did i buy the wrong bike? te511 versus terra

[MaDProFF]

I disagree, neither the 449 or 511 are street-comfortable for more than a 20 miles or so, they are obnoxious on pavement at highway speeds. Has nothing to do with the tires or sprockets or balance or seats (I have all those and while they help, its still a b@tch on pavement), its the transmission ratios and the high revving engine. Balancing does indeed help but these are not street bikes, I think Yogi needs the Terra for what he wants. The 449 and 511 in the tough dirt are a dream once we get them running right.

I rode about 120 miles today on mine, (few stops for Cups of Tea, a British thing in quite windy conditions, had bout enough by time I got home, but tbh I find it worth it, as I said I have 17" rims with Michelin pilot sports (I think they are sports) and a smaller rear sprocket, it goes well, sure a little viby at 70 mph and over, but it is a new engine, and going to put some bar end weights on it, I might add the only vibration is on the handle bars none else where, seat ok, and only started to feel it after 100 miles of the day. if I want off road just swap wheels back over.

 

[MaDProFF]

if you are in uk. don't they outfit these bikes differently for Europe??????? I will investigate what to do........I want a motocross bike , that's why I bought it......I guess I just felt it would perform more like my 2006 te610........im not complaining here..........that bike is a great motocrosser (te511)........but im disappointed on the road.......(im still thinking how I want to keep the te 610 and the te511 and somehow make them both useful for me......I would prefer to have just one bike...........but as of this moment.......the te610 performs better for what I use it for...........I guess I felt Husqvarna made a dedicated motocrosser in the tc model?????????? and they would alter the te model to be a bit more road friendly .........that is not the case im afraid.......alterations await........im not a motorbike expert........but i know what I feel under my legs.....and I can tell those tires (Michelin) on the te511 don't perform as well as the metzlers i have on my te610........another guy on this thread is saying something about rim locks (whatever that is) and rim size. whatever that means......I dont know much about bikes......i will admit

I not sure of the difference, I did quite a few miles on the oem wheels and tyres, at first hated it, but i did around a 60 mile round trip before the change to 17" rims, and soon got a bit better, sure at high speeds I hit about 80 on those , was not bad enough I wanted to slow down. my bike is stock for UK, race map 2 enabled, but does have a Akrapovic exhaust on it. but overtaking is easy, pulls like a train, might even change the rear sprocket for a smaller one still. great fun

 

[YOGAVNTURE]

Balance the wheels and it will be real smooth, gear it up and it will crus 65 all day long. I do many 150 plus mile DS rides on mine and love it. 45 mpg street wheelies, 40 mph gravel rode brod slides and wheelies, tight single track. Setup right this is a great do it all bike. I use mine primarily as a DS bike and this always includes street to gett here and I have zero issues. Last year i rode gnarly single track for 3 days while camping with a friend and then rode it 70 miles home on pavement. Was awesome.

THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO HEAR********************************************************************************!!! I don't know if it is true, but this is what I want to hear........and I wonder what tires you are running. im not a motorbike expert. but my gut says you have full on knobbies you are running too? if I go the extra mile and get a smooth trials tire (that can still handle dirt/gravel (similar knobs to terra bike tire?) I think im good to go and I don't have to sit low and cramped on the terra?????? maybe I did buy the right bike, you seem to be in minority here, but I want to think like you....im happy to sacrifice some comfort on dirt AND ROAD, to get a BOTH BIKE, especially when we have deer so thick in iowa motocyclists get hit a lot here (as I remember it 7 killed by deer last year, that's a lot for iowas population and size and weather you can only ride 5 months a year, we get rain too, its not like calif. sunshine weather every day here). I don't want to get hit and my theory is to get on the most agile, light bike I can find.......so my next step is balance the wheels I guess.....run my knobs on the thing till they die ( I suspect after they wear down a bit they will be better on road) then find a replacement tire that is better. I cant overemphasize how the feeling of riding on logs on the interstate was...maybe balance will help. I will take to a shop.........thanks.........rarely do you see a real man riding a real bike on the interstate....even if the bike aint meant to do that...........

 

[Motosportz]

I don't drink, and I don't whine about buying the wrong bike either. I do my research first and buy the one that fits my needs. I'll bet you repeat this cycle of impulsivity followed by remorse frequently in your life.

I like this site because this site has very little of this kind of crap. please can we just talk about bikes without it becoming personal?

 

[Mike-AK]

I like this site because this site has very little of this kind of crap. please can we just talk about bikes without it becoming personal?

Poof...it's gone.

