Long distance on a supermoto?

[MattHirst]

Hello folks, i currently ride a bandit 400 and however nice it is as my first big bike, it gets a little cramp on a long run, although its fine the twisties when you are moving around a lot. (low bars and me being about 20ft tall)

I was looking for something like an R6/zx6r, however i have always had a soft spot for the KTM 640/new 690 but...

I am going to cornwall in august on the bike (380 miles each way, give or take a few) and apart from having a sore arse, would the bike have any problems making the journey?

Thanks
Matt
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It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt, then it's bloody hilarious!!!

[JBurrows88]

well, you've come to the offroad & Sm section. I knew you would give in...

The 690 is a great bike, G has been writing a review of the trail version. They have a good service times and the chance of a KTM 690 setting on fire like your bandit would; is very remote! However the KTM 690 is fairly highly priced.

And there are alternates, im just not sure what they are. Trying not to say DRZ. lol
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Dave
XJR400 Kenney Roberts Paint Job

[G]

I've done 200 miles in a day on my DRZ-engined CCM. That was fun and mostly twistyish roads, wouldn't want to sit on the motorway on it.

I'll be doing a fair bit more than your trip on my KTM in a month or so.

With the standard seat, you'll definitely want to be moving about a lot to stop it getting uncomfortable. However there are a variety of options to help.
After that, a bike like this is good if you want to keep your speed down. If you don't, a sports bike will be much better (though note the r6 is pretty cramped, as are the new ZX6s).

The 640 KTM is well known for pretty bad vibes. As mentioned, the new one is definitely expensive.

If you don't have any off-road pretensions and don't want low power specifically, then there are probably better bikes.
A streetfightered sports bike, or just something a bit bigger like a thundercat or early fireblade are worth considering.

[MattHirst]

Well i am on a restricted license so thats why i was looking at a big single, to try and keep the torque.

Dave, I refuse to buy another suzuki (After almost setting on fire, popping a 125 gearbox and one of my carbs falling apart on the B4 ) so thats why i looked at the KTM's.

I don't really mind an uncomfortable seat (leeds-edinbrough and back on a 125? ) it's just the crampedness of the bandit that bothers me (the r6 is a lot more spacious than the bandit believe it or not!)

I wouldn't buy new and colin appleyards have 2 dealers reasonabley close to me (leeds and keighley) so will see if they have any 2nd hand ones in.

So would a supermoto (ie 690 SM/SMC) make it to cornwall and back without a roadside engine rebuild?

Thanks
Matt
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It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt, then it's bloody hilarious!!!

[JBurrows88]

i was in there today, they have the "funny mudguard ones". But i didnt see any second's. Always worth a look tho.

Once you have purchased it, you know im going to "take" it off you.
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Dave
XJR400 Kenney Roberts Paint Job

[G]

Service intervals are 3000 miles, so on that front you should be fine.

I've done distance on a 125, the SMC seat I suspect is going to be a fair bit worse.

The 690SM is quite a different bike to the SMC; a fair bit heavier and more road orientated. The SMC is new this year and have only been available in the UK for just over a month.
The SM has been out a year, so there's a few around second hand.

Personally, unless you really want some specific property of it, I'd say it's a waste of money:
I really wanted a second hand TE610, which is a similar bike, but the only one I managed to find was written off a couple of days before I called up . So would have to be new TE, new KTM or nearly-new BMW G650. Decided the BMW didn't quite offer what I wanted and it'd be worth it for me to spend the extra.
Time will tell if it was a good choice.

If it's for the road, how about considering something like a 650 V-Strom, TDM850 or similar? For doing distance these will be a lot better and while they do weigh a bit more, it's unlikely this will be more of a limiting factor than the rider on twisty roads .

[JBurrows88]

yeah i got carried away looking at Husaburgs this evening. lol

When you see the service intervals measured in 15hours. you know its bad!
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Dave
XJR400 Kenney Roberts Paint Job

[G]

15? Pah, mine's 10, or 5 for 'serious' use .

15 hours at an average of 50mph (ok, that's actually going pretty fast) would be 750 miles. Halve that to 375 miles and it seems a bit harsh, but consider you're using under a litre of oil and it's not actually that nasty.

Though, still no way I'd recommend one for daily use, though some people do use them for that.

[MattHirst]

Cheers G.

The BMW had actually caught my eye, also got a BMW dealer reasonabley close aswell (Alan Jefferies) so easy to go have a gander.

I have looked at the v-strom etc but they just don't seem 'fun' enough.

3000 miles for servicing isn't bad, i can live with that. What would a 690 or the likes stand upto daily commuting? (not stop start traffic, i work shifts and its exactly 10 miles each way)

I am working saturday morning so may have to go have a look saturday afternoon
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It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt, then it's bloody hilarious!!!

[G]

My 690 seems to get very hot, but has a fan. Otherwise should be ok.

The BMW is a bit more 'vibey' than the KTM, which is very smooth with a fancy balancer (still vibey sitting at high revs, though).

While it may be a little easier to throw around a lighter KTM or similar, on the road there's not nearly as much in it when you've got lots of grip; it's off road when you've got not much grip at all that it starts to get more interesting.
Most people don't get near the turning speed possible on their bikes and those that do will only do it very occasionally.

The money you'll save on a less-shiny bike (though the 650 is still quite expensive) will buy a whole load of fun.

[steveh]

it depends on the rider really, and the gearing of course. i have a ccm 604 and its a fantastic bike on the twistys, but sitting on long A roads and motorways is a pain in the arse, literally!


Steve.
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Current : 06 Zx10r, 07 Wr450f SM, 74 850 norton commando, 63 bsa b40, 1962 Triton 650, 67 Triumph Tr6r, 1955 Triton 750, 1978 TY250E.