grinder96
Husqvarna
AA Class
I posted this review on another site but thought it fit here better.....
My biased (biased cause i already paid for it!) review:
Took my new 2011 TE449 out to break in the engine some today. My local mountains are windy with lots of room to accelerate softly and use engine breaking to slow down. I rode from 2000 to an elevation of about 7000 feet. I did all asphalt today as my arm is healing and cannot take off-road abuse just yet. To me that’s fine as it gives me some time to get to feel how this TE will behave on the pavement and to break in the engine. I left my house with 11 miles on the odo and returned with 186, for those not quick at math that’s a total of 175 miles traveled today.
Engine (4.5 / 5)
The engine is bone stock and performed very well. I got 50 miles to the gallon and as stated in the manual the fuel light (albeit microscopic!) came on with about 1/2 gallon remaining. Coming off of a XR400R and then a DRz400s I could always snap the throttle and pick up the front wheel. The front wheel never felt like it wanted to lift with the TE. This may be due to the longer swing-arm on the TE but It just felt that the engine needed a little more umph. This may change when I put the "race mode" plug thing in, but I haven't yet and as tested, needs more punch. The engine is smooth and pulls from the bottom through mid range very consistently with very little vibration. A little more vibs the faster it spins, but its a single, what do you want, a 30 pound counter balance? I never wrang it out as I am still breaking in the engine (and not by the floggin method!)
Transmission: (4.5 / 5)
When I went for a few short runs to get to 11 miles before today's ride I noticed I could not get the trans in to neutral with the engine running. Engine off it would 1/2 click above 1st as expected but as today progressed and break in did its magic, neutral became easier to find. As a matter of fact the trans shifted better and better as the day went on. There were no false neutrals and the trans dropped right into any gear I poked at, almost forecasting my next move. I do have some concern about how close the transmission ratio is as I kept trying to shift one more time only to find I was already in 6th gear. This little TE will have a hard time on any So Cal freeway as it seemed to work harder then I wanted to push on a new engine to do 60-65. I will ride it in dirt before changing anything but will be paying close attention!
Chassis: (5/5)
Aawww what can I say… by the end of the day I was coming down the local mountain road called Sand Canyon and I think I could have taken on an army of sport bikes shodding their pilot powers or battle axes…it wouldn’t have mattered because I was in a groove and the bike was integrated into me!!! The TE has a firm feel with no unexpected or unwanted chassis shakes or shimmers!! The bike from the start instills confidence. As is dirt bike fashion, the seat is hard and starts to hurt depending on how fat your ass is. Mine is medium fat so it started hurting mid day. As some internet reviews mentioned the pipes will burn your riding pants, they did mine as well and left a couple of black smudges on my new pipe, so a P3 guard is high on the list.
Noteworthy:
Display: (3.5/5)
Can't see it because the brake/throttle/speedo cables block my view and the turn signal/high beam/low fuel lights are tiny and hidden by the front plastic as well. The small mode button is nearly impossible to press with gloves on.
Storage: (1/5)
No, none, nada…I was scared my registration wasn’t going to fit taped to the underside of the seat (it barely made it)! Then wondered where to put my proof of insurance….
Headlight: (3.5/5)
My ride home ended up being at night. The headlight gave good light and threw a descent pattern. There is room for improvement but since I do very little night dirt riding I see no reason for upgrading.
Tires:
The factory installed Metzeler karoo tires performed just fine, now remember this was asphalt only!! I will report when I get this to the dirt!!
Summary:
Regardless of the bias remark because of finances invested, I would purchase this bike again tomorrow. It is tight, smooth and predictable. It builds immediate confidence and can only get better as it gets tuned a bit, dialed in and completes its break in process!!!
My biased (biased cause i already paid for it!) review:
Took my new 2011 TE449 out to break in the engine some today. My local mountains are windy with lots of room to accelerate softly and use engine breaking to slow down. I rode from 2000 to an elevation of about 7000 feet. I did all asphalt today as my arm is healing and cannot take off-road abuse just yet. To me that’s fine as it gives me some time to get to feel how this TE will behave on the pavement and to break in the engine. I left my house with 11 miles on the odo and returned with 186, for those not quick at math that’s a total of 175 miles traveled today.
Engine (4.5 / 5)
The engine is bone stock and performed very well. I got 50 miles to the gallon and as stated in the manual the fuel light (albeit microscopic!) came on with about 1/2 gallon remaining. Coming off of a XR400R and then a DRz400s I could always snap the throttle and pick up the front wheel. The front wheel never felt like it wanted to lift with the TE. This may be due to the longer swing-arm on the TE but It just felt that the engine needed a little more umph. This may change when I put the "race mode" plug thing in, but I haven't yet and as tested, needs more punch. The engine is smooth and pulls from the bottom through mid range very consistently with very little vibration. A little more vibs the faster it spins, but its a single, what do you want, a 30 pound counter balance? I never wrang it out as I am still breaking in the engine (and not by the floggin method!)
Transmission: (4.5 / 5)
When I went for a few short runs to get to 11 miles before today's ride I noticed I could not get the trans in to neutral with the engine running. Engine off it would 1/2 click above 1st as expected but as today progressed and break in did its magic, neutral became easier to find. As a matter of fact the trans shifted better and better as the day went on. There were no false neutrals and the trans dropped right into any gear I poked at, almost forecasting my next move. I do have some concern about how close the transmission ratio is as I kept trying to shift one more time only to find I was already in 6th gear. This little TE will have a hard time on any So Cal freeway as it seemed to work harder then I wanted to push on a new engine to do 60-65. I will ride it in dirt before changing anything but will be paying close attention!
Chassis: (5/5)
Aawww what can I say… by the end of the day I was coming down the local mountain road called Sand Canyon and I think I could have taken on an army of sport bikes shodding their pilot powers or battle axes…it wouldn’t have mattered because I was in a groove and the bike was integrated into me!!! The TE has a firm feel with no unexpected or unwanted chassis shakes or shimmers!! The bike from the start instills confidence. As is dirt bike fashion, the seat is hard and starts to hurt depending on how fat your ass is. Mine is medium fat so it started hurting mid day. As some internet reviews mentioned the pipes will burn your riding pants, they did mine as well and left a couple of black smudges on my new pipe, so a P3 guard is high on the list.
Noteworthy:
Display: (3.5/5)
Can't see it because the brake/throttle/speedo cables block my view and the turn signal/high beam/low fuel lights are tiny and hidden by the front plastic as well. The small mode button is nearly impossible to press with gloves on.
Storage: (1/5)
No, none, nada…I was scared my registration wasn’t going to fit taped to the underside of the seat (it barely made it)! Then wondered where to put my proof of insurance….
Headlight: (3.5/5)
My ride home ended up being at night. The headlight gave good light and threw a descent pattern. There is room for improvement but since I do very little night dirt riding I see no reason for upgrading.
Tires:
The factory installed Metzeler karoo tires performed just fine, now remember this was asphalt only!! I will report when I get this to the dirt!!
Summary:
Regardless of the bias remark because of finances invested, I would purchase this bike again tomorrow. It is tight, smooth and predictable. It builds immediate confidence and can only get better as it gets tuned a bit, dialed in and completes its break in process!!!
