Balancing the three for a converted mx >supermoto

[Pie-Roe]

Hi there, basically I want to buy an off road bike and convert it myself to a supermoto'd varient. I've had enough of buying bodge jobs and want to bodge it myself, so at least I know whats under that gaffer tape electrics!

Power, weight and rebuilds are the main thing I'm worried about.

I've been after a crf450 for a while now, but recently been looking around at other models, specifically the wr450, and the kxf450, as well as a few of the ktm models. However with the ktms it seems to be that you get more power and less weight but have to rebuild a lot (exc models)

I know nothing about two strokes.
My budget will be about 1600 for the bike, and around 1000 for the parts (I can cheat a bit by buying wheels in bits and having a friend lace them, and my dad can spray/weld etc)

Anyone got any thoughts? I won't be starting to do this until summer is over, probably will try to pick up the bike around november for greenlaning.

Pyro
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[G]

Wrote long reply, got eated by my silly computer, so in brief:
KTM/Husaberg/etc much easier to convert as made for it and big market of parts. Thus cheaper so you can spend more on a better bike.
Can more easily use cush drive wheels, better for engine designed for use in ‘looser’ conditions.
Suspect you hear less bad stories about converted Jap crossers because less are used regularly on the road.

I’d go for an ‘open class’ (500cc+) as it tends to be a bit easier on the engine as you need to thrash a little less.
However, I think I’d look at a fairly modern Husaberg; a quick ebay finds this which would be just outside your total budget (but sell the enduro wheels and you’ve made the money back, or just be a man and take it off-road ):
https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220622204364
Later models have less reliability questions – and you get an impressive 650cc in a very light but capable chassis.

In fact, if I had a load of cash floating about, I’d be tempted to buy the above bike .

[Pie-Roe]

What sort of reliability would I be looking at for a model such as the one you posted?

I'm not the most mechanically minded when it comes to internals. I can pretty much do everything apart from engine work. I gather changing the oil after every 2 rides or so is good, and if you leave the engines stock theres much more likelyhood of it not going bang in a horrific fashion? I don't get to ride very much so when I do, it's generally about 250 miles a day.

I'd want to take this regularly to trackdays (well every one they do at lydden hill, and a few at lydd)

I supposed I was quite closed minded about just getting any of the 450s because the only motards in my area are crfs and I see them week in week out, not blown up.
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[G]

It’s fairly rare for people to do much engine-wise to these bikes as they tend to be pretty perky as standard.
The later Husabergs are supposed to be ok at least, but not amazing still. Regular oil changes and not too much constant high speed should help.

Note that for serious thrashing on supermoto tracks you may find the 650 a bit ‘too much’ - it depends I suspect how much you want the feeling of pushing the bike.

Note that the motocross bikes are going to be lighter than the enduro bikes, but if you’re adding all the road stuff, that’s going to be half the difference. Generally the motocross bikes are considered less reliable than the enduro bikes, often have the wrong number of gears with odd gearing, etc.