I have one of its forebears. A 2008 Husqvarna TE250. A great little bike and the SWM is an evolved version of the old TEs. The triumph of development over new design
I recently bought one second hand. Really good dirtbike, can do road sections acceptably. The engine is great, tons of power from midrange up, but a really manageable and progressive low end. The front end feels really planted and with the smooth throttle response big slides are easy fun. Fuel range could be better though, it would be nice if the tank was just a few litres bigger. There's a 19 litre Safari tank that fits, but that's almost like going from one extreme to the other.
Cool! As far as I know it is equipped with LED headlamp. Can you tell is it good enough for night ridding? If you can make a video that would be even better! Cheers
Just happened to put this on after searching for the SWM 500-- so funny this took place in VC. The whole time I was thinking, "that place looks so familiar." Awesome video; thanks!
I am just learning of this model...What does it take to go to a single can exhaust? Full system? Also is there a Rekluse model that works with these? Cheers.
Well, finding an exhaust is tough, Arrow used to make one and it was the best, Central Powersports dist. has one on their web site, but is out of stock, we are working on a system now but it is surprisingly tough to make an bolt on kit. Stay posted.
Thankyou for the review. I am considering this bike because of its low cost. However I have seen some information regarding its reliability. What concerns me is this..... are any of the important or critical parts made in China? Yes it may be assembled in Italy but cheap engine parts imported is what is concerning. Does anyone know for a fact this is the case? If the parts were from China that are the “sundry” non critical parts and accessories it may be worth looking at. However the cheapness of this branded bike may mean a couple years down the track it may not be intact anymore or have engine or other important parts giving up. Any current owners please contribute? Thanks Jeff ( Australia)
Greetings Jeff, The SWM is built in the Italian factory by the same craftsmen/women that built the very successful and dependable Husqvarna line. Consider all motorcycles are now built with parts from around the world, many of the Austrian bikes have components from India, Asia and Japan! Even Ford, Chevy, and Dodge use parts from many sources. The SWM brand has been amazing in its reliability. I have desert raced my RS 500 and have had no issues or breakage, other than the self imposed crunched parts. New parts are readily available.
This is a year old, but worth commenting. I have a 2010 Husqvarna TE450. Nearly the same motorcycle. They are remarkable for their reliability, and now two years after this review, still the same with the RS500S. The engine is a BMW original design, built under contract by a big Taiwanese motor factory with a reliability record rivaling Honda's. Controls, drive components, wheels, handlebars, forks, shock, and plastics are made by a who's-who of motorcycling components. Brembo brakes with Magura levers. Takasago rims. Magura handlebars. Domino grips and electrical switchgear. Polisport plastics. Mikuni fuel injection. Sachs shock and KYB forks (the SWM has KYB both ends). They didn't cheap out on the buy-out gear. Frames and sub-frames seem to be just as well done as the Japanese manufacturers. After adding top of the line tires, power-up kit provided by Husqvarna (and available similarly from SWM), and re-mapping the fuel delivery system with iBeat software and a special cable, this thing rips! I no longer race, but this bike is raceable! My only issue is a lack of a larger fuel tank offering.
Thanks. I am looking for a replacement for my DRZ, so no racing in my mind. Would this bike be capable of a more adventure use? The tank capacity is a major concern.
@@Dustdevilbillybob Safari tanks in Australia make a 19 litre tank for the FE501 which fits the SWM pretty well. They're pretty expensive but well made and don't hurt the ergonomics too badly.
Yes, in the few years since I posted this, I bought a Safari tank. If I ran out of fuel in that tank, it’s MY fault. Great bikes, great range with the Safari tank!
I'm 58 yrs old, 5' 6" and a novice. I am considering buying this bike but am concerned about the weight as many of you are. Does anyone have an update? Thanks.
Thanks. Really appreciate it. If that's the dry weight, that's heavy. I have a wr250r, weighs 295 wet, no fun when I drop the bike. I might have to fork out the money on a Husky or Beta...
Hey Fred, I'm 54, 5'7 and bought one of these a couple months ago. I had the seat shaved and that made it work for me in terms of height. You can probably drop the suspension a bit too if need be. Otherwise, great bike, weight isn't an issue for me. Cheers!
