Motards... what do you guys think of them??

[NZM031]

hey gang.

for those of you that dont know me.. im new to the road bike scene.. ive had my L's and my Aprilia RS125 for just over 2 months.

i love the aprilia, its a great deal of fun.. but i ride it to work everyday and its starting to take its toll on me.. i have to ride through a fair bit of traffic so im constantly stopping and starting and with the little 2 stroke, taking off is a chore and getting going takes alot of energy... and then you have to stop again.. which on the little lightweight bike on shit roads... its bouncing all over the place.. and struggles to stop cleanly. i also have a couple of hills to contend with which labours it.. and being a high revving 2 stroke.. to cut through traffic means knocking it down 2 gears or riding it constantly at 8000rpm..

as a weekend fun machine... it would be great to get it out on some twistys and give it a good fanging... but as a daily rider, it takes soo much energy.

soooo that leads me to my dilema/question. basically im thinking of selling the aprilia.. no probs... but i cant ride a decent fighter (unless i build a 250) for another 12 months... so what do i ride while im building my fighter?? something that has lots of low down torque on demand, a good upright riding position, great visibilty, low maintanence and running costs, and is great at jumping through gaps in traffic and generally making a ruckus?? everything a good 4 stroke dirt bike is. chuck a set of road wheels and tyres on, lower the suspension a little, and there you have it.

so what do you guys think of my idea.. and the whole motard thing in general?? or is there another bike i should get?? should a get a 250 and maleste it to make it a lightweight fighter??

i only want it because im on my L's and will be building a fighter to ride when i get my full licence... i cant have a big sports bike, or a nasty ass fighter...

cheers
Linton

First off....motards are FUCKING MENTAL. Seriously they are SO MUCH FUCKING FUN.

When I turned 30 after having ridden for a good 12 years (yeah I started late) I bought a TTR-250 just to commute from one end of Sydney to the other. I ended up turning it into a motard and I had an absolute blast on it. They are sooooo forgiving, nothing break when you drop them and they are SO MUCH FUCKING FUN....Did I mention they are SO MUCH FUCKING FUN ?

Wide open spaces are not the hunting ground of the average motard. Get yourself onto the tight and twisties and you'll have a blast. Low power bikes are alot more fun than what they seem as you really have plan everything you do.

Do it do it do it.

If you're from NSW I think some big bore KTM's and TTR's may be actually leaner legal, so they should last you for a good few years.
The only problem with motards is that you end up doing really silly things...but that's just part of the contract.

[-Dex-]

My next bike is going to be a dirty tard for commuting.

[rod185651]

I like em,
cheers Rod

[ninjaboy]

Not sure if you've heard this yet, but they are SO MUCH FUCKING FUN. But really, they are. Had a go of my mate's one and now i'm thinking about getting one myself just for everyday. They are not heavy and are great to throw around. Go for it I say!

tho everyone else seems to hate 'em.....specially when a cheap traily cuts 'em up shame about that 17K sportsbike hey

[Weaselman]

I had a 2 stroke one...

[NZM031]

awesome... im on the lookout now and the aprilia is up for sale. if anyone in NSW is interested, send me an email nzm031@hotmail.com.. its in excellent condition, 2000, 21700kms, full power model, arrow pipe, march 09 rego, has had rebuild at 20000kms, goes great, just not for me at the moment.

on my L's i can ride any single cylinder trail bike up to 650cc.. thats nuts. Motard here we come. i like doing silly things. haha. nah not really... but it would be nice to have the ability.

i still want a sports bike... and a fighter... but i need a daily and it would be cool to have it has a wicked trail bike, as thats what im used to throwing around.

Don't buy a "factory motard" buy a traily, get a set of hubs and get 'em laced with 17's.

[Weaselman]

damm right

Just ask Jim how mad my CRM250 was

holy fuck.......maybe i should just get a motard instead of the gsxr

[Large]

Motards are for retards!

And your point being ?

Are you saying being a retard is a bad thing ?

I rejoice in my motard riding retardiness

[Large]

My point being I'm currently trying to get my TTR 600 motard working and it's shitting me.

As for your retardedness...whatever gets you the ladies is good:D

[BOHEMION]

quote:Originally posted by bladehunter

Don't buy a "factory motard" buy a traily, get a set of hubs and get 'em laced with 17's.


Explain?

