super motards for first timers
 

what's a good first super motard for the street, and maybe a trackday or two. 90% street use, 10% track. i have no dirt bike experience, only street bikes (5-6 yrs), about 5 trackdays per year the last 2 years. i don't plan to use it as a dual sport at all. i want something that is low maintenance, similar to most sportbikes. i'd like to get something used to start.

i was thinking of the suzuki drz400, but have heard it's a little low on power and the suspension could use a little help, and that most ppl would tire of it quickly. i'm not sure if this reasoning is similar to the "600cc is not good for beginners, get a liter bike" rationale.

some have suggested a ktm 690, ktm 640, ktm smc 625. but i don't know the pro's, con's, and differences between these models.

i'm looking for this information as well...good question dude.

Both of you need to go post this over ar www.supermotojunkie.com

FWIW, Do you guys know that there is a motard series that runs on the road course at E-Town (raceway park) and that E-Town runs open practice days there?

For information on the racing series go to www.esmra.com

BTW, our first open practice and race is this weekend.....come check it out.

BTW, the DRZ also has it's own race class and is probably one of the best classes that ESMRA has......very close racing!!!!

thanks!

I rode a DRZ400 on the track a few times, not mine but someone was nice let me borrow it. 6th gear pinned with shorter then stock gearing got me 94 mph. Stock gearing or raise the gearing a bit and 100+ mph should be doable without a problem.

Low power yeah, but that's the nature of any motard. DRZ's seem to the pick lately as you can get one off the showroom floor ready to go, no converting from dirt to motard needed. The DRZ is a super fun bike to ride and with the upright seating you can ride all day without a problem. I sucks up the street bumps and makes for a smooth ride over any road. If I had the money it would be my choice for a street bike and small track (Pocono east and Summit Shenandoah) day weapon.

See the light and get a KTM!:ride:

what (street legal, low maintenance) would you recommend for a sumo noobie? $4K or under.

:)

4 grand you would have to go used.

from what i saw so far, 4K will get you a nice 2005 ish Suzuki DRZ400SM.

I am also thinking of selling my supersport bikes and getting a sumo drz400sm to play around with and go to englishtown.
I can just ride to english town, so no crazy trailer tolls and gas prices.

plus the cops wont bother me as much.

Husqvarna makes some nice supermoto's as well. Check out the latest Roadracing world for a review. Maybe it is the month before come to think of it.

it's funny how the more research i do, the more i am willing to spend on my first sumo.. :lol:

so i narrowed it down to a few choices..

decisions, decisions...

04-05 drz400sm for $3-4K

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gal...005%20%204.jpg

http://www.yamaha-motor-europe.com/I...m26-208546.jpg


04-06 ktm 625 smc for $4-6K

http://w2.bikepics.com/pics/2006%5C1...715425-800.jpg


07-08 ktm 690 supermoto $7-9K

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Photos...s-7---new9.jpg

http://www.gulum.net/motor/resimler/...3_1024x768.jpg


my main concern with the drz is how well it will handle the highway. since i am in boring south jersey, i need to ride at least 1 hour on the highway to get to any roads worth riding in PA. i don't want to ride the DRZ on the highway if it's going to struggle and feel like it's going to die on me any minute. i want to be able to comfortably cruise at 75mph, and dodge the occasional distracted soccer mom on i-76.

That 690 is tits!:ride:
check out ktmtalk for all kinds of ktm info.

Thanks!

Husky has a new one out... Its awesome...


http://www.husqvarnausa.com/

Super Motard pros are incredible, getting the hole shot on a dirt start and continuing to go all out on a track that's 60% dirt at a ridiculous pace on street tires is enough said.

yeah dude huskys are nice and priced cheaper then KTM.

BTW.. I saw a duke 690 today at the dealer... wow what A nice looking bike it looked like this:
http://bp1.blogger.com/_Mvhjidbvdzc/...690%2BDuke.jpg

You would be surprised on how much traction slicks get on the dirt.

...uhh ducati hypermotard.

was out riding today & stopped at the local bike shop '08 DR-Z400SM otd: $6,825.98 :arrr: i'll keep looking around

IF ya want a ktm single go with this beauty. KTM Duke II

thanks for the feedback. i ended up buying a 2006 ktm 625 smc. i love it!


http://x62.xanga.com/714c55042303018...b142478975.jpg

http://x63.xanga.com/ba1c45007023318...b142479016.jpg

http://x46.xanga.com/b93c430a2503018...b142479141.jpg

Only 3ish weeks away from the next open supermoto practice at Raceway Park followed by race #3 of the ESMRA series.

Only $75 for the practice.

Oh yeah, very nice ride.:nod2:

Sick Bike Man!!!!!!!!!!!
Welcome to the KTM brethren! :)

If awesome means checking valves every 3000 miles and replacing your connecting rod (not a typo) every 6250 miles....also not a typo...well then this is your machine. ;)

I agree, but it is no sport tourer. 6250 miles would be a lot for a bike like that.

I know you won't be riding 500+ miles a day on a bike like this but I have a hard time classifying a connecting rod a is a wear part.