New HS owner in San Francisco

coelacanth · Jul 11, 2016

Hi guys,

Just rode home a new-to-me 2014 Hyperstrada in white with 3.5k on the clock yesterday. Still got approx. 1 year of warranty left. The original owner kept the bike in pretty much perfect condition, and as far as I could tell, the break-in was done right.

Very happy to get into Supermotard type bike with some added flexibility and practicality for touring and 2-up with the Mrs.

Pretty much stock other than the cleaned up rear end. I love the clean look, but for 2-up I'll be putting the grab rail back on.

My past Ducs are Monster 796, Sport Classic 1000S and Scrambler. Coming from dirt bike/motocross background since I was a kid, and my other bike is 1966 Triumph T120R so the HS is my do-all practical machine.

I'm only 5'5" with 29" inseam, but with my dirt bike background, the 'Strada felt pretty darn good as soon as I hopped on it. I don't think I need to change the geometry or anything, but I might be putting the "Journey" seat for longer rides.

Hoping to learn a lot from you guys. Cheers!

Quick snap from yesterday, right after riding her home.

kuksul08 · Jul 11, 2016

Cool welcome to the club

Jokeshopbeard · Jul 11, 2016

Welcome along man, glad to see you went for the best colour!!

Here's mine, few more mods done since this pic...

appliance821 · Jul 11, 2016

Enjoy - it's a wonderful machine. When you start dipping into that massive midrange torque the triumph might start feeling lonely.

Deano baggins · Jul 12, 2016

Welcome along dude

coelacanth · Jul 12, 2016

Hey thanks guys.

Jokeshopbeard, My past Ducs were all red, but this is a nice change and I am really digging the white. Yours looks great! What's your highly recommended mods?

appliance821, Haha I hear ya. I was grinning all the way from Sacramento to SF when I took her home. My Bonnie is a VERY different bike and there is no comparison. It's 50 years old, RIGHT FOOT shifting, virtually no braking power, British/American standard bolts MIXED from FACTORY.

They live in very different parts of the spectrum.

I've got Evotech radiator protector and "Journey" seat coming, and currently thinking about a detachable top mount box with passenger support.

monocog007 · Jul 12, 2016

If you plan on getting a rear rack & box, get the givi, kappa, or ducati racks. They are the only brands that have extra supports. There have been reports around here of broken grab handles, all of which were using other brands of rear racks. I have a Kappa KGR46 trunk with top rack and passenger backrest. It's essentially a Givi Trekker 46L. Highly recommended!

As for other mods, delete the exhaust flapper valve, and remove the charcoal canister. Happy hyper-ing!

zippy49 · Jul 12, 2016

Considering where you live, you might want to re-install the rear mudguard. Or never ride in the rain...

appliance821 · Jul 12, 2016

coelacanth said:
Hey thanks guys.

Jokeshopbeard, My past Ducs were all red, but this is a nice change and I am really digging the white. Yours looks great! What's your highly recommended mods?

appliance821, Haha I hear ya. I was grinning all the way from Sacramento to SF when I took her home. My Bonnie is a VERY different bike and there is no comparison. It's 50 years old, RIGHT FOOT shifting, virtually no braking power, British/American standard bolts MIXED from FACTORY. They live in very different parts of the spectrum.

I've got Evotech radiator protector and "Journey" seat coming, and currently thinking about a detachable top mount box with passenger support.

Whoa - it's a real bonneville -that's a whole other story. Just keep the shifting/braking thing straight!

Devinjc · Jul 12, 2016

Welcome to the club... hmm, 2014 white from Sac you say? I wonder if that was the demo bike @ A&S that I test rode before buying my 2015?

PewPewLife · Jul 12, 2016

How do you take off the grab handles and still have the mounts for the bags?

Jokeshopbeard · Jul 12, 2016

coelacanth said:
Jokeshopbeard, My past Ducs were all red, but this is a nice change and I am really digging the white. Yours looks great! What's your highly recommended mods?

