HUSQVARNA SMR570 (2001 - 2004) Review

Although the Husqvarna SM570R's comes with lights and a licence plate it’s nothing short of a full-blooded race bike. Perfect for blasting through town on the odd commute of B-road blast the SM570R is most at home on the track, hammering around the outside of sportsbikes on the kind of twisty tarmac that let’s you really exploit the bike’s light weight, brilliant brakes and squirrel-like agility.

There’s nothing concessionary about the Husqvarna SM570R's ride – the seat’s narrow, hard and perfectly designed to let you slide from side-to-side and help get the Husky right over. The suspension helps the tyres grip like a drowning man to a raft and wet or dry there’s probably no other road bike that can lean as far as the SMR. The Brembo brakes are sensitive and powerful and near-perfect for the job. The ride’s extremely vibey and you’ll be thankful for the 70-mile tank range.

The Husqvarna SM570R's liquid-cooled SOHC single cylinder motor feels slightly over-geared as stock, but dropping the front sprocket to a 16-tooth brings it alive – snarling and barking. The huge 98mm piston responds immediately to the demands of the 41mm flatside pumper carb with huge shove and a race can or system can easily get the power towards 60bhp, easily accessible through the slick gearbox.

Buy with care – most Husqvarna SM570Rs will have raced, so it’s advisable to buy your used Husky from a dealer or take a very experienced friend along with you.

The Husqvarna SM570R's brilliant value. Get the right bike and you’ll never want for another machine. Even the newer SM510R doesn’t offer that much in the way of improvement. Find a Husqvarna SM570R for sale.

The Husqvarna SM570R's stripped and ready for hardcore action – kickstart only; no battery (too much weight) the tiny headlight is piss-poor headlight and the only aftermarket stuff available only makes it harder and faster. The 45mm Marzocchi forks and Sachs shock are fully adjustable and top quality.