2006 KTM 560 SMR, street? skool me.. .

[typeone]

SuMo peoples.. . I was checking out a 2006 KTM 560 SMR today that I'd like to get my dirty mitts on

Questions: How would this bike do on the street? Maintenance intensive? Highway buzz? Reliability? Dual-sport manners with aggressive sneaks? Suspension for NE back roads vs. track?

It's previous life was track only but it comes with a Baja kit so it can be registered for the street. I want another Husky but if a Katoom is available, as this one is, I'd snag one in a heartbeat (if it fits what I need).

All thoughts welcome.. .

[Tricky Mike]

Maintenance intensive?

yes, but no big deal...
What would likely drive you nuts on the street is the amount of oil it holds (very little). Little oil = very frequent oil changes. The oil change procedure is also a little more than average (two oil filters, two oil screens), but also no big deal.
They're a lot of fun...

[typeone]

thnx for the input. so when you answered, 'yes' to maintenance intensive are you only talking about oil changes? or more in-depth maintenance?

i change the oil in all my bikes like a freek, even my minis, and my Husky has the same wacky set of filters upon filters. no big deal, i agree.

[Tricky Mike]

You should stay on top of the valves too (also not a big deal).
It's a race motor, so it'll require a little more attention in general. Hammadown and I both needed new water pump seals a couple weeks ago. His was about to toss it's auto-decompressor stop bolt (would have been messy), which we caught in time, etc...
The motor is really easy to work on, though.

[typeone]

got it, thanks!

[R7]

I've got a 06 525 EXC, which is the same basic engine. The engine is the smoothest single I've ever twisted the throttle on..little to no buzz/vibration at any speed. With a 14/45 gearing combo, 70mph you're about 1/4 throttle....and I'm almost possitive that 5th and 6th gears are the same ratio in the EXC and the SMR. Though your 1st-4th are a close ratio with a tall 1st, where as my EXC has a wide ratio with a lower 1st.

I think the suspension would be way to stiff for any semi agressive trail rides but I don't really know? The tall 1st gear may be a challenge as well.

Mine has been VERY reliable!! I haven't had a single problem with it and this is my 3rd season and have over 6k miles...6k miles for a dirtbike is a lot IMO
Valve adjustments are easy, though I tend to get lazy and have the dealer do it. No shims, just the old locknut and screw method. I've done 4 valve adjustments in the 6k miles.

Oil changes if done per the manual are messy and take a bit longer than other bikes. You've got the engine drain bolt, 2 screens to clean in the crankcase, and 2 oil filters. I'd bet that most don't do this, but to change the oil filters, the manual says to lay the bike on it's side and prefill the filter pockets with oil. I lay the bike on it's side every filter change for peice of mind. I also only change the filters every 2nd-3rd oil change...which isn't that long seeing I change the oil after every 400 street miles or every 150 or so dirt miles

[typeone]

great feedback, thanks Mark!

i posted this question on a few forums and i'm starting to think a 'true' supermoto might be too stiff for what i need. i wont use this bike on real trails, thats what the Husky is for, but i do ride through some seriously f*cked up back roads that i know would be a blast on the right machine.

[Tricky Mike]

Unfortunately a dual-purpose motard is the classic "jack of all trades, master of none" scenario... My SX in stock MX trim (SX, actually, but I'm not fooling anyone... I never rode SX) was not fun in rock gardens. With the suspension and geometry corrected for supermoto use it's a million times worse in the woods while simultaneously a million times more capable on the track. Can you do both? yes(at a slow pace). Can you do both well(at a quick pace)? I don't think so... You really need to decide what you want it to do and then dedicate it to that purpose. The bright side is that the bike you're looking at will do pretty much all of the above... It's up to you to decide which direction to take it.
PS- Anyone need some KTM dirt wheels? (I still have 'em)

[black]

xr650..?? maybe then?

[R7]

PS- Anyone need some KTM dirt wheels? (I still have 'em)

Hmm, wonder if they would fit the 06? Probably a 19" rear though? How many beers you want for them

[Tricky Mike]

It is a 19 incher.
Pretty sure they'd fit an 06... We could make a beer deal. It'd have to be a lot of beer, though

[vt625]

I had a '04 525SMC (SX with tard and dirt set ups from the factory) and streeted it. I used a trick dual sport kit. It worked well, but it wasn't much of a highway bike. I though 50mph and under for cruising was best. Mine was a 4spd, but I put a 38 on the back and it would top over 100. Sick fun around town, but my 625SMC is better overall for the street... The oil changes were a pain I thought, and certainly brought the cost per mile up. No key sucked too... The small fuel tank kept rides short. Awesome fun in the tight twisties though.