Potential new owner

While the forks are not top of the tree and plenty of us would like better quality the Hyper is a great bike and I am real pleased I own one.

The forks are ok for "normal" riding I feel. But also being a previous supermoto owner (KTM 450SMR & KTM 560SMR), it didn't take long to find the limits of the stock fork. If you ride aggresively, you'll most likely find the limits also. But, if you love your DR-Z and wish that it was a lot faster with cool gadgets like TC and ABS, adjustable throttle control, etc....and you can ride it comfy all day....You will LOVE the Hyper, in any of the models (Hypermotard, the SP, or the 'Strada). My 560SMR (street legal also) used to be, hands-down, my favorite motorcycle out of the 17 I've owned. Growing up on dirtbikes just made supermoto feel normal; I just hated that riding them more than 100 miles was so uncomfortable.

Check out your nearest dealer, mine was great about their demos and let me take a 'Strada all day long. It worked because I returned it only to trade in my CBR on it. I'm not telling you which route to go, but if your funds allow it.....Here's what I woudl do if I did it over again:

Buy the SP and then order a windsheild and (maybe) the bags/panniers. Simply because the suspension itself is worth the extra money. I'm waiting the dealer to install my Andreani (imported from Italy) fork cartridges now. They cost $890, and probably about another $300 to be installed. (The tools to do the install myself where nearly $250, and I couldn't justify buying them to use them once). And I have only used the bags....never. Ha-ha Literally I have never installed them to ride. I have a small tank bag and that's all I really use. For some reason I thought having bags would be great. But even with my fork upgrade, they still won't compare to the 50mm Marz's that have another inch of travel; and likewise with the rear shock. The Ohlins is top-notch. But...I do love the small sport-windsheild on it. The SP also include a radial brake master cylinder which performs much better.

To each their own, but if I did it again, that's the route I would go. But because I would lose my *** to sell or trade....I'll just upgrade as I can afford it. Ha-ha


Good luck and go take a test ride!

If you're only doing weekend trips I'd have to agree, but check out the quick detach bags from sw mototech they are much much smaller but would be fine

How would you use it?

Other Strada exclusives:
-Centerstand
-Lower and comfier seat (some of us vertically challenged just couldn't live with the extra 2 inch seat height)
-12V power sockets
-Scorpion Trail tires
-Larger front and rear mudguards
-Engine sump guard
-Higher bars and shorter wheel base

A while back there was a thread that priced out mostly converting a Motard to Strada. Around $2000 is what punch- that's if you went with the Duc bags, touring seat and can even install the centerstand on a Motard. Now your riding a $17K bike - little less if you went with cheaper bags - at which point I would just buy a Multi, or Bimmer, or KTM...

I bought mine to commute and travel and wouldn't trade my bags and centerstand for a more versatile suspension. I mostly don't like the dip you get when braking, mostly amplified by the amazing grab on the binders. The fork handles touring and more aggressive rides very well, some of us just look at the name on the tank and think "Really?! No adjustable front forks?!". In reality, the price point tells the story, and it's a lot of bike for the money.

I can do 300 miles easy on the Strada seat. No idea if that would hurt more on the SP, but it's a sportier seat for certain.

Other Hyperstrada-only goodies:

Rear rack, compatible with Multistrada accessories
Hydraulic preload adjustment on rear shock
Rebound adjuster on rear shock

I am completely happy with the front forks now that I spent $500 to have then resprung and revalved at Race Tech. Yes they have 20mm less travel than the Marzocchis on the SP, but I don't miss it. I suspect that the higher front height slows the handling, too.

Seriously, I can't think of another bike that fits your "DRZ on steroids" desire any better. You will be amazed at the midrange power. And I didn't think I'd ever take the bags out of the box either, until I did. You need a test ride!

Best advise is to book a test ride, you'll love it.

After countless dirt and sport bikes that were all fun, this Hyperstrada is by far my favorite even with its quirks. I originally walked into Ducati with the Panigale in mind but the Hyper test ride changed all that!

I think only a test drive will do justice.

Have a look at these videos. The talking is sometime good but also pay attention at their reactions. Their vocal expression; giggles, laugh and awe.

Over here the guy is testing a Hypermotard. Not much a big difference with the Hyperstada if you ask me.
Ducati Hypermotard 821 First Ride - YouTube

I honestly don't understand Italian this much but I can definitively recon the thrill.
Ducati Test Ride Hyperstrada - YouTube

Great video, certainly mirrors my feelings about the bike! Wild passing through traffic though, makes me feel 'almost' sane...

