SuperMoto or SuperSport...

[beefcake]

I am really liking the KTM 640 Duke at the moment, but have always thought that a CBR600 or similar sportsbike is the way to go. I used to have an XR125, then got the CBR125 (which is good for commuting...). I found the XR a more comfortable ride, and I liked the upright riding position. When I got on the CBR, I found it a tad uncomfortable, and it took me a while to adjust, but now I enjoy riding it more than then XR.

What are the pro's and cons between the SM & SS? Am I more likely to speed on a sportsbike than on a supermoto?
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Gotta get my knee down...

[cagiva gezzer]

Speed on a superbike.

Wheelie on a supermoto.

But its down to your own self control.
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"because one stroke isnt enough and four strokes waste two"

[Sparks!]

You are trying to compare to completely different bikes, it won't work.

Stop trying to compare them.

You will not find a compromise, well the closet compromise you'll get is a naked bike, Honda Hornet, bandit or the KTM Superduke may possibly be a compromise.

Otherwise you're comparing chalk and cheese.

Make you're mind up what you want out of a bike then re-evaluate with more specific needs.

There is more to a supermoto than wheelying, there is more to a sports bike than speed. Buying a sports bike won't make you a knee down god in the same way that buying a supermoto won't make you a wheely god!

I've seen a good few people buy a supermoto after their road bikes and get bored because they are expecting comfort, reliability, speed etc... which you won't get from any supermoto.

Funnily enough those weekend warriors tend to swing for KTM LC4's too

Not saying that you are or anything

HTH.. just list what you want out of a bike and tell me what you're expecting from a supermoto before wasting your money on one to find out they aren't practical etc!

[Rob W]

Supermoto!!

You know it makes sense, .
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'90 TS50 > '04 Senda 125 > '91 ZXR400 > '90 CB-1 > '04 GSX-R1000 > '96 Bandit 600 > '89 ZXR750 H1 > '96 GSX-R750 SRAD > '98 RR-W Fireblade > '98 T595 Daytona > '03 Hornet 900 > '04 Fireblade > '16 GSX-S1000F (x2) > '23 XSR900

[Rob W]

[beefcake]

I'm not a speed demon (yet) , so am not really fussed about hitting 100+ mph. I would like a degree of comfort, and reliability. I know that both these bikes are very different, but cannot decide what exactly I would like in the future. Its so hard... Do dealers let you have a test drive?
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Gotta get my knee down...

[Rob W]

I'm sure most dealers would let you take 'em out for a test ride. Really best to decide what you want to do on the bike, if your gonna be commuting I wouldn't go for a Supermoto, any more than 20 miles and your arse will fall off. Personally I love the look of Supermoto's, and the way yo can throw them around, but at the end of the day it's all up to you. Weigh up what you want to do on the bike and make a decision from there.


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'90 TS50 > '04 Senda 125 > '91 ZXR400 > '90 CB-1 > '04 GSX-R1000 > '96 Bandit 600 > '89 ZXR750 H1 > '96 GSX-R750 SRAD > '98 RR-W Fireblade > '98 T595 Daytona > '03 Hornet 900 > '04 Fireblade > '16 GSX-S1000F (x2) > '23 XSR900

[G]

Supermotos are slower, basic difference.

This means you can feel like you're ragging it and not be going at seriously licence losing speeds.

If you want a sports bike to wheelie as effotlessly as a decent supermoto, downgear it a bit (don't need to go as far as the sm is).
The higher power/longer gears should make up for the different CoG.

[beefcake]

Cheers for the advice. The bike will literally be for weekends (but you know what its like, give it a few days and I'd be riding everywhere on it (whichever way I decide to go). Those KTMs sure do look good though, are they reliable?
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Gotta get my knee down...

[Sparks!]

[Rob W]

I haven't heard any problems about reliability with KTM's myself but I couldn't be certain. Search around on Google, there'll be shitloads of sites with reviews and what have you about 'em.
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'90 TS50 > '04 Senda 125 > '91 ZXR400 > '90 CB-1 > '04 GSX-R1000 > '96 Bandit 600 > '89 ZXR750 H1 > '96 GSX-R750 SRAD > '98 RR-W Fireblade > '98 T595 Daytona > '03 Hornet 900 > '04 Fireblade > '16 GSX-S1000F (x2) > '23 XSR900

[Claud 14.7 to 1]

Will it be your only form of transport?

How much money do you have?

You could get both. Road bikes can be picked up dirt cheap, whereas it's harder to find a nice supermoto for "cheap". Depends on how much money you have.

Sports bikes are more practical on the road and for general use. Supermotos are unpractical fun machines, which also look nice.

Supermotos will be cheaper if you crash, easier to work on, and cheaper to service, but not as reliable.

I'd say you are more likely to speed on a sports bike.

[beefcake]

It won't be my only form of transport. I'll keep my 125 for commuting, so its a fun thing really. Budget will be 3-4k. I'm not up to speed on the different supermoto bikes produced by the manufacturers, but am aware of KTM (thanks to sky sports lol). I only have one friend that is interested in bikes, and although he currently has a ninja, he is also a big moto fan, and will be getting back onto a supermoto in the near future. I think I'll have to get myself down Highbeach one sunday and have a nose at some of the bikes. It would be good to speak to the owners and get a feel for running costs, good bits and bad bits etc.
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Gotta get my knee down...

[Sparks!]

[beefcake]

300 miles
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Gotta get my knee down...

[Sparks!]

[Claud 14.7 to 1]

[89CBRChris]

what about the more road orientated smotos, there must be some which still have a sensible service schedule and are as reliable as road bikes.

i'm considering an XT660x next year if the bank manager lets me (if not it'll probably be an older enduro bike or i'll stick with the CBR for another year), although the xt660x probably isn't considered a "proper" supermoto it should be very reliable and should have a sensible service schedule.

[Sparks!]

[jamie192]

[stinkwheel]

You can get a not a 'proper' supermoto in the form of the MZ baghira/mastiff which sell brand new for around £4k. They are a lot heavier than full-on supermotos but you can ride distances in relative comfort (although motorways are a bit of a trauma, more through vibes than anything, better fun avoiding them anyway). I did Carlisle to Orkney on mine this summer and did not feel badly treated by it.

The motor is pretty reliable (although mine did self-destruct, but this is an exception).

You will speed a lot more on a supermoto (they make you ride like a tw@, you can't help yourself.) but in a minor infringement kind of way rather than a loose your licence in a oner kind of way.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[89CBRChris]

cool, do you know of any MZ dealers around NE London though or a website for them etc... never seen an MZ shop near where I live in fact I dont think i've ever seen an MZ shop anywhere.

[cagiva gezzer]

Any sort of bike can wheelie, its just that when you're on a SM bike you're more prone to arse around at low speeds as you can't get your kicks at high speeds.
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"because one stroke isnt enough and four strokes waste two"

[Smoto Bob]

[Sparks!]

And you wonder why I won't come up to see you mate? I'd have to stop and do an oil change half way
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Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes