I have been riding for 20yrs on the dirt, but tarmac and road tyres are new to me, what would you consider being the best way to come to terms with the increased lean angle and grip? Any little exercises I can do or something?
Well when I first went onto a bike with road tires, it didn't resemble riding dirt at all. Now that was going from an MX bike to a sportbike, so half of it is getting used to the machine, which is going to make it easier for you since your bike is the same.
The other half is the grip and the way you can use it.
Asphalt is going to be more consistent than dirt, (barring debris and fluid) and you can get away with so much because of the grip. The problem is that when you lose grip, the transition time is much shorter.
I can slide around a 450MX flat track bike with relative ease, just playing with the throttle with the thing sideways. But if I tried to do that on my 600 then I'd either lowside or get thrown over the thing.
I
can slide it out of turns, but it requires a lot more concentration, because you're walking a much thinner line.
The dirt is good because it'll go easily (The tire slide), and it's easy to control, which means that when you go to pavement you'll know what to do, but it's a lot harder because when it goes on pavement, it usually just snaps.
But it'll be easier because it's a supermoto.đź‘Ť
Don't try to find the limits right away, after you're comfortable with the bike then try sliding the rear a bit out of turns at low speed to feel how the tire reacts on pavement. The lean angle isn't really an issue because you can just send it down further, but again, after you've been riding it for a bit.
I'm guessing that the biggest thing you'll find different is how much front brake you'll have to use compared to the dirt.
In dirt you can run around pretty quick without ever touching the front brake, but you'll need to use it on the street, a lot.
On a supersports bike at a track, you don't even need to touch the back brake.
There is so much weight transfer that any use of the back brake will just make it the bike slide because the rear end is barely on the ground.
But it's a lot easier with a supermoto because there is less weight transfer, so it's like a middle ground between dirt, and a sports bike.
It won't just instantly lock the second you put pressure on it.
You can use the back brake to help steer the bike into a turn after you've gained more experience with it.
Best advice I can give is to go to a trackday. You'll be able to try and push you and your bike in a safe environment with experienced riders who can give you advice and help you out.
Plus it's really really really really fun.
I can't organize thoughts very well...