Curious about these bikes....

[NorCalAthlete]

I currently ride an 07 GSXR 750. The monthly group ride with BARF was the first time I've ever encountered a supermoto/motard, and I was intrigued...they look fun! After reading the newbie thread, I'm wondering if there are any motards with somewhat wider seats? The KTM 990 looks a little bulkier than the normal ones, but other than that I'm not sure where to even look. Anyone want to meet up sometime and cruise around with me, let me ride theirs and they can follow/lead on my 750? Oh and what's the difference between a hypermotard and a supermotard? I've seen the terms thrown around on BARF, but draw a blank as to which refers to what. If I could find one of these bikes for like $2000-$3000 I think I'd snatch it up as a 2nd bike for a weekend twisty rider or something .

 

[luckett]

The KTM 990 looks a little bulkier than the normal ones, but other than that I'm not sure where to even look. ... Oh and what's the difference between a hypermotard and a supermotard?

supermotard = dirt oriented bike with street tires, usually 17s
hypermotard = ducati sport touring bike with new plastic and heavy marketing
KTM 990 = naked street bike

go read more here
http://www.supermotojunkie.com

 

[kre8tive_RIDEZ]

Yes! I just recently picked up a DRZ 400SM. When I started riding it home, I had the biggest smile on my face It took maybe a whole 10 minutes to get use to the upright riding position, but soon I found it was so easy to flick around. I found myself wishing for more HP on the straights tho. But as soon as I hit the twisties........WEeEEeeEEeEeE!!!!

I say try it out, it's a fun ride for sure. But ask yourself what you'd be doing with a motard and if you're willing to sacrifice the power for the fun factor. arty

 

[afmotorsports]

I found myself wishing for more HP on the straights tho. But as soon as I hit the twisties........WEeEEeeEEeEeE!!!!

I say try it out, it's a fun ride for sure. But ask yourself what you'd be doing with a motard and if you're willing to sacrifice the power for the fun factor. arty

With all due respect, the DRZ400 is a relatively "mellow" supermoto bike... but if you rode the Husky 510SMR I just picked up this morning, you really wouldn't sacrifice that much power because the power to weight ratio is pretty insane! Except for freeways and long straightaways, I'm guessing most people would be quicker and have more fun on a (fast) supermoto bike instead of a sportbike. On some of the really tight, bumpy roads in the Santa Cruz mountains, I'm fairly certain a Husky or an Aprilia supermoto would be unbeatable.

 

[sumoshammy]

if your looking for seat comfort your looking into the wrong bike...my bike is the biggest dirt bike ive ever been on...the seat is pretty big, but that shit hurts my ass after a while.

 

[ns3v3n]

Yeah i heard about that too but the maintenance scares me DRZ for me then!

With all due respect, the DRZ400 is a relatively "mellow" supermoto bike... but if you rode the Husky 510SMR I just picked up this morning, you really wouldn't sacrifice that much power because the power to weight ratio is pretty insane! Except for freeways and long straightaways, I'm guessing most people would be quicker and have more fun on a (fast) supermoto bike instead of a sportbike. On some of the really tight, bumpy roads in the Santa Cruz mountains, I'm fairly certain a Husky or an Aprilia supermoto would be unbeatable.

 

[NorCalAthlete]

With all due respect, the DRZ400 is a relatively "mellow" supermoto bike... but if you rode the Husky 510SMR I just picked up this morning, you really wouldn't sacrifice that much power because the power to weight ratio is pretty insane! Except for freeways and long straightaways, I'm guessing most people would be quicker and have more fun on a (fast) supermoto bike instead of a sportbike. On some of the really tight, bumpy roads in the Santa Cruz mountains, I'm fairly certain a Husky or an Aprilia supermoto would be unbeatable.

What are some relatively low maintenance, reliable, but still quick supermotos then?

 

[Ailiaw]

What are some relatively low maintenance, reliable, but still quick supermotos then?

The ones that are more street oriented. I.E. the duke, Husquvarna SM 610, KTM LC4's, etc. Newer KTMs are heaveir IIRC than older ones.

My 05 KTM 625 SMC is pretty mellow. The LC4 is pretty much known as a bulletproof engine. Oil changes are easier too than on my 01 since it has a little notch in the frame so I can actually get the filter out easier than the 01.

if your looking for seat comfort your looking into the wrong bike...my bike is the biggest dirt bike ive ever been on...the seat is pretty big, but that shit hurts my ass after a while.

Theres about 10+ different kinds of seats IIRC from the hard parts catalog for the LC4 models.

With all due respect, the DRZ400 is a relatively "mellow" supermoto bike... but if you rode the Husky 510SMR I just picked up this morning, you really wouldn't sacrifice that much power because the power to weight ratio is pretty insane! Except for freeways and long straightaways, I'm guessing most people would be quicker and have more fun on a (fast) supermoto bike instead of a sportbike. On some of the really tight, bumpy roads in the Santa Cruz mountains, I'm fairly certain a Husky or an Aprilia supermoto would be unbeatable.

I think the upside of the DRZ is that STOCK it is pretty mellow, but supposedly since theres a crazy amount of aftermarket for it, they can be made to haul ass if you put the $ in.

For me, I think the 625 SMC is a perfect compromise. I get gobs of power, and can cruise the freeway at 80 mph and bring it up to 100 without a problem.







FWIW OP, k7 750 was my first love. I had gotten a k7 GSXR 600 after I got rid of my 01 KTM, decided I was done with them, sold it and picked up an 05 625 SMC. Won't be going back either, I do believe you will have a problem finding one in the 2-3k range. Demand is high, and DRZ's hold their value quite well.

 

[mean dad]

they (whoever the fuck 'they' are) make a wider seat for the drz. the bike in general is a kick ass bargain, too. you can pick one up for right around three grand, and if it ain't your cup of tea, sell it for the same amount.
and while there are bigger sumos, i hit 100mph as a habit on mine. cruise at 80+ ALL DAY LONG, and generally beat the shit out of it as often as i can.
i ran it with no water, and cooked the top end. i bought one off thumper talk, slapped it on the barrel, and have put another thousand hard miles on it.
the drz platfrom has been around for a long time, so the aftermarket is teeming with goodies.
i'm in the east bay (pittsburg), and if you're ever in the neighborhood, holla. i'll let you check it out. i have converted two of my roommates to drz disciples, and the third is looking for a way to scrape cash for one.
it's nice to stand out from the sea of sportbikes, and it's just stupid fun for the hooligan in ya.
i lent mine to a harley friend, so he could knock out the dmv test. i told him that he'd be wanting to do wheelies within three blocks, and he was like, no dude, i just cruise around, i'm not into that crazy riding shit...next day he brings it back, and tells me he was riding wheelies all over modesto that night!

 

[rrrdbw]

Ohhhh I use to ride a 07 gxsr 750. Now she only gets commute time and collect dust in the garage. Since discovering this SM thing.

 

[NorCalAthlete]

they (whoever the fuck 'they' are) make a wider seat for the drz. the bike in general is a kick ass bargain, too. you can pick one up for right around three grand, and if it ain't your cup of tea, sell it for the same amount.
and while there are bigger sumos, i hit 100mph as a habit on mine. cruise at 80+ ALL DAY LONG, and generally beat the shit out of it as often as i can.
i ran it with no water, and cooked the top end. i bought one off thumper talk, slapped it on the barrel, and have put another thousand hard miles on it.
the drz platfrom has been around for a long time, so the aftermarket is teeming with goodies.
i'm in the east bay (pittsburg), and if you're ever in the neighborhood, holla. i'll let you check it out. i have converted two of my roommates to drz disciples, and the third is looking for a way to scrape cash for one.
it's nice to stand out from the sea of sportbikes, and it's just stupid fun for the hooligan in ya.
i lent mine to a harley friend, so he could knock out the dmv test. i told him that he'd be wanting to do wheelies within three blocks, and he was like, no dude, i just cruise around, i'm not into that crazy riding shit...next day he brings it back, and tells me he was riding wheelies all over modesto that night!

