How much to Mo-Tard a bike?

How much to Mo-Tard a bike?

Seeing how that Tami got herself a 'tard bike, I want one too.

Not really - but I AM seriously considering putting my XR400 on the
road for a commuter vehicle this summer. With gas pushing $3.25
already, and more hikes likely, I can't afford to drive my pig 12MPG
Toyota. I plated my 400 many years ago, so I just have to dig up the
title and re-register it. If nothing else, it'll give me an excuse to
rebuild my shock that spontaneously exploded all over the garage last
month.

I don't understand the full Mo-Tard wheel conversion though. Other
than the extremely cool HUGE front rotor (easily worth it for the
bling alone), whats the deal with those itsy-bitsy wheels all them
'tards have? What's the advantage of going down to 17", other than
possibly tire availability? Why not just get a decent roadworthy 21"/
18" set (they've got to be available these days) and call it a road
bike?

How much to 'tard up a bike - both full blown and cheapest way out
methods? Based on what I'd guess for a couple of wheels, road race
tires, and the front brake setup, I'd say close to 2 grand. Seems
like an awful lot, especially on a $200 bike ;).

JayC

Re: How much to Mo-Tard a bike?

http :// www .youtube,com /watch?v=WPqgXe1e6bo&feature=related
couldn't you get one of these for the ~ same price....

"JayC" <jwc@sysmatrix,net > wrote in message
news:70d50cbf-35f8-42b7-8256-dc53ed3013de@m36g2000hse.googlegroups,com ...
> Seeing how that Tami got herself a 'tard bike, I want one too.
>
> Not really - but I AM seriously considering putting my XR400 on the
> road for a commuter vehicle this summer. With gas pushing $3.25
> already, and more hikes likely, I can't afford to drive my pig 12MPG
> Toyota. I plated my 400 many years ago, so I just have to dig up the
> title and re-register it. If nothing else, it'll give me an excuse to
> rebuild my shock that spontaneously exploded all over the garage last
> month.
>
> I don't understand the full Mo-Tard wheel conversion though. Other
> than the extremely cool HUGE front rotor (easily worth it for the
> bling alone), whats the deal with those itsy-bitsy wheels all them
> 'tards have? What's the advantage of going down to 17", other than
> possibly tire availability? Why not just get a decent roadworthy 21"/
> 18" set (they've got to be available these days) and call it a road
> bike?
>
> How much to 'tard up a bike - both full blown and cheapest way out
> methods? Based on what I'd guess for a couple of wheels, road race
> tires, and the front brake setup, I'd say close to 2 grand. Seems
> like an awful lot, especially on a $200 bike ;).
>
> JayC

Re: How much to Mo-Tard a bike?

On Apr 16, 2:03 pm, "john" <n...@this.add> wrote:
> http :// www .youtube,com /watch?v=WPqgXe1e6bo&feature=related
> couldn't you get one of these for the ~ same price....

Not to spoil a good joke, but I can't bust through my firewall to get
to 'youtube'. Please describe.

Jay

Re: How much to Mo-Tard a bike?

On Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:06:38 -0700 (PDT), JayC <jwc@sysmatrix,net >
wrote:

>On Apr 16, 2:03 pm, "john" <n...@this.add> wrote:
>> http :// www .youtube,com /watch?v=WPqgXe1e6bo&feature=related
>> couldn't you get one of these for the ~ same price....
>
>Not to spoil a good joke, but I can't bust through my firewall to get
>to 'youtube'. Please describe.
>
>Jay


RZ500 and RZ350 hauling anus.

Mike Baxter

Re: How much to Mo-Tard a bike?

it's a video (with sound) of a rz500 getting chased by a rz350 thru two
tunnels

sound of hornets in a can getting louder....
two blurs go by
can of hornets fades

"JayC" <jwc@sysmatrix,net > wrote in message
news:ac718bf5-20f0-43fd-ac50-5db303d8cde8@f63g2000hsf.googlegroups,com ...
On Apr 16, 2:03 pm, "john" <n...@this.add> wrote:
> http :// www .youtube,com /watch?v=WPqgXe1e6bo&feature=related
> couldn't you get one of these for the ~ same price....

Not to spoil a good joke, but I can't bust through my firewall to get
to 'youtube'. Please describe.

Jay

Re: How much to Mo-Tard a bike?

On Apr 16, 2:22 pm, "john" <n...@this.add> wrote:
> it's a video (with sound) of a rz500 getting chased by a rz350 thru two
> tunnels

Ooh. I don't think there are any of those left around here - at least
not for cheap money.

JayC

Re: How much to Mo-Tard a bike?

one went for $2200 last summer down the street...
I woke up in a cold sweat more than once...just
thinking about buying it... must resist... I even woke
up explaining to my wife why I bought it, only to realize I
hadn't...LOL...
john
rz350 withdraws are a real bummer to overcome...

