Did the dirt bike thing as a kid and grew into doing trackdays on my superbike, and yesterday I had a chance to ride KTM's SM450 and SM560 at MISUPERMOTO, they along with KTM hosted a KTM demo day. Now I know what all the excitement is about.
I got to ride the new '06 KTM SMRs at Reno for quite a bit, about 45 min on a tight kart track Friday and then another 45 min on the National track Saturday. I must say I reallllly like that new 560. After riding the 450 and 560 back to back on both tracks I don't know who would want the 450. Besides having a lot more power, the 560 is actually easier to ride (especially in no traction dirt) because the power is so incredibly smooth and linear.
KTM has really done an excellent job of refining these bikes over the past few years. The brakes, suspension, motor, clutch.... everything just works so seamlessly together. :clapper
That's what I'm afraid of, though most of the street riding that I do in Metro Detroit isn't SM friendly. (lots of freeway riding in between decent spots). But I suppose if I got one my "spots" would change... and SM trackdays are only $30 for the day.
There are different SM's for different needs. An lc4 makes a great street tard that can handle the freeway but the RFS motored bikes are built for the track! Keep the Duc for street and get a 450/525/560smr for the track!
Tell me about it... I just wadded my 996 at a trackday, the way it looks now, I'll keep my M900 for the street, keep my 996 in track trim and possibly look for a used SM already set up to go.
I don't know, I rode a Honda CRF 450 and that was nice but it was set up for the dirt. I don't think I would enjoy anything with less power than a 450 as I'm used to 100+Bhp on the street. If I did take the plunge, I don't think I could spend more than 5K and I'm not even sure what I can get for that. I'm still in the thinking I really want to do it stage...
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