Thinking about a Husky 610

[John_L]

Yeah, great bikes. Love mine. Go through the things that need addressing and ride them. I went through all the same, must fix/check this stuff with my DRZ and KLR650 prior to doing the same with my 06 610. Maintenance is key.

The only bike so far that has left me stranded in the middle of nowhere was my 2003 KLR650 (arguably one of the most bullet proof bikes there is) on my Alaska trip in 2005. Came home in a UHaul. Yes I had done the Doohickey and all the other things said that needed to be done to it and maintained it properly.

Stuff can happen to any machine. Things occasionally break.

I'm considering selling my TE currently for a 800xc, f800gs or 950/990 as my riding has changed some but would keep it if i could and might still if i can figure out a way.

Cheers and good luck.

[K7MDL]

Dave,

If you are looking at the 610 more for ORV park/ST type riding, there are better choices. The 610 is heavy enough and hard enough to get a good lift hold on that pulling it back on a trial is difficult. Same for trying top push it up a steep stream bank. My riding style on trails with a 610 is all about planning ahead and not making mistakes. When I look at a challenge section I estimate how expensive it is - for parts, for the effort of getting it back upright or towed back to the truck, or my body. On the 450 you pretty much just ride with much less concern and more nimble for sure. It is far easier to get a good grip and lift the back tire or drag it back onto a path.

From your limited description it was focused on the ORV/ST question. Are you planning to trailer/truck it to the trails? Certainly if you have no truck or trailer and plan to ride to the trails and back home 30 minutes or more on highway, than the 610 will be a decent compromise, but make sure you are not riding alone on the trails and I would avoid the ones with steep tight switchbacks. Foggy Dew near Chelan for example I would not want the 610 on. Can it be done? Sure. It is one hour from my place to Walker Valley each way. The ride up on the 610 is no problem. The 450 gets trailered, just no fun to highway ride it up there and back.

I ended up with both a 450 and 610 since I did enough desert and forest road oriented 200+ mile rides with highway included to make a 450 a poor choice but also do gnarly single track with connecting roads or forest roads that make the 610 not a great option. Sometimes it is tough to choose. One thing that is not tough to choose though - commuting 35 minutes to work from near Monroe to Redmond is a job for the 610 - it is actually fun and comfortable. I even have power for heated gear and use it. The 450 is not fun at all on that route and cannot run heated gear. Both bikes (like most all stock DS bikes) need lighting upgrades for road use.

I think there is a pattern here.:-)

But do not underestimate its weight or single person recovery characteristics. Far better than a KLR, but a handful when you make a mistake on the trail.

I really do love my 610, but only for the occasional ST side trip, not when ST is the reason for the trip.

[nw scout]

Guy just came out tonight and bought my XR sooooo......
Just couldn't pass this beauty up. Picking her up on Monday





950 miles and looks like new.
Hell, with all the little goodies I think it just may be better than new

Thanks again for the help and info guys

[XR4EVER]

That's a good lookin' bike!

But still no XR.

[John_L]

Awesome and congrats, you'll love it.

cheers John

[clapped_r6]

for nuts and bolts stuff
http://www.cafehusky.com/

[Almost There]

Nice bike Dave. If you haven't already talk to Ronaldo. Pretty sure he has the same bike.

[bensgone]

Doooooood! That's nice! Alley sweeper?

[wachs]

Cool Husky man! I've ridden with a bunch of those and they always made it back to the barn, nice looking bike, congratulations.

[Dr Klaun]

Very nice and clean bike! Congrat's

[nw scout]

Just brought her home
and now the XR is gone



Sure wish I could have kept the XR, but I think the TE will suite my needs a little better.

I was suprised to see a few things
The seat hight on the te is actually a little higher than the XR, it has more ground clearance and it is way longer!
I new it was a little longer but its at least 6 inches longer for the wheel base.

Now its time to start planing for this summers adventures.
OBDR is on the ever growing list

[mrphotoman]

Man that thing is almost too good looking to get dirty. Love it

[Road Rash]

Nice.................let me know when ya wanna go up check out the snow level

[nw scout]

Got out for a quick rip today while the kids were in school.

Boy is thing going to be fun!

[Watercat]

Consider replacing the stock seat and the headlight; Those were the first upgrades i did . . . . . . .