Thread: Motorcycle Gear - What Do You Have/Recommend?

gentlemen surely there is no need for a shit fight on a motorcycle thread? there are more than enough threads for that sort of thing.

I said I was willing to be civil in post #137- he responded like an ass and took more personal shots (why does the fact I'm American have to be brought up as a negative several times? I look at us as riders, regardless of nationality, as it's a common bond- I don't care where you're from)- I then responded in kind- I'm fucking tired of every thread on TD turning to shit- I tried to let it go but he preferred not to- that's just how it works around here, unfortunately (obviously not with everyone, but with way too many).

Originally Posted by draco888

gentlemen surely there is no need for a shit fight on a motorcycle thread? there are more than enough threads for that sort of thing.

100% with you there.

Exige - Are you Thai? You certainly type like a Thai speaks.

Originally Posted by Satonic

Originally Posted by FailSafe

Both of you need to post make/model and prices, please- that's the point of this thread.

Boots - Tech 8 - 13,500

Knee - Fox Raptor - 1200

Body armour - Unbranded - 3500

i have a pair of gaerne off road boots, cant say they are comfortable, perhaps take a lot of breaking in....

^

I almost ordered a pair of Gaerne on-road boots (I can't remember the model- one of their higher-end pairs- the GP, perhaps, which was still only about $300) as they seem to offer a lot for the money and they got some excellent reviews (kind of like AGV Sport for jackets and pants).

Another apparently good pair of boots for a really low price are the Cortech Latigo Air RR boots- they're less than $150 and offer features generally only found on more expensive boots- I've read mostly positive reviews of them (I will say that in the vid they look pretty stiff- I would imagine they take a bit of time to break in):

Originally Posted by draco888

Originally Posted by Satonic

Originally Posted by FailSafe

Both of you need to post make/model and prices, please- that's the point of this thread.

Boots - Tech 8 - 13,500

Knee - Fox Raptor - 1200

Body armour - Unbranded - 3500

i have a pair of gaerne off road boots, cant say they are comfortable, perhaps take a lot of breaking in....

SG10? I have heard these are uncomfortable, but SG12 seem to get great reviews.

Originally Posted by FailSafe

^

That first clip isn't a race (it's some friends riding together, not a competition- they look like they're having fun to me), and the second clip is practice- good eye- did you even watch the vids, or did you comment on them without even knowing what they were about?

You bought a modified dual-sport bike for the pavement only- brilliant move. Please find me one instance of a knowledgeable rider recommending that a supermoto should be kept off solid dirt because it has 17" wheels (or an instance of someone saying they went over the bars due to the smaller wheels on an SM)- you won't find it. Yes, a dirt bike is better in the dirt than an SM (that's why they call it a dirt bike)- an SM is still very capable if ridden correctly- hell, it can even be 'pleasant'.

No, I don't race, but I can manage to keep my bike upright at a reasonable pace on hard dirt (and I don't care if a dirt bike passes me- I'm not racing, remember? My ego isn't tied up in my riding)- I suppose you can't manage that (hopefully you're not one of those riders who can't stand to be passed, and is often a liability on the road)- it's ok- we all have our limitations.

I guess when you say I'm being 'typically American' (the second or third time you've felt the need to bring that up) you must mean I'm correct in my assessment (because in this case I obviously am)- thanks for that. You, however, are a typical nitwit, regardless of where you're from (I can't lump all Aussies in with you- I know several that are very sharp and I could never insult them like that).

Your heavy reliance on youtube clips does not tell the nitty gritty of riding.
highlighting your lack of real world experience.

^

'Heavy reliance on YouTube clips?' I mentioned my anecdotal experience, and posted the clips to show you that once again you are incorrect (SMs aren't made for the dirt- congratulations- you have just redefined an entire class of motorcycles).

Yeah, and my actual experience of having ridden my bike in the dirt for years means nothing either- I get it- you're the only one that knows anything (even though you have nothing but your opinion to back up your view- you couldn't even find any corroboration if you tried- you're wrong, and you don't have to admit to that fact for it to be true).

