Husqvarna adventure bike!

[young1]

I see this new bike has been mentioned on the net. Here is one link (no pictures unfort)

http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2011/02/husqvarna-adventure-tourer-bmw-maxi-scooters-coming-this-year/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HellForLeather+%28Hell+For+Le ather%29

Where I saw the info during the week (and can't find the link to that now) the BMW guy said that the bike will be more dirt orientated than the BMW 800 GS - edit here is the page that said it http://www.autoevolution.com/news/husqvarna-preps-new-adventure-touring-streetbike-for-eicma-2011-31810.html

Something to hopefully look forward to.

M

[Waihou Thumper]

It is a shame....Husqvarna have more than capeable bikes on the market but unfortunately have not aided the owners with after market things, most importantly, a larger tank! After market -yes, but still cannot do a decent touring range...The Te610 is awesome, the new model is nice too....great skills in manufacturing apart from the non adjustable front forks on the Te which has been bitched about by half the USA and Canada....:)
The Te610 has everything the KTM690 has, and if I had the opportunity, the Husky would win.....Parts for one, not the choice but the mere timeframe of availability...:)
Case in point, a $2.00 Water Pump washer is only available ex Austria....Ow, time is the issue. Not price.
Husky....48-96 hours.....In fact, the last KTM part I required, rather expensive was a Husky procurred item.
That in itself gives these guys a :niceone: from me......
Although Boyd's ARE awesome...:) No issues there Greg!
I do hope they produce a great bike......I seem to recall they were great for sewing machines when I was 13 and looking at a motocross event.:msn-wink:.....Kneive boy I was.

[.chris]

One major problem I see, is will they even bring them to NZ?

I wanted a TE610, but husky nz did not bring any into the country, and apparently was not even an option for them to import one even tho I wanted to purchase.
I imagine the case is probably the same at the moment for the 630 or maybe we would have seen someone riding one?

[jafar]

One major problem I see, is will they even bring them to NZ?

I wanted a TE610, but husky nz did not bring any into the country, and apparently was not even an option for them to import one even tho I wanted to purchase.
I imagine the case is probably the same at the moment for the 630 or maybe we would have seen someone riding one?

It is the same for the TE630, they have only brought in the SMR & are struggling to sell them... they are $3000.00 dearer than the Honda hornet.:eek:

When pushed for a TE630 one dealer told me that I could buy the SMR & put some dirt wheels on it (at extra cost) as that was the nearest I could get to the TE in NZ..... Husky have missed the mark here.:weird:

[Pampera]

One major problem I see, is will they even bring them to NZ?

I wanted a TE610, but husky nz did not bring any into the country, and apparently was not even an option for them to import one even tho I wanted to purchase.
I imagine the case is probably the same at the moment for the 630 or maybe we would have seen someone riding one?

Motorad has/had the current 630 (or whatever the 610 replacement is called) road legal or dual purpose bike in stock a few weeks ago. I sat on it. About $14,000.

Michael

[.chris]

Motorad has/had the current 630 (or whatever the 610 replacement is called) road legal or dual purpose bike in stock a few weeks ago. I sat on it. About $14,000.

Michael

That is good news, sounds like husky might have realised they are a pretty good bike for nz.

[jezzaNZ]

[QUOTE=NZKTM;1129998112][I][COLOR=darkorange]It is a shame....Husqvarna have more than capeable bikes on the market but unfortunately have not aided the owners with after market things, most importantly, a larger tank! After market -yes, but still cannot do a decent touring range...

I have a 2005 TE510 that I rode in the DB1K this year and with my $300 Aussie $ 15 ltr IMS tank from just tanks in the US I was getting 300km's a tank over some pretty rough ground.....I have owned many KTM's and currently have one in the garage, but can't fault the Husky as a cheaper option to a KTM for more extream adv riding.

Many parts are interchangeable with KTM/Husaberg for example so with a bit of lateral thinking parts are not too big a problem.

However not sure you can put the 630 and 690 in the same sentance if comparing bikes IMO. I have seen the 630 in Aussie on the shop floors and not so sure it is in the same league as the KTM....but at about 4k cheaper (in Aussie $) you would be silly to discount it if looking for a new bike. IMO the 690 is more capable offroad than the big Husky.

Just my 2 cents worth.......

[warewolf]

There's been comments on advrider from those intimately familiar with LC4s that the TE610 is a bit better bike than the 640 Enduro, for both technical work and on-road. Enough to make me take notice, put it that way. If the TE630 is an improved 610 at $4K less, I'd struggle to buy a 690 - given neither is a focused adventure bike but rather a durable trailie.

