Noob from NC

Hey everyone, just figured I'd pop in and introduce myself.
I've been a Ducati owner for a few years, have a 748s as a trackbike, and a Bonneville as my everyday rider and as two-up light tourer.

Just recently the wife and I took a demo on the HS and the MS. Wow! Neither one of us can get the HS out of our minds.
I've been intrigued by the bike since its into, but after riding one, I have to say it will be the next one we add to the stable.

Love reading the info so far on the site, and I'll post pics on mine when I get it home.

LJ

BlueSwede said:

Hi LJ and welcome to the tribe.

Just curious, what was your own take-away from comparing the HS and MS models?

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I liked them both for different reasons. The MS is one helluva bike. In the sport mode with 150 horses on tap it was no joke! I liked the suspension and feel of the bike. For the bikes size, it is nimble and extremely comfortable and I could see gobbling up thousands of miles on it or taking the bags off, taping up the lights and heading to the track with it.
That's just the thing. It is too big and tall for 90% of the riding that me and wife do. I'm not very tall and had to counter weight off the right side to get it off the side stand. The motor, for as awesome as it is, is wasted on the street. Like my sportbikes.

We actually rode the MS after the HS, on the same route and similar traffic situations. I kept thinking that the HS is much better suited for the job. The less weight and seat height makes the bike more manageable for where we live and would be a step up for the touring we do. We tour now on a Triumph Bonneville, which really isn't too bad. I really would like something that has better suspension, brakes and chassis. Space wise, the HS would be a bit more than the Bonnie and the seat is WAY more comfortable.

The 821 is plenty enough for sane and legal speeds on the street and did great two up. More displacement and 50 more horses are really not necessary. When you add the greater cost for the Ducati luggage on the HS, it just doesn't suit the bill for us.

That said, if I sold off my 748s and ZX-7R, as both have been track only for the past 5 years for the Duck and 10 for the Kawi, and the Bonnie, and could only have one bike, I would probably buy the MS. Since I'd be adding one to the stable, and really just want essentially is an upright sport tourer, the HS wins hands down.

R6chase said:

Welcome to the forum! The hyper is an intoxicating bike.

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Thanks! I'll definitely be checking in here and doing some more research about different touring options and ride reports. The little bit I've ridden the bike and my love of Ducati really has me wanting the HS.
I am going to look for a good OTD price and any kind special financing options from Ducati. Since I'm no hurry to NEED the bike I have time to get the numbers right for me. Of course, it was up to my wife, we'd have it by now. She likes it more than the Bonneville!

That's a good problem to have.

LJ