 

[YOGAVNTURE]

I not sure of the difference, I did quite a few miles on the oem wheels and tyres, at first hated it, but i did around a 60 mile round trip before the change to 17" rims, and soon got a bit better, sure at high speeds I hit about 80 on those , was not bad enough I wanted to slow down. my bike is stock for UK, race map 2 enabled, but does have a Akrapovic exhaust on it. but overtaking is easy, pulls like a train, might even change the rear sprocket for a smaller one still. great fun

thanks maybe I will be happy with this bike afterall........listen, you and I both understand we are going to make compromises on the highway to have such thouroughbred dirt bike......that's a given. I will investigate the 17 inch rims.....as you mention. thanks

 

[WoodsChick]

I like this site because this site has very little of this kind of crap. please can we just talk about bikes without it becoming personal?

Thank you.

 

[YOGAVNTURE]

Thank you.

you can have the final word on this. good one.

 

[Motosportz]

THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO HEAR !!! I don't know if it is true, but this is what I want to hear........and I wonder what tires you are running. im not a motorbike expert. but my gut says you have full on knobbies you are running too? if I go the extra mile and get a smooth trials tire (that can still handle dirt/gravel (similar knobs to terra bike tire?) I think im good to go and I don't have to sit low and cramped on the terra?????? maybe I did buy the right bike, you seem to be in minority here, but I want to think like you....im happy to sacrifice some comfort on dirt AND ROAD, to get a BOTH BIKE, especially when we have deer so thick in iowa motocyclists get hit a lot here (as I remember it 7 killed by deer last year, that's a lot for iowas population and size and weather you can only ride 5 months a year, we get rain too, its not like calif. sunshine weather every day here). I don't want to get hit and my theory is to get on the most agile, light bike I can find.......so my next step is balance the wheels I guess.....run my knobs on the thing till they die ( I suspect after they wear down a bit they will be better on road) then find a replacement tire that is better. I cant overemphasize how the feeling of riding on logs on the interstate was...maybe balance will help. I will take to a shop.........thanks.........rarely do you see a real man riding a real bike on the interstate....even if the bike aint meant to do that...........

It is what it is. A very good 450 class e-start bike. what you set it up for is up to you but it will do it. I know guys that MX the TC449, guys that win big here (see Oregonsages reports) int he expert class off road, lots of happy owners simply trail riding them and then people like me using them as a swiss army knife. It is all in how you set it up.


Pirelli MT43 is a good DS trials tire. Holds up to street use fine, smooth as butter, large overall diameter increases top end speed. I like them a lot in the summer but put knobs back on for the slick clay we have here in the winter.

MT43 shown here...

My last couple of rides...

15 miles of pavement to my trail system and back leaving the KTM 450 for dead on and off road...

DSing with buddy on his TE310...

120 mile organized DS ride, bike was fantastic and there was a lot of fast canyon carving going on...

 

[Motosportz]

thanks maybe I will be happy with this bike afterall........listen, you and I both understand we are going to make compromises on the highway to have such thouroughbred dirt bike......that's a given. I will investigate the 17 inch rims.....as you mention. thanks

thats it right there. You bought an off road 450 class bike. It is not going to be a goldwing but setup I find it is a fantastic do it all bike for me and my needs.

 

[MaDProFF]

thanks maybe I will be happy with this bike afterall........listen, you and I both understand we are going to make compromises on the highway to have such thouroughbred dirt bike......that's a given. I will investigate the 17 inch rims.....as you mention. thanks

I think you need to get out there and ride it, it all softens up a little, the 17" rim route is expensive was over in the UK anyhow, but worth it as I like twisty roads we have loads here I would have probably stuck with the knobblies if I only wanted to ride between tracks, but I intend to use it in the winter on the road, and wet, and the nobblies in the wet I would guess be pretty dodgy, was 3 of us out for the ride, R6, and a Hornet, sure they were taking it fairly easy, but I had no problems keeping up, and overtaking loads, and prob hit over 85 MPH in places today. I might add I am quote light weight around 11 stone geared up. but better on the road than I expected it be

 

[Motosportz]

BTW i also own a TR650 and it is a great street bike but limited off road by 400 pounds and OK suspension. The 511 is not near the street bike but a million times better off road. the 511 gets ridden more as it is far more versatile. I bought the TR to replace my street bike so I could explore back roads (gravel) too. Its great for that but the 511 is a far more versatile bike. IMHO someone could buy a TE511 on this fire sale, buy a set of street wheels and put a small rear sprocket on it and have the best of both worlds. The Te511 is more fun on the street than the TR650 as I can rip huge long 45 mph wheelies on the 511 all day long... FUN! The TR is far more comfort for long rides though.

