Parallel test: Husqvarna SMS 630 and SMS 4

These are two new models that were presented to the public this year and represent the latest design principles of this Italian-German house. The SMS 630 is completely redesigned in the spirit of new lines such as the latest XC and Enduro models, the TC 449 and TE 449 with a BMW engine.

They are a little softer and more elegant, and the smaller version is decorated in a style that is likely to be closer to youth, that is, with bolder graphics. In fact, the 125cc SMS 4 has all the plastic borrowed from the TE 250 racing enduro model, so it is also capable of withstanding many falls or awkwardness. In short, by the look itself, Husqvarna has made it clear who these two supermoto bikes are for.

Both are powered by a single-cylinder, four-stroke, liquid-cooled engine. Volumes, of course, are different. The SMS 4 engine is legally limited to 124 cc, while the SMS 3 has a round 630 cc engine borrowed from an older domestic 600 cc engine.

The smaller engine, which is not really Husqvarna at all, but was only modified or rather trimmed at the factory, is a true 125cc grinder. CM, which spins at an exceptional height, over 11.000 rpm. These are revs that even a motocross specialist would not be ashamed of. The sound of an engine racing through a single throttle at full throttle is also appropriate for this. Many people on the road turned when SMS 4 drove by, thinking that a racing bike was approaching.

The engine sound is undoubtedly one of the best features of the little SMS 4. The only fun thing is that the moment you open the throttle all the way, you hear more sound from the "airbag" or plastic box that the air filter is hidden with deep bass, and after a few moments it is simply suppressed by a single cylinder. At the same time, we must also emphasize that the gearbox works great with the engine and doesn't get stuck in fast racing gears.

Unlike the SMS 630, the small engine also runs on gasoline through a carburetor, which in our opinion is in its favor. The engine is very powerful and with a few exercises it even allows you to make a fool of yourself in an empty parking lot or better yet on a go-kart track where young people can safely learn to drive fast.

The larger Husqvarna, the SMS 630, is different in character. It doesn't spin that high, but it doesn't need to. With the previous model, the SM 610, it uses the same base in the engine, with the only difference that the newer model is rotated from 98 to 100 millimeters and has 20 percent more power. The rocker cover has been painted a racing red, the same color found on the 450 and 510 race cars. They also borrow a double camshaft, which contributes to the very sporty character of the large single-cylinder engine.

It is no longer powered by a carburetor, which, on the one hand, is a pity, but on the other hand, it is required by the new Euro3 environmental standards. Tighter engine limits also mean a tighter challenge for all of the engine electronics, and here at Husqvarna it's obvious they had to compromise as the engine is quite hectic at low revs, which is annoying when driving slowly in a convoy or in a city crowd. Restlessness should be smoothed out with a minimum dosage of clutch and gas.

For best performance, it would be wise to look for better electronics control from an accessory manufacturer. As soon as the speed exceeds 50 km / h or the engine speed increases, this inconvenience disappears. This is when the true racing character of Husqvarna is revealed, when the engine has enough power to take fast and smooth cornering. With SMS 630, cornering is a lot of fun and you can easily go go-karting with it.

The ride quality of both bikes is their strongest asset. In both cases, the suspension is solid and suitable for supermoto use on the road as well as recreational use on a go-kart track. Both bikes have Marzocchi forks up front and Sachs shocks in the rear.

Of course, a true supermoto also has powerful brakes, and both Husqvarnas are no exception. If you like front-wheel drive you can rest assured, as both are equipped with Brembo brakes suitable for such antics. The SMS 4 has a 260mm disc and two-piston caliper at the front, while the SMS 630 has a huge, versatile 320mm disc with a radially mounted brake caliper. Excellent brakes allow you to stop safely on both a completely leisurely touring ride and an aggressive supermoto ride, sliding the rear when entering a corner, or, in supermoto slang, "stop sliding."

But in order not to scare anyone by saying that there are too many racing bikes without comfort, we must also mention the fact that both bikes are surprisingly comfortable in terms of their original origins. None of them overheat in a city crowd, shake (neither at low idle, nor when driving on a highway at high speeds) and do not leak liquid like some old truck. The SMS 630 even has a very comfortable seat, and the passenger's pedals are low enough for the passenger to enjoy driving around the city or even on a short trip.

