• 4 Stroke Husqvarna Motorcycles Made In Italy - About 1989 to 2014
     TE = 4st Enduro & TC = 4st Cross

  • Hi everyone,

    As you all know, Coffee (Dean) passed away a couple of years ago. I am Dean's ex-wife's husband and happen to have spent my career in tech. Over the years, I occasionally helped Dean with various tech issues.

    When he passed, I worked with his kids to gather the necessary credentials to keep this site running. Since then (and for however long they worked with Coffee), Woodschick and Dirtdame have been maintaining the site and covering the costs. Without their hard work and financial support, CafeHusky would have been lost.

    Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been working to migrate the site to a free cloud compute instance so that Woodschick and Dirtdame no longer have to fund it. At the same time, I’ve updated the site to a current version of XenForo (the discussion software it runs on). The previous version was outdated and no longer supported.

    Unfortunately, the new software version doesn’t support importing the old site’s styles, so for now, you’ll see the XenForo default style. This may change over time.

    Coffee didn’t document the work he did on the site, so I’ve been digging through the old setup to understand how everything was running. There may still be things I’ve missed. One known issue is that email functionality is not yet working on the new site, but I hope to resolve this over time.

    Thanks for your patience and support!

'11 or '12 TE310/TE449

Which Bike is right for me?

  • Total voters
    11
  • Poll closed .
X

Xjman1

Husqvarna
Well really looking into a dual sport so I can part ways with my quad and street bike. Took a little ride to Tri County Motorsports this weekend to look and they have some really good deals on the few remaining '11's, both TE310 and TE449.
I am 42 and about 200# with a bad back. Looking for a bike to explore areas like truckhaven and Big Bear with a passenger of 115# occasionaly. I know neither have foot pegs so will be looking for a way to add some.
What bike would you do and why? I also like the '12's, however am partial to the looks of the black wheels and white frame on the '11's, so are the '12's worth the extra price over last years model? Also what reliability issues should I be concerned with?

Thanks,
JB
 
Xjman1 said:
Well really looking into a dual sport so I can part ways with my quad and street bike. Took a little ride to Tri County Motorsports this weekend to look and they have some really good deals on the few remaining '11's, both TE310 and TE449.
I am 42 and about 200# with a bad back. Looking for a bike to explore areas like truckhaven and Big Bear with a passenger of 115# occasionaly. I know neither have foot pegs so will be looking for a way to add some.
What bike would you do and why? I also like the '12's, however am partial to the looks of the black wheels and white frame on the '11's, so are the '12's worth the extra price over last years model? Also what reliability issues should I be concerned with?

Thanks,
JB
Click to expand...
If you are going to passenger anyone, you will need the extra HP of the TE449. Better yet get yourself the '11 TE310 and the money you save buy your passenger a '12 TE250 Low.:D
 
I was thinking that, but due to a medical condition of my passenger she will not ride alone. We used to get all around on my '01 KLX300r so thus the 310 fit the bill. I really like the light weight for the solo rides, however the 449 is not that much heavier according to the spec sheets.
Appreciate the advice.

JB
 
I have recently bought a 2011 te310 and find the engine (in full power up mode + PCV + 13/50 gearing) to be very racey in feel, and more mx like than enduro.
The bike feels best and is the most fun when ridden in race mode with an attack attitude. It has similar characteristics to a 2t.
The manual also states that it is not design to carry a passenger...

This is all just my opinion, but I can't help to think that buying a x-lite TE310 for what you wish to do could be a very big mistake that will leave you dissapointed and frustrated at the bike for NOT being what you hoped it would be.

I suggest you try and test ride one first.

I'd imagine that the TE449 would be perfect for what you want to do.
 
I love my '11 TE 449. Didn't even know it didn't have passenger pegs till it got home. I'm 38 and around 200 lbs. myself, and it's a big improvment over my old Yamaha IT. At just 250 lbs, it feels more slim and light like my old enduro machine that I used to play ride and race in fun poker runs now and then. I got a killer deal since they were getting rid of theirs at Malcom Smith. BMW financed for $0 down and 4.99%. I don't think spending the extra ~$2000 will make the '12 much better. Its got 140 miles so far and I haven't even put in the plug to run the race map and it rips! Putt around, no problem, grab a handful and it's instant wheelie. Very tractable in tight stuff, gnarly hill climbs no problemo. Solid at high speed both on and off road. I'm not a snobby moto-journalist or fortunate enough to be able to buy a new bike every couple of years, just a real happy Husky owner!
 
The 310 feels good bit lighter than the 449/511. The 449 has a lot more power and will be far better for a passenger. i think the 449 is a better DS bike and the 310 a better strictly off road bike. They were both great but quite different.
 
Hey guys, new to this site and was hoping to revive this thread to get some advice. I too am stuck between which to get, the 310 or 449, but I'm 5'5" and ~165lbs.

My moto background:
I started on a ninja 250, and have since been riding a ninja zx-6r, with about 7k miles under my belt. I just started riding my buddy's YZ125 and have been having an absolute blast! I've only got about 4 hours of seat time on it, along with a brief ride of his WR250F, but I've decided on getting myself a DS. I initially decided on the TE250, then after some reading I opted for the 310. After telling my buddy that I was planning on buying an '11/'12 TE310, he tells me, "Don't do it. Get a 449. Eventually you're gonna want more power than that 310 has." He tells me that he sees my skill level advancing quickly and I'll get tired of the 310. I'm not sure.

