Hello guys! I am looking to get a second bike, as one bike can't do everything. I love my blade, but recently i have been wanting a supermotard type bike for just fun. It is not going to be used for commuting, trips or anything like that. Just a hooligan bike around town / contry side. So far i have been looking at the Yamaha WR450, Husqvarna SMR 510 or 511. I want a light and powerfull bike, i don't want like a 250 or something like that. 40hp is minimum. I have done some research and the 511 seem pretty high strung, and maintenance is very often. So i think that is out of the question. I am very mechanically inclined, but don't want to be in my garage all the time doing valve clearences etc. Oil change is fine every 1000km. So , does anyone know about the SMR 510 or the WR450? Mainly i want a bike for road use, with the occasional off road adventure.
If you want a proper supermoto, it will cost you lots of money to do up from an Enduro/MX bike and yes service interval are pants, get ready to bring some oil and tools with you on a long trip. Depends on how much you are into it, but nowadays a KTM 690 SMC are more reliable and got proper suspension, brakes, slipper clutch as standard; plus it's probably far cheaper than doing one up from a WR450. On my moto I just had a Maxxis 6118 on the front and road tyre on the back, it does the trick for most of the green lane I did. Have a look and be careful most of the one come from dirt bike, because they probably need piston ring ever 30-50hours.
Im planning on buying used, so im not going to convert a WR450 to a supermoto. There is several that are already SM that i have been looking at. Not planning on going on big trips on them honestly, just the typical 1-3 hour rides. I have heard some negatives about the 690 engine. Alot of rebuilds and failing engines. So the real question is, WR450 SM or Husky SMR 510. I think maybe im better of buying a SM that was a SM from new. Not one that has been converted by someone after the fact.
The Husky 510 are nice but touch heavy and not the most reliable, both electronics and motor; WR would need a lot of work to get it to a proper SM, you need: Big brakes (320mm disc, 15mm radial MC, brembo caliper) SM wheels (for it to ride nice probably need to be tubeless ready like alpine ones) higher lift cams and full system to spread the power more towards higher end, then comes the re-jet fun. Slipper clutch and wide ratio gearbox unless you just riding on SM track all and all it won't be far off you buying a new KTM with warranty, but then they looks far more reliable than the Husky from what I saw at my old shop and definitely ride a lot better
Im just getting familiar with the supermoto world, so i see now that there is alot of stuff i need to know. I knew about the wheels and brakes, but the other modifications i was not aware of. You see there is several WR450F online with the SM wheels, and proper brakes, but i don't know if they have done the high lift cams etc. What would you reccommend if im looking for a cheap supermoto? The used ones i have been looking at are 2010-2012 WR450F and Husky 510. They are about half the price of a new one. Buying a KTM 690 SMC would be nice, if its under warrenty, but that is a little out of the budget i think. Never actually ridden the WR250, maybe i should look at those. Seems pretty low maintenance etc
Forget about small bikes, go for 400+ for supermoto, Small bikes are great for off road but won't pull quick enough on the road/out corners. and small bike won't have enough engine break for you to back it in. If you have never ridden a supermoto I would advice forget about a high spec bike, its day and night riding style from a sports bike and almost you will need to relearn how to ride one of them quick Have a look at something reliable, WR is not bad, DRZ are little lower powered but reliable try to look for E model converted(full power) CCM404 etc
Yes, i think the 250 will be lacking on the street. I rode a YZ250 2 stroke a few years ago, that bike was a monster. Almost scary. Never ridden supermoto on the streets actually. What are considered high spec in the supermoto world? Any spesific bikes that are "hardcore" ? I think maybe the WR450 is my best choice. I like the look of them alot aswell.
SWM 500R SM? I've a friend that rides the MX Version, and he rates very highly! http://www.swm-motorcycles.it/en/models/supermoto/sm-500-r/
http://www.maico-bikeworld.de/motorrad/neumotorraeder-2013/maico-685-supermoto-racing-17-detail.html also available for street use ... p.s. yes it´s a 2 stroke
I'd go for the wr450. I've had a wr400 yzf450 and yzf485 all race bikes. I never once had a problem with any of them. I wouldn't worry about doing major engine work. If it's a bit of fun your after they are plenty quick enough. I've had a husky 510 which in my opinion was utter pish. I had an 06 650 husaberg which was an amazing race bike. Really quick but it couldn't be trusted. Lots of engine failures. I also had a kx500 which was a mental bike. If your looking something far out there that will scare the hell out of you buy one and convert it to sm.
Thanks for your input, Paddy. I am pretty sure i am going with the Yamaha WR450 with SM wheels and brakes. I love the look of them, and i have heard only good things about them. Gotta stop spending money on blade parts, so i can actually afford one!
The WR make a good motard base. Biggest things for me would be gearing, brakes and then suspension. Needs taller gering for the road so you aren't flogging it in top gear everywhere you go. Sticky tyres on bitumen and you're going to find the limits of the stock brakes pretty quick and then once you upgrade the brakes you're going to want to stiffen up the stock enduro suspension. Look into a cush drive hub too. Keep the oil up to it and it will be all good. Motards are awesome fun.
I was looking at Huskies but heard they aren't exactly reliable. Plus the older ones are hard to get parts for, which is a little off-putting given the maintenance you may have to do to keep it running sweet. Now, if I didn't spend 5k modifying my current Blade, I'd have something very nice
Any of the pre ktm huskies are getting very difficult to buy parts for. A mate of mine has a te310 and it's been super reliable and had a hard life but when it does need something it's nearly impossible to get parts for. Another option would be a big bore ktm 500, 505, 525 530. Not as reliable as the WRf and parts are more expensive but the bigger capacity will be less stressed by road use.