"JayC" <jwc@sysmatrix,net > wrote in message
news:34240c8c-31c5-4811-ab35-f25aad143676@8g2000hse.googlegroups,com ...
On Apr 16, 2:22 pm, "john" <n...@this.add> wrote:
> it's a video (with sound) of a rz500 getting chased by a rz350 thru two
> tunnels

Ooh. I don't think there are any of those left around here - at least
not for cheap money.

JayC

Re: How much to Mo-Tard a bike?

On Apr 16, 1:51 pm, JayC <j...@sysmatrix,net > wrote:
> Seeing how that Tami got herself a 'tard bike, I want one too.
>
> Not really - but I AM seriously considering putting my XR400 on the
> road for a commuter vehicle this summer. With gas pushing $3.25
> already, and more hikes likely, I can't afford to drive my pig 12MPG
> Toyota. I plated my 400 many years ago, so I just have to dig up the
> title and re-register it. If nothing else, it'll give me an excuse to
> rebuild my shock that spontaneously exploded all over the garage last
> month.
>
> I don't understand the full Mo-Tard wheel conversion though. Other
> than the extremely cool HUGE front rotor (easily worth it for the
> bling alone), whats the deal with those itsy-bitsy wheels all them
> 'tards have? What's the advantage of going down to 17", other than
> possibly tire availability? Why not just get a decent roadworthy 21"/
> 18" set (they've got to be available these days) and call it a road
> bike?
>
> How much to 'tard up a bike - both full blown and cheapest way out
> methods? Based on what I'd guess for a couple of wheels, road race
> tires, and the front brake setup, I'd say close to 2 grand. Seems
> like an awful lot, especially on a $200 bike ;).
>
> JayC


I think the 17 front is to get a wider tire for more 'stick', and to
turn in quicker.

Dave

Re: How much to Mo-Tard a bike?

I put a Baja Designs Dual Sport kit on my '96 XR400 and ran Pirrelli
MT21s. It was OK around town, but anything over 45 kinda sucked.
Well, that it sucked with the stock gearing. If your gonna run it on
faster roads, gear up.

I have ridden 1 XR400 (Kevin Unthank's) with 'trad wheels and tires.
Unfortunately it was on the quad track at Metcalf. It was difficult
to initiate a turn. It other words, instead of falling into the turn,
the fat tires required me to force the bike over. No thanks!

Now, if Tami hurrys and gets the new bike broke in, I can snag a ride
on it. I really want to feel the braking power. Hopefully it doesn't
turn as poorly as the last Husky 610 I rode.

Mike Baxter



On Wed, 16 Apr 2008 10:51:34 -0700 (PDT), JayC <jwc@sysmatrix,net >
wrote:

>Seeing how that Tami got herself a 'tard bike, I want one too.
>
>Not really - but I AM seriously considering putting my XR400 on the
>road for a commuter vehicle this summer. With gas pushing $3.25
>already, and more hikes likely, I can't afford to drive my pig 12MPG
>Toyota. I plated my 400 many years ago, so I just have to dig up the
>title and re-register it. If nothing else, it'll give me an excuse to
>rebuild my shock that spontaneously exploded all over the garage last
>month.
>
>I don't understand the full Mo-Tard wheel conversion though. Other
>than the extremely cool HUGE front rotor (easily worth it for the
>bling alone), whats the deal with those itsy-bitsy wheels all them
>'tards have? What's the advantage of going down to 17", other than
>possibly tire availability? Why not just get a decent roadworthy 21"/
>18" set (they've got to be available these days) and call it a road
>bike?
>
>How much to 'tard up a bike - both full blown and cheapest way out
>methods? Based on what I'd guess for a couple of wheels, road race
>tires, and the front brake setup, I'd say close to 2 grand. Seems
>like an awful lot, especially on a $200 bike ;).
>
>JayC

Re: How much to Mo-Tard a bike?

> It was OK around town, but anything over 45 kinda sucked.
> Well, that it sucked with the stock gearing.  If your gonna run it on
> faster roads, gear up.

Yea - supension is rough too. The gooshiest rock suspension is still
WAY to stiff for the road. I wouldn't even consider riding on the
highway for a split-second, but the good news is that my entire
commute is on 45MPH or less back roads.

JayC

Re: How much to Mo-Tard a bike?

On Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:34:41 -0700 (PDT), JayC <jwc@sysmatrix,net >
wrote:

>> It was OK around town, but anything over 45 kinda sucked.
>> Well, that it sucked with the stock gearing.  If your gonna run it on
>> faster roads, gear up.
>
>Yea - supension is rough too. The gooshiest rock suspension is still
>WAY to stiff for the road. I wouldn't even consider riding on the
>highway for a split-second, but the good news is that my entire
>commute is on 45MPH or less back roads.
>
>JayC



Say what? The suspension is plenty soft for the road. There is
something seriously wrong with you Jay!

