Hey all, i have a 2013 WR300 that im looking to trade for a larger 4 stroke so i can go further distances and slow down a bit due to previous injuries. I actually want to do a bit of long distance touring one day and the 300 2 stroke probably not the best bike for that lol. Question is should i even go a TE610? I know they are not a motorcross bike, and i know they have a specific purpose, and that is exactly what i want to use it for. Are there any inherent problems with the 610s i should look for? I have seen cam chain and clutch basket issues but they appear to be reliable. Are they both carby? What are toooo many kms??? These are the two options i can go for. 1. 2009 TE610EI, 9,800kms, $6000 AUD 2. 2005, 14,400kms, $5500 - looks very tidy... So my question is, what would be the better long term option, 09' vs 05'? 610 at all? reliability? performance? Im really looking forward to getting onto a big banger and doing some good long rides and one she will get saddled up and do a proper big trek.... Thanks all in advance.
The 09 has efi instead of a carb. If it was me I would go with the one that has less miles/kilometers. I truly love my 07 and would by one again in a heart beat. By the sound of you description the 610 would fit you perfect.
Personally i love the look of the blue/yellow 05 and it looks mint. I dont really care about the nitty gritty of how it handles etc, but as long as it gets me out and is super reliable.
I have a 2006 610. Looks exactly the same as the one in your photo. I LOVE the bike, if I had to sell all but 1 of my bikes, I would keep the 610. The cam chain and the clutch basket springs are easy fixes and known issues. The bikes can be a bit quirky, but in general mine has been great. I ride mine really hard, and I've had a few things I needed to fix: -Broken footpeg bolts -Worn wiring harness by head tube -Spinning airbox fasteners -Replaced swingarm bearings I view these as little issues, but some people expect bikes to be impeccable, and wouldn't. This is a performance bike, so it's going to require more maintenance than something like a KLR. The stock suspension on these is pretty good (and can be even better with some work). I ride mine in technical places that a big bike has no business being, and then I can turn around and do 70 mph on a dirt road without breaking a sweat. The EFI on the newer model can be nice, but on the other hand the simplicity of a carb can also be good. My stock settings in the carb were pretty bad, but I put a jet kit in the bike and tweaked a few things and now it runs awesome!
The gearbox in the 05 450 isn't suited for much (over 30 miles IMO) road work. The 610 has a limited steering angle and extra weight but a really sweet gear box, bigger charging system and larger tank options for longer trips. I have an 05 TE450 and an 07 TE610.
Gravity is super reliable. I like Newtonian fuel pumps. (I would buy the older one with a carburetor)
Thanks lads. As far as a 'performance' tourer, will they still do long higway kms with no worries or will they struggle on the long trips with maintenance issues etc? If they are going to be niggly like this i might have to look at a XR650 or DRZ650 instead.... Every little issue apart from engine stuff is an easy fix/modification, but i am looking for a stone reliable engine that will last for 30 - 40 - 50,000kms... I guess they are still a "TE".... maybe i should be looking at a terra or something like that?
Terra is heavier and more road orientated that the TE 610, perhaps the slightly more updated 630 will fit the bill.
I have an 09 with 8k off road miles and it's been great. It needed a few mods to get it right, but once those were done, it's been perfect.
Those prices don't seem particularly cheap when almost new & low mileage 630s are being advertised for $7K, which you might pick up for $6K. Of course you'd have to get it from Vic to Qld, but that may not be prohibitive. My 630 is fantastic, probably more fun than any other bike I've owned. http://www.bikepoint.com.au/private...00&seot=1&__Nne=15&trecs=2&__sid=13101772278B Description Husky TE 630 2010.Purchased New in Feb 2013 registered as 2012 The bike is under warranty , rode 300 km off road all the rest to work and back , the bike is in excellent condition Have a concept seat Heavy duty tube 4mm Rim lock at the rear , have the front but didn't install it Bash plate Engine Last Modified Date28/10/2013Bike2012 HUSQVARNA TE630Price$7,000* Odometer3,000 kmsBodyEnduro 4 StrokeColourRed & WhiteEngine Capacity600Reg Plate1J1KWReg ExpiryFEB-14Road Worthy CertificateYesVINZKHA400AABV000310
For reference a brand new 650 Terra ride away is about $9500 new. The bike im looking at is $6000, i have $6500 on my 2013 WR300 with 700kms which i think is a very good price second hand. Im trying to weasel some goodies out of the dealership to make up the difference. Im thinking maybe if they do a cam chain in their workshop the trade seems pretty fair then, yes i will lose but not too much. Yeah cheers Russ, i will have to go interstate to get a 630 - but im looking for something to trade outright so i dont have to lay any more money down. More research indicates that the 610's have a good engine, good life as long as you keep that cam chain up to em and obviously the oils. The counterbalance shaft is a major win in my books as my TE510 was a pain to ride long distances for the vibrations (had no counterbalance)
They were selling almost all the TE models here last month new for $5,999.00 USD. I paid $6,500 OTD in 2011 for my 09 TE 610 as a leftover. I wasn't happy to see the prices they were letting them go for during the fire sale. Australia is a cool place, but shit costs too much down under!!
lol true that! Im keen on the 2009. The blue and yellow 2005 has a deposit on it so wont be getting that one. The only thing that concerns me is 9000kms and a stock timing chain as i have read these stretch and can cause issues. However another thread seems to think that the later models arnt such an issue. Should i? im getting more and more keen by the minute. Ill take a hit to the pocket, but will get waaay more use out of this than the WR300 as i love to commute on a bike. dont get me wrong, the 300 is fantastic but im over going flat out and gnarly hill stuff.....
It's very easy to check the cam chain! Right behind the mid pipe on the jug is the tensioner. Pull the big bolt in the middle and take the spring out ( it will fly out if you're not careful ) then remove the unit from the jug (2 smaller bolts) careful not to move the rod, as you will need to read how many click / notches are showing. It comes from the factory with 4 showing and 12 is the most you want to see before changing the CC. 14 and there could be damage. A good seller should let you do this. And yes, this was really only an issue with 06 models. The other thing with these is the spring cup washers in / on the clutch ( Cush drive ). There is a guy on here ( Indy unlimited ) that sells hardened replacements. Do the brass bushing too, if the clutch is out.
Btw, this 09 will go anywhere your wr will and run down the road like a charm. Just back from a 190+ mile woods ride in South Jersey. It has 8k +- mostly hard off road miles and it runs better than it ever has! The fuel tuner is a must on the FI bikes!
One last thing, guys are seeing 30,000-40,000 miles on these motors, so that one you're looking at has a lot of life left!
DAMN YOU LUNGER... going to have to buy it now lol. Yeah usually dealers wont like anyone touching a bike mechanically to check for things. I may be totally useless and stuff something up (to them) even though i have rebuild engines and gearboxes no worries. Ill have a serious think about it this weekend and try and get my bike clean and ready to go and try and drive to brissy soon. 1400km round trip to get the bike...
For what you want/need, you are on the right track. There are several excellent step by step videos on the cam change procedure and it can be done in a day easily and cost around 100 US $. Hell maybe it will be twice that much down under but still not expensive. I've had a EFI and carbed 610 and there are advantages to both and IMO no real winner. Good luck!
Cheers mate. The timing chain issue is just one that i 'shouldnt' have to do just when i get the bike. i would like to put a few thou on the clock before i have to do that. I wish i had never sold my 510. that bike was awesome. And mono's!..... well, top of 6th, front tyre spinning backwards doing bout 130km/h on the beach for kilometers.....
