| Author | Message | ||
     Rockstarblast1 |
ok well iv seen these kinda bikes before being ridden on the street with plates. and i see people hit jumps with them and the bikes being stunted alot and it looks somewhat easier then on a full size bike like my 25r. so can someone tell me what im looking for? lol http://www.bikez.com/pictures/yamaha/2008/26391_0_ 1_2_wr250x_Image%20credits%20-%20Yamaha.jpg or http://www.moto-station.com/uploads/817_normal.jpg sorry i dont know how to make the pics show so i jus did links (would think i would know how abfter being on here so often) so in a nut shell im looking to pic something of this type up used. not looking to spend alot and if all possable looking to trade the buell blast i have for one. so does anyone have one or know anything about these style bikes? lol | ||
| Rick_a |
I've been wanting to buy one for years. Something always happens preventing this. The top bikes that are factory street legal are the KTM 690 SMC and Husqvarna SM610IE (there's faster bikes, but they're essentially race bikes with lights).   The 690SM splits the difference between a full on motard and streetbike  ...and the Duke II and Duke III are more street oriented   The KTM 640's are great bikes and the 625SMC is a bike that neatly splits the difference between a competition and street moto.  The DRZ400SM is the most popular and has a TREMENDOUS aftermarket following. These can be found used at good prices everywhere.  DR650SE's, Honda XR650L's, and KLR650's are often converted. They make very practical and reliable daily rides. The trade is less outright performance, cheap suspension and brakes, they are dated designs, and suffer a hefty weight penalty.    Some convert dirt bikes to street legal motards but that's a whole 'nother story... but... The Honda XR650R and XR600R seem to be very popular   True nutters do CR500's  Here's a couple good resources on SupermotoJunkie: SupermotoJunkie, "What Makes the Best Street Tard" Manufacturers of Bikes for Supermoto There used to be a few nice FAQ pages out there but they seem to have disappeared. The WR250X is a solid bike with a good reputation...but most bikes 450cc's and less struggle a bit to cruise at highway speeds (though these bike are poor highway bikes in general).  There's a few big twin sumos like the KTM 950 and 990, BMW HP2, and the Ducati Hypermotard and Buell XB12STT (the latter two being more street bikes with a dirtbike riding position). They are all big, expensive, and less forgiving...especially in the dirt. Everything out there has its pro's and con's (and they are numerous) so it's basically a matter of what suits your needs. (Message edited by Rick_A on December 03, 2009) | ||
| Cityxslicker |
They are wheelie mongers and cop magnets. More fun than you have had in a long time, if it doesnt make you a hooligan for adrenaline rushes, then you are probably already dead. Everyone I know that has one.... has at least one ticket because of it. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Amen to that. I had a KLR-250, 17 RWHP on a *good* day, and played around commuting with that... Stupid fun even though grossly underpowered. Had it been a CRF-450X, or even my KDX-200, I would have lost my license by now, and on a street bike I am generally a model of restraint. Other fine print... people rave about how reliable modern 4 strokes single cylinder motors are... and to a large degree they are right. Historically, a single putting down 40+ HP would have been lucky to last 2 hours. Now, modern 4 stroke thumpers make that almost right out of the box, its amazing what a modern dirt bike can do. (And if you look closely, I think you will find the new Honda VFR looks suspiciously like 4 Honda CRF-450X motors welded together... that's going to be an amazing bike). But keep in mind that "reliable" for a thumper may be 10k or 15k miles between significant rebuilds. I have first hand experience (actually worked on them) with street legal four stroke singles. Major engine rebuilds at 15k, 10k, 12k, and 11k and 9k respectively. Just like it is harder to make a long term reliable twin then an inline four, it harder to make a long term reliable single then a twin. One cylinder that is bigger around and sweeping a longer stroke is always going to be less reliable then two or four cylinders that are smaller in diameter and sweeping a shorter stroke. It's just physics. Generally the work was straightforward, new piston and maybe some valves and valve guides. But of course since you are in there anyway, you might as well get the heads ported and put in a big bore kit  . Since it's a single though, the rebuilds aren't *that* bad... you can generally get away with under $1000 unless you let things go too long. You can do it all with the motor still in the bike if you want. So I'm not saying don't do it, in fact I would say every motorcyclist ought to spend some time playing on a dirt bike (either on the street or on the dirt) or you are missing a ton of fun. Just know what you are signing up for. | ||
| Road_thing |
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| Someday |
Rockstar, I have a KTM Duke II for sale. It's a 2000 leftover that I bought in 2002, it's got 7000 miles, all stock, excellent condition, the price is $3750 firm. I'll e-mail photos if you're interested. I live in northern NJ. | ||
| Ourdee |
I might get 15 hp out of this, probably closer to 12. Replaced battery, piston, jug, valves, and clutch at 10,000 miles. It needs a few more things , but it is running for now. 1988 TW200. It's a hoot.  | ||
| Lonexb |
all i can say is, that every one should try a supermoto once. the most fun you can have on two wheels.    18k miles and still my favorite bike that i have owned to date. | ||
