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6161
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1/31/2018
Location
Mansfield, OH
US
Edited Date/Time
6/1/2020 1:18pm
Im almost fully committed to picking up a used kx450 to make a street legal supermoto or dual sport. I have a few questions to anyone who has done it or done it on another brand.
1. How does the bike handle stop lights in the heat? Does it boil over? Do i need radiator fans?
2. How do you prevent people from stealing it if its parked? Did you add a gps or key ignition switch?
3. How does it do at 60-70mph? Can a gearing change make it to where its not screaming in 5th gear?
4. How is motor reliability? Its probably a safe bet that far far less wear is happening on the street vs on a race track.
5. Does the voltage rectifier provide enough power for lights or do you need a battery? Can a battery be installed with a key ignition instead of using the capacitor?
1. How does the bike handle stop lights in the heat? Does it boil over? Do i need radiator fans?
2. How do you prevent people from stealing it if its parked? Did you add a gps or key ignition switch?
3. How does it do at 60-70mph? Can a gearing change make it to where its not screaming in 5th gear?
4. How is motor reliability? Its probably a safe bet that far far less wear is happening on the street vs on a race track.
5. Does the voltage rectifier provide enough power for lights or do you need a battery? Can a battery be installed with a key ignition instead of using the capacitor?
The motocross bikes have much higher maintenance needs than an enduro or light dual sport. If you are looking to race supermoto or purely for a bike to use locally, then a motocross bike is probably fine. But if you want susrained highway speeds and safety/security features, I think a motocross bike will be more effort than it's worth. Just my opinion having looked into this in the past. I am very happy with my 450L and would've regretted converting a motocross bike into a streetable bike.
I never really parked it anywhere so I can't answer that.
Gearing got me to that speed but she was pretty tapped out, but would pull a wheel in ever gear
I just change the oil, valves never moved on me.
I used a fly wheel stator to power lights. Used a garmin mounted in my cross bar pad for my speedo.
rode a buddies DRZ, Didnt even compare to the fun factor I had on my 450. I left my triumph 675 sit in the garage most rides. I went from putting 17,000-22,000 miles on my 675's to a 1,000 maybe building my sumo.
1. Yes, I'd add a fan, it will not like sitting and idling in the heat.
2. ?
3. How does it do at 60-70mph? It'll do ok if you change the gearing, I had like 16/45 or something like that. It'll wiggle a lot going 60+ due to the lack of aerodynamics.
4. If you leave it stock it should do ok, unless you are holding for really long trips. People I raced with blew up supermotos a lot. Mine lasted the whole season and I changed the oil/filter every time I rode/raced it.
5. Pretty sure you need modifications to get the output for proper lights/signals.
The Shop
I want to keep the engine stock. Longest throttle open ride id ever do is to work which is an 18 mile ride on a state highway at 55-60mph. Other than that it would be hooliganing around on the street or trails if i decide to dual sport it.
Specifically about the battery... kawasaki allows you to hook up a battery to the capacitor connector once you remove the capacitor. This is for powering the system during EFI diagnostic testing. Wondering if its possible to buy a small battery to store in the airbox and run the wires to that capacitor connector. Kawi sells an actual harness to go from a battery to that capacitor. The concern i have is having the battery connected while the bike is running - does it charge and will it overpower the system? Or is it better to simply use the battery and a switch for the lights? Then you can just charge the battery on a battery tender when not riding.
Fan included, key included, lights, horn, mirrors, battery already done.
I don’t understand why you’d try and go any other way unless.
Why not? Ever heard of the Baja 1000?
Other folks might want to run ‘em at highway speed for extended periods of time but not me.
Good maintenance schedule (3k mile oil changes, 6k mile valve jobs) and enjoy it.
As much as a 450 would be fun on the street, screw the maintenance if you actually plan to ride it.
BUT ....
KTM625SMC. A bit mild for full race, but super easy/fun for tooling around on the street. 0-60 wheelies, stoppies. Run 75mph all day, not so extreme on maintenance. Smile every time I get on it. Mines a 2005.
THE CR 5 speed MX gear box means: geared for cruising at 60mph, you’ll be slipping the clutch till 20mph in 1st.
Pit Row
The KTM LC4 engines are bullet proof and the best option IMO on the market if your'e looking to rack up heavy mileage. Bit heavy if you're looking for dirt duty however. OP, if you do look at these, if you want 100% street, try and find a SMC like in the link below. If you want a mix of uses, get an Enduro and pick up a supermoto wheel set. Easy to convert from the Enduro to SMC than the other way. I believe it's due to the brake set up and clearance issues with the wheel or something, quick search on the forums would net the firm answer.
https://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/mcy/d/keller-2008-ktm-690-smc-supermo…
You can always go DRZ. Yes they're pigs but they last for ever and should be cheap unless you live somewhere near 12 o'clock boys. That's probably the way I would go if I wasn't using it to race
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