Joined May 2015
268 Posts | 1+
Denver, CO
The HS is completely incapable on anything other than gravel roads and really tame forest roads. I DO NOT recommend taking it through water.
Ducatis are little princess bikes that are really pretty and a blast to ride. They are also unreliable plastic pieces of **** that break a lot. It's an acquired taste. My advice; Buy a Tiger/GS800 and get better tires for it.
Joined May 2015
268 Posts | 1+
Denver, CO
I speak from direct experience. The flimsy plastic "bash guard" (more like splash guard) should say it all.
Joined May 2015
925 Posts | 9+
Dallas, Texas
Is the Hyperstrada a Real Dirt Bike? No
Can the Hyperstrada be a great way to explore off-road? Absolutely
There is off-road and then there is off-road. If you are looking for a bike capable of enduro riding, look elsewhere.
If you are looking to explore trails and backcountry forests, like the above photos, merely add a metal skid plate and knobby tires.
Compared to a some of the heavyweight bikes listed above, the Hyperstrada makes getting out of a bad situation much easier. BUT, at a little over 400 pounds, it is a bear to wrestle compared to a real dirt bike.
Can the Hyperstrada be a great way to explore off-road? Absolutely
There is off-road and then there is off-road. If you are looking for a bike capable of enduro riding, look elsewhere.
If you are looking to explore trails and backcountry forests, like the above photos, merely add a metal skid plate and knobby tires.
Compared to a some of the heavyweight bikes listed above, the Hyperstrada makes getting out of a bad situation much easier. BUT, at a little over 400 pounds, it is a bear to wrestle compared to a real dirt bike.
I gotta ask you, did you like just throw that bike away or roll it off a cliff after that trip you show in the pics?
Cause IMO, you totally trashed that motorcycle. Must be nice to have enough money to be able to throw it away.
Cause IMO, you totally trashed that motorcycle. Must be nice to have enough money to be able to throw it away.
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FYI, Evotech has the 939 engine/radiator/oil cooler guard set in stock and now that the British Pound has tanked (sincere condolences), it's right around $200 USD including shipping to the US. I saved around $20 vs. buying from a US distributor.
Hi - yes, testing the waters! I'm not ready to jump on the desert sled yet
I can't tell which mode to ride in off road, suggestion?
I can't tell which mode to ride in off road, suggestion?
Joined May 2015
925 Posts | 9+
Dallas, Texas
From my decades of off-road experience, it isn't any settings, it isn't even the bike, it is the state of mind of the rider.
I've seen everything from Harleys to WFO dirt bikes do well and to crater off-road.
Off-road riding is made easier by having tires designed for the challenge, wearing the appropriate gear, and having the foresight to select the best line through obstacles. Oh, and the wisdom to know your limits and be able to turn around when confronted with something above your experience level.
But then, I've only hosted thousands of riders on my dual sport rides. I've hosted Scot Harden to teach off-road skills he gained from being a Dakar champion.
And taught off-road riding skills:
Specifically, for the Hyper, take it easy. The bike has a very vulnerable underside with limited ground clearance. The rear exhaust bend is very vulnerable to any rocks. You must be able to get off the bike and turn it around in sand or mud that prevents a U-turn. Yes, the ability to manhandle the weight yourself. The use of throttle and clutch while along side the bike.
With focus and good judgment, the Hyper can be a lot of fun off-road, on the easier trails.
Often, the trails where the quads go are reasonably easy:
I've seen everything from Harleys to WFO dirt bikes do well and to crater off-road.
Off-road riding is made easier by having tires designed for the challenge, wearing the appropriate gear, and having the foresight to select the best line through obstacles. Oh, and the wisdom to know your limits and be able to turn around when confronted with something above your experience level.
But then, I've only hosted thousands of riders on my dual sport rides. I've hosted Scot Harden to teach off-road skills he gained from being a Dakar champion.
And taught off-road riding skills:
Specifically, for the Hyper, take it easy. The bike has a very vulnerable underside with limited ground clearance. The rear exhaust bend is very vulnerable to any rocks. You must be able to get off the bike and turn it around in sand or mud that prevents a U-turn. Yes, the ability to manhandle the weight yourself. The use of throttle and clutch while along side the bike.
With focus and good judgment, the Hyper can be a lot of fun off-road, on the easier trails.
