Auckland to Kapiti on the Ducati Hypermotard

**Sparky Mark** · 28th December 2010, 11:46

So, I was asked by a friend, babelfish - Brent, for a favour, which was to fly to Auckland, pick up a new Ducati for a friend of his, and bring it back to Wellington - Kapiti to be precise.
It would be one of two new bikes, the Hyper - Motard evo 1100s or the Streetfighter. How could I POSSIBLY turn him down!?!?

After reading the reviews on the two bikes I was preferring the Streetfighter over the Motard simply because of the seat height on the two bikes.
I am only 5’ 5” and the seat on the Motard is a pretty tall. 34 point something inches. The Streetfighter being only an inch different to my current 919 Hornet.

Arrived in Auckland and was picked up by Gavin to see the bikes. We pulled into an industrial area, and into a small business unit, to find a number of lovely new Dukes waiting to be ridden off on tour with a group.
Gavin gets the Streetfighter out, excited to show me all its features and give me a rundown on the specs. Over went the leg, to find the seat height and riding position nice and comfortable.

Now the Motard, first thoughts, not as tall as I’d envisaged, over went the leg and the bike upright… again, not as bad as I’d envisaged. Tiptoe was sufficient to stop and be safe. Riding position wasn’t unlike the streetfighter and Gavin’s preference was for this one to go down.

So, after gassing up and directions to the motorway off I went heading toward Hamilton.

I took it very gently as I got to the motorway, slightly misty rain spit, but generally dry and a bit humid. The bike felt good. Different to my 919 which you sort of ‘sit into’ rather than ‘on’, but the height difference was noticeable.

The Motard has these quite eerie ‘flip out’ mirrors which add another 4 inches or so to each side of the handlebars. I don’t think Ducati have done themselves any favours with these since I was forever trying to adjust them with very little success as they continued move as ever they wished, leaving me no chance of seeing much behind me. I discovered an even bigger problem with this as I began lane splitting down the motionless motorway traffic. An extra 8 or so inches added on to your handlebars will not be without incident! and soon enough I’d clipped two or 3 car mirrors with my own. So there was no choice but to flick them back in, apologise profusely to the other drivers, who fortunately were fine about it, and go on my way.

OK. Comfort was great and I soon go used to the new riding position. I probably had a grin on my face from ear to ear, but through my iridium visor it was largely unnoticeable. I tested out the range of gears and opening the throttle at different rev ranges to find GRUNT! And LOTS of it…

The machine feels blisteringly quick, probably due to the amount of torque being produced from the twin as opposed to my inline four, but nonetheless the bike feels like it’s going to simply take off from under you. The front wheel is fairly easily lifted, mostly when you’re not expecting it, but easy to control when it does.

I took it easy down to Tokaroa where I branched off and took the Taurangi turn… THEN I had some fun. Little traffic meant a nice clear run and I took total advantage of the Motards evil hooligan power. The bikes handling is fantastic, until you get to a certain point. It digs nicely into a smooth corner and pulls out of the other side like a dream as you roll on the power, even lifting the front wheel occasionally on exit. However! If everything isn’t perfect there is a feeling of unease from the front wheel. The bike sometimes feels like it takes control, and not very well, flicking the front wheel a little whilst in the bend. This could be down to current suspension set up or perhaps just me, or the wind.

You have to watch your speed - carefully! The sleek digital dash clearly tells you when you’re likely to be walking if you come across the wrong type of radar. It is very easy to get into serious trouble, and equally tempting.
I have to admit I’ve not had that much fun on two wheels for a very long time.

So, still some way from Taurangi and the fuel light comes on… bugger! I’ve only tripped 200ks…
The Motard has a small tank, 12 litres if I’m correct, which is very worrying if you don’t know how far the next gas station is when the light appears, which unfortunately was the case. However, there is a nifty little feature called the fuel trip, which comes on with the light. This little trip very diligently counts the number of k’s for you, reminding you of your imminent and impending doom. This was in fact pure torture since I had no idea how much reserve I had, nor how far away I was from the nearest golden liquid station.
Fortunately I made it without incident, but certainly learned a lesson and planned the stops a little more carefully.
Having said all that, compared to my old VTR thou, and my current 919 the evo 1100s fuel economy is actually top notch!

The desert road was it’s usual tempting self. I made the most of the nice twisties at the beginning, however I’d had the ‘flashing light’ signal from several bikes coming the other way to alert me to the fact the road was being monitored. No worries, I’d had my fun for the day and now it was simply getting home.

