Hi
been looking at one of these, I have been offered one for a good price. thinking of using it for trans africa (east coast) they seem like they are pretty tuff. I have also a large tank avaliable too. the bike's light weight is also an advantage. I know you can't get racks for hard luggage for these bikes, but I can't see why i can't get some made-unless there is something I don't know??I guess strengthening the rear sub frame might be needed. Making the seat more comfortable would be a must. Why are these bikes not more popular in the overlanding comunity?
Thanks George

"the bike's light weight is also an advantage"

if you're on a supported off-road extravaganza maybe.

"I guess strengthening the rear sub frame might be needed"

ahhhh.... that'll be why it's a light weight bike. So you need to make it stronger, therefore heavier.

hard luggage is neither here nor there to be honest. which avoids strengthing the subframe. take nothing you can't afford to lose, and you won't have a problem. expensive (camera, docs, etc) in a small (2L say) ruck sack. clothes can be re-bought if you have a problem.

"Why are these bikes not more popular in the overlanding comunity?"

availability of spares? your own knowledge will be required to fix it? popularity of bike doesn't matter. if you need to ask why then change it for something more mainstream. or, tell people like me to f'off and ride what you want to....

Thanks Dougie
The husky TE610E is 149kg compaired to 195kg of a BMW Darkar thats quite a difference. Yes I take your point about the light bike/sub frame surport issue-should have throught that through before posting! I was thinking along lines of once one is loaded with 40/50kg kit the TE is about the same weight as a unloaded Dakar. Just so long as there is no horriable dark secret why there does't seem to be many people using these bikes for this sort of thing.
Cheers George

I'd have no worries taking one on a long trip George.I have the nearly-identical TE410E which i use for full-on Enduros and despite having the living nads thrashed out of it every time,it hasn't given me any hassle.I also passanger on a sidecar outfit for a friend who's been using TE610E for some 6 years now without anything letting go.It's worth changing the camchain and tensioners on higher mileage bikes(but then that goes for any bike).As far as the strength of the rear subframe goes,well it of steel construction so beefing it up is quite easy(there's also quite a bit of room to do this) but as it's the same subframe as fitted to the (rare)TE610LT which has a decent rack anyway i'd guess it can take a fair bit.One handy tip is to replace the dual exhaust silencer setup with an aftermarket single sider and you'll have a rather handy tool-storage sized space under the seat left.Also the standard 610 exhausts have catalytic converters in them and weigh a ton....the 410 ones will bolt straight on and are cat-less if you want to retain a twin system.
If you do get a 610,get the very good Husky owners manual with it...they're very good.Genuine parts are expensive due to Huskysport charging well over the odds for stuff.It's cheaper to get parts from overseas suppliers and pay the postage difference!

__________________
Just going for a short ride on my bike....

Think the lastest models come with the close ratio gear box.

You want and need the wide ratio gear box!

__________________
---
Regards Frank Warner
motorcycles BMW R80 G/S 1981, BMW K11LT 1993, BMW K75 G/S

the 610E is an enduro with a slight 'nod' to the law to make it road legal. the 'E' for electric start is an absolute must because a high performance 600cc single is not an easy bike to kickstart, with kickbacks quite common, how strong are you feeling today, sir?

saying that its a fantastically fun ride, but perhaps not as a long distance tourer, its too much of a handful. and your bum will not thank you.
also, spares might be hard to come by in out of the way places?

__________________
dave

I drived an TE610E for overland trips.

Turkey - Jordan ... Turkey-St.Petersburg ... Turkey-Nepal

+ ... light (easy to pick up), crashes well, incredible suspensions....

- .... Terrible alternator, very sensitive carb., very small fuel tank...

Cheers,