We would recommend oil changes at 500 miles, depending on how the machine is used, if ridden lightly, 1000 miles. Oil is cheap, and does a great job of keeping the motor clean on the inside. As far as valve clearances go, depends on how the machine is used, but we know that it would be good to look at them at 2500 miles The factory does not list a recommended mileage in the service book
The brand SWM is gaining acceptance everyday! A resale in the future is good, as more riders recognize the value of the machine, we are working on a after market gas tank to improve the range. There are becoming more accessories available all the time. Say tuned!
Thanks for the response, I stand corrected, it is more than the 255lbs I listed, I'm not sure of the actual weight, I have lightened my bike quite a bit so far, I changed the battery to Lithium -4lbs, removed the rack and turn signals, no mirrors, and recently changed to the Arrow pipe -14lbs The Honda CR450L is listed at 285lbs with gas, KTM EXC 500 is claimed to be 235lbs dry, the Beta RS 500 is listed as 243lbs dry The one area that the SWM doesn't lighted is your wallet, the Retail on the SWM is $7795.
If I recall dirtbike magazine came to the conclusion that if you switched to the arrow exhaust and a lithium battery it would be lighter than the Honda. and about $3000 cheaper! so even if you go out and buy the Arrow and the lithium battery you’re still about $2000 a head of any of the other bikes
I have one of its forebears. A 2008 Husqvarna TE250. A great little bike and the SWM is an evolved version of the old TEs. The triumph of development over new design
Thanks Jeff, right you are!
I recently bought one second hand. Really good dirtbike, can do road sections acceptably. The engine is great, tons of power from midrange up, but a really manageable and progressive low end.
The front end feels really planted and with the smooth throttle response big slides are easy fun.
Fuel range could be better though, it would be nice if the tank was just a few litres bigger. There's a 19 litre Safari tank that fits, but that's almost like going from one extreme to the other.
Cool! As far as I know it is equipped with LED headlamp. Can you tell is it good enough for night ridding? If you can make a video that would be even better! Cheers
While I don't ride in the dark, the headlight is DOT approved with the high- low beam, it is adjustable to raise or lower the beam.
Great review. Picking one up this coming weekend.
Congratulations! Enjoy!
Just happened to put this on after searching for the SWM 500-- so funny this took place in VC.
The whole time I was thinking, "that place looks so familiar."
Awesome video; thanks!
I am just learning of this model...What does it take to go to a single can exhaust? Full system? Also is there a Rekluse model that works with these? Cheers.
Well, finding an exhaust is tough, Arrow used to make one and it was the best, Central Powersports dist. has one on their web site, but is out of stock, we are working on a system now but it is surprisingly tough to make an bolt on kit. Stay posted.
This is an interesting bike, sure would like to ride one.
If you are ever in Northern Nevada, I can make that happen.
What is Trans like close or wide ratio?
good spacing, about in the middle of close / wide
Thankyou for the review. I am considering this bike because of its low cost. However I have seen some information regarding its reliability. What concerns me is this..... are any of the important or critical parts made in China? Yes it may be assembled in Italy but cheap engine parts imported is what is concerning. Does anyone know for a fact this is the case? If the parts were from China that are the “sundry” non critical parts and accessories it may be worth looking at. However the cheapness of this branded bike may mean a couple years down the track it may not be intact anymore or have engine or other important parts giving up.
Any current owners please contribute?
Thanks
Jeff ( Australia)
Greetings Jeff, The SWM is built in the Italian factory by the same craftsmen/women that built the very successful and dependable Husqvarna line. Consider all motorcycles are now built with parts from around the world, many of the Austrian bikes have components from India, Asia and Japan! Even Ford, Chevy, and Dodge use parts from many sources. The SWM brand has been amazing in its reliability. I have desert raced my RS 500 and have had no issues or breakage, other than the self imposed crunched parts. New parts are readily available.
