The Supermoto.

"jkm7680" (jkm7680)
07/15/2014 at 22:49 • Filed to: supermoto

I started out not really liking them that much at all, I considered myself more of a dual sport person when it comes to bikes that can be taken off road. Good Mpg, being able to be fairly practical and cheap to run are all important factors to me. But my question is, do any Opponauts have experience with this type of bike?

DISCUSSION (20)

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > jkm7680
07/15/2014 at 23:03

ReallyColorful > jkm7680
07/15/2014 at 23:09

Nah I suck.

MountainCommand > jkm7680
07/15/2014 at 23:14

I hope to soon!

All i know is check your state laws on whether or not you can buy a dirt bike, make it street legal, and then have fun...

or, you will have to buy an already street legal bike from the start.

Some states have laws that you cant get a bike with the words 'for offroad use only' on the title or bike papers registered. Somehow people have found ways around that, but i have no clue how and if its legal.

Also, consider factors like gearing. True dirt bikes arent usually standard with tall gearing. And thats my dilemma now, i want to find the right bike with a solid motor and gearbox that will work both off road, and seldom highway use.

Just hit up the supermoto forums. Thats where im reading up on right now. my 2 cents as someone who is wanting to trade my current bike for a sumo.

v8corvairpickup > jkm7680
07/15/2014 at 23:29

I have a 1993 Suzuki DR350S. I've put about 2500 miles on it in the last 5 years. Street legal and off-road ready. Best of both worlds. I don't ride it nearly enough but am glad I have it.

tromoly > MountainCommand
07/15/2014 at 23:30

I'm not sure on the tall gearing comment, my buddies who race motorcross top their bikes out around 90mph in high (5th) gear, that's more than enough for any road driving.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > jkm7680
07/15/2014 at 23:31

Miss my supermoto, ride a dualy now (BMW F650), it's much more comfortable for long trips and it's pretty damn fun, but the tossability of the old bike is missed.

v8corvairpickup > v8corvairpickup
07/15/2014 at 23:33

And, it's a blast to ride. My only complaint is that it's not electric start and it can be cold-hearted when I'm trying to kick it over. My fuel economy is pretty lousy because i want to maintain highway speeds on the road. If I keep it wide open on the highway I get about 35 mpg which really limits my range.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > MountainCommand
07/15/2014 at 23:38

easy to change the rear sprockets if you're not happy with the gearing.

zachaput > jkm7680
07/16/2014 at 00:29

Supermoto is the most fun I've ever had on a motorcycle. I used to have a street legal KTM 380 two stroke. It was pretty bonkers.

ka24det > MountainCommand
07/16/2014 at 08:04

I recently took the plunge and purchased an 09 WR250x. It's the bees knees.

jkm7680 > v8corvairpickup
07/16/2014 at 08:14

Awesome, Thanks for the info!

Since they are pretty tall bikes, did you need it lowered?

jkm7680 > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
07/16/2014 at 08:14

Very nice! How different was the riding style on the supermoto?

v8corvairpickup > jkm7680
07/16/2014 at 09:57

I haven't lowered it but it would be easier to touch the ground.

MountainCommand > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
07/17/2014 at 21:49

But then that affects other things.... A supermoto is a compromise to start with. Once you start swaping sprockets, you begin to set yourself up for one style over the other. Ill figure it out whenever i end up getting my supermoto haha

MountainCommand > ka24det
07/17/2014 at 21:50

I think it would be too hard to give up That much power though. I mean ive gotten the taste of 600... Im hoping for a 400+ to at least have a little umph at decent speeds.

Still, i am jelly. Youre having way more fun than i am for sure.

MountainCommand > tromoly
07/17/2014 at 21:54

All depends on the dirt bike. Some of the motocross ones do have high gearing, which is why they make better motards. I dont know a ton, but i know there are so many variations of the dirt bikes and their gearing. The thing is though, you dont want to be at 80-90% of your available rpms for hours on end on a bike thats not designed for highway driving (mind you thats not the intent of a supermoto, but its a possibility). Sure it can reach that speed, but youll end up with more maintenance in the long term. The gearing issue is a big debate between the sumo guys. Ive only just begun to dabble into the nitty gritty.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > MountainCommand
07/17/2014 at 22:20

Yeah.. you set it up for your style ;) you've probably gonna run smaller diameter rims on a supermoto than the factory dirt bike rims right? that'll probably take the dull edge off the tall gearing anyway.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > jkm7680
07/17/2014 at 22:22

I had an especially small Supermoto, an MZ SM125 , less than 300lbs with fluids. White Power suspension (I still feel a little neo-nazzi every time I say that), It was good for 75 mph, and only in ideal conditions, but riding it was like my body had just grown wheels. so responsive, so flickable... you could just manhandle that bike and MAKE it do shit (with muscle and mass) you never thought a bike was capable of.

jkm7680 > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
07/18/2014 at 17:42

Haha, Thanks!

I'd like to use one to commute on, hopefully lane splitting will be legal in all 50 instead of just the strictest state of California.

How's the BMW Dual sport?

MountainCommand > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
07/19/2014 at 22:05

Yeah, i think they usually run a little smaller wheel sizes. So in theory it should help out with the shorter geared bikes. Ill figure it all out eventually when the time comes for me to jump the sportbike ship to supermotos haha.