Why should I get a motard?

[Muppet]

I'm deadly serious:angry:, I want to know the pros and cons warts 'n' all. I currently ride a ZX12R but feel like I'd have more fun with less power. Quite like the rep' the DR650SE has, but it looks 'agricultural'. Have ridden a KTM690SM for about 20 mins-and that's my total motard experience. Anyone here changed from a superbike to a motard? Thanks in advance.

[wysper]

Are you planning to go off road at all?

[Muppet]

Yeah i probably would if got a bike I knew could do so, ie:F650 as a suggestion?

[Quasievil]

Ive had Sportsbikes (currently a R1) and have raced motards as well as had them for on road use.
for me motarding on the track is a hell of a lot of fun, more so than a sportsbike but on the road mmmmm not so keen, I had a KTM SM690 it was a good bike but lumpy around town but It would be fair to say that you can have alot of fun in town to
open road it was fine, comfy and capable, remember they are mostly singles so they rev like fuck and dont provide huge top end however that can be a good thing.
Pros and cons mate.
It really depends on what you want from a bike.

[Spearfish]

Just get one, forget about any notion of pragmatism.


...then post your findings, like you, I'm keen to know what they are like to live with.

[carver]

motards suck on the road

Uncomfortable

Gutless

Poor fuel range

Poor weather protection

Kinda shit on gravel compared to a real dual purpose bike

[Quasievil]

motards suck on the road

Uncomfortable

Gutless

Poor fuel range

Poor weather protection

Kinda shit on gravel compared to a real dual purpose bike

Not really bro, depends on the bike, I got 230 kms out of my motard KTM660sm, I had a screen and kept out of the wind on tap it would do 180kmph and wasnt wanting on the road really.
I think your referring to the DRZ400 in which case youre right on all the above.

Then of course look at the new Aprillia and the New KTM SMT, now they are very good :yes:

[carver]

Not really bro, depends on the bike, I got 230 kms out of my motard KTM660sm, I had a screen and kept out of the wind on tap it would do 180kmph and wasnt wanting on the road really.
I think your referring to the DRZ400 in which case youre right on all the above.

Then of course look at the new Aprillia and the New KTM SMT, now they are very good :yes:

That goes for the XT 660, which was kinda worse than the DRZ400, the KTM 525 just seemed to vibrate more, the 690 motor is much nicer!

the SM-T is a bit big, kinda leaning towards a Vstrom!

[Usarka]

Good view in traffic.

[Quasievil]

That goes for the XT 660, which was kinda worse than the DRZ400, the KTM 525 just seemed to vibrate more, the 690 motor is much nicer!

the SM-T is a bit big, kinda leaning towards a Vstrom!

Having had the KTM 525 yes, it was a race bike so it didnt matter but I wouldnt want to ride it on the road.

the SM-T was bike of the year in the UK a year odd ago, they rated it higher than many sportsbikes, the gsxr750 for example (got the article somewhere)
I would have one over a sportsbike in a heartbeat a bike that is good at anything, touring sports, two up one up, all easy on a SM-T:yes:

[Ricardo S]

with my very limited experience with bigger bikes i can tell that the riding position is more comfortable imho, it's easy to get around town, its lots of fun on tweesty roads, etc.

the drz400sm doesn't offer much weather protection on open roads and after 400km trip you can get a sore ass, the stock one can greatly be improved by the 3x3 airbox mod, carb re-jetted or replaced and a aftermarket exhaust system or slip on pipe. (it's ok stock but you will definitely have more fun with the mod's on)

the engine is bullet prof and its maintenance is simple and cheap if compared with the ktm's, etc.

it all depends on what you are after and how much $ you want to put towards it...

i'm on my second drz and would definitely recommend it to a friend :)


http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/137947-How-to-have-fun-with-a-DRZ400-motard

[Madness]

I currently ride a ZX12R but feel like I'd have more fun with less power.

