Supermoto for 2500 quid?
Discussion
A what bike thread, oh goody. But could really do with some feedback on some bikes before I draw up a shortlist.
I had a ‘06 Z750 til about 3 years ago when I had to sell up - it was causing me neck problems. The riding position was too leant-forward for me.
After 2 years just going to the NEC to sit on everything and considering adventure bikes, Harleys and Indians, hypermotards and everything else I could find, I reckon I need a motocross style riding position.
I’m 6’3” and could also do with something that I don’t make look like a Grom.
Seemed to me that a hypermotard or Aprilia dorsoduro were about right for me but I can’t do monthly payments and haven’t got the cash to buy outright. I’m at 3 grand top top top of budget including a new helmet and insurance.
Much as I’d love a 450 crosser on supermoto rims, I haven’t got time for the service schedule, or is go that route as I spent my teen years on an RM125.
So I’ve ended up with a shortlist of
DRZ400SM
XT660X
KTM 640 LC4
And if I could stretch to it, BMW G650X.
...Most of which feel like a lot of money for an old single, some of which are selling now at 10 years old for not much less than new!
If I had the money, and I don’t, I’d be looking at a KTM 950 SM and don’t think there are any other contenders at that price. But they’re too steep.
Any recommendations, feedback, other ideas?
I had a ‘06 Z750 til about 3 years ago when I had to sell up - it was causing me neck problems. The riding position was too leant-forward for me.
After 2 years just going to the NEC to sit on everything and considering adventure bikes, Harleys and Indians, hypermotards and everything else I could find, I reckon I need a motocross style riding position.
I’m 6’3” and could also do with something that I don’t make look like a Grom.
Seemed to me that a hypermotard or Aprilia dorsoduro were about right for me but I can’t do monthly payments and haven’t got the cash to buy outright. I’m at 3 grand top top top of budget including a new helmet and insurance.
Much as I’d love a 450 crosser on supermoto rims, I haven’t got time for the service schedule, or is go that route as I spent my teen years on an RM125.
So I’ve ended up with a shortlist of
DRZ400SM
XT660X
KTM 640 LC4
And if I could stretch to it, BMW G650X.
...Most of which feel like a lot of money for an old single, some of which are selling now at 10 years old for not much less than new!
If I had the money, and I don’t, I’d be looking at a KTM 950 SM and don’t think there are any other contenders at that price. But they’re too steep.
Any recommendations, feedback, other ideas?
I would raise the budget a little and get a KTM Duke 690. Early private ones start from 3k, or get a cosmetically damaged one. They are really good fun, yet quite usable.
It's just at lot more usable with a better motor than those suggested. The LC4 is great fun, but pretty extreme. I had to declutch and let the revs drop to see what colour the traffic lights were! Couldn't not ride like a nutter too.
The DRZ is pretty gutless. I would get the S or E versions and do some green lanes if you go that route.
I had an RMX250. That was good fun with a lot of character and great if off road is an option too. Not everyone like strokers
It's just at lot more usable with a better motor than those suggested. The LC4 is great fun, but pretty extreme. I had to declutch and let the revs drop to see what colour the traffic lights were! Couldn't not ride like a nutter too.
The DRZ is pretty gutless. I would get the S or E versions and do some green lanes if you go that route.
I had an RMX250. That was good fun with a lot of character and great if off road is an option too. Not everyone like strokers
patchb said:
Look at things like old Husqvarna sm610s, husabergs and ccms. None of these seem to hold their value too much.
If it were my money I’d go for a GasGas 250 2 stroke on supermoto wheels but that’s not in keeping with your lower maintenance requirement...
That's because they can be a pain in the ass.If it were my money I’d go for a GasGas 250 2 stroke on supermoto wheels but that’s not in keeping with your lower maintenance requirement...
I had a 2009 Dorsoduro from October '15 to March' 17. Think I sold it for £3700 with 8kmiles, at the time they were starting around £3000 for higher mileage and closer to £5k for the factory's.
There don't seem to be many for sale at the moment so perhaps they're hiding for the winter or values have firmed up?
It was fun, sounded good, easy to ride and I didn't have any problems with it but read they were too heavy to be a true supermoto.
There was a bit of front end dive even with the suspension set to firm, tank range <100miles.
I replaced it with a Ktm 990smt which had noticeably more power everywhere, better suspension but maybe a bit more weight up top.
There don't seem to be many for sale at the moment so perhaps they're hiding for the winter or values have firmed up?
It was fun, sounded good, easy to ride and I didn't have any problems with it but read they were too heavy to be a true supermoto.
There was a bit of front end dive even with the suspension set to firm, tank range <100miles.
I replaced it with a Ktm 990smt which had noticeably more power everywhere, better suspension but maybe a bit more weight up top.
Thanks for the replies.
