2006 Husqvarna SMR450 - who's ridden one??

[HB169]

"The 2006 Husqvarna Supermoto lineup is going to revolutionize motorcycling". That's what all the press said when it was announced. Has anyone ridden one?? What's it like?

I'm dying to hear some news about this thing. Did anyone have trouble making it street legal as claimed?

Does it make as much power as the Honda?

Thanks,

Tim

[ScottyR]

I have an 06 450SMR and I love it. It is very fast for a 450 and it handles and brakes awesome!

[bruff]

Fun, fun fun. There is no "making" it street legal because it is right from the factory just like any streetbike.

[ccrrbb]

I got an '06 510 in April so it may not be exactly the response you're looking for, but I love it! I've been riding a loooong time and have a had well over 30 motorcycles (there are currently 6 in my garage -- '02 R1, '04 SV650, '67 Triumph TT, '03 XR400, '73 Husky CR250 to name a few) and the 510 is by far the most fun.

That being said, I must say that I live near the mountains over Malibu and the roads near me are perfect for the bike -- tight, twisty and often dirty. The thing just works.

Would I be as happy with a KTM or modded Jap bike? No doubt. But if you do the math, you can't touch the package Husky offers for anywhere close to the money. And being street legal from the manufacturer in California is a huge plus.

Even though I'm an old codger, I still do track days, American Supercamps, even the occassional offroad race at Glen Helen. Grange is next as soon as it drops below 100 degrees out there. Not bragging, just trying to let you know that I don't just put around. I ride the thing hard. And so far --1,200 miles -- the Husky has been bulletproof.

Two thumbs up.

[RLucky82]

I just purchased my SMR510 on Saturday, the only difference between the 450 and the 510 is the stroke distance. The bikes are steet legal from the factory!

So far I can tell you the the brakes and the handling are superb and since I am actually doing a proper break-in I can't tell yet if the power is the same as my KTM 525SX/SM. As for the street (and much to my suprise) its way better then my WR400 was ? ...can't wait to pin it!

[siambxr]

Still getting to know my 06 .. can't seem to ride it as fast as my 04 ... perhaps I'm still getting to know it. don't know what to bring to the track this Sunday the 04 or the 06 ? ? it's not a bad bike...

[HB169]

Guys, keep the feedback coming. I'm this close to buying one of these things. The lack of reviews and feedback is an issue. Everyone has an opinion on the CRF's, noone seems to know an SMR.

Someone a Shannonville suggested that they are tempermental bikes, and very sensitive to environmental changes and carb settings. Would you agree?

[RLucky82]

there is nothing really to complain about its smoother and more stable then my 525sx/SM and now that I have 100miles @ 4hours all I need to do is an oil change and I cant test power head to head with the KTM. Its amazing how fast it starts, on the rare occasion that it doesn't start in the first 1/4 second I start to think "uh oh, whats wrong with my bike?" The only thing I don't like is the head light is pointing right at the ground.

[NateTheGreat]

and since I am actually doing a proper break-in I can't tell yet if the power is the same as my KTM 525SX/SM. As for the street (and much to my suprise) its way better then my WR400 was ? ...can't wait to pin it!

You mean your doing the "Manufacturer recommended break in". I wouldn't call it proper. Not to get too far off topic....

I haven't even tried the Husky. I'd like to one of these days. But I have ridden the Aprilia 450. Now thats a bike worth waiting for to come out in street legal trim if you can wait for 07. Absolutely amazing and loads o fun. Don't cross it off your list. Its not much more money. Sounds like you need a test ride on a Husky though.

[Eric Landstrom]

There are two write ups about the '06 SM450R in the latest issue of Supermoto Racer. One write-up is in a seven bike shoot-out where the Husky did well in track-testing. The second write-up is a shootout against the Suzuki SM of all things (Suzuki is more comfortable, better for commuting; Husky more fun, better at everything, testers want a Husky for themselves, and so on).

[Eric Landstrom]

Still getting to know my 06 .. can't seem to ride it as fast as my 04 ... perhaps I'm still getting to know it. don't know what to bring to the track this Sunday the 04 or the 06 ? ? it's not a bad bike...

Siam, slap you '04 plastic, seat, and tank on it. The narrower seat makes the bike feel so small that its a toy.

[mike_dean]

I've got an 06 510, and Ive ridden an 06 450, both very similiar, the 510 more bottom end, otherwise the same bike, I love my bike, only ride 20 miles of twisty wisconsin back roads to work. Can't wait to get to the track. Mine has 15 hrs on it now just oil changes and an o-ring behind waterpump assy, the bike is now loosening up and runs much better. Going the MX track tomorrow with the YZ426F and the SMR, going to ride the SMR on the short flattrack. I've done the ussual mods, throttle stop, acell pump limiter, remove evap emissions, have an Arrow exhaust arriving tues. So far I love this bike. Mike

[supermotoxray]

I currently own a 05' DRZ400SM but I wanted to take the Husky 450 for a ride and now that there is actually a dealer here in Wisconsin i got the chance to a few weeks ago. Put it this way, my drz's days are now numbered. The husky is so much faster and lighter I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. That thing pulls harder in 4th than a drz in 1st. The only thing that worries me about it is how it'll preform in stop and go traffic. If it boils over at every stop light I don't want one, but if its reasonable there will be one in my garage soon, unless an aprilia actually makes it to the united states this year.

[Steve Laue]

I own a street legal (fully de-restricted) '06 SMR450 here in Australia and let me tell you, this thing is a blast. I've got 6 hours on her now and she gets better with every hour. I did an oil change at 3 hours and am about to do another just to be safe. The bike is a rocket yet to my surprise, is docile amd sweet in traffic with no boiling over (if stuck at lights for more than 5 mins, just switch it off) or any other probs. I took it down the highway for half and hour letting it range betwen 90 kph and 120 kph and she just boogied on down the road with little vibration to speak of - shweeet! Starts first time, every time - just use the cold start button, giver her a few pumps on the throtle and she's away - doing 45 miles per gallon too!

The seat is a little hard yet it didn't give me a sore bum, just kinda felt hard and that was it. Handling is amazing, just turn your head and she'll follow.

I've had a lot of supermotos and was a little worried about the tight maintenance schedule to begin with but really, an oil change takes 20 minutes, so no big deal (however, synthetic racing oil is expensibe 'down under').

The thing to remember is that the R&D guys at Husky and MV Augusta really went to town on the SMR 450 for the 06 year model and are justifiably proud of bringing out a "formula 1 with number plates" that is both reliable and very involving to own.

My son has a DRZ400SM and had one ride of my SMR450 and was last seen trading in his toy Suzook for a Husky!!

Get one, you'll really love it!