SWM Superdual T Test Ride Review – Something Unique

SWM Superdual T Review

Bike Tested: SWM Superdual T; Road Test No. 1079; Test Location: Pune

Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 8,27,900 /- (w/o discount)

The Superdual is quite a capable bike and unlike anything else in the market

Last year Motoroyale by Kinetic went on a classic multi-brand spree. They had the brand MV Agusta with them but got onboard with SWM, Norton, FB Mondial and Hyosung as well. So now under one roof, you could get all kinds of motorcycles. We had ridden a few MV Agustas and now it was time to get on with a fun one. The SWM Superdual T, a supermoto motorcycle which is based on the Husqvarna TE610 was our pick. It is an unknown brand for the Indian market so just to summarise, the Motor Quest section should get you all the necessary details. Now, let’s get on with what actually this fun-to-go Superdual can do, shall we?

Motor Quest: SWM is an Italian manufacturer which used to make Trial and Enduro bikes from 125cc to 500cc. They started off in 1971 and had a good line-up of motorcycles which used to participate in Enduro and Trial championships. Currently, SWM is backed by a Chinese company while they keep producing motorcycles out of Italy. The line-up is now widespread across 125cc to 600cc, while we get only the Superdual T in India.

Styling – With a quick look one would say the Superdual has motocross traits all over it and it’s true. The design speaks the language of a motocross bike but if you look at the Superdual properly, it has additions which make it a supermoto-tourer combo. Bits like the extended fender at the front, high raised handlebar with knuckle guards, spoke wheels and long travel suspension, they just speak of adventure. But some parts like the extended seat, 18-litre fuel tank, a windscreen visor and multiple crash guards with a bash plate talk about touring. This motorcycle looks very attractive and resembles nothing like the other motorcycles sold in India.

There are no LEDs in the indicators or the headlight but you do get an LED taillight and a pair of tiny LED fog lamps. It gets a floating petal disc at the front and a normal disc at the rear. Although it is a single-cylinder motorcycle, it gets two pipes heading out of the engine head which turn out to be brilliant looking twin under-seat exhausts. The motorcycle stands quite tall and sleek while the colour scheme looks good too. This is something that a KTM adventure would look like and probably the inspirations are coming from a similar source (i.e. Enduro).

Instrument Cluster and Switchgear – The Superdual gets a completely digital instrument cluster but the information on the display is very limited. The LCD display reads out the speedometer and fuel gauge as standard while one can switch between the other details with a toggle button. Other details include a tachometer, odometer and twin trip meters. One can also switch between kilometres to miles by playing around with the toggle. However, the screen is too small and one wouldn’t be able to read the exact details. The switchgear quality is just about adequate and the switches seem quite regular. But in addition, you get a switchable ABS button and an additional on-off switch for the LED fog lights.

Ergonomics – There is no special frame here as the Superdual does duty with a rigid double-cradle unit. To be honest it has been one of the most difficult motorcycles to get on, as the saddle height is as high as 893 mm. The standard seat height in India is close to 800 mm and this is almost 100 mm taller. But then, the side stand is quite sturdy making it easy to get on by climbing onto the footpeg. Me being 165 cms tall, wasn’t able to even tip-toe but the handlebar position is very close to the rider which makes it easy to maintain balance. There is space for a pillion but the seat isn’t wide or long. There isn’t much space for the rider itself and the seat cushion isn’t much to add any bit of comfort. All-in-all, the seating posture stays upright and this bike is easy-to-go for tall riders.

Performance – Powering the Superdual is a 600cc, single-cylinder motor which produces 54 BHP and 55 Nm of torque. The powerband is up high in the rev range, there is a decent low-end punch but the bike has a very strong mid-range and an enjoyable top-end. The revs don’t build up as quickly but the motor is rev friendly and redlines close to 9000 RPM. It can do 100 km/hr in the second gear and has a comfortable top-speed of 160 km/hr. It can also cruise in the 6th gear at 100 km/hr but any lower than 4000 RPM and you might feel the engine is knocking. With the lightweight and decent power figure, the power-to-weight ratio makes it quite lively in its powerband. It gets an 18-litre fuel tank and with decent fuel efficiency, the tank range is close to 400 kms.

