....I ran across a 2006 Husqvarna SMR510 on the local Craigslist for $4,200.00. The bike looks absolutely perfect. I've got to admit, I am head over heals in lust with this bike, but don't have any idea what to expect. I currently ride a SV1000S and love the utter reliability of the bike. I had originally fallen in lust with a Ducati Monster, but steered toward the SV due to it's just "add gas and every so often count the tires" maintenance schedule vs the frequent and expensive maintenance requirements of the Ducati. Is the Husky a lot like that? Should I be instead looking at a Japanese thumper? Inquireing minds want to know...
This is pretty much a competition machine with the service schedule to go with it. Not the most reliable track record either, my buddies Huskie SMR450 needed a crank rebuild after 82 hours.
Yah,its not gonna be like an SV. But....... as a sunday morning Yee-Haw wheelie out of tight corners sort of bike it could be an absolute kick in the ass! Not all bikes are meant to run forever like a Goldwing,but the hooligan bikes are the ones that leave memories.
That's a great looking bike, but I too want reliability. I've heard nothing but good about the Suzuki DRZ400SM. You might research one of those. It isn't that difficult to build your own big SM. You could start with a Honda or Suzuki 650 if you want something that can lay down highway miles. Granted, they aren't quite as sexy as the Husky, but what good is sexy if it's in the shop? DRZ400SM XR650 DR650
the thing about the DRZ (i own one, S version, but bascially the same bike with different wheels), is that it just doesn't have much power. in every other way, it is a great city hooligan bike. but the lack of power really takes away from the shit-eating-grin-fun factor, imho. it can be fixed with a big bore kit, FCR carb, and pipe, but that adds quite a bit to the price tag. it is as reliable as a fence post, though...requires about as much maintenance, too. if i were starting from scratch looking to build/buy a SM, i'd look at that husky. i'd also look for a used KTM 525/530 exc (or plated xc-w) and put sumo wheels on it.
Crack the throttle & it'll pull your arms out Mines been mostly problem free & the engine runs like a dream, if a little vibey on the road through the hand grips. With my dualsport gearing it'll easily cruise at 65 mph all day long, crack the throttle & it gets to ludicrous speed in a hurry. Only real issue has been a leaking oil line (easy fix) & needed a new clutch slave (easy fix, bought a Zip-ty unit). Ohh and my kickstand snapped (another easy fix with a welder). Oil changes every 500 to 1000 miles depending on the terrain I've been on. In extreme dusty conditions I'll change it even earlier if I can, but not greatly concerned.
I had 3 06 450s, all needed crank rebulds at around 100-120 hours. 2 needed cases too as the cranks kinda spider web cracked them around the bearings. Stunning performance but the KTMs will last forever compared to these. Glass big end bearings and the cases are frail.
I have a 08 TE510 has over 6000 miles on it & runs like a raped ape I also have a DRZ400 it doe snot come close to the Husky in power or fun to ride
....I was kinda afraid of that. The Husky is drop dead gorgeous, but beauty while torn apart at the shop won't cut it. My toys need to work with minimal fuss. Guess I'm more of an XR, WR, DRZ kinda guy....
If you want a high performance/light weight supermoto that holds up, get a Husaberg FS570. Of course they still require more frequent oil changes than the 50-100 lbs heavier Jap bikes a la DRZ/DR/WRR etc, but those take less than 10 minutes, and the engine is solid, even at 60 HP.
Seriously, it is total BS. Where did you read that anyway? Here is the page from the service manual that shows splitting the cases. The cylinder gets removed many steps before that, just like on most (all?) single cylinder engines.
Didn't the old Burgs have a drop in cylinder liner??? Or was that Cannondale,,, yeah, the 440 iirc wasn't it? Cassette trans and oddball cylinder that might have required case splitting but it was a wierd design.
XRR if you can plate it where you live. It's what I'd have instead of a Husky if I could reliably transfer and keep a plate in Cali.