The Supermotard Thread

[KaceCoyote]

Originally Posted by mike1952

I think the supermotards made from DS's are great looking, but what are the advatages over a sport bike on the road? Is it the ability to go off road as well?

Lighter, cheaper, they dont care about curbs or huge ass potholes.

[banjopete]

+ they don't look like every other crotch rocket out there, no need to be on the latest model, since most of those guys don't have a clue what the hell you're riding anyway

[Albie]

Originally Posted by mike1952

I think the supermotards made from DS's are great looking, but what are the advatages over a sport bike on the road? Is it the ability to go off road as well?

The fact they'll smoke a sport bike in the twistees for one. It's only when you can use the HP of a sport bike that it begins to even out.

[KaceCoyote]

Originally Posted by banjopete

+ they don't look like every other crotch rocket out there, no need to be on the latest model, since most of those guys don't have a clue what the hell you're riding anyway

Your also totally ignored by cops and squids. You get all the goodies a sportbike offered, and then its "hey wheres that trail go?"

[Bucho]

narrow
lightweight
awesome handling
up right/dirtbike position
ability to handle rough or even unpaved roads with no problem


I personally like the fact that they are cheap and wreck well

[OnlyVees]

Originally Posted by mike1952

I think the supermotards made from DS's are great looking, but what are the advatages over a sport bike on the road? Is it the ability to go off road as well?

Ask my buddy who couldn't shake me yesterday on a tight, mountain road. (he was on a ZX6R)

[snarf]

Thats another good point. If you put a set of sliders, and some handguards on the bike, they're darn near indestructable, short of you cartwheeling the bike down a hill or something like that.

Plastic is cheap :)

[Chief Gunner]

Originally Posted by OnlyVees

Ask my buddy who couldn't shake me yesterday on a tight, mountain road. (he was on a ZX6R)

Yup another testimony here: A guy on an R6 low sided his bike trying to keep up with me going down the super twistie roads on Mt Palomar here in San Diego about a week ago.

He said he had never ridden with an SM before and could not believe the speed and the smoothness I carried into the turns.

I am not bragging about it at all just sharing a little of what I have learned. I felt really bad to see such a good guy damage a beautiful bike but I was happy to see him get up and finish the ride (the speeds were not that fast).

I am a total SM noob and I try to maintain a cautious, humble and respectful approach to the way I ride because I'm older and I have nothing to prove to anyone. I'm in for the fun of it and nothing more.


My cut on the SM's being superior over sportbikes in the twisties are these points that I've thought about.

Keeping in mind opinions are like assholes, every one has one

Here we go.

1. They (SM's) are much lighter.

2. They brake better with even a single 320mm rotor up front compared to a sportie (again because the are lighter).

3. The gearing is set up for lower end torque which helps with controlable traction when you are on the throttle in the turns.

4.The transmsissions engine brake better which makes for better control.
(probably more to do with my final point)

3. The suspension set ups on SM's are more forgiving in bumpy sections and on rougher surfaces.

4. The wider MX style handlebars allow for more leverage when throwing the bike over in turns.

5.The wheel base geometry and rake of the forks on SM's allow for tighter turning radius'.

And finally most SM riders I have met have years of experience riding in the dirt which I believe goes a long way with the unbelievable way they can slice up the scariest twisties.

Most of the sport bike enthusiasts I have met have limited experience on dirtbikes and do not understand the differences in the SM riders use of body English and riding techniques.

Just my two cents, not trying to troll or stir up a hornets nest.

This is a great thread and I'm learning allot, thanks guys!

Gunz

[Barry]

The hottness...

[OConnor]

You wash that thing too much!

[Barry]

Originally Posted by OConnor

You wash that thing too much!

Those are not recent pics. They were literally when the bike was brand new. It has some track miles on it now.

Barry

[Chief Gunner]

This thing looks like a Beast! I'd love to try one.

2007 Husqvarna STR 650 CC
ENGINE: single cylinder 4 stroke
GEARS: 6
STARTING: electric with automatic decompressor
COOLING: by liquid
IGNITION: C.D.I. electronic, with adjustable advance
CARBURETOR: Kehin MX 41, dia 41
FRONT BRAKE: 320mm
REAR BRAKE: 220 mm
FRONT FORK : Upside down hydraulic telescopic fork, dia 50mm
REAR SUSPENSION: Progressive, with patented eccentric system for the continuous adjustment of the set-up, single shock absorber with external spring preload, rebound and compression damping.
FRONT/REAR TYRES: 120/70-17 160/60-17
KERB WEIGHT: 132 Kg
WHEELBASE: 1437,3mm
MIN. GROUND CLEARANCE: 333mm
SEDDLE HEIGHT: 900mm
FUEL TANK CAPACITY: 13 lt

[brents347]

Here's my two. Sorry neither of them is a Thumper, but they are SM!

[CATCH-22]

I don't race it,but damn,I do have fun on it.

[Jolly705]

check out www.esmra.com and come do some track days, a blast for sure!

and www.supermotojunkie.com

Originally Posted by bklynpath

I don't race it,but damn,I do have fun on it.