Alright, let’s talk about this 2024 Hypermotard. I finally got the chance to spend some real time with it, not just a quick demo ride around the block.
First Impressions
Getting it delivered, first thing you notice is, yeah, it looks the part. Aggressive, tall, typical Ducati thing. I swung a leg over, felt pretty familiar if you’ve been on Ducatis before. Maybe a bit more upright than I remembered from older models, which my back appreciated, honestly. Fired it up – that L-twin rumble, you can’t mistake it. Gave it a few revs. Seemed eager.
Hitting the Road
So, I took it out. Initially, just around town, getting used to the clutch feel, the throttle response. It’s smooth enough down low, surprisingly. Didn’t feel like it was gonna cough and die at every stoplight, which is nice. Some bikes are just a pain in traffic, this one wasn’t too bad. Visibility is great, being up high.
Then I found some open roads, twisty stuff. This is where it’s supposed to shine, right? And yeah, it does. Flicking it side to side is effortless. It just wants to turn. The engine pulls hard once you get the revs up. Really hard. You twist the throttle and things happen fast. Brakes are strong, maybe a bit grabby at first until you adjust, but they haul you down quick.
Living With It
I spent a few days just using it. Commuting a bit, longer rides on the weekend. Here’s the thing:
- The suspension felt decent out of the box. Handled bumps okay, stayed planted in corners. Didn’t feel the need to fiddle with it right away.
- Electronics are there. Traction control, ABS, riding modes. I messed with them a bit. Sport mode is definitely lively. Urban tames it down. They work, didn’t feel too intrusive unless you were really clumsy.
- Fuel range… well, it’s not a touring bike. You’ll be looking for gas stations fairly often if you’re riding it hard. Keep that in mind.
- Seat’s okay for shorter rides. Longer stretches, maybe an hour or two, I started to feel it. But that’s kinda expected with this type of bike.
Overall Thoughts
So, what’s the verdict after actually riding the thing properly? It’s fun. Loads of fun, actually. It does exactly what it looks like it should do: turns boring roads into a playground. It’s sharp, responsive, got that punchy engine. Is it practical? Not really. Is it comfortable for long hauls? Nope. But that’s not the point of a Hypermotard, is it? You get it because you want that raw, exciting feeling. And this 2024 version, yeah, it delivers that. Felt like a proper hooligan machine, but refined enough that it doesn’t try to kill you every five minutes. Solid bike if you know what you’re getting into.