Go & wash your mouth with soap, then push your typing finger(s) into the spinning wheel of a bench grinder :facepalm:

[Sable]

Go & wash your mouth with soap, then push your typing finger(s) into the spinning wheel of a bench grinder :facepalm:
Knob. :facepalm:

[orangeback]

I would not go without one , i sold my zx10r to buy a wr450 , all the boys said what the hell you doing, your nuts , since then 3 of them have sold there blades /r1's and gone down the motard route as well, great for the short hard twisty blast , but if you a straight line hero , stick with you sports tourer.
Im on my third motard .but have had a couple roadies as well (tuono and Z7) but i allway road the motard so they went.
this could241566 be you the husky /bmw

[racefactory]

There is a simple answer for this one but it's not nice. If you are a straight line hero then motards are not for you, but if you enjoy riding for the physics and the sensations riding brings- cornering hard, leaning, the feeling of no limits and the sense of freedom then they are the best thing ever.

One thing that's particularly rewarding about going from superbikes to a motard is the way that you actually own the bike. Usually the bike owns you; you are always afraid of that scratch on the fairing, dropping the bike in the driveway, the fear of the rain, that little squiggle from the rear over the tar seal, leaning it just that bit too far and the lowside that will cost you 2000 dollars in fairings, clip ons and expensive hard to find parts. With a motard none of these factors exist anymore... you have fun lowsiding it, you actually try to get it to highside you in the rain, you throw on all those MX bike goodies, parts are so plentiful, there is no crash damage- you command the bike and it obeys.

The other advantages worth mentioning I feel are:

- Fuel economy. Seriously they are so good on fuel even gunning it around everywhere. Something not to be overlooked in these tough economic times. I'm getting nearly 30km/L.

- You can ride it over curbs and jump it off ledges and speed bumps.

- You look forward to twisty roads with bumps and potholes.

- It's so narrow you can squeeze through any gap

- You have such good visibility over hills and traffic

- It's so much fun to ride in the rain. You can just lean it and gas it till it skids and the forgiving geometry of it will laugh back at you.

- Off roading. This is a whole new dimension to riding and it's just insane fun. Throwing some off road wheels on and heading off to the sandpit is too much fun.

- Cheap track days. If you have access to a large asphalt expanse or have a local kart track then you can have all the track time you want for next to no dollar. It's so much fun to take these on kart tracks.

- Maintenance simplicity. Even if you are going for a high performance 450- changing a piston, throwing in a new crank and what not is such a breeze. Pistons and engine parts are readily available.

Basically the image below shows what motards are all about. As silly as it might sound, part of the reason I changed from sportbikes to motards is because I no longer wanted to be part of the posing image that is associated with them all too much. There is no substitute for the sensations of sports bikes on a large, fast track and the forces of braking and accelerating at such velocities but when most riding is on the road there is just no need for them; it's pure posing for the most part.

[george formby]

Their is a lot to be said for a bike you can ride the knackers off all the time. Less is usually more on the road IMHO. I just put some dual purpose tires on my fatty bloater TDM & it still hammers through the twisties but now it does the same on gravel too. Been giggling like a girl for 2 days & the tires are not even scrubbed in yet.
Go for it, if I could I would.
Would be nice to get 30km/L too...:blink:

[blackdog]

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/ktm/ktm_rc8_990r_supermoto%2009.htm

Not a difficult decision over a ZX12 for me (sorry Madness)

[racefactory]

man they are totally sick but I wouldn't call them a real motard.

motorcross derived motards should be the definition of the word. 450s and pretty much anything up to the 640sm is what you'd call a motard. It HAS to be single cylinder at least, come on!!!

the 990 doesn't really have any of the advantages of a true motard in the sense of light weight, crashability and simplicity; these things are essential for the motard formula. you'd be weeping for weeks on end if you dropped that at all. its sick as hell though, holy shit.

[blackdog]

they are totally sick but I wouldn't call them a real motard.

motorcross derived motards should be the definition of the word. 450s and pretty much anything up to the 640sm is what you'd call a motard. It HAS to be single cylinder at least, come on!!!

the 990 doesn't really have any of the advantages of a true motard in the sense of light weight, crashability and simplicity; these things are essential for the motard formula. you'd be weeping for weeks on end if you dropped that at all. its sick as hell though, holy shit.

Agreed. I have to compromise though 'coz a like a good litre of bike.