Often, the trails where the quads go are reasonably easy:
Joined May 2015
925 Posts | 9+
Dallas, Texas
If you aren't prepared for the expense of having your Hyper take a "Dirt Nap", and if you aren't physically prepared to manhandle your Hyper out of sticky situations, then avoid going off-road without friends that are there to help.
Dirt Nap example:
All part of riding off-road.
Dirt Nap example:
All part of riding off-road.
hi,,,
I have one too. I wouldn't take it off road. Hell, I put a CF hugger on it to keep the shock clean! But I think it would be ok on fire, gravel or dirt roads.
The seating position, specifically, the bars, seat and the way you can easily move around and get your weight over the front wheel would probably make it better than the average street bike.
PREVENTATIVE VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
I have one too. I wouldn't take it off road. Hell, I put a CF hugger on it to keep the shock clean! But I think it would be ok on fire, gravel or dirt roads.
The seating position, specifically, the bars, seat and the way you can easily move around and get your weight over the front wheel would probably make it better than the average street bike.
PREVENTATIVE VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
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Those are some really good pictures. Very inspiring too I might add.
In the short time I've had the HS I have done a small amount of off-road with it.
The 1st time was while exploring backroads in Pennsylvania farm country when suddenly the paving just stopped but the road continued. The 1st 100 yards beyond the end of the pavement was a little washed out and rocky but it looked decently maintained after so I went for it. I stood up over the rocky part and was rewarded with a couple miles of enjoyable packed clay+gravel. Since then I keep looking for more old farm roads and finding more and more. More recently I wanted to explore a weird place the locals call Satan's Houses. The history of the place is spotty and dark but essentially it was some kind of estate on a wooded hillside and after becoming abandoned it turned into a hangout for a local biker gang (Pagan's) and allegedly a ritual site for devil worshippers. I was intrigued so I went for a look. The driveway going up the hill was blocked by a huge fallen tree about halfway up with no way to circumnavigate it.
I went back to the main road and turned up the driveway of an abandoned house a short ways down and found the driveway went pretty far back to a barn halfway up the same hill. Just behind the barn was a trail into the woods going the direction of the site I was trying to get to. So I puckered up and went down the overgrown trail. This too was blocked by another fallen tree. But this time I saw a way around it. Off the right of the trail the ground went down into a somewhat steep slope. The ground was covered in fallen leaves and it had been raining so I knew this would be tough on traction. But I nosed my way down there and got around the end of the tree discovering that beneath the leaves was slimy mud. Now I had to get back up the slope to the trail. I leaned forward to put more weight on the front and started clawing my way up. To my surprise I didn't get stuck until I was just short of the top. Then I just put my feet down and walked her up the rest of the way with mud flying all over me. Back on the trail again I found my way into the site and picked up the paved driveways again. Not much to see. A foundation filled with bricks, and old shed and some fire circles. Big deal. Also some interesting graffiti which may or may not have been Satanic in nature. Might have simply been names of metal bands.
Luckily I found a very muddy dirt road which looked to be recently driven by trucks or jeeps and following it I found a much easier way out than I had coming in. Had a few slidey surprises trying to keep out of the ruts but made it through with only a few more pounds of mud on me and the bike.
I'm hooked now. Honestly I won't be going down more overgrown trails or off of trails again but the dirt road thing was great fun. The fact the bike could handle all of this craziness and wasn't difficult or too heavy to manhandle through tough spots impressed me. I see where her limits are now. And mine too. So if I ride accordingly I think I'm going to have a lot more enjoyment off the pavement.
In the short time I've had the HS I have done a small amount of off-road with it.
The 1st time was while exploring backroads in Pennsylvania farm country when suddenly the paving just stopped but the road continued. The 1st 100 yards beyond the end of the pavement was a little washed out and rocky but it looked decently maintained after so I went for it. I stood up over the rocky part and was rewarded with a couple miles of enjoyable packed clay+gravel. Since then I keep looking for more old farm roads and finding more and more. More recently I wanted to explore a weird place the locals call Satan's Houses. The history of the place is spotty and dark but essentially it was some kind of estate on a wooded hillside and after becoming abandoned it turned into a hangout for a local biker gang (Pagan's) and allegedly a ritual site for devil worshippers. I was intrigued so I went for a look. The driveway going up the hill was blocked by a huge fallen tree about halfway up with no way to circumnavigate it.
