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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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#127 ·
Am I retarded or can I go tarded?

Is it possible to run a SM as your daily mode of transportation and if so which setup would work well? I dont own a car, havent owned one for a couple of years and dont plan to own one till I am done with school. And since I live in jawjuh where we dont have winter bikes are a blast... I always wanted to go tarded but am kinda iffy about the maintenance issues I need something that I can replace the oil, lube the chain and gas n go ... so am I retarded or can I go tarded?
 
#128 ·
Neil, you know mine's a daily rider...and now a track beyotch too, it is possible. I've got 5,300 miles on the DRZ now and lovin it. I can ride to work Tuesday (30 miles each way), do a 275 mile day in the mts Wednesday, take the lights off Thursday and go to the track on Sunday. Get sum wheels on that DR and let's go riding!!
 
#129 ·
gregman_1 said:
Neil, you know mine's a daily rider...and now a track beyotch too, it is possible. I've got 5,300 miles on the DRZ now and lovin it. I can ride to work Tuesday (30 miles each way), do a 275 mile day in the mts Wednesday, take the lights off Thursday and go to the track on Sunday. Get sum wheels on that DR and let's go riding!!
Could not have said it better myself.
 
#131 ·
gregman_1 said:
Neil, you know mine's a daily rider...and now a track beyotch too, it is possible. I've got 5,300 miles on the DRZ now and lovin it. I can ride to work Tuesday (30 miles each way), do a 275 mile day in the mts Wednesday, take the lights off Thursday and go to the track on Sunday. Get sum wheels on that DR and let's go riding!!
well from the way things are goin the DR will be gone, but who knows I might have a brain fart and be able to pull some cash outta my ass and get them GS500 wheels ...lol However, as of now I am hoping (praying) to be able to pick up another bike (need something more reliable then the good old GS) once it gets cold and the prices come down ... got a real small budget to work with and I was hopin to get a SV but fugg it I am just dying here w/out a tard so if I can get something reliable then I am goin for it ... basically wanted to make sure that I can be able to change the oil every 3000 miles rather then having to change it every week and also not be bothered with rebuilding anything on the engine and not having to adjust the valves all the time ... this time I want to get a bike that already has the street rims and tires on it ...
 
#133 ·
Want to get a Street Tard

Okay, Im looking to get my motorcycle license by the spring, and Ive read about starting on bike with 600cc's or less. Now, I've considered the usual bikes (Kawasaki EX250/500, Suzuki GS500F, Buell Blast) and I just dont like them be it for looks (or lack thereof) or for lack of aftermarket.

Ive always liked the look of motards and decided to go this route and build a street tard. I most likely buy used, that can be had for $6000 CAD (5200 USD) or less from year 2000 or newer.

I would like a reliable machine, but I am not afraid to work on it if need be. I would only use the bike for commuting in Toronto and the 'burbs, but no highway usage.

If anyone has any suggestions about any bikes that will work for me, please share. The bike I have been looking at is the Suzuki DR-Z400SM ( a bit pricey new). Comes road ready with lights and all that. Would I find the bike lacking power when I park my 220 lbs on it? Does it have any aftermarket? Reliable? Any similar bikes availabe in Canada?

Im sorry for sounding redundant, but Im new to this, so go easy :p Thanks
 
G
#135 ·
I'm 210lbs and owne a drzsm and yes at the first I found it underpowered but I use to ride bikes with over 100 HP so that can explain it. Now that I have the full pipe, jet kit, air filter and 3x3 mod it will weellie in first even when I'm sitting on the tank where before I had to sit back.

It's a really fun bike and the big + is low maintenance.
 
#139 ·
I know there is a huge thread on this, but I would say that a DRZSM would be a perfect bike for a new rider. Enough power to have a ton of fun, but not too much. You should be able to find a used one in your price range.

Good Luck :thumbup:
 
#141 ·
ktm 525 exc vs. honda xr650r

I'm in the market for a new bike, currently own an 03 drz 400s which I will be giving to my wife and I can't make up my mind between the ktm 525exc and the honda xr650r. I plan on riding street, trail, and supemoto which bike do you think would be best for all three types of riding?
 
#142 ·
I wouldn’t give up the Ktoom. Some say it requires too much maintenance, but what you get in return is a street legal race bike. Tons of fun & power, and it's very easy to put on the street. You can buy factory harness & controls cheaper than a Baja Design kit.

Welcome to SMJ
 
#143 ·
Huh? These bikes are worlds apart. They have almost nothing in common. If you really want some help you are going to need to give people a little more to work with.

Street? both will need to be converted, fairly easy to do. Rack up a ton of miles? Go with the Honda. The KTM needs more maintainence

Trail??? tight woods? mountains? desert? I would pick the KTM in all situations unless I was riding Baja @100 MPH all the time.

SM? Easy The KTM

I think the better question is KTM 450EXC vs KTM525EXC
 
#144 ·
I went through the same dilemma and ended up with the XR.

Both are good, but i spend a lot more time on the road than the dirt and didn't want to have to rebuild the motor at 40 or 50 hours use (ended up rebuilding it with an HRC kit anyway, so there goes that arguement). I've since found out that KTM's are a lot more durable than others would have you think and they're probably just as good as the XRs.

Power to weight after a basic mods (exhaust, jetting, air box etc) are probably the same, so you need to choose between heavier with more power/torque (XR) or lighter with less power/torque (KTM).

KTM definately has better suspension though.

My decision was made due to having a spare set of motard wheels from a wrecked XR400 that would bolt onto the 650R. If they're the same price and you like to push the limits (and know how to ride), get the KTM, it's a higher performance bike. If you're not Jeff Ward and don't like tinkering in the garage get the XR, the extra torque is a lot of fun and it's pretty hard to break one. . . believe me, i've tried.
 
#145 ·
People get so confused about rebuilding four strokes. They might be racing bikes but you dont need to replace the piston often at all if ever. I know plenty of A and B class racers who put one to two years on a piston and it will show litle to no where. The only minor problem is with valves but it is minor. Trust me I have been around for strokes for a while and do all my own maintanance they arent as big and scary inside as youd think. And as far as valves go even xrs need them adjusted every now and then. So the only extar maintance with the katoom is a few extra oil changes. go for the katoom or a husky both offer big powerful bikes already in super moto trim.
 
#146 ·
The good thing about adjusting XR valves is that you can do it with 2 spanners from the outside of the rocker cover in about 10 minutes, But i agree with you, the maintenance requirements on a KTM are nowhere as near as bad as some people will have you think if you're just riding on the road.
 
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