The Husqvarna SM 610, though certainly not everyone’s cup of
tea, is more than capable of delivering a thoroughly enjoyable experience for
those who want to give Supermoto style riding a go. Most who have, found it to
provide a good deal of fun. However, you may need to invest in a pair of
high-end off-road boots, for added ankle support, if you plan to ride foot-out,
which is the preferred style for tight corners. The SM 610 carries the same DNA
as the machine Husqvarna used to garner the 2005 Supermoto S1 World
Championship, proving with a vengeance that Cagiva intends to perpetuate the
legendary brand’s penchant for world titles, which now stands at an astonishing
69 and counting.
The Origins of Supermoto
Invented in america in 1979 by race promoter Gavin Trippe as a kind of a
made-for-television motorcycling Olympics, “Superbikers”—as it was dubbed for
its annual ABC’s Wide World of Sports telecast—pitted riders from various
racing disciplines against each other in a one-race event that combined
aspects of road racing, flattrack and motocross.
Superbikers faded after only
six years, but later caught on in Europe, re-branded as Supermoto. The sport has
since exploded in popularity and has now, ironically, two decades later crossed
back across the pond. A current Supermoto machine utilizes off-road machines
fitted with 17-inch wheels, road racing tires and oversized brakes. Supermoto
has officially taken off in America, though it remains primarily a television
sport. Naturally, it did not take long for manufacturers to see the inherent
potential of building street-legal versions of these nimble racers to enjoy on
the paved roads of the world.
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