Got a new bike last month.. a bike that is completely different than my previous motorcycles.. a supermoto.

I am 25 and have been riding for 5 years. Over the years i have owned a Yamaha FZR 1000 a CBR 600F4 and a CBR 600RR. Why did I choose a supermoto for my next bike? I got tired of riding my sportbike around town. A 600RR is really not meant to bop around town on (which is mostly what I do). The RR was GREAT when I was able to get out on some twisty backroads on the weekends and really push it.. But the reality of my riding is that it is mostly around the city. And the RR was certainly no commuter bike. So when searching for a next bike, I was thinking about buying a dual sport, when one of my friends turned me onto the the world of supermotos. I checked it out.. and realized that this was everything i was looking for..

In the twisties, you can ride it just like a sportbike.. leaning waaay over.. dragging your pegs on the ground. But around the city it's just more comfortable to ride. I love the upright seating position (something I'm not used to) and the wide grip. It's so light and nimble too. At less than 300lbs, you can flick it back and forth so easily. The only thing that it lacks is the top speed (which isnt that much of an issue for me). Ride through the country on backroads or jump curbs through the city.. The fun factor is amazing! The most fun I have ever had on 2 wheels..

At 35 horspower, it's not nearly as fast as my previous motorcycles...

But I now fully understand the saying, "It's more fun to ride a slow bike fast, than a fast bike slow."



Here are a couple pictures of my new 2006 DR-Z400SM:










Modified by 138 at 8:13 AM 11/7/2006

 

Awesome looking bike, I really want to get a supermoto for the streets next summerthey seem like they would be a ton of fun

 

I didn't know they were only 35 horses.. don't get me wrong.. i'm no horsepower fiend but I thought they were at least 50 or so.

 

They are making some super-motos with whomping amounts of power, but they tend to have much bigger motors and frames, etc. so it kinda defeats the idea of a flicky light "dirtbike on street tires"
For me, part of the fun of riding a bike is the "oh my god" blast of acceleration that modern powerful bikes have....a rush that a 35hp machine probably can't provide (unless it was about 100lbs).
I can certainly appreciate the idea of a super-moto as I've dont a little bit of riding on a dual sport (mostly around town) and took an MSF class on one, but I think its usefulness depends alot on where you live. I ride in the suburbs and head out to farm country or the mountains for the twisties. I could see the appeal if I lived in a big city or out in the country, but around here, seems like a sportbike makes the most sense. My buddy is all crazy for a super-moto and I just can't understand why. Sure, for bopping around downtown, but heck, riding anything downtown in Durham, NC is dangerous ! As far as off-roading and curb jumping...well, around here, you will get a big fat ticket for that so again, I don''t see the appeal. Also, how comfortable are those things? I always found I was ready to get off the dual sport after 30 minues....narrow seat, no wind protection, etc.
Anyway, I really do dig your DRZ-400
If I had tons of money, I would likely own one myself, just to see what the rage is all about....feel free to enlighten !

peace

 

the comfort is just different than on a sportbike.. what i like most is the riding position. i kind of got tired of being in such an aggressive position, leaned over, weight on my wrists. i like the upright position of the supermoto better. sure, the seat is fairly thin, but the seat on the 600rr was no couch either. it was rock hard (yes yes i know, it was purpose built).

dont get me wrong.. i love sportbikes.. but the drz is a blast for now.

i feel much more comfortable flogging on this bike and tossing it around than i ever have on my sportbikes.

and as far as the 39 hp goes.. the gearing really helps out on the lack of power. they are also pretty detuned from the factory, so i'll get a jet kit and exhaust to fix that. i feel like it's a good mix of weight and power. i havent tried, but from what i hear, wheelies and stoppies are a cinch on these things.

 

I jump curbs and medians on my R6 all the time. I wouldn't need a Smoto for that.

 

Enjoy it. You're going to love it.


If anyone is looking for a cheap, fun, and realiable super-motard, get in contact with me. I am selling my drz 400sm.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 1bar &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Enjoy it. You're going to love it.


If anyone is looking for a cheap, fun, and realiable super-motard, get in contact with me. I am selling my drz 400sm.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

I am. Where do you live?

