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Best (cheap) Supermoto for a beginner?

A

alfisto

New member
Joined
Jan 13, 2010
Location
Oakland
Moto(s)
1968 SS125A
Name
Ben
Hello all, I've made my introduction in the welcome mat and now I have a question for all you knowledgeable(and unknowledgeable) supermmoto fans :nerd . I'm looking into getting my first bike and the Suzuki DRZ SM really caught my eye. So I'd like to know what else is out there in terms of good, cheap, streetable ($2,000 - $3,000) supermotos?
 
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I've been looking at supermotos too, but most of the ones I've seen that are decent are in the 4 grand price range for some reason.

There was one that had a salvaged title and some issues posted less than that, but there seems to be a pretty high demand for them.. (guess I learned stuff in economics after all..)
 
Flying Pig said:
I've been looking at supermotos too, but most of the ones I've seen that are decent are in the 4 grand price range for some reason.
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Ya i really am being a little optimistic here, but i have seen some early DRZ s's going for low 2000's
 
It all depends on how you define good, cheap, and streetable. And what you want to do with it. Depending on that, you might be happier with a naked standard or a dualsport.
 
the reason SMs aren't cheap is that there are no 'old' ones around at a low price point with hi miles, wear and cosmetic issues as the factories have only been making them for a few years and any older converts are priced according to how well done they are and will vary widely in price, performance and reliability.
In 5-7 more years you will see $2k clapped out DRZ400SMs unless of course they hit collector status like Honda Hawks and their price starts going up :laughing
 
alfisto said:
Hello all, I've made my introduction in the welcome mat and now I have a question for all you knowledgeable(and unknowledgeable) supermmoto fans :nerd . I'm looking into getting my first bike and the Suzuki DRZ SM really caught my eye. So I'd like to know what else is out there in terms of good, cheap, streetable ($2,000 - $3,000) supermotos?
Click to expand...

I had an 03 XR650L nothing special. $2300 and about a grand for 17"s.

Fun bike I shouldn't have sold.:|
 
Well u can always look like yamaha WR that it's already street legal and then shop for wheels I got mine for $1500 a wr400 street legal and and adapt some cbr wheels and looks wiked lol, but if u can find one with a electric start even better
 
I highly recommend a drz400sm for a first bike.. I wish I did that. %.. the tank has a coupe dings and plastics are scratched.. But with these bikes you dont really care.. It would only cost me a few hundred if I wanted it to look completely new; meaning all new plastics and a tank. Plus its fun.. and parts are tons.
 
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If I were to do it all over again, I would have gotten a dirtbike first. At the moment it is too wet out there to enjoy the street. So, it might be a good idea to ride some dirt first while you save up for the wheels.

If I started in the dirt, I would be a much better rider than I am now.
 
My street-legal XR600r was cheap-ish to get, but not cheap to make into an XR600sm. It is, however, an absolute hoot and will run for a long, long time as long as you change the oil and pay attention to the valves. I've seen XR600sm bikes available on CL for about $3k.

[edit] Whoops - first bike? SM might not be the right choice. You'll develop all sorts of bad habits WRT street riding, the torque/compression can be a bit scary, and they're usually more high-strung than a "normal" street bike. Consider learning on a dirt bike first, or get a smaller street bike (EX250, Bandit 400, Rebel, etc.). [/edit]
 
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I'm also putting my vote in for a DR-Z, you can usually pick up one with all the typical mods already done fairly cheap. Bikes are a blast.
 
+1..

start on a dirtbike proportional to your weight/height.. 125 - 250cc.. take it from there.. most important you need to learn how it handles and how to brake in a more forgiving environment like dirt. learning how to brake in an emergency is most important on a sm in the street.

FoolishMortal said:
My street-legal XR600r was cheap-ish to get, but not cheap to make into an XR600sm. It is, however, an absolute hoot and will run for a long, long time as long as you change the oil and pay attention to the valves. I've seen XR600sm bikes available on CL for about $3k.

[edit] Whoops - first bike? SM might not be the right choice. You'll develop all sorts of bad habits WRT street riding, the torque/compression can be a bit scary, and they're usually more high-strung than a "normal" street bike. Consider learning on a dirt bike first, or get a smaller street bike (EX250, Bandit 400, Rebel, etc.). [/edit]
Click to expand...
 
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