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

[bosslady]

There's this cute thing called private messaging, if you want to have a one to one discussion...

dont think its a rule though, aye.

[GrayWolf]

trying to find a motard/dual purpose etc. bike on trademe under 5k but dont know what im looking at? finding it hard to find anything thats road registered and lots of the ads waffle on about how many hours its done and shit. Just want something maybe cheap, reliable, fun and semi aesthetically appealing?

problem with a Motard could be 'seat height' for you....
But older bikes that would be LAM's compliant, and really all you'd need to do is put road tyres on them,,

XT600
XT660 (air coolled)
XT660 tenere' (water cooled)
DR650
Freewind---- DR650 (BMW GS650 look alike)
XL650
XR650
KR650
KR500/400
400/600/650/700 transalp
and the list goes on...... and the list goes onnnnnnnnnn

The Various 400's already mentioned here.

[arcane12]

My motard is awesomeness. Best learners bike ever, even though I can reach the ground only one foot at a time. Not just IMHO but in everyones opinion (if you object then your opinion doesn't matter).

260km range on my 2 tanks. Easier to lanesplit on it than anything else. Bumps in the road are no worries, speedbumps become jumps, gravel makes you smile, corners make me orgasm. I've dropped it a few times and the worst damage is a bent handlebar and indicator snapped. The engine is easy to access without needing to remove fairings. I've done 13,000km in just over a year on it, touring and short thrashes. Couple of oil and filter changes, air filter changes and one valve clearance check. Engine goes fine, cruises at 100km/h easily, overtakes a bit slow but so do most little bikes. U-turns are easy. When I'm moving the bike around it's light enough to swivel on the stand.

The only thing that makes me want to move on is a lust for power. And luggage room.

I thought all you needed was a tarp, and you were good to go?

[Mushu]

problem with a Motard could be 'seat height' for you....
But older bikes that would be LAM's compliant, and really all you'd need to do is put road tyres on them

If seat height is your problem, the DR650 has adjustable suspension, you just move a pin in the rear suspension and slip the clamps down on the forks, I'm about 5'10 and I can flat foot my DR.

Sent from my XT535 using Tapatalk 2

[GrayWolf]

If seat height is your problem, the DR650 has adjustable suspension, you just move a pin in the rear suspension and slip the clamps down on the forks, I'm about 5'10 and I can flat foot my DR.

Sent from my XT535 using Tapatalk 2

Think Bosslady is a 'wee bit' shorter than 5ft 10......

[bosslady]

Think Bosslady is a 'wee bit' shorter than 5ft 10......

Not by much, im 5ft 8 not that you can tell in my avatar of course

[haydes55]

Think Bosslady is a 'wee bit' shorter than 5ft 10......

She isn't a short girl though. I'm 5'9 I think, my bike is standard height and I can tiptoe on both feet or flat foot one side. I always just put one foot down. No issue. Never dropped it from being short or not having a place to put my foot.

[Mushu]

Think Bosslady is a 'wee bit' shorter than 5ft 10......

Still, it's far better than any of the trail bikes I've ridden - I usually have to slide my ass off the seat to one side to get a foot on the ground and I'm a little under 5'10 (177cm, had to measure myself for my passport the other day)

Sent from my XT535 using Tapatalk 2

[GrayWolf]

Not by much, im 5ft 8 not that you can tell in my avatar of course

Then the DR650 may well be a good prospect? I owned an original? Tenere' XTZ660 (the 1990's one with the dual headlights) and I am 5' 10.5" and that was just OK for me. Had the seat been wide? I would have been tippy toeing. I cant remember the XTZ suspension being adjustable.
I know they are not in great numbers, but I think the (DR650 Freewind) is a little lower than the normal DR.

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bi...nd-1997--2002/

[Kiwi Graham:Me]

Not by much, im 5ft 8 not that you can tell in my avatar of course

You look like you have put on a kilo or two since the last time I saw you mate

[bosslady]

You look like you have put on a kilo or two since the last time I saw you mate

Sigh... sad but true Graham, sad but true. Too many burgers.

[butcherboy]

i have a dr650 that i converted to motard getting rims is a hassell , but looks cool i ride it all over the country rode from wairoa to auckland and back a couple of weekends ago only trouble i have found is the bigger bike leave you behind on the straights

[leathel]

i have a dr650 that i converted to motard getting rims is a hassell , but looks cool i ride it all over the country rode from wairoa to auckland and back a couple of weekends ago only trouble i have found is the bigger bike leave you behind on the straights

One of the great things about motards.... is when you speed you have to hold on....so you know just how fast you are going...less likely to loose yah license

That also why I have a cruiser, I wouldn't have a license for very long on a fast sport bike...

[bosslady]

So lots of these tards aren't registered or warranted or have any mods to make them suitable for road use. What does one need to do to make it suitable? what are the costs associated approx?

[pete-blen]

So lots of these tards aren't registered or warranted or have any mods to make them suitable for road use. What does one need to do to make it suitable? what are the costs associated approx?

Apart from the XTX which has a diffrent front end / brake / radiator shrouds to the XTR or Tenere