 

can u put tires that are made more for offroading on that and ride trails?

 

yes, you can.

 

what is the msrp on these?

 

Me likey

Looks fun, man. I'm hoping when the new job's paychecks start coming in, I can pick one up for myself. I went to an AMA event here in Nashville a few weeks ago and met their Supermoto Director, Joel Grover, and he inspired me to look into the sport and the personal fun of it a lot more. Really fun to watch those bikes come off a jump and dirt berm and then hit the asphalt twisties ... and straights. They did about 100-110 on the flat ... pretty impressive.

Anyway, congrats and enjoy

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EGh22aEG &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what is the msrp on these?</TD></TR></TABLE>

$6200 i think

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Pr....aspx


suzuki is the only company of the big 4 (honda, yamaha, kawasaki, suzuki) that makes one right now in the US. honda is supposed to make one next year i THINK.

other companies that make supermotards set up from the factory: ktm, husqvarna, husaberg.

 

Does the high seat become easier to manage as you get used to the bike? Everytime I try one out at the local dealer I think it will be hell in town (Stopping for lights every 100 feet or so)

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ceas &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Does the high seat become easier to manage as you get used to the bike? Everytime I try one out at the local dealer I think it will be hell in town (Stopping for lights every 100 feet or so) </TD></TR></TABLE>

i had the same concern about seat height..

im only 5'7" with a less than 30" inseam i can manage just fine.

it looks high, but once you sit on it, it sinks about 6 inches.

i can put both feet on the ground no problem.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .Ash &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I am. Where do you live?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Virginia

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 1bar &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Virginia </TD></TR></TABLE>


doh

 

WRT to the dirt tires on the SuMo, it's not a simple matter of slapping on a set of street tires or dirt tires. You would need, at the very least, a different brake rotor and caliper and wheels.

Congrats on the purchase! I'm sorry even the black color doesn't hide the ugliness of a Suzuki. Welcome to the wonderful world of SuMo.

.Ash - that should be no problem for you, mr. i travel all across the US.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 138 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

i had the same concern about seat height..

im only 5'7" with a less than 30" inseam i can manage just fine.

it looks high, but once you sit on it, it sinks about 6 inches.

i can put both feet on the ground no problem.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Right on - I was thinking that it would do something similar - but the only bikes I have sat on have been at dealers, and my 115 pounds dosen't seem to make it sag at all. Proper setup and all that.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by marmaladeboy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">WRT to the dirt tires on the SuMo, it's not a simple matter of slapping on a set of street tires or dirt tires. You would need, at the very least, a different brake rotor and caliper and wheels.

.</TD></TR></TABLE>
i heard that the ktm bikes come with two sets of wheels but not sure if that is a fact

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by marmaladeboy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">WRT to the dirt tires on the SuMo, it's not a simple matter of slapping on a set of street tires or dirt tires. You would need, at the very least, a different brake rotor and caliper and wheels.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I understand having a different set of rims for your dirt tires, but why do you need a different rotor and caliper?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by marmaladeboy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">WRT to the dirt tires on the SuMo, it's not a simple matter of slapping on a set of street tires or dirt tires. You would need, at the very least, a different brake rotor and caliper and wheels.

Congrats on the purchase! I'm sorry even the black color doesn't hide the ugliness of a Suzuki. Welcome to the wonderful world of SuMo.

.Ash - that should be no problem for you, mr. i travel all across the US.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I've been getting lazy...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Gotcha &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I understand having a different set of rims for your dirt tires, but why do you need a different rotor and caliper? </TD></TR></TABLE>
I have an article of Supermoto Racer where they do the swap from dirt to supermoto setup in like 20 minutes, it's not a huge deal.

 

whats the gas mileage like on that thing?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Gotcha &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I understand having a different set of rims for your dirt tires, but why do you need a different rotor and caliper? </TD></TR></TABLE>
The large rotor on a SuMo bike is susceptible to rocks and getting banged up easily. Lots of rocks are out there when you do MX.

Forgot to add - you don't need that much front brake in the dirt / MX, either. In those venues, a powerful front brake will only make you crash faster.


Modified by marmaladeboy at 8:31 PM 11/8/2006