Stopped at the army museum for a smoke and answer a few texts. Then on my way.

Through Taihape and a bike coming the other way gives me the double thumbs up, nice… A little further just opening the throttle to leave town on that nice straight quiet piece of road and a loud roar from behind sends me to my useless right hand mirror by which time another bike passes me too quickly for me to take stock. Hello… I know that plate… Brent! Bloody top notch, he’d ridden up to meet me!
Pulled over, another smoko and a look over the bike, then a fairly uneventful ride to Levin, where we stopped for a burger, my first meal of the day. Cheers to Brent as he peels off home at Te Horo, then back to Paraparam for me and a well earned bourbon and coke.

I was looking forward to hitting the inlet or the Takas today for some fun on the Duke, but sadly the stormy weather’s put handuffs on that. But at least someone was looking down on me yesterday otherwise this write-up may have been somewhat different…

**sinfull** · 28th December 2010, 12:04

Excellent read mate , good looking bike apart from as you say the extendable bar ends !

**george formby** · 28th December 2010, 12:10

Originally Posted by Sparky Mark

So, I was asked by a friend, babelfish - Brent, for a favour, which was to fly to Auckland, pick up a new Ducati for a friend of his, and bring it back to Wellington - Kapiti to be precise.
It would be one of two new bikes, the Hyper - Motard evo 1100s or the Streetfighter. How could I POSSIBLY turn him down!?!?

After reading the reviews on the two bikes I was preferring the Streetfighter over the Motard simply because of the seat height on the two bikes.
I am only 5’ 5” and the seat on the Motard is a pretty tall. 34 point something inches. The Streetfighter being only an inch different to my current 919 Hornet.

Arrived in Auckland and was picked up by Gavin to see the bikes. We pulled into an industrial area, and into a small business unit, to find a number of lovely new Dukes waiting to be ridden off on tour with a group.
Gavin gets the Streetfighter out, excited to show me all its features and give me a rundown on the specs. Over went the leg, to find the seat height and riding position nice and comfortable.

Now the Motard, first thoughts, not as tall as I’d envisaged, over went the leg and the bike upright… again, not as bad as I’d envisaged. Tiptoe was sufficient to stop and be safe. Riding position wasn’t unlike the streetfighter and Gavin’s preference was for this one to go down.

So, after gassing up and directions to the motorway off I went heading toward Hamilton.

I took it very gently as I got to the motorway, slightly misty rain spit, but generally dry and a bit humid. The bike felt good. Different to my 919 which you sort of ‘sit into’ rather than ‘on’, but the height difference was noticeable.

The Motard has these quite eerie ‘flip out’ mirrors which add another 4 inches or so to each side of the handlebars. I don’t think Ducati have done themselves any favours with these since I was forever trying to adjust them with very little success as they continued move as ever they wished, leaving me no chance of seeing much behind me. I discovered an even bigger problem with this as I began lane splitting down the motionless motorway traffic. An extra 8 or so inches added on to your handlebars will not be without incident! and soon enough I’d clipped two or 3 car mirrors with my own. So there was no choice but to flick them back in, apologise profusely to the other drivers, who fortunately were fine about it, and go on my way.

OK. Comfort was great and I soon go used to the new riding position. I probably had a grin on my face from ear to ear, but through my iridium visor it was largely unnoticeable. I tested out the range of gears and opening the throttle at different rev ranges to find GRUNT! And LOTS of it…

The machine feels blisteringly quick, probably due to the amount of torque being produced from the twin as opposed to my inline four, but nonetheless the bike feels like it’s going to simply take off from under you. The front wheel is fairly easily lifted, mostly when you’re not expecting it, but easy to control when it does.

I took it easy down to Tokaroa where I branched off and took the Taurangi turn… THEN I had some fun. Little traffic meant a nice clear run and I took total advantage of the Motards evil hooligan power. The bikes handling is fantastic, until you get to a certain point. It digs nicely into a smooth corner and pulls out of the other side like a dream as you roll on the power, even lifting the front wheel occasionally on exit. However! If everything isn’t perfect there is a feeling of unease from the front wheel. The bike sometimes feels like it takes control, and not very well, flicking the front wheel a little whilst in the bend. This could be down to current suspension set up or perhaps just me, or the wind.

You have to watch your speed - carefully! The sleek digital dash clearly tells you when you’re likely to be walking if you come across the wrong type of radar. It is very easy to get into serious trouble, and equally tempting.
I have to admit I’ve not had that much fun on two wheels for a very long time.

