What to start looking for???

[purdyboy]

Gday all,
Some familiar names on here (nmilne et al), great site, love the look of supermotos and may end up with one soon.
I'll try to keep this short...
I'll be heading back to uni next year as mature student (immature really) so I can't afford to run my better-than-new 954. I'll still need a commuter and thought that a 400-ish SuperMoto would fit the bill, be cheaper to run and i'll be left with a fair bit of change from the 954 if I go about it wisely. This bike will also allow a fun lap up the old road (Sydney) with the sportbike mates from time to time to compensate the loss of the Blade and fullfil the need for bike excitement.
As a lightweight/short bloke (balls of feet just touch road on the 954) I want a light-ish bike but budget prolly won't stretch to latest models, so i'll be looking around 1999-2002.
What are your suggestions for a bike (no brand allegiance here, just want whats suitable)?
What seat height do you get down to once converted to Supermoto?
What security do you add to enduro bikes so it can be parked (apart form a big chain etc)?
How fast can average 400 SM comfortably sit at on hwy?
Will I get out of this for less than 7-8 grand or am I dreaming?

Thanks for the help

Take care out there
Purdy

[Flash]

Motard ready for 8k - yes dreaming.
You could get a motocross bike and convert it but you wouldn't have rego :(
If you get a second hand trail bike with enough spare cash to buy wheels the bike you get will be pretty badly flogged and will (may) need work.
See how you go. I would go with a drz and convet it or a Husky 610 ready to roll with a 2 year warranty :D (no frequent oil changes required on this puppy unlike the 450 :shock: )

[Wobbly]

Hey mate ... keep your eyes peeled on the traders ... there was a DRZ that came up with the mootang gear for 7500 a while back ... but it went pretty quickly.

I'd say a DRZ is really probably on the money ... you can get one for around 6k second hand, which is still a bit when you consider that you can buy them brand new for 8.5 on the road, but you will also get some extra gear on it no doubt plus its a bit of a testement to their reliability.

Budget around $1700-3000 for the mootang stuff on top of the purchase depending on what you get. If you dont mind re-lacing your original hubs then you can get out of it relatively cheap (around the $1700 mark including tyres and braking), especially if you talk to muzz about rims :up: If you want some separate wheels then you'll be closer to 3 grand. You can always unlace your original wheels, find some wrecked hubs and re-lace the big wheels to them later anyway.

You can go for a cheaper option trail bike, but you'll get less performance ie. XR400/600, TT600 etc. They're also bigger physically. No matter which motard you go for you might find the height a bit to get used to, but honestly I've seen some fairly short people ride them and its just another technique to master. And it certainly doesn't slow them down any...

[dicky]

don't worry about having ducks disease, i'm only 5'3" and can almost touch the ground when my ktm comes to a halt (ok, i'm dreaming, but i haven't dropped it yet).
you see factory sm's for sale 2nd hand for <10K, sometimes considerably less.
i've seen an '01 ktm 640 sm for about 7k in the trading post.
as long as it hasn't been completely shagged or looks like mine, they are pretty bullet proof.

dicky.

[purdyboy]

With the DRZ400 Motards (factory I presume) are these also suitable for use as a trailie (eg with dirtbike wheels) or do they have different suspension internals etc? I've found a well priced 2003 DRZ400 motard but it doesn't come with the offroad gear so I assume Suzuki make 'em like that???

Sorry for dumb questions, all new to me.

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.

Take care out there
Purdy

[QDogg]

Whatever you decide, make sure it's got plenty of HP!
I can relate exactly, as I sold my 954 to buy a motard. (Bought a KTM 450).

But bear in mind, you don't need 150+hp to have fun and keep up with your mates, actually, you'll love showing them up at every opportunity you get.

;)

I'm kickin myself for not buying a husaberg 650.

:roll:

[Flash]

With the DRZ400 Motards (factory I presume) are these also suitable for use as a trailie (eg with dirtbike wheels) or do they have different suspension internals etc? I've found a well priced 2003 DRZ400 motard but it doesn't come with the offroad gear so I assume Suzuki make 'em like that???

Sorry for dumb questions, all new to me.

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.

Take care out there
Purdy

Suzuki only just releasd a drz super motard so your 03 model must have been converted. You could always get a new one and put oem tyre on it, you'd have 12 month warranty on it that way. If you try they can be had for under9k on the road.

[Wobbly]

No factory DRZ motard in 03, he's either just converted over his original wheels or has sold the dirt bike ones. There is a DRZ-SM being imported next year apparently, but its the soft cock international 'S' version with mild cams and low compression :down:

[Muzzard]

Mate in the current Bike Trader there is a sweet XR650R for $6900 set up with what look like CBR mags...
Also a Kawasaki KLX650 set up as a motard in Geelong here in Victoria even cheaper...
A KTM 640 LC4 2003 with an Akrapovis Ti pipe cheap too...
Dont be discouraged as there are more bikes being realised into the market as folks upgrade onto newer bikes and more factory ones are coming up in the trader magazines these days...

