Ducati Hyperstrada
 

The Hyperstrada extends the hypermotard concept to fascinating new horizons. ABS, DTC, windshield, side bags, dedicated ergonomics and a series of touring features offering a new riding experience for everyone who loves curves, even when they're far away from home.

Hyperstrada: broaden the horizons of your emotions.

The introduction of the next generation Hypermotard has now further broadened the character of the model family with a stylish and accessible mid-range tourer with everyday practicality – The Hyperstrada. While the new range delivers a thrilling and fun filled experience, the Hyperstrada goes that extra mile to deliver long distance adventure and enable practical, everyday motorcycling in absolute Ducati style.

Brand new from the ground up, the family introduces the new 110hp Ducati 821cc Testastretta 11° engine in a new Trellis frame equipped with top-of-the range chassis components. While sharing the Hypermotard’s sharp and sleek styling to maintain that essential Supermotard look, the Hyperstrada is factory-accessorised with a full touring-oriented specification. It successfully combines performance with excellent ergonomics and the Ducati Safety Pack of latest generation ABS, Ducati Traction Control and integrated Riding Modes.

Ample ground-clearance combined with a narrow waistline and commanding riding position gives the rider a confidence-inspiring stance, ideal for dominating the every-day urban commute or long distance journey. The new Hyperstrada takes the Hypermotard concept into the future with refined design and user-friendly technologies that will enhance its appeal to a wider range of riders.

The Strada concept
With the introduction of the Multistrada, Diavel Strada and now Hyperstrada, Ducati expands the concept of "touring, Italian style" with three motorcycles carefully prepared for the open road, while continuing to deliver pure Ducati sport bike excitement.

Ducati's headquarters have always been in the Borgo Panigale area of Bologna, Italy, an historic town in the heart of the Emilia Romagna region known to many as the Land of Motors. Famous for iconic brands such as Ducati and Lamborghini, the area is equally well known for its beautiful surrounding mountain ranges with winding roads that undulate through spectacular Northern Italian countryside. Ducati's test riders use these roads each and every day and their hunger for more miles inspired the latest Strada models, stylishly equipped to be loaded with luggage and ridden north across the Alps or south through Tuscan splendor and on towards the next horizon.

Italy has a long and rich history of mixing the passion of sport-oriented machinery with Gran Turismo style, and with the new Strada concept, Ducati capture the excitement of famous sporting events such as the Moto Giro d'Italia and the Mille Miglia and combine it with the pleasure and sophistication of Italian-style motorcycle touring.

Touring in Italy has never meant compromising on performance and Ducati upholds that tradition with a selection of models powered by high-performance engines. The Ducati Safety Pack of traction control and ABS enhances rider confidence, while perfect style and design deliver hours of riding comfort.

Ducati's Strada models, therefore, provide both a thrilling and comfortable ride and a stylish and head-turning display of Italian engineering when parked outside the many caffès and ristorantes enroute. Multistrada, Diavel Strada and now Hyperstrada combine the very best of motorcycling with a taste of the Italian adventure lifestyle to deliver thrilling, practical and enjoyable touring for connoisseurs.

Hyperstrada
The Hyperstrada model represents a completely new dimension for Hypermotard, with the innovative realisation of a unique “cross-over” between the worlds of motard and touring. This incredibly versatile motorcycle opens an exciting new road to explore and releases the full potential of this thrilling family.

Its factory-equipped touring components present a comfortable and user-friendly travel companion with generous luggage capacity. The added security of ABS and DTC is combined into the Ducati Safety Pack and fully integrated into the Sport (110hp – High), Touring (110hp – Medium) and Urban (75hp – Low) Riding Modes.

In preparing the new model for the open road, Ducati fitted a strong, lightweight and elegantly styled 50 Litres of quickly-detachable side-luggage –offering an extra 31 litre top case as an accessory - and a centre stand for stable parking when fully loaded. With handlebars raised by 20mm (0.78in), a touring screen provides improved wind protection and, with long journey comfort in mind, a special wider touring seat is fitted with thicker foam cushioning for both the rider and passenger and confidence-inspiring passenger grab-handles. Extended mudguards, a sump guard and two auxiliary 12v power outlets, intended to feed accessories such as heated clothing, complete the enhanced specification.

