2013 Ducati Hypermotard Hyperstrada Unveil & First Ride

2013 Ducati Hypermotard Hyperstrada Unveil & First Ride

I was recently “required” to attend the initial ride training for the 2013 Ducati Hypermotard & Hyperstrada in Indian Wells, California.  Yeah it was part of the job, sometimes you just gotta’ do what you gotta’ do.  The unveil was superb, one thing Ducati North America does well is events, there were about 15 pre-production Hyperstrada and an equal number of Hypermotard SP’s all ready to be ridden up 3500ft. of elevation just outside Palm Desert on the Pines to Palms highway.  

The Machines;

There is so much that is new for the Hypers starting with the engine.  The 821cc liquid cooled twin now replaces the 796 and 1100’s for 2013, the 821 is deceptively quick with its 110hp (that’s 15hp more than last year’s  1100 Hyper) and three adjustable driving modes.  The all new Hyperstrada and Hypermotard features an “Urban”, “Sport” and “Touring” mode while the Hypermotard SP uses a “Wet”, “Sport” and “Race” mode.  If you’ve thrown your leg over a Multistrada, 1199 Panigale or Diavel you’ll be familiar with the customizable driving modes that adjust the horsepower as well as the Bosch 9MP ABS and Ducati Traction Control systems.  In “Wet” and “Urban” only 75 of the engine’s 110hp are available on tap from the full ride by wire throttle system.  The other modes get you to 110hp with a varying torque curve and traction settings.  A number of raised eyebrows and groans let out as we discovered that gone was the hydraulic dry clutch that every Ducati purest treats like a badge of honor on the new Hypers.  In its place was a mechanical wet clutch which Ducati claims has a lighter pull than the hydraulic of old.  To my surprise they were right.  The clutch is a simple cable system which allows for adjustment and a more natural feel for engagement than previous generation hydraulic clutch.  The pull is light and although we were not really able to put the Hypers to any severe testing, all the riders in our group admittedly appreciated the quiet, easy to pull clutch on the new 821 engine.

 

Other features this year include a slightly longer rake in an attempt to make the Hypermotard more stable.  Stability is definitely increased on the Hypermotard SP with its 50mm Marzocchi front forks and Ohlins rear shock.  The SP version of the Hyper is solid and responsive to input, I didn’t feel any of the darting or headshake of the previous generation Hypermotard.  The Hyperstrada however felt completely different with its smaller Kayaba forks and rear shock.  The Hyperstrada and Hypermotard share the same suspension while the SP gets the good stuff with the Marzocchi and Ohlins treatment.  Just as in Hypermotards past, I would recommend a steering dampener for machines equipped with the Kayaba suspension as the steering seemed to dart on the mountain roads and while riding over the bumps in the pavement a mild shake was present.

Overall the new Hypers are light (despite being 7lbs heavier than the old 1100) and powerful with a high probability of hooliganism in any Hypermotard rider’s future.  The 821 engine is superb, I would expect this engine to replace what remains the air cooled engines in Ducati’s future.  With valve service intervals of 30,000km’s the engine sets new precedence for Ducati maintenance.  If I hated everything about the rest of the bike I would still covet the engine.  The good news is that the rest of the bike is decent too.  The new Hyperstrada will open up this machine to new riders with its lower seat height, windshield and higher handlebars.  The Hypermotard gives up nothing to previous generation models and the new Hypermotard SP would make even the most conservative rider want to pop wheelies and burn rubber.  Check out the New Hypermotard and Hyperstrada at FFUN Motor Sports in Saskatoon.