Supermoto

This thread is great!Anyone know which is the lighter bike,a sv650 or KTM 560smr???

[21QUEST]

Thread reminded me of THIS--CLICKY


Ben

[Red Herring]

Originally Posted by 21QUEST

Thread reminded me of THIS--CLICKY


Ben

That's brilliant, I must try harder.....

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by Red Herring

So perhaps we could bring some purpose to continuing this debate by you explaining how being 60kg lighter is an advantage when riding on the road?

i'd have thought to a seasoned rider it would be obvious, the most compelling reason a lighter bike is better is because given fairly similar examples (no HD / GSXR comparisons please) a lighter bike = a more agile bike with better acceleration given the same power output, two qualities that make a bike more fun to ride (unless you get your kicks by simply going very fast in a straight line) - nobody out there wishes they could just add a few kilos to their bikes to make it less manoeuvrable. you're obviously setting me up for a reply of "road riding isn't the same as racing" so although a lighter bike is going to be faster that's not a primary concern on the road (although for a road and track bike it probably is) - you could also make a case that it makes a bike much more capable of performing emergency manoeuvres should the case arise, a lighter bike stops more quickly, turns and swerves more quickly and allows you to adjust your line mid corner more easily - all things that could well save your life some day, so look on it as an investment in safety

perhaps you could outline why you think being 60kg heavier is a beneficial thing?

oh, and the reason i keep stating a blindingly obvious fact is that it's a great way to get a rise, i was wondering how long you'd keep going at it...

[northwind]

I mainly made my bike lighter so it's possible for me to push it up hills. But it's still better than a supermoto, because it has a windshield and a top box.

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by northwind

But it's still better than a supermoto, because it has a windshield and a top box.

touché...

[Red Herring]

I don't think I need to set you up for anything, you're doing just fine on your own.
I think even I would struggle to find a reason it is good to be 60kg heavier. Light is good, but it comes at a price. In order to make a bike light you either need to use more exotic materials, or less of them. This is why your SMR is made with the bare minimum of anything, and what is there costs a fortune to replace. That's fine if you are prepared to pay the premium that attracts. I simply question the need to go to such extremes unless you are actually intending to go racing where you may be able to exploit that advantage.
Your angle on lighter bikes being safer is an interesting one, especially in view of your earlier comments about how your bike brings out the hooligan in you. I guess there is certainly less chance of you doing your back in when you are picking it out of the ditch. I think a little common sense has to prevail here, clearly 116kg takes less stopping than 170kg, but the margin is so small I'd like to think most riders wouldn't need it to stay out of trouble...

ps: you get a rise.......I hadn't realised you lacked so much confidence in your debating ability...

[yorkie_chris]

Actually isn't the longer, heavier bike going to be far easier to stop in a hurry? Especially if that long, heavy bike has a lower CoG. Far less inclined to stoppies.

[Red Herring]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Actually isn't the longer, heavier bike going to be far easier to stop in a hurry? Especially if that long, heavy bike has a lower CoG. Far less inclined to stoppies.

Prior to the weekend I thought the SV was pretty good on the brakes, but I did a few laps around Lydden on Saturday and in the end one of the problems I had was the back coming up, especially down into Chessons where you are changing from left to right whilst hard on the brakes. My mate who was following me on a KTM Supermoto (only a 640 SMC Woof, not a proper one like yours) said it looked hilarious.

[21QUEST]

Originally Posted by Red Herring

Prior to the weekend I thought the SV was pretty good on the brakes, but I did a few laps around Lydden on Saturday and in the end one of the problems I had was the back coming up, especially down into Chessons where you are changing from left to right whilst hard on the brakes. My mate who was following me on a KTM Supermoto (only a 640 SMC Woof, not a proper one like yours) said it looked hilarious.

Sounds like a 'setup' issue.


Ben