[robfahl]

Mate, I got a -93 KLX650 already "motarded" for $3500. It's in very good nick and hasn't got many k's on it. 17" Moran wheels, suspension work, front brake and so on. It wouldn't compare to a factory built motard but it goes.... Perfect for me as I just started riding. Might not be the best bike for the P's test but anyhow. :lol:
And the pure bread racers like Husa 650 need to much maintenece. Oil and filter change every 3-5 hours or so. And you can't do too long wheelies or heaps of them in a row, because of the oil supply. And they don't like the same revs for a long time, so they aren't really made for commuting. But it's probably the best motard out there for racing.

[Muzzard]

Good score there with a KLX set up for $3500... ;)

[Flash]

Any motard is a good motard!!

You coming Monday?

[dicky]

unless it's a honda.

[jakestein]

unless it's a honda.
Or a Two Stroke :finga:

[danno]

I got one of the first '04 Berg 650s in the country and have commuted for the last 18 months. Oil changes every 10 hours, which is about 750km on average. Like most dedicated supermoto's it is a hard seat for hours of riding, but if you are dicing and having fun, you won't notice it. Don't know if robfahl has insider knowledge, but just had the 140 hour service on my bike and it cost $580, including 1 roller rocker, 1 roller, a torque starter gear and service. The roller rocker was $260 by itself. In talking with Mick at Bendigo Dirt Bike, the 1 litre oil becomes a problem if you do 4-5 km mono's, but my 100m - 600m ones are fine. BTW, I do these from the lights through 5th geer and put down >100kph regularly. A bit out of your range, but as I've found it is always better to talk to someone who knows first hand (no dishing robfahl, just needed to say it). Also, the European stuff can be expensive to maintain, so if you are on a student budget go Jap. DRZ or the thumper singles with road mags would be an inexpensive way to go, and build to laced wheels when you can afford them or they come up 2nd hand. How about an IT490 with front disc ($2,500 max) and find rims to suit :?:

[Flash]

Now your taling Danno IT490. Bring that shit on!!
I'm up for the 10000km service now, I'll let you guys know how it goes.
There is a few up in NSW that have done more that have had no problems at all (17500km's and 24000km's) but I think at the moment mine has the most km's in Melbourne from what I've been told (could be bullshit) Still no probs only a master cylinder and failed brake Pads!! :shock: :shock:
Kind of a concern I know, particulary when they tell you that you got them to hot. I have raced cars and lost brakes I have raced go karts and lost brakes and I have even lost brakes on my DH mtbike and not once has the braking material come away from the backing and failed!!!
Other wise the bike is good (I think I've winged enough about this now :D )

[robfahl]

I knew I would step on a few toes regarding what I wrote about the Berg, but I have several friends back home in Sweden that rides 'em and it's all feed back from their opinion. However they swear by the bike as it is the most fun motard, light weight and heaps of kw. All I'm saying it is a purpose built race bike and therefore needs the maintenance required. To be honest, if I could afford it and hade the time to service it I would love to get one of them beauties! But for now my KLX rocks!!! ;)

[Wobbly]

Good point ... i clock up 200k's a week plus weekend rides so a berger would be a bit much for me maintenance wise, but by christ i'd like to have one :up:

[Muzzard]

Yeah, I'm in same boat with major engine work in progress with a total overhaul including new gearbox bearings throughout as it has 37000KMS on it now. :)
If I had just done the engine O/Haul, without any shadow of a doubt the motor would be back out again inside 6 months for some replacement of bearings. :roll:
It is expensive but at the end of the process will have a WRF ready to do another 2 years and 37000 hassle free KMS. I am not grizzling about the cost as I bought the bike initially to compete in the S3 Lights and it was dropped as a National Championship until this year. :? So I have used the bike daily, ridden the arse off it all over the countryside, maintained it to the best of my ability and for that I got unending reliability and a bike with a 250 engine that blows those Desmosedici pieces of shit, and freaks out their poofy riders. :butthead:
And I'm thinking of doing a KX500 again with all the good shit like perimeter brakes and single sided swingarm...
Anyone with a KX for sale? I would look at a CR500 but it would need to be a late model. (for registration aquisition :-$ )

[jakestein]

I can offer you a single sided swing arm but its attached to a 400 roadbike for cheap :D . then jam the motor in the Blazer :P ohh the rear wheel is a 17'' not 18'' like the vfr 8)

[Sibbo]

How about an IT490 with front disc ($2,500 max) and find rims to suit :?:

Listen to the man, long live the strokers. Dont forget Suz RMX 250, for anything from $2k.

[Flash]

RMX PPPFFFF. My 125 blows them away!!! I had a drag agianst one when my piston was fucked and I still ate it!! Also had a run against another "good" one with my fresh motor and it was like his brakes were jammed on, they are farmers bikes. I'd take a DRZ any time over one

[purdyboy]

IT490, hmmm...

