Questions about ordering a Hyperstrada Low model

Howdy guys! New rider here. I recently bought a Honda CB500F ABS and have been riding around on it for the past couple of months and now looking for something more exciting with some personality to it. Pretty certain I want to get the Hyperstrada. I was eyeballing the MV Agusta Brutale 675, but it doesn't have ABS brakes so I think I'm going to pass on the MV. Was also looking at the Triumph Street Triple, but it's definitely nothing aesthetically special and looks too similar to most other bikes so that one is a pass, too.

The Hyperstrada looks perfect in every way for me, except one: seat height. I'm 5' 9" but with a 29" inseam and want to be able to flatfoot, especially since I'm a new rider. I sat on a Hyperstrada in the showroom and it's far too high.

My CB500F is perfect (it comes in at 30.9"). The Monster 796 is about the max of what I'd be able to tolerate the seat height at (31.5").

From what I understand, Ducati offers a low version of the Hyperstrada from the factory that gives it a 32.7" height, and drops it further to 31.9" with the 20mm lower Journey seat.

Questions are:

1. How does one go about getting the Hyperstrada Low version? Just ask to order it from the dealer?

2. How long does it typically take to get it from the time it's ordered?

3. Is there any way to lower the bike further? With the Low version and the Journey seat, that takes it to 31.9", but is it possible to lower it another half inch and match the Monster 796 seat height?

I'm a lightweight at only 130 lbs. so could the pre-load perhaps be decreased to get another half inch seat height drop?

Thanks in advance!

The other option is that I could just get a used 2012 or 2013 Monster 796 for half the price and save a bunch of cash, but I'm guessing the 796 isn't nearly as fun of a bike as the Hyperstrada is!

R6chase said:

Yes it's as easy as walking into a dealer and asking for a low. As for a time frame I'm sure each dealer would be different. The hyperstrada does not have adjustable suspension. so for lowering it another half inch I'm not sure if you could cheat that by lowering the triple clams on the fork or getting the low suspension and low seat? I'm sorry but at 6'0" and a 34" inseam I can't say I've ever had this problem.

Click to expand...

Well, no surprise you've never had this problem... your inseam is 5" taller than mine!!! That would mean I'd need a seat that's 5" lower than yours in order to experience the same sensation when sitting on it.

Any idea as to a ballpark of how long it would take to order? It comes from Italy, right, so I'm guessing 2 months or more? Really not sure I want to wait that long and wondering if I should just go pickup a used Monster 796 for half the cost of the Hyper and save the cash (and the wait)?

R6chase said:

They weigh 130 pounds I'm not sure if we can count on any sag

Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm only 130 pounds so I figured perhaps the pre-load could be adjusted/lower the bike that way without compromising any suspension travel.

Not sure though?

R6chase said:

Honestly for half the cost a used monster may be the better buy especially where you are a new rider it's nice to ride around without all the "what ifs" stuck in you're head scared to mess up you're big investment. Also I'm sure the monster won't be any slouch of a bike it's going to be more exciting then the cb you're coming from.

A friend of mine who is allot shorter then I am owns a hyperstrada and goes just fine with one foot on the ground in fact the ktm 450 he had before that he would have to balance the bike under the back of his knee with the other foot on the ground just on his toes.

I'd say just go down to you're dealer and sit on everything sit on a regular Hyperstrada imagine it lower sit on a monster and find what's comfortable, drive as much as you can and remember any bike is going to be slightly taller with cold oil compared to warm.

Click to expand...

I'm not the sort that would be more concerned about spilling over a $7k bike versus a $14k bike. I'd try just as hard not to spill either. The only difference would really be the insurance will be quite a lot higher on the Hyperstrada than the Monster.

The Hyperstrada is perfect for me... it's just the seat height issue. I sat on one at the dealership with the 33.5" seat and envisioned it lower and it would be perfect. But at the 33.5" seat I was on my tippy toes. And that's not comfortable for me. I want to be able to flatfoot both feet. Can't understand how some are comfortable being on their tippy toes at a stop. I'm not. But hey, different strokes for different folks!

The low version drops it to 32.7" and the low seat drops it another 0.8" to 31.9" without any user suspension adjustments. If I could just get another 0.4" drop, that'd probably be perfect.

Also, I'm hearing the low seat feels like sitting on a wooden plank due to the lack of padding. Is that lack of padding due to lack of room to add the padding, or just because Ducati was lazy and didn't redesign a lower seat depth and instead just took out padding? Essentially, I guess I'm asking... can I have a custom seat made that won't make the seat any higher than the Low seat but will make it more comfortable?

Stradasphere said:

I'm 5-6" and on my tip toes with the lower seat but standard Strada. The seat can't be lowered, which is why they took the foam out for the lower seat. I have the lower seat which is ok for my rides to work but on a day ride my rear gets a bit sore. I'm 160 lbs and with the stock spring tension backed off all the way I still have very little sag. The suspension is on the stiff side which I really don't mind. Being short I just have to mindful where I stop. My biggest problem was with the kickstand. I took off the center stand which made it way easier to get the side stand down. Even though the bike is a bit tall I love the ergo's and it handles incredible well. Did a track day with it and man could it hold a line. I got the first strada my dealer received last year. Had I known that there was a lower version I would have got that instead.

Click to expand...

Hmmm... now I'm wondering if I should consider the Diavel Strada. LOL! That one felt very comfortable to me when I sat on it just out of curiosity at the dealer. And I love the fact that it has dual displays, including a color display, and shows what gear you are in. Definitely didn't want to spend close to $20K on a bike for myself, but perhaps I could just pickup a used Diavel non-Strada for $15K and then add the windshield and bags over time.

Don't know. I'm conflicted now. If the Hyperstrada was just a sub 31.5" seat height, I'd be all over it. The Diavel Strada, by comparison, is 30.3"! And it only weighs 50 lbs. more (but with 50 more HP). Not sure how much those 50 lbs. will effect handling though.

Pinoybear said:

I'm vertically challenged like a few of the other Hyper riders here. I have the standard HS and had the stock seat modified to the height of the DP low seat. I'm on tiptoes when I have both feet on the ground. This is my second Hyper and I have no confidence issues with the seat height; that comes simply from riding. I started riding on a M696 several years ago before moving to my first Hyper.

I can't see how at 5'9" you won't outgrow a low height HS and at some point wish you had the regular bike. Get more hours in the saddle to build your confidence or maybe consider a different bike.

Eric

Click to expand...

Thanks guys!

Currently considering the Diavel.

Going to test ride both the Diavel and Hyperstrada tomorrow hopefully. For good measure, also going to try and take a ride on a Multistrada.

jmatt said:

I am 5' 7" with a 29" inseam but, the Hyperstada is so light weight and, super easy to balance, even at parking lot speeds, the seat height is not an issue for me at all.

I was concerned about the bike being too tall but, I have wanted a Hypermotard ever since they first came out back in, 2005! I finally bought a white Hyperstrada last September. My plan was to just ride it 'as is' and, if the tall seat height caused problems, I would get the bike lowered.

I quickly got used to it and, I'm very confident on the bike 'as is'. I am not changing anything.

Click to expand...

Just test rode a standard Hyperstrada with 33.5" seat and your experience mirrored me. Turns out the height was a non issue! Even though I was on my toes at stoplights, the bike is SO well balanced that I felt completely confident. Frankly, it felt like I only had a bicycle between my legs at a stop and I couldn't even feel the weight at all. Was shocked!