Husqvarna SMR 511

The Big Red Pig is undergoing surgery. A blown engine, and a sad legacy motorist…
A Falicon knife-edge con-rod, upgraded piston, valves and hard-welded cam-followers are what the Piggeh is going to receive. A 11 year old bike does need a refresh, especially when there is absolutely nothing in the market that can match the Piggeh. KTM folk with a 690 Enduro may disagree, and this is what I have to say :

While the piggeh is undergoing a rebuild, I decided to join my hooligan buddies every weekend by bringing along a Supermoto. I could have gone Husaberg, but, the only local dealer was MPC KTM. Unfortunately, the folk who run the place are an unpleasant bunch (this is an understatement), and the FS570 was discontinued for 2012…

Meanwhile… I talked to Dan at Motoxotica, saw the SMR 511 in person, fell in love, and bought one. Although the bike is neutered (thanks to the stock exhaust and factory mapping), I can feel the potential. It handles like nothing else. I rode my friend’s FS570, and it doesn’t even come close to the SMR in the handling department. I love the FS570’s engine, but it is just weird riding that bike. It feels like the XR650R, but in a different way. Both the FS570 and the XR650R dislike corners and like to stand up. Flicking them in requires breaking the rear end loose (I am talking about off-road riding here, and a rider with limited skills). But, the location of the crankshaft on the FS570 does make the bike feel different (and it might take a while to get used to it).

Although I didn’t get a chance to ride the FS570 for more than 30 minutes, I am convinced that the Husqvarna SMR 511 is ahead in terms of handling. It feels like it is on rails. Asphalt, gravel and dirt… it doesn’t matter. No need to break the rear end loose to steer into a corner… it just flicks in, and goes. No hesitation, no drama.

A full FMF exhaust and JD Jetting tuner is what is in store for SMR next. Cannot wait…

Duncan Peak Fire Lookout, NorCal