However, it should be emphasized that they are not travelers with whom one can travel thousands of kilometers. The city, the urban environment, rural roads, a trip to Bled or Piran - this suits him better. About SMS 4, just such a thought: if we were 16 years old again, nothing could stop us from riding it! Today's youth may be happy that 125cc two-stroke engines The CM's have been replaced by such good four-stroke engines. What a "game console", supermoto is the law!

Face to face: Matevj Hribar

I enjoyed the little Husqvarna in a way that I have not loved for a long time. Jokes aside! Since SMS 4 is not heavy and it has a rather low seat, I entrusted the steering wheel even to a girl who is used to riding only a moped. It has some of the old legacy flaws (steering lock, sharp plastic edge under the rear fender, hard seat), but it's probably the best four-stroke teen supermoto on the market nonetheless.

I lacked more explosiveness in the 630cc Hussa as I believe a chin-up supermoto should be such that fast riding in tight corners is the only struggle between the rider and the pavement and the bike, but electronic fuel injection and the rather stuffy stock 630-tico exhaust. system sorry lazy. Well, given the increase in volume, the engine certainly still has hidden reserves.

Husqvarna SMS 4 125

Test car price: 4.190 EUR

engine: single-cylinder, four-stroke, 124 cm? , liquid cooled, Keihin carburetor 29.

Maximum power: np

Maximum torque: np

Energy transfer: Transmission 6-speed, chain.

Frame: steel pipe.

brakes: front coil? 260mm rear coil? 220 mm.

Suspension: front fork Paiooli? 40mm, 260mm travel, Sachs rear shock, 282mm travel.

Tires: 110/70–17, 140/70–17.

Seat height from ground: 900 mm.

Fuel tank: 9, 5 l

Fuel consumption: 4l / 100km.

Wheelbase: 1.465 mm.

Weight: 117 kg (without fuel).

Representative: Avtoval (01/781 13 00), Motocenter Langus (041 341 303), Motorjet (02/460 40 52), www.motorjet.com, www.zupin.si

We praise and reproach

+ price

+ appearance

+ comfortable driving position

+ driving performance

+ brakes

+ motor

- Slightly more acceleration

– inconvenient position of the lock on the frame, the result of a broken key

Husqvarna SMS 630

Test car price: 7.999 EUR

engine: single-cylinder, four-stroke, 600 cm? , liquid cooling, Mikuni electronic fuel injection.

Maximum power: np

Maximum torque: np

Energy transfer: Transmission 6-speed, chain.

Frame: steel pipe.

brakes: front coil? 320mm rear coil? 220 mm.

Suspension: front adjustable inverted fork Marzocchi? 45mm, 250mm travel, Sachs adjustable rear shock, 290mm travel.

Tires: 120/70–17, 160/50–17.

Seat height from ground: 910 mm.

Fuel tank: 12

Fuel consumption: 6 l / 3 km.

Wheelbase: 1.495 mm.

Weight: 142 kg (without fuel).

Representative: Avtoval (01/781 13 00), Motocenter Langus (041 341 303), Motorjet (02/460 40 52), www.motorjet.com, www.zupin.si

We praise and reproach

+ appearance

+ suspension

+ driving performance

+ excellent brakes

– restless operation of the engine at low speeds

– I would like to see the power and torque better distributed throughout the speed range.

Petr Kavčič, photo: Aleš Pavletič

• Basic data

  Test model cost: € 7.999 XNUMX €

• Technical information

  engine: single-cylinder, four-stroke, 600 cm³, liquid-cooled, Mikuni electronic fuel injection.

  Torque: np

  Energy transfer: Transmission 6-speed, chain.

  Frame: steel pipe.

  brakes: front disc Ø 320 mm, rear disc Ø 220 mm.

  Suspension: Paiooli front fork Ø 40 mm, 260 mm travel, Sachs rear shock, 282 mm travel. / 45mm Ø 250mm Marzocchi inverted front adjustable fork, 290mm travel, Sachs adjustable rear shock, XNUMXmm travel.

  Fuel tank: 12

  Wheelbase: 1.495 mm.

  Weight: 142,5 kg (without fuel).

We praise and reproach

price

appearance

comfortable driving position

driving performance

brakes

engine

podcast

excellent brakes

pushes a little more at higher revs

uncomfortable position of the lock on the frame, the result of a broken key

restless engine operation at low speeds

would like the power and torque to be better distributed over the entire rev range