Supermoto...madness?

[slowpoke]

Lately I've been thinking about getting a chook chaser, to have a bit of fun around a few acres of mainly grassy paddocks that the bank has very kindly agreed to let us buy....in exchange for our first born child. Can't be fairer than that, eh?
Anyway, the bike would also be used on road while I'm in the process of getting the ol' R1 either into or out of track-mode (replace fairings, wheels, exhaust etc) and to let my missus get her biking mojo back, offroad, (she used to ride the R1...in fact it's her bike) without worrying about something expensive going rubber side up.
Once she's comfortable again the bike would hopefully be used for the odd squirt down the road as we choof off for an afternoon. You know, ride there - beer and bullshit - ride home again, type stuff.
So I'm thinkin' of a supermoto. After riding the R1 it would have to have a bit of stomp (although I'm no expert, that's for bloody sure!) and to cope with open road riding and still be fun I'm thinking of big bore stuff: 450cc minimum.
Anyway, waddayarekun peoples...reasonable plan or just plain stoopid?

[Badcat]

test ride a suzuki DRZ400sm - and you'll know if it's for you or not.
or if you don't have $10-11k for a new one, buy an XR650, DR650, TTR600 etc etc and change the rims etc as time and budget allow.
i've owned plenty of litre bikes, but have most fun on my 500 single.
Ken

[spudchucka]

The XR650 I have just purchased is a real grunter. After my last two bikes, (VTR1000 & TL1000S) I don't find the power lacking in any way, in fact I'd almost suggest that the acceleration is quicker than either of those two bikes and it'll pull away hard in any gear. Must be the power to weight ratio I guess? Obviously it would be very different to a 1000cc 4 cylinder but after having two litre v twins I'm really satisfied with the power output and I can't wait to get it motarded.

[cowpoos]

I'll come help ya test ride them lad!!!! please please please please

[NordieBoy]

Even if it's a Honda?

[cowpoos]

Even if it's a Honda?

errr.......he ain't stupid enuff to buy a honda....he's a member of the wairarapa hardcore....even if his misses does put pretty ribbons on peoples bikes!!! [he he....she'll keep]

[Motoracer]

The XR650 I have just purchased is a real grunter. After my last two bikes, (VTR1000 & TL1000S) I don't find the power lacking in any way, in fact I'd almost suggest that the acceleration is quicker than either of those two bikes and it'll pull away hard in any gear. Must be the power to weight ratio I guess? Obviously it would be very different to a 1000cc 4 cylinder but after having two litre v twins I'm really satisfied with the power output and I can't wait to get it motarded.

Yea, my choice would be the all mighty big bore XR as well. With stock gearing it used to be good for just over 150kmph. For dirt bikes, it's still a bit of a beast on the slippery stuff but they are great for the sealed roads as a reliable motard. I know CRF450s would be much better for both wolrds but the XR would be less costly.

[clint640]

Unless you're missus is a real tall sheila, most of the big bore stuff will be seriously high in the seat for an off road noob, although with SM wheels & a bit of lowering you'd be sweet on the road.
For reliable stomp the XR650R, KTM LC4 & TTR600 are the best bet but only the LC4 (& the very latest TTR) have e start.

Cheers
Clint

[sAsLEX]

Yea, my choice would be the all mighty big bore XR as well. With stock gearing it used to be good for just over 150kmph. For dirt bikes, it's still a bit of a beast on the slippery stuff but they are great for the sealed roads as a reliable motard. I know CRF450s would be much better for both wolrds but the XR would be less costly.

And who needs these Motard mods I mean I can remember you going around the outside of everyone near 22 that day you were on your brothers, on the knobblies and the crap brakes.

[Motu]

The dirt kit has never bothered me,I've been doing it long enough it's familiar territory.I've never been a last of the late brakers so smaller brakes is not an issue...same as the 21in front wheel,they are no problem at the lower speeds I ride at,and at higher speeds they add stability.

Tyres are the issue,and you forever look for the perfect tyre...the eternal quest.Some of the adventure tyres are very good on seal,and you'll be hard pressed to stress them out.Knobs are more dependent on compound,a soft compound knob grips really well,a hard compoud is very skittery.The bike comes into it too - Kenda K760's on my XT400 were reasonable,although knife edge on big lean angles...but on the lighter and more powerful DT230 they have much less grip on all surfaces,no chicken strips on my knobs,but it's a bit scary on the edge and you have to be gentle with inputs.I like to ride like that,but some people would be horrified....

[loosebruce]

you going around the outside of everyone near 22

Everyone?

I think as cool as the the DRZ400SM is i think you'll find it well lacking in the power game, good fun on small twisty shit, but open road, nah, XR650 would be the go, quite a bit more poke than the XR600, water cooled etc etc, unless you got some coin to shell out on an Aprillia, Husaberg and the likes, then go for one of them.

[Badcat]

the 550 supermoto
http://www.2wf.com/articles/bike_tes...E10303C087.asp
i think this may be my next bike.
the husabergs are too much maintenance for a road bike - just like the CRF450 - that supermoto Aprilia looks the cat's pyjamas.

K

[slowpoke]

Thanks guys. I've done some more research now, with a bit of input from my retail therapist: Trademe.
Looking at what was available (within my budget) I checked out the spec's on a 1999 Kawasaki KLX650 and a 2004 KTM525SX, both setup as Supermoto's. I know the age and cost difference isn't really fair but the spec's are still interesting: KTM was 20kg's lighter (107 vs 127kg), 17hp more (65 vs 48hp)and same torque (55Nm). The KTM being a more serious conversion was also 50mm shorter in the seat height.
"Why don't you bloody buy it?" I hear you ask. Well, I've been emailing the guy over the weekend and I was literally about to climb in the car to do the deal when he advised that it had just sold this morning at a bikeshop where he had it "on behalf". FAAAARK....tanty time....thrown all my toys outta the toybox and I'm sookin' big time!!
Even a later model XR/DR/TT is going to be reasonably similar to the KLX so a late-ish model KTM, Husaberg, Husqvarna it is then. For the sake of my sanity those luvverly new Aprilia twin thingy's haven't even been invented yet, OK?
We DEFINITELY can't afford new (our first born child has aready been sold , remember?), so I'm thinkin' a used dedicated Supermoto or serious conversion with lowered suspension will be the preferred choice due to the lower seat height, better braking capabilities, etc.
Any body just happen to have one lyin' around? Yeah, I know, I don't half make it hard for myself.....

[slowpoke]

the 550 supermoto
http://www.2wf.com/articles/bike_tes...E10303C087.asp
i think this may be my next bike.
the husabergs are too much maintenance for a road bike - just like the CRF450 - that supermoto Aprilia looks the cat's pyjamas.

K

Thanks for the Husaberg/CRF input, that narrows my search down a bit....I'm not sure if that makes the choice easier or harder.....
Please, please, fuggin' PLEASE don't talk about those bloody Aprilia's!

[clint640]

the 550 supermoto
http://www.2wf.com/articles/bike_tes...E10303C087.asp
i think this may be my next bike.
the husabergs are too much maintenance for a road bike - just like the CRF450 - that supermoto Aprilia looks the cat's pyjamas.

K

Initial indications are that the reliability is about the same as 2 CRF450s bolted together. Horn bike tho.

Slowpoke: there's an 03 KTM 640SM in the latest bikemart for $8k something which is a pretty good price.

Cheers
Clint