Hyperstrada Review
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Joined May 2015
925 Posts | 9+
Dallas, Texas
With more than 10,000 miles on my Hyperstrada, I think the small size with roomy accommodation for my 6'2" frame remains exactly what I want over 4 years later.
Maybe my expectations are different than most because this isn't a do-it-all bike for me. I don't tour with it. Given up off-roading with it. It is a super fun mountain road bike. Paved, somewhat paved or even sections of unpaved. The more twisted the better.
So, the UK reviewer is right that this isn't the all-rounder most expect. The 990 is a bigger bike.
Funny that the little XT250 is longer than the Hyperstrada. Well, only by a bit.
Apparently the niche the Hyper series is designed to fit is the same as the one I purchased the Hyperstrada to fill.
Maybe my expectations are different than most because this isn't a do-it-all bike for me. I don't tour with it. Given up off-roading with it. It is a super fun mountain road bike. Paved, somewhat paved or even sections of unpaved. The more twisted the better.
So, the UK reviewer is right that this isn't the all-rounder most expect. The 990 is a bigger bike.
Funny that the little XT250 is longer than the Hyperstrada. Well, only by a bit.
Apparently the niche the Hyper series is designed to fit is the same as the one I purchased the Hyperstrada to fill.
I'm perfectly happy with my SP. It may just be because I don't know any better but I've enjoyed touring on it when i've had the chance. Of course my idea of touring is to string together as many winding, poorly paved backroads as I can while still (eventually) getting to my destination...
Joined May 2015
925 Posts | 9+
Dallas, Texas
Well, located where you are, next to unlimited riding, your form of touring is a snap.
When I would load my K1600GT and fly across the continent to seek out the 4 Corners or California roads, touring was indeed touring. 6,000 mile average loops.
Joined Mar 2013
3K Posts | 161+
Naples, IT
I still don't like going fast on it. Like, sustained hwy travel over 80. Common sense would say slow down but, I can't/ won't. Everything in between I love: twisties, darting around towns, congested traffic navigation, etc. It's just helped me decide what I want/ need in my next bike.
Yeah, crossing the continent on the Hyper wouldn't be pleasant, it's fine on the highway but the highway is boring. Longest trip so far was a little over 3k round trip to get to Colorado and back. Mostly back roads, with a boring stint on I-70 because forest fires would have made our route either impassible or add too many hours or seat time. I haven't done anything more than a few hundred miles at a time since a trip to San Diego in November. I may have to put something together for Memorial weekend...
Nice review =thanks. every winter I dream of new bikes (790 duke is a beauty) but after my first few spring rides, I'm always a happy man. There's always more to discover with this machine, and I tour like N4teTheGreat - which is a great way to tour. Last year was a slow riding year - a fork spring took over 6 weeks from the season, which is absurd - but heading to 32,000 miles and looking forward to some long rides this season.
I believe the reviewer mentioned good lighting - LOLZ. But after an LED upgrade. it's fine.
The KTM SMT was on my mind when I was shopping, but KTM discontinued it in 2013, and then went to large whale like beasts. Too bad. The 790 duke looks like a gem - we'll see how the new owners fare...
I believe the reviewer mentioned good lighting - LOLZ. But after an LED upgrade. it's fine.
The KTM SMT was on my mind when I was shopping, but KTM discontinued it in 2013, and then went to large whale like beasts. Too bad. The 790 duke looks like a gem - we'll see how the new owners fare...
When I was commuting to work on my HS I hated it until I got the clutch upgrade installed. After that getting stuck in stop and crawl traffic got much easier. At that point I realized that she's really a nearly perfect and practical commuting bike for longer commutes. I think if I had sprung for the heated grips she then would be the perfect commuter.
Taking the bike out into the mountains and riding the steep winding backroads up there is super fun on the Hyperstrada. This is where she excels by far.
But the long ride out to the mountains is not so fun on her....
But riding downtown through the cratered and artillery blasted streets of Philadelphia she absolutely shines. With a pair of knobby tires better suited to Philly's road conditions you can outrun pretty much everybody except for the dual sport riders and blitz through town like you've caught fire. When everyone else is slowly negotiating the potholes, washboard, construction and sinkholes to avoid being swallowed whole the HS gracefully floats over most of it.
Since installing the aftermarket touring screen I have no difficulties at all with sustained 90 mph interstate rides. I've come to feel that on the open road this bike is happiest running about 90. And on the East Coast that's about the minimum speed you need to ride to avoid being run down by road raging lunatics and mentally challenged fast+furious kiddies with their weed-wacker powered hatchbacks.
