Hypermotard first ride and all that it brings

Squiffything · 28 Apr 08, 09:28 AM

Well I picked up my new toy on Saturday having met Anne (Singletrack) at Thorpe Park. She and Andrew had driven down to meet us at a halfway point and it seemed like a good opportunity to take the girls out for the day. HA they went on all the thrill rides and I mooched about in the sun waiting for hours while they queued up for all the rides knowing that the only ride I wanted to go on was sat outside in the parking lot just calling for me to jump on and go.
“Graham..............
Graham............
Come and get me...........”
It was torture the park didn’t close till six and we had met at 10 in the morning. Still the girls had a good day and I knew my time would come. I convinced Sarah that the best time to leave would be around 5pm so that we didn’t get caught up in the mass of people leaving at 6 J Ok girls jump in the car we really need to get going (get in the car NOW I want to ride my new toy HURRY UP NOW!!!)
I started her up and rode over to where the car was parked. A short little bimble across the car park but enough to notice the difference in riding style to the monster. It has a clutch slave fitted and this was such a change to what I was used to, so light and smooth. The throttle was so responsive, a little twist and whoosh I was where I was going before I had realised I had left. It was immediately apparent that this bike was naughty and if I wasn’t careful would entice me into doing things that I really know I shouldn’t.
The ride home was mainly uneventful. M25 to the M11 then the turn off towards Newmarket. Sedate motorway speeds with an occasional blast thrown in just to see and to test. Going through a tunnel obviously had the slow down speed up slow down routine to enable the sound of those glorious Termi’s to reverberate around my ears. It’s like having the Royal Philharmonic play the Albert Hall only much better. Then I hit the little roads on the run in to town. Well known to me and a chance for me to have some fun. Now bearing in mind I had just ridden 80 or so motorway miles I would usually be sitting on the Monnie with a bit of a sore behind thinking Fag break time stretch my legs and take the stiffness out of my back. Not on the Hyper. Anne has had a sculptured seat put on and I think may well have had some softness thrown in there as well because I felt fresh and comfy with little to no stiffness at all.
I pulled up to Sarah’s window and indicated that I wanted to call into town to fill up the tank so I would go on ahead. She just smiled a knowing smile and stuck her foot down! The Cougar has a 2.5V6 so is not too shabby and I was in top doing around 65 at the time (Ahem) I opened her up and within a second or two was passing Sarah and the girls. The torque in this engine is amazing. The girls faces were stuck to the window like a couple of Garfields giggling and waving as I went by. It is so quick. Before I realised and looked down at the digital speedo I had reached a speed slightly in excess of 66 and I knew that I needed to slow down. This bike really really is naughty.
I filled up in town behind a guy, Georgio, on a bright red S2R (I think) He came over and complemented me on the bike. “How long have you had her?” “Oooo about 6 hours” says I with a big grin on my face. We had a chat and I pointed him in the direction of the UKMOC website.
A final blast from Newmarket to the village around twisty little B Roads and I was home. As I got off the bike and pulled of my lid Sarah stood at the back door with a cup of coffee in her hand looked at me and said I suppose you just want to drink this here don’t you? She knows me so well and stayed with me while I rambled on about the virtues of the bike, the fun I had, the ease of riding it, the little twiddly bits that have been done to make more than just the standard bike. All the time with a knowing smile on her face that said OK now I know why you wanted to get it. Now I can see what all the fuss is about. Now I know you are happy. For that I love her but she now has a very serious rival because I love this bike it is sooooo much fun.

col996s · 28 Apr 08, 12:19 PM

Great write up.

singletrack · 28 Apr 08, 05:28 PM

Lovely bike.
Lovely gel seat.
Lovely write up.
Lovely new owner.

Congratulations Graham.

Tardman · 28 Apr 08, 05:35 PM

A good write up - I know how you feel. Masses of torque and instant throttle response in any gear.
It'll bring a smile to your face every time you go out on it.

Squiffything · 29 Apr 08, 09:24 PM

Ok it's time for part 2

Sunday was time for me to take her out and ride with a more critical eye try and put aside the excitement of the first ride on a new bike. It wasn't going to be a long ride as I had things to do in the afternoon. I had arranged to have a run out with the girls dad (he currently has my Monster on loan as he is thinking about getting back into biking after a spell away).

An early start had me running the eight or so miles along country roads and through Newmarket with little traffic to contend with. I'm not a overly confidant rider yet the HM had me taking sweeping bends at a much faster pace that I would on the monnie. It inspires you it gives you more confidence maybe it's the riding position maybe it's the lightness of the bike that just lets you flick it about so much quicker than the heavier monster maybe it's just that this bike is so good and can make any average biker feel good I don't know but whatever it was I was enjoying it.

