hyperstrada away.. yamaha to play

Been having some difficulties with my hyper electrics - great support from ducati but its been off the road for about 10 weeks in 52! Most depressing

So while the hyper is away, have got a new mt09.

Just wanted to share thoughts! Not a strict comparison by class, but similar engine size, grip, torque, BHP, riding position, seemed worth a note

Hyper breaks and clutch are not nice in comparison, the Yamaha clutch is super-consistent. But the Ducks ride-feel is still superb, I ride the Yamaha wondering, 'is this as good as the hyper?'.

Despite the flash of the mt09, the hyper has a way sexier bum (and single sides swing arm) and engine... and also a comfier saddle. With the Yamaha you have to see it from behind just to grasp how wide the engine is, the casing juts out as far as the pegs - its muscular, but not sophisticated. The yams headlights are prettier though, the whole transformer-face thing has really grown on me and now I think the hypers one eye is a little soft.

I think the hyper is actually faster through bends the way I ride and I have a better feel for what's happening, but the Yamaha feels more planted and a little quicker in and out. Linear nature of the brake control helps there a lot in my opinion.

The Yamaha fuelling is so slick and I'm sure its got more go than the 821. Its not that the duc isn't, by the way, but you have to try the Yam just to see.

Ride position is not that far off but the saddle could have had some cushion in it! The mt09 controls are great and tcs/ride modes are independent , but it is also less configurable (2tcs settings vs like 7? I quite like not having a screen... keeps casual riding slower, but on a motorway its tough!

Tone... they both sound outstanding (yams has an akrapovic), again, not comparable but they both sound sporty, ready and potent! The yam gets really growly and throaty under load.

Depending on how sale on the duc goes I may end up having to keep both and from the heart that would be the ideal, both awesome bikes!

Hope that tells you something, but it is entirely my opinion.

Good comparison!

Great write-up of the two bikes! I agree with pretty much everything you said.

Difference is I just sold my '16 Yamaha FJ-09 and bought a '16 Duc Hypermotard 939. Yamaha is a much better quality finish, clutch, brakes and engine power are far superior.

Ducati has the "x factor" that cant be quantified though, doesn't make sense when compared side-by-side but I still wouldn't go back! There is just something about a twin, even if it makes less power, that can't be matched by any other configuration V-4, triple or whatever is the flavor of the month.

So many things can affect perception of how a bike "feels". Measured comparisons tell us certain things ... but other intangibles are harder to classify or describe.

I bought a used, modified Fj-09. I did only a short test ride on the bike. First mistake. I had ridden a demo briefly, but a year before and never was able to wring it out on good roads. 2nd Mistake.

I bought the FJ-09 and once I got it out on some good roads, upping the pace a bit, I found a lot things I was not happy about, serious things that, IMO, could not be easily fixed. Things like basic chassis geometry.

The front fork had been fiddled with ... and not in good way. The non stock ZX10 Ninja rear shock was too stiff for our rough California back roads. On a race track over 100 mph the bike may have been OK, but certainly not when ridden between 25 and 70 mph on our tight, bumpy, pot holed back roads.

I had NO confidence in the front end on the FJ. Rough, crude, unsettled everywhere.

Power was good, but crude on the FJ and like the FZ, the bike didn't Carburate well with Jerky On/OFF throttle action. This could upset corner exit and most of all ... confidence while leaned way over.

The brakes were not great, and I'm surprised to hear you guys rate the FJ's brakes over the Strada's Brembo's. I'll take the HyperStrada brakes all day.

Of course the FJ's clutch is heaven compared to the horrid clutch on my '13 Strada. But rode a '15 version recently, clutch was FINE! (so fixable)

Power wise the FJ may win in brute power. The Ducati needs to be revved more than the FJ but the power is there if you want it. On the dyno I think they may be pretty close, don't recall exact figures ... just the feel. With my Termi pipe, the Ducati is pretty sweet, if not a bit too loud at full song. No way it makes anywhere near the 110 HP Ducati claim, still ... I love it!

Thing is ... I can confidently ride the Ducati at a MUCH faster pace, safely, with good confidence.

I disliked my FJ so much ... I sold the bike off after just a week.
(yes, took a minor hit, but was SO GLAD to be ride of it.)

The HyperStrada:
At the time, had zero interest or knowledge of the Hyperstrada, only had ridden the HyperMotard, which I liked. I spotted this used Hyper at local dealer. Price was cheap, but miles were HIGH.
It was quite modified ... so perhaps an Unfair comparison to the FJ. I had NO intention of buying.

Then I rode it and with the perfect fueling, light, sure handling courtesy of Andriani suspension, the bike won my heart, despite the dreadful clutch and loud Termi pipe.

Absolutely ripped on our local roads. Immediately comfortable. Rare for me.
Felt lighter than the FJ-09, especially coming into a tight, downhill
hairpin under braking. The FJ felt like a runaway Bus, the Ducati felt like a GP bike.

I'm talking a series of 20 mph, steep down hill hairpins. I touched a bit on the Duc but on the FJ I had to go at half the speed of the Ducati on same section of road. (yes, I have my own test track right out my back door! )

I never felt nervous on the Ducati. Somehow adapted to it in just a few hundred miles of spirited riding. Never could get the measure of the FJ. I'm sure it would a great bike if the previous owner had not TOTALLY MUCKED UP suspension.

Yet, the guy who had my Ducati did almost everything right ... ALMOST ... The Ducati blew up on it's first long ride! Full warranty will cover all repairs.

So what to do now? Love the bike but can't tolerate a PUCKER based on remote areas I ride to.

Suffice to say ... the HyperStrada has serious potential, IMO. And, to be fair,
I'm sure the FJ does too, but I just did not want to indulge.