Husqvarna Sm610 Supermoto

HUSQVARNA SM610 SUPERMOTO

Cross-town 'crosser

Quick Ride

IT'S TAKEN FIVE YEARS for Husqvarna to come up with an answer to KTM'S Duke, but now the legendary Swedish marque has a hooligan bike to call its own. With parent company Cagiva's financial troubles resolved, devel opment of a new electric start Single has been completed, and the Husky SM610 Supermoto is the first beneficiary.

While sharing the same 98.0 x 76.4mm (577cc) dimensions as its predecessor, the new engine has been redesigned to include an electric starter, gear-driven balance shaft and a proper oil system with twin pumps and cartridge oil filter. Other changes include a reshaped combustion chamber, altered porting, revised ignition and valve timing, new airbox, closer-spaced six-speed

transmission and taller final gearing.

Husqvarna is reluctant to quote a power output, but given that the old engine delivered 50 horsepower, the new one should put out around 45 bhp. The SM610 definitely doesn’t have the outrageous bottom end and midrange zap of a Duke, or even of the old TE/TC610 motor. But factor in the new bike’s substantially increased dry weight (330 pounds, much of which is attributable to the catalytic converters in the dual mufflers), and it’s not surprising the Supermoto seems less lively. It is, however, a good bit more civilized, and

much smoother, with the only tingles arriving near the 7500rpm redline.

In belatedly following in its rival’s tire tracks, Husqvarna has produced an unabashed motocrosser with lights, with off-road styling similar to that of the TE610. The high-mounted fenders are suspended some way above the small 17-inch wheels, which are shod with fat Pirelli Dragon street tires. The Marzocchi 45mm fork is similarly setup for street work, with 11 inches of travel to soak up the rough stuff, and triple-rate springs that stop the front end diving unduly when you apply the brakes. The long aluminum swingarm is worthy of a Yamaha YZF-R l, and gives similar suspension response via the fully adjustable Sachs-Boge shock.

While wheelies don’t come as easily on the Husky as they do on the Duke, there’s no better bike for stoppies-thc Brembo four-piston front caliper is quite sensitive, and gives the kind of stopping power most street’crossers can only dream about. Handling-wise, the Husky's steering is perhaps a bit too light—I’d personally fit a narrower, flatter handlebar to reduce leverage, as well as to cut down the width for use on crowded city streets. Still, the Dragons do a good job of sticking to the road at unlikely lean angles, and you can always stick your foot out if it feels like you’re about to wash out, can’t you?

Anyway, this is a point ‘n’ squirt motorcycle par excellence, a smilebike supreme that sends you out into battle with a grin on your face that will still be there when you return from action. Just don’t expect to duke it out with a KTM, and you can go right on smiling.

-Alan Cathcart