What purpose do supermotos serve?

Too40gawlf · May 4th, 2011, 10:18 AM

I see alot of supermotos around my area. Apparently they are quite popular. However, I dont understand, what do supermotos do that dualsports cant? To me supermotos look like grotesquely attired dual sports. Are the little wheels more conducive to street riding?

Would someone explain the concept behind supermotos and why they have to have tiny wheels?

bdavison · May 4th, 2011, 10:57 AM

Its kind of an optical illusion. The wheels on the supermoto look smaller, but they are actually same size as most sportbikes. They just look really small in comparison with a bike designed like a dirt bike.

Road tires dont normally come in the same wheel diameters as dirt bike tires. Most dirt bikes are running 19-21" wheels, where as our ninja 250r and most other sportbikes are running 17" wheels. (pre-gen excluded)

Also, since many of the supermoto bikes are using racing slicks....they dont come in 21" wheel sizes....but they do come in 17" and 16.5"

Indy250r · May 4th, 2011, 10:57 AM

Street hooliganism.

dyeforever · May 4th, 2011, 11:14 AM

lighter and quicker then a supersport up till 60-70 mph. general hooliganism. riding up and down stairs, urban jumps, wheelies, etc. Its a blast.

Too40gawlf · May 4th, 2011, 11:42 AM

OK, makes sense. I still think they look weird.

FrugalNinja250 · May 4th, 2011, 12:00 PM

I tend to think of it as the supermoto being a street bike set up for some dirt, and dual-purpose being a dirt bike set up for some street.

dyeforever · May 4th, 2011, 12:32 PM

dual sport is more like dirt bike with dot approved dirt tires on dirt rims. supermoto is supersport rims and tires on a dirt bike. dont think a supersport could handle jumps and offroad.

they sure can get low.

TnNinjaGirl · May 4th, 2011, 02:45 PM

Insanity /\

"A" · May 4th, 2011, 05:56 PM

Motards weight about 60-120 lb. lighter than most 600 Superports.

With enough suspension travel for MX tracks, wide handlebars and super strong 17" spoked wheels.. You too can land tabletop jumps and back-it-in at the next corner

Live2ride · May 4th, 2011, 06:12 PM

I think they look fun as hell, I'd like to have one. Imagine going around a hair pin corner that low in a group of sport bikes then at the next stop say "...whats with that look on your faces? you guys put a knee down, I put an elbow down, no big deal."

slolane · May 4th, 2011, 06:35 PM

Ultimate hooligan ride. I have to say that out of the many bikes I had my WR250X was one of the favorites. For me the Ninja 250 just does it all for me in terms of comfort, wind/rain protection and luggage so the Ninja wins but I would like another Sumo one day as a second bike for camping and short commutes.

Here is my WR with some more aggressive enduro tires I put on it:

CynicalC · May 4th, 2011, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slolane

Ultimate hooligan ride. I have to say that out of the many bikes I had my WR250X was one of the favorites. For me the Ninja 250 just does it all for me in terms of comfort, wind/rain protection and luggage so the Ninja wins but I would like another Sumo one day as a second bike for camping and short commutes.

Here is my WR with some more aggressive enduro tires I put on it:

Love it.

May 4th, 2011, 10:18 AM	#1
Too40gawlf ninjette.org guru Name: Eric Location: NoVa Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Super Sherpa! Posts: 388	What purpose do supermotos serve? I see alot of supermotos around my area. Apparently they are quite popular. However, I dont understand, what do supermotos do that dualsports cant? To me supermotos look like grotesquely attired dual sports. Are the little wheels more conducive to street riding? Would someone explain the concept behind supermotos and why they have to have tiny wheels?

May 4th, 2011, 06:12 PM	#10
Live2ride ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Cody Location: NoVa Join Date: Jan 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 yzf r6r previously: 09 ninja 250r, black 07 zx6r Posts: A lot.	I think they look fun as hell, I'd like to have one. Imagine going around a hair pin corner that low in a group of sport bikes then at the next stop say "...whats with that look on your faces? you guys put a knee down, I put an elbow down, no big deal." __________________________________________________

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May 4th, 2011, 10:57 AM	#2
bdavison Wartown, USA Name: Bryan Location: Warner Robins, GA Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R SE, 2007 Ninja 650R, and assorted other bikes Posts: A lot.	Its kind of an optical illusion. The wheels on the supermoto look smaller, but they are actually same size as most sportbikes. They just look really small in comparison with a bike designed like a dirt bike. Road tires dont normally come in the same wheel diameters as dirt bike tires. Most dirt bikes are running 19-21" wheels, where as our ninja 250r and most other sportbikes are running 17" wheels. (pre-gen excluded) Also, since many of the supermoto bikes are using racing slicks....they dont come in 21" wheel sizes....but they do come in 17" and 16.5"

May 4th, 2011, 10:57 AM	#3
Indy250r ninjette.org member Name: Brad Location: Indiana Join Date: Aug 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2011 KTM 990 ADV Posts: 234	Street hooliganism.

May 4th, 2011, 11:14 AM	#4
dyeforever ninjette.org member Name: Jesse Location: Kona, Hawaii Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 04 250r(sold), 09 250r(sold), 07 CRF450x, 07 sv650(sold) Posts: 110	lighter and quicker then a supersport up till 60-70 mph. general hooliganism. riding up and down stairs, urban jumps, wheelies, etc. Its a blast.

May 4th, 2011, 11:42 AM	#5
Too40gawlf ninjette.org guru Name: Eric Location: NoVa Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Super Sherpa! Posts: 388	OK, makes sense. I still think they look weird.

May 4th, 2011, 12:00 PM	#6
FrugalNinja250 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Frugal Location: Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): Several Posts: A lot.	I tend to think of it as the supermoto being a street bike set up for some dirt, and dual-purpose being a dirt bike set up for some street.

May 4th, 2011, 12:32 PM	#7
dyeforever ninjette.org member Name: Jesse Location: Kona, Hawaii Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 04 250r(sold), 09 250r(sold), 07 CRF450x, 07 sv650(sold) Posts: 110	dual sport is more like dirt bike with dot approved dirt tires on dirt rims. supermoto is supersport rims and tires on a dirt bike. dont think a supersport could handle jumps and offroad. they sure can get low.

May 4th, 2011, 02:45 PM	#8
TnNinjaGirl Ms. Personality Name: CB Location: Murvill, TN Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): Depends on the week you ask Posts: A lot.	Insanity /\

May 4th, 2011, 05:56 PM	#9
"A" vampire Name: A Location: IT Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2 many 2 list Posts: A lot.	Motards weight about 60-120 lb. lighter than most 600 Superports. With enough suspension travel for MX tracks, wide handlebars and super strong 17" spoked wheels.. You too can land tabletop jumps and back-it-in at the next corner

May 4th, 2011, 06:35 PM	#11
slolane Motorcyclist Name: James Location: Maryland Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Ninja 300 ABS Posts: A lot.	Ultimate hooligan ride. I have to say that out of the many bikes I had my WR250X was one of the favorites. For me the Ninja 250 just does it all for me in terms of comfort, wind/rain protection and luggage so the Ninja wins but I would like another Sumo one day as a second bike for camping and short commutes. Here is my WR with some more aggressive enduro tires I put on it: