Oh that sound.

NurseDaddy · Jul 30, 2014

I'm a short shifter. I think it came from not winding out the KTM Duke's big single. Or the BMW 850 twin before it. Come to think of it, the only bikes I've ever really run to redline were probably my GL1500 and Nighthawk 750. But even then, not too often. They sounded like they were begging me to stop thrashing, so I would. No bike has ever really communicated to me that it wanted to be wrung out. Until now.

On the commute home last night I wrung out the HyperStrada motor as traffic went from congested to less congested, and I went from trolling along in third all the way up to OMG this is crazy speed. And the bike sounded ANGRY. I got this big grin on my face as I began to squirt through traffic with the tach bar somewhere in the right of the display panel and it was glorious. An engine and exhaust note orchestra was playing my song, one I hadn't heard from any other bike I've owned, ever. It had a sound akin to a Ferrari or other Italian supercar. It was intoxicating. I'd been hooked on the sound of throttle blips under overpasses and the sounds of downshifting. But now. MPG be dammed.

I won't be a short shifter anymore.

gatdammit · Jul 30, 2014

It truly is an amazing stock note. I always wonder if the 1199 is like this x's 11.

I take it up to 10K, like, often. I'll admit I've hit the limiter a few times, which I try to avoid. It probably doesn't make much sense to go about low 9's from what I remember of the dyno chart...but, it just gets so angry up there!

hetrida · Jul 30, 2014

Hyperstrada Ehaust Note

Thanks for the posts on the Hyperstrada exhaust note. I'm not a Hyperstrada owner but I love the looks and size of the bike. I posted concerns about quality (after reading some of the nightmares posted by owners) and had several people respond with posts about not having any quality issues.

In any case, I'm a fool for great looks and great sound and I can't get this Italian beauty out of my mind despite the fact that it's not a long distance tourer which is what I want. I have a really great 2006 BMW R1200RT that is a great sport tourer but a little bigger than what I'd like and not terribly exciting (but a great bike nevertheless). It's really a great all day bike. And then there is this little Italian beauty that I keep seeing in my mind's eye so I go back to the forum and get a great dose of what the bike sounds like winding toward red line.

Thanks for the post -- I appreciate hearing about those operatic exhaust notes.

strada69 · Jul 30, 2014

I had a hornet before getting a Hyperstrada. The hornet sounds really amazing due to the 4 inline engine. But noting beats the sound of the Hyperstrada.

Ward · Jul 31, 2014

I love the higher notes on the bike too. I have redlined it quite a few times when I'm on the track and it truly is awesome! Imo no other brands give me that feeling of joy and power than the sound of a Ducati (oh, anf I have Termis on it so ear plugs is a must when I'm on the track, ha ha).

gatdammit · Jul 31, 2014

hetrida said:
I have a really great 2006 BMW R1200RT that is a great sport tourer but a little bigger than what I'd like and not terribly exciting (but a great bike nevertheless). It's really a great all day bike.

It's size is part of what makes this a not-so-great long tourer. It's very light and has snappy geometry. Big, heavy bikes give a more comfortable ride. You could solve a little with serious suspension work and an ugly windscreen but I wouldn't purchase thinking it's a long-haul tourer.

Unless you're reading AJSarge's coast-to-coast thread...

PomGP · Jul 31, 2014

Nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing sounds like a singing Duc, it's the opera of the bike world, airbox roar and a bellowing exhaust - Yes please

NurseDaddy · Aug 1, 2014

My wife and I carpool sometimes when I'm at a worksite within a few miles of her office. Mostly when it's not nice enough outside to bother riding my bike. On a whim I asked her if she'd like for me to ride her in to work on the Ducati today and she went for it. The bike is cramped for the two of us. Maybe not cramped, but let's say, "intimate". We had a Gold Wing. That's like a king sized bed compared to the Duc. I took it easy for the most part. I did however let her hear the song I've been enjoying, winding it out a bit to elicit the angry roar.

I dropped her off and she won all today's cool points with her coworkers. And a short time ago she texted me to say "thanks for the exhilarating ride". No such thing was said about the Gold Wing. Thanks for the chance to nap, maybe. Which she did sometimes even through the twisties.

gatdammit · Aug 1, 2014

That's a good boo you got. My wife just smirks at mine, which doesn't really bother me as I really don't like riding a passenger on anything smaller than a Wing or big HD. It's more that she has known me since college and doesn't believe me when I say; "I'll take it easy!" I remember riding her on my R6 back in the day and she finally asked, "Do you have to lean it over so far? (just casual street to street turn-in)" She thought I was just trying to scare her...chicks, man.

