thinking of getting a SM mainly for my commute but also some madness too. i’m aware the serious ones require lots of TLC and i don’t wanna have to do too much spannering so really after something with long service intervals and a relatively bomb proof motor and gear box. so far i’m weighing up the drz400sm as although they’re probably not the most fun SM, it will give me a taste of it but hopefully with reliability and all the rest you need for a commuter.
i know nowt about SMs so will really appreciate you fella’s inputs and i know you’re mad keen on your bikes…
cheers for all your replys fellas. that ktm is proper sweet but ££££. looking at the £3k mark absolutely tops but more like £2000-2500. cosmetics ain’t important…
The time and money it would take to get from 32bhp to, what? 42bhp? would be too much (depending on your mechanical skills, granted) when a larger bike, e.g. SM 610, starts out at 54bhp.
That is beautiful, despite the orange motif KTM pr0n!
But **** loads more than £4k, surely!?
I didn’t mention the 690 because there are too many of them around hehe!
I’d say try a coupe for yourself and make up your own mind. There’s a lot of snobbery around these bikes, and you’ll only get an honest answer by trying them
Personally, I’d say they all have their plus and down points
that is sweet but think it might be a bit too bling for what i’m looking at. couldn’t see that lasting up in town for long.
cheers for your help fellas. won’t rule the drz out as it’s bang in my price range and i’d like something i can bash about a bit. but will keep an eye out for tatty ktms or whatever. what are the honda xr’s like? worth considering?
…for riding around London i can recomend the DRZ. u can get a 08reg under £2800 with all the mod’s done allready. if u go +3tooth on the rear sprocket u will love it and because its not FI fueled its also more user friendlly at low rpm. the suspension is quite soft but thats actually better while riding in town as its soaks up speed bumps like they are not there.
…the 690SMC is awesome but for commuting in London i prefer the DRZ + i had never a problem leaving my DRZ everywhere in London, not sure how long a KTM would last in a mc parking bay
I’m not going to lie, of course all that would be easier on a more powerful sumo but what’s wrong with using a bit of rider skill?
If you ever want to go offroading buy some DRZ offroad rims… they pop right on to the SM spacers.
DRZ400SM
2500 miles
Remus exhaust, LED tail light, AVS lever
£2500 and 0 regrets!
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but think it might be a bit too bling for what i’m looking at. couldn’t see that lasting up in town for long.