When your biggest desire is finding a bike that can tear up the trails but can also take you to work on the highway, you need a dual-sport bike.
The trouble with that is you have to be prepared to shell out a good deal of cash to get something decent. All of the big names will gladly provide the bike you are after, for a price.
Now, dual-sport enthusiasts have another option: the SWM RS 500. It’s an affordable dual-sport bike that is ready to tear down the boundaries holding riders back.
Let’s take a closer look at the SWM RS 500 specs and what it has to offer.
What is the SWM RS 500?
It’s very possible that you don’t know the SWM by name. Even still, we bet there’s something about this bike that seems familiar.
In 2011, it was called the Husqvarna TE510. Then, Husky moved production to Austria in 2013. This left their Italian factory dormant. Investors took over that factory plus the tools and rights to the Husqvarna designs. SWM is what came from that venture.
After a long changeover, SWM brought a dual sport back to the United States. It’s updated and has a new name, and it’s officially time for the launch.
Because the company had all of the existing tooling, the company can sell the bike at a much lower price than other dual-sport bikes. In fact, the RS 500 sells for just under $8,000. Compare that to $10,399 for a Honda CRF450L and you can see the immediate benefit to considering this bike. If you want a Beta, Husky or KTM, you will spend even more.
Under the skin, the 2019 SWM RS 500 is largely the same bike as the Husqvarna TE510. This tried-and-true bike simply sports a new name and new owners thanks to a changeover to SWM.
With that said, there are a few differences, especially with the suspension. The new RS 500 R features an adjustable KYB suspension in the front and rear instead of a Sachs shock. It also has upgraded Brembo brake calipers plus new graphics and plastics.
2019 SWM RS 500 R: Chassis and Powertrain
The SWM RS 500 features a double overhead cam engine. It comes with a bright red Husqvarna valve cover and updated Mikuni EFI system. Still, the bike’s dual muffler looks exactly the same as it was before.
At one time, the TE510 featured a throttle stop. This was due to emissions, but it isn’t included anymore. It also doesn’t have the ignition jumper as the previous model did. This jumper was used to switch the ECU over to a performance mode. With the new SWM, the bike is already in the performance mode. You will, however, notice the charcoal canister. It’s included but won’t affect the bike’s performance.
This SWM also comes complete with a six-speed transmission and hydraulic clutch. The tires are DOT Approved Michelins, so you can drive on the road as a street legal bike. They feature Euro-spec knobs, so you are set to go trail riding as soon as your bike comes in.
Dirt is the ultimate destination
Just like the TE510, this SWM is made for dirt. The company didn’t spend time making it comfortable for on-road riding. If you want something cushy to take your daily commute on, this won’t be the best option for you. Note I said cushy - it’ll commute just fine, it’ll just be harsher than you might expect.
If you prefer to experience off-roading on the back of a high-performance bike, this won’t let you down. The upside is that it also comes with a license plate holder on the back, so you can do things only a street legal dirt bike can legally do.
2019 SWM RS 500 R: Weight
There’s no question that this bike is big.
The RS 500 isn’t meant to be small and lightweight. The wheelbase and seat height are all within the same range as other comparable bikes. The SWM RS 500 offers sizing similar to the Beta 430 RR-S and KTM 500EXC. You can expect it to feel long and big, but not lightweight. Nice.
The tech specs say that this bike weighs 255.7 pounds dry, but many who have ridden it think that’s more of the Tinder number than the real deal.
Because of the torque and power, there is also some vibration. These moving parts create unwanted inertia that adds to the bulkiness.
It will take some heavy-duty muscle to maneuver this bike. Make sure you keep a tight grip on the handlebar anytime you grab throttle. The power might just surprise you.
2019 SWM RS 500 R: Ride
Even with the excessive weight, the SWM RS 500 handles well on the trail. It corners exceptionally, even on a tight track. In addition, the suspension feels solid and it can soak up hard hits with ease. The one benefit to the additional weight is the stability. It would take a lot to throw this bike off track.
Because it is built with a 501cc liquid-cooled four-valve engine, you know to expect plenty of power and crazy amounts of torque. What you wouldn’t expect is that the engine pulls smooth down low and then revs up slowly. Once you hit the middle of its powerband, you feel it hit with plenty of oomph. After that, it won’t quit. In fact, we anticipate that you will give up far before this bike’s engine does unless you have balls of steel.
