I think I would like to buy this.

[dragonworld.]

That's all they are just a guide to how fast you can take corners on half lean.

Rule of thumb is double it and add 10%.  [moto]

[Betty]

i personally don't see the point in them releasing a hm796..

The most glaring point would have to be entry level pricing (particularly in this economic environment) ... but that could be a big assumption.

Next I would suggest that most people instantly think a motard should be small and light and rightly or wrongly will assume a 696/796 HM will be much smaller and lighter than an 1100.

Then you have to remember that people with the above two things in mind will not even test ride the 1100.

Now, I have had a couple of little runs on an 1100 (though not a HM 'cause I didn't have my platforms) and ... even for a guy of my limited capabilities ... I did not find it overwhelming. But a heavy, dry clutch is not exactly ideal for the 'around town' bike that everybody is talking about.

[CairnsDuc]

I rode the Hypermotard for a month or so when Pitstop Cairns still existed, I thought it was a blast, apart from the wide bars, it was great for the morning commute (mind you, we don't have anywhere near the amount of stop and go traffic like you city folk have to endure) It needed a better rear brake (Needed a big stomp to try and slide the rear around using the brake)
In the wet all that Torque made the big girl a bit Skittish, but with the wide bars (I knew they were good for something) I had a ball chasing the rear end around in the turns.

There were a few brown trousers moments (didn't help it was still in the wet season when they handed me the Keys) but once I got used to how the Hyper wanted to be handled, What a Hoot!  

A smaller engine version, could be interesting, I know a lot of people asked about a smaller version when I was there, maybe Ducati is on to something there, want the HyperMotard look, but without the Big Bite of the 1100 engine, I know a lot of people also didn't like the dry clutch.
(Our Store bike had an open clutch and had been flogged from day one, so it had a very loud case of the Rattles)

I think I'll stick to the big HyperRetard!
Me Likey!  

[ptooey]

The most glaring point would have to be entry level pricing (particularly in this economic environment) ... but that could be a big assumption.

Next I would suggest that most people instantly think a motard should be small and light and rightly or wrongly will assume a 696/796 HM will be much smaller and lighter than an 1100.

Then you have to remember that people with the above two things in mind will not even test ride the 1100.

Now, I have had a couple of little runs on an 1100 (though not a HM 'cause I didn't have my platforms) and ... even for a guy of my limited capabilities ... I did not find it overwhelming. But a heavy, dry clutch is not exactly ideal for the 'around town' bike that everybody is talking about.

OK true enough with the wet/dry clutch argument.. you've reminded me of my past test rides of a M696 and MTS1100-- the clutch pull action of both bikes would definitely be a bonus around town.

i do also recall another occasion of letting a buddy with japbike ride my M620. he still gave me grief for how twitchy and hard my clutch was..
so the sorts of people wanting to buy ducati would be those who appreciate their bikes' for their character.

at the end of the day i guess the answer is just this-- entry level pricing + entry level performance + entry level specs = ducati marketing win.

[Betty]

Yep I was gonna say it all depends on the marketing.

Having just gone through some suspension 'tweaking' on my entry level specs ... it is quite clear this is something Ducati seems to strugge to 'market' properly. I think the option of an 'S' model across the range is a good idea.

Now I am not sure on the relative spend of these type of things but I wouldn't expect goldy bling ohlins on an S model 'little bike' ... but perhaps just some adjustable forks and a step up on the rear as well.

If, as you say, people wanting to buy a ducati appreciate certain things in a bike then this would have to be one of them. Also as has been mentioned before it is a big step up cost wise from a 696 to 1100 ... a more gradual spread and the pricing brochure may not be as daunting (even if people eventually decide the 1100 is worth the extra anyway).

[Spider]

completely agree Betty...just cause you want a certain engine doesn't mean you don't want great suspension!!!!

nothing wrong with smaller engines, each has it's advantages....but great suspension is universal.



(when did I become such an opinionated bastard?)

[ducsport]

All good points folks, but history suggests that any smaller capacity duc will not sell well in Oz. In the past they put the 620 motor into the supersport (I have one and love it) but buyers stayed away in droves. Then they did a 620 version of the Multistrudle and sold about ten of them.

It seems that in Oz its 1000cc or nothing. Nothing wrong about that, just an observation.

[ptooey]

http://www.hypermotardclub.it/forum/showthread.php?t=5907&page=8

[Super T.I.B]

SSS for the small tard.

I like it! 

[748s]

based on US retail of $9995 it will be around $15500 (+ or - $500) plus on road costs here.
could struggle at that price.

[Betty]

based on US retail of $9995 it will be around $15500 (+ or - $500) plus on road costs here.
could struggle at that price.

Pardon my ignorance but what is the 1100 worth because I reckon the differential is the key. Last time I looked NFI had stopped posting prices on the Ducati website.

The seppos have been crying out for more sub-10k Ducati's for some time so maybe it isn't that far off. Plus the exchange rate doesn't always determine the retail price (otherwise the period leading up to about a year ago would have given us some cheap bikes in Australia).

[heatherp]

Looks purdy but legal version won't when they put mirrors on it.     Think people of average or above average height will have some neck/back problems.

[748s]

Pardon my ignorance but what is the 1100 worth because I reckon the differential is the key. Last time I looked NFI had stopped posting prices on the Ducati website.

The seppos have been crying out for more sub-10k Ducati's for some time so maybe it isn't that far off. Plus the exchange rate doesn't always determine the retail price (otherwise the period leading up to about a year ago would have given us some cheap bikes in Australia).

ducati seattle are taking orders for the 796 @ US$9995.
1100   hyper US$11995          AU$18990
1100S hyper US$13995          AU$22490
796    hyper US$9995            AU$15792 ?

1100    is approx 58% more here
1100S  is approx 60% more here

got my AU retail cost based on 58% more than US.
AU prices from the last published AU prices (May 2009).
US prices from ducati seattle.

I suspect NFI will continue with that % increase.
If it was $12000 or less, on the road, i'd be tempted to have 2 bikes....... but it ain't going to happen.

[Spider]

got a question....why are suspension springs always yellow???

that bike looks great...why not powdercoat the spring black/grey, hell even red!!!

I don't get it.

[dragonworld.]

Powdercoating would be ok if you werent going to use the bike!!

With the spring compressing and rebounding any coating that wasnt "flexible" like the plastic type coating on them would potentially crack and flake off.

I'd also be a bit wary of putting a current (even a small one) through  a spring, anything that has the potential to alter the metal properties I would steer away from.

But yellow just doesnt cut it with some colour schemes!! You Bastard Spider, now I'm looking at my Black/Red bike and that yellow spring is sticking out like a canine scrotum.

I'd lurv one of these for the weekday play in traffic and the short strop on a day off.  [moto]