Heh, I'll take you up on that if I'm ever out that far, but I'm in San Mateo...sounds like fun though!

 

[mean dad]

if you don't have one by the next friday night city ride, find me, and we can swap rides for a section or two.
if you crash it, you owe me a double double.

 

[NorCalAthlete]

Hahahaha deal.

 

[Dancore]

Trust me, a hypermotard is far from a 'sport touring bike with new plastics'. Luckett obviously hasn't ridden one. How many sport tourers have won the Pike's Peak uphill?

 

[Dancore]

The DRZ is a great Street-Tard! I used to have a '93 XR650L that was lighten to 276lbs and had 54hp with 17's for the street. I regret ever selling it until I got the Hypermotard. They are all tons of fun in the twisties, but the Hypermotard is better on the freeway than the XR650L was. I could eat up any sportbike on the twisties on both also, but the Hyper can hang on long straights pretty good too. Today, I had a street legal 450 Husky SM pull me in the twisties on Alhambra Valley. The guy was moving!!!

 

[luckett]

Trust me, a hypermotard is far from a 'sport touring bike with new plastics'. Luckett obviously hasn't ridden one. How many sport tourers have won the Pike's Peak uphill?

The hyper is based on the multistrada chassis. The wheelbase differs by 7mm, but other than that the chassis geometry is the same.

http://www.ducati.com/bikes/multistrada/1100/2009/tech_spec.do
Multistrada 1100
WHEELBASE 1462mm / 57.6in
RAKE 24°
FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL 165mm / 6.5in
REAR WHEEL TRAVEL 141mm / 5.6in

http://www.ducati.com/bikes/hypermotard/1100/2009/tech_spec.do
Hypermotard 1100
WHEELBASE 1455mm / 57.28in
RAKE 24°
FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL 165mm / 6.5in
REAR WHEEL TRAVEL 141mm / 5.6in

The subframe is different, but take a look at the main frame, engine mounting points, rear suspension and all the other bits on the hyper that came straight off of the multistrada. I'm not saying the hyper is a bad bike, but it was definitely derived from the multistrada.

 

[Dancore]

Sure doesn't ride like a strada!!! Much easier through the turns like a motard!! I have ridden enough motards and tested a few stradas. There is a definite difference between the hyper and strada. The hyper rides more like a true motard than a strada for sure!

 

[Lunch Box]

The hyper rides more like a true motard than a strada for sure!

Riding more like a supermoto than a multistrada hardly makes it a supermoto. The hypermotard is very much a street bike, regardless of the name. It's a damned fun street bike, but a street bike nonetheless.

 

[Dancore]

Riding more like a supermoto than a multistrada hardly makes it a supermoto. The hypermotard is very much a street bike, regardless of the name. It's a damned fun street bike, but a street bike nonetheless.

It is a streetbike but it is way more versatile than any other streetbike and can used in a capacity closer to true supermoto standards than any other except maybe the Aprilia SXV. It was never intended for use on the dirt but it is raced there. The same can be said for any true supermoto bike in a sense. They were never built to be raced on the asphalt yet they are. But on the other hand, I have personally seen an SV650S raced in Reno in the SMUSA Vet Nationals last year. Dan Sewell was jumping the tabletops and ran the whole dirt section with no problems. Anything is possible in supermoto. Supermotard translated means superbiker not dirt bike with street tires! It is a reference to the rider not the bike.
Enough threadjacking!!!!

 

[Lunch Box]

Dancore, I completely agree with everything you said, and I am well aware of the origin (French) of "supermotard." I've seen the SV650 supermoto pics...amazing. /threadjack