Saturday, August 3, 2013
Ducati Hyperstrada 2013 Review
Ducati’s new-for-2013 Hyperstrada wheelies, slides the rear wheel, jumps curbs, is nimble and flickable, and a hoot in urban environments. Characteristics, according to Ducati, distance riders look for when considering a new model to go “touring, Italian style.”
When compared directly to its Hypermotard stablemate, the Hyperstrada differs by way of a taller windshield, 20mm taller handlebars, a wider seat with thicker foam, 50-liter semi-rigid saddlebags, a centerstand, a passenger grab handle, larger front and rear mudguards, a bash plate and two 12V outlets.
Most of these items are available as accessories to the standard Hypermotard, but the cost of accumulating all the individual pieces, plus installation, will assuredly run more than the $1,300 MSRP difference between the two bikes. Individually the accessories may serve the purpose of riders desiring a particular result, but as a package they do little to transform this motorcycle from motard to tourer.
The seat to which Duke is referring is a nicely contoured, form-fitting mount comfortable for short distances and keeps your arse in place during wheelies but allows no fore/aft movement, thus locking the rider into a single position. That position is dirtbike style, perched close to the motorcycle’s front end, and one we all grew tired of after 30 minutes in the saddle on the freeway with no corners in sight.
At 32.7 inches, even the low version of the Hyperstrada (shorter suspension) is imposingly tall for some riders. An accessory low saddle further reduces seat height to 31.9 inches, but then you’re losing the extra padding of the touring seat.One thing we all agreed elevated the Hyperstrada to superstar motardism is its new 821cc Testastretta 11° V-Twin. Now with more than 18,000 miles between major service intervals, the new liquid-cooled, four-valve-per-cylinder motor also features independent throttle bodies for each cylinder and RbW throttle operation.
Ducati Hyperstrada 2013 Picture Gallery
