Google translated from here: http://www.motoservices.com/dossier...t-si-l-avenir-de-l-Off-road-etait-la-2016.htm And cut n paste below Click the link to see to pic gallery IF THE FUTURE OF OFF-ROAD WAS THERE? By Didier Meyer / Photo Didier Meyer Feb 15. 2016 SWM RS 300 Enduro R, FIRST CONTACT: STRONG POTENTIAL! SWM reborn today thanks to the finances of the Chinese Shineray and passion of the Italians, especially Ampelio Macchi, former engineer at Aprilia, Husqvarna and Cagiva. This famous firm that wrote the glory days of the trial and enduro 70s is back today with the RS 300R to the light airs of Husqvarna. And because the new group took over the BMW facility in Varese, the German brand was discontinued following the sale of the HVA brand KTM in 2012. Since the takeover , the HVA adopted KTM engines and BMW has written off its investment in the TT. But all was not lost and found twice in 2012 single tree with its two outputs features exhaust, stainless steel please. The quality of equipment is put forward in this new Sino-Italian production with a fork and a Kayaba and Michelin competition tires damper. For the engine, there is the block 4-stroke 297.6 cm3 double yoke shaft and 4-valve, liquid-cooled fuel-injected. It is equipped with a decompression valve to facilitate electric start because there is more kick. For those who have experienced this block at HVA, it was domesticated with optimized electronic management to make it less virulent and exclusive than in the past. Maximum power is announced to forty horses. Side chassis, suspensions have changed but the setting is identical to the one we knew in 2012, developed by Antoine Meo. Having no enduro specialist in drafting, we made an appointment with Alain Kanbelle, responsible for testing the DIP, the company that distributes the SWM in France. Alain is a former enduro rider with particular evolved in the same team as Jean-Michel Bayle and Cyril Esquirol, and it is also enduro monitor. Here are his impressions for this first contact, in the form of interview, which has also allowed us to learn more about the ambitions of SWM. ENDURO LEISURE, A FASHION PHENOMENON? Motoservices: Before knowing your analysis on this new model, what is your outlook on the enduro today? AK: The enduro has evolved in recent years have seen the arrival of very good drivers from the motocross that have boosted the popularity of the events. The world championship has become more professional in all fields and factories have followed this route. The machines have become increasingly powerful, trials have evolved in the same direction with special increasingly spectacular. Therefore, part of the enduro motorcycle owners have abandoned the competition and turn to the 'classic' races and walks among friends. Somewhere a gap has widened slightly. Motoservices: We hear more and more about leisure enduro, is it a fad or a real trend? AK: No, it's not a fad, it is something deeper. There are more and more guys who want a motorcycle ride on weekend just for fun with no other purpose. Today, we live in a world of stress, always on, we do not get to have freedom. On the road, 'became impossible, so the escape off-road with a few friends is still a good moment of conviviality. FIRST CONTACT WITH RS 300 Motoservices: You rolled on SWM RS 300 Enduro: What struck you after the first laps? See the f eference and price of the SWM 300 R RS . AK: For me, the thing that impressed me most is the ease. I am used to enduro bikes and it is easy. From the first laps, found his marks naturally. The triangle formed between the seat, handlebars and footrests is top. We go from sitting to standing very easily. The handlebar of the hanger is excellent, footrests well grab the boots and saddle with the soft rubber grip enables good position. Well, there is one caveat though: what is high and hard! Instrumentation is complete, there is really all indications with two trips, a watch, odometer, tachometer and it can be used with gloves. We can only regret the poor legibility by the sun. The KAYABA suspensions are doing their job and have traditional settings on enduro bikes: compression and rebound and spring preload. Of course, for fans, it is very easy to make a preparation of suspensions. SWM has opted for the known elements and quality, but also for the brakes, Brembo, which are effective and easily dosable. The bike is even equipped with MICHELIN tires Competition and 140 on the back, not a vulgar 120! Engine side, we're on a Husqvarna 300 cm3 of origin with a completely revised ignition and injection. This engine is torquey, powerful and knows how to be generous when you turn the handle. This is not the most powerful of the market, but it is certainly easier and less tiring. As you have seen, I have managed a few passages in scree with a precarious grip, even I was surprised by the motor I had. The engine pulls and easily takes on a light throttle. Chassis side, it is on a stable bike, so less manageable than some but it is very healthy. To circling around trees, you have to rush a little and forward becomes a bit flighty but it's a habit. However, as soon as you drive faster in the ways it is happiness! I took on the great paved trails really speeding ... there is no radar! HOBBIES YES, AS COMPETITION Motoservices: As a driver, can you explain what are the essential criteria which must have an enduro bike of this engine? AK: It's hard to say it like that, because it is the driving level will determine the