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Thrills we thrive on
Thrills we thrive on
If you want to start riding supermoto, you will naturally start looking for… drum roll… a supermoto. Very good. People often look at them and think, ‘It’s just a dirt bike with road racing wheels.’ Yes, that’s basically true. But there’s more to it than that. Converting a dirt bike into a supermoto? What do you need to bear in mind? We’ll tell you more.
A supermoto – also known as a supermotard – is in 90% of cases a converted motocross bike. Some brands, such as KTM, Husqvarna and TM, supply supermoto bikes straight from the factory. But apart from that, almost all supermotos are converted motocross bikes.
Want to get started with riding supermoto? Then you’ve probably already scoured places like Ebay and Facebook Market Place. And you’ve probably also realised by now that supermotos aren’t the cheapest bikes. And that dirt bikes are relatively 1) easier to find and 2) cheaper. So, will you go for the more expensive – and often older – supermoto, or will you go for a dirt bike and convert it into a supermoto?
If, by chance, you happen to have a dirt bike in your shed that is no longer in use, then converting it into a supermoto is not a bad idea. Even if you have your eye on a motocross bike, you can easily convert it into a supermoto.
Converting a dirt bike into a supermoto is not particularly difficult. However, it can be quite costly. Some parts can be quite expensive. So, make sure you do the maths to weigh up whether the motocross bike you still have or have your eye on is worth converting.
What do you need to convert your dirt bike into a supermoto? Let’s go through it together:
1. Wheels: this is the most striking feature of the entire supermoto. A supermoto has smaller wheels than a motocross bike and does not have knobby tyres, but slicks or tyres with a light tread.
Go for 16, 16.5 or 17-inch wheels. Does your dirt bike have a registration number? And do you want to convert it into a supermoto that is road legal? Then go for 17-inch wheels. You can buy tyres for these that are also legal on the road. For 16 and 16.5-inch wheels, you will find virtually no road-legal tyres.
2. Brakes: you want more braking power on your supermoto than on your dirt bike. So you need a larger brake disc on the front wheel. It is best to mount this on the original front fork ends and brake caliper using an adapter. A stronger brake pump is another nice upgrade for your supermoto, but not essential at first. Want to get the most out of your supermoto? Then we do advise to immediately add a larger brake pump and possibly also caliper.
3. Gear ratio: you often adjust the gear ratio as well. There are standard kits for this, for example from Motomaster. A recommended ratio is 15/45, for a good balance between pulling power and top speed. However, this can vary per motorbike and also per circuit.
4. Slipper clutch: a slipper clutch is a typical “supermoto part” that is often not found on a motocross bike. This is because the advantages of a slipper clutch are not always advantages on rough surfaces such as heavy sandy soil on the motocross track. The slipper clutch prevents your rear wheel from locking up and reduces rear wheel bounce. It can be useful to install a slipper clutch if you are converting a dirt bike into a supermoto. When riding on karting circuits, this is not only a safety feature, but it also helps to preserve your engine.
5. Suspension: you don’t have to adjust your entire suspension right away. But be aware that a motocross bike generally has much softer suspension than a supermoto bike. A supermoto is more comparable to a racing bike for track days. These also have stiffer suspension than street bikes, for example. You want less suspension travel and, above all, no “bumpy ride”. So set your suspension stiffer. Want to do it really well? Then fit a suspension package designed for riding on kart circuits.
This is, of course, one of those questions where the answer depends on how crazy you want to go. But if you’re on a budget, using second-hand wheels, a second-hand brake pump, etc., and you assemble everything yourself, you can convert a dirt bike into a supermoto for around £1,500 to £2,500.
If you go for new parts, better rims, higher quality tyres and brakes, you’ll quickly reach £2,500 to £4,000. Are you going all out? Then it will quickly cost you around £6,000. And then the question arises as to whether your old dirt bike or the motocross bike you have your eye on is worth it. And whether you would be better off buying a “ready to roll” supermoto.
Converting a dirt bike into a supermoto does not have to be complicated. You will need a few other parts, such as suitable wheels, tyres, better brakes and perhaps some fancy upgrades such as a slipper clutch.
You can get it done for between £1,500 and £2,500 if you shop smart. Want newer or better stuff? Then the costs will quickly go up. It’s up to you to decide whether your old dirt bike or the one you have in mind is worth converting. Or whether you’re better off buying a ready-to-ride supermoto. We can’t make that decision for you. But converting a dirt bike into a supermoto often sounds more impressive than it is. Still, certain things like good wheels, different suspension, and all are important.
