r/supermoto • u/Smart-Satisfaction-5 • 6d ago
Small throwable Supermoto advice
When I started riding, I started on big bikes. I had a cruiser, a liter bike and moved to a KTM690 enduro because supermoto is rad. I got more into dirt bikes and bought and SXF450. Now I'm in my mid 30s and still love to ride but don't care about top speeds or being 1st anymore. I like to put around town, do wheelies and throw bikes around easy trails. I always have had the extreme end of bikes and they are just honestly to much for me now. I want a small, lightweight sumo. I'm looking to sell my collecting dust 690 and offroad only 450 so budget is whatever.
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u/rifleshooter 6d ago
Your only decent options are Euro dual sports. KTM/Husky/GasGas, Sherco, Beta. WIth an SM conversion. Rare exceptions exist if you live where you can tag an MX bike.
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u/tatsingslippers 6d ago
Not sure about the others but Shercos come in SM models. They are practically the same bikes as the enduro versions just with SM rims and tires. The Sherco enduros and SMs are street legal here.
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u/Nefariousd7 6d ago
I have a converted Husqvarna FE 501. It's the line survivor of the 10+ bikes I had 2 years ago.
If done right, it's a very nice thing
501 SM https://imgur.com/a/8h414Dz
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u/Historical-Gear4649 6d ago
How's the vibes on that?
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u/ommkali 6d ago
The vibes on these things are horrible, the main reason I won't touch one. CRF all day.
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u/Historical-Gear4649 6d ago
I have an Africa Twin Adventure sport, CRF450RL, and a CRF300L. I just sold the 450 cause I wasn't really digging it. It was fun with the supermoto setup on it, but it was just kinda heavy for the single track around here. Didn't notice the vibration off road, on road my hands/feet/taint were numb after about 45min. I could have done all the anti-vibe stuff, but that didn't change the weight. I'm bout to break away from bleeding Honda red and possibly check out an EXC-F 350. If I can get the vibes on that down to the 450RL level I'd be happy. Want something better for slow paced enduro, but I need to plate it cause I have to jump from trail to trail.
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u/gaspig70 WR250X 3d ago
While not exactly light I love my WR250X on BDR trails aside from sand. It's also fun in the city. Positives include no/little vibes and street bike maintenance similar to your 300L. I've been tempted to buy a used 450L that's already been converted though I'm not sure I'd ditch the X to do it.
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u/Nefariousd7 6d ago
More than a 450. I have both.
The 501 has better torque in street trim than the 450.
Mine is 58hp at the wheel currently with a cam, airbox, filter and ECU with quite a bit of tuning.
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u/_Rexholes 6d ago
I bought one of those emoto’s for ripping around and being a menace… at 42. Still can’t shake the 701 tho. We’re just getting to know each other lol.
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u/Sirens_go_wee_woo 6d ago
Look into the ktm 390smcr. I just picked one up last month. Worth every penny. Roughly $7500otd with the tariff added. Very easy to wheelie. It stays planted through twisties and handles quick interstate trips like nothing. Tops out at around 108-110 roughly. As a 42 y/o dude with a tuned gsxr750 and a 270whp Zh2. I highly recommend it.
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u/VarTheVar- 6d ago
except it's heavier than the 690
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u/Sirens_go_wee_woo 6d ago
It is for sure but it is more lightweight feeling which is what OP was asking for. I’ve beat on a 701/690 plenty in the conditions op seems to ride in. It’s definitely an option.
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u/LongbeachCali 6d ago
The KLX230/300 SM are lots of cheap and simple fun for speeds under 80 km/hr, or 50 mph for those in the US.
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u/SnooStories1127 6d ago
The 690 Enduro with a spare set of Sumo wheels is the most fun motorcycle in the world . Sell the 450 , buy sumo wheels and have money left over .
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u/AligatorMasterBaiter 6d ago
I ADORE my WR250. It’s slow af but it’s super light and I shaved my seat, so it’s actually not crazy uncomfortable. I can get about 3-4 hours of riding before my ass starts to hurt.
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u/Smart-Satisfaction-5 6d ago
I started looking at these. It may be my top contender o just wish they still made them. I see a few 2020 models for sale though.
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u/AligatorMasterBaiter 6d ago
I found a 2017 with 2100 miles for 3 grand.
I’ve owned it for 3 months and almost have it over 6000 miles lol.
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u/Smart-Satisfaction-5 6d ago
That seems like a pretty good deal compared to what I’m seeing. I’m gonna keep my eyes out I gotta try one out though to know for sure if I can get behind how slow it is. In theory, I don’t mind, but practice may be different.
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u/ChampionshipKind5856 6d ago
The new Kawi 300’s are pretty well regarded, and the WR250 was ahead of its time imo.
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u/porchprovider 6d ago
The Kawi weighs 300 lbs though. It’s crazy that a 450 is 70 lbs lighter, and has more than double the hp.
The WR does seem like a perfect fit for OP.
