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"What Makes the Best Street Tard" SUPERTHREAD!!!

284K views 671 replies 315 participants last post by  maverick9611 
#1 ·
bdmmotard moderator edit, merge and pic:
You may have noticed, oh a couple "what makes the best street tard?" threads. soooooo, I decided to merge all the good street tard threads into one uber thread. Newbies, this thread's for you.

but to answer the question, the best street tard is a 98 wr400! (typed before blowing up said wr :D)

Original post(s):
I'm looking to purchase a street tard for a 5 mile commute to work each day and for having fun on the weekends. My commute includes a stretch of 50 mph+ twisties and surface roads with lots of frost heaves and potholes. I want something reasonably light and nimble as I'm used to riding a 240 pound 150cc Vespa but I'd also like the bike to be capable of handling short trips on the highway. I don't want a bike that requires weekly oil changes or a strict maintenance schedule.

Right now I'm looking at two street legal supermoto conversions that are for sale on ebay.

2001 Honda xr650r:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...ry=50012&item=4560374165&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

2001 KTM 520 MXC:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...ory=6711&item=4561184622&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

I'm looking for advice on whether these will meet my needs, whether one is a better purchase than the other, or whether I'd be better off looking at something else entirely.

Thanks for your time and advice.

Josh
 
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#627 ·
That damn guide lead me straight to my drz 400sm Awesome!! !!!
 
#630 ·
sup i think iv got i narrowed down to a 05 wr450f with all supermoto/street stuff as my next bike
check out the link and see what you think(i live in texas and all id need to add is a horn and id use my gps mounted on the bars for a speedo and stuff) also the sm is geared -10 in the rear for good highway use so lemme know if you guys think i should go ahead and buy it
i plan on riding with my buddies and all there sport bikes (1000s) and doing some twisties and back road stuff as well as stunting it out and occasionally riding it to school which is 20 miles one way
i also plan on spending around a grand to make it sure its tip top and to make it look sick and add stunt stuff to it as well as the horn and all to make it street legal and plated

here is the add lemme know what you think
http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/mcy/3564672027.html

dont know how many miles is on it but i was talking to a guy on here that said just look at the frame and crank case and stuff and youll see whats up so i looked at it and it looks clean and not all scratched up and shit so im thinking this bike is perfect but waiting on a 07 and up drz400sm is still in the back of my head
lemme know what you think
 
#631 · (Edited)
What part of Texas are you from? We have a healthy group in the dfw area with a ride map that is always growing with places to hit. Let me know and we might could get a small group together and you can compare the different bikes. The WR will do all of the criteria you listed. I might step it up to a 15/42 if you're gonna do that much highway, but it'll still have power to spare.

This may or may not help you:

http://www.supermotojunkie.com/showthread.php?t=134832

http://www.supermotojunkie.com/showthread.php?t=132614
 
#633 ·
actually live in san antonio thanks for the offer though man really appreciate it
i actually think i found my dream bike though (think I'm gonna go pick it up tomorrow)

09 drz400sm
1722 miles, clear title
-434 big bore kit
-stage 1 intake and exhaust hotcams
-39mm FCR carb
-full MRD exhaust
-about 200 miles on tires - Bridgestone Battleax
-frame sliders
-ASV short clutch lever
-Trail Tech headlight
-Shorai battery
-tail rack

getting it for 4000 or 4200 at the most (whatcha think or should i take a chance on the older unknown non street legal yet 05 wr450f for 3 to 35?)
 
#634 ·
I can get you in touch with several guys in my area that have had or currently have similar DRZ's. They are all seeking other, "better", bikes. You get a WR450 for $3k and get a $14 inspection sticker and a green sheet. After that you go to the Registration office and pay your fees/tax (which you will have to do with the DRZ as well) and you're street legal. Then you'll have a bike that would run circles around that DRZ and is much much lighter and more agile. It'll also do all of the stuff that you had listed in your "to do" list. All of my WR's have been solid. The engines are every bit as much reliable as the DRZ. In fact, we have had 4 out of 5 of the DRZ's suffer major engine failures (had to split cases). Change the oil every 1,500 to 2k and keep the chain adjusted. Those are my maintenance intervals.
 
#636 ·
damn 4 outa 5? really i heard the drz are bullet proof from countless people
i keep up on the maintenance but damn man you got me scared im already spending all my cash on it but seein as its a new bike i figured it would last me for years like i want it to, i see tons of drz out there with high miles and still havent even broke em in yet they say
 
#650 ·
Yes ktm 690smc is moto version of 690 enduro. In EU is ktm 690smc-r about 65hv/60Nm....
I have now Husqvarna sm510r 2010+530cc+pcv+better/softer seat and in box i have exhaust system. That is good street use, but in city of little citys, but longer commute ride, its is like too race.
I'm upsets when I did not not have test Aprilia sxv, that is maybe my next moto....That sound aaaah:D
Then i must test that Ktm 690smc-r 2013-2013
 
#657 ·
The one question that I really have is top speed. Is there a supermoto that can actually cruise at a minimum interstate speed? I didn't like cruising over about 55-60 tops on the DRZ. I'm just looking for something with a little more ompf on the top end to get it into that highway cruising territory without completely giving up the soul of a dirtbike. From my limited searching, seems like some flavor of KTM 690 might be better.
 
#668 · (Edited)
So a little background on the rider, 25 years street experience in california bay area.
6'2 200

Dilemma: my neighbor has taken to inviting me on his weekly rides, since my current ride is an old connie, he loaned me his modded DR, claimed 50 at the wheel, fat 17's, big 200 + mile tank. We slab at 80mph or better from san jose to the sierras, take one of the passes, drop into the desert and visit bodie and slab back home for a 550 mile day.

But that's not his regular loaner bike, which would be his stock motor xrl, street tread on factory rims, still fun, but not in the same league. Just got back from another similar trip and milage.

Obviously the DR owned it all over the XRL in handling and power delivery.

I also have a second gen Klr, with susp mods, super clean but needing engine work (oil burner finally gave in after 30,000 miles), typical maintenance issues addressed (doo,rad bypass) but other than moab shock, emulators and new springs, bone stock, but a bike that I can generate lean angle on, just run out of power before anything else.

His DR is not for sale, he feels he can't recoup what he has in it.

What do I do?

Is there something from a factory that comes stock with the modded DR level power and GRUNT (but more) and handling and all day comfort which will do the kinds of rides we do so I don't have to build a clone of my neighbors?

Also, I will want to be able to use as a commuter obviously, so reliability is also a factor

Some of the options I am considering are the aprillia duo 750, ktm 690 smc or enduro w/ second set of sumo wheels, 990 SM. Maybe even a Hyper


I guess the flow chart says I want the 690.
 
#671 ·
Anyone running a KTM 300 (2 stroke) on the street?

Looking for a new dirt bike I can run a snow-bike kit on, and the KTM 300 seems like one of the best choices.

It would be even better if I could put a plate on and screw around on the street/go trail to trail, and maybe put a sumo setup on for track days.

Seems like a do-it-all bike according to reviews Ive read.
 
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