need info on supermoto's/ motards

[vbroom]

anybody here got one??

im lookin at gettin one sometime and wanted to hear any opinions/pros/cons bout em.

thought would be a bit of a fun change from a sportsbike.

proly looking at a DRZ400SM or something similar.

cheers all.

[taint]

I have a drz-400sm They are a lot of fun to ride, not bad on the fuel (tiny tank though) . Excellent commuter but I would not want to try and keep up with a sportsbike on a long cruise, the seat will cut you in two over a long distance.

On the plus side they move almost when you think about it and you can get them fairly out of shape without too much fear of falling off.

Getting power out of the drz is just a matter of $$ as the engine has been around for years. Pipe and jet free them up a bit, can get a 434cc big bore kit and 475cc stroker kit. Long travel suspension (11 inches) means that they soak up bumps unlike anything else on the road

[Desmo]

Aprilia SXV.
When you absolutely positively have to lose your licence.
Accept no substitute.

[BigTim]

I have a drz-400sm

You mention using it as a commuter, how do you go with servicing?
I got the impression that these sort of bikes need far more regular servicing than your standard sportsbike, and racking up the kays daily might be a bit of a PITA.

[Arwon]

I have a Husaberg FE650 motard for sale with about 1500 k's on the clock. awesome bit of kit, road registered and all the stuff you need to race except the oggy type slide protection.

[vbroom]

Aprilia SXV.

very much want...but out of my price range.

I got the impression that these sort of bikes need far more regular servicing than your standard sportsbike, and racking up the kays daily might be a bit of a PITA.

good point. i'd also like to know how difficult they are to maintain compared to a sportsbike...if it means i'll have to be servicing it more often, think i might stick to a sportsbike.

I have a Husaberg FE650 motard for sale

got a price arwon? is that the blue and yellow one?

[Arwon]

yes it is the bue and yellow one, I am storing for a friend who seems to be staying in canada alot longer than first thought, I will email him for price approval before i post it. I know he was talking around $10k. this bike is as new, you will not find one in better condition second hand anywhere.

[cebafed]

been thinking of a drz myself...only problem being in my area offroad/offroad style bikes tend to disappear a lot. if it wasnt for that reason id get one - they look like a laugh

[taint]

You mention using it as a commuter, how do you go with servicing?
I got the impression that these sort of bikes need far more regular servicing than your standard sportsbike, and racking up the kays daily might be a bit of a PITA.

Thats one of the main reasons I went with a DRZ because I was looking at Kato's and Yami's and Huskies aswell.
The servicing is the same as most bikes, 1st at 1000km, 2nd at 6000km and every 5000-6000 after that.

They are not race machines like the above bikes, they are no-where near as high strung so maintanance is much easier, no need to change the oil every 500km (unless you want too)

And if you don't mind riding on the dirt with a 310mm front disc the wheels of a drz400e will fit onto it
The forks are similar to those on the Rm250 motocrosser (different valves, slightly reduced travel. But are interchangeable)

They could have done with a 6th gear, but dropping the rear sprocket to 39 teeth from 41 gets rid of the buzziness as 120km

[Bendito]

I was looking at these a little while ago.
http://www.perthstreetbikes.com/forum/f14/motard-36599/
I ended up deciding it was probably too impractical for me day to day, but would love to have one as a second bike.

Hope that helps.

[thro]

good point. i'd also like to know how difficult they are to maintain compared to a sportsbike...if it means i'll have to be servicing it more often, think i might stick to a sportsbike.

Bear in mind that a sports bike = generally 4 cylinder with a fairing.

Supermoto = single with no fairing


if it's only slightly more often that it needs servicing (can't say I see why it would be the case?), then it could well work out cheaper to run anyway - your labour and parts costs will be way down...