Help choosing my bike

[Modestep15]

Hi all!,

I am currently on a 2016 MT07 (LAMs) and I have gotten my full through CBTA (just waiting till June to get it), I'm in a bit of a dilemma on what bike I want to get. I will be commuting about 40kms each day for about 4 days a week in urban streets (maybe a few kms on the motorway but don't have to). It will be my main mode of transport as I don't have a car but will be able to get a ride if necessary so I won't be needing to ride in real bad weather.

With all that out of the way, I was looking at spending around 10-13k on a bike, I am currently looking at the 2017+ MT09s but have an interest in SuperMotos. I want something different so I was looking at a KTM 250/300 EXC Two Stroke that I want to make into a road legal SuperMoto. With the info mentioned above can someone give me some advice if either it's worth it or if I am just wasting my time.

I'm a little nervous as I've heard KTMs are a bit "unreliable" :laugh: , I don't want a four stroke as I'm just not interested, I've owned a DRZ400 DualSport in the past and enjoyed that quite a bit. Does anyone know how much I would be spending in total for the bike and full conversion (+ all the legal stuff). I know you have to get a road kit, tyres, wheels, (brakes?), sprocket change/chain. If anyone has more info on what I need to do to convert please let me know!.

Thanks for reading, any help will be appreciated :niceone:

[george formby]

The 2t enduros are horrid on the road unless you're outright having a hoon. In which case they are hilarious.

Vibey, uncomfortable, focused, thirsty and quite high maintenance compared to a "proper" road bike. They don't like tootling along in traffic.

This is an old codgers perspective. I spent my formative years riding 2t trailies as my only transport but they were quite soft and civilised by comparison, much fun was had. Still have a couple and they are pretty good on the road. For awhile.

An off the shelf 4t motard is still huge fun and worth considering.

If you go the 2t route try and find a model which is road legal in other countries so you can get a road kit. Much more simple.

:cool:Awaiting a damn good pillorying.

[F5 Dave]

Get the KTM and team up with someone who has a van or trailer. Awesome fun on the dirt.

On the road? No thanks, plus they are a competition bike. Maintenance schedules would be once a month or less for rebuild as you do so many more kilometres on the road.

[Modestep15]

The 2t enduros are horrid on the road unless you're outright having a hoon. In which case they are hilarious.

Vibey, uncomfortable, focused, thirsty and quite high maintenance compared to a "proper" road bike. They don't like tootling along in traffic.

This is an old codgers perspective. I spent my formative years riding 2t trailies as my only transport but they were quite soft and civilised by comparison, much fun was had. Still have a couple and they are pretty good on the road. For awhile.

An off the shelf 4t motard is still huge fun and worth considering.

If you go the 2t route try and find a model which is road legal in other countries so you can get a road kit. Much more simple.

:cool:Awaiting a damn good pillorying.

Ah ok, I had a feeling it wouldn't be that good, may have to bye more than one bike :lol:

[george formby]

Ah ok, I had a feeling it wouldn't be that good, may have to bye more than one bike :lol:

:yes: Works for me, I just need a bigger shed.

If you have won lotto and are good at finding hens teeth then you might want a TDR 250. They commute just fine.:innocent:

[husaberg]

From what i can understand a KTM300 will do 100 hours on a piston
So thats 10,000 km at 100 km/h.
the recommended interval is 80 hours though
With the same for the crank being rebuilt.
if you wanted a road legal supermoto 2T without the pain go with an older CRM or RMX250 and put on smaller wheels.
or buy that TDR250 that was on TM

[Modestep15]

From what i can understand a KTM300 will do 100 hours on a piston
So thats 10,000 km at 100 km/h.
the recommended interval is 80 hours though
With the same for the crank being rebuilt.
if you wanted a road legal supermoto 2T without the pain go with an older CRM or RMX250 and put on smaller wheels.
or buy that TDR250 that was on TM

Yeah those older 2t seem pretty good, would a better option be to get a KTm as a secondary/weekend bike for fun?

[Modestep15]

:yes: Works for me, I just need a bigger shed.

If you have won lotto and are good at finding hens teeth then you might want a TDR 250. They commute just fine.:innocent:

Awesome, cheers

[tigertim20]

Keep your MT, spend $6k on a supermoto and spend the rest on tyres, training and trackdays

[george formby]

Yeah those older 2t seem pretty good, would a better option be to get a KTm as a secondary/weekend bike for fun?

I have a CRM 250 and a DT 230 Lanza. Got spare wheels for them but the moto plan has been on hold forever. The CRM came over from the UK and I have not got round to registering it on the road here. Too much faff. But when no one is looking..:whistle:

If by weekend fun you mean playing in the twisties then, yeah, they are a hoot. I use the CRM for my off road riding and it's a bit of a pig. Heavy and a bit bitey with a Gnarly pipe on it. The old suspenders don't like decent jumps, either. Fairly open single track it's a rocket but really hard work in tight bush.

