Husky 511
- Thread starter ACTM7
- Start date
I'm setting up my SMR511 for snow tomorrow! I bought it expressly for this purpose because it checked a lot of the boxes that seemed important in my research on snow bikes. Unfortunately I didn't realize that the damn thing is a unicorn as far as design and parts and support goes. The 449/511 chassis was designed by BMW, and they failed, then had husky fix it for them while they owned husky. They were also built in Italy. Then Ktm bought husky and the platform was quickly swept under the rug.
Pros: -478cc fuel injected Taiwanese engine produces good power
-Split ratios tranny has close ratio 1-4 and 5th is taller for cruising
-e-start
-Largish fuel tank located low under seat
-Big stator and lighting.
-No fuel tank up front means air box is out from under the seat and possibly out of harms way as far as snow packing (untested theory)
Cons: -nobody has ever heard of them, like damn Dave and dealers who pretend they don't exist.
-the EXTREMELY unique rear swing arm mounting system presents a challenge to mounting a kit. Timbersled did make fit kits for em, not sure if they still do. I'm going to try to graft a mototrax on my bike and use my own fab skills to accomplish that hopefully.
-the oiling system on the engine is designed a little off, but it's relatively easy to fix.
-most parts available from Italy except the crankshaft is discontinued so if you bust one of those, it pretty much totals the bike.
It's a really cool bike and seems pretty robust. We shall see how it does though. If i had a time machine I wouldn't purchase this bike again, but I'm stuck with it and since it does have great things going for it I'm going to try and blow it up and see how it does.
Pros: -478cc fuel injected Taiwanese engine produces good power
-Split ratios tranny has close ratio 1-4 and 5th is taller for cruising
-e-start
-Largish fuel tank located low under seat
-Big stator and lighting.
-No fuel tank up front means air box is out from under the seat and possibly out of harms way as far as snow packing (untested theory)
Cons: -nobody has ever heard of them, like damn Dave and dealers who pretend they don't exist.
-the EXTREMELY unique rear swing arm mounting system presents a challenge to mounting a kit. Timbersled did make fit kits for em, not sure if they still do. I'm going to try to graft a mototrax on my bike and use my own fab skills to accomplish that hopefully.
-the oiling system on the engine is designed a little off, but it's relatively easy to fix.
-most parts available from Italy except the crankshaft is discontinued so if you bust one of those, it pretty much totals the bike.
It's a really cool bike and seems pretty robust. We shall see how it does though. If i had a time machine I wouldn't purchase this bike again, but I'm stuck with it and since it does have great things going for it I'm going to try and blow it up and see how it does.
Last edited:
