Motard RTW? !

**JoeHilo** · #1 9 Aug 2006

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!)

**Matt Cartney** · #2 9 Aug 2006

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

**PatOnTrip** · #3 10 Aug 2006

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

**beat_** · #4 10 Aug 2006

interresting
can you make some pictures sliding and drifting sm style trough third world countrys? with a fully loaded bike ofcourse

**nate falls** · #5 21 Mar 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatOnTrip

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?

**kbikey** · #6 21 Mar 2007

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.