[racefactory]

<iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fYu7DQn5vAI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zob5Nbur3XM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

This might be enough for you to justify getting a motard.

[Ricardo S]

he was in the same place as you a few weeks back...and as you can see, he digs it big time :)

[Muppet]

There is a simple answer for this one but it's not nice. If you are a straight line hero then motards are not for you, but if you enjoy riding for the physics and the sensations riding brings- cornering hard, leaning, the feeling of no limits and the sense of freedom then they are the best thing ever.

One thing that's particularly rewarding about going from superbikes to a motard is the way that you actually own the bike. Usually the bike owns you; you are always afraid of that scratch on the fairing, dropping the bike in the driveway, the fear of the rain, that little squiggle from the rear over the tar seal, leaning it just that bit too far and the lowside that will cost you 2000 dollars in fairings, clip ons and expensive hard to find parts. With a motard none of these factors exist anymore... you have fun lowsiding it, you actually try to get it to highside you in the rain, you throw on all those MX bike goodies, parts are so plentiful, there is no crash damage- you command the bike and it obeys.

The other advantages worth mentioning I feel are:

- Fuel economy. Seriously they are so good on fuel even gunning it around everywhere. Something not to be overlooked in these tough economic times. I'm getting nearly 30km/L.

- You can ride it over curbs and jump it off ledges and speed bumps.

- You look forward to twisty roads with bumps and potholes.

- It's so narrow you can squeeze through any gap

- You have such good visibility over hills and traffic

- It's so much fun to ride in the rain. You can just lean it and gas it till it skids and the forgiving geometry of it will laugh back at you.

- Off roading. This is a whole new dimension to riding and it's just insane fun. Throwing some off road wheels on and heading off to the sandpit is too much fun.

- Cheap track days. If you have access to a large asphalt expanse or have a local kart track then you can have all the track time you want for next to no dollar. It's so much fun to take these on kart tracks.

- Maintenance simplicity. Even if you are going for a high performance 450- changing a piston, throwing in a new crank and what not is such a breeze. Pistons and engine parts are readily available.

Basically the image below shows what motards are all about. As silly as it might sound, part of the reason I changed from sportbikes to motards is because I no longer wanted to be part of the posing image that is associated with them all too much. There is no substitute for the sensations of sports bikes on a large, fast track and the forces of braking and accelerating at such velocities but when most riding is on the road there is just no need for them; it's pure posing for the most part.

Hey thanks for the advice Racefactory, you've put a lot of thought into that. I have a friend who has owned 3 of the 7 (or is it 8?) bikes I have over the last decade CBR600/r1150gs/Firestorm and he is now on a KTM690SM and just swears by it.

Knowing Jack' about motards, I've been doing a bit of research and the Yamaha XT660X looks like a good bike too. And as far as the bit about fear of damaging a bike with full fairings goes-you're not wrong there, at all.

[Muppet]

Off topic but I'd thought you'd enjoy this

http://www.zapiks.fr/share/player.swf?file=50284

I call it a snowtard!

Thanks for the tips.

[Rocket]

http://www.cycleworld.com/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/2011_buyers_guide/all/aprilia/2011_aprilia_sxv_550_-_new_bike_file/3577597-1-eng-US/2011_aprilia_sxv_550_-_new_bike_file_image_575_346.jpg

[orangeback]

Off topic but I'd thought you'd enjoy this

http://www.zapiks.fr/share/player.swf?file=50284

I call it a snowtard!

Thanks for the tips.
thats not a snow tard, this is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIEByJlO_Qw

[orangeback]

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIEByJlO_Qw

[orangeback]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIEByJlO_Qw

[racefactory]

Also I don't know what people are on about when they say they're uncomfortable... for me it's far more comfortable with wide dirt bike bars and upright seating position than a crouched over RR sport bike that gives you a back and neck ache after a long time riding. Only thing I can say about comfort is at very high speed the air resistance becomes a little uncomfortable... it feels pretty intense at 160kph on the DRZ400 motard. But honestly, who buys a bike for comfort anyway ffs? Get a car if you are for that...