criteria, but generally you want a reliable bike, successful, although suspended, hindering well and with an engine capable to get you out of all situations regardless of the driving conditions. A motorcycle on which you feel good and especially a motorcycle capable of giving you the banana when you ride with pals. Motoservices: Do you have found these qualities on the SWM 300? AK: Undoubtedly yes, the 300 combines all these qualities, it is certainly siglé SWM but in the mind, there is a Husqvarna. Motoservices: At the show in Milan, the SWM plant presented its range Enduro 2016 in terms of enduro leisure, this is the right position? AK: Yes and no, because the bike is easy thanks to its engine reviewed but it remains an enduro bike, it's not a endurisé trail. Next, we must see how we place the leisure angle. The bike is powerful, less thorough than some competitors, but it will also require less monitoring. For example, no need to perform an oil change at each output (I exaggerate a little, whatever!). Motoservices: I enduro driver, can I run competing with this bike? AK: If we can practice the competition with this bike? It's simple, Antoine MEO was world champion with in 2011. I do not think there's been a revolution in the world of enduro in 4 years, so without hesitation, yes. Besides, it is not impossible that we go back a small team with some former Inter ... History to go gallivanting between banners just for fun but without forgetting performance, always in sight. TECHNICALLY Motoservices: Technically what qualities this SWM 300? AK: The bike has a lot of brand and quality elements. Brembo is found, the Kayaba, Michelin and all the problems encountered by older Husquvarna were resolved. Moreover, everything has been perfect the more reliable for all users. There is even a fan and expansion vessel, the cooling system for extreme applications. The motorcycle is fitted with handguards, handlebars without bar, etc. It has nothing to envy the other enduro bikes much more expensive. Certainly there is no handlebar with moss, but we know that each enduro like to customize their bikes. Motoservices: T hese are they SWM guarantees? AK: Yes. It is also a guarantee of safety , There or some other brands ensure their bikes to the door of the concession! SWM ensures its machines two years (out of competition all the same), that means that for the vast majority enduro riders of the cares and mind work less. Motoservices: What date will be available this 300 SWM? AK: As of March, the first machines arrived in France. The network is spirited to be (information from the DIP). On the side of the factory everything is in place to ensure the production and monitoring. This is serious. FACTORY TOUR Motoservices: Just a word on the plant, you got to get there? AK: The factory? It's simply stunning. I went there several times. To do a little background, Husqvarna was bought by BMW who repackaged existing premises and other buildings built to be on top. They invested a lot of money for a high-performance production unit. Today is SWM that benefits from all this. The production unit is at the top level, workers are mostly former Husqvarna, everything is hyper modern but integrates expertise. The engines are assembled on site as motorcycles. The production capacity is impressive and demonstrates the ambition of the brand. The service is modern and has all the components. What surprised me the most, are the perks: the engines are tested on a bench before installation in the cycle part and then, once assembled, the bike is tested again on another bench. Part research and development has long been thoroughly. I just had the right to enter for a moment and I could see the bikes of competition and different engines ... We are therefore well on a dynamic drawn up. Motoservices: What are the objectives of the plant for 2016? AK: The 2016 goals are simple: SWM intends to meet the expectations of many enduro riders, namely to have a powerful motorcycle, reliable, which provides good sensations, at a controlled rate. The network is set up, the bikes will be concession, that brings a little diversity in this area. Furthermore, SWM is not only a 300 cm3, it is also a 500 in the same mold as the 300, a 650 for those who dream big spaces with a sports trail, and also the supermoto versions of three machines . The objective is to provide answers and to compete with existing market by demonstrating that there is no need for a € 10,000 ticket to ride enduro with a successful and efficient machine. Link: SWM RS 300 R specifications A SURPRISING POTENTIAL FOR AN UNBEATABLE PRICE The small 4-stroke motorcycle SWM is a surprising potential. It must first hunt some preconceived ideas: it is equipped as it should and has no complex to have to compete. She immediately puts in confidence because you feel good on the bike. The RS 300 R is very playful, be it chassis or engine level, it takes the fun on board. The engine allows different driving styles. The only complaint before the train could be more incisive. But it has an interesting stability effectively assisted by effective suspensions reassuring. We can pass strong in the holes. If you want fun, motor and facility tours, it is towards the R 300 RS it will turn. In terms of simplicity and efficiency towards the 300 RS R. See for yourself ... But it's the same! It's just your way of driving that change. And level tariff, € 6490, SWM is unbeatable! There is no direct competition at this price ...
