new to area - switch to supermoto?

[east_west]

OK, I cheated cuz I posted this on the Newbie forum as well, but figured I would get way more responses here...

So, I spent the last 3 years riding on the East Coast (in the Appalachians). I owned an EX/Ninja 500 for a year, then Suzuki SV650S for 2 years. Loved both bikes, but an experience got me thinking one day...while riding my favorite tight twisty backroad on the SV, a KTM adventure bike cruised past me. I felt all great with my (seemingly) tight turns and hanging off, but now I am wondering...thinking about getting a bike with a more upright position, and came upon supermoto...

Is supermoto the way to go in the Bay Area? From driving and walking around here, and also cruising out Rte 1 to Pt. Reyes, it seems that dual sport or supermoto might be much better for this area. For all you supermoto riders who have ridden sport before, how much of a learning curve will I face when making the switch? Any other opinions? Should I just get another SV? Would love it if folks experienced riding in this area on both (or either) type of bike would weigh in!!

Ryan

[thump]

No good asking us, we're biased.

[augustiron]

there's other motorcycle choices besides a supermoto?

when did this happen?

[east_west]

How about the learning curve from sport to supermoto? On supermoto there is no hanging off at all?

[supertireguy]

Are supermotos good for the city and canyons? Yup!

The only drawbacks with most SM bikes are medium or long highway runs and gas tank range. The seats are typically narrow/firm, there's basically no wind protection and the gas tanks are on the small side.

Other than that supermoto bikes suck ass. Warm beer, cold women, stay away!

[craig1200]

Your gonna need at least two bikes, probably more. Yes, a supermoto/dualsport type thing, and yes, a comfyish fast thing that eats 300-400 miles of wide open stuff to get you a few area codes away.

How about a wee-strom and an SV?

It will not take very long at all to pick up the basics of riding a supermoto type bike. You will not feel nearly as stupid learning how to do it as you will feel after having done it for a long time and then getting back on something with clip-ons.

[augustiron]

negative on the vsrtom
get something to ride on the street and do $50 trackdays on.

get an old cbr600 $2500-3500 and a plated 400-450 supermoto

[98TLRider]

Originally posted by augustiron
get something to ride on the street and do $50 trackdays on.

get an old cbr600 $2500-3500 and a plated 400-450 supermoto

Dude, are you spying on me? :) I just picked up an old cbr and a plated sm.

[east_west]

Yeah, I am already kind of coming to the realization 2 bikes are needed, one for longer distance, thinking maybe VFR? What is a "plated" supermoto? I am totally new to anything besides street bikes...What do you guys think of the Suzuki DZR400 SM? I found my SV to be very light on maintenance and super-dependable...

[SLOWREX03]

Originally posted by east_west
What do you guys think of the Suzuki DZR400 SM?
slow, insane amounts of fun, heavy, super dependable, insane amounts of fun, low on maintenance, insane amounts of fun, huge aftermarket, easily modded, insane amounts of fun,

i think you get the idea.

i dont own one, but ive riden one and have been doing A LOT of research over the last month or so.

i plan to get one, throw on a pipe, FCR carb, 3x3 mod and maybe hotcams, then call it a day in the power department.:cool: and maybe a stroker kit down the road, LOL.

[Pauly G]

Yep 2 bikes are needed! Like me- an XR650R for the street, and a KTM450SMR for the track. That's all anyone needs.

[bunnygoat]

The duke 2 is a well rounded streetbike: It will do short freeway jaunts pretty well as it handels 85 mph. It is not a hardcore supermoto as compared with the dirtbike turned quasi-legal types but it is great fun anyway. it is my only bike and only vechile aside from my girlfreinds car i occasionally use.

[Flimsy Slowham]

I humbly disagree with the "negative on the V-Strom" comment. If you have any desire at all to do a long-distance ride that could include dirt roads or mild trails (read: Tahoe, Death Valley, trips to Oregon, etc), you should look at one. I was moments away from picking up a used VFR for the same money I spent on my V-Strom, and I have ZERO regrets.

I am, however, 41 years old, and the days of ripping my old Ninja through the streets and tracks are pretty much done, save for the occaisional track day (and I rent a bike for that). You should know that the V-Strom 650 has the same engine (tuned for more lower end) as the SV650, so if you liked that bike...

Really, it depends on your skill level. I fancy myself a decent rider, and it's a rare day that somebody on a sport bike can pull away from me in the twisties if I'm on the Strom (or the Baggy, for that matter). On the straights I'm toast, but I don't need to do over 125 mph on a non-track anyway.

I have an MZ Baghira Street Moto, and I bought the Strom because anything over 100 miles on my Baggy sucks. I can only imagine that a 'plated' SM (a dirt bike that's been converted to a street-legal SuMo, or some of the new KTM's, Husky's and Aprilla's that arrive at the dealer street legal) is even worse on the arse, not to mention the lack of ANY wind protection, etc.

If you can afford 2 bikes, go that route. If you can't, take a second look at a Strom...

My .02

[east_west]

Invaluable advice, guys!! I really appreciate it!! Since most of my riding will be made up of commuting, I picked up a used 2006 DRZ 400 SM today. If I ache for longer trips, I may try to install an aftermarket larger tank, windscreen, etc. I also like the V-STROM a lot, had my eyes on it for quite a while. I will see if I can pick up a high mileage one a few months down the road, when my finances are more stable...For now, I am just excited at the prospect of being mobile in the city, and being on a bike again!! Thanks again for all the input - invaluable..

[Flimsy Slowham]

Great choice! You'll love that bike around the city; much more so than the Strom. Desert tanks are available to make for longer rides, and if you can put up with the wind, then you've got a really capable, and dependable, bike! Good call on the high-miler. Many people will be looking to unload their '04's for the new '07 model, but they do hold their resale pretty well.

Glad you found a great option for your commuter jaunts--SuMo's are a blast in that city!

Ride Safe up there!
A.S.

[Sharky]

two bikes?
Who can live with only two?