By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Supermoto
Ducati Hyperstrada (MY2013) vs Hypermotard 821 (MY2013)
Ducati Hyperstrada vs Hypermotard 821: which one to buy, and what actually separates them.
Flick the Ducati Hyperstrada into a tight bend and it's already tipping in off its wide bars, with you sitting tall above it. The Ducati Hypermotard 821 snaps in off its steep steering.
So which one do you buy?
The Hypermotard 821 has the edge if…
Racetrack use
A touch ahead: Hypermotard 821
The Hypermotard 821 pulls a nose ahead on track. Don't count on it doing the work for you.
Which one's the smarter buy
Value's a wash
At these used prices, neither bike comes out ahead. The small price gap doesn't make one the clear better buy.
What makes each one tick
Hyperstrada
The Hyperstrada's Testastretta twin pulls clean from low revs and barely sends a tremor into the pegs. On the Angeles Crest Highway, it drops into every corner on a light nudge and doesn't fuss about swapping sides. There's little damping in the Kayaba fork, which often runs out of travel over bumps and under braking, especially once a passenger or luggage climbs aboard. Its exhaust note growls back.
Nils rode the Hyperstrada in 2013 (NastyNils Testride).
Hypermotard 821
The Hypermotard 821's twin spreads its torque wide, then builds into a top-end rush that's worth chasing. A squeeze of the brake lever brings serious stopping power, and the feel stays clear even when you're riding hard. Rough pavement drives the Sachs shock down until it bottoms out.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Hyperstrada has the lower seat: 33.5 in (850 mm) vs 34.3 in (870 mm).
- The Hypermotard 821 has the lower wet weight: 437 lb (198 kg) vs 450 lb (204 kg).
- The Hypermotard 821 has more fork travel: 6.7 in (170 mm) vs 5.9 in (150 mm).
Which one for the way you ride
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Wrong job for both
Learning on either of these is the hard way. A gentler bike will make you a better rider sooner.
They come out level on commuting, twisty roads, and running costs. The better-kept used example is the smarter money.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Hyperstrada
What owners say
Strengths
- Playful, accessible supermoto handling
- Smooth, characterful L-twin engine
- Well-equipped out of the box
Trade-offs
- Grabby, binary clutch in stock form
- Poor low-speed fuelling
- Underdamped front suspension
- Limited fuel range
Hypermotard 821
What owners say
Strengths
- Agile, supermoto-inspired handling
- Punchy and characterful L-twin engine
- Comprehensive electronics for the era
Trade-offs
- Grabby low-speed clutch
- Base suspension underdamped
Known problems to check before you buy
Hyperstrada
- Christmas Tree of Death – ECU failure Electromagnetic spikes from the ignition system can corrupt or fry the engine ECU, lighting up the dashboard like a Christmas tree and leaving the bike dead. A factory suppressor wiring upgrade or Aprilia coils may prevent it, but many bikes were sold without the fix.
- Rear brake goes mushy / ineffective The rear brake frequently loses pressure and feel, even after fluid changes. A badly bled system from the factory is suspected, but some owners report persistent air ingress.
- Front brake rotor warping / grabbing Some early bikes suffered from pulsating front brakes caused by warped rotors. Dealers replaced discs and pads under warranty, but the issue can reappear.
- Engine stalling when coasting to a stop At low revs and closed throttle, the engine often stalls when pulling in the clutch while decelerating. The cause is often the carbon canister (US models) or a TPS/throttle body sync issue. Removing the evap canister often cures it.
- Starter motor drag / hard starting Several owners reported slow cranking or a starter that seemed to struggle, especially when hot. A lithium battery upgrade often masks the problem.
Hypermotard 821
- Engine stalling when coasting to a stop When decelerating with the clutch pulled in, the engine can stall unexpectedly, particularly during downshifts or coasting to a stop. This can be dangerous in traffic and was often linked to throttle position sensor calibration or the evap canister, but a definitive fix was elusive.
- Christmas tree of death (ECU failure) Electromagnetic interference from the ignition system can damage the ECU, causing a dashboard to light up like a Christmas tree or leaving the bike completely dead. A factory suppressor kit and updated coils were later made available and many owners fit Aprilia coils as a preventative measure.
- Starter motor failure Some owners reported defective starters from new, manifesting as dragging or hard starting.
What they cost used
These prices compare an 11-year-old Hyperstrada with an 11-year-old Hypermotard 821.
- Hyperstrada
- about $6,300
- Hypermotard 821
- about $6,000
What they share
- Displacement
- 821 cc
- Engine
- L-twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Power
- 110 hp (81 kW)
- Peak power at
- 9,250 rpm
- Peak torque at
- 7,750 rpm
- Fuel capacity
- 4.2 US gal (16 L)
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front brake
- 320 mm
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 180/55-17
- Rear travel
- 5.9 in (150 mm)
Where the spec sheets split
| Hyperstrada | Hypermotard 821 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 33.5 in (850 mm) | 34.3 in (870 mm) |
| Wet weight | 450 lb (204 kg) | 437 lb (198 kg) |
| Hyperstrada | Hypermotard 821 | |
|---|---|---|
| Torque | 66 lb-ft (89 Nm) | 67 lb-ft (91 Nm) |
| Hyperstrada | Hypermotard 821 | |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 58.7 in (1490 mm) | 59.0 in (1498 mm) |
| Ground clearance | 6.1 in (155 mm) | 7.5 in (190 mm) |
| Front travel | 5.9 in (150 mm) | 6.7 in (170 mm) |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