So, still some way from Taurangi and the fuel light comes on… bugger! I’ve only tripped 200ks…
The Motard has a small tank, 12 litres if I’m correct, which is very worrying if you don’t know how far the next gas station is when the light appears, which unfortunately was the case. However, there is a nifty little feature called the fuel trip, which comes on with the light. This little trip very diligently counts the number of k’s for you, reminding you of your imminent and impending doom. This was in fact pure torture since I had no idea how much reserve I had, nor how far away I was from the nearest golden liquid station.
Fortunately I made it without incident, but certainly learned a lesson and planned the stops a little more carefully.
Having said all that, compared to my old VTR thou, and my current 919 the evo 1100s fuel economy is actually top notch!

The desert road was it’s usual tempting self. I made the most of the nice twisties at the beginning, however I’d had the ‘flashing light’ signal from several bikes coming the other way to alert me to the fact the road was being monitored. No worries, I’d had my fun for the day and now it was simply getting home.

Stopped at the army museum for a smoke and answer a few texts. Then on my way.

Through Taihape and a bike coming the other way gives me the double thumbs up, nice… A little further just opening the throttle to leave town on that nice straight quiet piece of road and a loud roar from behind sends me to my useless right hand mirror by which time another bike passes me too quickly for me to take stock. Hello… I know that plate… Brent! Bloody top notch, he’d ridden up to meet me!
Pulled over, another smoko and a look over the bike, then a fairly uneventful ride to Levin, where we stopped for a burger, my first meal of the day. Cheers to Brent as he peels off home at Te Horo, then back to Paraparam for me and a well earned bourbon and coke.

I was looking forward to hitting the inlet or the Takas today for some fun on the Duke, but sadly the stormy weather’s put handuffs on that. But at least someone was looking down on me yesterday otherwise this write-up may have been somewhat different…

Cheers for the write up. A guy I know rode his down to Paeroa last year with his wife on the back. Don't seem to be as focused as they look.
Right, lotto ticket..

**FlangMasterJ** · 28th December 2010, 23:17

Awesome read. Motards are so much fun. Was the lack of wind protection an issue?

I didn't realize just how far those mirrors stuck our. It's almost as wide as it is long.

Speaking of short fuel ranges. My 660 will get me 100kms at the most. It's the only drawback.

**Sparky Mark** · 29th December 2010, 08:44

Originally Posted by FlangMasterJ

Awesome read. Motards are so much fun. Was the lack of wind protection an issue?

I didn't realize just how far those mirrors stuck our. It's almost as wide as it is long.

Speaking of short fuel ranges. My 660 will get me 100kms at the most. It's the only drawback.

The wind was less of a problem than I thought to be honest. The little 'beak' on the front seems to provide a good cover. The only issue I did have was trucks passing the other way, that was like being hit by a nuclear blast!

The mirrors are simply awful. Completely useless and lets the bike down badly... Shame...

**Big Dave** · 29th December 2010, 08:48

Nice report.

You don't need wind protection at legal speeds.
I reckon it's a lot more enjoyable to ride around the speed limits without it.

You can get a wind blast off the big rigs on a goldwing too - best solution is move well to the left.

**Babelfish** · 29th December 2010, 13:13

Originally Posted by Big Dave

Nice report.

You don't need wind protection at legal speeds.
I reckon it's a lot more enjoyable to ride around the speed limits without it.

You can get a wind blast off the big rigs on a goldwing too - best solution is move well to the left.

I think this post was meant to be in the "Nanna's Ravings" section of the forum...could one of the mods please move the post? (his eyesight probably isnt what it used to be...poor old duck)

**Big Dave** · 29th December 2010, 13:56

Originally Posted by Babelfish

I think this post was meant to be in the "Nanna's Ravings" section of the forum...could one of the mods please move the post? (his eyesight probably isnt what it used to be...poor old duck)

Ha - here, let me put it another way then;
Fairings are ghey. Nanna that.

Seriously though. One of the best ways to keep a licence these days is go nekkid. Get out from behind the plastic and it feels like you are going a lot faster without setting off the blue and reds and as SM says - fun.
5 kph tolerance currently - and I bet that Duck is pretty good on a dirt backroad too. Get it crossed up on some exits and we see whose hair is in a bun.

**AllanB** · 29th December 2010, 14:31

Nice read!

The HM is on my desirable list for the lotto win. I'd need to remove the silly beak and I wonder if the 800 would reign in the insanity better .....