The Hyperstrada is also offered in “low version” with shorter suspension front and rear providing a lower seat height of 830mm (32.7in). The version includes shorter side and centre stands and considerably enhances sure-footed confidence, especially when combined with the accessory low saddle to achieve a total reduction of 40mm for an 810mm (31.9in) seat height.
The front suspension of the Hyperstrada uses 43mm Kayaba upside-down forks with 150mm (5.9in) of wheel travel and the rear suspension uses a single Sachs rear shock absorber providing 150mm (5.9in) of rear wheel travel with rebound damping and user-friendly remote hydraulic spring preload adjustment. Both the front and rear wheel travel of the low version Hyperstrada is reduced by 20mm (0.79in).

The full touring trim tips the scales with a dry weight of 181kg (399lb) and rides on the Multistrada’s Pirelli Scorpion Trail tyres, mounted on 10-spoke, 1199 Panigale-style cast aluminium wheels. The Hyperstrada is finished in Ducati red or a sophisticated arctic white against subtle racing grey Trellis frame and black wheels and has side luggage in textured black with polished stainless steel “Ducati” name plates.

Ducati Hyperstrada Key Features

Hyperstrada
Hyperstrada (low) seat height: 830mm (32.7in)

Colours
Body | Frame | Wheels: Ducati red | racing grey | black
Body | Frame | Wheels: Arctic white | racing grey | black

Equipment
Ducati Safety Pack (ABS, DTC)
Riding Modes (Sport | Touring | Urban)
Touring screen*
Touring seat*
Passenger grab-handles*
Side luggage*
Centre stand*
Engine sump guard*
Remote rear suspension pre-load
2 x auxiliary 12v power outlets
Enhanced generator
Extended front and rear mudguards
*Available from Ducati Performance also as an accessory for Hypermotard and Hypermotard SP

Ducati Hypermotard SP Features and Benefits

Design
The Hypermotard prototype was an instant success when first shown in 2005 and soon became a top seller when its production started in 2007. Since then, its unique design has excited riders around the world and praise for this thrilling and versatile model has never stopped – and neither has its development.

 sees the introduction of the next generation design, embracing the original “thrill bike” character and enhancing its adventurous dirtbike-inspired look with visibly high ground-clearance, sharp and high tail-piece and narrow waistline - design elements that characterise this type of motorcycle whether used for the daily commute or touring.

Attention to the detail of flowing lines has resulted in maintaining the essential, minimalist image of the family, even with the complexity of packaging a liquid-cooled engine. Proportion, ergonomics and practicality shaped this new generation of Hypermotard and the integration of Ducati’s latest technologies, such as second generation Testastretta 11° engine, Ducati Safety Pack and Riding Modes, underlines its absolute Ducati character.

Chassis
The Hyperstrada has a new 34mm diameter tubular steel Trellis frame with 25.5° of rake and trail and offset of 104mm (4.1in) and 30mm (1.2) respectively, providing a sure-footed, stable “feel” without compromising the Hypermotard’s original agility. The frame marries to a die-cast sub-frame and incorporates a Multistrada-like techno-polymer mid-section as part of the assembly.
The Hyperstrada retains its highly manoeuvrable 70° of lock-to-lock steering movement, while the wheelbase now increases to 1490mm (58.6in), further enhancing the model’s stability at speed and providing ample area for rider, passenger and luggage.
The totally revised fuel tank has increased capacity by 3.6 litre (0.9 US gal) to 16 Litres (4.2 US gal), improving the overall autonomy of the Hyperstrada while maintaining its thin waistline and compact silhouette.

Instrumentation
The Hyperstrada’s compact instrumentation console has been designed with warning lights across the upper section, which illuminate for neutral, turn signals, high-beam, rev-limit, oil pressure and fuel reserve and an LCD screen with dot matrix area below for all other information.

The screen presents data for speed, rpm, total mileage, trip1/trip2, engine coolant temperature and ambient air temperature and time.

Additionally, the display also presents current fuel consumption, average fuel consumption, average speed, and journey time.
The display constantly shows the selected Riding Mode, including the associated ABS and DTC levels. All three Riding Modes can be easily changed, while stationary or in motion, by simply scrolling through the displayed modes using the indicator cancel button.
When stationary, buttons on the left-hand switchgear can be used to enter a setting menu from which adjustments to the various functions can be made including personalised ABS (1-2+OFF), DTC (1-8+OFF) and power delivery via Ride-by-Wire (Low-Medium-High). All settings are saveable in the instrumentation’s memory and can easily be returned to factory settings with a simple default function. The instrumentation is also system-ready to accept the heated grips Ducati accessory, which then produces its own control menu, selectable by scrolling through with the engine starter button.