 

[YOGAVNTURE]

It is what it is. A very good 450 class e-start bike. what you set it up for is up to you but it will do it. I know guys that MX the TC449, guys that win big here (see Oregonsages reports) int he expert class off road, lots of happy owners simply trail riding them and then people like me using them as a swiss army knife. It is all in how you set it up.


Pirelli MT43 is a good DS trials tire. Holds up to street use fine, smooth as butter, large overall diameter increases top end speed. I like them a lot in the summer but put knobs back on for the slick clay we have here in the winter.

MT43 shown here...

totally sweet********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************! im looking at that rear tire as we speak******************************************************************************** I think that alone will do wonders************************************************************************************************************************! seems to me husky usa should be listening to this post and put something like that on the te....instead of the full on knobby.......IT IS SOLD AS A STREET LEGAL BIKE AFTERALL.

 

[YOGAVNTURE]

BTW i also own a TR650 and it is a great street bike but limited off road by 400 pounds and OK suspension. The 511 is not near the street bike but a million times better off road. the 511 gets ridden more as it is far more versatile. I bought the TR to replace my street bike so I could explore back roads (gravel) too. Its great for that but the 511 is a far more versatile bike. IMHO someone could buy a TE511 on this fire sale, buy a set of street wheels and put a small rear sprocket on it and have the best of both worlds. The Te511 is more fun on the street than the TR650 as I can rip huge long 45 mph wheelies on the 511 all day long... FUN! The TR is far more comfort for long rides though.

THAT WAS EXACTLY MY INTENTION.......IM A SUCKER FOR A SALE. and I did see the terra in person........didn't study it much, but the more I think about it......as im a tall person. the te511 would actually be MORE comfortable for me cause the terra I would be cramped and angled for my gear/brake feet.........although my first impression of the te511 hand levers are that you need strong hands. three finger levers? husky really spent time shaving weight on this thing.....my biggest main gripe is not light telling me in neutral.....it would almost be worth buying something that would tell me in neutral!

 

[YOGAVNTURE]

This was what I was trying to tell you, before you bought the bike. The 630 was probably the better choice, although may be harder to find these days. Don't know about the Terra, depends on how tough a offroad riding you do, as you'd be limited to relatively easy stuff on it. I'd just keep the 610 if its reliable.

I like your post but im 6 foot 3 tall.....the terra sits low and I think my legs might be cramped on the foot levers.? te511 sits perfect for me.

 

[Motosportz]

my biggest main gripe is not light telling me in neutral.....it would almost be worth buying something that would tell me in neutral!

Yeah, bikes I have owned in the past that had that I really liked. Should not be real hard to add one I would think.

 

[Xcuvator]

I really don't know why some guys repost strings of pictures over and over. It kills people using a smart phone or have a slow computer.
When I reply to a post with even 1 picture I delete the image.

 

[mnb]

For anything over 55 or 60, you'll find that balancing the wheels REALLY helps.

Ever have a washer that wasn't balanced? It's fine until it starts to speed up. Then it starts shaking a bit. And then more. And then it's shaking the whole house. Sometimes they smooth out some after that if you're lucky. Same thing. Balance the washer, you can watch TV in peace. Balance your wheels, you can ride the interstate more smoothly. It'll still be a very light, vibey bike that's not geared for highway use, but it won't be as bad.

The 610 you have should be better on the interstate. It's not as good as a Terra for the interstate, but it's better than a 511.

 

[Motosportz]

I really don't know why some guys repost strings of pictures over and over. It kills people using a smart phone or have a slow computer.
When I reply to a post with even 1 picture I delete the image.

some people use web forums a lot some don't. I agree, don't repost the pix they are already there.

 

[Motosportz]

For anything over 55 or 60, you'll find that balancing the wheels REALLY helps.

Ever have a washer that wasn't balanced? It's fine until it starts to speed up. Then it starts shaking a bit. And then more. And then it's shaking the whole house. Sometimes they smooth out some after that if you're lucky. Same thing. Balance the washer, you can watch TV in peace. Balance your wheels, you can ride the interstate more smoothly. It'll still be a very light, vibey bike that's not geared for highway use, but it won't be as bad.

Exactly. On top of that you have two washers (wheels) strapped together vibrating at different speeds. You get crazy harmonic vibrations from the interaction as well. Balancing wheels on any bike you are going to ride on pavement for over 45 MPH is a necessity IMHO. Amazing how much smoother that and the right tires can make a bike. I also find turning a steering damper up on the pavement pays big dividends. Feels much less viby and more planed / less squirmy.