Does a Motard belong in "Off road"?

**Coldkiwi** · 3rd May 2005, 18:27

I suspect most motard riders use their bike (be it racing or casual) for on road purposes a majority of the time... but they're definitely partially focussed towards the mucky stuff too.
Why not a new section then?.. call it Rave about Retards

**Jackrat** · 3rd May 2005, 20:02

Originally Posted by Ghost Lemur

My rudimentary understanding of Motard riding style is from the small amount of research I've been doing on them recently. The concensus I've found from overseas sites is that you ride to conditions. Ie, if you're going around a tarmac corner then you knee down, if you're going around a gravel/dirt corner you use your foot.

Anyone else heard this?

Thoughts?

Was reading a Motard site resently were the better/more exspereinced riders were keeping both feet on the pegs 95% of the time.
On tar they were talking about tucking the inside knee hard into the tank,no knee out/down stuff at all.This is basicly how I ride both dirt and road,never been into knee down or leg out on either dirt or road,Just trust the tyres or use the power.
I love drifting a dirt bike with both feet on the pegs,never even considered sticking my foot out.
Different stokes for different folks I guess.

By the end of this year I hope to own a Motard myself.
60/40 road/dirt,It's gonn'a be fun.

**Skunk** · 3rd May 2005, 20:18

I really enjoy riding my KLX on the road. BIG grin factor without getting illegal speeds (much).
Thinking of Motarding it but not for competition (have you seen me ride?).
Next track day I might have it done...

**Motu** · 3rd May 2005, 20:31

I do all sorts,but generaly keep my feet on the pegs - on gravel I get sideways a lot,but keep the bike fairly upright and only foot it if I have to...off road it depends on the corner,but the foot always goes down for a tight pivot turn,on a 2nd or 3rd gear turn I might keep them on the pegs or hover the old foot out there in case of need.On the dirt track I wore a steel shoe and the foot was always out there working hard...a third wheel.Sometimes I keep the bike more upright and lean off the bike into the turn...othertimes I'll push the bike down and keep myself upright...all sorts of stuff,all sorts of reasons to do it....I don't really analyse,just do what needs to be done to make the corner.

So,a hint Jack??

**hXc** · 3rd May 2005, 20:46

I want to convert the shittiest old XR200 into a motard just for fun. I reckon it would be cool just to know you can put the back wheel out and trust it not to slip

Anyone with one around the Hawkes Bay area???

**Jackrat** · 3rd May 2005, 22:00

Originally Posted by Motu

I do all sorts,but generaly keep my feet on the pegs - on gravel I get sideways a lot,but keep the bike fairly upright and only foot it if I have to...off road it depends on the corner,but the foot always goes down for a tight pivot turn,on a 2nd or 3rd gear turn I might keep them on the pegs or hover the old foot out there in case of need.On the dirt track I wore a steel shoe and the foot was always out there working hard...a third wheel.Sometimes I keep the bike more upright and lean off the bike into the turn...othertimes I'll push the bike down and keep myself upright...all sorts of stuff,all sorts of reasons to do it....I don't really analyse,just do what needs to be done to make the corner.

So,a hint Jack??

Nothings cast in stone aye,but putting a foot down for me often means I'm about to hit the deck,a kind of panic reaction.
Never to old to learn I guess.
Do we admit that kind of thing around here ?

**Brian d marge** · 3rd May 2005, 22:49

It is pretty cool to have a 180 corner on a wet mud track with a long straight approach ( MX track ) Flat out on tall ish gearing , hard on the brakes then 2 wheel drift round said corner .......front just on the point of wash,,,apex(ish) 0r as soon as throttle goes on feed power on start rear sliding ,,,,,...

You feel like going round just to do it again .....get it wrong and you fall on your face or arse ...and its mud ..and u have all this protection ...( always carry one) ,,
That much fun MUST be illegal....they will someone in the behive will realise ,,,then make it illegal ...or tax it beyond repair

I bought an 86 cr for next to nothing ,,,then when a 91 engine came up that went in the frame ..now a 91 has come up cheap ,,,with 2000 front end ...

It possibly is the cheapest form of racing ...86 ( vmx ...just)

And with a set of rims and a leather suit u can tard it .......oh joy ...

Yes to aswer the question tards ..belong in there own class ,,they are NOT F3 and need some dirty airtime .....

it would be cool to jump a busa ....a twenty foot table should be no prob ...an knic nac ...or shoulin may be ........

Stephen

**NordieBoy** · 5th May 2005, 09:52

Originally Posted by bugjuice

On the flip side of this then, if Motards can be on-road racers, then does that mean we can stick noblies on a 'busa and go nuts? And everyone would be fine with it?

Cool with me

I'll bring the camera

PS...

**ridespy** · 13th May 2005, 23:12

In the states, were they call it supermoto they have jumps on the track, it looks cool, check out http://www.redbullcopilot.com/

I keep getting tempted to have a go at motrading, might trow some road rubber on my WR and give it a go.

And yes Motard should have it own area.

**FROSTY:Me** · 14th May 2005, 17:05

Im of two minds on motards . The cerebral part says that with ever shrinking feilds in road racing we need any or every chance we can to boost the number of new guys entering racing.
From an emotional point of view they piss me off taking unpredictable lines and putting their feet down round corners.
I think the way PMCC did it it F3 was fantastic-Motards are allowed in F3 no worries but must keep feet on pegs
But that said I will welcolm with open arms any racer that wants to front and race with me regardless of what bike they ride.

**NordieBoy** · 14th May 2005, 17:59

Just watched the 1st round of the S1 and S2 Tards on Prime.
Most keep their feet on the pegs.
The announcer was just translating the Italian commentry and not even watching the race!
I'd rather hear the original commentry for the emotion and just guess the rest.
And the lead-in...
"Supermotard had no spectators/tracks/balls untill Youthstream came along in 2001 and created the World Champs".

The Europeans would have something to say about that...

Fcukin Youthstream money grabbers

Deep breaths, calm, butterflies, puppy dogs, flowers, Guiseppie Loungo being savaged by a rabid pack of Frenchmen...

Ahhh, that's better..

**StoneChucker** · 14th May 2005, 18:14

Crap, I thought I knew exactly what a Motard was. It seems I don't! So, what is a Motard exactly? Is it a street bike with dirt tyres? Or a Vice Versa?

I thought that a dirt bike, with road tyres was a motard.
Either way, I think I want one as the next bike I've been yabbering on about.

**NordieBoy** · 14th May 2005, 18:41

Yes, basically a dirt bike with road wheels.

Purists would clarify that with...
17" spoked wheels (3.5" front and 4.25" or 5" rear)
Larger (320mm or so) front disc.
Cut down front guard.
Anything that the bike dosn't actually need to run gets removed.

And of course a loose nut on the seat...

**GN1NiteStnd** · 29th August 2005, 09:41

Cant say I knew what they were before now either.

All i knew is that you can register a pocket bike as a motard.
-But i wouldnt recomend it.

**NordieBoy** · 29th August 2005, 10:05

Originally Posted by GN1NiteStnd

Cant say I knew what they were before now either.

All i knew is that you can register a pocket bike as a motard.
-But i wouldnt recomend it.

A motard doesn't get registered as a motard it gets registered as a motorbike.

Although....
Send me $20 and I'll set up a register and add your bike to it