I called at Terry's and he came out not knowing what to expect. He had heard the Termies coming and had a smile on his face as he walked out. This widened when he saw the beast I could tell he was impressed and why wouldn't he be It just has that thing about it, people look, people stare and people who know bikes can't fail to be impressed.

We decided to have a run over to Bury St Edmunds taking the back roads rather than the straight run down the A14. I know these roads well, every turn, where to slow and where the bends run on and can be taken with a little bit of pace. It was fantastic I could at last take the road as I wanted to only slowing my pace to wait for Tel to catch up. He hadn't ridden the roads and as he was still getting back in the saddle I knew he would not push himself. That was ok it gave me the chance to test all aspects of the ride. Again the torque was amazing pulling away in any gear and getting up to speed without trying. Braking much later than I would have on the monnie. I was loving it. We arrived in Bury and pootled around at slow speeds. Now here is the first gripe I have with the HM, it will not go slow I'm sorry and I know it is down to the rider to ride at the speed required but everytime I looked down at the speedo I was doing high thirtys damn this bike will get me into trouble. It really felt I was riding slowly but there it was it would not behave.

We parked up in the square outside of the Abbey Gardens and had a look around a classic car rally that was taking place. Some beautiful cars including an amazing Bristol and an original GT40 amongst others.

We then swapped bikes for the ride home. Tel is on my insurance and I wanted his view on the bike and to let him give it a try as a different ride to the monnie. He is still undicided on the type of bike he wants to go for. Getting back on the monnie was a trial the clutch was so heavy and highlighted the difference the slave makes. We took a different ride back down the A143 Bury to Haverhill road a much faster sweeping road and a lovely route for biking. The stearing was so much harder the heaviness really showing. It's a totally different ride and after the Hyper I knew where I wanted to be. I still took the lead and set the pace but this time Terry was keeping up much better. It may have been my slower ride on the monnie but I think it was probably his ease on riding the HM.

When we arrived back his smile said everything. He agreed that the HM was so much easier to ride. He much preferred the upright style of the HM and it confirmed to him that this was the style of bike he would be looking for. He couldn't believe the speed and acceleration modern bikes had. He had forgotten and was quickly reminding himself what biking was all about. We may well have another HM buyer on the cards.

So the bike has done it again it has it's faults, erm err oh yes it picked up a little stone in the tyre tread and erm it woke all Terry's neighbours and it will lose me a few points off my licence if I am not very very careful but it really is an amazing bike.

Graham

Tush67 · 29 Apr 08, 09:30 PM

Enjoyed both write ups Graham..could sense the excitement from here.

Nigel101 · 29 Apr 08, 09:56 PM

After nearly a year,it still makes me giggle like a fool,......Graham you have really captured the moment in your two write ups........

69jme69 · 29 Apr 08, 10:05 PM

i know exactly what you mean ...ive allways had gixers in all variants rangeing from the old slab side 750`s too 1000k5`/6`s.....and without doubt my hyper is the most fun ive had ....its just been for its first service last week ...and i cant believe how much pull it has ....scary sumtimes ....ive put the dp screen on it and it makes quite a difference ...although the only gripe is the hyper could doo with a couple extra litres in the tank ..minor gripe i know ...
apart from that i love it ...either hooning around twisties or 2 up with my partner it just delivers everything ..and i allways have a big grin on my face

Squiffything · 30 Apr 08, 09:01 AM

Thanks for the comments guys. I know what you mean about the tank range and when speaking to Anne about this when I picked her up she warned me to pull into the first garage I saw when the warning light comes on. The reserve isn't up to much.

One thing I have noticed, when I start her up, and this has happened both times, there is alot of exhaust smoke when starting from cold. Also each time she has stalled just after starting and pulling off. Once started again she was fine on both rides and when warmed up no problems. Maybe this is something that I can have looked at when I arrange its one year service but is this usual or might it be something that needs to be sorted?

Tardman · 30 Apr 08, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by Squiffything

Thanks for the comments guys. I know what you mean about the tank range and when speaking to Anne about this when I picked her up she warned me to pull into the first garage I saw when the warning light comes on. The reserve isn't up to much.

One thing I have noticed, when I start her up, and this has happened both times, there is alot of exhaust smoke when starting from cold. Also each time she has stalled just after starting and pulling off. Once started again she was fine on both rides and when warmed up no problems. Maybe this is something that I can have looked at when I arrange its one year service but is this usual or might it be something that needs to be sorted?