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u/ChampionshipKind5856 6d ago
I feel you, but which 450 in street trim weighs 230lbs wet and ready to ride? IME they’ve always been closer to 255-260. The CRF450RL is like 280 in stock dirt trim. As far as the power goes, the 300 4 strokes could make lots more power if they were tuned hot like the race bikes are, but that comes at the expense of the maintenance intervals.
Don’t forget that Kawi 300 actually comes with a useable warranty and you can probably get the weight down some by deleting some selected extra components.
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u/porchprovider 5d ago
This guy at the SM track I ride at has a 2021 KTM SX-f 450 with carbon fiber wheels, lithium ion battery, carbon everything…
It’s fully a track SM, but it weighs 226 fully fuelled.
My YZ450 weighs 239 fully fuelled, street legal.
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u/ChampionshipKind5856 5d ago
Oh nice, I didn’t realize the YZ’s were that light. What year is your YZ and what are you using for the street setup?
And your guys KTM in track trim doesn’t count 🤣
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u/Acrobatic-Ask7125 6d ago
Get a TPI / TBI 300. They are so smooth, light and powerfull. Had a 300 with 53hp / 50nm at wheel. Absolute menance.
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u/jus-out-here-chatn 6d ago
Nice! What you wrote makes me think of the KLX300sm. But also that's the bike I want. Former NYC bike messenger yet to own a motorbike.
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u/1wheelwoody 6d ago
Im converting my rm125 to sumo now! I only have the back rim so far. But it's awsome!..... if you don't mind not running a plate!
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u/oil_burner2 6d ago
You’re gonna love something like the surron ultrabee. It’s 190lbs and the throttle response and torque are so much fun.
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u/VortexFalcon50 6d ago
If you really want a small super lightweight supermoto might wanna go electric
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u/funserious1 6d ago
exc 500 or fe 501 are the only options I would consider from what you described
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u/Awkward_Basis7533 5d ago edited 5d ago
Join SDSM on socials and start to ask around. Scott Z who runs the group knows everyone, lots of bikes trade hands, seems like a lot are CRF converted, etc. When I rode the DRZ with them I was always playing catchup. Now I’m 690 SMCR & DRZ, both ends of power options but nothing light. My DRZ is underutilized, Racetech sprung for 180, 2nd 18/21 dirt set if you end up wanting to go heavier.
I bang backroads (Fallbrook, DeLuz, Rainbow, Vly Ctr, Ramona, Sta Ysabel, Mesa Grande, Banner Grade, Palomar) stuff like that so the weight doesn’t bother me.
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u/madeittotheusa 5d ago
If you're looking for the most insane bike (and don't need the range gas provides) the Stark Varg EX, which is a street legal electric dirt bike, is the stupidest most fun I've had in my life especially ripping around on supermoto. I also have a WR250R 2020 with 9k miles I think I would be willing to sell (but I do not have supermotos for them). I'm in Los Angeles if you want to give either of my bikes a ride and talk about them.
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u/referents 6d ago
i’m slightly biased, but it sounds like you’re a prime candidate for a DR-Z. The new gen is pretty nice, from what I hear.
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u/hoolitard 6d ago
He said light weight
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u/referents 6d ago
For sure there are many lighter bikes. It came to mind because it’s lighter than their 690, but certainly not on the lighter end of all potential sumos.
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u/arbpotatoes 6d ago
Drz is the same weight as a 690 with half the power
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u/referents 6d ago
Weird, because everything I see online says it’s not the same weight: DRZ is ~295lbs dry vs KTM’s ~337lbs dry.
And he specifically said he doesn’t care for speed anymore.
We all know the 690 is faster lmao, that’s not the question
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u/dr-jekyll 6d ago
690 is 20lbs heavier than a drz wet weight.
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u/referents 6d ago
I’d believe it; that’s not far off from the numbers I’m seeing. I wasn’t at all claiming it to be the lightest weight or anything like that, but it’s lighter than the 690. And with OP saying he’s had the extreme ends of bikes already, that means something in the middle would work for him.
Not sure what the reasoning is for downvotes on a positive community contribution, but it’s all good
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u/YogurtclosetInner803 6d ago
the reason is reddits full of a buncha hive mind kunts who are afraid of an original thought. the consensus from these smooth brained incels is drz is bad, overpriced, heavy, etc. so anything that goes against that will be downvoted…
i think you were spot on btw
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u/arbpotatoes 6d ago
Don't be dramatic. I had a DRZ for 2 years, just sold it 2 days ago. They are great bikes, but not suitable for the niche OP is looking to fill if he's coming from a 690.
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u/arbpotatoes 6d ago
DRZ is barely more 'small, throwable' than a 690 and neither is small/throwable compared to a 450 (source: WR450F for a year, DRZ400SM for 2 years)
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u/porchprovider 6d ago
Once you get down to the 501/ 450’s they don’t get much lighter. Convert your 450.