What makes a Supermoto so much fun? - Page 2

WaGigKPN · 10-19-2012, 09:01 AM

Originally Posted by sunofnun

lol.. yeah.. but it was an XR-L.. I'd have traded too..

This may be true...I admit...I do know it will do all the shenanegins just as easily if not better than those KTM's...I do not know how those KTM's do on the highway tho...The XR was not good...even with 6 gears...

I 100% agree with everything else said about how great SM's are, and i would jump on getting another one as long as i got to keep my VFR! I just want OP to realize that if the majority of use is commuting (50mph+) they may not enjoy them as much as something else...

sunofnun · 10-19-2012, 09:26 AM

Originally Posted by WaGigKPN

This may be true...I admit...I do know it will do all the shenanegins just as easily if not better than those KTM's...I do not know how those KTM's do on the highway tho...The XR was not good...even with 6 gears...

I 100% agree with everything else said about how great SM's are, and i would jump on getting another one as long as i got to keep my VFR! I just want OP to realize that if the majority of use is commuting (50mph+) they may not enjoy them as much as something else...

My 625 tops out around 115-120mph and will cruise at 70-80 all day.
I can also pull the front off the ground at 50-60 and ride for a very long way on one wheel.. helps eliminate the boring slab time.

It definitely thumps at lower RPM's.. but I got used to it.

the newer 690s are buttery smooth.

PeteN95 · 10-19-2012, 09:39 AM

All of the above, plus you can take a left anywhere, curb?, divider?, median??, no problem!?!

I have my XR650R set up between a Dual Sport and a Supermoto with 19" front and 18" rear with tires similar to Distanzias. I think it is the perfect combo and it is much cheaper than buying SM wheels. It works on dirt:

Or pavement:

cletus · 10-19-2012, 09:40 AM

I don't own one - yet - but I get the appeal. Last year PGP opened the track for a free supermoto day. A bunch of bikes were available and I jumped on a KTM. It was so light it felt like riding a bicycle. I never got comfortable with the whole, push the bike over and stick your left out thing, but it responded well to hanging off. I was hooked when I gassed it coming onto the back straight and the front wheel jumped up to the sky. That wheelie was accidental, but every one that followed was deliberate and left me giggling like lunatic.

KillermondoDude · 10-19-2012, 09:42 AM

Gots a husky 610 and live on camano and have worked anywhere from Bellingham to seattle

Will cruise 80 all day
Took it to winthrop and back

#1 suggested mod NEW SEAT i got mine reskinned by Wyckdan Wyckedan seats

erickb · 10-19-2012, 09:44 AM

Because you can combined all types of motorcycle riding on one bike and if you don’t know how to ride a certain style it is easy to learn on a supermoto. Do you like to ride for fun? If so there is no funner way to ride, I had 15 bikes in my stable when I got my KTM 625smc and after getting my KTM they all just sat in the garage or got sold off!

alpentalic · 10-19-2012, 09:55 AM

my sxv 550 has 70hp at the wheel and weights 295lb. compare that to my daytona 675 with 108hp at the wheel and 405lb.

it still pulls hard up to redline at 117mph, so a different sprocket set will solve any concerns there. and the V-twin is smooth as hell and sounds amazing!

they're fun because they're faster than most sport bikes up to about 45mph and handle much better when its tight. and handles bumps better. unless you're on a full size track like PR or the ridge, or doing top speeds runs in the tunnels like an idiot, a supermoto is more fun than any sport bike! it wheelies better than anything, handles better than anything, and you can jump it!

only downside is they're uncomfortable to ride for more than an hour, even more than a sport bike. I'd never take mine on a road trip without lots of breaks..

cletus · 10-19-2012, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by alpentalic

they're fun because they're faster than most sport bikes up to about 45mph and handle much better when its tight. and handles bumps better. unless you're on a full size track like PR or the ridge, or doing top speeds runs in the tunnels like an idiot, a supermoto is more fun than any sport bike!

Who does that?

Murdercycle · 10-19-2012, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by blakegaston

Are you talking about tire size? Can you tell me more about the difference between them?