Lighting
The headlamp uses a very compact and lightweight assembly, which employs a single parabola for high and low beam functions using a blue vision bulb and LED positioning light. For the rear, a specially designed strip of LEDs, enhanced by a high diffusion lens shaped into the sleek lines of the tailpiece, acts as both rear light and brake lights. Front directional indicators are stylishly integrated into the handguards, keeping the lines of the Hyperstrada as clean as possible and a hazard light function is also also available, activated by holding the left-turn signal button on for four seconds.

Controls
The Hyperstrada’s full Ride-by-Wire introduces a new and compact electronic twist-grip, perfectly matching the minimalist styling of the model’s slim-line switch bodies. They house easy-to-use switches and buttons, and feature a unique weapons-like 'trigger catch' that slides down to cover the starter button when the kill-switch is activated. A conventional control cable actuates the clutch and a 4-point adjustable lever for the front brake enables full personalisation. Black finished footpeg supports are formed in high pressure die-cast aluminium with integrated heel guards and feature rear brake and gear shift pedals in forged aluminium.

Ducati Safety Pack (DSP)
Ducati’s Riding Mode technology, incorporates 2-level ABS and 8-level DTC to introduce the Ducati Safety Pack (DSP) concept to the Hyperstrada, further underlining the focus on performance safety.

Ducati Riding Modes
Ducati’s industry-changing Riding Modes effectively offer optimised settings appropriate to rider and environment by selecting from a choice of three pre-set modes according to model. Each Riding Mode is pre-programmed to instantly change engine character, ABS and DTC intervention - even while riding. The modes are made possible by combining a number of class-leading technologies.
An electronic Ride-by-Wire (RbW) system administers different mappings to regulate power delivery, while the Ducati Traction Control system (DTC) uses eight levels of system interaction to enhance control by reducing rear wheel-spin and the ABS processor provides two pre-programmed levels of anti-lock braking.

Hyperstrada Riding Modes
Sport

The Sport Riding Mode provides 110hp, delivered with a “High” RbW throttle response, level-3 DTC system intervention and level-1 ABS of sport-oriented braking performance with reduced rear-end lift-up prevention.
Touring
The Touring Riding Mode provides 110hp, delivered with a “Medium” RbW throttle response, level-4 DTC system intervention and level-2 ABS with maximum safety and braking stability and increased rear-end lift-up prevention.
Urban
The Urban Riding Mode provides 75hp, delivered with a “Low” RbW throttle response, level-6 DTC system intervention and level-2 ABS with maximum safety and braking stability and increased rear-end lift-up prevention.

Ride-by-Wire (RbW)
The Ride-by-Wire (RbW) system is an electronic interface between the twistgrip and the engine which decides the ideal power response depending on the Riding Mode selected and according to the rider’s throttle input. The twistgrip no longer uses a throttle cable to control the throttle body butterflies, but instead delivers a signal to a control unit, which in turn operates the butterfly opening. The RbW system enables the use of three different mappings to regulate the power delivery. The three maps offer 110hp with a “high” sports-type delivery, 110hp with a “medium” progressive delivery suitable for touring and 75hp with a “low” reduced delivery for city or rain use.

Ducati Traction Control (DTC)
The Ducati Traction Control is an intelligent system which acts as a filter between the rider’s right hand and the rear tyre. Within milliseconds, DTC is able to detect and then control rear wheel-spin, considerably increasing the bike’s active safety and performance, an important component of the Ducati Safety Pack (DSP). The new Hyperstrada uses the very latest DTC software, now optimised with seamless intervention to ignition timing only.

The system offers eight ‘levels of sensitivity’, each programmed with a level of rear wheel-spin tolerance in line with progressive levels of riding skills classified from one to eight. Level one is programmed to offer the least amount of interaction while level eight uses the most amount of interaction.

DTC levels are factory pre-set in each of the three Riding Modes, but can be individually customised and saved to suit the rider by accessing the set-up menu within each mode. A ‘Default’ option is available to easily return all settings to factory pre-sets.

Bosch Brembo Braking system with 2-level ABS
Included as an integral part of the Ducati Safety Pack (DSP), the  Hyperstrada is fully equipped with the Bosch ABS 9MP controlled Brembo braking system, an impressive combination of state-of-the-art security and proven performance. Shorter stopping distances with enhanced stability are vital prerequisites for all motorcycles, but adding full Riding Mode interaction takes the Hyperstrada’s braking to the next level.

From the 2-level programmed system, level-1 provides a sport-oriented ABS interaction with reduced rear-end lift-up prevention, while Level-2 delivers maximum safety ABS interaction with enhanced stability and increased rear-end lift-up prevention.

The front brakes use twin radially-mounted Brembo, four piston, Monobloc M4-32 callipers actuated by a master cylinder with a 4-point adjustable lever. The fronts grip 320mm discs, while a single 245mm disc on the rear is gripped by a single Brembo calliper.

