Took the Diavel to Ducati Sunderland this morning for its annual service and MOT. MOT had to be postponed because I'd taken the pillion pegs off and the "not for road use" bollocks on the Termi pipe was a stumbling block. But I'm reliably informed there is a simple work-around for thatso it'll get Motted locally later in the week..
While I was waiting I took their V2 Hyper demo bike out for a spin.
I have to say I was extremely taken with it. Wonderfully willing, zesty engine with instant go everywhere. Didn't miss the desmodronics. It reminded me of my old KTM 990. Free-revving and urgent like a happy dog straining at the leash. Chassis was great. Featherlight and instantly flickable as you'd expect, but planted at the same time and not in any way nervous or flighty. Again, very, very reminiscent of the KTM 990 SMRs. Riding position was really comfortable. Loads of leg room, not at all cramped and not remotely intimidating. The seat wasn't nearly as bad as expected. Wider and flatter than the usual razorblade motard seats with plenty and stretching room fore and aft. I imagine it'd become a bit of a plank after a couple of hours but no worse than your average supernaked and I believe I could ride it all day with fuel breaks. How quickly they'd come round I'm not entirely sure as it didn't appear to have a fuel gauge or range indicator. But it's so light I imagine it would return decent economy and a usable range.
The throttle was a bit hesitant and boggy just off tickover when pulling away. Not jerky, just reluctant to pick up for a second off a closed throttle. It disappeared with more revs and clutch slip and on the go is was perfectly smooth. A couple of times waiting at junctions the tickover revs dropped too low and the engine stopped without me touching it. It was fine the rest of the time and restarted easily enough. It was a brand new bike that had only been ridden a couple of times so it might have settled down with use (TPS or something perhaps) and I did have it in Race mode throughout. Whether that was causing that slight wooliness off a closed throttle I don't know, but it was a minor detail. I think you'd get used to it and it wouldn't put me off.
Suspension was surprisingly plush. Not harsh at all, just taut and well connected. I was riding on semi-urban roads with a very smooth surface. I would love to have the thing for the day and take it over the nadgery Pennine roads where I live. It would be in its element there and the suspension would have been given a proper workout. I'm pretty sure it would cope well with the bumpy stuff without being kick-you-out-of-the-seat annoying. Brakes were brilliant. Felt much sharper than even the M50 Brembos on the Diavel, but that's probably down to the miniscule weight.
Would I buy one? You know, I actually might. I need to take one out for the whole day ideally. I think I could live with one as a do-it-all everyday bike. You do feel that you're not getting all that much physical bike for your 14 grand compared to the girth of the Diavel, but when a few nearly-new minters come onto the used market it could be a very attractive buy.
Anyone who likes the idea of the V2 Hyper but think it's just a one-trick pony, short trip fun bike should ride one. I think you'd be surprised how usable an all-rounder it could be.
I had a 950 Hyper for the day as a courtesy bike and enjoyed it…was a fun bike, but sounds like the V2 is a bit more than that.
The footpegs and MOT…is that because the rear seat is exposed? I don’t have pegs on mine but they’ve got seat cowls on.
