Reviews and Tech Tips
Bike Barn Test: 2007 Husqvarna TE610
Our First REAL test of Husqvarna’s TE610 Dual-Sport Bike. • Video Link to single track
• Another Link to more video
I realize I have a very biased opinion when it comes to testing our own 2007 Husqvarna TE610, but let’s face it; I rode this bike for 3 days and 400 miles with probably no more than 10% black-top in front of 10 other riders who don’t work for Bike Barn. We all saw what we all went through and I am very pleased to state that the 610 was added to my list of bikes I would like to have in my own garage. You may still think I shouldn’t write a test on a bike we sell…but in this article you will also see me state the negatives and even some positives of other bikes that are after the same market-share.
A little of my background first…I, with my business partner, opened Bike Barn almost 2 years ago. We sold many of our personal belongings, including our personal off-road bikes to help finance the business. While it’s still a tough business, we are plugging along at a good pace and I feel, making the right moves…that being said; I am still without my “own” ride. I ride our demo bikes, which may seem fine for most of you, however, it is different when you know the bike you’re riding is not yours, it belongs to the business, so personal touches are out of the question and in order to stay ahead of the cash flow game, these demos need to sell. One day, I will be able to afford my own bike again, until then…
My usual bike of choice to ride out of our demo fleet is our 2006 FE450 Husaberg...Light, Nimble, Fast, and Smooth…I like our Berg Demos.
Unfortunately our Demo program with Husqvarna is not quite the same, so our only Husky Demo bike at this point is the TE610.
I was apprehensive about riding this bike because I rode the same trip last year and remember some of the nasty sections, the long power-slides through scary corners and the fact that everyone on the trip last year…HAULED BUTT. Last year I was on a light-weight fuel-injected 450. This year, the bike I’m riding will be a claimed 65 lbs (dry-weight) heavier but with almost a 4 gallon gas tank…YIKES!!!
I HAD A BLAST…THIS BIKE ROCKED (even when being rocked)
I was designated “helmet-cam” guy with the responsibility of trying to keep up with 10 other riders of varying skill levels, anywhere from Expert to Beginner…I know, it sounds cliché, but it’s true, we had a couple of expert riders and a couple of beginner riders and everything in between. Trying to catch the Expert riders in some sections was impossible, in other sections VERY SCARY and riding with the beginner riders was testing the bike in a completely different light…more on that later.
Keep in mind…other than a quick ride (1-2 miles), this 400 mile trip is my first real ride aboard the 2007 Husqvarna TE610.
The ride started with the longest pavement section of the ride and I must say the 610 rode beautifully. Cruising down the freeway at 70+ was not a problem; In fact, I found the bike almost lugging too low when shifting into 6th at 65 mph. On a tight twisty two-lane, this bike handled very well in corners and didn’t do anything strange. Smooth, yet ample power allowed me some fun too. I don’t ride street, so my cornering skills were not the best. My turn timing and line holding was probably scaring other riders, but I still had fun. The Metzler Karroo Tires were smooth enough to handle the corners with just enough knobby to keep my mind at ease when gravel appeared.
Much of the ride was on backcountry fire roads and 2-track. This is where the TE610 SHINES like no other I’ve ridden. Husqvarna does not include the TE610 in their Enduro Line-up. When you look at their marketing brochures or cut-sheets, they have a separate sheet for “Dual-Sport” and this 2007 Husqvarna TE610 is the only bike on that cut-sheet.
The Husky TE610 loves to be pitched sideways and throttled. In fact, the TE610 did so well in power slides, I found myself trying to power slide in sections I really shouldn’t. When you go into a corner HOT and the ass-end kicks around, just twist that right hand and enjoy the ride. The Marzzochi/Sachs suspension, the half worn Metzler Karroos and the smooth power delivery really worked great together as if the bike was set-up specifically for me (we haven’t touched a clicker). Granted, I’m no pro, or even expert for that matter, so there may be some issues that my level of riding does not pick-up, but again, this is a “Dual-Sport” bike.
The power delivery of the bike is so nice and smooth that some may think the bike is underpowered on the pavement…off-road, it kicks butt. Again, we haven’t touched a thing on this bike…so even the Carbon Canister is still connected and the power was GREAT!!! I’ve been told that the TE610 will put 55 hp to the rear wheel. I don’t know if that’s true, or if that’s corked (as it is) or un-corked and re-piped, but after riding this bike, I believe it is close.