I do need a lot of street-ability, as I'll need the bike to commute.

I also can't get enduro/mx-only because I have no truck or trailer to transport.

PeteN95 seems like hes a lot better rider than i ever will be, so maybe he can chime in on his feelings on handling, etc.

But for me, the much bigger difference between a motard on the street and the larger off-road wheels is the braking force (rather than handling). On 21" or 19" the radius of your tire has a bigger mechanical advantage over your brake than on 17's, plus you always put a large brake on 17's so that difference is magnified even more.

So the reason to get a motard is if you want to ride asphalt: raling corners so hard you are grinding pegs and breaking all the way to the apex/full lean. Or if you dont plan on riding offroad more than once or twice a year

for normal paced riding there isnt a big enough diffence in handling between a motard and a normal enduro to justify the added cost imho, plus you are then sacraficing offroad...

AND if you want to go offroad, the giant front disk on your 17" rims is a liability, you have a harder time clearing logs and ridges, and your off road riding is just really limited at a beginner skill set.

Both are super fun on gravel though, 17" are slight disadvantage because of larger surface area: less bight into gravel. Not bad though (easier to drift) and still SUPER FUN.

tl;dr Enduro wheels do almost everything motard wheels do for a lot cheaper. Motard wheels larger disadvantage in dirt

If you are commuting a lot on freeway, motards are so shitty COMPARED to street bikes imo. Smaller tanks generally, more vibrations, less pick-up, engines not as happy with sustained rpm (much lower oil capacity). Hope that helps and someone chime in with their opinions on handling differnce. I dont think im as picky as most, but i am pretty slow so that may be why

Debi · 10-19-2012, 03:24 PM

To the OP... this is one reason sm's rock... you can bend stuff bend it back and OK not shift like normal but still finish your day

http://vimeo.com/11481195

Originally Posted by cletus

I don't own one - yet - but I get the appeal. Last year PGP opened the track for a free supermoto day. A bunch of bikes were available and I jumped on a KTM. It was so light it felt like riding a bicycle. I never got comfortable with the whole, push the bike over and stick your left out thing, but it responded well to hanging off. I was hooked when I gassed it coming onto the back straight and the front wheel jumped up to the sky. That wheelie was accidental, but every one that followed was deliberate and left me giggling like lunatic.

You rode my KTM hehe

and you forgot that a lil DRZ400 can chase ya down at Pacific Raceway in the back section hehe.

BTW.. when PGP opens back up you are more than welcome to come out and rip some laps

Originally Posted by Murdercycle

PeteN95 seems like hes a lot better rider than i ever will be, so maybe he can chime in on his feelings on handling, etc.

But for me, the much bigger difference between a motard on the street and the larger off-road wheels is the braking force (rather than handling). On 21" or 19" the radius of your tire has a bigger mechanical advantage over your brake than on 17's, plus you always put a large brake on 17's so that difference is magnified even more.

So the reason to get a motard is if you want to ride asphalt: raling corners so hard you are grinding pegs and breaking all the way to the apex/full lean. Or if you dont plan on riding offroad more than once or twice a year

for normal paced riding there isnt a big enough diffence in handling between a motard and a normal enduro to justify the added cost imho, plus you are then sacraficing offroad...

AND if you want to go offroad, the giant front disk on your 17" rims is a liability, you have a harder time clearing logs and ridges, and your off road riding is just really limited at a beginner skill set.

Both are super fun on gravel though, 17" are slight disadvantage because of larger surface area: less bight into gravel. Not bad though (easier to drift) and still SUPER FUN.

tl;dr Enduro wheels do almost everything motard wheels do for a lot cheaper. Motard wheels larger disadvantage in dirt

If you are commuting a lot on freeway, motards are so shitty COMPARED to street bikes imo. Smaller tanks generally, more vibrations, less pick-up, engines not as happy with sustained rpm (much lower oil capacity). Hope that helps and someone chime in with their opinions on handling differnce. I dont think im as picky as most, but i am pretty slow so that may be why

Only real place the 21/18 works better is in the sand/mud with similar type tires like Distanzia's for instance and the 310mm or 320mm rotors only have issues in real real rocky areas as well the rocks like to get stuck between the rotor and rim

BTW... you are racing Supermoto again next season

JIMMYRAY31B · 10-19-2012, 04:18 PM

I've said this before.

When you have the words "Super" & "Tard" in the same word, then what couldn't be fun about them?!?!?

Mr tenuki · 10-20-2012, 01:47 AM

to the OP:

I also live in Bellevue. Ping me if you want to take mine for a spin (Husky SM610).

I commute almost every day to work (Bothell) on the 405. Have no issue with top speed, but the bike does vibrate and there are more comfortable seats. I went on a 2 day ride to Oregon & back, about 750 Mile. Couldn't look at the bike for 2 days afterwards but it was worth it.

TheSumoBear · 10-20-2012, 07:58 AM

Here's 400 something reasons for you
http://www.supermotojunkie.com/showt...easons+to+love

Debi · 10-20-2012, 08:32 AM

fastfoodfred · 10-20-2012, 10:58 AM

It took me all morning to read most of the way through that smjunkie thread. Wife kept making me do shit.

Debi · 10-20-2012, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by fastfoodfred

It took me all morning to read most of the way through that smjunkie thread. Wife kept making me do shit.

go mow the backyard damn it

blakegaston · 10-20-2012, 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by Mr tenuki

to the OP:

I also live in Bellevue. Ping me if you want to take mine for a spin (Husky SM610).

I commute almost every day to work (Bothell) on the 405. Have no issue with top speed, but the bike does vibrate and there are more comfortable seats. I went on a 2 day ride to Oregon & back, about 750 Mile. Couldn't look at the bike for 2 days afterwards but it was worth it.

That would be awesome!!!

Can people tell me more about commuting? Wouldnt the good gas mileage and riding position be good for commuting?

Thanks for all info so far btw!

blakegaston · 10-20-2012, 12:30 PM

Also, can SMs jump like dirt bikes? (Looking at that last pic). I was under the impression they could only handle a few feet. Im also still pretty confused about the tires.

blakegaston · 10-20-2012, 12:33 PM

Also, is crashing really THAT cheap?

TheSumoBear · 10-20-2012, 12:34 PM

The mileage and riding position are quite snazzy. The best I've gotten on my drz is 52 mpg. But I'm sure I could do better if I wasn't as throttle happy.

Even for longer rides, the position isn't bad. And if you start getting crampy you can stand up and ride for a while. But maybe I'm.just used to it because I've ridden dirtbikes all my life.


10-19-2012, 09:39 AM	#23
PeteN95 Joined: Jan 2008 From: Muk, WA Blog Entries: 4 I Ride: fast, except on the road.	All of the above, plus you can take a left anywhere, curb?, divider?, median??, no problem!?! I have my XR650R set up between a Dual Sport and a Supermoto with 19" front and 18" rear with tires similar to Distanzias. I think it is the perfect combo and it is much cheaper than buying SM wheels. It works on dirt: Or pavement: __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-19-2012, 09:40 AM	#24
cletus Shredder Joined: May 2009 From: sammamish, wa I Ride: 2006 Suzuki GSXR 600; 2007 Yamaha FZ1 (the Mrs.'s bike)	I don't own one - yet - but I get the appeal. Last year PGP opened the track for a free supermoto day. A bunch of bikes were available and I jumped on a KTM. It was so light it felt like riding a bicycle. I never got comfortable with the whole, push the bike over and stick your left out thing, but it responded well to hanging off. I was hooked when I gassed it coming onto the back straight and the front wheel jumped up to the sky. That wheelie was accidental, but every one that followed was deliberate and left me giggling like lunatic. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-19-2012, 09:42 AM	#25
KillermondoDude Intellectually Sphinctered Joined: Oct 2005 From: Camano Island I Ride: cuz levitating takes way to much concentration	Gots a husky 610 and live on camano and have worked anywhere from Bellingham to seattle Will cruise 80 all day Took it to winthrop and back #1 suggested mod NEW SEAT i got mine reskinned by Wyckdan Wyckedan seats __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-19-2012, 09:44 AM	#26
erickb Mr. PNW Riders 2007 Joined: Jun 2005 From: classified Blog Entries: 2 I Ride: I don't anymore but can still out ride you!	Because you can combined all types of motorcycle riding on one bike and if you don’t know how to ride a certain style it is easy to learn on a supermoto. Do you like to ride for fun? If so there is no funner way to ride, I had 15 bikes in my stable when I got my KTM 625smc and after getting my KTM they all just sat in the garage or got sold off! __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-19-2012, 09:55 AM	#27
alpentalic Training Wheels Joined: Jun 2009 From: Carnation, WA I Ride: '07 Daytona 675, '02 Aprilia Mille, '07 Aprilia SXV 550	my sxv 550 has 70hp at the wheel and weights 295lb. compare that to my daytona 675 with 108hp at the wheel and 405lb. it still pulls hard up to redline at 117mph, so a different sprocket set will solve any concerns there. and the V-twin is smooth as hell and sounds amazing! they're fun because they're faster than most sport bikes up to about 45mph and handle much better when its tight. and handles bumps better. unless you're on a full size track like PR or the ridge, or doing top speeds runs in the tunnels like an idiot, a supermoto is more fun than any sport bike! it wheelies better than anything, handles better than anything, and you can jump it! only downside is they're uncomfortable to ride for more than an hour, even more than a sport bike. I'd never take mine on a road trip without lots of breaks.. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-19-2012, 04:18 PM	#31
JIMMYRAY31B Peg Dragger Joined: Sep 2008 From: Whiteman AFB, MO I Ride: Plated '02 426 Supermoto, '07 FZ1, '08 Ninja 250, '09 ZX6r (track)	I've said this before. When you have the words "Super" & "Tard" in the same word, then what couldn't be fun about them?!?!? __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-20-2012, 01:47 AM	#32
Mr tenuki Endorsed Joined: Oct 2011 From: Bellevue, WA I Ride: Very slowly on a SM610	to the OP: I also live in Bellevue. Ping me if you want to take mine for a spin (Husky SM610). I commute almost every day to work (Bothell) on the 405. Have no issue with top speed, but the bike does vibrate and there are more comfortable seats. I went on a 2 day ride to Oregon & back, about 750 Mile. Couldn't look at the bike for 2 days afterwards but it was worth it. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-20-2012, 07:58 AM	#33
TheSumoBear Peg Dragger Joined: Jun 2012 From: wa I Ride: in the supermoto lane.	Here's 400 something reasons for you http://www.supermotojunkie.com/showt...easons+to+love __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-20-2012, 08:32 AM	#34
Debi Novice Racer Joined: Apr 2009 From: Renton, WA I Ride: 05 KTM450SMR, 04 YZF250 and one bad ass Truck hehe	__________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-20-2012, 10:58 AM	#35
fastfoodfred Moto2 Champion Joined: Mar 2006 From: spokane, wa I Ride: 2008 SXV4.5 + 1985 RZ350 + 2010 YZ250F +	It took me all morning to read most of the way through that smjunkie thread. Wife kept making me do shit. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-20-2012, 12:30 PM	#38
blakegaston Licensed Joined: Feb 2012 From: Bellevue, WA I Ride: GSXR600 // KTM 450 SMR	Also, can SMs jump like dirt bikes? (Looking at that last pic). I was under the impression they could only handle a few feet. Im also still pretty confused about the tires. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-20-2012, 12:33 PM	#39
blakegaston Licensed Joined: Feb 2012 From: Bellevue, WA I Ride: GSXR600 // KTM 450 SMR	Also, is crashing really THAT cheap? __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-20-2012, 12:34 PM	#40
TheSumoBear Peg Dragger Joined: Jun 2012 From: wa I Ride: in the supermoto lane.	The mileage and riding position are quite snazzy. The best I've gotten on my drz is 52 mpg. But I'm sure I could do better if I wasn't as throttle happy. Even for longer rides, the position isn't bad. And if you start getting crampy you can stand up and ride for a while. But maybe I'm.just used to it because I've ridden dirtbikes all my life. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter

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