Your ad hominem attacks show you can't back up what you're saying, so what you have to say is obviously crap, or you could come up with a better response. Thanks for another worthless comment- I'm done with you.

good for you.
There are limits with 17" in dirt. If you must insist that it can be ridden. Then it's at a sedate pace.
You simply use the wrong tool for the job.

Originally Posted by FailSafe

You bought a modified dual-sport bike

Utterly wrong.

Originally Posted by Exige

good for you.
There are limits with 17" in dirt. If you must insist that it can be ridden. Then it's at a sedate pace.
You simply use the wrong tool for the job.

Sedate pace? Are you crazy?

Do you have any idea what supermoto racing consists of?

Show me where I said I rode at a race pace? I said I ride on hard-pack dirt, and the bike does fine as it's built for it- yes, a dirt bike would do better- was that the point I was trying to make? Not at all- you jumped on a comment without properly comprehending it and made yourself look foolish, and screwed up a decent thread for no reason (not that you're not entitled to present a different opinion, but, rather, it's the way you went about it). Look at the first vid I posted- the guy is on a stock DRZ-400SM.

Also, an SM is a modified dual-sport bike- it's basically an enduro with different wheels and suspension (compare the 690SM and the Enduro R and tell me what the differences are). 'Dual-sport' means the bike is built with BOTH street and dirt in mind (the Enduro is more dirt, the SM is more street, of course)- are you saying that KTM doesn't expect riders to take their SMs off-road?

Back to gear- Draco got me thinking about a bike tool kit- I think I'm going to order this one- it's $50, but someone I know says they can get me a 50% off coupon code (with the extra $20 they charge for overseas shipping it will work out about even)- I could probably put it together cheaper in LOS, but the quality is supposed to be pretty decent, plus it comes with a fabric (rather than plastic) case:

8, 10, 12, 13, 14mm wrenches
Adjustable wrench
6-in-1 screwdriver
9pc. Metric hex set
2-in-1 Spark plug socket
Locking pliers
Led flashlight
Zip ties
Air pressure gauge
Assortment metric bolts
Storage pouch

Originally Posted by FailSafe

Also, an SM is a modified dual-sport bike- it's basically an enduro with different wheels and suspension (compare the 690SM and the Enduro R and tell me what the differences are). 'Dual-sport' means the bike is built with BOTH street and dirt in mind (the Enduro is more dirt, the SM is more street, of course)- are you saying that KTM doesn't expect riders to take their SMs off-road?

Mine is not a modified dirt bike. Recently I tried to fit Enduro wheels. It can't be done. 21" spokes clashes with the 4 pot brembo. I would need to purchase 2 pot calipers to clear the larger wheel spokes. The front end is also completely different, different shocks. Then there is gearing which need to changed. SM have taller gearing, Enduros shorter.

So it safe to say the 690SM is built for road intentions not dirt. I could wind off the front suspension. Make it real soft, but then lose the firmer settings suited to on tarmac riding.

It's an SM for circuit racing and road riding. Not for continuous dirt riding. Have taken it on dirt, slick like tyres offer no grip, front wheel kept grabbing at the ruts and holes. Back end all over the place. Steep inclines require generous slippage of the clutch. Everything is stacked against it, even on a KTM SM. Short splats of dirt riding is fine as long as there is pavement at the other end.

So what to do, ride at a sedate pace. It's what I do to keep all good on dirt.

Originally Posted by FailSafe

There's a 2009 690SM at SpeedShopThailand for 330K- would you consider that pricey? I really have no idea how they run in LOS.

Is it SMR or SMC? With green book, not bad. Without expensive.
New 690 SMC R costs in the region of 630K (Green book included)

Originally Posted by FailSafe

I can definitely see how you would have issues changing wheel size as far as brakes go, but that's not a surprise (changing sprockets isn't a big deal, but if you change wheel size you obviously have to do it as a different diameter wheel changes gearing if you don't swap sprockets)- the bikes are still essentially the same (frame, engine, etc).