I think you've got the version with the charcoal canister (we don't have those here) so ditch that asap, and disconnect and/or remove the exhaust flapper valve.

Those two alone should make the bike a lot more 'rideable'.

If it's fun you're after, then I highly recommend a 14T front sprocket and an Akra (the noise is ******* sublime). I've found fitting a set of Michelin PR4's a vast improvement over the OEM tyres too.

When it comes to aesthetics, I recently fitted a tail tidy and integrated tail light, which has really worked wonders for clearing up the rear end.

And then, for sheer perfection, get in touch with kuksul (member here) and ask if he can make you up one of his lighting kits - they're ******* amazing.

coelacanth · Jul 13, 2016

appliance821 said:
Whoa - it's a real bonneville -that's a whole other story. Just keep the shifting/braking thing straight!

Definitely needs some getting used to, but can be done. I got MINI JCW with stick, Hyper, Bonnie, and planning to get a classic Mini with RH drive in near future. Imagine rewiring your brain when you ride all of them in a day!

Here she is.

coelacanth · Jul 13, 2016

Devinjc said:
Welcome to the club... hmm, 2014 white from Sac you say? I wonder if that was the demo bike @ A&S that I test rode before buying my 2015?

She came from the original owner who got the bike as a leftover deal. I think I got pretty good price, the bike was pristine (he didn't ride much and I could tell he was very meticulous with his toys), and got a year of warranty left. I think I did quite all right.

coelacanth · Jul 13, 2016

PewPewLife said:
How do you take off the grab handles and still have the mounts for the bags?

That was the original owner's handy work. He cut the grab rail part off, sanded down, and refinished it. You'd think it's a factory job if you didn't know. That and the fender eliminator (bolt-on of course) were the only mods. I love what he did with the grab rail and I'll keep it, but I'll swap it with regular one for two-ups.

coelacanth · Jul 13, 2016

Jokeshopbeard said:
I think you've got the version with the charcoal canister (we don't have those here) so ditch that asap, and disconnect and/or remove the exhaust flapper valve.

Those two alone should make the bike a lot more 'rideable'.

If it's fun you're after, then I highly recommend a 14T front sprocket and an Akra (the noise is ******* sublime). I've found fitting a set of Michelin PR4's a vast improvement over the OEM tyres too.

When it comes to aesthetics, I recently fitted a tail tidy and integrated tail light, which has really worked wonders for clearing up the rear end.

And then, for sheer perfection, get in touch with kuksul (member here) and ask if he can make you up one of his lighting kits - they're ******* amazing.

All great suggestions. Will have to look into into charcoal canister and flapper valve. I had Termi slip-on (with race mapping) on Scrambler and LOVED the sound. The stock can is surprisingly good sounding on Hyper so I'll see. I've got carbon headlight fairing coming as well.

zippy49,
I usually ride only in dry weather (SF Bay Area doesn't get much of rain nowadays), but I'll have to think about longer touring when that happens.

monocog007,
Really good advice. Thank you. Yeah, looks like I better get a proper setup with supporting brackets.

I just couldn't let her sit in garage till weekend so I had a quick ride around town while running some errands. Can't wait to hit the twisties this weekend.

zippy49 · Jul 13, 2016

coelacanth said:
Definitely needs some getting used to, but can be done. I got MINI JCW with stick, Hyper, Bonnie, and planning to get a classic Mini with RH drive in near future. Imagine rewiring your brain when you ride all of them in a day!

Here she is.

Lovely bike. I've driven RHD on British roads, and it's easier than remembering which side the shifter is on my Velos. After all, you are sitting on the 'wrong' side...unless you forget and go the passenger side. Been there a few times!

I had a friend with a proper Mini Cooper 40+ years ago. I got to drive it, and have to say that it was a bit of a handful at speed. Super quick steering, a very short wheelbase, and 12 inch wheels...

monocog007 · Jul 14, 2016

I also drive a Mini, however it's just a R56 base model auto. Still scoots fine for me.

New HS owner in San Francisco

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