SWM RS 500 & 310 Good points and bad

[huskydude59]

I have owned a RS500 for some 6 months now and I thought I would start post my opinions of her.

• Great low cost euro style beast, sharp styling, proven engineering.
• A bike totally designed for upper level trail riding, not Enduro. Having said that, would take much to get on board.
• SWM parts are not that easy to get just yet, but once we know the cross over parts I think this will get easier.
• No work shop manual, TE510 is the closest you will get.
• You will get the looks from KTM owners when you tell them how much you paid...****************************************
• This bike was built on total passion to bring back something that I feel is lost in today,s dirt bikes.. How to have fun without costing you another mortgage... And not everything is about Extreme Enduro...god when will that stuff stop..
• Be aware of the warranty period, it vanishes quickly. But, even if it is out of warranty, SWM will still help if it is their problem, communication is the key word here.. and dont fiddle around with it..
• The bikes are solid, they wont break, the rims don,t bend when you smack a rock or tree root, and I haven't touched my spokes yet at 2,000ks
• Do not play with the oil blends, they do not like it. you may start having issues with the auto start mechanism. I did, took it back to Powerhouse and they sorted it. actually made it better than original. Note, (DONT FIDDLE WITH IT)
• You wont need to fiddle with the clickers, the valving is pretty much sorted. I base this on the fact that everyone who rode my bike (light , medium and heavy riders), low to high skill level replied how compliant it felt and plush. This was set to the STD setting.
• It track through sand like who have a stabilizer on. This is the old school of design. Build it right the first time.
• The seat is hard like a brick...the euro dudes need to rethink the "hard is good" theory. MY ass does not agree.
• I am having some issue with fuel mixtures after my O2 Lambder sensor failed. Dealer who sell these bike need to know Husqvana TE's to deal with problem solving some concerns.
• Can't wait to see where SWM take this new/old bike to....Just think what th 2T will be like...

 

[ghte]

You sound like a happy camper.

 

[troy deck]

sounds good so far where in the world are you?

 

[huskydude59]

sounds good so far where in the world are you?

In Victoria Melbourne. The best dirt in the World

 

[Rob500]

I've had a RS 500R since July 16. Its a good bike, well made and so far so good on mx practice, trail rides and a Welsh Rally event.
Only -ve points for me are the fuelling at lower revs - seems crude and the lack of plushness from the front suspension over rocks/boulders, it just deflects off in all directions. Front is fine in fast, open going and over jumps.

I'm currently trying to get a "plushness setting" but think its going to need softer springs ultimately.

Can't complain at the price.

 

[huskydude59]

I've had a RS 500R since July 16. Its a good bike, well made and so far so good on mx practice, trail rides and a Welsh Rally event.
Only -ve points for me are the fuelling at lower revs - seems crude and the lack of plushness from the front suspension over rocks/boulders, it just deflects off in all directions. Front is fine in fast, open going and over jumps.

I'm currently trying to get a "plushness setting" but think its going to need softer springs ultimately.

Can't complain at the price.

Hi, what is your weight and speed like. I know with mine I'm at around 75kg. And the standard settings seem to work well. But I am heading towards the 60 age... I ride Rockeby a a fair bit. I find it one of the best bikes bikes I have owned.. if you go heavier springs your valving will not cover the spring rate...

 

[motranqui]

 

[Rob500]

Hi, what is your weight and speed like. I know with mine I'm at around 75kg. And the standard settings seem to work well. But I am heading towards the 60 age... I ride Rockeby a a fair bit. I find it one of the best bikes bikes I have owned.. if you go heavier springs your valving will not cover the spring rate...

Well....I'm your age but carrying more timber! Probably about 215lbs. I was considering lighter springs to get softer ride and use all the travel. However I am concerned that a softer spring may not be good a higher speeds/bigger hits etc.

However my next step is to replace the 5W fork oil with 2.5W and wind some comp damping back on, apparently that helps with the plushness. Makes me think the damping stack could do with some work.
If the less viscous oil isn't the solution, the legs are off to a KYB specialist for some surgery.

