Interstate commuting on stock TE510

[510TENOOB]

What's your thoughts on a 20 mile each way commute on a paved interstate on a TE510, stock gearing- 13/47? At 65 mph my tach reads about 6500 rpm. Am I pushing this bike too long at this constant rpm? I don't want to run into a premature rebuild and I really like running this gear combo for off road riding. Should I change up my cogs or is this perfectly safe for the bike? Thanks!

 

[AbramzTnk]

I think you should be alright. My 450 Katoom cruises easily at 75 to 80. I would suggest some more steet biased tires and you may want to balance them. I run the stock gearing on my XCR-W and have a blast. I want to go full Sumo now. Here's my girl.

 

[Motosportz]

I think you should be alright. My 450 Katoom cruises easily at 75 to 80. I would suggest some more steet biased tires and you may want to balance them. I run the stock gearing on my XCR-W and have a blast. I want to go full Sumo now. Here's my girl.

I went full Sumo on my 06 TE610 and had to buy another DS bike i loved it so much.

 

[Fast1]

I'd run a minimum of a 15/47 for interstate use which should pull the r's down a bit. 6000 rpm should get you up near 70 mph or close to it depending on your rear tire diameter.

 

[ray_ray]

Can't recommend this model above here but the Husky should be OK ... maybe consider a 14 / 15 T front also ... That 510 should have no problem pulling a 14T FS ... Only a snap ring holds the sprocket on also.... U might even like the way the bike feels with a larger Fs ..

Just loosen the rear axle, loosen the chain tighteners to get some slack for the chain and the sprocket should slide off ...

 

[Rob578]

oink oink

 

[OlderHuskyRider]

What's your thoughts on a 20 mile each way commute on a paved interstate on a TE510, stock gearing- 13/47? At 65 mph my tach reads about 6500 rpm. Am I pushing this bike too long at this constant rpm?!

The owners manual says to not run the bike at a constant high RPM, AND a dealer told me that a guy burned up a 510 running it on the highway. I have been wanting to start a thread about why this is, is it true or just a story. I think it may have something to do with no turns and no throttle variation. I think the Husky engine needs to be leaned left and right and have the throttle varied to get the oil sloshed around in the top-end. If you run the entire 20 miles with a constant throttle and no braking and no leaning left and right, I think the top end develops hot spots, places where no oil is getting to without the constant motion of dirt riding.

just my 2 cents on the subject.

 

[ray_ray]

I've never liked running a 2t at a constant RPM but a 4t should be more tolerant to ~some degree ... But I would never run any dirt bike on the road like it was a car ...

I always jump my bike on and off the road onto the shoulder but that may not be possible where U ride at ... But it should be easy enough to play with the throttle to some degree ...

 

[Joliet]

I would rather purchase a used street bike for $1500, than beat up my Husky on the highway. It will be more comfortable on the highway, less vibration, better seat ect. Save the husky for the dirt. My $.02

 

[510TENOOB]

OldHuskyRider-yes, this is what I'm getting at. I've been informed by some folks that a constant high rpm for a long duration may be harmful to the engine. Granted 6500 rpm is only half of its range, I am paranoid about burning it up. I'm religious about changing oil and filter servicing at frequent intervals. She's got approx. 450 miles on the odometer and is starting to loosen up nicely(motor and suspension). So, change out the sprockets for something like a 14/45 or keep her dedicated to the dirt? Thanks all!

 

[ray_ray]

Change the front one first to the 14T ... Ever tried this? I added one tooth to my TXC250 and it really opened up the gears and if it is not too technical where U ride, it should be OK for the trails ...

It is pretty easy to vary throttle position \ engine RPM on the hiway unless traffic is really bad... Don't get smashed but vary UR speeds ... U could even jump on an exit if it connects straight back to the direction you are going to help vary the RPMs...

 

[510TENOOB]

Makes sense. Did you have to swap for a longer chain/add a link or did you have enough adjustment left after switching to the 14?

 

[Fast1]

I've got 7800 or so miles and close to 290 hours on my TE510 and have run a 15/47 or 15/45 for extended pavement or for that matter any high speed use. I've been on 300 mile day rides that included 40 or 50 miles of pavement at constant speed. In addition, these rides may have also included 30 miles of dirt road at constant high speed. I try to limit the r's to 6000 or 6500 or less since the engine just starts to build on torque/horsepower at that rpm. My 510 has yet to require a valve lash adjustment since new. The exhaust valve lash is just starting to get tight but still in spec. I find the engine runs cooler at speed than when I've been stuck in traffic during rush hours downtown. I'm pretty confident that if this would destroy an engine, I'd have found out. Pavement at extended speed (6000 rpm) is actually easier on the engine than deep sand or dirt runnning a constant 6000 rpm. Now if you have a lean running engine, you may expect damage. Older versions of 510s with improperly jetted carbs could spell disaster. I do change my oil frequently (400-700 depending on condtions) and install a clean/oiled air filter every ride without exception.

I've run this sand road at 75 mph for 20 miles many times

100 pavement only ride

heck even a 75 mile pavement / 10 mile lake ride during the witner

 

[G600]

.. I think the Husky engine needs to be leaned left and right and have the throttle varied to get the oil sloshed around in the top-end. If you run the entire 20 miles with a constant throttle and no braking and no leaning left and right, I think the top end develops hot spots, places where no oil is getting to without the constant motion of dirt riding.

Why do you think that the oil needs to be "sloshed around in the top-end"?? I thought the design of the "new" husky engine was pretty standard, using oil pump(s) unlike the old husky engine??

510TENOOB, I just bought a 2006 TE510, love it so far. But IMHO it is a poor commuter, it's not good on the blacktop at all. It vibrates and the seat is rock-hard. I would not expect the engine to suffer any damage if you keep the rpm's sensible (maybe OlderHuskyRider will inform us otherwise??). But racking up miles on a race-bike will/should shorten the rebuild interval.
Maybe you should consider buying a cheap roadbike as a commuter? You probably can find a cheap small-bore roadbike for less than one rebuild of the TE510 will cost... and the commute wont be a pain...

 

[AbramzTnk]

I can't believe you called my Girl a pig. I thought we were family on here. Shame be uponst you!

 

[OlderHuskyRider]

I've got 7800 or so miles and close to 290 hours on my TE510

heck even a 75 mile pavement / 10 mile lake ride during the winter

Excellent addition to the discussion AND with pics, thanks for posting your mileage and riding habits Fast1, it gives me hope for my plans on riding my 450.

 

[ray_ray]

That dirt road above looks like an excellent wheelie alley for a 510 & this new cafe makes pics even easier than the last one ...

 

[Fast1]

did you say wheelies??? the 510 is a wheelie monster

woops.. wrong era how about 40 year later on the 510

 

[ray_ray]

40 yrs later ... still very cool ... and on a 500cc ++ bike ... Thats a natural progression of a good sort ....

 

[pvduke]

you have a street-legal race oriented dirt bike. it's very dirt-biased, designed to link trails on black-top sections. "commuting" @ 6k? yuk. get something else for riding to work, save the ferrari for the weekends, unless you have some ST you can hit on the way to and from.