And then there's off-roading. It can be done but it's where this bike loses much of her grace and dignity. Small wheels, low ground clearance, high weight and wide turning radius limit the scope to dirt roads and open fields. Going down trails is no fun at all. After the 10th time of having to manhandle the bike through a tight 12 point u-turn to avoid some trail obstacle the bike cannot negotiate trails just become a source of pain and exhaustion. Fire roads and unmaintained unpaved public roads are all good fun though.
I'm in an undecided fork in the road with my HS. I no longer commute with the bike. I can't manage long distance riding on her for long periods of time and I can't do serious off-roading with her. The mountains are too far away for me to go enjoy riding there often. And on the local backroads I actually prefer my Suzuki LS650. The HS makes these roads feel too easy.
So I'm giving myself until next riding season to find a new use for her. And if none can be found I'm probably going to start looking for a sport touring bike to replace her.
Taking the bike out into the mountains and riding the steep winding backroads up there is super fun on the Hyperstrada. This is where she excels by far.
But the long ride out to the mountains is not so fun on her....
But riding downtown through the cratered and artillery blasted streets of Philadelphia she absolutely shines. With a pair of knobby tires better suited to Philly's road conditions you can outrun pretty much everybody except for the dual sport riders and blitz through town like you've caught fire. When everyone else is slowly negotiating the potholes, washboard, construction and sinkholes to avoid being swallowed whole the HS gracefully floats over most of it.
Since installing the aftermarket touring screen I have no difficulties at all with sustained 90 mph interstate rides. I've come to feel that on the open road this bike is happiest running about 90. And on the East Coast that's about the minimum speed you need to ride to avoid being run down by road raging lunatics and mentally challenged fast+furious kiddies with their weed-wacker powered hatchbacks.
And then there's off-roading. It can be done but it's where this bike loses much of her grace and dignity. Small wheels, low ground clearance, high weight and wide turning radius limit the scope to dirt roads and open fields. Going down trails is no fun at all. After the 10th time of having to manhandle the bike through a tight 12 point u-turn to avoid some trail obstacle the bike cannot negotiate trails just become a source of pain and exhaustion. Fire roads and unmaintained unpaved public roads are all good fun though.
I'm in an undecided fork in the road with my HS. I no longer commute with the bike. I can't manage long distance riding on her for long periods of time and I can't do serious off-roading with her. The mountains are too far away for me to go enjoy riding there often. And on the local backroads I actually prefer my Suzuki LS650. The HS makes these roads feel too easy.
So I'm giving myself until next riding season to find a new use for her. And if none can be found I'm probably going to start looking for a sport touring bike to replace her.
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Joined Mar 2013
3K Posts | 161+
Naples, IT
Despite my negative comments, it's the perfect bike for me because:
-Multi: Would fill my highway itch but kinda ugly and I'd have to drop way too much to spec the way I want.
-GS: Tech at the dealership I bought the Strada from had a couple Bimmer's. He said it did everything very well but just wasn't very exciting. I chalked that up to maybe couple more years down the road as I'm still a bit of a hooligan.
-KTM: The Adventure is probably superior for touring, but a little too GS-like for my taste. The Super Duke was on my short list but, probably have the same highway touring complaints (with much smaller paniers).
I also don't want a windscreen bigger than the touring one I have fitted. So, I conscientiously take the wind blast at speed.
-Multi: Would fill my highway itch but kinda ugly and I'd have to drop way too much to spec the way I want.
-GS: Tech at the dealership I bought the Strada from had a couple Bimmer's. He said it did everything very well but just wasn't very exciting. I chalked that up to maybe couple more years down the road as I'm still a bit of a hooligan.
-KTM: The Adventure is probably superior for touring, but a little too GS-like for my taste. The Super Duke was on my short list but, probably have the same highway touring complaints (with much smaller paniers).
I also don't want a windscreen bigger than the touring one I have fitted. So, I conscientiously take the wind blast at speed.
I went for a ride this morning. My love for the Dragoness has been reinvigorated. First ride after running in the new Diablo Rosso III's. I shed the dead Shinko 705's, changed the oil, new battery, wet wash, chain clean/lube. Shes alive and about to click 12k miles. While downtown getting rubber I took out the Hyper950SP. The ride was no good because it was in the city and 5 o clock. But I didnt feel a single urge to consider anything rash. My eye was keen on the Multistrada 1260S in grey with gold wheels. 5 years with the bike and I love it as much as day one. Will always keep it. But I'll take a Multi for crushing some continents, and a Monster for everyday badassery.