 

[racemx904]

Well....I'm your age but carrying more timber! Probably about 215lbs. I was considering lighter springs to get softer ride and use all the travel. However I am concerned that a softer spring may not be good a higher speeds/bigger hits etc.

However my next step is to replace the 5W fork oil with 2.5W and wind some comp damping back on, apparently that helps with the plushness. Makes me think the damping stack could do with some work.
If the less viscous oil isn't the solution, the legs are off to a KYB specialist for some surgery.

Softer springs are the wrong way to go..... get the correct springs, and revalve.... if you have too soft of springs you are starting way lower and will have less suspension to use

 

[Oldscool]

G'day all.

I took delivery of my rs500 on Saturday. It's an ex demo bike and has around 800km on it. The bike appears well put together and I believe is in fact a 2010 Husky te510 reborn.

I haven't had a chance to get out on the dirt yet, so can't comment on riding the thing in anger, geez I'm keen though. I will post as soon as I do.

A questions I have relate to the Arrow muffler that Swm are supplying as a promotion to replace the dual muffler system fitted at the factory (in Australia anyway).

Firstly, is there a spark arrester insert available/required for this muffler, as it appears to be 'straight through'? There is a removable insert but it's just a pipe about 5" long that slips inside the perforated core, I assume it reduces noise but can't see it being too effective (or restrictive for that matter).

Secondly, does fitting the muffler require the same mods as the husky power up kit did (eg. oxy sensor removed and special plug in connector for the oxy sensor loom). I understand they (swm & husky) run different brands ecu so no mods may be required.

Also any areas to keep an eye on with these bikes.

I'm new to this 4stroke efi caper and am keen to learn as much as I can.

Thank you all in advance.

 

[robertaccio]

ADB long term with RS500
http://

adbmag.com.au/editorial/swm-rs500r-long-term-update/

 

[SmokeyExpress]

• Can't wait to see where SWM take this new/old bike to....Just think what th 2T will be like...

Is there a 2t coming??? Do you know something I don't???
They really should build a 2t! Price it accordingly & they would sell hundreds over here!
In Victoria Melbourne. The best dirt in the World
So true!

 

[268fords]

G'day all.

I took delivery of my rs500 on Saturday. It's an ex demo bike and has around 800km on it. The bike appears well put together and I believe is in fact a 2010 Husky te510 reborn.

I haven't had a chance to get out on the dirt yet, so can't comment on riding the thing in anger, geez I'm keen though. I will post as soon as I do.

A questions I have relate to the Arrow muffler that Swm are supplying as a promotion to replace the dual muffler system fitted at the factory (in Australia anyway).

Firstly, is there a spark arrester insert available/required for this muffler, as it appears to be 'straight through'? There is a removable insert but it's just a pipe about 5" long that slips inside the perforated core, I assume it reduces noise but can't see it being too effective (or restrictive for that matter).

Secondly, does fitting the muffler require the same mods as the husky power up kit did (eg. oxy sensor removed and special plug in connector for the oxy sensor loom). I understand they (swm & husky) run different brands ecu so no mods may be required.

Also any areas to keep an eye on with these bikes.

I'm new to this 4stroke efi caper and am keen to learn as much as I can.

Thank you all in advance.

That sounds like a decibel killer. There is a spark arrestor available, but the decibel killer can't be used with it. There's a snap ring that keeps it in the end of the stinger.

 

[Oldscool]

Well I've had a couple of rides on the 500 now.

First ride was off road on a private property with my lad on his rm125, my mate on his kx250 and his son on yz125. All these bikes are oldschool- 01, 91 & 04 respectively. The terrain was flat hard pack with some limestone gravel thrown in. The swm slots nicely in this company for play racing and general fooling around. The standout for me was its ability to find traction, front and rear, when I thought there wasn't any. It is a heavier bike than the others but it carries its weight well and certainly wasn't handicapped. Suspension compliance over sharp edge hits and braking bumps was great and I felt no desire to adjust it.
I did find throttle response at low speed was abrupt, even jerky, and required concentration to roll on/off smoothly.

