Supermoto- Could it replace my sv?

[c_noble]

Hey all im finally getting some money for a bike accident a while back where my sv was wrote off. Did scare me quite alot but i've got the bike bug back after owning a car for 4months. I was just considering wot bike to maybe replace it with, iv always fancied a supermoto and was wondering whether it would be a realistic replacement for my sv, reliability, running costs etc, as it would be used on a daily basis and for long distances. thanks all

[rictus01]

although a supermoto would be in the same ball park as an SV cost wise to run, insure and alike, and great fun for a blat, I'd be concerned about distance, not very comfortable to be honest and a bit tiring after a while, tank range isn't great either, and pillion is laughable.

so if you're after a play thing then yes sure, however if you're after an all rounder to do "out of town" work and the odd motorway run, go for a roadster of some kind ( SV/Hornet/Bandit/Fazer etc).

Cheers Mark.

[andy]

Totally agree with Rictus, great fun, cheap, easy to ride and hoon about on, crap for long distance (say over 30 miles), poor tank range (a real pain, it really is - prob 90 miles per tank), and you would need to be very friendly with any pillions.

Of all the bikes I have owned (prob about 25 now), the SV has been the best all rounder, closely followed by my GSX750 retro.

Also if you go down the proper supermoto route (a KTM or Husky as opposed to a DRZ) then reliability may be an issue.....

[Red Herring]

Definately endorse the other advice given. I've got an XR650 Supermoto and it is the most fun I have ever had on two wheels, but only for short spells. They are even more fun if you have a few mates with them as well as you can ride together on the lanes and you just would not believe what you can get a way with....
Definately no fun though if you want to go anywhere further than 50 miles away at anything over 70 mph. If you are going to buy one go for a big one. The DRZ400 is a reliable all rounder but when you really want to boogy there is no substitute for cc's. Avoid the "sensible" ones like the Honda FMX or the Yamaha XT...whatever, they are overweight and under powered. Likewise avoid the Husky/Husenberg/VOR or anything else really competition based, that sort of performance does not come cheap or without a lot of maintenance. The best ones are the KTM LC4 based versions (The 525 isn't bad, but a bit fragile) or of course the Honda....but I'm bound to say that.

Strangely enough I've just bought an SV to build up into a road Supermoto....I'll let you know how it stacks up against the XR!