Well, the deed is done and I am $500 poorer, after putting down a pre-order refundable deposit, but I now have my name firmly pencilled-in for a new Ducati Hyperstrada to be delivered before April 1st, hopefully. It’s the first ordered in Oz, I’m told – Classic Ducati Red, of course – but I do quite like the Arctic White version (from pix only, of course), and wouldn’t mind at all if that was the early option. I’m pretty excited! My pre-order is of course subject to a test-ride and to availability - I do not intend to wait until mid-year!
As a rusted-on BMW owner for at least twelve years, I was primarily interested in the imminent release of their new F800 GT as a lower/ lighter replacement for my BMW R1200 GS, which as I get older is becoming a bit too challenging for me. That was until I read about Ducati’s new Hyperstrada, and since then I’ve been haunting various websites, finding out as much as I could about both new bikes.
Going another step further in the evaluation process recently, I was fortunate when my local BMW dealer let me have another fairly extensive ride on his demonstration (and now for sale) F800ST, which is the predecessor to the GT. This ride again confirmed my earlier impressions of the ST which gave me a rather cramped riding position that I could not possibly live with.
I know that the ‘ergos’ of the ST and GT are going to be somewhat different, but I remain a little sceptical that the minor changes that have been made to the GT – as published – will result in any substantial improvements, for me at least, but am willing to be convinced otherwise.
But the main thing I wanted to get a feel for once again was the performance of the engine, knowing that the GT has only a modest 5kW increase over the ST.
And it certainly was at best an adequate performance, I thought, even though out of respect - and the fact that it was raining quite heavily! - I rode the ST quite conservatively. The extra 5kW in the GT may or may not be noticeable to the average rider – which I certainly am – but I think that in the longer-term I’d find the GT a bit underwhelming, but of course it has to be tried. My affable BMW dealer has promised I'll be first to take a test-ride when his two bikes are delivered towards the end of February.
But in terms of its handling the ST again impressed with its overall lightness, ‘flickability’, and general ease of steering and handling, reminding me of being on a 250cc learner’s bike in this regard! Given that much of the mass its L-layout twin engine is carried very low down, hopefully the Ducati will be every bit as agile as the ST/ GT.
On paper, the specifications of the Hyperstrada suggest much superior overall performance to the GT, it being markedly (by 15kW) stronger in power, and more so in torque (by 27Nm). Add to this the Hyperstrada’s benefit – albeit marginal – of a slightly lower all-up weight (by 9kg) and I believe that bike should prove much more satisfying than the BMW in terms of everyday on-the-road usage.
I also feel that the Hyperstrada is better value-for-money given its standard equipment - including the panniers - despite being some AUD$350 dearer than the BMW.
With the panniers and the hoped-for more 'relaxed' ergos giving a more comfy ride on longer trips it may be more suited to my main intended use of long-ish day-rides and extended touring two or three times a year. It certainly shouldn’t be necessary for me to have to buy any additional equipment for it!
Looks and styling are of course entirely subjective, especially as I have only seen pix of the two bikes. From these, the GT appears to be very clean and attractive and well-detailed in every respect, a very good-looking bike, with the added benefit of the belt-drive. I do like it very much, especially in the dark Charcoal Metallic paint job.
For those who like to see the inner detail and assembly of their naked machines, as I do, the Hyperstrada, almost taken to the extreme, may appeal more. Some naked bikes can look positively messy and untidy, but personally I see a certain rugged and complex beauty in the Ducati. From the front-on view, it appears a little less attractive, perhaps, with its blade-like front fairing and screen looking pretty skinny, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see future versions with a wider nacelle around the headlight, to improve both looks and rider protection.
But I can certainly live with it as it stands, and again, much will depend on first impressions in the flesh.
But I have by no means entirely closed the book on the GT, although when I finally get that test-ride on the Hyperstrada it will have to disappoint in major ways to cease being the chief contender for my $19,000. A lot depends on how long I'd have to wait for my eventual bike of choice.
It has been an interesting exercise and I now wait for the machines to arrive…
L of S
As a rusted-on BMW owner for at least twelve years, I was primarily interested in the imminent release of their new F800 GT as a lower/ lighter replacement for my BMW R1200 GS, which as I get older is becoming a bit too challenging for me. That was until I read about Ducati’s new Hyperstrada, and since then I’ve been haunting various websites, finding out as much as I could about both new bikes.
Going another step further in the evaluation process recently, I was fortunate when my local BMW dealer let me have another fairly extensive ride on his demonstration (and now for sale) F800ST, which is the predecessor to the GT. This ride again confirmed my earlier impressions of the ST which gave me a rather cramped riding position that I could not possibly live with.
I know that the ‘ergos’ of the ST and GT are going to be somewhat different, but I remain a little sceptical that the minor changes that have been made to the GT – as published – will result in any substantial improvements, for me at least, but am willing to be convinced otherwise.
But the main thing I wanted to get a feel for once again was the performance of the engine, knowing that the GT has only a modest 5kW increase over the ST.
And it certainly was at best an adequate performance, I thought, even though out of respect - and the fact that it was raining quite heavily! - I rode the ST quite conservatively. The extra 5kW in the GT may or may not be noticeable to the average rider – which I certainly am – but I think that in the longer-term I’d find the GT a bit underwhelming, but of course it has to be tried. My affable BMW dealer has promised I'll be first to take a test-ride when his two bikes are delivered towards the end of February.
But in terms of its handling the ST again impressed with its overall lightness, ‘flickability’, and general ease of steering and handling, reminding me of being on a 250cc learner’s bike in this regard! Given that much of the mass its L-layout twin engine is carried very low down, hopefully the Ducati will be every bit as agile as the ST/ GT.
On paper, the specifications of the Hyperstrada suggest much superior overall performance to the GT, it being markedly (by 15kW) stronger in power, and more so in torque (by 27Nm). Add to this the Hyperstrada’s benefit – albeit marginal – of a slightly lower all-up weight (by 9kg) and I believe that bike should prove much more satisfying than the BMW in terms of everyday on-the-road usage.
I also feel that the Hyperstrada is better value-for-money given its standard equipment - including the panniers - despite being some AUD$350 dearer than the BMW.
With the panniers and the hoped-for more 'relaxed' ergos giving a more comfy ride on longer trips it may be more suited to my main intended use of long-ish day-rides and extended touring two or three times a year. It certainly shouldn’t be necessary for me to have to buy any additional equipment for it!
Looks and styling are of course entirely subjective, especially as I have only seen pix of the two bikes. From these, the GT appears to be very clean and attractive and well-detailed in every respect, a very good-looking bike, with the added benefit of the belt-drive. I do like it very much, especially in the dark Charcoal Metallic paint job.
For those who like to see the inner detail and assembly of their naked machines, as I do, the Hyperstrada, almost taken to the extreme, may appeal more. Some naked bikes can look positively messy and untidy, but personally I see a certain rugged and complex beauty in the Ducati. From the front-on view, it appears a little less attractive, perhaps, with its blade-like front fairing and screen looking pretty skinny, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see future versions with a wider nacelle around the headlight, to improve both looks and rider protection.
But I can certainly live with it as it stands, and again, much will depend on first impressions in the flesh.
But I have by no means entirely closed the book on the GT, although when I finally get that test-ride on the Hyperstrada it will have to disappoint in major ways to cease being the chief contender for my $19,000. A lot depends on how long I'd have to wait for my eventual bike of choice.
It has been an interesting exercise and I now wait for the machines to arrive…
L of S
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