Super Motards

[swanman]

OK I am shortly going to be selling the R1 and after a lot of deliberation I think I have settled on a Super Motard as the way to go for the next bike.

Does anyone own one of these as a daily bike, or have special inside knowledge about the ones to go for or not? Budget is max $7000. I quite like the look of motard xr650's. ANy advice welcome.

I attach a picture of one I have just seen in trademe. Any comments?

[k14]

All I can say is wheelies.

Go for it man, i would love to have one.

[Ghost Lemur]

Yeah that one on TradeMe looks pretty damn sweet.

If you go for it, we're going to expect a full write up with pics.

EDIT: Oh and send a pm to Andy, he was building himself a Motard last I heard. So should have some good advice (not to mention the inside scoop on what's coming out of Japan).

[Mr Skid]

So did my blathering about motards at Paeroa swing ya?

My research into motards has turned up a few things to consider:

Fuel capacity - some of the factory motards have very small tanks compared to a road bike. I think Husqvarna motards have some of the smallest, and I think the KTM LC4 640 SM has one of the largest.

Power - You'll get more out of a water cooled mill than a air cooled one. Most/all factory 'tards are water cooled and the XR650R is as well. Current specs on it put it at 60hp peak, which is similar to a 400cc multi.

Servicing - I understand 'tards with MX derived engines, such as a Gas Gas 400 would need more regular servicing, and rebuilds etc, as they are more stressed than a trail derived engine, such as the KTM motard, or the XR650.

Crashability - motards often crash better than sports bikes, as they have less plastic to root. Usual precautions are the fitting of axle sliders (and it looks like the one on trademe has then) and hand guards to protect levers, handlebars and hands. Also you can buy radiator braces for some bikes to stop the radiator being bent in a fall.

Lights - Single headlight, with a small reflector, compared to what the R1 has. I can't comment about how good they are, but I wouldn't probably want to do much open road riding at night with one, but then again, it may be adequate.

The XR you're looking at seems like a good bike, though the things I'd consider are how stressed the engine is with a high compression piston, and whether they've done any work on the suspension. If not, it might be a wee bit too soft for the road. Most motard conversions involve fitting stiffer fork springs, and revalving.

Have you been over the thumpertalk.com? There's some good info on there about motard conversions.

[swanman]

Paparazzi for a man who has only been riding for a short time you are the font of all knowledge.

Yes I think it was our talk at Paeroa that swung it in the end. I am just looking for more sensible speed, more practicality, and more fun, oh and a lot cheaper. Something I can commute on, wheelie on and just live with without breaking the bank.

I'll check your link out. Cheers

[Sensei]

Back in 1990 broughta new TT600 & road kitted it . Pepole thought I was Mad {which I am but thats another story } Put a 680 kit into it Flatside carbs & cam was around 70hp . XT600 gearing modified airbox lowed suspension .Was good for just over 200k. But got there quick & was Mint through the twisty's . Have fun I did !
SENSEI

[betti]

just bought meself this 97 ktm duke, rode it back from christchurch to Palmerston last week, and grinned like a maniac all the way back!!.
It has a tank range of about 80km maybe a little more, wheelies like an insane creature, handles like a sportsbike and is bloody fantastic.
It has had a high compression piston, race carb and race exhaust fitted, and is a bit of a pain in the ass round town, but as soon as you find a twisty bit the grin returns!.
I reckon tards are a sensible way of enjoyin the great roads in Nz without losin your license for insanely ridiculous speeds, you dont want to be tourin on em tho

[Mr Skid]

just bought meself this 97 ktm duke, rode it back from christchurch to Palmerston last week, and grinned like a maniac all the way back!!.
It has a tank range of about 80km maybe a little more, wheelies like an insane creature, handles like a sportsbike and is bloody fantastic.
It has had a high compression piston, race carb and race exhaust fitted, and is a bit of a pain in the ass round town, but as soon as you find a twisty bit the grin returns!.
I reckon tards are a sensible way of enjoyin the great roads in Nz without losin your license for insanely ridiculous speeds, you dont want to be tourin on em tho

A pain in the arse around town? I'm interested to know why you found that.

All the feedback I've had are that they are well suited to commuting. I would imagine the relatively low weight, seating position, narrowness and torque would be very useful.

Was it a bit too high geared for around town? Or did the racey bits make it a bit of a liability for trying to potter on?

I'd be keen to hear more about you're experiences commuting ( as well as everywhere else)

[Jackrat]

KTM or Husaburg,
Anything else is just pretending.

[betti]

the race bits just make the engine a little too lumpy for pottering about
town,as far as other riding experiences go, I've not had too much time to take it out too far, but on any roads that arent super straight it is the most fun I've had on two wheels bar none!.
I used to have a dr600 , but the suspension and ride on the ktm are in a different league, I reckon you could happily do some light offroad stuff with it, if you chucked on a set of offroad wheels.
The suspension isnt as offroad dedicated as the lc4, but is still fairly long travel so effectively two bikes for the price of one!.
Apparently there is an 18litre tank available for the duke as an aftermarket extra , which would make the trips between well-spaced gas stations a little less worrying, but that much gas would effect the handling I reckon.
So no real gripes really apart from the sidestand is placed so far under the bike that Ive taken to leaning it against walls as well as putting the stand down to stop the bugger falling over!.
You only have to check out the component list to see these things are well put together, WP front and rear fully adjustable suspension, brembo brakes front and rear,magura bars.
All top end stuff, the snag is there doesnt seem to be that many of them in Nz, there are a lot of LC-4'S around which are more enduro based, but any of the ktm 4 stroke bikes would make a fairly killer moto.
On the whole, if ya buy one, you'll wonder why you bought it on long straight runs, but get a little off the beaten track and you will love it.
Hope this helps

[Sensei]

KTM or Husaburg,
Anything else is just pretending.

Have you own one or both of these ? There are some excellent Motard's whick aren't these brand's > Put together a 1980 TT500 into a Motard back in 81 was & would be still an excellent bike for road use maybe not to the spec of the new stuff back pretty kool all depend's if you are going to use it for racing. Abit of waste of money to just Putt round town on a race bike .
SENSEI

[NordieBoy]

The XR650 has all the aftermarket tanks etc available.
About the only downside is it's a kicker only.

Commuting in general on a tard is no problem (and a lot of fun).
Long distance is a bit more problematic (hard seats/vibration/tank size).

Go for it.

That XR on TradeMe has got USD's which put more stress through the steering head so that would be something to check regularly but nice bike.

And I say again - Go for it

I'm off down to Wipara from Nelson on mine over Easter so I'll be able to tell you more about the long distance bit then

[andy1]

Hi,
I have a CRF450 supermotard which i raced last year in Japan, awesome fun...
All u need is a bigger fuel tank on em for tha road...

Peace.

[Mr Skid]

The XR650 has all the aftermarket tanks etc available.
About the only downside is it's a kicker only.

I know the XR600 is kick start only, but I understood the XR650 was electric start.. Where's Motu when you need him??

[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.