| Rick_a |
Most of the new MX 450's are in the 45+RWHP range. Most of the street legal bikes (400cc and up) are in the 30's (DRZ400, DR650SE, XR650L, KLR650, etc.) with bigger bikes in the 50's (Husky 610, KTM 625 & 690). Most of the street legal bikes last a long time if properly cared for. From what I've heard 30-40,000 miles before any major work is fairly common among the DRZ's, big KTM's, Husqvarna's, and converted dual-sports (though the Huskies tend to go through cam chains a bit too frequently...and the DRZ's can have some issues when ragged out or hotrodded). Reepicheep, what bikes are those that you've mentioned with major rebuilds at those mileages? Road_thing, how do you like that XR? I've always been a fan of 'em. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
 Here's the kiddy, known in the UK as Doctor Big. Yes you read the fairing right, it's a 800cc thumper. | ||
| Reepicheep |
3 XR-650's (air cooled) and two KLR-250's (water cooled). I didn't count the three KDX's in there... I doubt any of them made it to 5000 miles. But those are two strokes, and I could rebuild them with an old coffee can and a ball peen hammer. | ||
| Buellfighter |
My motard...  | ||
| Eboos |
I wish I had some pictures of my TTR125 supermoto bike. That thing is way too much fun. On a tight supermoto track, you can hang with the bigger bikes, and you can crash all day long without ever getting hurt. It is not streetable though, although I did have to ride it about 30 miles on public roads one day a few months ago. In the rain with slicks no less. | ||
| Road_thing |
Rick_a: It's a hoot. Pretty much bulletproof, lots of power, but I wish it had an electric starter--XR's are notoriously hard to start when they're hot. rt | ||
| Skntpig |
@Buellfighter Great picture. Sweet S1 Do you have any better pics of your tail? I'm in the process of cutting one down now and wanted to see how you slid your tail light in there and also how much of your subframe shows. Where's your tag? (Message edited by skntpig on December 04, 2009) | ||
| Rockstarblast1 |
thanks for the offer "someday" but i dont have that kinda cash right now. i didnt know they were that much.. esp that old. like i said i dont know anything about these how do you know what size motors these are? there titles say 250 and stuff but you guys are making it sound like there 600's or somethin.. also i take it there all a single cyl 4 stroke? so basically there a dirt bike with street tires? and the actual dirt bikes converted just look stupid to me lol | ||
| Buellfighter |
Skntpig, I'll post some undertail pics this eve...let me find em...off to pick up my daughter from school. Plate is just visible in first pic..tail light is mounted to tail piece.  | ||
| Rick_a |
Buellfighter, while your S1 is pretty sick...real motards are based on dual sports and offroad bikes with long travel suspension. Your 5-1/2 inches ain't cuttin' it    Both of these have 8"-10" of travel. That DR800 is a big beautiful b*tch. Rockstarblast, KTM's are top of the line bikes with top shelf components and tend to hold their value relatively well. The only inexpensive bikes are the common and less exotic variety...such as the Japanese bikes. Many need little more than a wheel conversion. The only turnkey bike that can be had for decent prices is the DRZ400SM. The WR250X is too new for there to be much in deals out there...but it's worth looking into. Check local ads and the best bet will likely be converting a DRZ400S dual sport. The WR is lighter, smaller, has a six speed (DRZ400 is a five speed) and is fuel injected. The DRZ has a bit more power and torque. Do your research. Use your search-foo for reviews on bikes you are interested in. There are nearly endless rider reviews for many popular bikes out there such as those here. Review specs, and most of all, check out bikes that interest you in person. Craigslist and site mash are good places to look. There's also older dual sports like the DR350SE that can be found relatively inexpensively (this one being pretty highly tweeked).  Oh, and how did I forget to mention the kings of supermoto?   (Message edited by Rick_A on December 10, 2009) | ||
| Buellfighter |
Rick, you ride yours the way you want and I'll ride mine however/whereever I want!  | ||
| Rick_a |
Well, the intent is here, too. I bomb mine off railroad crossings daily...which is why I want a sumo. | ||
| Buellfighter |
Rick, I've spent years motocross and cross country racing and if I'm not racing I'll attend a few on the Buell. Fun to see the looks on peoples faces as my S1 busts through the trees in route to a favorite vantage point! Fun stuff...although an XR 650 would also be nice! | ||
| Paw |
If I were going to get a motard...I would want the Aprilia twin for sure!!! (Message edited by paw on December 05, 2009) | ||
| Rick_a |
That's cool. I had to bust your chops a little  The 'Priller is a special beast. The whole motor is held together with sealant and the maintenance and tear down schedule is intense. The pistons don't even have oil control rings for reduced drag. '07 motors (especially the 550) had a few issues that if not taken care of can be catastrophic. So yeah, if you can deal with that 280lbs and nearly 70hp unrestricted is pretty awesome. There's a lot of pertinent info HERE (Message edited by Rick_A on December 05, 2009) | ||
| Speedfreaks101 |
I recently purchased a DRZ400SM and I love it. Just imagine 75 mpg, 25-50 bucks for wave rotors , all you plastics for 120 and tons of aftermarket. Kind of like the 1987 Mustang of motorcycles. The bad part is that sweepers are not a lot of fun like they are on the Buell, but switchbacks are great. This thing loves the tight stuff. |
