1. 4 Stroke Husqvarna Motorcycles Made In Italy - About 1989 to 2014
     TE = 4st Enduro & TC = 4st Cross

510 or 610?

Discussion in '4 Stroke' started by mnsuperair, Oct 2, 2009.

  1. mnsuperair Husqvarna
    C Class

    Location:
    St Paul, MN
    I am new to the site and soon to be new to SM. I am looking at getting a SM to commute o work and have fun with around town. Don't plan on doing much freeway riding as my commute is short and hopefully can get some logging road rides in. I would say 90% pavement and 10 percent dirt road or logging roads.

    Should I go with the 510 or 610. I heard the 510 has similar maintenance intervals to my moto bike which is every 10 hours or so. At that pace I would be doing oil every week. Is this true? What about the 610, does it have longer intervals?

    Thanks
    mnsuperair, Oct 2, 2009
    #1

  2. PALMER84ONE Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Silverado, CA.
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    08 TE450 THE ROCKET
    Other Motorcycles:
    12 RS520, CRF150F/230F, YZ250
    Go for the 610 for the maintenance intervals and gearing. I commute mine 17 miles one way, no freeway unless I say so, 55MPH canyon roads 10 miles and 7 city and this bike rocks. The city is funky, I have stock gearing and it does not like 40 to 45 in 6th, so I cruise it in 5 between intersections. 50 is ok but then I am speeding.
    PALMER84ONE, Oct 2, 2009
    #2

  3. rajobigguy Administrator

    Location:
    So.Cal.
    If you're looking for a low maintenance bike that is is going to used as a commuter but still has what it takes to mix it up in the canyons then the 610 is probably you're best choice. The 510 is the faster of the two but not by much and it has considerably shorter maintenance intervals..
    rajobigguy, Oct 2, 2009
    #3

  4. mnsuperair Husqvarna
    C Class

    Location:
    St Paul, MN
    Any specifics on the intervals of each? I can't seem to find a manual.
    mnsuperair, Oct 2, 2009
    #4

  5. rajobigguy Administrator

    Location:
    So.Cal.
    Even if you could find a manual it's not likely to be representitive of what you're real world maintenance is going to be. When you say that you've heard that the the 510 service interval are on the order of every 10 hrs. that would be for competition use and since it is basically a plated race bike you not find anything that says what normals street driving intervals are. Maybe some feedback from people using the 510 for that kind of riding would be most helpful. Also some of things that the service manual for the 510 says are related to competition use and or to maintain the warranty that they come with in certain parts of the world which is something we don't get in the USA so it may not apply. Basically what I'm saying about maintenace is that the 510 isn't built to soak up many thousands of miles before any major repairs, although some people are reporting that they have crossed the 15000 mile mark and still going strong.
    The 610 on the other hand is designed to soak up many thousands of mile and keep on ticking . Some owners are reporting 30-40k before major work(you can probably expect to replace a timing chain or two duringt hat period) . The recomended oil change and service is about 3000 miles but lots of us change the oil more frequently. Valves on the 610 rarely need adjusting but valves on the 510 are a lot easier to ajdust.
    rajobigguy, Oct 2, 2009
    #5

  6. Xcuvator Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Scholls Oregon
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    TE450,610 WB165,WR250 WR360 & XC430
    Other Motorcycles:
    yes
    My all around knowlegeable/good guy dealer doesn't see a need to check the valves on the 610 after the initial service until around 10,000miles.
    Xcuvator, Oct 2, 2009
    #6

  7. Phoenix Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Oklahoma City, OK
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2009 TXC 450
    Other Motorcycles:
    2 Ducs, 14 GG 200, 13 Husa 300
    We have a 510 and a 610 and my husband and I both fight over the 510. We're having a hard time getting the 610 dialed in right and its just making it unfriendly to ride. I personally think the 610 feels gutless compared to the 510 powerwise. It is also much smoother...clutching, shifting, everything. Here is the current pro/con list:

    510 Pros:
    More powerful
    Wheelies easier (if you're into that :)
    Easier to take apart!!
    Significantly lighter

    510 Cons
    Taller, slightly
    Umm...

    610 Pros
    Easy riding...
    Comfortable in sweeping turns

    610 Cons
    Stock seat isn't comfy
    Short gears
    Cable clutch...what the heck!
    Needs a lot of tweaking to get the thing right (so I guess we haven't finished tweaking yet)
    This bike needs a diet!
    The parts seem cheaper compared to the 510
    Phoenix, Oct 2, 2009
    #7

  8. I8AKTM Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    The tall corn state
    I had a 510. It flat out rocked but not as a commuter. If you are going to put a bunch of miles on your next bike, I'd pick the 610.
    I8AKTM, Oct 2, 2009
    #8

  9. Fast1 Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Minneapolis, MN
    The factory owners manual has both maintenance schedules listed for the 510 in the back for either race/enduro with power up kit or non-power up street use. Non-power up street use was very similar to the 610 in non-power up street use.

    I've got 7800 miles and 285 hours on my TE510 that has the power up kit and have yet to adjust the valve lash. Still in spec.
    Fast1, Oct 2, 2009
    #9

  10. columbia510 Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    columbia,ca
    I have not owned or ridden a modern 610, however I purchased my 07 510 for the type of riding I do. Really fun twisty pavement roads and super technical single track. I almost picked up the SM but I ride too much dirt and was afraid of snapping off the caliper mount. I changed my gearing to 14/48 for road use and decent offroad capabilities. The bike is all stock internally. Just bolt ons. hehe. I change the oil every 500-700 miles and the bike is stone reliable. The same exaust valve has been shimmed 2 out of the 8 times I've checked my clearances. Stock piston,rings...everything. No issues other than the clutch piston and the usuall wear and tear parts.Maybe I"ll rebuild it after another 420 hrs.11xxx miles
    columbia510, Oct 3, 2009
    #10