I’m really sad to say the problem is my budget really is 2500 top whack. I’d been hoping to get a winter bargain to sneak something better than my shortlist bikes but there aren’t many of anything for sale and I haven’t yet seen a dorsoduro for less than 3200 for example. And at that money I do think a KTM 950 would be the best bet.
From having my z750 and wishing I’d got the z thou simply for the better suspension and brakes, I ought to add that I’m valuing adjustable suspension far more than how much power and torque. Within reason - a fmx650 isn’t a goer!
Honestly my ideal would be a KMX450 on supermoto rims. And that’s affordable in budget if you think a 10 year old 1500 quid motocrosser with a grand of wheels and tyres is a good idea. But if i had to do an oil change after every other ride to the office and home the long way round, it’d never leave the garage.
Are there any detuned enduro-biased crossers for example? WR450 or 426 for example? Is the KLX450 any good and anywhere near affordable?
I’d read that the 2011 era KTM450EXC with bmw injection was a low stress motor that didn’t have the intensive service requirements of the motocross variant - anyone able to verify?
Still looking like a Xt660x at the miley end of the price bracket or a half decent LC4 that has scared the crap out of someone and then been in their shed for years, otherwise...
I’m really sad to say the problem is my budget really is 2500 top whack. I’d been hoping to get a winter bargain to sneak something better than my shortlist bikes but there aren’t many of anything for sale and I haven’t yet seen a dorsoduro for less than 3200 for example. And at that money I do think a KTM 950 would be the best bet.
From having my z750 and wishing I’d got the z thou simply for the better suspension and brakes, I ought to add that I’m valuing adjustable suspension far more than how much power and torque. Within reason - a fmx650 isn’t a goer!
Honestly my ideal would be a KMX450 on supermoto rims. And that’s affordable in budget if you think a 10 year old 1500 quid motocrosser with a grand of wheels and tyres is a good idea. But if i had to do an oil change after every other ride to the office and home the long way round, it’d never leave the garage.
Are there any detuned enduro-biased crossers for example? WR450 or 426 for example? Is the KLX450 any good and anywhere near affordable?
I’d read that the 2011 era KTM450EXC with bmw injection was a low stress motor that didn’t have the intensive service requirements of the motocross variant - anyone able to verify?
Still looking like a Xt660x at the miley end of the price bracket or a half decent LC4 that has scared the crap out of someone and then been in their shed for years, otherwise...
ex1 said:
The g650x is very impressive. I’ve got an Xc and it’s a very different bike to the 660xt I had prior or the ktm 690 which I didn’t get on with at all.
It almost sits in a league of its own.
A very underrated bike that I would highly recommend taking a look at.
I didn't know they existed. Interesting. There's a 23K mile one on Autotrader for £2500. It almost sits in a league of its own.
A very underrated bike that I would highly recommend taking a look at.
Loads of really good ideas, thanks.
From a look around at wheels, it looks like getting an enduro bike then putting supermoto rims on isn’t a goer for my budget.
Getting one that’s already converted is another matter - but limits choice a lot.
Definitely keeping an eye out for a g650x (the xc isn’t my cup of tea) two did sell just before Christmas for 2500 with 29k miles, and 3000 with 19k.
The CCMs are a good shout, cheap in comparison to just about everything and the 604 and 644 look fine alternatives too.
First preference at the moment though is a WR400/426/450 already converted to supermoto. With an eye on the XR650 and KLX450 if an affordable one comes up.
From a look around at wheels, it looks like getting an enduro bike then putting supermoto rims on isn’t a goer for my budget.
Getting one that’s already converted is another matter - but limits choice a lot.
Definitely keeping an eye out for a g650x (the xc isn’t my cup of tea) two did sell just before Christmas for 2500 with 29k miles, and 3000 with 19k.
The CCMs are a good shout, cheap in comparison to just about everything and the 604 and 644 look fine alternatives too.
First preference at the moment though is a WR400/426/450 already converted to supermoto. With an eye on the XR650 and KLX450 if an affordable one comes up.
carinaman said:
ex1 said:
The g650x is very impressive. I’ve got an Xc and it’s a very different bike to the 660xt I had prior or the ktm 690 which I didn’t get on with at all.
It almost sits in a league of its own.
A very underrated bike that I would highly recommend taking a look at.
I didn't know they existed. Interesting. There's a 23K mile one on Autotrader for £2500. It almost sits in a league of its own.
A very underrated bike that I would highly recommend taking a look at.
curlie467 said:
patchb said:
Look at things like old Husqvarna sm610s, husabergs and ccms. None of these seem to hold their value too much.
If it were my money I’d go for a GasGas 250 2 stroke on supermoto wheels but that’s not in keeping with your lower maintenance requirement...
That's because they can be a pain in the ass.If it were my money I’d go for a GasGas 250 2 stroke on supermoto wheels but that’s not in keeping with your lower maintenance requirement...
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