A few years ago I led a Club friend through Los Angeles traffic to Carpenteria; when we arrived (safely) he said "If we had done that back home (New Zealand), we would be on the evening news"....

Man, size is a big factor for me. I'm 5'8" and will own a big touring bike one day, but the Multi is just too big for the fun I want to have right now. I'm one of those guys that would choose a Miata over a Vette, though. I like the extreme feeling of control of smaller/right sized machines. Without a doubt, the Multi will be much smoother over long hauls and you get a lot more bike but, you will pay for it.

gatdammit said:

Man, size is a big factor for me. <snip> I like the extreme feeling of control of smaller/right sized machines. Without a doubt, the Multi will be much smoother over long hauls and you get a lot more bike but, you will pay for it.

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The Multi is a bigger and heavier machine. Its a tourer, comfy for all day cruising. The hypers are for B-road (small turny meandering) fun type. Each can do the other, but not to that degree. Horses for courses.

I have a 3 mile commute and prefer the little roads. I'm getting the Strada

Choose one and smile

If you want touring capabilities the the strada is great, so far I've had it on a weekend trip about 700km from home, and it was great. I've also done an iron butt 1000, so 1000mi in 24 hours. And next year I'm taking the hyperstrada from here (New Brunswick, Canada) to deals gap in Tennessee, the front forks aren't fantastic, but they are pretty good. I may revalve them eventually but it's not high on my priorities. There are a few guys here who own both multi and hyperstradas, but I am very happy with the hyperstrada

Some good and bad the outlets are powerlet outlets still 12v but smaller and watertight by design, really better then regular cigarette lighter outlets but I haven't seen much for accessories that work off them, so I've never used mine. And a couple more pluses for the strada are the centre stand which I use all the time and the seat is different, wider and more comfortable.

FreeBird said:

So now I'm considering the base hypermotard 821 since I'm not sure I'd put the panniers to good use and I'd just put a bigger or different screen on it anyway. Other than the power outlets, is there any other disadvantages than saving a decent amount of cash?

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I were also in the thought of buying a base Hypermotard, but when thinking back and forth I realized that it would be a compromise from what i wanted and that i would be more expensive to upgrade later on.

The SP has the better suspension, taller and lighter harder seat and in Sweden, the SP is way more expensive both in price to by and insurance.

The strada strada had from my point the items i missed on other bikes.
Center stand is lovely to have when lube the chain, the screen takes the most of the wind of your chest (I’m 185 cm). Softer seat = more comfy when I commute to work.
Bags, well I thought that i where never to use them, but I have and love them.
Exp when I had to take them off the first time. Dam, they where irritating.

My bags became impossible to unlatch until I hit the latches with some WD-40. Now they work perfectly. I too thought I'd never take them out of the box until I did.

The forks on the Strada can be improved, check some of the other threads.

R6chase said:

Some good and bad the outlets are powerlet outlets still 12v but smaller and watertight by design, really better then regular cigarette lighter outlets but I haven't seen much for accessories that work off them, so I've never used mine. And a couple more pluses for the strada are the centre stand which I use all the time and the seat is different, wider and more comfortable.

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Those outlets are BMW spec, and matching equipment and adapters are available. I got some adapters from Rider Wearhouse, but have not needed them yet.

FreeBird said:

Sweet! The roads might clear up around here pretty soon, and I have a good dealer that will let me try one.

I really don't mean to throw a wrench into this thread but has anyone here had a Multi for comparison? I'm so torn because I want to feel pereched over the front wheel but I also want the touring capabilities of the Multi. I'm very much a have my cake and eat it too person.

I guess I'd use the bike for what it does best but I do love to travel which makes me wonder about the multi.

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The multi would be better for longer trips, but it makes bigger power also and is heavier.

I have taken several 2 - 3 day trips on the Strada, the dry bags included with the panniers are very nice and work well.

For back roads, this bike is about the best you can do I believe. The seat is a bit close for me and you can not adjust much. I am 5' 11" and 185 lbs.

I put 5wt oil in the forks, and cut 10mm off of the spacer. The forks stock, studder some on high speed turns in bumps, I felt the rebound was too slow. Mine are fine now.