I'm out in the Mojave desert, so most of my offroad riding will be in the desert hills and the Sequoia mountains. I'm only gonna be living here for about 10 more months, and after I get out of the Navy I'll be returning home to Oregon, and will be riding pretty much strictly on mountain trails. I don't want to buy a bike and sell it later. I will almost certainly keep it for it's lifespan, so his words are making me think twice about the 310.

Will the power of the 499 be a learning barrier? Again, I'm not the biggest guy at 5'5" (165cm) 165lbs (75kg), and whichever bike I get will be lowered. Would it be cumbersome to handle?

Any advice is appreciated, thanks!
 
For your size and riding tight Oregon woods get the 310 and have it lowered. Unless you plan to do a lot of Ds or more open stuff the 310 is a better bike for you. Smaller and more manageable. I love the 511 but it is not small or light.
 
I mostly ride in the coast range of Oregon, and agree with Motosportz. I just bought a TE250. I think the 310 would be a little more versatile. If you were going to stay in Mojave, or only ride the coast dunes or east of Bend then the 499 would make more sense.
 
I am 52 5'6" and 155. I have a 2011 310. It is a great bike. Period. I just got back today from riding California City in Mojove. The 310 is awesome in tight stuff. Open desert not so much. I came from a CRF450X which was awesome but got tired of the weight. When my bike falls I love the 310. When I am tapped out in 6th doing 45mph with a 50T rear sprocket I am not so happy. If money permits I might buy a 449 and keep the 310 as an extra bike. The problem with California is that in a matter of an hour you can go from the wide open desert floor to 5000 feet doing tight single track. Love California at times.
 
DavidB said:
I am 52 5'6" and 155. I have a 2011 310. It is a great bike. Period. I just got back today from riding California City in Mojove. The 310 is awesome in tight stuff. Open desert not so much. I came from a CRF450X which was awesome but got tired of the weight. When my bike falls I love the 310. When I am tapped out in 6th doing 45mph with a 50T rear sprocket I am not so happy. If money permits I might buy a 449 and keep the 310 as an extra bike. The problem with California is that in a matter of an hour you can go from the wide open desert floor to 5000 feet doing tight single track. Love California at times.
Click to expand...
Hey, you're right in my back yard! I'm currently living in Ridgecrest. Does the 310 come stock with that sprocket? I wouldn't want to be limited to 45...
 
DavidB said:
I am 52 5'6" and 155. I have a 2011 310. It is a great bike. Period. I just got back today from riding California City in Mojove. The 310 is awesome in tight stuff. Open desert not so much. I came from a CRF450X which was awesome but got tired of the weight. When my bike falls I love the 310. When I am tapped out in 6th doing 45mph with a 50T rear sprocket I am not so happy. If money permits I might buy a 449 and keep the 310 as an extra bike. The problem with California is that in a matter of an hour you can go from the wide open desert floor to 5000 feet doing tight single track. Love California at times.
Click to expand...

I have an 2010 TE310, with the 50T rear...my bike will do 75+ easy in the open stuff. Before I did the power-up my 310 could'nt get past 50...
 
Dave L. you are on crack or I am? Seriously, with a 50t rear and stock counter sprocket my bike is ready to blow up at 50mph. I haven't checked rpm's at that speed but it can't be good for the motor. I have all the power up stuff. Bike runs great. What did you do different? What am I missing. Unless there is an answer I am going to put 45 tooth rear on. Like you mine came with 40 and 50 T. 70mph!!! WoW.
 
DavidB said:
Dave L. you are on crack or I am? Seriously, with a 50t rear and stock counter sprocket my bike is ready to blow up at 50mph. I haven't checked rpm's at that speed but it can't be good for the motor. I have all the power up stuff. Bike runs great. What did you do different? What am I missing. Unless there is an answer I am going to put 45 tooth rear on. Like you mine came with 40 and 50 T. 70mph!!! WoW.
Click to expand...

+1 rode my buddies several times (2011 TE310) with 48 rear, will cruz 55 for a bit but anything over is reving it.
 
Im telling you my bike does 70+ with the 50t...no crack for this kid...lol...I dont do that all the time...I was on the street few days back doing 70...didn't sound like it was going to blow...runs good...bike is stock except for an uptite muffler...George did the tune on the bike...
 
I got 73 at 10krpm (indicated) with stock 'dirt' gearing. That felt a little fast to me - I wouldn't want to do that for any distance regularly, but cruising at 65 felt alright. This is the 250, so it's presumably a little happier spinning than the 310.
 
At this point my main concern has become whether the 449 "feels" bigger and less maneuverable than the 310. I suppose that's the most important thing to me, considering I'm shorter than the average rider.

Probably gonna make my decision today and call up Bill. Last minute thoughts?
 
Serdy said:
At this point my main concern has become whether the 449 "feels" bigger and less maneuverable than the 310. I suppose that's the most important thing to me, considering I'm shorter than the average rider.

Probably gonna make my decision today and call up Bill. Last minute thoughts?
Click to expand...
If that's your thought process then you've answered your own question as there's no way for the 449 to feel as light or nimble as the 310. While the 449(mine is a TXC449) carries it's weight well the x-light platform is just a smaller lighter starting point and that coupled with less inertia from the 310 engine in comparison to the larger 449 makes the 310 the choice if lighter and nimble is what you're after.
 
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