[Edit: blardy crappy web data. One site lists the TE630 as 150kg dry !!! another at 115kg... more like it.]

[NordieBoy]

[Edit: blardy crappy web data. One site lists the TE630 as 150kg dry !!! another at 115kg... more like it.]

115!

My 350 is rated at 114kg dry.

I would have thought around 140 dry.


EDIT: Most seem to rate it from 145-150kg dry.
Down to 140 with an aftermarket exhaust then.

[warewolf]

EDIT: Most seem to rate it from 145-150kg dry.That's getting up there. The TE610 was <140kg dry. My 640A is about 150kg ish dry, and it's got all the heavy fairing support, glass headlights, fcken heavy 26L tank, rack, bash plate, centrestand, twin road-sized front discs etc etc as standard.

All the 4T EXCs are around 115kg half-dry, was thinking more in that line for the 610 but I s'pose the other TEs will be close to that.

[marks]

That's getting up there. The TE610 was <140kg dry. My 640A is about 150kg ish dry, and it's got all the heavy fairing support, glass headlights, fcken heavy 26L tank, rack, bash plate, centrestand, twin road-sized front discs etc etc as standard.

All the 4T EXCs are around 115kg half-dry, was thinking more in that line for the 610 but I s'pose the other TEs will be close to that.

bloody ktm showoff - some of us bigger boned bike owners would consider 140 kg as verging on anorexic

seriously though ...
don't you think you need a certain amount of weight (say 140-150 kg) to give the bike a 'settled nature' on the road and to carry luggage without becoming unbalanced?

[rogerh]

don't you think you need a certain amount of weight (say 140-150 kg) to give the bike a 'settled nature' on the road and to carry luggage without becoming unbalanced?

I find this to be true. My LC4E weighs in at just over 140 (after quite a bit of lightening, but I would not want it to be much lighter on the road, as it does feel a bit "flighty" after a long day on the road. Luggage does hold it down well for that.

This does not stop me from often wanting it to be lighter off road. Maybe I should not be at the very extremes of these, but isn't everything about compromise on a 650 class dual sport?

Cant have everything all the time.

[warewolf]

seriously though ...
don't you think you need a certain amount of weight (say 140-150 kg) to give the bike a 'settled nature' on the road and to carry luggage without becoming unbalanced?Good question, but in a word: no.

Settled, to me, comes from having suspension that works. I'd rather have a light bike with suspension that yields appropriately, than a heavy bike in an attempt to overcome lousy suspension. But there could be some historical influence in that: I started riding on a 116kg bike with a 16" front wheel. 'Pub talk' says that ppl who start on 16-inchers like a quick-steering bike whereas those who didn't think 16s are evil handling twitchy uncontrollable death traps. But to be fair, flighty/twitchy is more about steering geometry than weight. I've done lots of touring on 115-120kg 200-250cc bikes and I've never wished I was on something heavier. More powerful, at times yes; heavier, never.

Light bikes are simply more fun to chuck through corners, and I don't live to ride the straight bits. I can ride a light weight bike that requires input all day, but a heavy bike just knackers me - so in the end I guess I'd be thankful it's more stable? :scratch:

I've never noticed luggage upsetting, unsettling or unbalancing a light bike. However at the other end of the scale it has pushed a barely manageable heavy bike into whoa! momma! territory. :eek:

[rogerh]

Don't know what it is (Suspension, power, weight, getting knocked around by wind, or anything else for that matter), but my impression is that the lighter bikes just need more "input" (???). It may just be more mental energy???

Many years ago I did pretty long distances on a pretty wide variety of bikes. Two that come to mind are a TS185 vs an XR500A, and my memory of the ends of 500k + days was that the XR was much less work / more fun than the TS.

I also find now that my 640, at higher speeds on tar, is just starting to feel "light" in the front without much luggage. Seems to sit down a bit better with the luggage.

As an aside, with the alloy panniers, the whole setup really does not like "dirty air" following trucks or even vans, and the steering is a lot more stable in clean air.

Looking again at all the above, I think there are possibly a variety of causes there, but my overall impression remains that weight can be a plus for stability on the boring bits on the tar.