It also increase ride height, need both front & rear sprocket. Need front disc, 2 pot caliper.

I could fit a 19" front. But then rubber choices are limited. Also require slight grinding of the front caliper. Also an oil cooler is recommended. The list grows and grows.

It's easier to covert Dirt to SM rather than the other way around.

KTM 500EXC going for 510K (no book ). Serious thoughts ensue.

SMC. I have no idea re: the details nor do I know anything about the shop (though I would bet it has no book if the price is that low)- this is the link (they have a few other KTMs available, though they've been there a while- I don't know how often the site is updated or if the place is still active):

2009 KTM 690 SMC

As far as swapping wheels go, I would never mess with a high-end bike like your KTM- I would definitely look into another bike that performs better in dirt (if that's what you want) before doing that- it's too nice the way it already is.

I agree it's easier to convert a dirt bike to SM- that's basically what my Honda is, a converted dirt bike.

Originally Posted by FailSafe

SMC. I have no idea re: the details nor do I know anything about the shop (though I would bet it has no book if the price is that low)- this is the link (they have a few other KTMs available, though they've been there a while- I don't know how often the site is updated or if the place is still active): 2009 KTM 690 SMC

Not read up too much on it. Can't tell if book is included.

The official KTM dealer do have a 690 SMC (older model) available for demo rides.

Originally Posted by FailSafe

As far as swapping wheels go, I would never mess with a high-end bike like your KTM- I would definitely look into another bike that performs better in dirt (if that's what you want) before doing that- it's too nice the way it already is.

Been looking for quite some time.
Honda CRF450X is carbbed model, though 2013 is rumored to be fuel injected ( what I want). despite the fact the current CRF450R is already fuel injected. Prefer the X as it got a an extra gear for higher road speeds.

KTM dirt/enduro bikes are very expensive thru the official dealer. But do get warranty and tech support.

I have a friend in the States who just bought a 2013 300XC-W (the guy lives in the dirt and knows his bikes- he also puts on tire studs and ice races another bike- he's nuts)- it was just under USD$8K, so figure at least double that in LOS- he sold his WR-450F to get it (he also has a YZ-450F supermoto that he races)- if you're considering a 2-stroke it's worth a look- he loves it (though it's not as well-equipped as some bikes from the Big-4 in the same class):

Whilst I loved caning 2 strokes bikes on the farm way back in the early days. I am curious about the 4 stroke fuel injected models.

Such as KTM 500EXC

If you're going to go with a KTM 4-stroke for the dirt, considering how little difference there is in weight (5kg dry weight from the 250 to the 500 EXC), it seems like an easy choice if you're an experienced rider (especially with the upgraded suspension of the 500) and money isn't a consideration.

KTM has really come out of nowhere in the last few years- everyone I know with one is happy with it except for the guy that bought a first-year RC8R (kind of a silly purchase considering what else was out there- Red Baron has one for 768K- no thanks)- I have a friend who is going to ride from New York to Alaska on his 990 Adventure in the spring.

KTM suspension, I heard makes all the difference riding in dirt. But there is a physiological brick wall, when price TB510,000 without book is mentioned.

Not interested in the bigger KTM. Just too much money and the Jap equivalent are just as good if not better in some cases.

So for Enduros, it will be one of the Jap four. Criteria is 450cc & fuel injection. Still biggest concern is getting a legit green book.

Originally Posted by FailSafe

Red Baron has one for 768K

I was in there looking at that yesterday while picking up some synthetic oil.

^^

I wouldn't buy a bike without a book either, and 510K is a lot of money for that bike compared to what you can get from Japan- still, KTM makes some very cool stuff.

^

Did you notice if they still have new Hayabusas on the sales floor (or the blue '08 with an Akra and- I think- Marchesini wheels)? They had a couple on their site, but they're no longer listed.