Supermotos - advantages / disadvantages?

Blink · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Mar 2005 Karma :

I'm trying to weigh out if it was be (kinda) sensible to buy one.

I'm thinking of a 250 or similar, it would be road going.

Here's my list of A/D, please feel free to add or comment:

Advantages.

Looks the nuts (IMO).
Massive acceleration.
Wheelies.
Pretty inexpensive in the case of a fall.
High ride height.
I've been riding trailes for years.

Disadvantages

Look silly (some people might think- i personally couldn't give a crap)
Poor top end.
A poor commuter.

Please feel free to comment. What is everyones view on the handling of SMs?

Thanks
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instigator · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Karma :

Handling at slower speeds, I can see as being good Thumbs Up

But.....with those kind of bikes, you're going to NEED (not want) a big "fuck-off" chain. Or three.

Blink · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Mar 2005 Karma :

I have one big 'fuck off' chain. I don't tend to leave my bike anywhere that long anyway apart from my garage Smile

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Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

Robchester · Scooby Slapper Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Karma :

Disadv - no good for long distances as the seat isnt the comfiest, and it has poor wind and weather protection.

Blink · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Mar 2005 Karma :

I love EXCs, was tempted to get a 200 a year back, not that much bang for buck in the lower cc bikes tho.

After reading one of your posts Yams, i'm curious to know how much it cost to set your WR up as a SM?

A project i've always wanted to do. I think i could handle a WR too.
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Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

MattShill · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 13 Mar 2005 Karma :

According to the Virgin Bikes Insurance site, Supermotos have just been found to be the safest form of bike to ride, so cheaper to insure.

Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

Blink · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Mar 2005 Karma :

Haha brilliant mate.

There's not much of a SM scene up here in East Yorks sadly, although there's a hell of alot of superbikes.
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Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

Blink · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Mar 2005 Karma :

I'm flogging my car so i should have about £5k max to spend. Although want to go somewhere decent on holiday this year so was thinking of £3k all in for a bike.

Still on a restricted license which is a bugger (i'm 19) but i'd be tempted to help those restrictors fall out *ahem*
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Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

Josh|RD125LC · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Karma :

I'm surprised lilredmachine hasn't chipped in yet Wink

I think supermotos look very nice, especially the fat tyres they have. They also sound very meaty, which I like alot. Cracking handling I bet and not too bad acceleration I'm guessing.

Yams, that KTM is a right beauty, hurry up and get the engine back in her! Thumbs Up

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Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

Josh|RD125LC · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Karma :

Sounds good to me. Should be a right beast. You forgot about the phat tyres as well Very Happy

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Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

lilredmachine · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Jan 2005 Karma :

Wave2k · G's Stalker Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Karma :

wots the matinence like on these
i heard u have to change the oil alot
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tokarev · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Jan 2005 Karma :

I really like the look of supermotos. It would be great for getting around the city on, with good acceleration, easy to flick about. I may start saving for one. Yams..you have a very nice example there. Thumbs Up

I hear they sound loud aswell.

lilredmachine · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Jan 2005 Karma :

Friend of ours recently got a large capacity KTM, scared the shit out of him. Tops out at around 90MPH but he says it is the only bike he has ridden that will wheely whilst spinning the rear wheel.
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Valver · World Chat Champion Joined: 31 Jan 2005 Karma :

Supermotos are muchos fun!
I got my first one last month (husky SM610R) and have to say its the best bike i've ever had.
Servicing costs are quite scarey for KTM, Huskys and Husabergs tho.
I have to change the oil after pretty much every run (300miles tops) but it only takes a litre of oil and can be done in 5minutes or even at the road side.
Pure takes the piss out of sports bikes thru the low speed twisties but gets a little flighty over the ton.
Great in the town, if anything a little too noisey Thumbs Up

stevekynaston · L Plate Warrior Joined: 01 Oct 2007 Karma :

just got a new suzuki drz 400 sm and i love it selling the zx9r now

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

acceleration should be similar to any bike in the same state of tune and the same capacity. So a 600/litre sports bike will still pwn it on acceleration.
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stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

A couple of other disadvantages is that they have a totally crap tank range and they chew through chains and rear tyres at an alarming rate.

They do however let you get away with murder in terms of ham-fisted arsing about. I remember both tyres broke traction then hooked up again on my MZ as I was exiting a roundabout with the hammer down. A sports bike would have highsided me into the armco, the MZ just kind of went 'boing', shook its head slightly and carried on going. I lost count of the number of times I braked to a halt then felt the rear wheel bump back down onto the road, you didn't even know you were doing it.
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