But I am still not going to buy a KLR Mark :bleh:

The Husky looks like a much better proposition to me. I am not that fussy and would live with either the 610 or the 630.... Lucky the difference is only money, and money doesn't matter. It is what I want that is important......:rolleyes:

[Eddieb]

bloody ktm showoff - some of us bigger boned bike owners would consider 140 kg as verging on anorexic

seriously though ...
don't you think you need a certain amount of weight (say 140-150 kg) to give the bike a 'settled nature' on the road and to carry luggage without becoming unbalanced?

For some of us, like ex BMW riders 140kg is positively skeletal.

I've always agreed with the weight sentiment, within reason. I rode a 350kg Suzuki cruiser once and that was right out the opposite end of the scale.

Now that I have a tiny bike I'm waiting to see if my perception on the weight changes, I haven't ridden it in anything less than perfect weather yet to test the theory out.

[warewolf]

Triumph all but ballasted up the Rocket III to 320kg, as their target market (cruiser-lovin' yanks) considered anything less to be a 'lightweight'. :eek:

[Taz]

Advertised dry weights on bikes are always a little optimistic. My 525 in adv trim with half a tank of fuel (6 odd Litres) was 124kg, Cary's XR650 was around 130 odd with a similar fuel load.

[marks]

Good question, but in a word: no.

Settled, to me, comes from having suspension that works. I'd rather have a light bike with suspension that yields appropriately, than a heavy bike in an attempt to overcome lousy suspension. But there could be some historical influence in that: I started riding on a 116kg bike with a 16" front wheel. 'Pub talk' says that ppl who start on 16-inchers like a quick-steering bike whereas those who didn't think 16s are evil handling twitchy uncontrollable death traps. But to be fair, flighty/twitchy is more about steering geometry than weight. I've done lots of touring on 115-120kg 200-250cc bikes and I've never wished I was on something heavier. More powerful, at times yes; heavier, never.

Light bikes are simply more fun to chuck through corners, and I don't live to ride the straight bits. I can ride a light weight bike that requires input all day, but a heavy bike just knackers me - so in the end I guess I'd be thankful it's more stable? :scratch:

I've never noticed luggage upsetting, unsettling or unbalancing a light bike. However at the other end of the scale it has pushed a barely manageable heavy bike into whoa! momma! territory. :eek:

load up the DT230 with luggage and the tail wagged the dog, load up the KLR with luggage and it says 'luggage? - wot frickin luggage?"

suspension isnt the only major factor. How much the bike moves around in response to wind and airflow from passing vehicles is significantly influenced by weight. The more open a corner the more fun a bigger bike is. I tended to wobble a bit around faster open corners on the DT whereas the KLR is like its on rails.

Personally I think the 640A is the perfect size/weight/suspension/power compromise for an adventure bike (defined as "I look forward to riding it 500km of back roads and then riding big river or porika etc etc") - pity the engine such a paint mixer and doesn't lug well.

to each their own :)

[warewolf]

The more open a corner the more fun a bigger bike is.Yep. Which one is more fun over the Whangamoas or Takaka Hill? :devil2:

The worst bike I've had for reacting badly to the wind/airflow was also the heaviest. It was also the hardest to correct in a knock or lull.

It would be interesting to look at the geometry of the DT vs KLR - I bet the DT is set up sharper which would explain the difference in stability. You're right, it's not just weight, tyres also have an influence there. Years ago I had a set of Bridgestone Battlax BT54s on the Triumph Trophy, they were quick in tight slow corners but a nightmare in fast sweepers. Next set were Michelin Macadam 90Xs, and they were slightly slower in the slow stuff, but superbly stable in the fast sweepers - still sweet at 50% faster than I was game with the BT54s!!

The 640 ain't for everyone, that's for sure. It's a heckuva lot more luggable uncorked which makes it much nicer in the steep technical snot, but I really don't worry about what happens < 2500rpm when there's another 6000rpm above that to play with.

A DT230 is on my shortlist of bikes I want. :niceone:

[Woodman]

Its weird cos my klr is sooo much nicer on the road with luggage on the back and a full tank. Off road its a pig.

[rogerh]

pity the engine such a paint mixer and doesn't lug well.


A paint mixer it surely is, but put an FCR on it, and it will lug just fine. Mine pulls from well below idle. Gets me out of all sorts of crap off road.

I love a forgiving bike :love:

Crashes way better than anything I have ever owned too. Should I shut up now.....

[Eddieb]

A paint mixer it surely is, but put an FCR on it, and it will lug just fine. Mine pulls from well below idle. Gets me out of all sorts of crap off road.


After riding Nordies' FCR equipped DR it's amazing how much difference the carb makes.