Rode my 2008 Versys up to the Ducati shop today to test drive a Hypermotard 796 (just for the hell of it - it was my first choice but it was out of my price range, but I never test rode it).

I expected to be blown away - but the truth is - I definitely prefer the Versys. The Hypermotard felt sluggish, much less smooth, and super....small. It was a bit louder, but that was about it.

Hopping back up on my Versys I felt really pleased, and even more certain I made the right choice. ;)

Anyone else compared the 2? Is it apples and oranges?

Swapped rides with a friend last year - his is a Duc Hypermotard 1100 or 1198 (???).
Much prefer the Versys.

I tested an aprillia dorsoduro last week.the dorso seems to be matched with the small hypermotard.but dorso is for sure heavier and bigger.
Well,the bike felt like wooden,i hadnt good feedback from the suspension and steering and i am sure i couldn follow my projecting ego if i chased me on my v... :)
the bottom line is that this super motard category is loosing points while the versys and the more all around bikes like gs800 appear.versys is the king of versatility,do it all decently.

Swapped rides with a friend last year - his is a Duc Hypermotard 1100 or 1198 (???).
Much prefer the Versys.

Ok so I'm not out of my mind then... :) Seems the Duc wouldn't do much of anything until you reached really (too) high RPMs. I love the Versys' power at low and mid RPMs (where I spend most of my time).