Australian Road Rider — Bike Guide 2017

Australian Road Rider Bike Guide 101

Supermotard

The 2017 Suzuki DR-Z400SM is a street-legal bike for serious dirt bike enthusiasts.

It’s not uncommon to take the Supermotard down gravel fi re tracks as well as tight

twisty mountain corners. Its 398cc liquid-cooled, four-stroke engine provides strong

low-rpm torque and crisp throttle response for any of these occasions.

KTM 690 SMC R $14,695

Engine: Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-valve

Displacement: 398cc

Power/Torque: NA

Transmission: Five-speed, chain fi nal drive

Tyres: F: 120/70R17 R: 140/70R17

Seat height: 890mm

Kerb weight: 146 (dry)

Fuel capacity: 10L

Warranty/Service interval: 12 months

unlimited km/NA

SPECIFICATIONS

VERDICT: GREAT ALL-ROUND MOTARD

Engine: Single-cylinder, four-stroke

Displacement: 690cc

Power/Torque: 49kW/NA

Transmission: Six-speed, slipper clutch, chain fi nal drive

Tyres: F: 120/70ZR17 R: 160/60ZR17

Seat height: 890mm

Kerb weight: 141kg (dry)

Fuel capacity: 12L

Warranty/Service interval: Two years,

unlimited km/10,000km

SPECIFICATIONS

VERDICT: LIGHTWEIGHT WEAPON

What isn’t there doesn’t weigh anything either — the 690 SMC R was designed

according to this motto. It arrives at the starting line in peak condition with twin-plug

ignition, ride-by-wire, new ABS and a revamped chassis. Powerful, sports-oriented, yet

still very comfortable — what could make a drifter happier?

SUZUKI DR-Z400M

$9,990

LAMS APPROVED

Derived directly from the SWM RS 500R Enduro model, the SM 500R carries the

same fuel-injected 501cc engine and Kayaba suspension, while Supermotard-specifi c

17-inch wheels and the 320mm fl oating Brembo brake system provide competition-

spec braking performance. The little brother to the SWM SM 650R released to the

Australian market earlier this year, the SM 500R tips the scales at 120.5kg.

SWM SM 650 R $9490

Engine: Liquid-cooled, DOHC four-valve, single-

cylinder, four-stroke

Displacement: 501cc

Power/Torque: NA

Transmission: Six-speed, wet clutch, chain fi nal

drive

Tyres: F: 120/70R17 R: 150/60R17

Seat height: 920mm

Kerb weight: 120.5kg (dry)

Fuel capacity: 7.2L

Warranty/Service interval: 12 months,

20,000km/2000km

SPECIFICATIONS

VERDICT: LIGHTWEIGHT LAMS MOTARD

Engine: Liquid-cooled, DOHC four-valve, single-

cylinder, four-stroke

Displacement: 600cc

Power/Torque: 40kW/NA

Transmission: Six-speed, wet clutch, chain fi nal drive

Tyres: NA

Seat height: 910mm

Kerb weight: 147kg (dry)

Fuel capacity: 12L

Warranty/Service interval: 12 months,

20,000km/5000km

SPECIFICATIONS

VERDICT: GOOD VALUE

SWM is back and has released a Supermotard based on the RS 650 R trailbike. This

was the second model available in Australia. It is the epitome of the Supermotard, with

a strong engine (usually a single) mounted to good-quality suspension and brakes. It

has dirt bike styling but has been transformed into a mean-looking street bike.

SWM SM 500 R $8990

LAMS APPROVED

LAMS APPROVED

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