The Backcountry Discovery Ride put on by Oregon Motorcycle Adventures, places us into some of Oregon’s nicest single-track. This is where I would have liked to see some up-grades to the bike. While not really noticed on other sections of the ride, the single-track sections are where I noticed the lack of a Hydraulic Clutch. I stalled the bike a few times while riding hot and realized that I actually needed to make a clutch adjustment. I haven’t had to adjust a cable clutch in years, so doing this again surprised me, however, once some on-the-fly adjustments were made, the TE610 had no other stalling issues.
I put this Husqvarna in some interesting scenarios on this trip…1.While filming, a rider just in front and to my left lost control and was just about to go under me; some evasive maneuvers and the bikes good manners pulled me through un-scathed. 2. In a couple of straight dirt sections (don’t try this at home), I had the TE610 over 100 mph…not a single speed-wobble or strange waver…SOLID. 3. Trying to keep up with a CRF250X on some tight Single Track, I overshot a few corners, however for the most part the big bike did just fine. The only set-backs were my riding ability, and the lack of serious knobbies, of course a Hydraulic clutch would be nice too. 4. Again, because I was filming other riders, I had to stay just behind and in-between riders in order to stay clear of dust, but also to get some good footage. The Husky TE610 took a ROCK BEATING!!!, these other guys don’t play nice!!!…somehow I managed to come through un-injured (no doubt because of my chest protector, etc), but the amazing thing is, so did the TE610. Even the headlight lens is in-tact. I can’t say the same for a 525 KTM or a 550 Husaberg that were also on this trip. 5. After a fast 60-70 mph rutted 2-track section the trail climbed a slight rise, crested the rise, only to surprise me with a T in the trail….YIKES!!!!!...needless to say the riders that arrived at this “T” before us, having the same fate, decided to wait and watch…Binders locked, I went into the trees…but came out in 1 piece. Of course, I look over and see 2 riders slapping their knees and doubling over with laughter.
On a couple of occasions, I would switch with other riders to give them a try at the Husky. On one of these occasions, I had to ride a very basic, stock and un-interesting DRZ400S…yes, that’s right, an S model. To my disappointment, I had fun on this bike too. The DRZ did everything well but nothing great. A little down on power, but the suspension soaked up everything and it didn’t deflect weird or push in corners…I was shocked. I did notice the DRZ-S did not like being sideways like the 610; however, this must have something to do with the bikes ergos and suspension geometry. In fact, if you tried to pitch the DRZ sideways, it was as if it said NO and straightened up again…a great bike for someone that just wants to putt. Definitely not the same rush the 610 gives you…but both bikes serve a purpose and fill a niche of their own. By the way, the DRZ rider…not all that impressed with the Husky, but then again, he’d been riding the DRZ-S for a while. On another occasion, I switched with a rider and rode his 05 KTM 525EXC with Race Tech Suspension. WOW what a ride, that suspension felt amazing. Even with the short little time I had on the KTM, the bike felt night-and-day when compared to our standard Husaberg (WP) suspension. By the way, the KTM Rider really liked the Husqvarna TE610 and was very impressed with not only the suspension but also the overall handling of the bike. He stated that the TE610 seems to do everything real good. He was surprised by the trail compliance and manners the TE610 had, even with half worn Metzler Karoo Tires.
If this Husqvarna TE610 were my personal Dual-Sport Bike, I would make the following changes:
- Raise the bars, as the stand-up positioning was a bit bent-over for my liking.
- Lose the extra vent tubes and Carbon Canister
- Install a Leo-Vince Slip-on exhaust
- Install wrap-around hand guards
- Not install other tires…
I really liked the Metzler Karroos. They performed well in all conditions we came across (needed a little help over a wet log) and with most the knobs worn to less than 1/8” in height, the Husqvarna TE610 climbed everything real well, including a very dusty, rooted and rocky single-track with a rider directly in front of me.
Things I would like to see changed on future models:
1. Hydraulic Clutch
2. Non-leaking gas cap area (apparently some gas tanks were molded incorrectly, so the gas cap to gas tank junction sometimes leaks).
3. Digital Dash has way too many features, and tends to get confusing. Half-way through the ride, my oil indicator came on, apparently every oil-change, you should clear this portion of the computer’s memory, otherwise the indicator comes on to tell you it’s time to change your oil. Not a big deal, except when everybody and their brother look at your digital dash and says “hey, are you low on oil?”
My Favorites:
1. Super Stable at higher speeds
2. Comfortable on longer rides (when compared to a more off-road only bike)
3. Excellent Fuel Capacity and better than average mileage.
4. Suspension
5. Handling
6. Motor Smoothness
