TE 610 - WAS IT A GOOD DECISION?

[Hennie]

Hi everyone,

On our wilddog forum here in South Africa, a member asked about the reliablilty of the 2009 TE, to which I responded favourably, as did all other Husky owners. Can't criticize your own brand publicly after all!
Well, based on my recent experiences, I'm also starting to wonder about the reliability:

I purchased my 2009 TE new in April 2010, and have since put on 15,000km. I recently did a 417 km roadtrip and found oil leaking from the engine - enough to warrant an oil top up. At first I thought it was coming only from the oil filler cap (which was also leaking oil), but on closer inspection seemed to come from the gasket/s on the front side of the engine.

Furthermore, the bottom exhaust can bracket, where it is welded to the sub-frame, vibrated loose, necessitating alumnium welding.

The exhaust can cover is also loose from the inner part of the can - that metal strip around the can that is pop rivited, came loose.

I now have that typical Land Rover owners feeling - that's when you clinch your but cheeks the whole time, wondering what next is going to brake, and when. I'm losing confidence in my bike.

 

[alanB]

Hi Hennie

Not good news.

Mine doesnt use any oil. It did have an oil sweat issue around the filler cap, but I think I fixed that by closely inspecting the cap and shaving off the moulding ridge with a sharp knife. (Only the slightest amount of material needed to be removed). Seems much better now.

If the main gaskets are leaking and the bike is relatively new I would take it to Primrose and see what they have to say. Because that just shouldnt happen. Ask for Shane in workshop, dont speak to the owner he's a bit of an idiot.

I also had a small issue on my exhaust, on the stainless bit between the header and the muffler. One of the tabs welded onto the pipe which the heat shield screws onto broke off. Primrose had it tig welded on again, no issues.

Apart from that I've had no other issues so far and use the bike regularly.

Didnt Blazes remove your CAT? Have you spoken to him about the loose rivets? In any event Blazes knows these bikes backwards, and he knows the importers so he can give good advice I think.

 

[Andre Brink]

Hennie

I think it was a terrible mistake to buy a Husky - They are in exactly the same league as Landy's. Please PM me asap. I can you an offer for the bike.....

 

[glangston]

Several guys in the US make a better sealing cap for the oil filler, Uptite and Motorsportz.

My dealer (a 4 decade Baja racer) thinks highly of the TE 610 and I might be getting one if the wife turns her head for a minute.

 

[Hennie]

An

Hennie

I think it was a terrible mistake to buy a Husky - They are in exactly the same league as Landy's. Please PM me asap. I can you an offer for the bike.....

Andre jou moegoe! Het jy nie 'n lekker exhaust wat sal pas nie? Sien jou Saterdag by Conrad.

 

[Hennie]

The reason for my post is three fold;

1. To get some affirmation that I made a wise choice in buying a Husky
2. To find out whether other owners also have the oil leaking problems from both the cap and the engin gaskets.
3. To find out whether its normal for the brackets to break off, seeing that all single cylinder bikes vibrate.

 

[Hennie]

Thanks Alan,

Yes, the pop rivits that came loose might well have been as a result of the de-catting job - so that one I'll let slide:-)
The guys at Primrose are really brain dead. Shane however is ok, but Conrad (Runner) is a much better call I think. I'm taking my bike there on Saturday. It's really only the leaking oil thing that irks me.

 

[ghte]

I hope you get the matters resolved Hennie. Great bikes by and large.

 

[Rattletrap]

Teflon or pipe tape on the oil cap will take care of that. Just replace when you change the oil.

 

[Blazes]

Thanks Alan,

Yes, the pop rivits that came loose might well have been as a result of the de-catting job - so that one I'll let slide:-)
The guys at Primrose are really brain dead. Shane however is ok, but Conrad (Runner) is a much better call I think. I'm taking my bike there on Saturday. It's really only the leaking oil thing that irks me.

And did you find the --oil leak --Hennie.

I would most probably have gone with the 610 or 630 sm for all the commuting on the bitumen slab you do daily rain or shine --my te610 is ok on tar -- but i would definately not commute with it every day --

 

[Hennie]

Blazes,
I used to own a 1981 XT500, and i did daily commuting as well as long trips to Zimbabwe and Zambia with it - no problems at all. I was looking for something newer and faster, and eventually (after a 950 Adv, F650 Dakar and R1150GS) settled on the Husky (based on your continious praises of the 610), believing that it can do both. I still do, and I don't think my daily commuting of 100km is the reason for my Friday afternoon model. A leaky head gasket is a leaky head gasket, and has nothing to do with the fact that I'm commuting with it (I think). Also, the exhaust bracket braking off the sub-frame is not due to commuting, its due to poor welding.

My Husky is in the shop currently, and I hope that Conrad can fix all problems once and for all. If however the problem/s persist, I'll start considering other brands. I still however think the Husky is the most beautiful bike out there and really want to keep her.

 

[Blazes]

Blazes,
I used to own a 1981 XT500, and i did daily commuting as well as long trips to Zimbabwe and Zambia with it - no problems at all. I was looking for something newer and faster, and eventually (after a 950 Adv, F650 Dakar and R1150GS) settled on the Husky (based on your continious praises of the 610), believing that it can do both. I still do, and I don't think my daily commuting of 100km is the reason for my Friday afternoon model. A leaky head gasket is a leaky head gasket, and has nothing to do with the fact that I'm commuting with it (I think). Also, the exhaust bracket braking off the sub-frame is not due to commuting, its due to poor welding.

My Husky is in the shop currently, and I hope that Conrad can fix all problems once and for all. If however the problem/s persist, I'll start considering other brands. I still however think the Husky is the most beautiful bike out there and really want to keep her.

Pity --just would like to know how and where that oil leak is --- I hear even Conrad's pressure washer is broken at the moment --hehe

Man that is such a bummer --btw i have head gaskets if you need --

 

[LRPct]

You didnt sound so sure about WHERE the oil is coming from. If it indeed is comming down from the top front of the motor it could be from the very common valve inspection cover area. Not very harmful. I cant believe you even brought up the rivets after you mucked with them.. lol

 

[Hennie]

LRPct,
Firstly, all the oil deposits are on the front side of the motor. Being a non-mechanical person, all I see is an engine leaking oil, which did not happen on my KTM, XT, or BMW's - and they were not purchased new. My Husky was bought brand new. Exactly where is comes from, or whether is harmful or not is totally irrelevant - it just should not happen.

Secondly, I must concede that mentioning the rivets was a bit unnecessary, but then I see that you keep absolutely quite about the exhaust bracket breaking off.

Please do understand: I'm crazy about my Husky, but not about the build quality of my particular bike.

 

[Hennie]

Hi again,

I have now just done my first proper adventure ride (after my bike has been fixed), and will give some feedback.
But first, an update on the problems, the fixes and my answer to my thread question:
1. Oil leak: It was actually, in the end, just tappet cover leaks, and were fixed.
2. Loose exhaust and related problems: seems all problems eminate from the de-catting process - it even caused two cracks in the exhaust between the two covers. Also the mounting that cracked. All related things that have nothing to do with the build quality of the bike. Thanks Conrad.

Now the trip: Went on a 1400km round trip from Pretoria to Swaziland, Mozambique (Ponta De Ouro) and back again via Amersfoort - mostly where possible dirt roads and sand roads. The Husky never gave any problems, had lots of torque in the sand and did 130km/h (gps speed) easily on the highway.

I'm glad to say the Husky is way better than I thought, I is definitely one of the most under rated ds bikes in South Africa.

So yes! It was the best choice in bikes I could have made, and will not trade it for anything!!!

 

[LRPct]

FIRSTLY............Glad to see that the lil bit of oil was indeed minor and the common valve inspection covers that I spoke of earlier and

SECONDLY............ that the rest of your concerns about build quality were actually due to your improper mucking around of the exhaust, INCLUDING the broken bracket that you made sure to make a point of highlighting that I didn't refer to in my earlier post when I tried to point you in the proper direction regarding your concerns. Thanks for reminding me of that one as well. Best of luck with it in the future.