I went back to the main road and turned up the driveway of an abandoned house a short ways down and found the driveway went pretty far back to a barn halfway up the same hill. Just behind the barn was a trail into the woods going the direction of the site I was trying to get to. So I puckered up and went down the overgrown trail. This too was blocked by another fallen tree. But this time I saw a way around it. Off the right of the trail the ground went down into a somewhat steep slope. The ground was covered in fallen leaves and it had been raining so I knew this would be tough on traction. But I nosed my way down there and got around the end of the tree discovering that beneath the leaves was slimy mud. Now I had to get back up the slope to the trail. I leaned forward to put more weight on the front and started clawing my way up. To my surprise I didn't get stuck until I was just short of the top. Then I just put my feet down and walked her up the rest of the way with mud flying all over me. Back on the trail again I found my way into the site and picked up the paved driveways again. Not much to see. A foundation filled with bricks, and old shed and some fire circles. Big deal. Also some interesting graffiti which may or may not have been Satanic in nature. Might have simply been names of metal bands.
Luckily I found a very muddy dirt road which looked to be recently driven by trucks or jeeps and following it I found a much easier way out than I had coming in. Had a few slidey surprises trying to keep out of the ruts but made it through with only a few more pounds of mud on me and the bike.
I'm hooked now. Honestly I won't be going down more overgrown trails or off of trails again but the dirt road thing was great fun. The fact the bike could handle all of this craziness and wasn't difficult or too heavy to manhandle through tough spots impressed me. I see where her limits are now. And mine too. So if I ride accordingly I think I'm going to have a lot more enjoyment off the pavement.
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Joined May 2015
925 Posts | 9+
Dallas, Texas
Proper tires make an astounding difference.
Where street tires want to slide down into ruts, knobby tires hang on to the uphill line you want.
This is why many on AdvRider will use a TKC-80 front tie and TKC-70 for great steering grip and the best compromise between traction and tread life with the rear tire.
Both the 80 and 70 are available in the sizes for the Hyperstrada.
Where street tires want to slide down into ruts, knobby tires hang on to the uphill line you want.
This is why many on AdvRider will use a TKC-80 front tie and TKC-70 for great steering grip and the best compromise between traction and tread life with the rear tire.
Both the 80 and 70 are available in the sizes for the Hyperstrada.
The Pirelli tires that came with the bike were no picnic on the slippery stuff. Fine for the packed clay and gravel but otherwise worthless. It took alot of creative riding holding any kind of line with them through muck and having to give up on the pretense of holding a line more often than not LOL!
Tread life compromise seems to be a big topic regarding ADV tires. It looks as though the people who have the worst issues with it are the ones with the heavy 1200CC heffers. With the lightness of the HS is the tread life still a severe concern with these types of tires?
Joined May 2015
925 Posts | 9+
Dallas, Texas
I used to keep photos of tires at different miles for comparison, but not with the Hyper because I don't ride that many miles anymore.
As I recall, I felt the need to replace the rear TKC-80 at 1,250 miles, though it may have been fine for up to 2,000 miles.
This dismal mileage was also encountered with every other tire. I blame the crap rear shock not keeping my tire connected with the pavement with my heavy throttle hand. This should be remedied with the Mupo. Expect a report on tire life in June.
People who ride more reasonably than me get far longer tread life.
As I recall, I felt the need to replace the rear TKC-80 at 1,250 miles, though it may have been fine for up to 2,000 miles.
This dismal mileage was also encountered with every other tire. I blame the crap rear shock not keeping my tire connected with the pavement with my heavy throttle hand. This should be remedied with the Mupo. Expect a report on tire life in June.
People who ride more reasonably than me get far longer tread life.
MY HS now looks like yours RSL - MUDDY!
Unfortunately I was chased by a NJ State Police helicopter so I had to cut my excursion off pavement short. There were other vehicles, jeeps, truck etc. but I did have the distinct feeling the chopper was following me....
Unfortunately I was chased by a NJ State Police helicopter so I had to cut my excursion off pavement short. There were other vehicles, jeeps, truck etc. but I did have the distinct feeling the chopper was following me....