Typical of all Ducatis, these components ensure high performance braking and set the standard in this segment.

The Bosch-Brembo ABS system is fitted as standard equipment, delivering outstanding braking performances in all conditions and providing a major contribution towards performance safety. An option to disable the ABS in each individual Riding Mode is available via the instrumentation, and the system allows the setting to be saved and memorised at the next ignition-on.

Introducing the 821cc Testastretta 11°
When developing the new power unit for the next generation Hypermotard family, engineers analysed capacity and bore/stroke ratio to create the optimum combination of tractability and Hyper performance. The 821cc Testastretta 11° engine introduces an ideal, all-round performance-producing 110hp (80.9kW) @ 9,250rpm with a wide and ride-enhancing 65.8lb-ft (9.1kgm) of torque @ 7,750rpm that underlines its pure Ducati character.

The four valves per cylinder, liquid-cooled engine has a compression ratio of 12.8:1 and measures 821cc from an 88mm x 67.5mm bore and stroke, which provides a wide range of torque and an impressive and practical peak horse power value. The engine, which is cooled by a high efficiency radiator mounted with twin electric fans, breathes through two 52mm, full Ride-by-Wire throttle bodies which provides three different engine “characters” within the Riding Modes.

The new 821cc Testastretta 11° adopts a number of operation-enhancing features introduced in the second generation Testastretta 11° DS used in the  Multistrada, including repositioned fuel injector spray targets and a secondary air system. The system enables a smoother cycle-to-cycle engine operation with increased fuelling during specific engine operations. This optimisation of fuel-mapping without compromising emissions is achieved by completing the oxidisation of unburned hydrocarbons, which reduces HC and CO levels. The system is activated when the engine ECU recognises specific conditions in the engine’s operation via the lambda and throttle opening sensors. It then opens a valve enabling a flow of clean air from the main airbox to a reed valve situated in each cylinder head, enabling one-way flow into an air gallery exiting into the exhaust port close to the exhaust valve. Entering the hottest point of the exhaust gasses, the fresh charge of air enhances the burn environment, eliminating any unburned fuel in the exhaust cycle.

For increased user-friendliness, Engineers reduced the amount of valve over-lap from around 40° - typical in performance engines that operate constantly at high RPM - to just 11°. This reduces peak horse-power slightly, but enhances mid-range and overall smoothness - perfect prerequisites for the extreme versatility of the new Hyperstrada.

The overlap angle is defined as the interval of crankshaft rotation, measured in degrees, during which both the intake and exhaust valves are open at the same time. This overlap occurs between the end of the exhaust stroke and the start of the intake stroke. On the Testastretta 11° engine, this angle has been reduced and the fresh inlet flow less compromised by the exhaust gases, resulting in much smoother combustion, improved fuel economy and lower exhaust emissions. Unburnt hydrocarbon emissions (pre-catalyser) and specific fuel consumption (and consequent CO2 emissions) are considerably reduced.

The new engine is equipped with an APTC, oil bath clutch with ‘slipper’ function and light feel at the lever. Its design uses a progressive self-servo mechanism that presses the plates together when under drive from the engine, enabling the reduction of the clutch spring rates. Now further simplified with the use of a control cable actuation, it achieves an even lighter clutch lever at the handlebar, ideal in stop-start traffic or long journeys. When the drive force is reversed (over-run), the same mechanism reduces the pressure on the clutch plates, enabling them to provide a race-like ‘slipper’ action, which reduces the destabilizing effect of the rear-end under aggressive down-shifting and provides a much smoother feeling when closing the throttle or down-shifting under normal riding conditions.

The completely new 2-1 exhaust system runs through 50mm headers, and is controlled by an exhaust valve before passing into the new single silencer, black finished with a polished stainless steel end-cap. The system uses new sound-absorbing technology to achieve such a compact layout and is completed with catalytic converter and two lambda probes for optimum Euro 3 emissions management.

A milestone 30,000km between major services

The 821cc Testastretta 11° engine reaches another milestone in Ducati’s constant investment in quality by enabling the distance between major service intervals (valve clearance check) to be set at an owner-friendly 30,000 kilometres (18,641 miles).

Review

What’s New

Ok, so I already went over how the Ducati Hypermotard platform is all-new at length in my review of the Ducati Hypermotard SP. So take a sec, go read that first, then come back. Pretty much everything is the same including the riding modes, DSP, and all-new 821cc engine.

So where were we? Ah yes, the Strada treatment.

