Choosing a second bike... Decisions, decisions.

[HadesOmega]

For me, my race oriented helmets sat too low on the brow for upright seating, I bought an el cheapo dirt bike helmet. If you consider getting a set of rims for the dirt, then you factor in chest protector, dirt boots, jersey.

I realize supermoto is usually strictly pavement but if you have a bike that has the capability to go offroad with just a wheel swap, something to consider.

I race and street ride my mini supermotos and I use leather's, race gloves, and streetbike helmet, and street boots at the track and textile gear on the street. I guess they have gear tailored more for supermotos like leathers without the hump in the back. I see a lot of people rock dirt gear also. Only thing I hate is when I ride the supermoto dirt section is my gear get's all dusty. If anything supermoto is a mishmash of street and dirtbike gear. You can totally ride a supermoto offroad also, I've taken mine to Metcalf and Hollister Hills, you'd be surprised how well those street tires can get around the dirt, just don't do steep loose hillclimbs I guess.

Check out the gear these guys are wearing all over the place, wish I raced that one also.
[YOUTUBE]T7jugYTkqm4[/YOUTUBE]

 

[flipstyledsm22]

I vote for supermoto as well. After owning countless motorcycles, I've never thought about buying a dirt bike... I recently jumped on a WR125R with street tires on it AND it was life changing! It was low on power, but was very fun. My next moto purchase will be a supermoto.

 

[cg_ops]

Hey all,

Looking for a new bike. Need some opinions or people who have experience with the bikes below. Been riding for 20 years now. Everything from DRZs, R6, CBR600, dirtbikes, Hypermotard, etc. My budget is around $12k.

2016 Yamaha R1
2016 Ducati Panigale 959
2016 Ducati Monster 1200R
2020 KTM 790 Duke (Cheaper Option)
2020 Yamaha MT-10

Haven't tried a Panigale or monster but I have tried the others. I've owned/ridden the following for more than 300 miles; SV650, R3, R6, GSXR 750, WR250, WR426, Harley Sportster, 701 Sumo, 890 Duke and a couple others i know i'm forgetting. Of all the bikes on your list, I think the consensus in here is right.. go with the sumo or the 790/890.

Pros/Cons based on my experience:

690/701 Pros: Stupid fun and confidence inspiring. Handles somewhere between a sportbike and dirtbike. Weighs almost nothing by comparison to the sportbike (but a piggy compared to the "real" dirtbikes). If you think of it like an offroad capable sportbike rather than a very beastly dirtbike you'll likely enjoy it more. Will power wheelie on command in 1-3rd and will wheelie in any gear with some technique. You won't cry as hard if you drop it while riding like an ass. Stock range is good for what it is, gas light comes on around 140miles.

690/701 Cons: KTM reliability. I went through 2 motors in around 15k miles of ~20k miles total.(Also had a leaky gauge cluster, broken brake return spring, leaky radiator, seat stickers flew off in under 1k miles, faulty turn indicator switch, and 2 headlight housings due to spiderwebbing of the plastic cover) You'll probably want to wheelie it all the time. It's relatively pricey to maintain - 2 oil filters, 2 oil screens, and requires full synth 20w50 oil... but at least the valves don't need frequent adjustment (until they do)

790/890 Pros: Feels lighter than the 701, amazingly. Most nimble/agile bike I've ever ridden.... even more flickable than my race-prepped R3! Amazing brakes, seamless quick shifter, very unintrusive ABS and TC, and the cruise control is awesome.

The 890 is also quicker than it really has any right to be. I pull on both of my friends with MT09's until we're close to triple digits.

My 890 is the most fun and enjoyable bike I've ever ridden. Power like a liter bike around town, nimbleness like a dirtbike at all speeds, and is very smooth and refined cruising down the road (which is surprising for a sport-naked that only weighs 360lbs)

790/890 Cons: None so far. Hopefully the reliability isn't like the 690. The steering damper could use some adjustability. A pothole on hwy 80 sent me into a tank slapper at ~65mph this summer and made me drop it... fortunately the damage was mostly just cosmetic.

 

[ejv]

You should add Aprilia's Tuono V4 to that list.

I gave up track days and the occasional old fart race, so swapped my R1 for a Tuono and absolutely love it.

Figured you would be along soon enough to share these thoughts as I saw you picked one up from the for sale section. IMO it destroys all the bikes on his list and can be had for $12K or less. I've ridden the R1, the MT10, the Monster 1200R, but not the other two. I have ridden the SDR1290 and the Pani V4S. If I had to choose from that list it would be the Duke or perhaps the Panigale but honestly for that amount I would go with the Tuono 1100 for a while. Too much fun to never own one IMO.

 

[chrisweir.com]

We've all got opinions. But you're buying the bike. What are yours? What do you want from it? If you'll be owning it alongside the R6 it seems silly to me to choose one of the sport bikes on the list. But it's your bike.

Agree x 1,000

From your list I would say the MT10 is different enough to be worth doing, however with an R6 in the garage why not do a dual sport or touring bike?

 

[NoTraffic]

I race and street ride my mini supermotos and I use leather's, race gloves, and streetbike helmet, and street boots at the track and textile gear on the street. I guess they have gear tailored more for supermotos like leathers without the hump in the back. I see a lot of people rock dirt gear also. Only thing I hate is when I ride the supermoto dirt section is my gear get's all dusty. If anything supermoto is a mishmash of street and dirtbike gear. You can totally ride a supermoto offroad also, I've taken mine to Metcalf and Hollister Hills, you'd be surprised how well those street tires can get around the dirt, just don't do steep loose hillclimbs I guess.

Check out the gear these guys are wearing all over the place, wish I raced that one also.
[YOUTUBE]T7jugYTkqm4[/YOUTUBE]

Totally agree, I just threw out the precaution that one might discover a newfound money pit if they considered the gear. I personally couldn't see myself riding in nice glorious track/sport bike gear knowing how much I'd abuse it. If and when I obtain a garage with all the fixings, a supermoto will def. be on my wish list.

 

[OldMadBrit]

Figured you would be along soon enough to share these thoughts as I saw you picked one up from the for sale section. IMO it destroys all the bikes on his list and can be had for $12K or less. I've ridden the R1, the MT10, the Monster 1200R, but not the other two. I have ridden the SDR1290 and the Pani V4S. If I had to choose from that list it would be the Duke or perhaps the Panigale but honestly for that amount I would go with the Tuono 1100 for a while. Too much fun to never own one IMO.

I now believe that a Tuono 1100 should be on everybody's list of bikes to own at least one of

It's got all the grunt and handling of an R1 but you can ride them for ever without getting beat up. I did a 200 mile loop round Berryessa, Pope Valley and Middletown yesterday. I'm pretty sure I got through the twisty bits on my Tuono much faster than I could on my R1M and arrived home fresh and ready for another 200 miles.

 

[Holeshot]

Confused yet?

Whatcha wanna do with the bike (what kind of riding?) I like Mike's idea of a GS BMW, but it's all about the riding you wanna do. For general street riding, that 890's a good bike. Any of the new 5-6 axis IMU sport bikes are fabulous. So much fun and easy to ride.

I've gotta say, I really enjoy my Indian Scout with suspension upgrades and mid controls. It's a really fun weekend bike.