[BOHEMION]

What sort of problems are u having Rich? does it look like this yet ?
http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/upload/457623358264939.jpg

[NZM031]

haha a factory motard would be like a factory fighter... wheres the fun in that?? id also like to keep the dirt rims and tyres and be able to go trail riding at times... im thinking along the lines of a WR426 or 450, KLX 450 or 650, or XR 400 or 650.

that thing looks super retarded... retarded is cool. as far as i can see, motards are just the fighters of the dirt bike world.

[Large]

quote:Originally posted by BOHEMION

What sort of problems are u having Rich? does it look like this yet ?
http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/upload/457623358264939.jpg



Fuck that looks horny.

I'm having trouble with the rear wheel locking up- turned out to be the rear pads are worn and slipping out of place and more trouble getting the fucking airbox on.

[TurboKat]

WooHoo !! Another chance to post a pic of my old XR 650 ;)
From experience, don't go under 600cc for your Motard, the 400/450 stuff from the last 10 years (except the DRZ) or so are too highly strung to cope with regular road work, titanium valves, ultra short skirt pistons, etc, don't have a long lifespan & it's well documented that a topend rebuild will empty your bank account.
An oil cooler is a must too if you're planning to do a bit of sustained high speed cruising, the oil in a big single gets well hot on the freeway & your motor will thank you for a cooler.
Go nuts.
http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/upload/675839337242997.jpg

[TurboKat]

I forgot to mention, if you're an experienced MX/Enduro/Trail rider & don't mind the wheels getting out of line occasionally, ;) run 250 GP wet weather slicks on the road [:p] When they get hot, they squirm & slide really predictably, & if you have a set of local "Test Track" roads (come on, who doesn't?), in no time you'll be backing it in & pulling big powerslides out & you'll think you're Garry Mc Coy :D it's awesome fun. [^]
I miss my Retard [V]
http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/upload/675839337236806.jpg

[-Dex-]

My favourite so far.

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l305/2weelz/IMG_7710.jpg

[Iceman]

I want one.

[Bear]

I've been riding this to work for the last 18 months and it is SO MUCH FUCKING FUN!

http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/upload/675841356156582.JPG


But I'm hard on it and not a small person so I'd rather a 600cc+ machine.

Don't bother with a WR426, they're a bit too peaky in power, imho. But the WR450's from 2004 on are ok. They don't run titanium valves (stainless) and are fine if you change the oil regularly. They don't carry much oil.

There's a lot of wives tales about top end rebuilds on modern 450's but they're not that temperamental if you clean the air-filter now and then and change the oil (much like any bike).
Best to fit a recluse auto clutch though, to look after the drive-train if you aren't running a cushdrive hub (another can of worms).

The Suzuki DR range (400 & 650) are ok too. Bit heavier then the WR's though.

An XR650 like turbokat's would be the ideal motard daily commute weapon though.

A word of warning - Motards eat licences.

[Bear]

quote:Originally posted by BOHEMION


quote:Originally posted by bladehunter

Don't buy a "factory motard" buy a traily, get a set of hubs and get 'em laced with 17's.


Explain?


He means, buy a dirt bike and throw a set of these on - http://www.ballards.cc/Text/1202883682632-6552/pC/1202869851119-8610/CATALOGUE-2008

http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/upload/67584172053109.gif


This was my daily commuter....Rode it from Sydney to Brisbane when I moved up there, no $$$$ to trailer it up.

She RIP now

[BOHEMION]

I know what he meant but explain why its better. some of the kit that comes with the factory ready motos are just screaming to be ready raced.

Cool link btw

[craig]

http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/upload/675841842738161.jpg
I just love the look of road tyres on dirt bikes. This is my flat track bike.

[pappas]

Motards are awesome! I wouldn't overlook a KTM 520, 525 etc. they are fucken quick and mono machines!
I had a motard go past me sideways through some tight twisties! Very quick throught the tight stuff!

[Bear]

quote:Originally posted by BOHEMION

I know what he meant but explain why its better. some of the kit that comes with the factory ready motos are just screaming to be ready raced.

Cool link btw

It's better cause you can go dirt riding when you want to aswell. :D

[hooligan]

NZM, have you checked out a yamaha SZR660?

[NZM031]

hooligan, i have checked those out... they seem like a really good bike, brembos, good handling and what not buuut i really love dirt bikes and trail riding as that is my roots... so for the same price, which $5000 is my limit, i could have a large dirt bike thats a killer in the bush and also a good traffic monster, or a small road bike... i like the sports bikes which is why i got the aprilia... but i also dont want to be comparing the little bike to the big bike when i get one, if i get used to the aprilia's handling, ill miss it when i get on my big bike, or ill push the big one too far and come off it. nah, a motard is the way to go... best of both worlds, 2 seperate bikes.

[Bear]

BTW, Ballards can fit you out completely with a motard kit for any dirt bike. One stop shop if you're looking for one. They'll discount things if you kit out the lot too.

The hardest part is knowing what gearing to run.

[Weaselman]

http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/upload/825887458131165.JPG


My ol 2 stroke

[loosebruce]

Even a big single with standard rims and "road oriented" tyres is a lot more fun than they should be.
$5K should get a reasonable KLR or DR650.
Something with a cush drive rear wheel will be a lot easier to put up with on a daily basis and your drivetrain will last longer.

[zx12argh]

Well sold my VTR so there goes the road bike - chucked some road rubber on the DRZ400 and upped the gearing - still wheelies like a bitch but does 160 on the road - apparently ;). A little bit skittery - I think I might have to tighten the head up a little.

cheap on fuel doesn't break - will waste Bennelli Cafe Racers across the traffic lights and force them to do the loser fly by every single set of lights for 5 kms (I think he was getting pissed off by the end)

yeah - do it - but rememeber they do amplify your natural built in tool factor. So if you are a little tool then you will probably be fine... My flat mate is currently fighting 100 kmph+ in a 50 zone... he's a big fucking tool.

[xb9r]

I had a 98 RMX 250 that got motarded fucken had a ball would lovr to try a big four stroke motards are wikid

[Lucas]

If you have 11k to drop get the XT660 motard. Looks like fun


You can even have a pillion too. Fucking amazing [:p]


http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/upload/103480313437944.jpg

[damo1]

Fuckn love it.

Stepted off a fighted blade to get onto a WR450 and its the ducks guts.

[NZM031]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/HONDA-XR-400-98-SUPERMOTARD_W0QQitemZ260237079088QQihZ016QQcategor yZ102675QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

WA boys step up to the plate..

[loosebruce]

I know the bloke that owns this one; http://www.allclassifieds.com.au/ac/ac0036?bcid=121915437
Very well looked after, with a couple of extras.

[Lucas]

I dunno, it is fron Isabella plains...


I was thinking of a Dr650 etc etc to tard before I was offered the TRX. I don't think you can go wrong on a motard unless you plan on spending large amounts of time in one sitting on it. You'll get a pretty sore arse.


As has been said, they are light, largly unbreakable parts all over the place and you get the best of both worlds with a quick rim change.

[el sammo]

Motards rock! i had a XR650 tard on the streets it went for ages with no trouble, have a CRF450 now thats a lot crazier but needs a lot more maintanence

for street riding and commuting i reckon a DRZ400 would be pretty sweet

[el sammo]

http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/upload/103480407952661.jpg


my CRF450 when i first got it

[Lucas]

Arse ugly fightered motard!!!



http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/upload/170016235121415.jpg



I posted this in the 'fighter pics too but I thought it also needed to go in this thread.

[Bear]

Very pretty. :D
Is that a gas mask on the front and a spoiler on the back?

[Lucas]

I think so. Looks like it.

[Fish]

Fuckking furry bikes... I just don't get it.

[Razorback]

The new Ducati Hyper Motard 1100 has me seriously interested. Id love to ride one because it just looks like so much raw fun!!

http://www.ducati.com/en/bikes/my2007/ModelPage.jhtml?family=Hypermotard&model=HM1100S-08

[Bear]

A guy here at work has the Hypermotard and I must say that it seriously thumps along! It's got to be the ultimate motard.

[Lucas]

Bloody expensive moturd tho

[el sammo]

the hypermotard looks like a lot of fun!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXyV8JUj8m0

[-Dex-]

Roland Sands Hyper tard

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h97/mrgixxer13/bikes/83515791287328.jpg

[zx12argh]

quote:Originally posted by Lucas

Arse ugly fightered motard!!!
http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/upload/170016235121415.jpg



Poor DRZ!!! OH NOES!!!

[Bear]

That reminds me of an Altered Drag car my father used to race against way back in the 70's - It was called "The Chicken Man", was yellow and covered in glued on feathers.

When it did the quater mile run, feathers used to fly everywhere behind it. They had to reglue more on after each meeting but it looked very cool.

I don't know if you could do that today at the drags.