The second ride was a dual sport ride. I teamed up with a 2006 450exc and BMW GS650. This ride was a wet one, with a mixture of dirt road, fire trail and tar. First thing I noticed was the gearing is too short for the tar sections, great on the other terrain but too many revs required for my liking on tar. Maximum cruising speed was around 90km/h although 80km/h was a lot more comfortable. I've since fitted a 14t (up from 13) front sprocket which I think will be my do it all gearing. I've got a 15t on order for the next ride I do with my BMW mate lol. I should add at this point I'm running a 48t rear, in hindsight I should have gone for around a 45, 47 is standard. Oh well live and learn.
As a side note the front sprocket IS NOT a husky te510 sprocket but IS an Aprilia 450/550 sprocket.

I fitted a G2 throttle tamer before this ride to try and smooth out throttle response, best thing I could have done. The smoothness up to around 1/4 throttle is beautiful on and off road. It's removed that lurch I was getting when trying to smoothly accelerate from idle either over bumpy terrain or in traffic.
The engine is nice and torquey and makes me smile when I roll it on from low speed in third gear. That forcefull shove in the pants coupled with the deep throbbing exhaust note is addictive.

I was a little concerned with fuel range given its only got a 7.2L tank. I don't think it's the issue for me that I thought it was going to be. We did 70km before a "safety" refuel and the 500 only took 3.8L, the 450 took around the same and the smarty pants on the BMW......well, he just sat there and waited. So that gives me a gentle trail range of 120 safe kms.

Now for the seat. My mate on his exc was complaining that his backside was getting numb from his hard seat. When he felt the swm seat he rolled his eyes and shut up. Man that seat is hard!! Don't know if I'll address it or just wait for my derrière to harden up.

There's talk of ecu remapping potentially giving these bikes a real boost....I'm interested but will wait and see if the talk matches the truth. I don't need more power but if the engines torque and rideability is improved then that can only be good.

The swm is effectively a 2010 husky te510.... I don't have a problem with that. I'm not a better, faster, fitter or more aggressive rider now than I was 10 years ago so why do I need a nuclear missile with a headlight......I don't. I'm having a ball on this bike, which is why I ride, and my wife was happy with the price. Win win!!

 

[Oldscool]

Just sniffing around my new bike and I noticed a loop connection in the loom behind the headlight. It looks like a factory connection and loops a black wire with a yellow wire. Looking at the SWM wiring diagram, the closest thing I can see it being is a map switch connection. According to the diagram though that loops a yellow wire with a grey wire, not black. Even though it's on the diagram it's not referred to in any text.

Anyone know what it actually is?
Is it accessing a different ecu map due to the arrow muffler being fitted?

Cheers.

 

[Huskynoobee]

I'm not sure. I do know that from my limited experience with using the Maya interface software it seems that only one map is loaded. Some maps require their own "device" to be opened so that the ECU will communicate with Maya based on the type of map that is loaded. However, I have seen somewhere in the Maya tutorial about the ability to have 2 maps loaded. It's quite possible that this has changed, or perhaps is a condition for US models.

Unfortunately, the bikes haven't stayed in the shop long enough to really get to know the software as much as I would like to. Once they get through CARB testing I'm hoping to be able to spend some time with a 500.

 

[huskydude59]

I've had a RS 500R since July 16. Its a good bike, well made and so far so good on mx practice, trail rides and a Welsh Rally event.
Only -ve points for me are the fuelling at lower revs - seems crude and the lack of plushness from the front suspension over rocks/boulders, it just deflects off in all directions. Front is fine in fast, open going and over jumps.

I'm currently trying to get a "plushness setting" but think its going to need softer springs ultimately.

Can't complain at the price.

I know this is not the correct thing but, add 10mm preload to the fork spring and add bring oil up to the 100 mm

 

[ex-xt]

Hi guys .
I bought a 500 3 weeks ago. To replace my former 400 DRZ which is nice on trails and really a no-problem one.
I enjoy this new husky . It is smooth and easy in the trails around her, mostly sand and muds .
Now the point is to make a real "raid bike ( a king of rally for ordinary folks like me) :
bigger tank, plate , fairing blabla .
So old husky spares will maybe fit ; i hope .