[Motardman]

I use my KTM 525exc moootard everyday, goes great, 100% reliable, fast, economical and soooooo much fun in the traffic. To be honest if you're not going to get a 'proper' motard then I wouldn't bother.

The DRZ400SM is too heavy and slow, the XT660X is too big, slow and flawed. May was well get an adventure bike if you're leaning towards the DR 650 or similar.
Motards should be all about power, lightness/nimble handling and crazy stunts :)

I oil/filter/valve check every 20 hours and the motor is perfect after 13,000km, starts everytime and still pulls my arms outta my sockets :)

[blackdog]

How 'bout this for value?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=389388757

[racefactory]

Shit yeah that'd be tons of fun and cost you pennies. Get some tyre levers and throw some knobblies on it at the weekend to go ride dirt... Braaaap, braaap!

[scooterboynz]

i have been riding big japanese sports bikes for over 20 years and have never had more fun or a bigger smile than on my motard!

[racefactory]

And a bloody nice one that is too mate! How are those things on fuel btw with the injection and all?

[Ricardo S]

i have been riding big japanese sports bikes for over 20 years and have never had more fun or a bigger smile than on my motard!

I have fun on a drz400sm, imagine it 10x on your husky :D

[scooterboynz]

mine is carby model , coughs and splutters , back fires , and i love it ,,,, my previous bike , 04 zx10r was just too perfect

[scooterboynz]

ok not sure if this will work but here is a pic

[FlangMasterJ]

Nice. I've always liked the 610's. Is it just as horrendous on fuel as my 660?

[scooterboynz]

depends how much you twist the throttle, 14 litre tank so over $30 to fill ,,, better fuel economy than my car!

[racefactory]

Nice. I've always liked the 610's. Is it just as horrendous on fuel as my 660?

What does your 660 do? liters for 100km etc?

My 525 motard does 4.5L/100km or 22km/l if cruising. Around town, gassing it a bit it will go to 4.9L/100km.


depends how much you twist the throttle, 14 litre tank so over $30 to fill ,,, better fuel economy than my car!

Depends how long it lasts, how many km?

[FlangMasterJ]

What does your 660 do? liters for 100km etc?

My 525 motard does 4.5L/100km or 22km/l if cruising. Around town, gassing it a bit it will go to 4.9L/100km.



Depends how long it lasts, how many km?

Jeez I don't think I can do 100km on a tank. So I'm guessing roughly 7L/100km

[orangeback]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBEw0wfLfFM

[scooterboynz]

gotta get me some of those sparking boots!

[slowpoke]

Each to their own but to me DRZ400's or XT660's are not super-moto's, there's nothing super about 'em. If you enjoy 'em all power to ya but I don't feel they are true representatives of the breed. They don't follow the ultra-light minimalist ethos that is core to what I reckon super-moto's should be. Put it this way, jump off a DRZ/XT on to a genuine Aprilia/KTM type super-moto and you'd be just as blown away as if you'd jumped off any middleweight commuter. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with 'em, I just don't feel they are what they are portrayed to be.

My experience with a Husaberg FS650? 112kg's and 60-ish hp (bit different to a DRZ/XT eh?) is a helluva lot of fun....on the right bit of road. But you soon realise how far apart the right bit's of road are. And you'll become acutely aware of how far apart the gas stations are with a range of fractionally over 100km's. Not that you'll want more 'cos the 4 x 2 that masquerades as a seat soon has you juggling from cheek to cheek trying to find a comfy posy that just doesn't exist.

Yep, great fun over the Rimutaka's ( I live about 30km's away) or somewhere similar, but getting there isn't the slightest bit of fun on roads that your sportsbike riding mates will enjoy but you'll hate. In town would be a hoot, but the maintenance on anything that would really put a smile on your face takes a bit of the shine off it.

Horses for courses really, you need to think about what sort of roads you ride, and pick a bike to suit. If you live half way along the Akatarawa's then a super-moto would be brilliant, but if you're droning up and down the main road then do yourself a favour and look at something else.

