Re: supermoto for n00bs (Giannis)
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Quote, originally posted by Giannis »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The European models like Husqvarna and KTM need higher maintenance than a Japanese dual sport Suzuki DR or Honda XR650L. The dirt models like CRF450,YZF450 and RMZ450 need work quite often. So you have two different ways Low maintenance but lower performance bikes or higher maintenance and higher performance bikes? </TD></TR></TABLE>
First of all, any single cyclinder motorcycle, be it an air cooled play bike, a BMW Funduro, a Husqvarna Supermoto, a DRZ, or a KLR, will need more attention than the average multi cyclinder street bike. It's all about the vibration... nothing can bounce up and down, and pulse that much without stressing and shaking the fasteners. Add to that the fact that these bikes gravitate towards dirtier, less sanitized riding conditions, and you'll find dirt and grit getting in places that it never would on an R1. So you'll be inspecting and replacing fasteners, seals and bearings at a much faster pace than you would with a street bike, regardless of what brand or level of sophistication you choose.
Having said that, there are really only two types of single cylinder bikes: Race machines and non-race machines. Race machines like YZs, CRs, RMs, etc. are built with performance as the ultimate goal, reliability and longevity as distant seconds and thirds. They come in a high state of tune, they are not over-built, and they require frequent attention to a) keep them running right and b) prevent them from damaging themselves.
Non race machines are much easier to live with, again, regardless of make. In fact, Having owned a Husqvarna, I can assure you that it was much easier to work on, tune, and tweak than my current Yamaha. Locknut valve adjusters behind valve inspection doors made valve adjustments a half hour task as opposed to the cam removal required to measure and replace shim-under-bucket valves on a YZ. The Husky had cool maintenance features like a grease fitting on the swingarm pivot well. I got parts from my Husky dealer in about the same amount of time that I get my YZ parts, so that was a non-issue. Don't be scared to go European. I don't think they do need more maintenance than Japanese non-race bikes. Even if they need the same amount of maintenance, the European bikes are sometimes easier to work on.
