950 Supermoto Chronicles

[Garry]

Hit the 30K mile mark today. Woot! Still diggin the bike.

[Grump]

Originally Posted by aeronaut

I think this is the problem. Most suspension shops are just learning (or not) how to set up a long travel suspension for street (supermoto), and the shops don't see too many WP forks, and add to that the size/weight/characteristics of the 950 'supermoto', and it's a rare combination that doesn't have much experience base. This is why I went with superplush, as James has experience with KTM LC8's and WP forks. Although I don't believe he's done very many 950SM's at all.

One very well known and respected suspension shop I called wanted to install spring rates in my 950SM forks equivalent to typical sport bikes...fork travel would have been cut in half!

The major part of the problem with these forks is severe stiction of the seals which adds to the compression damping . Changing the oil to 2.5 weight and backing off the compression damping completely, helps. Thereafter playing about with the rebound damping and a little spring preload makes the fork action half acceptable. Otherwise a complete rework is the only solution.

[KHVol]

Originally Posted by 6USMC6

I thought about hard cases and then went with the new Back Roads Moto/Wolfman soft bags.

After I got them I realized that the mounting brackets would work real well with hard bags too.

I prefer soft bags, since I also prefer my feet and ankles w/o compound fractures, and a Wolfman duffel bag. Plenty of volume, easy to put on and take off, and if your foot / ankle gets caught under them on soft trail, they don't snap your ankle..

[6USMC6]

The Wolfman setup really worked on my SMR. Two up and three days worth of gear and aside for the fact that I didn't adjust the shocks for the load (think and extra 180 pounds), it worked very well. I use a Wolfman medium dry duffel along with the bags.

[KHVol]

Originally Posted by 6USMC6

The Wolfman setup really worked on my SMR. Two up and three days worth of gear and aside for the fact that I didn't adjust the shocks for the load (think and extra 180 pounds), it worked very well. I use a Wolfman medium dry duffel along with the bags.

..just noticed..it looks like they have some new bags and racks, around
$ 500 including racks

[6USMC6]

That's it. The are made for the Adventure and the Super Enduro. They also fit the SMR.

Where are you in VA KH? We could met and you could take a look, measure them and see it they'll fit an SM.

[KHVol]

Originally Posted by 6USMC6

That's it. The are made for the Adventure and the Super Enduro. They also fit the SMR.

Where are you in VA KH? We could met and you could take a look, measure them and see it they'll fit an SM.

I'm in Chesapeake, USMC, right now I'm fine for luggage, do plan on heading up your way in a few weeks and on into WV. Will let ya know when and see if you want to ride.

S/F

KH

[6USMC6]

Gimme a hollar when you do. I have a cabin just outside Wardensville west of the 259/55 intersection.

[KHVol]

Originally Posted by 6USMC6

Gimme a hollar when you do. I have a cabin just outside Wardensville west of the 259/55 intersection.

Trout Run, WV and will do...will need some help pre-running the best routes in prep for our Fall SM / SMR Rally....

[6USMC6]

Sounds good. I'm not too far from Trout Run.

[doctor_big]

Sounds like it's gonna be a blast! I'm hugely looking forward to this. I'll be riding down from Toronto, Ontario.

Originally Posted by KHVol

Trout Run, WV and will do...will need some help pre-running the best routes in prep for our Fall SM / SMR Rally....

[fixinbones]

Originally Posted by 6USMC6

Hey Bones!

Is your Megamoto the off road model? If it is, and you decide to sell it, I know an inmate who might be looking for one.

Mine is the Megamoto which is the road version, the Enduro it the offroad model.

[6USMC6]

Thanks. I'll pass it on anyway as he already has an R1150GS and an R1200GS so you never know.

[wpbarlow]

Meaning the thread.... You all have made it a great one, so thanks!

And 21,303 (S)miles

New rubber (Pilots) and a used Renazco- courtesy of inmate Milar. Some of you may remember that I had my seat reworked by LLC Solutions-- their work was highly rated by folks in the HSTA/MSTA- a couple years ago. Never liked the result-- different, but no better than stock. An expensive mistake.

I've had mixed results with Renazco-- I like what he did on the Capo seat; but preferred the KTM low gel to the 950 Adventure seat (and I tried 3 other 950 Renazco seats on friend's bikes), and though the SE seat he did was an improvement over stock- it was also 1" taller than stock when I asked for a 1" reduction in height, so I did a trade/sale for a stock seat with a tall friend. I was going to try an XPC seat on the SM, but this one came along at a fair price so I'm giving it a try for a while.

After a couple hundred miles, my opinion is that it's better than the LLC & stock for sure: but not what I'd characterize as a very comfortable seat per se for a day's riding. But I'll give it some time to break in my butt before doing anything else.


Anyway, although only about 300 miles if use, the Pilots are a for-sure pavement improvement over the Syncs as expected. Sets into the turn more progressively and stays there with less effort. Me likely.

Not much in the way of a picture, from a dirt tag retrieval this morning. I'll do better next time.

[6USMC6]

Walter, which Pilot?
I'm at 5400 on the rear and while it passed inspection, it'll need replacing soon.