The Hyper Strada gets a new seat. The seat is now wider, with additional padding for both the rider and the pillion, and sits a little flatter, sloping less into the tank. In addition to the seat, they’ve also included pillion grab handles should someone be brave enough to hop on the back.

The Hyper Strada also receives a small touring windscreen, as well as two quickly detachable side bags. They will hold 50 Litresof your precious cargo and, should that not be enough, you can purchase an additional 31-liter top case.

The handlebars have been raised by 0.78 inches to further increase rider comfort, and Ducati has included a center stand, as well as extended mud guards and a sump guard.

As with the other Stradas, Ducati has included two auxiliary 12volt power outlets for all of your onboard charging needs.

The Ride
I have a confession to make. I had a Ducati  Strada and was not able to take it on a trip. I know, it’s terribly embarrassing to admit but, despite my best efforts, I just couldn’t make it happen. Before you freak out on me, this doesn’t mean I didn’t take it on long rides, it just means I don’t have the epic adventure you were all expecting to read about.

I did, however, ride the bike all over southern California, as is the life of a motorcycle journalist. Meetings in Los Angeles and then Orange County, and carting my girlfriend around to 4th of July parties from Balboa Island to Malibu to Los Feliz kept me plenty busy. I used the panniers more than a few times to carry everything from just my laptop to a few days’ clothes and my forever-present battery chargers.

The seat is absolutely fantastic. It slopes toward the tank less which means it doesn’t squish your manly bits all the time, and it’s a tad wider so it spreads your weight more evenly through your butt so you can sit longer. It felt like it fit better from the second I sat on it and, after having problems with numerous Ducati seats, I was relieved to know either A) they were working on it or B) maybe I just got lucky, but at least I didn’t have to write off all Ducatis as being horrendously inhumane on your posterior.

The windscreen, as well, is fantastic. It’s actually quite small and unobtrusive in person, yet seems to deflect just enough air away from your chest that it doesn’t create the same fatigue I had from riding the Hypermotard SP on the freeway. I did notice that it affected different helmets differently, creating some buffeting with my new Schuberth C3 Pro, while having no issues at all with my Bell RS-1. For the life of me, I can’t come up with why it affected the one and not the other, especially since the Schuberth is better on most bikes.

The side bags are good for carrying a few things, but their awkWard shape and size keep them from being very useful for any real touring. When I loaded the bike down with all my camping gear, I filled the side bags with clothes and random odds and ends, and then used the wider footprint created by the seat and bags to strap my camping gear to. For those of you remembering I said I didn’t take the Hyper Strada on any epic adventures, I got a text about 6 minutes after loading down bike that the last of the guys had bailed from the camping trip we had planned to make up for a different friend bailing on the trip we planned the week prior.

The Good
As with the entire Hypermotard line, this bike is incredibly good. It’s light, it’s nimble, the fueling is good, the engine is wonderful, the gas mileage is great, and the bike is absolutely beautiful.

The changes Ducati have made really help make this bike more comfortable at higher speeds. The slight rise in the bars paired with the wider, flatter, and thicker seat and windscreen give you just the advantage you need in combating the wind normally felt on big super moto/naked/street destroyer thingies.

As on the 1,200cc Diavel, Multistrada and 821cc Hypermotard, the Testastretta 11 motor’s 15,000 service intervals make these Ducatis you can actually live with.

The Bad
The Ducati Hyperstrada doesn’t feel like it has the same athletic prowess as the Hypermotard SP we just rode. Part of this is due to the Hyper Strada not receiving the same upgraded components as the SP, but another part is because of the slight changes to the bars and seat. The riding position is still good, but it’s just lot that bit of edge that screamed “push me harder.”

The Price
The Ducati Hyperstrada retails for $13,295, placing it $1,400 under the Hypermotard SP and $1,300 over the regular Hypermotard. By themselves, the additional parts would cost you $2,000, so assuming you want all of them it’s a good deal. The seat, windscreen, panniers, and grab handles are all accessories available for the Hypermotard and Hypermotard SP.

The Verdict
I have really struggled with this section of my review. The Ducati Hyperstrada did everything I asked it to, but somehow something is still missing. It’s not that razor sharp scalpel anymore, this alteration just a great all around motorcycle equally good at a weekend away as a fun day in the canyons. Personally, if I’m going to spend this kind of money, I’m going to spend the extra money and do it right and get the Hypermotard SP and then purchase the touring seat and windscreen and put those on when the adventure requires it. The SP is just so good that I’d rather have its full potential and deal with it not touring as well, than buy the more applicable but less athletic motorcycle.

Source HFL