI9 <GO>
Ducati Turns "˜Funky Chicken' Into $20,000 Transformable Beauty
NSN L79GKC0D9L35 <GO>
More auto reviews: NI AUTOREV <GO>
Top arts and lifestyle stories: MUSE <GO>
Top transportation news: TOP TRN <GO>
News on Ducati: DMH IM <Equity> CN <GO>
--Editors: Mark Beech, Farah Nayeri.
To contact the writer of this column:
Matthew Oakley in Bali, Indonesia, at +65-6212-1163 or
[email protected]
To contact the editor responsible for this column:
Manuela Hoelterhoff at +1-212-617-3486 or
[email protected].