In tests done by several other enthusiasts, many people found the hydraulic clutch featured just the right amount of pull. We haven’t seen any reports of fading and the clutch seems to be well-built. The brakes also offer plenty of performance and stopping power to balance things out.
The RS 500 comes complete with quality handguards and grab handles. You will also appreciate the durable rear tail that won’t fall off when you knock it around like certain other bikes. The blinkers on this bike are compact yet bright, keeping you safe and legal on the way to the trails.
The guys over at Dirt Action put together a video review of their test ride. Check it out to see the SWM RS 500 in action.
2019 SWM RS 500: Faults
With all the positive qualities, it’s hard to talk about what this bike lacks. We were able to find a couple of downsides, but they aren’t anything major.
First, we aren’t fond of the 1.98-gallon fuel capacity. For the size and weight of this bike, we feel it could have been slightly more.
We also don’t like the kickstand much. It’s an odd thing to say, but this spring-loaded automatically retracting design just gets annoying after awhile.
With those things stated, you will find high-end parts all over this SWM. It’s durable, reliable and well-built. You might not have heard the name before, but you can trust the components that put this bike together.
2019 SWM RS 300 R vs. RS 500 R
The company also sells another bike worth considering: the SWM RS 300 R.
It runs on a single cylinder engine yet there are twin exhaust cans coming out the rear, making this bike look crazy good. It’s a smaller bike and features a red rocker cover and unique graphics. The 297cc four-valve engine runs an 83x555 bore and stroke and a 12.1:1 compression ratio.
Of course, the RS 300 R does cost significantly less than the RS 500 R, which is helpful if you need to save a little cash. It also features an electric start, 42mm Mikuni throttle body control with EFI unit and a Regina chain linked to a 13-tooth front and 50-tooth rear sprocket.
While this bike is still quite heavy, it does weigh less than the RS 500 R. It also comes with the same, small fuel tank situation which should be good for some extra miles in this smaller bike. Still, it’s a solid option if you want to have some fun on the trails with a street legal enduro.
Other SWM Bikes Available in the US
There are a total of five SWM motorcycles available in the United States. It’s been a few years since SWM first tried to make it to the States, but things got held up. The company needed approval from the EPA and you know how that can go.
To help ease the Italian brand into the market, the company decided just to release five models to start with. Aside from the SWM RS 300 R and RS 500 R, we also have three other models available to us.
The SWM SM 500 is a street legal supermoto. It’s equipped with 17-inch wheels, a six-speed transmission and 320 mm front rotor. It’s ideal for Supermoto racing and is known around the globe as a superior single-cylinder 500cc road bike.
There is also an SWM SuperDual T and SuperDual X available. The T features a 19”/17” wheel setup while the X has a 21”/18” split. In addition, it features a 600cc engine, six-speed transmission, 43mm Fast Ace forks, hydraulic clutch, Sachs rear shock, 3.2-gallon fuel tank and 300m front rotor. Solid.
Final Verdict: Good
Overall, we are excited about the new SWM lineup including the SWM RS 500 R.
Its performance can’t be beat for the price and its trail capability is ideal for a day out with hard-core enthusiasts. Anyone that currently rides a Beta, Husqvarna or KTM will enjoy the feel of this bike. The only difference is the price – which just continues to blow our minds.
If this bike is going to make it in the long haul, we would like to see a larger fuel tank but could make do without it. Still, it does a great job of competing with the big boys and is sure to become a favorite among dual-sport riders in the coming years.
The final verdict will really come when people start piling some miles on this bike. Then we’ll see how it holds up. Until then, expect good things from SWM in the years to come, the newest competitor in the United States dual sport market.
How to Buy the 2019 SWM RS 500 R
If you want to buy the 2019 SWM RS 500 R or one of the other bikes, you currently have limited options.
Motoman Distributing is responsible for getting all SWM bike to the dealerships in our country. As of now, there are 20 authorized dealers throughout the country. Eight of those dealerships are in California, so you are in luck if that’s where you are located.
If you have a financed vehicle and want to register it out of state, you have two main options: South Dakota or a Montana LLC (with your bank's permission). South Dakota offers a straightforward registration with no residency requirement and a low sales tax, making it accessible for financed vehicles. Alternatively, a Montana LLC can save you on sales tax entirely, but typically requires you to own the vehicle outright, or get explicit permission from your lender.