Super-moto

ProSouth

ProSouth

Seriously, Don't be a dick.
Location
kawasakis suck
As stated before. Lower it til the forks touch the bars. If your still going to ride trails, do it a 1/4 at a time. If you stick to the street go as low as possible and throw some heavier springs in it. And mostly, enjoy.
 
KTM434

KTM434

Jamie FN Hickey
Location
Palm Coast FL
Everyone told me that coming from a CR to a KTM I would hate the steering because of the rake and it would feel like it wouldn't turn. The only thing I noticed was the KTM doesn't turn as far from lock to lock during tight technical sections but I stand almost 100% of the time so I'd just tilt the bike to make it turn harder (hard to explain). I shift my body weight all over the bike but a lot of my steering was done by keeping my weight forward and sliding the back end with the brakes or the throttle. It took a lot of practice to train myself not to sit down When I was tired or during technical rock gardens or off camber sections and elevation changes but once it clicked I advanced my riding ability very quickly to the expert class. You will always be much faster and smoother when standing and the bikes handling improves much more. Not sure how that relates to supermoto though so I'll stop now
 
ProSouth

ProSouth

Seriously, Don't be a dick.
Location
kawasakis suck
I'm the exact opposite. I feel stupid standing up on a motorbike. I never really raced or rode dirt bikes a lot so that may be why. I've had 5 street bikes and 2 supermotos. Zero bikes for the dirt. When I worked in the dealership I always had one of the shop racers go test a suspension after I got done because I had no clue what to feel for. But I'd have to ride they're street bikes when they got done with them. Either way, I've never seen anyone with a frown while riding a sumo!!! Lol
 
S

Schmidty721

someone turf my rails
Location
WI
KTM & I were got off topic lol.
Started with rake on ktm's that lead to learning how to ride standing up in the woods to go faster to me agreeing with him.
On the street, I sit.
 
KTM434

KTM434

Jamie FN Hickey
Location
Palm Coast FL
yankeeboy said:
Why do you guys say to lower the bike for the street? I was worried it would be too tall for me, but at 5'8 it's not bad at all. So there must be some technical riding aspect advantage?
Click to expand...

Lower center of gravity is better for handling. Dirtbikes are tall because they need a lot of suspension travel. Look at a sportbike... They don't have much ground clearance when looking below the motor like a dirtbike does. When setting up a Supermotard you can lower and stiffen the suspension for better street handling characteristics. Try riding an endo with a sportbike and notice how responsive the brakes and suspension are then compare to a dirtbike. The sportbike will stand right up on the front tire and lift the back tire while the dirtbike will dive the forks down and almost bottom out before the rear tire leaves the ground unless you transfer your body weight to pull the back tire up. That's also why Motard bikes use bigger brakes.

Edit: before someone calls me out on that statement I will also say that the rake (fork angle) is a big factor for how effortlessly a sportbike will endo. A dirtbike has more rake which requires more braking and weight transfer to lift the rear tire to your balance point but it's still doable. You won't see a chopper doing an endo. Same theory for extended swingarms in hillclimbs and drag racing... Less chance of lifting the front tire. Most people just run extended swingarms on sportbikes for status though and probably never actually lay the bike into turns.
 
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nucleus_coolins

nucleus_coolins

Does things to makes the do goods
Location
Bay Area, California
Great looking bike, nice find! I lowered my center of gravity on my drz with a new seat (got a gel seat for mine) but you could also consider shaving the stock ktm seat as well for some extra lowering. Those stock KTM seats are hard as a rock, hurt your butt after a short ride.
The 450 is an amazing SuMo though, great choice. My friend had one and has since sold it, I regretted not buying it off him for sure.
 
yankeeboy

yankeeboy

Location
Down stream of Harrisburg, PA
I took my friend who works at a bike shop to check out the bike with me. He raced sport bikes and didnt think the ktm was much of a turd, so it must have some guts to it. Mine has an aftermarket seat of some kind, along with the stock seat. The one on it is nice and squishy, so i'll have to get some saddle time to see whats what. The plastics on the bike now are for the wrong year, so they're jerry rigged on. Stock plastics will probably go back on, and maybe painted or graphics. First things first is get it fixed up and inspected. Probably tear into it tomorrow. If weather was a little nicer i'd take it around the neighborhood, but 40deg sucks!
 
ProSouth

ProSouth

Seriously, Don't be a dick.
Location
kawasakis suck
^^x2 baja designs offers the kit. stator with high enough output. handlebar switches for lights and blinkers and all that jazz. i think a horn is an option.
 
wydopen

wydopen

onthepipe
Location
Goleta the Goodland
my buddy has been riding supermoto for years..

he doesnt lower his suspension...he just puts in super stiff springs...

(edit: just saw you guys were talking about sliding the forks up in the clamps, thought you were talking about actually lowering the suspension)

heres his setup..its for sale btw

8k..fresh motor and trans..the trans is polished and has all the fancy coatings and all that

carlinssumo_zpsd87b7899.jpg
 
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wydopen

wydopen

onthepipe
Location
Goleta the Goodland
yamaslut said:
looking sweet.... still waiting on my front fender I orderedfrom cycle hutt... those people suck ass!!!! Sent them emails and no reply then called them today and they say it will be 2 weeks... don't order from those idiots
Click to expand...

i was just reading something about them screwing a bunch of people on parts..
 
INDebtSJ

INDebtSJ

Having a VISION!
Location
Ga
Looking for a supermoto. I can't find any in my area so if anyone knows of one LMK.

Looking for a good beginners bike like a Suzuki etc.

I,m in Ga. Looking to spend $3000 to $3500.
 
burton148

burton148

Location
CT
Going to pick up a husqvarna te610 this weekend.

This will be my first husky and I think its left side kick but its plated and has a fresh motor.
 
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