I'm thinking I need on of these!

[NorCalBusa]

After watching the SuperMotards, talking to Andrew and reading this forum... this looks like just too much fun!

So me thinks an LC4, Duke or Honda fit the bill pretty well for this fat boy. While the Busa is awesome for me- a change of pace (well, a second pace anyway) that allows me to rip it up, not get a ticket, not cost $1,000 smackaroos if the thing falls over in the garage fergoshakes is awfully appealing.

So how to decide what to get? I know dick about these bikes... but I do want to ride it street, dirt, some trails, dessert. I weigh 240 pounds, am 6'2" and in mediocre shape. A ride like Phil did down the coast is a good example of whats appealing at this point.

So let the notions flow!

[JoeBar]

You could join the SuperMotard ride on Sunday morning at Alice's and swap bikes with whoever is willing to do so. Considering your size/weight, I would definitely go with at least a 640/650cc bike (LC4, XR650) and not 400/450.

My dream bike to ride all these backroads, dirtroads and goat trails is not a SuperMotard but the best dualsport on the market right now, the Dakar tested 100HP KTM 950 Adventure (http://www.cyclenews.com/ShowStory.asp?HeadlineID=4377). It has been available in Europe for a while now and it's supposed to kick ass in the twisties and ride like a dirt bike on single track technical trails. Me want! :thumbup

http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/images/threads/000/036/103/518557-dirt-6.jpg

[NorCalBusa]

I hear ya- I was thinking something that weighed in the 350 pound range would be a cool ride. Not looking to be the fastest- just have fun and have not have to work too hard elbowing the bike around.

I saw that 950 (a pair actually) at WSB- in the parkling lot of the Embassy Suite hotel. That's a cool looking bike indeed- but it's huge!

[JoeBar]

Big toy for big boys! On the street, nothing replaces horsepower!

http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/images/threads/000/036/103/518575-street-1.jpg

[JoeBar]

Originally posted by NorCalBusa
That's a cool looking bike indeed- but it's huge! C'mon now... anything looks small compared to a Busa! :laughing ;) :p

[NorCalBusa]

You guys are killing me!

Seriously, "light" and "easy to handle" are good goals. I gotsda Busa for the HP jollies!

[JoeBar]

Go with the LC4 then... SM setup if more street than dirt or DS setup if more dirt than street. ;) :thumbup

[JoeBar]

Woot Woot! ;)

http://www.motorsports-network.com/ktm/KTM04/Adven950/curve23b.jpg

http://www.motorsports-network.com/ktm/KTM04/Adven950/jump13b.jpg

http://www.motorsports-network.com/ktm/KTM04/Adven950/scadv950b.jpg

http://www.motorsports-network.com/ktm/KTM04/Adven950/orange2.jpg

Sorry, couldn't help it... :teeth :angel

[pelikan]

Anybody else get the feeling that Pierre wants a ktm 950 adventure?

NorCal, I have to agree, the lc4 640 is a sweet bike. I'm waiting to find a clean non-SM version before I jump on the KTM wagon though.

[Max Smiley]

light weight and HP to weight is what kicks ass. for that can't beat an air/oil cooled honda. no radiators, no water, no water pump. hell, no arm pump either from having to wrestle a beast off road ~ and trust me, you will wrestle the bike on these kinds of places.

but I'm just learning this stuff. (and wouldn't want to sport tour LD on a small bore bike like my honda)

the 230 is sure a joy to load on on the truck myself though. nice to know there's bikes with double and even triple the HP but at the same and even LIGHTER weight ( x < 230 lbs.) ! but that's for later.

have fun shopping!

[mikee]

Aren't a couple of the big 4's in Japan gonna make production Motards? Could swear I heard that somewhere.

[JoeBar]

Originally posted by pelikan
Anybody else get the feeling that Pierre wants a ktm 950 adventure? YOU-GOT-THAT-RIGHT-BABY!!! :banana :teeth :angel

[NorCalBusa]

What's the rec'd Honda to get Phil?

[JoeBar]

Originally posted by NorCalBusa
What's the rec'd Honda to get Phil? The bikes Phil is talking about are NOT for a 240 lbs/6'2" dude!!! :laughing

[JoeBar]

[subliminal ON]

http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/images/threads/000/036/103/518811-wheelie-3.jpg

[NorCalBusa]

Ooops (dirt newbie thinking)- so the XR650?

[Max Smiley]

that's what I was thinking

here's a SM version, easy to turn dirty
http://www.supermotech.co.uk/xr650.htm

http://www.supermotech.co.uk/XR020.jpg


specs page says liquid cooled but I don't know the model could mean oil cooled.
http://www.gwjmc.co.uk/Off_Road/Xr650/xr650.html

[JoeBar]

http://www.craigslist.org/sfc/mcy/13406275.html
http://www.craigslist.org/sby/mcy/13345961.html

or cheap 400cc
http://www.craigslist.org/sby/mcy/13563553.html

[JoeBar]

Originally posted by Max Smiley
that's what I was thinking

here's a SM version, easy to turn dirty
http://www.supermotech.co.uk/xr650.htm Phil, the XR650 is not exactly what I'd call "light weight" :laughing :laughing

[Max Smiley]

ok, I said I don't know the model and new to this. the adventure is no super model neither! :twofinger

but I bet norcal could have fun on a GAS GAS 400 even! if he wants to really go supermoto then smaller is better to turn&burn and jump with.

[Farmer John]

Take a look at the KTM 625 SXC. It's more dirt oriented than the 640's. They can be had relatively cheap & are quite easy to set up for street use.

[NorCalBusa]

No competing for me, SuperMotard or otherwise! Just looking for a good first (dirt) bike that is reliable, easy to handle, fun, etc. and is well suited for the uses listed.

I keep this up, I may have to actually go look at some!

[Cafe Racer]

Congrats on thinking on coming over to the Dirty side. I sold my Y2K RC51 to get dirty. Now I am setting up a Motard Yamaha.

I also have a big Enduro Honda! Its a '90 but this thing rocks!

Miguel

http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/images/threads/000/036/103/522763-transalp.jpg