[racefactory]

Each to their own but to me DRZ400's or XT660's are not super-moto's, there's nothing super about 'em. If you enjoy 'em all power to ya but I don't feel they are true representatives of the breed. They don't follow the ultra-light minimalist ethos that is core to what I reckon super-moto's should be. Put it this way, jump off a DRZ/XT on to a genuine Aprilia/KTM type super-moto and you'd be just as blown away as if you'd jumped off any middleweight commuter. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with 'em, I just don't feel they are what they are portrayed to be.

My experience with a Husaberg FS650? 112kg's and 60-ish hp (bit different to a DRZ/XT eh?) is a helluva lot of fun....on the right bit of road. But you soon realise how far apart the right bit's of road are. And you'll become acutely aware of how far apart the gas stations are with a range of fractionally over 100km's. Not that you'll want more 'cos the 4 x 2 that masquerades as a seat soon has you juggling from cheek to cheek trying to find a comfy posy that just doesn't exist.

Yep, great fun over the Rimutaka's ( I live about 30km's away) or somewhere similar, but getting there isn't the slightest bit of fun on roads that your sportsbike riding mates will enjoy but you'll hate. In town would be a hoot, but the maintenance on anything that would really put a smile on your face takes a bit of the shine off it.

Horses for courses really, you need to think about what sort of roads you ride, and pick a bike to suit. If you live half way along the Akatarawa's then a super-moto would be brilliant, but if you're droning up and down the main road then do yourself a favour and look at something else.

Disagree with that. My DRZ and KTM have been far more comfortable than any of the sports bikes I've owned. You have a nice neutral position and don't come off it with a broken back or wrists after. Have a far easier time going long distance on motard. Fuel range is not too bad and everyone is ready to get off at 160k for a rest anyway, and they are pretty light on the wallet don't forget!

I also disagree with DRZ not being a real motard. I have a KTM full blown motard and the DRZ was just the same kind of fun and just as capable on the roads. For me the main advantage is that the KTM has dirt wheels and is a weapon with them on. Sure there is a huge difference in power but motards are about corners. Maintenance is the same, just more frequent oil changes albeit smaller quantities of oil. Valve clearances are much easier to do on ktm RFS engines. DRZ's are still extremely crashable and potent machines for motarding fun. They are a motard in every sense of the word.

Oh and Stephane Chambon's bike is a DRZ400... if that's not a real motard then I have no idea what is

<iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/agjpF3TBems" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Quasievil]

Seen anyone racing a DRZ bro ................nope, that because they are to slow fat and heavy, they arent a supermotard, just a motard for the street
thats coming from trackdaying a DRZ (once and that was enough) and racing a supermoto as my qualification in saying that.

[FlangMasterJ]

Seen anyone racing a DRZ bro ................nope, that because they are to slow fat and heavy, they arent a supermotard, just a motard for the street
thats coming from trackdaying a DRZ (once and that was enough) and racing a supermoto as my qualification in saying that.

<a target='_blank' title='ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting' href='http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/155/pastranasupermototransn.jpg/'><img src='http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/9330/pastranasupermototransn.jpg' border='0'/></a>

Uploaded with <a target='_blank' href='http://imageshack.us'>ImageShack.us</a>

[Quasievil]

was he last ?
actually I meant in NZ, I have never seen one raced in NZ style tracks.
if there was I doubt it would be competitive

[scooterboynz]

i would consider a Drz more of a motard than say an aprillia dorsoduro or a ducati hypermotard, but does it really matter? just get out there and ride!

[racefactory]

Seen anyone racing a DRZ bro ................nope, that because they are to slow fat and heavy, they arent a supermotard, just a motard for the street
thats coming from trackdaying a DRZ (once and that was enough) and racing a supermoto as my qualification in saying that.

Yes, I have- world class riders. Check the above video, now you've seen a race one in action.

Also Travis Pastrana racing a DRZ is not enough lol?

[Quasievil]

Yes, I have- world class riders. Check the above video, now you've seen a race one in action.

Also Travis Pastrana racing a DRZ is not enough lol?

