Supermotos For Sale In 2019

Over the past decade, the cult of supermoto has sunk its fangs into the motorcycling community in the States. The popularity of supermotos never really waned in Europe, but this style tapered off is now finding a resurgence in its birthplace. Categorized as a dirt bike but fitted with 17-inch wheels and road tires, a modern supermoto is more than that, with some Italian brands creating their own, larger iterations. No matter the flavor, these are some of the best supermotos you can walk into any dealership today and buy.

Aprilia's American motorcycle lineup is dominated by bikes that you would see compete for roadracing acclaim, not ones that you would rip down a fire road. The 2019 Dorsoduro 900 is the odd man out. Powered by an 896cc V-twin, this maxi motard puts down a claimed 93 hp at 8,750 rpm and 66.4 pound-feet of torque at 6,500 rpm with a claimed 467-pound curb weight. Keeping the power in check is Aprilia's Performance Ride Control system (APRC), which includes a three-mode ride-by-wire throttle, adjustable three-level traction control—yes it can be disabled so you can back it in. ABS can also be disengaged too.

The Dorsoduro is a hefty V-twin wrapped in supermoto styling. If you need to get on the highway for a couple of hours before you arrive at the twisties, the Aprilia is a good large supermoto option. For a 2019, you’re looking at an MSRP of $10,999.

Buy the Dorsoduro if: You don't have enough for the Ducati Hypermotard or want a supermoto that can go 80 mph and not rattle your fillings.

Don't buy the Dorsoduro if: You type Aprilia into Google and the nearest dealership is 350 miles away.

With Euro 5 emission regulations looming, manufacturers have turned to either updating or canning existing models. For 2019, Ducati redid the Hypermotard from the ground up. The Hypermotard 950 SP does come in a standard version, but you lose the included quickshifter, Marchesini forged rims, and taller Öhlins suspension. Both versions share the same electronics package, a Bosch six-axis IMU, which includes cornering ABS, wheelie control, and traction control, all of which are adjustable but can't be disabled. A feature coming from the Panigale V4 S is the Ducati Slide By Brake allowing you to jam the rear brake and have the back tire kick out to a maximum of 10 degrees. While it's not the proper way to back it in, it is interesting to see this feature as part of an electronics package.

Since the only difference between models are the shiny bits, both the Hypermotard 950 base and 950 SP make 114 hp and 71 pound-feet of torque. The 2019 Hypermotard 950 is the largest supermoto in the list, and the price reflects it. The base Hypermotard 950 is $13,395 while the up-spec SP is $16,995.

Buy the Hypermotard 950 SP if: You want sportbike performance out of a supermoto-styled motorcycle.

Don't buy the Hypermotard 950 SP if: You don't like tall motorcycles or the idea of dropping a $17,000 motorcycle makes you queasy.

Your options for a competition-ready supermoto straight from a manufacturer's factory to your door are extremely limited. By limited, there's only one, and it's the 2020 Husqvarna FS 450, but what it offers is exactly what you would be looking for. There are the 16-1/2-inch front and 17-inch rear spoked Alpina wheels wrapped in Bridgestone slicks, 449.9cc thumping single-cylinder that produces a claimed 63 hp, Magura slipper clutch, Pankl five-speed transmission, and Brembo stoppers. If you're going to buy a motocross bike and convert it into a comparable machine, you're looking to spend thousands more.

Rarely, does a motorcycle manufacturer produce a refined motorcycle with one purpose: To win races. That's the goal of owning a 2020 Husqvarna FS 450. It'll set you back $10,999, but winning races can make stomaching that price a little easier.

Buy the FS 450 if: You want to win races.

Don't buy the FS 450 if: You want a street-legal supermoto.

You wanted the FS 450 but didn't like that you couldn't ride it on the street? Well, Husqvarna has a supermoto that you can put a plate on. The 2019 701 Supermoto is a street-legal supermoto with the looks and feel of its little brother. Unlike the FS 450, the 701 Supermoto has a 17-inch front wheel—wrapped in ContiAttack SM supermoto rubber—and is up on power due to the 242 bump in displacement. Putting out 72 hp and 54 pound-feet of torque—featuring two-mode selectable throttle responsiveness—means that keeping the front wheel on the ground is going to be difficult.

The 2019 Husqvarna 701 Supermoto costs $11,899, just over $1,000 more than the FS 450, but not as dedicated to racing. If you want to be able to disable the rear-wheel ABS, you’re going to have to purchase the ABS dongle—a $100 aftermarket accessory from Husky. Buy it, you’ll thank us later.

Buy the 701 Supermoto if: You want a supermoto without all of the electronic extras or don't like the color orange.

Don't buy the 701 Supermoto if: You want a race-ready motard or like the color orange.

Badge engineering is common in the automobile space and it makes sense when it comes to motorcycles, especially those that are owned by the same brand. We mentioned the Husky 701 Supermoto and that is the platform the updated 2019 KTM SMC R is based on. Sharing the same engine and basically everything except color and electronics as the 701, the SMC R produces 72 hp and 54 pound-feet of torque. What it offers over the Husky is traction control, cornering ABS, and a quickshifter with an autoblipper. They both come equipped with a ride-by-wire throttle and two preprogrammed throttle maps.

Surprisingly, the 2019 KTM 690 SMC R is $11,699—cheaper than the less-equipped Husqvarna. You still have to purchase the $100 ABS dongle to disable rear-wheel ABS, a feature that should be included.

Buy the 690 SMC R if: You need an orange supermoto or like a motard with a sensible electronics package for a great price.

Don't buy the 690 SMC R if: You already own a Husqvarna 701 Supermoto.

Released in 1994 as the Duke 620 and now representing most of KTM's street lineup, the Duke name has grown from its single-cylinder supermoto platform. That includes the beginner-friendly 2019 KTM Duke 390. While the Duke 390 looks like a modern naked bike, it can be treated like a supermoto and has a supermoto mode built in. The 373cc single-cylinder produces 44 hp and 27 pound-feet of torque, giving you enough power to break the back wheel loose, and to reduce rear-wheel hop the 390 Duke comes from the factory with a PASC slipper clutch. The 390 Duke also comes with disengageable ABS, but no traction control.

For a modest $5,499, you can enjoy sliding a KTM into corners.

Buy the Duke 390 if: You want a bike that doesn't look like a supermoto.

Don't buy the Duke 390 if: You don't like how the KTM Duke 390 looks.

Much like a mosquito fossilized in amber, the Suzuki DR-Z400SM is a relic in the supermoto space. Originally launched in 2005, the DR-Z400SM has seen no holistic updates since then. Different model years have different colored plastics and wheels, but outside of that, they are all the same. The one thing that has made the DR-Z400 platform so successful—helping it stand the test of time—is how reliable the bike is. Current and previous owners will regale you with the time they dropped their Dizzer into a ravine, hiked down, found their bike, and turned the engine over on the second thumb of the starter. Some call the DR-Z a mule, donkey, or any other kind of reliable pack animal.

The DR-Z400SM takes any abuse you can throw at it, and it helps that its 398cc motor is dead simple to service. It does produce 32 hp and 24 pound-feet of torque, the lowest on the list. The DR-Z400SM is not meant to be a racebike, but with mods and tuning, you can get this bike to well over 50 hp. The 2020 DR-Z400SM can be had for $7,399 at your local Suzuki dealer.

Buy the DR-Z400SM if: You want a reliable supermoto that you don't have to tear into after every ride.

Don't buy the DR-Z400SM if: You are looking for the best possible performance and lightest possible weight.