http://swm-motorrad.de/en/modelle/enduro/rs-650-r.html Another Thumper is finally arriving! The same engine as the Husqvarna TE 630! Tests in (german) motorcycle magazines are very positive soo far
Coming to USA in 2016! Check this one out, a 340??? Still trying to get more info on which engine this is, the X-lite or the old BB or something else entirely.
IIRC, they bought the patent rights to all of the old X-lite engines. Now producing them in China. With SWM being an old Italian company bought out by the Chinese. (Not knocking, just say'n.) They do look VERY promising.
I've heard several versions of where the X-liters went, thus is a FB friend so I'm sure he will fill me in later. It looks very KTM in places, wondering if several mfgs are in cahoots here?
It was my understanding that GasGas bought the rights to the X-lite's (at the same time that KTM bought the Husky brand) and SWM got the "big block" 250/310 family (along with 450/510 and 630.) With GG's bankrupcy (and buyout) last year, who knows if they retained their ownership of the X-lite's or sold them off? That doesn't look like either version of the Husky chassis though, and the water pump doesn't look like either version, swingarm looks like an RFS swingarm...with linkage. Who knows, maybe SWM is already starting to make some of their own "from scratch" models? Either way, I'm good with it.
That 340 looks like a mix of ktm/Austrian (KTM) Husqvarna and not much Cagiva Husky. The RS125 is their own engine. Things are looking good IMO. Hope my semi local long time KTM/Burg/Husky/Beta dealer will bring them in. http://www.swm-motorcycles.it/ The models are at the bottom if the page. I don't think they have stood still since BWM had them.
Ok, I got a look at the right side of it, it's a variation of the X-lite. 340 at that engine weight should be a nice combo. I wonder if the KTM 350 enduro engine is really any further ahead of it. Looks to have picked up some refinements.
SWM says they are here in 16, who will be selling them I don't know but I'd bet on a few of the Italian era dealers jumping on.
First review I've come across of this bike. Nothing amazing about it, but in Aus and UK it's very cheap. http://www.therideadvice.com/swm-rs-650-r-review/
I reborn TE630 really doesn't do much for me. If they did I would have bought one from Husky back when they were blowing them out on pricing. But damned it that RS 500 on their web page didn't get my attention. I am saving my pennies for EXC500 right now. So I would love to see the 350 and 500 here. That is assuming they are any good and parts aren't going to evaporate in a few years. That is always my concern with startups since I tend to keep them for a while.
Anybody rides the bike and can share some experiences? It's got the same engine as the AJP PR7, but it costs almost half the price ;-)
Interesting that motor is certainly has the top end from the X-lites but the bottom end looks like the previous engine. Sounds like the worst of both motors. You get a close ratio transmission with creeping valves and starting issues of the X-Lites. Let's hope they fixed the woodruff key issues the X-Lites had. I'm just god I only paid $5200 for my 310 could you imagine those poor fellas who paid +$9,000!