If you can find a good one they are worth it IMHO. Reliable, parts are available and really civilised compared to a modern competition bike.

Funnily enough, a mate has a PE 400X which has a lapsed rego. That might end up back on the road. Pretty sure it's LAM's, too.:lol:

Guess I just have a penchant for these old 2t's. End of a really fun era.

A modern 2t motard would indeed be a hoot for weekend hoonery, but you wouldn't go far.

[Modestep15]

Keep your MT, spend $6k on a supermoto and spend the rest on tyres, training and trackdays

I don't have the funds at the moment for a standalone SM, so I was planning on selling my MT and get it or an MT09. Do you mean a street legal SM or purely for the track. I was also thinking getting a MT09 then saving up and getting a 2T SM sometime next year

[Modestep15]

I have a CRM 250 and a DT 230 Lanza. Got spare wheels for them but the moto plan has been on hold forever. The CRM came over from the UK and I have not got round to registering it on the road here. Too much faff. But when no one is looking..:whistle:

If by weekend fun you mean playing in the twisties then, yeah, they are a hoot. I use the CRM for my off road riding and it's a bit of a pig. Heavy and a bit bitey with a Gnarly pipe on it. The old suspenders don't like decent jumps, either. Fairly open single track it's a rocket but really hard work in tight bush.

If you can find a good one they are worth it IMHO. Reliable, parts are available and really civilised compared to a modern competition bike.

Funnily enough, a mate has a PE 400X which has a lapsed rego. That might end up back on the road. Pretty sure it's LAM's, too.:lol:

Guess I just have a penchant for these old 2t's. End of a really fun era.

A modern 2t motard would indeed be a hoot for weekend hoonery, but you wouldn't go far.

Yeah by weekend fun I mean twisties and maybe some light gravel roads, I think I may get the MT09 for a daily and go for a 2T SM sometime next year. The modern bikes appeal to me more because of the looks, and mainly the availability.

Thanks for your reply!

[george formby]

Is a 4t totally, totally out of the question?:wait:


https://youtu.be/OR6gfpSltyE

[release_the_bees]

Keep your MT, spend $6k on a supermoto and spend the rest on tyres, training and trackdaysThat's a pretty good suggestion. The MT-07 is a good commuter, which allows you to get something less practical and more highly strung for when you want to ride for fun.

Sent from my SHT-AL09 using Tapatalk

[husaberg]

Is a 4t totally, totally out of the question?:wait:


https://youtu.be/OR6gfpSltyE

Note in T2 even Hollywood wanted the 4t XR100 to sound like a 2T CR85

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1A88ys3Mi0Y

[george formby]

:pinch:

Ok, I'll get me coat.

[Modestep15]

Is a 4t totally, totally out of the question?:wait:


https://youtu.be/OR6gfpSltyE

I possibly would consider a 4T. What would you say would be the easiest to convert (not a DRZ), both Japanese and Euro bikes?

Cheers

[FlangMasterJ]

For what you're looking at spending a KTM 690 or Husqvarna 701 would be ideal. Not highly strung like a converted Enduro but just as fun.

[FlangMasterJ]

Or take my '09 Husqvarna 610SM off my hands since it's just sitting here collecting a backlog of rego fees.

[EXCDirt]

I’ve been running a 2015 KTM450 exc as my commuter for the last 4 years.
With motard wheels

Cons,
It doesn’t have a key. So it has to be stored securely.
Small tank size of 7 litres. (20kms to work doesn’t matter for me)
Uncomfortable if you ride it 100kms or more.
Turns you into a menace. Even if you try not to be!

Pros,
It’s actually a reliable bike if you don’t mudbash it and change the oil and filter.
Definitely over braked and over suspension-ed.
Doesn’t wear tyres out. No weight and too much grip.
Very light to manoeuvre.
If you can’t wheelie you will learn very quickly.
It’s Lams approved… I’m not sure if it should be, but it is.
52hp and just over 100kg. = pretty fast
It’s orange so everyone except this one Indian lady has seen me.
You could put dirt wheels back on and throw yourself into a bush.

I did look at the whole 2T street motard thing.
Not worth it and too expensive to fit motard wheels plus big front brake.
That wheel brake stuff was around $2500-3000 plus $500 on road costs.

Definitely dollars spent for entertainment it’s well up there.
My 996 just sits there and has costed me more over 2 years to own.

If you want to spend even less the DR400SM is the only other option in my view.
But they are heavier and less power. Still fun.

Just my 2c.

[F5 Dave]

Get on the dirt. So much fun.