2008–2011 · Supermoto · Buyer's Guide
SM 450 R (MY2008)
Race Bike With A Plate
The Machine's Character
The SM 450 R is a competition bike that Husqvarna hung lights and a plate on, and it never pretends otherwise. A liquid-cooled 449 cc single with electronic fuel injection makes 47 hp at 8,500 rpm and 31 lb-ft at 7,000 rpm, so it lives high in the revs. That engine sits in a steel double-cradle frame with adjustable suspension at both ends, 17-inch wheels and a chassis that's impressively light. There's no ABS, no traction control, no ride modes. In the supermoto class this is the sharp end: pure hardware, built for speed through corners. Nothing else matters here.
On a tight back road it's wild fun: it changes direction with almost no effort, leans as far as you dare and tells you clearly what the tires are doing. Owning one is a different story. Service intervals are counted in hours, not miles, the charging system is marginal and there's no radiator fan, so slow traffic can make it boil over. Watch a used one for low-throttle fueling hiccups, weeping fork seals and a wiring harness rubbing on the frame. This is for the experienced rider who wrenches and wants a toy for curves. As an only bike? Forget it.
Hard Numbers
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
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| Power | 47 hp (34 kW) @ 8,500 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 31 lb-ft (42 Nm) @ 7,000 rpm |
| Displacement | 449 cc |
| Engine | Single-cylinder |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 150/60-17 |
| 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 (915 mm) |
| Fuel capacity | 1.9 gal (7.2 L) |
| Top speed | 93 mph (150 km/h) |
Equipment check
Chassis
- Front Suspension Adjustable Standard
- Rear Suspension Adjustable Standard
Known issues
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EFI fueling quirks / low-throttle stalling
Some early EFI models exhibit lean surging, rough idle, or occasional stalling when the throttle is barely opened, especially if the fuel pump mounting or O2 sensor setup is not updated.
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Potential overheating in slow traffic
Without a radiator fan, the engine can overheat and spit coolant during extended idling or stop-and-go riding, limiting its use in urban environments.
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Marzocchi fork oil leaks
The Marzocchi upside-down front fork can develop weeping or leaking oil seals, with oil misting onto the fork legs. Dirt and grit carried past the dust wipers and hard supermoto use accelerate seal wear, and a leaking seal lets oil run down toward the front brake.
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Wiring harness chafing
The wiring harness can rub against the frame, leading to worn insulation and intermittent electrical issues such as dash resets or starting problems.
The Numbers Compared
Compare the technical specifications of the Husqvarna SM 450 R with other bikes in its class.
Head-to-head: Husqvarna SM 450 R vs. its rivals
Power
Torque
Displacement
Top speed
Seat height
What's new versus the previous generation
If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.
Previous generation · 2005–2007
Husqvarna SM 450 R (MY2005)
Race Chassis, Street Registration
Compare to the previous model →Alternatives to the Husqvarna SM 450 R
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Husqvarna SM 450 R. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
