I’m looking to pick up a supermoto this year, but I’m not sure what bike to buy. Anyone have personal experience or opinions on the following bikes?
03-08 KTM 950 SM
I really like this one ^ for the cheaper price and larger displacement.
2013 KTM 990 SM-T
This would be my top pick but 13k is a lot for a supermoto.
Husqvarna SM 450r - pic won’t upload but it’s a 450 that can be bought that comes as a supermoto for around 7k. No hassle of trying to make it street legal and getting a street title.
I could build/buy a Honda or Yamaha 450 but I think I would get bored of the power and top speed.
I haven’t owned a motorcycle in many years so I’m out of the loop and would appreciate any help.
I plan on riding it to work and that consists of a lot of thru way. I’ve rode the drz 400 and that just won’t cut it.
I’ve also been on a yzf 450 supermoto and power was good but I don’t want to rebuild it all the time either.
I’m just worried about the KTM feeling too heavy, but I don’t have any experience with it.
Ktm is going to be higher maintenance. But the 6 speed in the smr450 is awesome on the road. I also had a bone stock crf 450 I rode everywhere. My ass hurt in the stock seat but I would just start doing stupid shit on it after that. Wheelie any gear any time. I had to rebuild the Waterpump on it and that was it. Oil and valve adjustments on the Ktm. If you want something nimble like a 450/550 find an aprilla svx 550. Those 950s are no supermoto bike to me.
I was literally about to post your name to see if you had any input haha. I was looking at the aprilla last night and I like it. I understand where you’re coming from on the KTM not being a true SM, but I need something that can go 70mph for an extended period of time.
Also people say the crf should be rebuilt after 15hrs or like 50hrs if its not being raced. Any truth to that in your opinion?
No idea how many hours where on the crf when I got it. It had about 2k miles. I did a compression check when I got it home and before I sold it. A few times in between. Never move and I know I but more than 50 hours on it lol.
It was geared 10mph was 1k rpm. So at 70 you will be at 7k.
I actually drove to NC one weekend to get a husky 450 and the guy decided not to sell it once I got there. I actually found the crf in Erie on the way home
Rebuild at 15hrs seemed crazy, but i guess if you’re a serious racer it makes sense. The Husqvarna sm 450r is supposed to go 110 mph, so I figured that would be fine on the thruway. If you were to buy another SM what would you get?
Husky also makes a 510 sm.
In no order.
Ktm450smr. Would have to be a legit smr or your not getting the 6 speed.
Aprilla svx 450/550
Husky 450/510
Whatever I could find a deal on. Mind you the husky and Aprilla are going to be more Street ready trim. Unless you find a smr that someone put lights on. Also the ktm sites have the option for E start, but the others come with them.
I really don’t think an almost 1000 cc bike is a supermoto anymore, seems more like a sport tourer at that point.
I’d suggest getting an 02+ 525 just because the plastics look cooler.
edit: not sure if it’s the (stock) gearing but I don’t think I’d take my bike on more than an hour ride, only gets 30ish mpg. Newer bikes should be better
Well if you find an older one without the recall done yes. Anything will go boom if you don’t take care of it. These are all higher strung bikes. Need a little more maintaining than a normal Street bike. Unless it’s a drz then you just drive it forever and don’t give a shit
Thanks, I was looking at that earlier. If I go with a cheap/high mileage DRZ, it would get complete engine build with a big bore kit. Or a cheap wr250x/Drz and a custom turbo setup haha.
Alright, I have a crazy idea, but i think it would be sweet once it’s done. I want to build something instead of just buying someone else’s project. I know I could take a much cheaper route, but what fun would that be?
So I’m thinking a Yamaha wr 250x with high miles that’s in fair condition. $2000-$2500 max.
Big bore 308cc stroker kit
Barret clutch kit
FmF Q-4 exhaust
Power commander V
Misc gaskets, filters etc…
Figure about 2k for everything I need.
It needs boost and it will be custom made and tucked in good. I don’t want anything getting damaged from leaning hard or laying the bike down on hard turns.
I would like to get turbociv or filthy habits to build the kit using a Garret GT0632SZ.
Turbo specs:
Horsepower: 25-80
Displacement 0.1L-0.5L Bearing Type: Journal
Cooling System: Oil Cooled
Wastegated Housing: internal
Actuator Compete: Yes
Other Specifications: Turbine wheel is cast from “Inconel” material for extreme applications Smallest.Garrett™ turbocharger available. Excellent for motorcycles, powersports vehicles, and other small displacement engines.
Thanks ^. That’s basically the smallest decent turbo I could find. I know other people use the gt 12 on 400cc+ engines, but that’s too big and spool would be poor. And it’s rated to 130hp haha… What Bov do you guys use?
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My good friends brother was in that formula kart program and he said those karts are crazy. You guys use 600 sport bike motors right?
