DUCATI HYPERMOTARD 821 (2013 - on) Review

The bike is at its best everywhere except long highway miles. My normal rides are ~2 hours long, mostly city and twisties and I can't fault it. Great usable power and extremely fun to ride, especially aggressively. I also find it to be very smooth - the throttle, the brakes. Very responsive. I use sport mode most of the time and touring if I'm tired.

Super fun engine, loves being around 6-9k rpm. Could use more lower down torque.

I recently went in for a recall ("service bulletin") to install an electrical filter between the harness and the dashboard that apparently resolves the fried dashboard issues experience by many. The fix is integrated into the dash for 2017 models. Personally I have not had any problems! The low score is based on reports I've read of dashboard failures, sensor failures, starter motor failures, dashboard screen scratches easily. There have been various recalls and improvements made by ducati (throttle recall, various ecu updates, dashboard recall), and so your mileage may vary. There is some corrosion on a couple bolts (but strangely not nearly all of them, so a couple are of lower grade). Other than that it has a nice refined feel about it.

I have not really spent anything for running costs, just basic servicing and they are not expensive where I live. I have to take a point off the value though since this is quite an expensive bike compared to other bikes.

Suspension on base model should be more adjustable for this money, although I find the stock suspension pretty good for me at 90 kg. Stock tires are great. ABS and DTC are life savers.

The ride is great, and I can't fault the anchors

Only problem that needs sorting on the 2013 model is the clutch biting point. Seems to vary wildly on the factory setting

See above

It has cost me way over a £1000 in repairs and it hasn't needed a service yet.

Very hard to keep the power smoothly, it will "surprise" you in the corner

Not smooth, not reliable, but frankly, the way it's output the power is remarkable! You will never forget!

After the second maintenance (6000km) to 8000km, the engine oil goes to minimum limit line, one day on the road it lost power, pull over then can't start the engine any more, turn the key to on, the dashboard lights like a Christmas Tree illumination, later turn out the ignition coils broken too. And just the dashboard and ignition coils took me 3 month to wait!!!

Not cheap, at all.

ABS DTC, single color dash board... It's OK.

Brakes are good on SP Version and ride quality is excellent. Best handling machine.

Throttle is still slightly radical but manageable unless you are on sports mode. But man this torque is good. These modern Ducatis are much improved in terms of throttle feel and response than the 2012 ones. I love my bike engine. Oh yes I have the Termegioni full exhaust fitted as well. I can now use the work precise for this engine now comfortably. Engine does not over react.

I have not owned the bike for long to comment on the quality but this bike appears to be an improvement over my 2012 Pikes Peak in terms of quality. The quality still does not however seem to be at par with my BMWs.

Expensive to maintain. The factory intervals make it economical but my dealer here wants me to do everything way before it’s due as per the manual such as changing of timing belt in two years at 10k kms. This is due at 30k irrespective of times.

This expensive bike does not have a gear indicator which is a pain. The 2016 model has one. Mirrors are flimsy and turn direction without instructions. The side stand spring does not pull up the stand well. Rest all equipments are top noch.