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2005 Project WR450 Supermoto

Monday, 15 August 2005

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PIMP MY RIDE!

The natty crash protectors were supplied by Supermoto Engineering because with no hefty fairing to absorb those minor get-offs these protectors protect the fork, frame and swing arm. Also supplied in the same kit was a couple of smaller "mushrooms" that fit on the end of the Acerbis hand guards. These will help keep the bike rash free and help stop the bike looking ratty. Hammerhead Designs also provided us with a slightly offset gear shift lever which helps dial the bike in for a perfect fit - a comfortable rider is a safe and faster rider... it's all in the details.

I fabricated a catch bottle out of a small bicyclist water bottle. The bottle bracket is bolted on and safety wired in place. It's easily removable so emptying is a breeze. To further satisfy the safety tech inspectors, Taylor motorsports again supplied me with one of their nifty Kevlar/nylon ballistic diapers. The beautiful thing about this piece of equipment is that it'll hold a few quarts of oil, should anything go pear shaped and help in keeping that oil off of your tire and your favorite track. These types of restraints are starting to become a rule in some organizations, so prevention is better than cure.

Cameron Brewer of BRP supplied us with one of their superb billet triple clamps to firm up the front, and donated some further bling in the form of a billet gas cap and some grippier and tougher IMS foot pegs.

The forks soon returned from their So-Cal holiday were reinstalled and a track day booked. Being a diehard roadracer, first up was a shakedown at Buttonwillow, courtesy of Dustin Coyner and TrackDaz. The bikes breezed through tech as I opted for the sportbike group with an option to move up to the race group, if I ran riot through the street guys - Which I did. I'd like to point at something shiny and bling to say that it had the most impact on the bike, the truth is that the Racetech Reactive Suspension along with Gold Valves that Race Tech fit, absolutely rocked. They lowered the bike one inch front and rear and I'm running with no steering damper, I'm not getting an ounce of instability with my pound of fun either.

To further prove my demented ways I also did a track day at the big track at Willow Springs. FasTrack's David Pyles gave me the nod to try the bike at one of their excellent track days and I had to beg the tech guy to let me in anything other than the beginners group. However, again I romped through the sport group, passing at will almost any where. To further prove the stability of the bike, I was railing turn eight, flat out, one handed with no hint of instability or soiled undies. Sure, I'm tapped out at probably just over 110 or so, but I'm still passing open class riding street guys at will - I'm a cherry picking fool.

To quell the grumbling from certain friends, I decided prove my Supermoto manhood at a practice day at Grange. The Victorville go-cart track has seen more than its fair share of Supermoto action with its practice days offered at only $25 a pop.

The new (to me) sideways sliding was picked up quite rapidly and I'm glad to say I got out in one piece with just one minor tip-over - Gobless those Acerbis hand guards. No real damage, just some minor aches and scrapes (the bike not me).

The bike handled great, needs a slipper-clutch (part deux?) and some gearing changes to be perfect.

So that's it, I wanted to prove that this really is the do-it-all vehicle. I can roadrace this, supermoto it and with a quick wheel change, motocross and trail ride it too - I truly wish I could get this bike street legal, it would top off the perfect bike night/Sunday morning ride. If I get a chance to swap it out for a street legal version, I'd do it in a heartbeat. The bike gives me all the elements I look for in my motorcycle wish list and some- I have been officially pimped.

Now, locating these parts and getting them to your door in one ready-to-go package is pretty tough. As a service to you, I've negotiated a killer deal with Champions Online to provide in one lovely big box, all the parts you have read about here. The fact is Champions the company (and their employee's) all ride motorcycles in a big way, they know this stuff because they're using it. They've made a big effort to locate and stock these products mentioned and using their size as buying leverage, have negotiated the best discounts available, on or off line. They want to be the premier providers of Supermoto parts. Go check them out by following the links on this page and let them tailor a package to suit your budget - they won't be undersold.

MikeE

What do you think? Go here to discuss

A BIG thanks to these individual guys for pimping me.

Donor Bike: Supplied by Champions Yamaha - Leftover 2003 Yamaha WR450F (www.championsonline.com) 1-86-MOTOGEAR

Wheels: Supplied by Aaron Wright of Wheelwright USA - 17 x 3.50 front and 17 x 4.25 rear Excel Rims - Talon hubs - heavy duty stainless steel spokes. (www.wheelwrightusa.com)

Brakes: Supplied By Jeff Gehrs of Braketech - Brembo 320mm Axis supermoto rotor. Brembo 4-pot billet GP caliper. Brembo 16mm radial master cylinder (www.braketech.com)

Exhaust System: Supplied by Wendell Phillips of Lockhart Phillips - Akrapovic Evoluzione full Titanium system (www.lockhartphillipsusa.com)

Suspension: Supplied by Paul Thebe at Racetech - Lowered 1" front and rear - Re sprung and revalved with Gold Valve emulators (www.racetech.com)

Handle Bars/Sprockets: Supplied by Joe at Vortex - 15/38-45 gearing (www.vortexracing.com)

Triple Clamp: Supplied By Cameron Brewer at BRP - Spider grips and BRP billet gas cap (www.brpit.com)

Carbon Fiber: Supplied by Yamaha GYT-R (www.yamaha-motor.com) and Shogun Motorsports - Shogun Billet rear brake lever (www.moto911.com) and Carbon Fiber works (www.carbonfiberworks.com)

Crash Protection: Supplied by Supermoto Engineering - Front and rear bobbins and hand guard protector (www.supermotoengineering.com)

Braided Steel lines: Supplied by Adrian Ciomo of Ride Engineering (www.rideengineering.com)

Misc: TTR125 front fender (no cutting - fits straight on) YZ450 Front number plate. Supermoto race stand (www.motorsportproducts.com). Blue Carb Vent Kit, Blue Offset Axle Blocks - from (www.advancedperformanceaccessories.com)

All of these goodies: Can be purchased at a one-shop-stop at (championsonline.com) 1-86-motogear

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