GSX-R to Supermoto | GTAMotorcycle.com

GSX-R to Supermoto

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LG416

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anybody here make a similar switch? I'm looking at the DRZ400sm and it just looks like so much fun to ride anywhere.

I've had a CBR600, 97 GSX-R600, and my current bike is a 03 GSX-R600 so I've always been into the SS bikes, but I'm not into track days, or going ridiculously fast. I just like riding. I love the acceleration of the gixxer, and how it looks, but a supermoto seems like a blast to ride.

any supermoto guys out there make the switch and don't regret it?
 
I have owned both. Loved the SM but due to my age at the time I couldn't stop from being a hooligan on the bike. It was great except for long distances or more then 30min on a hwy. The lack of wind protection and single thumper humming in the higher revs was not that enjoyable. If your just around town or live inn the boonies with some tight twisties you'll love it. I considered it more specialized then a SS.
 
rbjeepthing said:
I have owned both. Loved the SM but due to my age at the time I couldn't stop from being a hooligan on the bike. It was great except for long distances or more then 30min on a hwy. The lack of wind protection and single thumper humming in the higher revs was not that enjoyable. If your just around town or live inn the boonies with some tight twisties you'll love it. I considered it more specialized then a SS.
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This basically sums it up. It really depends on what you want to do with your bike (rack up miles on daytrips, hwy commuting, stunts, etc).
 
I can see how a supermoto could make any rider a hooligan on it lol. I live in a small town with a lot of country roads around, a lot of these roads are not in the best condition, and I'm sure there's lot's of trails around here. not much of a highway driver except hwy 7 to meet up with my buddy from ottawa once in a while. I'm thinking the supermoto might be right for me, but I might miss the gsxr... wife will never let me have both lol
 
Look into mid-sized nakeds as well. Even something with a bikini fairing will help a bit on wind. Street-triple, MT-07, FZ6, etc.
 
I went from gsxr750 to ktm640 supermoto. You ride totally diff. Everywhere you go you see potential paths other than the pavement. If you like riding long distance it sucks. After about an hour on the hwy it starts to suck. Lack of wind protection isn't a problem. The narrow seat is.
 
Red_Liner740 said:
I went from gsxr750 to ktm640 supermoto. You ride totally diff. Everywhere you go you see potential paths other than the pavement. If you like riding long distance it sucks. After about an hour on the hwy it starts to suck. Lack of wind protection isn't a problem. The narrow seat is.
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Want my smc gel pad + foam pad? I dont need it on the cbr. 1000km days with that pad ;)

rbjeepthing said:
I have owned both. Loved the SM but due to my age at the time I couldn't stop from being a hooligan on the bike. It was great except for long distances or more then 30min on a hwy. The lack of wind protection and single thumper humming in the higher revs was not that enjoyable. If your just around town or live inn the boonies with some tight twisties you'll love it. I considered it more specialized then a SS.
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Sumos are specialized exactly for what TO does not have nearby. Tight twisties.


Sent from the future using my GOLDEN iPhone 30 SS
 
rbjeepthing said:
I have owned both. Loved the SM but due to my age at the time I couldn't stop from being a hooligan on the bike. It was great except for long distances or more then 30min on a hwy. The lack of wind protection and single thumper humming in the higher revs was not that enjoyable. If your just around town or live inn the boonies with some tight twisties you'll love it. I considered it more specialized then a SS.
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Very accurate.

Hardwrkr13 said:
Look into mid-sized nakeds as well. Even something with a bikini fairing will help a bit on wind. Street-triple, MT-07, FZ6, etc.
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I had a DRZ400SM and loved it... BUT I also had a TL1000S at the time so I got the best of both worlds. I wanted more power for SM tracks (when they were around) and dirt capability so replaced the DRZ with a blue plated WR450 which was fantastic. Then a few things happened;

- the SM tracks started drying up,
- my dirt riding (limited as it was) dwindled to only riding around with my son on his 50, and
- I got the Superduke (aka; the nail in the SM coffin).

