[grandshervee]

So I have read all the stickies, and these are what are still holding me back. Sorry if they have come up, but I guess each person likes to see answers to their specific thread, even though there are dozens in the search that are almost similar.

Every so often, I like to a passenger on the bike. Is it possible for a motard to still be fun (when riding solo) if it came prepared to also take passengers? Most tards I see are solo riding bikes.

Another concern comes with distance. I keep reading that motards are not meant for long distance b/c of no wind protection and the style of the engine/buziness. Is there any way around that?

As a reference, I have ridden a 2003 F650gs and an older monster (see sig). I found the 650 not to have any personality and the speed wasn't there for me. The monster was hoot, loved it through and through, but I still wanted a bit more oomph in the top end at times for straight line speed.

These are the core reasons that I haven't come over to the darkside yet. The other is straight speed, but I think that I can get over that with a healthy (but not too healthy) sized motor.

Thanks for the feedback in advance.
:rockon


ps, I can't have two bikes, hence my dilemma

 

[dhouldsw]

If you want passengers and more highway capability, I'd go with a Honda 650 or Suzuki 650 and convert it to supermoto. My 400 has passenger pegs and it's ok for in a pinch, but I wouldn't want to ride very far with a passenger. And I'm fine with highway speeds of 120km/h max, the bike will go faster, but the wind knocks you around a bit.

;D

 

[J_Scott]

As a reference, I have ridden a 2003 F650gs and an older monster (see sig). I found the 650 not to have any personality and the speed wasn't there for me. The monster was hoot, loved it through and through, but I still wanted a bit more oomph in the top end at times for straight line speed.

You could go either F1200GS or for S4R, S2R1000 or S4RS.

I know the monsters can give you the oomph you need in the top end Even WITH a passenger you can break 200 and continue on.

However, motarding is an alluring little bitch ain't it? But I'd see it as a second bike for toying around. You would be better off combining a motard with another street bike like the monster.

That said, I'm still jumping head first into this stupid sport!

 

[grandshervee]

hahahaha, another duc is out of the question. I dont have the funds for it at this moment. The 94 was my dad's that I bought off of him. It was mint, but the cards weren't in my favour for long, and so it had to be sold.

BigRed, you mentioned a 650, won't that hand my ass on a motard?

 

[Gern Blenskin]

Had to double a buddy from Squamish to Van on my old XR650R when his KTM 640 died and we left it at teh dealer there. The XR did not have passenger pegs, and with the thin seat we were both in agony in about 10 minutes. You can get a kit to put passenger pegs on, but I would think it would still be a shitty way to drag around a pillion, especially if you motard a endurobike versus a road legal dual sport like a XR650L. The DR looks to have better passenger accomodations.
That being said, I moved on from my XR because I spend so much time on the highway (it was buzzy and stability at speed on those thing is not great - they are meant to turn!). Now I have a KTM Adventure.
Moral here is: if you want a passenger compliant Super-Moto that goes good on the highway, go for one of the uber-motards like the KTM 950 SM or the new Ducati that due soon...

 

[nutcracker]

The perfect supermoto for you would be the Husky SM610 (I have one) , it has passenger pegs , enought power and 6 gears. Just put a sheep skin on the seat for longer distances. It's also the same price as a DRZ400SM. Give a shout to Bill at Fifth gear, he's the dealer in the Vancouver region.

 

[dhouldsw]

BigRed, you mentioned a 650, won't that hand my ass on a motard?

Hand your ass?

Jose converted a Suzuki DR650 to supermoto, not sure if he's taken it out to F440 since the conversion, but he rode it there before the conversion.

;D

 

[grandshervee]

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG, so beautiful!!!!! Roughly how much? I know I could probably call Bill and ask, but rather than be a pest, I thought I would see how many pennies I have to save up before I even consider

 

[dhouldsw]

$8500 ish?

;D

 

[TeeTee]

Italian money is low on the market right now so the Huskys are a real bargain.

The 610 is a fantastic bike but it won't replace what the Duc or a sportbike is good at and those are long distances and high speeds. Mind you the 610 will get up to and run for quite some time at about 130 kph but while it'll hit 160 if you run it up there you won't want to stay there long and it'll be pretty much maxed out at that point.

Passengers will be a pain for more than a short emergency or convienience ride. Long runs on the highway are not the way to go thanks to the narrowness of the saddle and the vibes of the engine. However this CAN be fixed to some degree with a custom saddle similar to the Corbin dual sport styles and with some vibration fixes to the bars (heavy bar ends, lead shot in the bar tubing, gel grips). I doubt if you'll make a 'tard into a long distance bike even with these changes but it would help a lot.

So if you go for a motard you'll give up the silky smooth running and super high speeds. But you gain SO much more on the other side of the balance sheet. Super light handling, effortless wheelies on demand, the ablity to alter direction with blinding agility and sore face muscles from grinning and laughing like a madman.

 

[barking pumpkin]

^^^^^ what Bruce said......."ouch"...my face is still hurting from Monday night.:laughing