I have never had any problems starting from cold or with any excess exhaust smoke. I'm sure it will be something the garage can sort out quickly. It would be worth giving your service agent a ring asap to put your mind at rest

I usually get about 85 miles to a tank but I went to the Bristol autofest at the weekend on A & B roads and managed 102 miles before I filled up which is a record for me. The warning light hadn't even come on and I still had about £3.50 worth of fuel left in.

singletrack · 30 Apr 08, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by Squiffything

Thanks for the comments guys. I know what you mean about the tank range and when speaking to Anne about this when I picked her up she warned me to pull into the first garage I saw when the warning light comes on. The reserve isn't up to much.

One thing I have noticed, when I start her up, and this has happened both times, there is alot of exhaust smoke when starting from cold. Also each time she has stalled just after starting and pulling off. Once started again she was fine on both rides and when warmed up no problems. Maybe this is something that I can have looked at when I arrange its one year service but is this usual or might it be something that needs to be sorted?

I hadn't noticed excess smoking - just the normal running rich when it starts from cold. Is it blue or white smoke?

As for the stalling. Do you think you just need to get used to the different clutch? I stalled my Monster this weekend when it was a bit cold and the bike hadn't warmed up properly. I just wasn't used to the slipper clutch.
I am sure there are no real problems with it Graham, but if it's not right get a Ducati dealer to look over it. Anything wrong will be covered by the warranty.

Squiffything · 30 Apr 08, 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by singletrack

I hadn't noticed excess smoking - just the normal running rich when it starts from cold. Is it blue or white smoke?

As for the stalling. Do you think you just need to get used to the different clutch? I stalled my Monster this weekend when it was a bit cold and the bike hadn't warmed up properly. I just wasn't used to the slipper clutch.
I am sure there are no real problems with it Graham, but if it's not right get a Ducati dealer to look over it. Anything wrong will be covered by the warranty.

Anne I don't think there is anything wrong and she runs lovely when I get going It's white smoke rather than blue and it does puff out when firing up but soon clears so it probably is as you say me just getting used to the different clutch or the starting proceedure or just the running rich on a cold start. I'll keep an eye on it and if I think it is something to worry over I'll get the mechanic bloke to have a look when the service is done.

Have bought me a new tent and packed it all in the panniers ready for the Weekender amazing what fits in and how small you can get things to carry on the bike I spent last night fitting the tank cover on and if the rain stops here will be out tonight test fitting the luggage and maybe going for a ride just to see how it feels. Any excuse to get out on her again

drpants · 30 Apr 08, 04:59 PM

I get a little white smoke when it first starts up - a few puffs of condensation burning off. That sounds more plausible than the other Italian explanation - a new pope!

I have to say the limited tank range of mine (ahem marginally over 70 odd miles with open Termi) is starting to grate (m40 south around the m25 has caught me out a few times). On the plus side, pushing it into garages is making me fitter!

p.s. hello board! :

Tardman · 30 Apr 08, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by drpants

I get a little white smoke when it first starts up - a few puffs of condensation burning off. That sounds more plausible than the other Italian explanation - a new pope!

I have to say the limited tank range of mine (ahem marginally over 70 odd miles with open Termi) is starting to grate (m40 south around the m25 has caught me out a few times). On the plus side, pushing it into garages is making me fitter!

p.s. hello board! :

What is confusing is the completely different tank range. My average is 85, worst is 75 and best 103. I usually put it down to riding hard or poodling along but my trip to Bristol at the weekend was not slow with lots of hard accelaration and thats when I got 103. I have the 2-1 race exhaust and race cams which probably don't help.

drpants · 30 Apr 08, 10:49 PM

Originally Posted by Tardman

What is confusing is the completely different tank range. My average is 85, worst is 75 and best 103. I usually put it down to riding hard or poodling along but my trip to Bristol at the weekend was not slow with lots of hard accelaration and thats when I got 103. I have the 2-1 race exhaust and race cams which probably don't help.

I guess I was being a bit hard on it when I wrote '70 -odd' -its closer to 80.

to be honest, it is an annoyance - I use the thing for the odd commute (its a hoot!), but its no joy always worrying where the next petrol station is - and I can bet my last drop of petrol that its just out of range of the yellow light of peril! yes, I know - 'plan your trips better Mr Pants!', but thats just too much like organisation for me. And yes, I drive like an old lady most days and yet it makes little difference. A ducati performance jerry can would be a great addition!