Got my HM today...(Spoiler ALERT)

[400esm]

Picked it (Non-S model) up around noon today. I just couldn't let it sit in the parking lot all day while I worked so I left at 2 and rode it for 200 miles straight. I'll post more about the ride tomorrow but in short... OMFG!! :thumbup:

[Chris410]

Awesome! Congrats! I picked up a "base" as well. Although, I really don't like calling it "base" because by no means is this bike a "base" model.

Congrats! I only have 130 and I've had mine for 2 weeks :-(

[400esm]

Yeah, I 'm not going to call it the "base" I'm just going to stick with "Non-S".

It's a crazy machine. It makes my DRZ440 feel like a toy and my R6 feel like a pig.

[400esm]

I'll hopefully get it out on the track (Portland International Raceway) this weekend.

[Nudist]

I will be waiting anxiously for a report

[Chris410]

I'll hopefully get it out on the track (Portland International Raceway) this weekend.

Nice! I'm planning on taking mine to the track once I get a little more time on it. Yeah...I just call it a "hypermotard" instead of "base"

Post up the track report...can't wait to get a chance to run mine out on the track!

[400esm]

So far, I've logged 600 miles on her in less then a week. On the street, this bike is without a doubt the best street bike i've ever ridden. I can't imagine street riding getting much better. The torque, handling, and brakes are absolutely unreal. It is so easy to ride, the bike just vanishes beneath you. Wheelies come up without any effort whatsoever in 2nd and 3rd gear. The bike loves tight roads and it is super planted in the fast sweepers. The suspension seems to soak up any imperfection in the road without protest. This bike could own hwy 47 in Oregon. (not with me as the rider).

It's also a blast in town. It's totally happy loping around at low speeds and it's just as easy to flick around as my drz. It never feels big or heavy. The motard riding position is far superior to the sport bike riding postion when dealing with traffic and getting around the city.

The engine is damn near perfect. Its super smooth and just moves the bike effortlessly. It pulls like a train from 4000 on. The fuel injection is spot on. I gave my wife a ride on the bike and I couldn't even tell she was on there.

I had the bike out at Portland Int'l this weekend. I hit 135 in the front straight without pushing it too hard out of the turns. (Still breaking it in). I think it could hit 140 if I get a good drive out of the last turn. There's tons of windblast at that speed, so I dont think I'd want to go much faster than that. (This is about the only situation where a sport bike has an advantage over the HM...1% of my riding is on the track these days so I can live with that)

It is going to take some time to get used to riding it on the track. I had a hard time telling if it was better to ride it like a proper tard or ride it like a sportbike through the turns. I'll probably get some stickier rubber on it before I take it out for a full trackday. The Bridgestones seem good, but ive watched one too many people get bit on the track from running street rubber.

So far, I only have a few complaints.... The gearing is too tall for real-world riding. (Sixth gear is useless below 75mph.) The fuel light is coming on at 60miles. (There is still a full gallon left in the tank, so I think there's a problem with the sensor.) The seat gets a bit uncomfortable after 200+ miles of straight riding. (A problem I'm happy to deal with) The hand levers are locked to the bars with pins, so you cant rotate them up or down. (I'll be filing the pins off today). The mirrors stick out too far if they're both open. (I've been running with just one side mirror.)

Overall, I'd have to say this bike exceeded my expectations in just about every way. As Ferris Bueller said: "If you ever get the chance to ride one, do take it. It is so choice."

Here's the only picture of it so far... been too busy riding it.
29309

[DC_GhostDog]

Very good feedback...I will own before the year is out. 140 is good enough for me.

[duke]

I have the same problem i dont know if i should go foot out or knee down. Im finding myself where one lap ill be knee out and a second later ill be foot out its getting confusing lol. Im use to foot out but im still getting used to the hyper but so far it seems to feel more comfortable knee out. I guess im use to riding my husky sm450rr that when i put my foot out on the hyper it seems awkward cause its so heavy compared to a real tard.

[400esm]

Pretty much sums up how I feel after riding that thing for the last 5 days.

http://www.linesthemovie.com/phlewidity/hypermotard-speedzonesmall.jpg

Time to take it easy.

[RCStylin]

I made the mistake of test-riding one today. I have both an RC51 and a DRZSM and this bike is as powerful as the RC (no shit) and as flickable as the DRZ. Now I just gotta figure out how to get one with avoiding the wait list at the dealer.

How did it ride? Front wheel lofted with a crack of the throttle in 1st and 2nd gear at 5000 feet elevation (bikes seem to struggle up here a little). Cornered like mad, either (like others have said) with foot out or knee down. Brakes are the best I've felt and I have ridden most sportbikes on the track.

Only thing I felt that could use improvement was it needs a steering damper for speeds over 90 mph or so.

This bike is an animal. Don't test-ride one unless you have the cash right then.

[MarksFriggin]

I made the mistake of test-riding one today. I have both an RC51 and a DRZSM and this bike is as powerful as the RC (no shit) and as flickable as the DRZ. Now I just gotta figure out how to get one with avoiding the wait list at the dealer.

How did it ride? Front wheel lofted with a crack of the throttle in 1st and 2nd gear at 5000 feet elevation (bikes seem to struggle up here a little). Cornered like mad, either (like others have said) with foot out or knee down. Brakes are the best I've felt and I have ridden most sportbikes on the track.

Only thing I felt that could use improvement was it needs a steering damper for speeds over 90 mph or so.

This bike is an animal. Don't test-ride one unless you have the cash right then.

I agree. When you read the horspower ratings in magazines it seems a little low. Then you take one for a ride and it feels like it's pumping out a lot more. So much torque!

I just picked my my non-S model on Friday after putting a deposit on one back in January. Sold my Super Hawk in June and had to hold my breath until now. I'm also on a DRZ SM so I had that to keep me busy until Friday.

[Chris410]

Nice report! I agree about the 6th gear...I had it in triple digits and it was just cruising in 6th gear. Thanks for confirming some top end speed...I got mine up to about 110mph (have to be careful here in Va) and it was pulling very hard so I know there's plenty left.

Personally, I ride mine roadrace style and it feels fine to me.

Thanks for the report...if time allows I'll get mine on the track next year. I'm racing a full season next year so we'll see.