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RIDING STYLE
Helmet: Dainese Contender
Goggles: Scott NoSweat
Leathers: Alpinestars GPU
Gloves: Alpinestars GP
Boots: Alpinestars Tech 6. (Click image to enlarge) 

Enter Italian-based Cagiva, the company that later resurrected the vaunted MV Agusta marque. In 1987, Cagiva purchased Husqvarna and set out to revitalize the legendary brand. The rapidly growing supermoto market segment is the platform for Cagiva’s latest attempt to restore the Husqvarna name to its former greatness. (Click images to enlarge)

The Husqvarna SM 610 is a street-legal supermoto-based motorcycle intended for daily commutes and light transportation, as well as a fun weekend canyon-carving tool. If you have ever ridden a motocross bike, you can imagine the end result of combining feather-light weight, sharp handling and explosive motor response with tires designed for on-pavement stickiness.

The razor-thin Husqvarna feels alien to what most of us have come to expect from a road-going motorcycle. The slim profile, wide motocross handlebars and agile handling makes riding the Husqvarna on tight canyon roads akin to slalom skiing, as it is capable of producing an engaging rhythm—flicking the machine back and forth through corners in a kind of sinuous ballet. In fact, in the case of the SM 610, you will find yourself seeking out those tight canyon roads you may have traditionally avoided in the past, on a slower turning, less maneuverable sport machine. As the SM is based on an off-road machine with long-travel suspension, it is open to exploring roads with less than stellar surfaces, though you must remain aware of the pure-street tire selection.

A 576cc liquid-cooled single cylinder four-stroke engine with the expected double overhead cams and four-valve head powers the SM 610. The engine pumps out 53 hp at 7,000 rpm, which may not sound like much, but you have to consider it is only pushing 312 pounds of motorcycle. Also benefiting from the low weight, the single 320mm front brake disc and Brembo caliper is more than adequate to get the 610 stopped in a hurry.

In keeping with its heritage, Husqvarna uses the finest components and  craftsmanship throughout. Hefty 43mm Marzocchi inverted forks handle the suspension on the front with a progressive-linkage Sachs shock at the rear.

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.