The exhaust quite loud while it has a traditional single-cylinder note to it

The clutch is light and the gear shifts are crisp as the Superdual gets a 6-speed unit. Single cylinder units are more prone to vibrations and the Superdual has a good amount of it. There is a slight amount of buzziness from the get-go and it is rideable till 7000 RPM but then there are vibrations all over. Even with all the vibrations, the motor neither feels harsh nor are there any weird noises coming from the engine. However, you might hear the tappet noise if you have pushed the engine too much. The twin-exhaust sounds good and while it is loud and bassy, it still has the traditional single-cylinder note to it.

Riding Dynamics – Getting on the Superdual is a task but once on the saddle, it is just a toy in a playground. The dynamics are very well engineered and this being very close to a motocross has that fun-to-ride attitude. You sit high and upright while the handlebars are very close to the rider, this adds to great supermoto recipe as the feedback while leaning in is just mind-blowing. The bike holds the line well and is light making it easy to flick around the corners. The tank and the seat are quite thin so the rider can stand-up and take it to places where there are literally no roads. The ground clearance of 180 mm also comes in handy as you can jump over speed breakers or take it off-road without any worry.

Tips into corners well and holds the line too, suspension setup is very compliant

The front suspension is a 45 mm upside-down unit while the rear is a mono-shock. Both the suspension are long travel units making it comfortable to take on any kind of road. It also gets an aluminium-type swingarm for better stability. The Superdual comes equipped with a 300 mm floating petal disc at the front and 220 mm disc at the rear. While it also gets switchable ABS which turns off rear ABS, the feedback from the brakes is adequate. The front, however, nosedives a little due to the suspension while the handle twitches a little to the right under heavy braking. The bike comes equipped with Metzeler dual-purpose rubber which can do road and off-road duties equally well. The grip from the tyres is perfect for the bike but on serious off-road terrain, the tread depth won’t be enough.

Verdict – The SWM Superdual T isn’t just another adventure motorcycle but a supermoto bike which is capable enough to go places. The bike feels sturdy and the dynamics are feedback rich. It is a motorcycle that can be a fun-to-go tourer and then can do some off-road duties as well. However, it might not have the comfort of a tourer and the pricing seems a little high too. But, if Motoroyale caters their customers well in after-sales then the Superdual is a middle-weight that India needs. With the discount that has been going around now, the SWM Superdual T looks quite appealing. But again it is accessible only to a few as Motoroyale is present in very select cities.

What’s Cool

* The bike feels sturdy and very well put together
* Looks brilliant and has a lot of attention seeking bits to it
* The suspension setup is comfortable and compliant
* Brakes and dynamics are very enjoyable

What’s Not So Cool

* Vibrations from the single cylinder motor do bother
* Saddle height is too high for shorter riders while the seat is too narrow
* Premium pricing and availability in select cities only

SWM Superdual T Specifications

* Engine: 600cc, Liquid-Cooled, DOHC
* Power: 64 PS @ 7500 RPM
* Torque: 55 Nm @ 6250 RPM
* Transmission: 6-Speed
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Fuel Consumption: 22 km/l
* Frame: Double Cradle Frame
* Tyres: 110/80/19 (Front), 140/80/17 (Rear), Metzeler
* Suspension: 45 mm USD forks (Front), Monoshock (Rear)
* Brakes: 300 mm Disc (Front), 220 mm Disc (Rear), Switchable ABS

SWM Superdual T Dimensions

* Length x Width x Height: 2240 mm x 905 mm x 1385 mm
* Wheelbase: 1510 mm
* Seat Height: 893 mm
* Ground Clearance: 180 mm
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 18-litres
* Kerb weight: 169 kgs

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