2016–2018 · Supermoto · Buyer's Guide
Italian Soul, Weekend Miles
The Hyperstrada 939 takes the Hypermotard's supermoto attitude and packs it for a weekend away. At its heart sits the 937 cc Testastretta 11° L-twin. It's liquid-cooled, makes 110 hp and 73 lb-ft, and hangs in a steel trellis frame. This engine is defined by its muscular midrange and broad, tractable spread, not by a peaky top end. Ducati gives a bike this playful a real equipment list: ABS, traction control and ride modes are standard, and so are semi-rigid panniers, a center stand and a small windscreen. It's a supermoto that remembered to pack a bag.
On the road it steers light and quick, with the upright stance and wide bar of a big supermoto, yet it takes a passenger and luggage without complaint. It suits the experienced rider who wants fun first and some practicality second. Now the honest part. The fork has no adjustment at all, and only the rear shock takes preload. Light-throttle fueling between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm can feel soft, with abrupt on/off response. Some bikes stall when you pull the clutch while slowing down. On any used example, check that the oil cooler hose recall (NHTSA 22V-704) has been done.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 110 hp (81 kW) |
|---|---|
| Torque | 73 lb-ft (99 Nm) |
| Displacement | 937 cc |
| Engine | L-twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 180/55-17 |
| Ground clearance | 7.1 in (181 mm) |
| Front travel | 5.1 in (130 mm) |
| Rear travel | 5.1 in (130 mm) |
| Seat height | 31.9 in (810 mm) |
| Wet weight | 460 lb (209 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 4.2 gal (16 L) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Safety
Over the years I've heard plenty about the Hyperstrada 939: in the paddock, at club nights, over coffee with owners, and in the messages riders send me directly. The picture they paint is consistent. Owners like how ready it is to travel, and most of their complaints come back to the drivetrain.
The praise I hear most often is practical. Owners like that the bike leaves the dealer ready for a weekend trip, and they count the hand guards among the touring kit they value. Some also like the electronics. They use the three riding modes and eight traction control levels to set the bike up for anything from crawling through town to pushing on a back road.
The complaint that comes up most is how it behaves at low speed. Owners describe the response at small throttle openings as snatchy, which makes smooth slow riding hard work. Some mention a clutch that grabs and is hard to modulate until the bike warms up. Others report the occasional false neutral between gears, which briefly cuts drive. A few riders say the fork's damping isn't enough over bumps. They describe it bottoming out and feeling vague once the pace picks up.
Oil cooler hose rubbing may cause oil leak
The oil cooler delivery and return hoses can contact each other and become damaged, potentially causing an oil leak. Oil may drip onto the rear tire, increasing crash risk. A recall (NHTSA 22V-704) installs a spacer to prevent contact.
Random stalling when pulling in the clutch
Engine can stall without warning when disengaging the clutch while slowing down, often at low speeds. This safety‑critical issue is widely reported across owner forums, but no single definitive fix exists.
Poor low‑speed / low‑throttle fueling
Noticeable fluffiness and hesitation between 4000–6000 rpm at light throttle, with pronounced on/off throttle abruptness. ECU remap or aftermarket modules (like BoosterPlug or Termi T800) are common workarounds, though not a complete cure.
Where this Ducati Hyperstrada 939 pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Hyperstrada 939 is actually built for.
For weekend loops out of Austin or San Antonio, this one fits. The L-twin's midrange suits the Twisted Sisters, and the standard bags carry enough for an overnight BBQ-and-live-music run.
Made for Austin / Texas Hill Country · Twisted Sisters · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show
It's photogenic, it sounds great parked at the Skyline meetup, and the upright stance works in city traffic. Just know the tech is basic: no smartphone connectivity, no USB port.
Made for Bay Area Ridge Roads · San Francisco / Bay Area · Skyline Boulevard / Alice's Restaurant
It steers light and it's big fun on Angeles Crest, but a skilled rider pushing hard will miss an adjustable fork. It's great for spirited canyon runs, less so if you want a precision tool you can dial in.
Made for Angeles Crest Highway · Coronado Trail / US 191 · Highway 1 / Big Sur
If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.
Previous generation · 2013–2015
Italian Agility With Luggage
Compare to the previous model →If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Ducati Hyperstrada 939. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
