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Motard RTW? ! Motard RTW? !
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 9 Aug 2006
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Motard RTW? !
Presently I’m preparing for a RTW trip late next year. I’m writing to get some input on an idea.

I’m contemplating on making my next motorcycle a supermotard setup (two 17 inch rims vs. 21/18 inch).

The following advantages going ‘Motard’ are
-Better highway performance
-Lighter, more compact. (If your carrying a spare set, you can slip the front tire into the rear)
-Easier to replace tires
-More maneuverable
-More comfort/lower center of balance

Disadvantages
-Rougher ride on washboard
-Difficulty handling mud

The reason I thought about going motard’ was meeting Sjaak Lucassen in Ulan Bator, Mongolia this past summer. He was a great source of information and ideas. Mostly that you do not need the ‘hardcore’ off road machine to tackle a RTW trip. Maybe a R1 Yamaha is a bit of an extreme, but I don’t think one needs an enduro setup. Unless your planning on riding single track or extensive desert riding, I don’t think a 21/18 is necessary.

My trip last summer I took Suzuki DRZ400s thru Siberia, and Mongolia. Of the 9,000 miles we did, 3,000 miles of dirt. It would have been easily done with a motard’ setup. Maybe some areas would have been a bit slower, but overall, I feel very doable on 17” rims.

Again, Many thanks for taking time to read this post

Joe
Hilo, Hawaii

E’ Hui Hou
(Till next time!)
Last edited by JoeHilo; 10 Aug 2006 at 06:49.
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  #2  
Old 9 Aug 2006
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This isn't a bad idea although I haven't really thought about it. One less inner tube to carry I guess? Could I put a 17" rim on my current hub (on a Yamaha xt600e) without mucking around with the forks or anything?
The only problem that occurs is wether you could get 17" front tyres in the 3rd world?
Matt
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*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
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  #3  
Old 10 Aug 2006
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interesting idea!
You will not have any problem finding tires in South America if you are going there. There are pirelli MT60 in 17inch everywhere and if you want to ride mud: Just put two MT21 on your bike (41$US each in Bolivia) and you will go very far with this setup!

Patrick
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  #4  
Old 10 Aug 2006
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interresting
can you make some pictures sliding and drifting sm style trough third world countrys? with a fully loaded bike ofcourse
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  #5  
Old 21 Mar 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PatOnTrip View Post
You will not have any problem finding tires in South America if you are going there. There are pirelli MT60 in 17inch everywhere and if you want to ride mud: Just put two MT21 on your bike (41$US each in Bolivia) and you will go very far with this setup!

Patrick
What size MT21 would fit a rear motard rim? Wouldn't a 130-90 be too narrow for a 4.25 rim, or would that work acceptably?
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  #6  
Old 21 Mar 2007
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Location: Nicholasville,Ky.U.S.A.
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Wink motard
I just got in yesterday a pair of motard wheels I'd bought on e-bay. 3.5 front with a 127\70 and a 4.25 rear with a 150\70 on them. I'm going to mount them on my ATK 605 for play and possiblly to road-race.
As for rtw, I don't see that as really helpful. Which of the two sizes would you carry? For the best handeling the rear should be larger than the front.As taught by California Superbike School,as you brake into the corner the f. gets loaded the r. gets unloaded and the larger contac patch is needed to maintain balance.
Personally I find for street riding 21s + 18s or 17s will handle anything well enough.
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