2005–2007 · Supermoto · Buyer's Guide
Race Chassis, Street Registration
The SM 450 R is a race-bred supermoto with just enough added to make it street-legal. The core is a liquid-cooled 449 cc single making 49 hp and 33 lb-ft, with a 6-speed box and chain drive. It sits in a steel double-cradle frame on an upside-down fork with 9.8 in (250 mm) of travel up front and 11.4 in (290 mm) at the rear, and both ends are adjustable. There is no ABS, no traction control and no ride modes. You get a sharp chassis, an eager single and your own right wrist. In its class it stands at the pure end.
Its home is a tight, broken back road. The bike changes direction almost as fast as you can think about it, and the cornering clearance is huge. If you can already ride, it gives a lot back. Comfort-seekers should look elsewhere: 2.4 gal (9.1 L) of fuel and a 36.0 in (914 mm) seat make it hard work as a commuter or anything like a tourer. It also needs an owner who keeps up with maintenance. Hard use cooks the rear shock, and the clutch hydraulics, starter circuit and rear wheel bearings all need watching as the bike ages. Buy it for the fun and budget for the upkeep.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 49 hp (36 kW) |
|---|---|
| Torque | 33 lb-ft (44 Nm) |
| Displacement | 449 cc |
| Engine | Single-cylinder |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front brake | 320 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 150/60-17 |
| Wheelbase | 59.0 in (1499 mm) |
| Ground clearance | 10.6 in (270 mm) |
| Front travel | 9.8 in (250 mm) |
| Rear travel | 11.4 in (290 mm) |
| Seat height | 36.0 in (914 mm) |
| Fuel capacity | 2.4 gal (9.1 L) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Rear wheel bearing wear
Rear wheel bearings have been reported to fail prematurely, especially after riding in wet or sandy conditions.
Shock fading during hard use
The rear shock can overheat and lose damping consistency during extended aggressive riding or tracks days, requiring frequent oil changes.
Clutch line and slave cylinder failures
The OEM clutch hydraulic line is prone to crimp failures at the banjo fittings or cuts in the plastic sheathing. The Magura clutch slave cylinder can also fail, leading to total clutch loss.
Battery and starter motor gremlins
Several owners report difficulty keeping the battery charged and inconsistent starter engagement. In some cases the starter motor stuck on, damaging the one-way clutch.
Where this Husqvarna SM 450 R pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the SM 450 R is actually built for.
On tight canyon sections it's a riot, flicking through bends with lean angle to spare. Just know the 2.4 gal tank and tall seat make the LA slog to get there part of the price.
Made for Angeles Crest Highway · Coronado Trail / US 191 · Highway 1 / Big Sur
If you ride to sharpen your technique rather than chase speed, this is a great teacher. Light steering and constant feedback reward clean lines, but plan fuel stops on long approach rides.
Made for Tail of the Dragon · Back of the Dragon · Blue Ridge Parkway
Tight supermoto and kart-style tracks suit it well. On big, fast circuits 49 hp runs out, and long hard sessions overheat the rear shock, so keep sessions short and change its oil often.
Made for WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca · Barber Motorsports Park · Circuit of the Americas
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
