Winter: Superbike Vs. Supermoto

[Jayy]

I've got a ZX6R at the minute and a few of my mates ride supermotos. I had a little go of my mates bike the other day and I was suprised at how well it handled in the wet compared with my bike.

I've ridden an RS125 all year round an it wasn't a problem in the winter as there isn't exactly tonnes of torque at the back wheel but I'm dreading riding the ninja this winter in ice.

Anyone else change to a different bike in the winter or do you ride the same one no matter what it's like?

I quite like the sound of a KTM 640 duke to ride over winter then go back to a super sport in March next year...

[MarJay]

Why not keep the ZX6R and buy a cheap bike for winter? Personally I wouldn't even go for a supermoto necessarily, especially not an expensive one like a Duke.

My winter bike for example is an MZ ETZ 301 Saxon fun, and it does live up to its name. It doesn't go very fast, and it doesn't have amazing grip but it does handle surprisingly well, it stops surprisingly well and it doesn't matter if it gets wet, no one is going to want to nick it, and parts are cheap and plentiful. Not only that, it is about as simple as a motorcycle can get mechanically and so is pretty easy to fix when it goes wrong.

The trouble with cheap off roaders is that they are chav magnets and have very little in the way of security. I'd just buy a cheap light road bike and prepare the ZX6R for a winter in storage.
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[Jayy]

My reasoning is, I wanted to change the ZX6R for something else anyway, was thinking an R1 but I don't want to be riding an R1 through winter.

So, sell the ZX an buy a supermoto, keep it up until April/May an get an R1 then, plus I will have another years no claims by May.

I love the grunt of the supermotos as well, they sound amazing, they look nice and they handle better. I don't want a cheap bike for the winter, just something more practical.

[P.addy]

i also love the sound of them, but i personally would feel too much like a chav on one.
Im using the GS500 through winter and an r6 on the nice happy days we get in britain
GS seems pretty cheap to repair if it gets dropped, a clip on here, footpeg there, its pretty hard.

[potato]

you would feel like a chav on a supermoto?

sort ya life out....
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[TUBZ69]

[nowhere.elysium]

[Dr. DaveJPS]

he might be thinking of the dtr (which chav's like to steal)
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[G]

How does your bike handle 'badly' in the wet?
My zx9 handles no worse and I choose this over an LC4 supermoto style bike for winter commuting (mostly because of the narrower bars, but I don't see anything else as a disadvantage.)

I enjoy riding supermotos for fun more because they have less power than sports bikes, so I can feel I'm making more use of the bike.

[The Original Muzza]

When I see a group of chavs on 2 wheels, in a large enough group there'll be on average; 70% Step-thru Mopeds, 15% 2-Stroke 50's and 15% Supermoto style bikes.

Slightly chavvy, but not enough to put me off their sex-appeal.
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Current Bikes: Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 (2020)
Former Bikes: Honda MSX125 (2014), BMW Funduro (1996), Honda VT500 (1983), Yamaha FZR250 (1989), Suzuki GZ125 Marauder(2005),:Triumph TT600 (2002) (stolen)
From then on, I and the bicycle feelings deeper.

[Jayy]

I get his point about them being associated with chavs, I see allot of younger lads riding supermotos around here but I don't associate them with chavs in general.

Quite an expensive bike to ride a KTM 640 duke.

[Jayy]

[G]

I've never found handling to really change from wet to dry.
Only way that it kinda does is that you don't tend to compress the suspension as much, so things can work slightly differently as you're at a little different angles.

Otherwise, yes the sports bike has more power, but I (mostly) adjust by turning my right hand less .

I used to ride a zx6 year-round before I got the zx9 and would say the same for that.

In some cases, softening the suspension can give a bike a more reassuring 'feel' for slippy conditions.

A supermoto does tend to turn quicker (though sports bikes can be made to do similar) and handle bumpy roads better too.

[thewildblue]

What distance is your commute ?

I had a 640 Duke and a ZX7R at the same time for 2 winters. My commute was 50 miles each way....the 7R was used 9 out of 10 times. It didnt corrode as quick, was warmer and faster.

This year until I buy another car Im going to be using my versys instead as its comfier than the 10R and better on fuel.

[P.addy]

[Jayy]

[clancy]

something ive been pondering for a while.
any opinions on the cr500? been thinking of getting one for winter riding etc as there pretty cheap.


cheers, leigh.

[craigs23]

I'm contemplating riding my DRZ throughout winter - but not because it handles better than my CBR did last year - because I don't think I would.

Cheaper to run though, more fun to ride...and I won't cry so much if I did drop it.

[G]

[clancy]

[G]

First off, I don't think supermotos are that great personally.
However, if you're stuck on the idea, hmmm, depends what speeds you want to do.
A converted XR400 can make a good choice if you don't want to cruise at dual carrigeway speeds. I used to have a semi-converted DR600 which was ok.
Spend a bit more, and the TE610 is definitely worth a look, also consider the CCM404 and 644 (both are a little slow and the 644 is a little heavy too.)

Despite the OPs wishes, often I've found the extra height can make supermotos harder to keep upright in questionable road conditions compared to similar street/road bikes.

[clancy]

im not dead set on the idea.
im just after a winter bike, and thought a supermoto would be a nice as i have never had one.
speed isnt exactly an issue.

thanks

[G]

Worth a go to see if you like. Personally, I'd get one that can easily take, or has, enduro wheels and give off-roading a go to. Lots more fun and it doesn't really hurt when you fall off in our squelchy-muddy-winters .

[clancy]

xr400 or dr600 are good choices then?

id love to try off roading, looks like so much fun, but i dont know where you can do it or is it just a matter of not asking?

[Seb]

Real men take test rides in snow and ice
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