Well, I DONE DID IT!

[B12Teuton]

Nice bike, I have been trying to get a quote from a local dealer on a 625 smc but haven't heard back from them. I may just have to go the route you went and get the wheels and conversion pieces myself.

If you don't mind, would you pm me a ballpark figure of what it cost you so I'll know what i'm looking at spending.
Josh

Josh,
The 625 SMC is a great bike, but it's hard to find and a 100lbs heavier than the FSR (450 & 525).  You won't get a 625 for under $8000 + tax.
You can get the 450 & 525 for around $7000 + tax if you find some.  Then it'll cost you another $1500 to do a full motard conversion, so you end up around the same price,  but with a bike that's 100lbs lighter and still a great dirtbike, which the SMC is not.
They are almost impossible to find used and hold their value very well.

[NCBANDIT]

Thanks manny, hearing your input is a hell of alot better than hearing one of the local stealers. They just wanna know when you want to sign, don't care about what your looking for as long as your buying from them. I don't know how far woodstock is from here, but it can't be too far. After your reccomendation I may make the drive when i'm ready to buy.
Thanks, Josh

[Landry]

Way to go Manny!  I remember that you've had your eye on one for like . . . a YEAR or so.  I also remember the crappy dealer experience.

Nice ride, man!  

[B12Teuton]

I was in Orlando all week for meetings.  Now I'm finally back home after daydreaming about riding all week and now it's 48*F and raining.  I don't mind the cold but the rain I can do without.  I already have a cold

[mike]

No rain !  Come on Manny, dirt riders eat mud and cold for breakfast.  LOL!  Just ribbin ya'  


So, whens the first bent handle bar incident going to take place.  Let us know.  You know it's inevitable on a dirt bike    


Serously, nice bike, I hope you enjoy the heck out of it...... Thats an awsome dirt machine.  

[NCBANDIT]

No rain !  Come on Manny, dirt riders eat mud and cold for breakfast.  LOL!  Just ribbin ya'  


So, whens the first bent handle bar incident going to take place.  Let us know.  You know it's inevitable on a dirt bike    


Serously, nice bike, I hope you enjoy the heck out of it...... Thats an awsome dirt machine.  

Just a bent bar isn't good enough, you gotta do it right. Bars, number plates(sides) and back fender at least  There is nothing like watching your bike go flipping end over end downhill for about 50-60 ft, It will make you sick to your stomach. The good thing is, a dirt bike is tough and usually a couple pieces of plastic and some bars and it's good to go again. Also, i've done some research on the hardness factor of dirt vs. asphalt and it's unanimous, dirt is softer
Josh

[B12Teuton]

I did the first service on the new bike this week.  It's all pretty sweet.  Valves have the same screw-with-locknut setup on the rockers that the Bandit has and they are pretty easy to get to and work on.  Only drawback is that it's a lot easier to do the exhaust valves if you dump the coolant and remove both radiators.  Sounds crazy, but it is actually quick and easy to do.





Oil change was a little more involved than normal as there are two cleanable mesh screen filters and two paper filters.  Yes, that's FOUR filters altogether to clean 1.2L of oil... oh, and a magnetic drainplug.

Did I mention it pulls wheelies in 4th!!
 

[Red01]

Did I mention it pulls wheelies in 4th!!
 

But do you both speak the same dialect of German?  

[B12Teuton]

Did I mention it pulls wheelies in 4th!!
 

But do you both speak the same dialect of German?  

Pretty damn close.
Where I'm from in Bavaria is less than an hour from the KTM factory in Austria.  The border is 10 minutes away.