SUMO conversion

fufo47

fufo47

Well-known member
I have a 2016 KTM 350 SXF that I use to do the occasional MX day at Diablo/ClubMoto and Metcalf (whenever it's open) and I'm debating whether or not it's worth getting a set of SM tires to be able to do some trackdays.

Looks like MotoStrano is the way to go, but not sure how much of a trouble it would be to do the converstion back and forth as I still intend to ride MX.

I know that there's a compromise in not having a full on SM or MX bike so curious to hear from folks here who do it regularly... is it worth it, or am I better of buying a Super Moto...
 
HadesOmega

HadesOmega

Well-known member
I don't have a KTM 350 but I can swap my wheels in less than 15 minutes (I actually timed myself) on my KLX140. My KLX does double duty. But you're right that you need to tune your suspension to find a happy medium because usually what you do to make it better on the pavement will adversely affect it in the dirt. All my sprockets are the same size and brake rotors so it's just straight swap.

Also if you would like to get a taste of supermoto you can run a sportman setup. There is a sportman class in Supermoto USA. Sportsman is basically putting the streetiest tires on your dirt wheels.
 
Mario

Mario

Well-known member
HadesOmega said:
All my sprockets are the same size and brake rotors so it's just straight swap.
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Hope I'm not hijacking OPs thread. I'm interested in learning about your brake rotor thing. Are you running sumo sized rotors on your dirt wheels? I absolutely hate going from SM to dirt and back because of the brake caliper relocation. Or are you talking about a sportsman setup?
 
Judaslefourbe

Judaslefourbe

Well-known member
My recommendation would be to merely get another set of wheels and put DOT tires on them (like Shinkos 705 I believe). It works well enough to have fun and you could even race with that setup.

Then if you decide to do more SM, you can invest in the rest of the parts.
 
HadesOmega

HadesOmega

Well-known member
Mario said:
Hope I'm not hijacking OPs thread. I'm interested in learning about your brake rotor thing. Are you running sumo sized rotors on your dirt wheels? I absolutely hate going from SM to dirt and back because of the brake caliper relocation. Or are you talking about a sportsman setup?
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I bought this wheel set off of someone on Planetminis for the KLX and it had the stock KLX hub on it. So all I needed to do is add the stock brake rotor to it so like you mentioned I don't have to relocate the caliper. I know it's a pain with the rotors because on my KLR with 17" front it has an EBC big rotor upgrade kit and I have to remove the caliper if I want to take the wheel off.

I have to remove the rear caliper though =P because the rim keeps it from coming off but it's pretty easy 2 bolts.

The brakes on the the stock KLX are pretty good for this size dirtbike also so I don't need that extra braking power. In fact I kinda downgraded my brakes a little when I installed a KX100 frontend the caliper is slightly smaller. =/
 
MR662

MR662

AFM #662
My buddy does the swap on his CRF 450 in about an hour. He swaps out rims/tires to 17" supermoto slicks he had mounted on DNA wheels. He puts on a different chain because he goes down to 45 tooth sprocket in rear. He has spacer kit for front rotor to push it back a bit to fit larger front rotor. Lastly, he installls supermoto front fender. I believe he is about $ 2500 in to his kit. I rode his bike and it was alot of fun. I didnt want to swap back and forth so Ive had a 2018 and 2019 FS 450, which is a fully built supermoto.

Bigest things I notcied was a slipper clutch is amazing on supermoto bikes and bikes like the FS have upgraded brake masters, rotors, pads etc, making the braking much better then what is on a MX setup
 
JesasaurusRex

JesasaurusRex

Deleted User
banshee01 said:
MotoStrano is out of business now correct?
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Don't remember 100% if it was motostrano (i think it was) but it was one of the BA shops. Inquired about sumo wheels and they said they're not doing sumo stuff anymore. Didn't say they were closing their doors though...
 
rrrdbw

rrrdbw

Well-known member
ColdOnes said:
Jeff @ toxicmoto has everything you'd ever need and super helpful.

https://toxicmotoracing.com

Swapping setups is a pain and didn't take me long to get tired of it.
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Jeff is good guy. Hooked me up with my Beringer 6 Piston needs.

I have a post somewhere here on building my plated 450 EXC to Supermoto. She is still running stronger than ever. Get the rims, brake set up and gearing so you will have a dirt bike and supermoto. Yeah it's a bi*ch sometime to swap wheels etc: but worth it so you have better understanding of your bike when you are out on a Supermoto trackday or riding dirt. When things go wrong. Unless you can afford a Supermoto. Trust me you will be going through tires like never before on SM.
 
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