Husky TE610

[Snoopy]

Me and a mate are buying new bikes for a planned visit to cape town next year. I'll be selling the R1200GS and have been researching the best bike for my changing needs and it has come down to the KTM 690 Enduro or the Husky TE610.

With KTM's 2010 price hikes the second hand 690 Enduros are selling for more than what they were bought for, and the transmission isn't as low or wide. It doesn't have a rear frame.

I've settled on the Husky TE610 but the fuel injection model (08+). Problem is there is none for sale, a complete lack of dealers and so on. I'm not interested in the earlier model because mpg with today's fuel prices is a big concern for long distance riding.

Anyone know if they come up, were the new ones ever sold in the U.K?

The bike's supposed to be very reliable and ppl ranting about it's greatness on advrider etc ... http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45410&page=12

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

I run one for laning and Hill Climbing.

It's the same as the current FI model but carburated (ie not the earlier, lardy 610).

MPG is the same on both, well as close as it makes no practicle difference. (FI only there for emissions)

AFAIK they are currently only sold new in the UK as the SM version but why not speak to Huskysport, they will know for sure and also deal in 2nd hand Huskys.

Personally it wouldn't be my first choice for your intended use. It's quite light weight (not much of a rear subframe) and in a fairly high state of tune (needs frequent, decent oil, oil changes).
Great bike but needs a wee bit of mechanical sympathy and TLC - you'd feck it over in days

Andres

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

PS Get a 650GS

Andres

 

[Snoopy]

There's a significant difference between the mpg, same as there is between a 640Adv and the 690. Cruising the FI TE610 will do 70 (UK) mpg. Yours is reportedly around 40-45mpg (advrider reports).

They seem pretty bulletproof take a look at;

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=431849&page=20

I'm sold, if I can find one.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

That's the trouble, you believe everything you read on the tinternet (except me )

I don't need to check the link, I own, ride and race one.

Andres

 

[Snoopy]

Ah the TE630's are coming this month. Shame about the price.

I'll hold out for a FI 610.

What MPG are you saying you get with the old one?

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Oh, and as yer so well versed in the suitability of the bike I assume you know all about the issues with the output shafts on them

Andres

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

What MPG are you saying you get with the old one?

Dunno, I ride it, I put petrol in it - similar (or better) than my old DRZ though.

Andres

 

[Snoopy]

Husky Sport say 50 pieces were imported during 08/09 and they had 20 of them. They had a second hand one is a little while ago, sold in a week for £4750. The new 630 will be just over 6k. Not exactly cheap!

 

[Snoopy]

Dunno, I ride it, I put petrol in it - similar (or better) than my old DRZ though.

Andres

Backup a bit, how do you know the FI models are similar. It would appear you don't know what sort of MPG your own bike can get!

My DRZ "S" was very good 60-65mpg on the motorway at 70mph.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

I just know..............................

Why would they be significantly different

As I said, FI was put on purely for emissions reasons, no other engine mods made AFAIK.

It's splitting hairs really, any difference is not going to be significant in the real world, unless one gets off on reading and comparing spec sheets.

Andres

 

[Snoopy]

I may have to consider an earlier one, I'm not paying 6k for a dirt bike.

I haven't found anything about the engine output shaft but if it's anything similar to the DRZ output shaft issue ... loctite?

The TE has the gearbox, suspension and weight loss I need. I'm got a welder ready to do the rest...

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

I haven't found anything about the engine output shaft but if it's anything similar to the DRZ output shaft issue ... loctite?

Commonly reported (but yet to be experianced by me) is that the output shaft's splines are not properly hardened which results in the drive sprocket rounding off the drive shaft.

It's an engine split job or a bodge weld the sprocket on job

Andres

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Some more useless info about mine here:

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=185715

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=185715

Andres

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Follow Colebatch's lead and get a proper bike......................

As Ottomunch says.................the 610 ain't no overlander

660 Tenere
BMW 650

 

[Snoopy]

I know Husky's have a bad reputation but there is a growing following on adv-rider and a few other sites where people have taken the 610 on long distance adventure riding and had no issues to speak off.

It's simply a matter of boxes, and the 610 FI ticks all of them apart from tank capacity and fairing.

I had a 650 Dakar and I can tell you how well it works when things get tough ... it doesn't.

I can't trust my 1200 in middle Africa, as much as I like it in the U.K.

 

[Mr K]

I used to do TBEC (Trail Bike Enduro Club) events and there was a guy with a 610 Husky - He would lead every event and then the bike would alway expire before the end, every time.
It had a very small oil capacity and it was supposed to be changed every 10 minutes.

 

[Loiq]

what's wrong with them 1200, chumpy and his actor friend did alright with'em them bloke's from SA that rode them 4 adv up with pizza's to London did alright....

I can't see that an enduro geared machine which needs looking after is gonna be a reliable old stick when it gets messy....

but then what do I know...

I'd take a honda XL400r they should be alright....

 

[Mr K]

what's wrong with them 1200, chumpy and his actor friend did alright with'em them bloke's from SA that rode them 4 adv up with pizza's to London did alright....

I can't see that an enduro geared machine which needs looking after is gonna be a reliable old stick when it gets messy....

but then what do I know...

I'd take a honda XL400r they should be alright....

Good idea!

Get an XR400 - Honda reliable, loads of overlanding bits available.

Job's a carrot!*








*Whatever that means.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Or the 650 - VERY good bike to overland with

Andres