Steel single tube cradle (round tubes);
rear frame in light alloy
Front Suspension
50 mm Marzocchi Upside-Down telescopic hydraulic
fork with advanced axle; compression and rebound stroke adjustment
Front Wheel Travel
250 mm / 9.8 in
Rear Suspension
Progressive 'Soft Damp' type with single
hydraulic shock absorber; spring preload adjustment, compression and rebound
adjustment (compression stroke: double adjustment) preload adjustment,
compression and rebound adjustment (compression stroke: double adjustment)
Once you finally end up in its seat the first thing you’ll do is wonder
if that is even a seat because, as the manufacturer claims, these things are
supposed to stand as commuters apart from track machines, but I have serious
doubts this goal is being completed. Frankly, you won’t last more than an
hour while going from point A to point B. If there are some stop lights in
the middle, you will seriously crave for some weekend track activities to
clean out the five days of nightmare if you indeed go for it and buy this
thing for the commuting purpose.
A single push of a button is required in order to get the engine started and
it is recommended to let it worm up a bit given to the fact that these are
purely accelerating machines with awesome throttle response so the engine
would have to operate at just the right temperature.
I first got on the SM 450 R and gave it a go in the environment that it most
hates: the city. I don’t know if this was a test for the bike or for the
biker, but I do know that this is not the ace it kept hidden in its sleeve.
The four-stroke, four valves, DOHC, liquid cooled single cylinder was
strongly revised for 2008 model year and it now features brand new camshafts
which perform spotless on also new titanium valves. It all results in great
throttle response and better reliability. Generously open the throttle out
of the corners and you’ll see what Motards are all about as the front wheel
will have trouble staying on the ground. That is mostly due to the brand new
electronic fuel injection. Developed in collaboration with Mikuni, the
system, together with the previously mentioned DOHC valve opening system
will have your arm muscles ripped in a split second.
The great advantage that both the 450 and 510 SM models have
is the lightweight that characterizes them. At only 260.1 lbs, a piece of
machinery that produces approximately 54 HP (450) or even more, 60 HP (510)
will put an end to any challenge when the red light turns great. Other
motorcycles won’t stand a chance thanks to the impressive power to weight
ratio that characterizes the two Husky bikes. Performance numbers weren’t
released, but you can make a pretty good idea of how all that performance if
being valued by an expert rider on a closed course track.
Also on the track, not only the engine will prove its best when the straight
line will invite you to widely open the throttle, but the entire equipment
fitted on this bike will have you amazed in an instant.
The frame is versatility itself so it will prove competitive on any given
conditions, but on the track a rider will feel well at home and constantly
invited to lean more and more with even more speed and notice how confident
is the feedback provided by the frame’s new geometry.
Contributing to the impressive riding feel and at the way these things
corner is the Marzocchi forks with new calibration and finish and the new
Sachs shock absorber featuring 18 mm piston and valve system. For the track,
the front end seemed a bit too soft, while the rear end made things a little
hard on my lower back so I took off two clicks from the compression damping
on the rear shock and immediately sorted things out. I could now ride even
more confidently and ride a bit more comfortably.
Did I mention the brakes? Absolutely wonderful! I have no objections
whatsoever related to the 320mm front respectively 240mm rear Brembo brakes.
Not for the faith hearted! Revving the engine higher and higher when a tight
corner approaches will actually determine your conservation instinct to kick
in as you will find yourself hitting the brakes in the very last possible
moment. But that is no problem for the Brembo brakes. It slows down
extremely sharp and powerful, making sure that you’re in again for some
arm-ripping accelerating fun.
And on the SM 510 R everything is taken a step forward as you would expect.
Even though the chassis is the same and the wonderful brakes keep doing
their job wonderfully, the engine is the one that does all the difference.
In fact, not even the engine, but the bigger stroke is the element that
clearly says its word.
Wonderful new bikes has Husqvarna delivered and if you don’t plan on riding
the one you choose to work, but simply for fun on twisty roads, or even on a
Supermoto track, you will reach to the conclusion that there was no better
choice for you to make.
The answer is on everyone’s lips so I would like to hear it
from you. How do things like the power to weight ratio, brakes and chassis
work for you? I know they were spotless in my case, but the seat had given
me a very hard time, so I am always waiting for second thoughts.