Hi all on the forum

[Moo]

Hi all,

Just like to introduce myself and say hello. I am just about to buy a 2011 SM630. Am I doing the right thing? Are these bikes reliable as an every day city commute? The bike I am looking at has about 17000 Kms on the clock. It has a set of Barrett aftermarket exhaust mufflers on it. Anything I should look for when I inspect the bike before purchase?
Look forward to getting any feedback from knowledgeable forum subscribers.

RegarDs Warrick.

 

[DYNOBOB]

- inspect for countershaft wear by pulling the front sprocket.
- does it have some form of fuel enrichment (PowerUp kit, PCV, etc)
- look at the spring cup washers in the clutch basket

 

[EricV]

Welcome Warrick. As I'm sure you've surmised only you can decide if the 630 is the bike that best suits the type of use you'd put it to. That's not a high mileage bike you're looking at, but at 17K kms it's well into the zone of having to look closely at the things that could go wrong- such as the clutch cup washers DynoBob has mentioned. Here' s a great thread DynoBob started that'll help you (a "What will break" thread):

http://www.cafehusky.com/threads/documented-630-part-failures-known-weak-areas.30149/

Are they as reliable as an Asian bike? Generally No, but still darn reliable...and the Husky packs torque and soul the Asian bikes can't deliver out of the box. If you're the type who enjoys giving your bike the good once over (which should be a matter of habit anyway) then you'll stay ahead of issues. It's been a while since I've read through the What will break thread, so just wanted to throw out that wiring harness fraying is an issue for quite a few- certainly something to watch out for (esp around the battery tray and at the voltage regulator.)

If you've not yet seen the bike in person I'd suggest you be very clear w/ the seller that you want to see it while it sits Stone Cold. I like to assess the starting/potential symptoms that could present from a not-already-warmed-up bike. I've had good luck buying used bikes, but always be sure to give them a thorough once over. Open up the airbox, check case/cover seams for leakage (or excessive cleanliness which could indicate leakage cover-up), etc.

Good luck-

 

[Moo]

Welcome Warrick. As I'm sure you've surmised only you can decide if the 630 is the bike that best suits the type of use you'd put it to. That's not a high mileage bike you're looking at, but at 17K kms it's well into the zone of having to look closely at the things that could go wrong- such as the clutch cup washers DynoBob has mentioned. Here' s a great thread DynoBob started that'll help you (a "What will break" thread):

http://www.cafehusky.com/threads/documented-630-part-failures-known-weak-areas.30149/

Are they as reliable as an Asian bike? Generally No, but still darn reliable...and the Husky packs torque and soul the Asian bikes can't deliver out of the box. If you're the type who enjoys giving your bike the good once over (which should be a matter of habit anyway) then you'll stay ahead of issues. It's been a while since I've read through the What will break thread, so just wanted to throw out that wiring harness fraying is an issue for quite a few- certainly something to watch out for (esp around the battery tray and at the voltage regulator.)

If you've not yet seen the bike in person I'd suggest you be very clear w/ the seller that you want to see it while it sits Stone Cold. I like to assess the starting/potential symptoms that could present from a not-already-warmed-up bike. I've had good luck buying used bikes, but always be sure to give them a thorough once over. Open up the airbox, check case/cover seams for leakage (or excessive cleanliness which could indicate leakage cover-up), etc.

Good luck-

Thanks guys for your quick responses. I had a look at the link and to be honest I feel a bit concerned about the likely hood of potential problems with the 630. I will have a look any way and check as much as is possible on the bike. I have owned Ducati's and Moto Guzzi's in the past so I am well aware of the good and the bad of European v Jap bikes. Will let you know how I get on.
Regards Warrick.

 

[Moo]

Well I had a look and it presents very well. The seller who purchased the bike new told me that he has just had the gearbox rebuilt by a professional mechanic who he has given me the name of to talk to about the bike. The reason for the gearbox rebuild was that third gear was worn so the complete box was rebuilt with all new gears at a cost of around $2000 AUS. The mechanic told the seller that this is a common problem on European supermotards. I am just a bit concerned as the bike had only done 17000 Kms and I would have thought the gearbox would be built for a longer life than that. Is this a problem that other 630 owners have reported? The bike has only completed about 900 Kms since the rebuild.

The other issue that the seller told me was that on a very hot day after refuelling the bike it wouldn't start. He said that he had to wait for around 10 mins before it would refire. When he mentioned this the Husqvarna dealer he said that he had never heard of this happening before. I can only think it may have been a fuel vapour lock however I did notice that there is no temperature sensor on the dash of the bike so there is no way of telling how hot the engine is.

Other than that the bike was cold when I arrived and it started and idled perfectly. It had not been cleaned down as there was obvious oil sweat marks around the motor that you expect to see on a bike that is ridden daily. The seller has told me that it has not been raced but has been ridden with passion around the streets and consequently he has attracted the attention of the law enforcement officers on a regular basis. He is selling as he has purchased a YZF 600 track bike and wants to sell the 630 to fund that track project.

Any comments on the gearbox situation or any other comments from forum readers would be appreciated. I have the phone number of the mechanic who completed the gearbox rebuild and will give him a call tomorrow. Just wanted to make sure I ask the right questions as he would have had to of pulled down the complete motor to rebuild the box I imagine.

Regards Warrick.

 

[EricV]

Here's another good read, "630 longevity":

http://www.cafehusky.com/threads/630-longevity-concerns.23842/#post-213554

I don't recall seeing much on this forum in terms of 630 owners having transmissions toasting. It's known to be a very robust bottom end. As for the "what will break" thread heebing you out a bit- that's understandable but, as I'm sure you've considered- don't lose perspective either. It's the old "only a percentage of owners are forum members, so this isn't necessarily an accurate representation of the issues/owners ratio." The 610's have a reputation of being super robust- not uncommon to see them with tens of thousands of miles on the clock. That's a large part of why I went w/ the 630: like the 610's many issues are minor and, once addressed, you then have a sturdy platform/bike known for being robust. I'm not an SM guy but, as far as true dual sports go, they're getting harder and harder to find...the 630 is in many ways among the last and best examples of the breed. Now sure there are times when I've cursed mine, but I can't hold those thoughts long at all before admitting this bike gives me the most thrills and grins of any DS ride I've had. It's also a real head turner and conversation starter...can't tell you how many good conversations have begun with a stranger stopping to say "man, a Husky..." and then launching into some kind of nostalgic story. Anyway, my advice is to not let the potential issues heeb you out too bad. Hell, you can go to the DRZ forum on ThumperTalk (and that bike is one of the best examples of gas and go) and see all kinds of potential issues (point being, as I've no doubt you get all bikes have issues.) Good luck and keep us posted.