This is a year old, but worth commenting. I have a 2010 Husqvarna TE450. Nearly the same motorcycle. They are remarkable for their reliability, and now two years after this review, still the same with the RS500S. The engine is a BMW original design, built under contract by a big Taiwanese motor factory with a reliability record rivaling Honda's. Controls, drive components, wheels, handlebars, forks, shock, and plastics are made by a who's-who of motorcycling components. Brembo brakes with Magura levers. Takasago rims. Magura handlebars. Domino grips and electrical switchgear. Polisport plastics. Mikuni fuel injection. Sachs shock and KYB forks (the SWM has KYB both ends). They didn't cheap out on the buy-out gear. Frames and sub-frames seem to be just as well done as the Japanese manufacturers. After adding top of the line tires, power-up kit provided by Husqvarna (and available similarly from SWM), and re-mapping the fuel delivery system with iBeat software and a special cable, this thing rips! I no longer race, but this bike is raceable! My only issue is a lack of a larger fuel tank offering.
Thanks. I am looking for a replacement for my DRZ, so no racing in my mind. Would this bike be capable of a more adventure use? The tank capacity is a major concern.
@@Dustdevilbillybob Safari tanks in Australia make a 19 litre tank for the FE501 which fits the SWM pretty well. They're pretty expensive but well made and don't hurt the ergonomics too badly.
Yes, in the few years since I posted this, I bought a Safari tank. If I ran out of fuel in that tank, it’s MY fault. Great bikes, great range with the Safari tank!
You sad your riding in the winter where's the 2' of snow ? Hahaha
I'm 58 yrs old, 5' 6" and a novice. I am considering buying this bike but am concerned about the weight as many of you are. Does anyone have an update? Thanks.
The RS 500 is a big bike, it is rather tall and about 275-280 lbs.
A novice rider should consider a smaller bike in the 250 range
Thanks. Really appreciate it. If that's the dry weight, that's heavy. I have a wr250r, weighs 295 wet, no fun when I drop the bike. I might have to fork out the money on a Husky or Beta...
Hey Fred, I'm 54, 5'7 and bought one of these a couple months ago. I had the seat shaved and that made it work for me in terms of height. You can probably drop the suspension a bit too if need be. Otherwise, great bike, weight isn't an issue for me. Cheers!
Thanks, Scott. What do you think about the weight of the bike? This is probably my main concern.
Hey, what's the valve clearance check / oil change schedule for this bike?
We would recommend oil changes at 500 miles, depending on how the machine is used, if ridden lightly, 1000 miles.
Oil is cheap, and does a great job of keeping the motor clean on the inside.
As far as valve clearances go, depends on how the machine is used, but we know that it would be good to look at them at 2500 miles
The factory does not list a recommended mileage in the service book
Rpms @ 55 mph?.
what happens if you want to sell it??? you also have to have a gas roto pack due to no aftermarket support ;( does look cool though
The brand SWM is gaining acceptance everyday! A resale in the future is good, as more riders recognize the value of the machine, we are working on a after market gas tank to improve the range. There are becoming more accessories available all the time. Say tuned!
I heard others say the claimed dry weight of 255 was way off, closer to 280lbs? Is it that heavy?
Thanks for the response, I stand corrected, it is more than the 255lbs I listed, I'm not sure of the actual weight, I have lightened my bike quite a bit so far,
I changed the battery to Lithium -4lbs, removed the rack and turn signals, no mirrors, and recently changed to the Arrow pipe -14lbs
The Honda CR450L is listed at 285lbs with gas, KTM EXC 500 is claimed to be 235lbs dry, the Beta RS 500 is listed as 243lbs dry
The one area that the SWM doesn't lighted is your wallet, the Retail on the SWM is $7795.
According to the SWM printed material, the bike is listed as 256lbs dry
@@bikeguysoffroad i suppose that would make it around 280lbs wet, not too much heavier than the Beta 500 at 250 dry
If I recall dirtbike magazine came to the conclusion that if you switched to the arrow exhaust and a lithium battery it would be lighter than the Honda. and about $3000 cheaper! so even if you go out and buy the Arrow and the lithium battery you’re still about $2000 a head of any of the other bikes
Any dealers that sell SWM in upper midwest?
Check with Central Powersport Distributing. they are the SWM distributors
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