I'm after another supermoto but I don't think I can stand getting off the bike after 30 minutes only to wonder where my genitalia has gone. The "true" supermotos are out, i.e. Husqvarna 570, KTM 690 SMC.
I've been looking at the bigger bikes. So far I've driven the Husqvarna Nuda 900 and the Ducati Hypermotard 820.
The Husky has the parallel twin motor from the BMW F800 only bored out to 900 with a few modifications. It sounded pretty good and the power delivery had a fairly nice linear feel which was great for fast A roads. It felt more like a typical naked bike than a supermoto but it was still a decent ride. I can't put my finger on it but like all Huskys I have driven, it felt harsh. Everything about it seemed hard and I felt like I was on the bike rather than a part of it. It was a technically decent bike but it left me pleasantly underwhelmed.
A couple of hours later I took out the Ducati Hypermotard. What a bike! Compared to the Husky the difference was apparent right away. I felt like I was a part of the bike. The demo bike only had 28 miles on it so it was still a bit tight but it still felt more supple than the Husky that had 1300 miles on the clock. The stock pipe sounded great, as did the engine. It sounded distinctly different to the old air cooled motor but there was no doubt it was a Ducati lump.
The Ducati handled a lot better too. It tipped into corners effortlessly and I really felt like I could get a knee down if I wanted to. The three engine maps were not hat I was expecting. The urban map which pulls back the power and throttle sensitivity and turns up the ABS and traction control was good in theory but I found myself being caught out with the delayed response around the slow one way system in Winchester. The touring map was the one I had it on most. Full power, medium throttle sensitivity and the TC/ABS dialled down a bit. The sport map was far too sensitive and I found myself lunging everywhere.
I couldn't wait to get back to the Husky dealership and I was thinking of ways to blag over an hour from the Ducati dealership.
So yeah, I'm pretty much sold on the Ducati. Had I been a few years younger I'd have thrown my credit card at the salesman but the old fart in me thought it'd be best to come home and have a few days to stew over it before going ahead.
My question is, should I try anything else before going ahead? I have considered the KTM 990 Supermoto which I might have a look at next week but for some reason I'm reluctant to. Don't know why!
Anyone been in the same situation and ended up with something different? The reason I ask is that this bike hunt started with me looking at Harleys, moved onto streetfighters, a Triumph Rocket and now here I am.
Thanks
I've been looking at the bigger bikes. So far I've driven the Husqvarna Nuda 900 and the Ducati Hypermotard 820.
The Husky has the parallel twin motor from the BMW F800 only bored out to 900 with a few modifications. It sounded pretty good and the power delivery had a fairly nice linear feel which was great for fast A roads. It felt more like a typical naked bike than a supermoto but it was still a decent ride. I can't put my finger on it but like all Huskys I have driven, it felt harsh. Everything about it seemed hard and I felt like I was on the bike rather than a part of it. It was a technically decent bike but it left me pleasantly underwhelmed.
A couple of hours later I took out the Ducati Hypermotard. What a bike! Compared to the Husky the difference was apparent right away. I felt like I was a part of the bike. The demo bike only had 28 miles on it so it was still a bit tight but it still felt more supple than the Husky that had 1300 miles on the clock. The stock pipe sounded great, as did the engine. It sounded distinctly different to the old air cooled motor but there was no doubt it was a Ducati lump.
The Ducati handled a lot better too. It tipped into corners effortlessly and I really felt like I could get a knee down if I wanted to. The three engine maps were not hat I was expecting. The urban map which pulls back the power and throttle sensitivity and turns up the ABS and traction control was good in theory but I found myself being caught out with the delayed response around the slow one way system in Winchester. The touring map was the one I had it on most. Full power, medium throttle sensitivity and the TC/ABS dialled down a bit. The sport map was far too sensitive and I found myself lunging everywhere.
I couldn't wait to get back to the Husky dealership and I was thinking of ways to blag over an hour from the Ducati dealership.
So yeah, I'm pretty much sold on the Ducati. Had I been a few years younger I'd have thrown my credit card at the salesman but the old fart in me thought it'd be best to come home and have a few days to stew over it before going ahead.
My question is, should I try anything else before going ahead? I have considered the KTM 990 Supermoto which I might have a look at next week but for some reason I'm reluctant to. Don't know why!
Anyone been in the same situation and ended up with something different? The reason I ask is that this bike hunt started with me looking at Harleys, moved onto streetfighters, a Triumph Rocket and now here I am.
Thanks
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I haven't even considered the Aprillia bikes. I'll have a look now.
