Why don't many people ride motards on the road?

[testastretta]

I have an XT660X. One of the main complaints about them is surging at low speeds but I havent had any issues with mine. I have done 36000km on it and it has been completely reliable.
If the seat height isnt an issue for you I think it would be well worth considering for your next bike.
They are rather tame but can still be quite a fun bike to ride in the twisties.
Loads of info at xt660.com

[pete-blen]

Hey they look nice, you sure they're lams?

near the bottom... XT660 covers the R&X and the XT660Z Tenere
http://www.google.co.nz/url?q=http:/...04lOMA9eA6xPmA

[Ocean1]

I was thinking something maybe where I sit more upright? hmmmm....??

Well, yeah, the monsters aren't as sit-up as a dirt bike, nowhere near sportsbike crouch though.

And both the dukes and that Bros are typical naked ergonomics.

Thing is, you don't really want to be all that upright at motorway/touring speeds, the drag on your arms from the wind pressure is a pain. The best hand position sees you neither holding your upper body weight on your arms/wrists as you tend to on sprotsbikes or holding on to stop being blown off the back, as tends to happen on full upright position bikes like motards. You can roll handlebars fwd or back to fine-tune it, and I've been known to tweak them fwd a tad for a long trip, but the basic ergonomics need to suit your end-use.

And as the man said, both motards and the dirt bikes they're based on are bloody tall, to get clearance for the 300mm or so suspension travel. Which is why I was suggesting the more sporty nakeds, a lot of them are just as much fun, better ergos, fewer compromises for a wider range of uses.

But if you want a motard there's certainly plenty on TM to choose from, just stay away from the typical 450 single MX based high-strung examples.

[Gianz]

So say a dzr400, ktm duke 390 etc still fit into the not lasting long brigade?

the drz400sm will last long. very long. you can cruise 100kph all day. great fun too.

[leathel]

My brother has the solely dirt version of the DRZ400 and I am sure I can tee up a ride on that if you want to see what they go like, My Xr can be used as well, he is also a bike salesmen so should have the road version to do a test run on.... He had the 600ish version in the other day when I was in....was tempted to try that

I know where there in an XR Motard for sale but not sure if its the 600 or 650..... XR 650 is not on the list from memory

Yes the dirt high revving versions that get done for Motards often are the type that require valves, pistons and barrels changed far to often for a road bike, But some old school dirt bikes and Road versions of the dirt bikes are fine

[SVboy]

Dont discount the mighty DRZ400sm! Lams approved in standard form. Easy to improve with a few easy mods after full licence gained. Fine at 110kms.
Not too high.Totally reliable and easy to service.....and mega fun. If you arnt having fun on one of these, you arnt trying, or you are dead already!!

[Devil]

You could wait till you've got your full and get a KTM 690SM. Cheap to pick up now (interesting looks) but they're a great bike. Will spank the DRZ's/XT660's power wise, and suspension wise, and brake wise, yet still reliable.

I'll be getting the motard wheel kit for my 690 enduro R soon. Motards are hilarious fun.

[strandedinnz]

DR-Z400SMs are great machines for traffic, you sit nice and high up for good visibility over the top of cars, really good maneuverability, I'm 5'10" and can sit on the bike with my feet flat on the ground, filtering through traffic is a doddle and they have plenty of low end go, for long distance mile munching the default gearing and sprockets are not the best though but you can easily go up and down in the 100-120 range

Added bonuses :

1) Cheapish to buy
2) LAMS approved
3) Cheap parts if you come off
4) Cheap servicing
5) Cheapish to feed, I get about 180km for 8 litres of fuel (it's a 10 litre tank with 2 of that being reserve .. not that big)
6) Stacks and stacks of aftermarket parts, from blingy bits to performance parts.
7) You can make them really REALLY noisy so everyone knows to get out of your way and make space :-)

[bosslady]

Gee the DZR400sm is sounding good.

[Devil]

It is the "cheap and cheerful" of motards.
Plenty about because they dumped a whole lot on the market a few years back at a ridiculous price.
Has a little less power than the DRZ400E model, but can be tuned. Expect a significant increase in fuel consumption though if you want to do muffler, poke holes in the airbox and re-jet.

[Tigadee]

I always had a soft spot for these: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-585525326.htm

Very good quality build, lovely handling, easy to live with and nice to look at. That one's done bugger all work too...

+1 on these....

[Jjgres]

I've been motarding lately. '08 Husqvarna SMR510. Cons: tall, uncomfortable, small gas tank, high maintenance.

Pros: Twist the throttle front wheel claws for the sky. Front brake fit for the gods. Every ride leaves you trembling, heart pounding, wondering how you survived.

[-df-]

Don't forget the DR650SE (LAMS approved).

Those will last forever (mines got 89k on it) and have lots of torque.

[strandedinnz]

I've been motarding lately. '08 Husqvarna SMR510. Cons: tall, uncomfortable, small gas tank, high maintenance.

Pros: Twist the throttle front wheel claws for the sky. Front brake fit for the gods. Every ride leaves you trembling, heart pounding, wondering how you survived.

Maybe not the best advert to a rider still on a GN250 ?

[Maha]

You could wait till you've got your full and get a KTM 690SM. Cheap to pick up now (interesting looks) but they're a great bike. Will spank the DRZ's/XT660's power wise, and suspension wise, and brake wise, yet still reliable.

I'll be getting the motard wheel kit for my 690 enduro R soon. Motards are hilarious fun.

That 690 Duke (not so much the Sm cos I am all about asthetics ) would definately be the right choice. http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-584493709.htm