I rode the Ducati Hypermotard S. I was a little unsure about riding the S because I didn’t want to give myself any false expectations if I were to get the Hypermotard. As any rider will tell you, once you hop on the badder version you instantly get that urge to find justification to get it.
Well, luckily there really isn’t that much difference to a rider like me. Down at Carr Ducati, the only demo that they have right now is the S. The owner, Mr. Carr, told me that his son had just spent the weekend out at Putnam Park at an open-track day pushing the Hypermotard around. The bike was rigid, which I like, but let’s be honest, I really wouldn’t have known the difference. The ride was outstanding and the bike in person is still, to me, the coolest bike out there.
My fiancé doesn’t think the same. She still wants me to get the ole’ Triumph Scrambler and finish the project like I originally intended to. The bike was beautiful, well at least on my drawing. If I were to get the Scrambler again, the finished product would look like the picture. She insists that the Hypermotard is like every other bike. I insist that it is not! I guess she can’t see through the plastic, fast tires and Ducati style. I honestly think she just doesn’t want me to get another bike.
On my test ride I followed Travis, who was on a Monster. We zipped through a biz park and into Zionsville and right back to the dealer. It was a short ride but I understood how the motard handled. The bike corners effortlessly, has plenty of power and could be a unicycle if you wanted it to. I am not a wheelie guy but I could feel the lightness of the front end as I cranked the throttle.
The verdict is still out …
Jarrod
Test rode the BMW 650 Moto.
So lately I have been on this supermoto kick. I don’t know what it is, but for me riding in the push-up position just is fun! I like to sit up on a bike, and I really never understood why others like to be hunched over while cruising around.
Right now, I have a Triumph Tiger 1050. It’s bad, real bad and a great all-around bike, but as all riders will tell you … one bike isn’t enough. Ever since the Ducati Hypermotard came out, I have been drooling over it. The only downfall is that I’m not sure if I want to pay the “Ducati Premium.” Sure, it has Ferrari-like styling, but it’s just not my style to go after a “lux” brand. The Hypermotard is different, though. The sexy lines, lean and limber stance, it’s just striking. I haven’t ridden one yet, but I have sat on it a few times.
So in my efforts to find a supermoto bike that will suit the city streets, I gave my first ride to the BMW. I like the guys down at Victory Triumph and now BMW. I have always had a great experience with them. On the first day of business, I walked in and hopped on the 650 Moto. I thought, “This could be a lot of fun!”
In short, it is not for me. The BMW just didn’t seem like a smooth bike. A short, short first gear and a rumbling vibration that blurred my vision wasn’t that much fun. I remember when I first got a bike, I said, “There is no reason to get anything above 600cc’s.” Now I don’t know if I would get any thing under 900cc’s. I like the ease and comfort of an easily driven bike, the available power that can give you an effortless ride and the ability to scare yourself. With the BMW, I felt like I was constantly over-revving and rattling my eyes.
Since that ride wasn’t enjoyable, I almost crossed out the Suzuki 450 sm. I just can’t see that bike being better than a BMW 650. In my efforts to escape the lure of the Hypermotard and to settle for something that would work, I am worried that I am going to give a test ride to the Hypermotard and instantly ask what type of financing is available. It’s just one of those things that I try not to think of because emotion may make the decision for me.
Jarrod
Good news about May … fast cars!
I have been riding just about every day out to the track. It’s awsome. If you have a Indy Racing League-issued hard card, you are able to ride right into the garage area. Be advised that you its crucial to kill the motor before you enter so that you can coast your way to the lineup. If not, you will be stopped, and you will have to de-saddle and walk your bike down the lineup.
I prefer to buzz in, kill it and roll to my spot instead of painfully walking down the garage area and pushing my bike. There just isn’t anything manly about that.
I know that I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I was going to have video clips to show from my new camera, but to be honest, I haven’t had any time to put them to tape. Unless you want my ride into and home from work.
Well, I hate to make these short, but time is short this month. I did attach a photo of what my point of view is most of the day during May.
Ride safe.
Jarrod