Mike Baxter

Re: How much to Mo-Tard a bike?

> Say what?  The suspension is plenty soft for the road.  There is
> something seriously wrong with you Jay!

Doesn't suprise me a bit, coming from a guy who likes a mid-range
spike so severe it puts your elbows behind your shoulder blades...

But seriously, road bumps are only a few inches high - hardly enough
to even get the suspension valves to open up. The light bike weight
makes it even worse. My XR has most of the high speed damping removed
so it isn't too bad, but the ride is still ludicrously rough compared
to a road bike. Sure, if you happen to smack into a curb at 40MPH,
you'll be in great shape, but normal cruising on the streets makes my
teeth rattle. Try pushing down the front end on a 700 pound cruiser
and you'll see what I mean - you'll swear there isn't any oil in the
forks.

JayC

Re: How much to Mo-Tard a bike?

On Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:34:42 -0700 (PDT), JayC <jwc@sysmatrix,net >
wrote:

>> Say what?  The suspension is plenty soft for the road.  There is
>> something seriously wrong with you Jay!
>
>Doesn't suprise me a bit, coming from a guy who likes a mid-range
>spike so severe it puts your elbows behind your shoulder blades...
>
>But seriously, road bumps are only a few inches high - hardly enough
>to even get the suspension valves to open up. The light bike weight
>makes it even worse. My XR has most of the high speed damping removed
>so it isn't too bad, but the ride is still ludicrously rough compared
>to a road bike. Sure, if you happen to smack into a curb at 40MPH,
>you'll be in great shape, but normal cruising on the streets makes my
>teeth rattle. Try pushing down the front end on a 700 pound cruiser
>and you'll see what I mean - you'll swear there isn't any oil in the
>forks.
>
>JayC

Ride at my speed and you will see why my boingers are a little stiffer
than yours. I now have a big cushy road bike and my plated GasGas
handles every bump 100% better. Small bumps do not exist when I'm on
the GasGas, road or dirt.

Mike Baxter

Mike Baxter

Re: How much to Mo-Tard a bike?

> Based on what I'd guess for a couple of wheels, road race
> tires, and the front brake setup, I'd say close to 2 grand. Seems
> like an awful lot, especially on a $200 bike ;).
>
> JayC

The mo' you 'tard it the mo' 'tard you are.
Spend the two grand on another bike.
You still have room, right?

Re: How much to Mo-Tard a bike?

On Apr 16, 11:51 am, JayC <j...@sysmatrix,net > wrote:

> How much to 'tard up a bike - both full blown and cheapest way out
> methods?
>
> JayC

Better question is, why tard the wheels? Cheap dirt tires run
perfectly fine on tarmac, they just don't last long or will let you go
faster than say, 110km/h as the vibration and instability will become
an issue. But for commuting around town it is perfectly fine.

Take my DRZ400 for instance - it is the exact type of bush bike as the
XR400, since this is NOT a street legal bike (it's the E model, not
the S model). The PO put a Baja Designs kit on it (lights, horn, etc)
and it works absolutely fine. No problems at all insuring and
registering it for street use (check your local laws first though).
Much like running the cheapest oil on bikes, running the cheapest dirt
tires is something that I subscribe to. A pain in the ass to change,
sure - but I don't subscribe to spending 3x on costly Michelin tires
that will only last a short time (in peak performance) so I fail to
see why anyone spend $150 on performance dirt tires when a $40 Dirt
Shark will last just as long.

Still the DRZ400E with lights, the plastic tank and dirt tires is a
perfectly fine street bike. And the best part: it's still a bike I can
take offroading and even go to the mx track any day that I want. Not
something I'd wanna try if it had tard tires on. Oh and it has also
been geared up with the rear sprocket, just as someone else here
mentioned. By adding slicks to a bike, it becomes strictly a street
bike. Seems like a waste to me. Besides, it will lower the bike. Cost
more for the conversion. Cost more for tires. Will NOT be suitable for
riding on snow or a bit of ice. Will NOT handle the least amount of
mud or even gravel. All negative things if you ask me. So yeah,
consider just adding lights/horns/mirrors/speedo to the thing and
leave the tires alone. Oh and forget about these gay 50/50 DOT tires.
Just run the cheapest pure dirt tires you can find. One of biggest
waste of my money was spending a lot of dough on 50/50 Pirellis for my
old XL600R. What a disappointment. So I say man up and run real dirt
tires on the streets. A bit more challenging, not as fast as sport
bikes but heck, the cheapest way to get about. Not to mention you
STILL have a dirt bike you can trail ride with.