OK so I've decide to pick up a 2011 TE630 the price and quality of the bike make it a no brainer. I'll be using it as a dual sport and to ride back and forth to work (21 miles oone way) occasionally, I'll probably take itout on a saturday or two just for a fun ride. This brings me to the question about having a second set of wheels for a "supermoto" setup. Having never done any supermoto type riding I'm unfamiliar with the ins and outs. I mentioned my thoughts to the salesman when looking at the bike and he said the brakes are are th biggest issue. The SM has a much heavier caliper and much larger rotor. Now my question if I'm not trying to race own critch rockets or come down a mountain full of twisties is the brakes issue that big od a deal? What other differences are there between the TE and SM model, can you take the SM model and make it into a dual sport? Thanks in advance for your opinions and answers.
I've been riding my TE630 with SM wheels for a few weeks -- coupla hundred miles. I did NOT swap out the brake caliper or get a spacer to run the larger rotor. I am using the stock TE rotor -- it bolts right up to an SM wheel and the wheel mounts right up on the bike with the TE axle. No-brainer. The entire changeover takes me 20 minutes, and that includes breaking the chain to swap the front sprocket (which is optional). I have not felt any lack of braking ability. I know that, if I were to link hard corners going really fast, I will get brake fade. But...I don't ride like that. The TE with the stock rotor is rated for street use, after all. The SM has a bigger rotor and caliper because it's assumed that SM owners will ride faster and harder. I rode a twisty bit of highway yesterday (standard sport-bike showoff route). I rode as fast as I am willing to go, and all I needed was a light dab of the front brake on even the sharpest corners. I just don't brake as deep as the hardcore guys. A little engine braking, a dab of the front if needed, then tuck into the lean and back on the gas through the turn. And no, you really can't make an SM into a TE. If you want a true dual-duty bike, you get a TE and a spare set of wheels.
I have an 06 TE610 and the brakes are plenty good. I also have an 11 SM630 and the front brake is UNBELIEVABLE! It's fun to use it hard just to see how fast you can decelerate, and I'm sure I haven't used it to it's full capability yet. So, IMO you don't need the SM brake for normal riding. The suspension on the SM is an inch or two shorter and more firm. And I think with some more off road oriented tires, I think you could do some moderate dual sporting with it. (even with the 17 inch wheels) The 21/18 wheels of a TE would be better offroad for sure, but you may run into rubing issues at full suspension compression. I guess this is all a moot point since you are getting the TE. You will find it plenty of fun on road or off. I don't know if I would even mess with SM wheels.
Thanks for the fast responses. I do think the bike will handle better on road witht he SM wheels and in the SD traffic I want that. Contra thanks for the advice, if you don't mind me asking where did you get your SM wheels? I looked on craigslist (used search tempest "any") and found nothing? Also if you don't mind telling me what did they set you back? Motogo1, thanks also, but out here with the sand and rocks off road I want the better dirt tires for dual sporting and then the better street tires for on road commuting although you may be right I se people all them time with more off road oriented tires cruising down the highway????
I trolled the classifieds at supermoto.com, here, advrider.com and craigslist (searchtempest). Found a pair on supermoto.com for $600 shipped. Bought tubes and tires (Contiforce SM). I found a used TE front rotor ($20 in new condition!) and I used the stock 42 rear sprocket from the TE since I already had a 45 sprocket to put on the TE wheels. I put new bearings in the SM wheels just to be on the safe side. The whole SM wheel deal set me back around $950. I agree with Motogo1 that we don't need the 17s to enjoy this bike on the street. But, I wanted true street tires for the street and I dreaded doing tire changes for trips to the dirt. I had the money to spend (given that I had budgeted for a 690 Enduro that I ended up NOT BUYING for $10,000!!!), so I just got the full wheelset. And, I must say, the 17's are really fun to drive! So far, I've got my new TE, plus a set of SM wheels, the pu kit, twin Leo slipons, a Seat Concepts saddle, handguards...and I'm still $1k less than an out-the-door 690 with no accessories. Waiting for the final rack solutions to present themselves and I am good to go!
I hear you, I had actually budgetted for an FZ8, the more I thought about the type of riding I like to do the more I realized I would have a lot more fun on the TE, at the time it was about the same price anyway, then this price break and it became a no brainer. The powers that be threw a wrench in my plans though with a potential move to Sacramento. Now I have a couple of things to figure out before I can pull the trigger, but the extra play in the budget gets me the SM setup.
