HyperStrada First ride review

I've just turned over 620 miles on mine.......only 3 runs out! I'm really enjoying this bike! The engine is very smooth and has a great sound with the standard can, my mate came over today (Diavel rider) and asked if I had a set of Termi's on it as he loved the sound!

It's a very comfortable and easy bike to ride, handles superbly on twisty country roads - St Mary's loch and then the back roads down to Langholm were a riot! Even with run in revs its a hoot! I do think I need to take the centre stand off though, I've scraped it quite a few times now, so when I start to really explore the performance it may be a bit of a problem....I raised the preload a couple of notches this morning to see if that helps any. It is a low version which still means that I am on my toes at a stop, in retrospect I could probably have got away with the standard though as it is so light weight and well balanced.

One of the most impressive things I have found is the fuel economy, not usually something I notice, but I got 160 miles out of the tank the other day although I was 21 miles into reserve! It's averaging around 50mpg.......considerably more that my other Duc's!

I recon its a great all round bike for commuting, playing, and then a weekend up north....Fling or Masher anyone?

R
 
I really think I get the Hyperstrada concept so much so I would love one but �10,650 seems just too much money on paper when the Tiger 1050 Explorer and BMW F800 Adventurer are at least �1/�1.5k less and have more "bits", longer tank range, Charlie and Ewan cred, etc.

In the US, the Hyperstrada is being offered OTR at USD13,295 which is �9,200-ish at current FX rates. �9,200 for the UK looks more sensible given the spec and competition (and the fact that I want one). They build them to order so it's unlikely they will have a job lot to discount for the likes of me.
 
Adi said:
In the US, the Hyperstrada is being offered OTR at USD13,295 which is �9,200-ish at current FX rates. �9,200 for the UK looks more sensible given the spec and competition (and the fact that I want one). They build them to order so it's unlikely they will have a job lot to discount for the likes of me.
Click to expand...

How much are they in continental Europe? Wouldn't be too hard to buy one and ride it back.
 
Thanks for that.

The US price is now roughly �8,600 OTR at the current FX rate (1.55). Not that I could get one into the UK for that? Using my fag-packet calculator, shipping is GBP600 by sea, import duty and VAT is GBP2,580 equals GBP11,780.

Are Ducati the only ones who play with prices around the world? I imported a brand-new UK spec Audi A4 via Sweden and saved 18% for same car against UK prices a few years ago. And Audi have bought Ducati.

Shame but I'll have to sit this one out. Champagne taste, lemonade pockets.





Shipping to the States from Bologna, punishing import duty into the USA plus their VAT, and they can sell the Hyperstrada at �8,600 equivalent? GBP11k in Europe and GBP10,650 in the UK.
 
I think you'll find vat and taxation rates are th main difference, not Ducati price setting in different markets. Also note that in the US there is local taxes and duties that are not included in the retail price which are state dependent.

R
 
Adi said:
Are Ducati the only ones who play with prices around the world? I imported a brand-new UK spec Audi A4 via Sweden and saved 18% for same car against UK prices a few years ago. And Audi have bought Ducati.
Click to expand...

No, everyone does it. Back in the early 90s I was after a new CBR600 and my jaw dropped when I visited relatives in the US to find they were selling for about 60% of UK list price. By the time you'd factored in import duties, transport costs, the lack of warranty, lower resale value, etc, it wasn't worth it.

Some of the difference can be attributed to different taxes, some of it exchange rate fluctuations (the prices are usually set 12 months in advance) and some of it simple price setting - very few large companies price things at cost + x% any more, they look at what their competitors are doing, what the market will stand, etc.
 
Basic rules of supply and demand at the heart of a free market economy

If nobody in the UK stepped foot inside a Ducati showroom for 3 months then prices would fall and 0% deals would be thrown at everyone, but given the amount of Panigale's, Monsters, Multis' etc.. lined up by Blair's desk every time i visit, thats unlikely to happen - as Miles says - what the market will stand. What recession ???
 
The late nineties was when the imports were at their peak due to advantageous exchange rates.
I recall buying my first Ducati, a 750SS from Alvins and i sold my CBR600 to a new buyer at a profit after owning it for 18 months. I think i bougt it at a yr old for �4700 and sold for much the same price !
New bikes were expensive and imports were cheaper then but as we all know it didn't last.
The USA market for motor manufacturers is unique and always has been, very large and very lucrative hence the lower prices. I always checked out the garage forecourt prices with amazement when in the States and yes, its possible to import a car or bike but the shipping and then UK import taxes and VAT costs can add up and then may not be worth it.
:confused:
 
I would love to hear more about the Hyperstrada, is it the dream cross-over bike? As we all know on the forum, you buy a Ducati with the heart not necessarily with the head fully engaged.

Poor Audi, tough job to balance the Teutonic straight-jacket with Italian flare (aka do what you F'ing want, only when you want to).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom