How do I turn a XR600 into a SuperMotard?

[Racer X]

eg. What do I need to buy other than tyres? Rims as well?
New swing arm?
I'm getting keen on this supermoto thing

[Motu]

You are supposed to put on 17inch rims,so you can put on good tyres - real motards use race wets so they can gets some tread for the dirt sections.Then you put on a huge front brake.

I'm happy with 21s on the front,I need them for gravel and obviously don't ride hard enough on the seal to need better.But if it was me here are a couple of other ways to go.Put 18in front and rear - then you can run competion trials tyres,these are road legal and have super soft race compound rubber,this is what the NZ flattrackers did,grip on seal is more than you need.You could also go 19in front and rear and use speedway rears,some of these are road legal(well,let's just say they don't have ''not for highway use'' on them)these have less tread block height so squirm less than trials tyres.I have ridden on the road with both these set ups and all I got was a big smile.

[Racer X]

Cool - I can imagine the front brake wouldn't be too hard to find.
But I was more worried that rims of the right width for road tyres
wouldn't fit on the standard forks and swingarm. Would probably get some 17's and then some second hand roadbike tyres.. should have enough grip as the bike is way lighter than a proper roadbike aye

[Motu]

Depends if you're going to seriously race it or just want a play bike.If it's serious you need proper wide rims to suit modern tyres,,you can go in lower classes with narrower rims.If it's a play bike just find a front wheel that goes in - it's a Honda,the world is your's,mix n match.

[Racer X]

I don't actually have the bike yet, I just thought the XR would make a good motard. I won't be racing it per se - except on the road against you
Maybe I'll just use a crowbar if the rims aint fitting LOL

[Jackrat]

Reading kiwi Rider I see heaps of adds for rims of all sizes.
Shouldn't be hard to set her up.Cos' you will have to get used to hanging it out and pulling power stands all the time.

[Racer X]

Hey Thanks, I will have to go get a copy.
As for wheelies and sliding it etc.. I spose I could learn - I mean, if I have to

[XRNR]

Check out if Off Road motorcycles Kumeu still have their XR650 Motard. I must say that I was pretty tempted to buy it for a commuter bike. Looks awsome. (came with spare rims as well)

Don't be too sure that the XR600 is a lot lighter than a Modern road bike. The XR600 is about 145 - 150kg dry, compared to the Yamaha R6, which I think I heard someone saying is around mid 160Kg's.

One rev's to about 6200 the other probably to about 16000rpm. I know which one will have the more power to weight.

One of the Wickid's out their should be able to correct my stat's, but you get the picture.

[Motu]

This is the one I want,serious stuff.

[XRNR]

This is the one I want,serious stuff.

Bloody Hell !
Doesn't even have a frame.

[Racer X]

Serious all right!!
Probably does powerstands in 6th LOL

[moko]

SMs are really popular here right now.What you do depends very much on your wallet but the basics are,smaller road wheels,ditch the rear mudguard and chop back the front,you`ll need to sort your speedo as different diameter wheel will make it read wrong,slap on a louder pipe and that`s the absolute basics.XR`s make good budget SMs.If you`re rich and keen then you can go the whole hog and fit race parts.Most common way to change the wheels here is to simply get new rims and spokes laced up to your existing hubs,Talon and Excel make specialist rims and CCM and even Yamaha I believe use them on their production bikes.Best bit about SM`s is that you dont have to spend a fortune to get something that looks neat and different.Here`s a SM link page that you should be able to find just about any info on SMs through.

http://www.veggie-dave.co.uk/supermotard/links.html

Take a look at the CCM site and you`ll see Britain`s finest,very popular machines and the company is growing really quickly.