SM or sports...

[Matthie]

Currently thinking what type of bike I should go for when im 17, it's between a SM or a sports bike.

I think that the SM will be alot of fun and I like off roading so I could put some off road tyres on it. However, the seating position is very upright so isn't that good for long journeys and I believe the service intervals are quite close? I will do basic services myself though, oil change ect. I also think that a SM will help me keep my licence intact abit better. Finally, I don't plan to be making regular motorway trips, but is riding a SM on a motorway really that bad?

The sports bike will be pretty dangerous for my licence due to the speeds they are capable of (wrist wanking comment but it won't apply as I won't be responsible enough to not speed). I do like riding fast bikes though but I think I am more of a acceleration man rather than a top end person as top end isn't all that.

If I did go down the SM route I will get a sports bike when I can afford one on top of the SM or if I fancy a change. I just think I will enjoy the SM more in general, off roading and hooning round the twisties, it will also be my main mode of transport.

Any advice?
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***Previous: GPR50, FZ750 *** Current: Monkey bike, yella SV 650 ***

Tutton says: I hate random hardons, they are so weird...

[Fnatic]

VFR 400

[G]

I did over 2000 miles on my KTM, including some pretty full days (maybe 8-9 hours in the saddle in total).
A sheep skin seat rug thingy (£10.95) made a massive difference. The bodged fairing did make a big difference for wind at speed, however.

It'll handle green-laning and even enduros fine. Service intervals are 3000 miles.
Probably a bit out of your budget; but you can get a few similar bikes (TE610 for instance) for a lot less if you shop around and are lucky.

[Fnatic]

G can I see a picture of your KTM?

[Alex-RS]

Buy the sports bike, you know you want to

Lol no seriously, if you don't think you'll be responsible enough, then go for the SM. Then you can learn that responsibility for the sports bike in a couple of years

[Matthie]

[Alex-RS]

[G]

When I first got it; click for more and for Hare and Hound use/with supermoto wheels:
https://gees.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p205543575-3.jpg

As it is at the moment:
https://gees.zenfolio.com/img/v4/p835804901-3.jpg
(Actually, it's got a hell of a lot more mud right now.)

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

Supermotos on the motorway are ok apart from everything hits you. When it's cold and raining you feel it a great deal more than a sportsbike.

Youre gonna speed on either bike. I think I speed more irresponsibly on my DRZ than I do on my ZX6R. I've also got the hang of power sliding on my DRZ which will go wrong some time. Wouldnt dare do that on the ZX6. I've taken my brand new stock DRZ off-road a little in this weather and it's been great fun. Extremely slippery but fun.

Servicing in the real world works out fairly similar between sports bike and supermoto assuming you dont go competition spec.

[Fnatic]

Those mods are brilliant

[Matthie]

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

Problem is you'll end up doing 20mph sideways then accelerate up to relatively naughty speeds in a 30 so more likely to get stopped and banned.