Get one and race it in NZ then bro, we will wait for you

you will get whipped at Taupo Paeroa Wanganui Manfeild Hampton

thats the point in NZ they wont be any good

[racefactory]

Yup that's true. But then why don't I just get a 600 and dominate all motards instead? :)

[Quasievil]

Yup that's true. But then why don't I just get a 600 and dominate all motards instead? :)


cause there isnt a 600 motard ?

[slowpoke]

Disagree with that. My DRZ and KTM have been far more comfortable than any of the sports bikes I've owned. You have a nice neutral position and don't come off it with a broken back or wrists after. Have a far easier time going long distance on motard. Fuel range is not too bad and everyone is ready to get off at 160k for a rest anyway, and they are pretty light on the wallet don't forget!

I also disagree with DRZ not being a real motard. I have a KTM full blown motard and the DRZ was just the same kind of fun and just as capable on the roads. For me the main advantage is that the KTM has dirt wheels and is a weapon with them on. Sure there is a huge difference in power but motards are about corners. Maintenance is the same, just more frequent oil changes albeit smaller quantities of oil. Valve clearances are much easier to do on ktm RFS engines. DRZ's are still extremely crashable and potent machines for motarding fun. They are a motard in every sense of the word.

Oh and Stephane Chambon's bike is a DRZ400... if that's not a real motard then I have no idea what is



Haha, I'm not seein' too many OEM parts on Chambon's DRZ mate! As I said, if you enjoy it then goodonya, you're onto some cheap fun.

I really dunno what it is with the winging about sportsbike riding positions. I'm coming up to 45, with a few injuries thrown in over the years (hip cartilage, shoulder problems etc) and the only bike amongst the 'blades, R1, GSXR's that I've owned that was a problem was a 916, and that was only 'round town (made up for it on open road!). I'd much rather have the wind supporting my upper body than be a parachute.

But it's all good, whatever floats ya boat, and the thread starter has got a few more things to think about.

[Shorty_925]

There's a few DRZ's that race at the local track holding there own out there against the 450's & 550's and the guys on the DRZ dont do themselves any disgrace either. I get what people mean about not being a 'proper' motard, but then again, is an EXC a proper motard? Splitting hairs really, as long as your out there doing it instead of on the couch.

[Tard]

Splitting hairs really, as long as your out there doing it instead of on the couch.

Agreed! Saw this on the supermoto.nz site once and reckon it's a fair enough 'definition.'

" Is it SuperMotard or SuperMoto???
Ahhh, the eternal question! There seems to be no hard and fast rules here, so we will when ever possible use these rules...If we use the term "SuperMoto", we are referring to racing being held on both road race and dirt bike sections a la The Word SuperMoto series. For racing on road race circuits only and general road riding we will use the term "SuperMotard" Where an article is relevant to both, we will default to the term SuperMotard."

I'd never consider my road-reg daily commute DRZ-SM to be a racebike for all the obvious reasons and yep, you'd find it tough against something +50cc & -30kgs, however IMO full respect to someone who wants to...better trying and finding out than sitting watching

[Moooools]

No the drz is not the fastest motard out there. And it is a bit heavy. And it is a bit of a production commuter bike dressed up.

But for the 8k you can buy one new for, it would be really hard not to enjoy it.

I ended up selling mine as we had too many bikes and it is hard to motivate myself to ride on the road in winter. More interested in buckets now.

However the drz gave many a sports bike a hiding up my local road. I managed to embarrass an aprilia rsv and was right on the tail of a cbr1000. Not to mention the boy racers in their 'fast cars'.

Spent all my free time trying to hold it in a wheelie and jumping a set of railway lines nearby home, usually at about 10.00 at night.

I did Auckland to whangarei on the thing and I will admit that that got tedious and sore.

[racefactory]

So what is the definition of true motard? RMZ450 with 17 inch wheels nothing more, nothing less? Is a KTM 125 sx not a real motard?

Personally I think the line is drawn at KTM 640, anything smaller fits the description of motard. Motard formula needs 3 things in my opinion... 1. mx or enduro dna 2. crashability 3. single cylinder

[Quasievil]

So what is the definition of true motard?

a Motard is easy enough dirt bike with 17 inch wheels (not saying thats bad) a Supermotard is a SMR for example or one with better suspension and oversized brakes