The SM's showed me the value of an upright riding position and wide bars, especially in the city. The Superduke combined the power, handling, comfort, and general real-world riding in one package. SM's are great bikes but if you're doing any distance and truly won't be doing any off road, I agree with Hardwrkr13 that you should look at a naked bike. And this is a great time to be looking at the nakeds; there's plenty of fantastic options available!
 
Went from a ZX-6R to a DR-Z. Loved every moment. Used it for street, dirt, touring, and a couple trackdays. It didn't do everything amazing, but it did everything. It is best suited to the street, it is on the heavy side for the dirt, it is on the uncomfortable side for touring and its on the slow side for track. Even with all that it is my favourite bike so far.

It entices you to do many many dumb things and general hooliganism. Ridden it up and down stairs, down paths, across medians, over curbs, wheelies, stoppies, etc. All because you just can lol

If you get one, get one with some mods done to it. It is gutless out of the box. Mine had a Big Bore kit, Carb, SSW exhaust(The best), 3x3 mod, etc.

DRZ2_zps9b2b89be.jpg~original

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DR-Z Sumo in 650cc would be perfection. You could build that from DR650 without to many compromises. But then you'd be obliged to install the ProCycle 790 kit.
 
I've been on the fence about a drz since 2 years ago. I don't think I could sell the gsxr for it but to have both would be nice. The road portion isn't even a concern. I'd like to see how one does off road before I bought it. I feel like anything bigger than a 400 wouldn't be as enjoyable off road. Am I wrong?
 
Roomie said:
I've been on the fence about a drz since 2 years ago. I don't think I could sell the gsxr for it but to have both would be nice. The road portion isn't even a concern. I'd like to see how one does off road before I bought it. I feel like anything bigger than a 400 wouldn't be as enjoyable off road. Am I wrong?
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It's heavy and under-powered for a dirt bike however if you're talking fire roads and light trails it's no issue. Start getting into heavier stuff and you may have different thoughts. Also worth considering for heavy stuff is the metal tank vs the plastic tanks dirt bikes have.
 
Looking on kijiji, there's only 1 DRZ400sm and the guy doesn't answer so it's probably sold... any other good supermoto models? I seen a nice KTM 640 but the ad is old so that's probably sold too.
 
Roomie said:
I've been on the fence about a drz since 2 years ago. I don't think I could sell the gsxr for it but to have both would be nice. The road portion isn't even a concern. I'd like to see how one does off road before I bought it. I feel like anything bigger than a 400 wouldn't be as enjoyable off road. Am I wrong?
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As Coyo said it is heavy an underpowered(in stock trim) for a dirtbike. However, as per everything with the bike, it can be done. I took mine to Ganaraska, Simcoe County Forest, and a SCORRA event. It is a bit of a tank to get around in the tight stuff, but if you are quick it is actually not bad and still tons of fun.

Fire roads and more open stuff are it's forte for sure.

Here's some video from Ganny back in 2012 with some other GTAMers.
[video=youtube;SvVLwtCsb0M]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvVLwtCsb0M[/video]
 
looks like I'm actually making the switch! I sold my gsxr for $4000 today and looking at a 2005 drz400sm tomorrow....
 
I doubt you will have any regrets. The seat is a bit..okay very uncomfortable for long rides but you only get 160 km on a tank before you have to stop anyway on a stock tank. I have yet to hear anyone say I should have bought a ss or a cruiser although I guess its possible. If when you pick one up there is a group on facebook consisting of all gta area. sm`s and dualsport riders. Its growing incredibly fast and seems to be easy to find someone to ride with. Good luck tomorrow.
 
Check out the Dual sport/supermoto group we have going for GTA Riders on facebook, I have a DRZ400sm as well .. Love it
 
OP why not look at the new Yamahas - they are motard style seating rather than SS.

My kid hated his SV650s because of seating - loves the FZ8 and his insurance was the same even with 110 HP.

He comes from a dirt backround and loves the seat position on the FZ

ScreenShot2013-08-13atAug132013112846PM_zpsbf0ce9b0.jpg


Naked w upright seating is the trend and the value for money is wicked.

Those 2x4 seats on the coverted off roaders get old real quick.
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