I think it said the engines are built onsite. My bet is that the Chinese will fix the quality problems some of the previous Italian bikes had, so I might consider a 4 stroke enduro/dualsport, whereas I would never before.
yea i think that was idea from the getgo nobody wants a shineray that is clearly chinese and in the eyes of most a POS but made in Italy says quality old world craftsmanship their still trying to fix their rep for cheap chinese crap and they will get there
The author is somewhat incorrect bringing the Meo thing in, this is not an Xlite engine it is the older series 250/310 larger block (Bullet Proof) power plant in the last of that series chassis which is the same base chassis carried into the X-lite series machines. So you have in the SWM is what equals the bullet proof TE310 of 2010 but with updates in electronics and FI. This machine may not be the latest and greatest top tier enduro racer, but for sure it isn't going to be as expensive as one of those either (FE350S ex.). KTM Husky are in the 10K range now, with RS Betas a few hundred less, the Japanese DS are pitiful as far as "real" off roaders DS bikes go. So target market is "normal" folks riders at normal folks prices for above average off-road capable bikes with Euro/aftermarket high quality supplier parts (controls,wheels, bars, electronics etc.) .
I recently rode the g/f's '08 TE 250 with the 310 kit I installed from Motosportz back in '10 or so. Her bike has just over 5k miles, stock gearing, anyway... I took it out for the first time for a day of mountain s/t and some dirt roads. I was seriously impressed with it in the s/t. It had plenty of power to clear all the hard stuff at what ever speed I wanted to hit it, fast or slow. In the climbs in did not want to loft the front tire as the 510 usually does. The 310 IS the better s/t bike then the 510 (many of you already know this, I just found it out). When back out on the dirt roads I missed the instant throttle wheelies and scary fast speed of the 510, but when I got home on the 310 I didn't feel as worn out as normal and my backside didn't resemble one of those red bottom apes at the zoo. I have gotten the smaller bike bug now after riding her TE 310. I keep eyeing the FE/FC 250/350's for my next bike, but would gladly add an SWM RS 300 instead. I hope SWM gets their goods to the USA soon. Brap!
Eventually Cafe Husky might need to be CousinsCafe if we all start buying SWMs. Just like the old show "To Tell The Truth" Will the real Husqvarna please stand up.
Hi I have TE310 from 2010, with 12.700km on it and I have had no problems so far. I'm very glad with the bike, the impresive engine performance, the mikuni inyection runs perfect... If the "new" SWM 300RS is even a bit better, it is a good enduro bike without a doubt.
I've been to a few chinese factories that would put American, italian and most any other factories to shame.... Even the Chinese engineers there said, We (as a country) are not the best inovators but the best copiers. And I tend to agree.... They copy and upgrade as they go.... Shineray may be crap but look at the price, you get what you paid for.... Looks like they are not going that route with SWM....
