Super Motards

**DEATH_INC.** · 20th March 2005, 07:33

All I can say on the subject is :spudwave: licence if you ride in the city much.....that's why I don't own one....

**Jackrat** · 20th March 2005, 08:02

Originally Posted by moko

Dont you get these in N.Z? XTX660 Yamaha,this one`s modded,standard ones have black wire wheels with Excel rims.Not a balls-out Motard but wont require the same input as a converted Enduro bike either,highly rated by the mags

This is Honda`s answer,due out very soon in Britain and more of a budget option than the Yam .Suzuki also have an S/M version of the DR400 out about the same time.There`s also S/M options on Yamaha`s very popular DT125R (great fun machine) and DT50.

The XTX is available here but the low pipes were bagged out a bit in the one Mag articule I've read on them.
Other than that they got a very good write up.
Hav'nt seen any on the road but.

**2_SL0** · 20th March 2005, 17:26

Im actually going to look closely at the Yamaha XTX660 when i upgrade, but that wont be for a yr. Bascially it will come down to either moving to a R6 or XTX660. My riding style will be suited to the XTX 660, but I love R6's. Im going to have to take both for a good ride and see what I like the most. The Two Wheels Aus mag has a review of the XtX660.

**Coyote** · 20th March 2005, 18:59

I love supermotard, and I wanna try supermoto. Get involved with the Bucket racers as they have a motard class. I got into junior motard last year with the KX80 and only half a years experience of riding bikes. Even though I've out grown the 80, I still wanna ride it this year, it was great fun. You can lean a bit further than normal road bikes

I now leave you with some pics

Not sure if I should trade in the CBR for a motard, leave it for now

**bugjuice** · 20th March 2005, 20:22

so Swanny, off the idea of a hog then? some of those cruisers you were looking at were nice, but i wondered how long it'd be before that'd go and you moved on..!!

These look like fun tho! Wheelie city for one..
Can you throw off-road tyres on these and hit the dirt too? Or is there something that has made them 'road-only' bikes?

**Wolf** · 21st March 2005, 10:57

Looks like shit-loads of fun!

NordieBoy - Great lookin' bike, dude.

Reading all this got me all misty-eyed about my old TS125 Road/Trail (not quite the same league as these full-on 'tards, but great fun) - I've been reading the posts and wondering what sort of fun I would've had if I'd put road tyres on the bitch instead of the semi-knobblys.

I used to ride the TS everywhere - commute to work within Hamilton, ride to Tokoroa from Hamilton 2-up, muck about off-road. Found it was a great commuter - quick, responsive and just the ticket for pulling evasive manoeuvres when cagers did stupid things. Bit of a bone shaker on long full-on journeys - just like every other single banger I've ever ridden, LS400 included. The semi-knobbly tyres made for some arse-clenching moments in wet weather and I had a few near misses, but proper road tyres would have corrected that.

I reckon a Motard would be great fun - and yes, we do want pics and anecdotes.

I want one for myself, now.

**inlinefour** · 21st March 2005, 11:53

I'd have a go at it if I had the money...

**Motu** · 21st March 2005, 12:46

As someone who's been riding dirt bikes on the road for nearly 35 yrs....motards are not before time I reckon.The XR650 is kick only alright,sales would double if it had an electric leg.

A real motard will have shorter travel harder suspn,no huge bumps to absorb....but for backroad NZ use I reckon standard dirt suspn firmed up would be better than road race setups...those humps and bumps slips road works and road kill wouldn't be any concern at all then.I like my 21in front wheels - you ride these things through the rear wheel,unsettled or brake slide into the corner and then on the gas ASAP...so long as that rear wheel is fighting for traction,the front won't be,the motard guys on street circuits have a hard time getting enough heat into the front tyre.I usualy run full knobs on the front with no worries,but some of the dual purpose tyres have impressive grip.

**Coldkiwi** · 21st March 2005, 12:56

mmm Motards. I'll almost certainly be going down that route once I find one for the right price... but therein lies the problem- theres a very small market for them in this country.

That XTX just looks to fat and heavy for a motard. Compared to the Euro 400 and 600's from husky/husaberg and KTM it looks like a rhino. and speaking of ugly- although its nice to see Honda and suzuki bringing out motards, boy do they look RANK! The DRZ400 motard coming out this year from suzuki look like a bleeding farm bike, not a street weapon. I think i'll be sticking with the europeans.

**Fryin Finn** · 21st March 2005, 14:42

I had an XR 650 (00 model) for a coupla years. Didn't spend much time on the road but it was a real hoot when I did. But. The seat was an arse killer and had real weak brakes. It is kick only but not a bad starter none the less.

**Motoracer** · 21st March 2005, 15:16

Originally Posted by Motu

As someone who's been riding dirt bikes on the road for nearly 35 yrs....motards are not before time I reckon.The XR650 is kick only alright,sales would double if it had an electric leg.

A real motard will have shorter travel harder suspn,no huge bumps to absorb....but for backroad NZ use I reckon standard dirt suspn firmed up would be better than road race setups...those humps and bumps slips road works and road kill wouldn't be any concern at all then.I like my 21in front wheels - you ride these things through the rear wheel,unsettled or brake slide into the corner and then on the gas ASAP...so long as that rear wheel is fighting for traction,the front won't be,the motard guys on street circuits have a hard time getting enough heat into the front tyre.I usualy run full knobs on the front with no worries,but some of the dual purpose tyres have impressive grip.

I fully agree and can relate.

Every time I had to get ready to go, kick starting a big 600 is not the easiest thing, specially when it's hot.

I don't know what it's like riding with the smaller front wheel with road racing tires but I love riding the standard XR600 with the knobblies on the road. Just like you said, it is fine just as long as you "gas it" through the corner. It is fucken fun!!!

Swanman, I'd say go for it. I would if I was you!

**betti** · 21st March 2005, 18:45

surely the whole kick startin thing is part of the experience aint it?
My Dr 600 was a proper monster to start, but the ktm duke with high comp. piston is worse!.There is something hugely satisfying about gettin the knack right without it tryin to break your ankle

becomes a bit of a ball-ache if ya stall it at lights tho

I love big singles(and silly jap fours too)

**NordieBoy** · 21st March 2005, 19:01

I've never had kick back from the Nordie (even started it barefoot) and if it's a bad day it takes 2 kicks hot or cold.

**sAsLEX** · 21st March 2005, 19:22

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

I've never had kick back from the Nordie (even started it barefoot) and if it's a bad day it takes 2 kicks hot or cold.

ask enigma how he broke both his feet!!! wasn't a nordie but some thumper

**2_SL0** · 21st March 2005, 19:36

Originally Posted by betti

surely the whole kick startin thing is part of the experience aint it?
My Dr 600 was a proper monster to start, but the ktm duke with high comp. piston is worse!.There is something hugely satisfying about gettin the knack right without it tryin to break your ankle

becomes a bit of a ball-ache if ya stall it at lights tho

I love big singles(and silly jap fours too)

Lets just say the fun of kick starting doesnt last long. (been there done that on many a DR.)