For the married guys, how often do you get the question: "So your wife let you get a motorcyle!?"
I love that question cause my reply is: "I didn't ask her."
Seriously, I get sick to my stomach when a guy says his wife won't let him get a bike. I'd say time to get a new wife unless it's just a bs excuse to not have fun.

zippy49 · Aug 1, 2014

I stole my wife from a riding buddy, nearly 40 years ago. She IS my riding buddy. Learned to ride her own bike at age 40, and just recently has taken a break from riding. We have done many thousands of miles two-up; she is a fearless passenger.

There are seven running and registered bikes in our garage. Half of them are hers. The Harley is both of ours. What I find strange is that after many years of riding Yamahas and Hondas there is only one 100% Japanese bike left - her SV650. And it's the only 'sportbike' left, all others are either vintage or baggers. I must be getting old or something.

The only problem with the 'intimate' seating position on the Strada is that she tends to bump helmets with me. Gets annoying after a few dozen times...

NurseDaddy · Aug 1, 2014

Yup, she's a good woman. She trusts me. She's a good passenger too. Leans with me. And when she sees me doing a head check to change lanes, before I can get the signal on she's using hand signals to let other drivers know what I'm doing. We're a good team. Some day we'll own a Wing again. I dig the FB6 too. Almost bought a used Wing before the HS. Decided it was a bit much for my needs right now.

She didn't "let me". She grew up around bikes.
I think the guys that use the excuse you mention is their own internal dialogue that says "she's right, I'll get hurt". I think I'll get hurt, and I have been hurt, but I also know my skill set and I'm vigilant about my limits and never forget what other motorists are capable of. I am concerned about both of us being harmed and leaving our young son without us, but if we ride in fear, we don't ride well.

I have to remember to ask if she noticed the sound, which is, after all the point of the original post on this thread. ;-)

I texted her. She noticed. Said it's a wicked little bike. Also said she noticed the suspension and that it feels pretty good. We hit some bad roads, but it handled it ok. Andreani's help.

Jamemoto · Aug 3, 2014

I have had the opportunity to take the bike high in the rpm range while upstate. Yeah, it is nice.... Truly fast... But really nice. I owned a triumph 675 Daytona se.... Triple. That engine loved the redline.

PomGP · Aug 4, 2014

I am also blessed with a wife who enjoys the bikes, we have done many 1000's of kilometres of the past 10 years, she is not really bothered too much about how I ride, but I do keep it "tame" when she is in the back, I don't believe I have the right to scare anyone but myself.

R6chase · Aug 4, 2014

When my wife and first started, I showed up to our first date on a motorcycle. She now has her own, and accepts I couldn't ever not own one.
Just yesterday, I seen my uncle in laws whole motorcycle collection, 2 50's BSAs, a couple yamaha TW 750s early 60s Triumph and more old British and Japanese bikes in various stages of restoration. Anyways after I let him try out the Duc and rode behind him on his Buell. I was soo glad he rung the throttle a few times so I could hear my own bike from a distance, and I've got to say the stock exhaust sounds as fantastic going by as it does in the seat!

HyperstradaHopeful · Sep 11, 2014

zippy49 said:
The only problem with the 'intimate' seating position on the Strada is that she tends to bump helmets with me. Gets annoying after a few dozen times...

Yeah, that seems unavoidable. Even when I try to be extremely light on the brake, the tiny jolt when I go from accelerating to braking is enough to make us clack heads. A little annoying, but I guess the helmets can take it right?

appliance821 · Sep 11, 2014

hetrida said:
Thanks for the posts on the Hyperstrada exhaust note. I'm not a Hyperstrada owner but I love the looks and size of the bike. I posted concerns about quality (after reading some of the nightmares posted by owners) and had several people respond with posts about not having any quality issues.

In any case, I'm a fool for great looks and great sound and I can't get this Italian beauty out of my mind despite the fact that it's not a long distance tourer which is what I want. I have a really great 2006 BMW R1200RT that is a great sport tourer but a little bigger than what I'd like and not terribly exciting (but a great bike nevertheless). It's really a great all day bike. And then there is this little Italian beauty that I keep seeing in my mind's eye so I go back to the forum and get a great dose of what the bike sounds like winding toward red line.

Thanks for the post -- I appreciate hearing about those operatic exhaust notes.

As long as you can twist the throttle it will tour. I've done a few 3-4 day tours - ridden it all day - camped and was happy to get back on - no problems. I hope to do longer yours next year.

It's agile but not twitchy. any road's OK but if you get the right one - fast and winding - it's a real pleasure.

Oh that sound.

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