(sane voice in head says, "now mate we are looking for a fun commuter, with emphasis on COMMUTER")

...An IT490 that'd be fun

(Sane voice says, "An IT490 would need a lot of work")

...It might need a little bit of work

(Sane voice repeats, "A LOT of work")

..It'd be different too

(Sane voice says, "You'd never get bits for it")

... I wonder where i'd get bits?

(Sane voice says, "They're a big heavy old beast, and you are too small")

... I spose they couldn't be that big, especially after I motard it...



:roll:
Purdyboy goes to find a cure for the voices in his head.

[Flash]

I've got a picture of a yz 490 air cooled motor in a wr250 frame, Nice. :twisted:

[Sibbo]

my mates neighbour put a hinge on the rear guard of his it490, so when he flipped it he did not break the rear guard, as he was sick of buying new ones to replace the f'ed ones! And that was on dirt!!

Regarding the RMX 250, they are ment to have 50hp, so should go pretty good?

I test rode a KTM 380 exc and it felt slow compared to my yz, but im sure it was hauling ass, but was not agressive power.

Is that the effect of a fly wheel weight and porting?

[Flash]

Most of the 300380's etc don't go as hard as a 250 mx bike, they are designed as an entry level bike for lazy fat assed dudes who want to race enduro's and can't stand up on a bike for long and can't keep a bike on the pipe! Your feelings are correct sibbo!! I've got a test of the ktm mx bike versus the 380 and the mx bike wins in power and a drag race. Mind you that nothing a bit of porting wouldn't fix :D

[Muzzard]

Your all on the Motul again I see :roll: ...
My Hippy next door neighbors 05 300 EXC friggin hoots.
I cant wait for him to motard the thing (he is waiting for some bling EMS rims) and bring it to a track day or better still the Spurs ride to sort you blokes out :twisted: ... It will blow both your bikes hands down boys, Sorry.

[Flash]

Of course it will it's a 2 stroke :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Sibbo]

muzz are you saying a 05 ktm 300 exc will whoop my of yz250?

when a 02 380 exc (in real good nick) felt like mine in 5th when it was in third (power delivery wise). unless they have changed the bike heaps, i think a challenge might have to be arranged :D

[Muzzard]

Thats exactly what I'm saying Brett, Sorry Man, Hippies Katoom rocks! :supz: ...
A bit more so than any YZ 250 I've ridden, and that my friend is many ;) .

[Flash]

What model 250's have you ridden co's everything that I have read say's the big 2 strokes are not fast (I mean 300's 380's not the 500's) as the 250's. I even have a sidetrack that says the same thing :shrug:
I have to say that when I read that I was a bit disapointed co's I wanted one. Happy to be wrong in this case.

[Muzzard]

Most recent was last week, a new 05...
I rode a 450 the same day and would still lean to the 450 for the overall performance, the 250 was fun to ride, but to me lacked top end punch when I needed the 'oomph' for bigger jumps. :shock:
This is 4/5th gear open fire trails natural terrain type riding I am speaking of Ash :twisted: ...
In this scrub the KaTooM really comes alive with ample mid range to drive hard through the gearbox with the ability of short shifting to keep it on the pipe... Very Strong bike Ash, I like it a lot although I will admit KTM needs to pick up the game in the Q.A stakes or suffer the market position as consequence. :roll:

[Sibbo]

muzz, how can you be lacking power in 4th on a 250 two stroke, mine is still wheelstanding in 4th. The power is calm in 5th, as you have to decide to wheelie, ie it does not do them without provocation.

From the dyno comparo of the 04 strokers, the yz had the wimpiest top end. I think the rm had 4-5 hp more top end, so that would be a machine. It had as much hp as the 4 bangers, more in some cases :D

On other matters, i was chatting to a complete f'ing tool the other day. He said that i needed more power to ride my bike faster. I described the track where i ride, which is mostly 2nd and 3rd gear. Whenever i can get drive, the front is off the ground, and he still said that i need more power? That is the mentality of some people. Guess what sort of bike he (not confirmed) he rides? Yup, a 4 banger and a KTM on top of that. Why do all the wankers like 4 strokes? Not looking at anyone here :lol:

[dicky]

because we^h^h they don't know how to ride properly and could never handle the breathtaking* performance of a two stroke.

dicky.

*hard to breath in a cloud of smoke

[Sibbo]

Are you suggesting that i have said i can actually ride? :? Cos i cant. :(

I am just stating facts regardig 2 vs 4, thats all. I did have some good stuff to say about the bike the bike that Ash rides, some 4 stroke husky thing.

I said that the ktm exc stroker was tame and not that fast. i just tell it how it is. if you want an honest opinion, ask me to ride it and i will tell you what I think.

[Muzzard]

Where we ride regularly around Eldorado Sibbo you can easily be outta juice for bigger jumps as it is open forest trails and just be outta legs and no punch left, bit like riding my sons CR125 which is always nailed in the top 2 gears anyway... :twisted: