8.5
More to come.
More to come.
-
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 The previous version was outdated and no longer supported.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!
My TE511 review...
- Thread starter Motosportz
- Start date
here ya go...
Initial Ride review TE511
Well I finally get to ride the most controversial husky of our time. After selling my 2011 TXC250 in anticipation that the TE511 I ordered would be here Septemberish I waited, and waited and waited, until almost freaking March for Husky to cough up a bike. In that time I got to read WILD speculation and out right goofy posts about a polarizing bike to read. Was interesting for sure but I just wanted to ride the bike.
So 2-25-11 I finally see and take ownership of the wild beast. Unfortunately like an idiot I forget my SD card for my cam, I would have loved to got a shot of Taskys all full of new huskys, Betas, GG and Bergs, shop looked GREAT. While looking at the new bike Jamie Tasky had the quote of the day... “customers say the seat looks like your sitting on a 125 backwards” , it does he he he. It is a different bike for sure. Really something to look at for long periods of time. It is both way different but not that different at the same time. Hard to explain but for sure looks like nothing else. It is a gas station magnet that is for sure. Looks to me like a modern street sport bike stretched into a dirt bike. I like the rear of it but am not wild over the heavily BMW inspired front fender. It will stay though because it is part of the package and it's uniqueness is interesting.
So my very first impressions were good. Here is why... rolling it out of Tasky most excellent shop it felt light and EZ to roll around. Then I hit the button and it popped to life and idles smooth. Let it warm for a minute and decide to ride around the driveway. First crack of the throttle resulted in a 20 foot pavement burn out into a wheelie... yep, we will get along just fine.
So make the semi long drive home, know the left side of the bike real well as I have stared at it in my rear view mirror for hours. Interesting bike for sure. Get it home, it is late, buddy Adam leaves, I push it into the shop and can't do it, I have to ride it. Load it back up in the truck and take it to the gas station. Drop 2.2 gallons in it as it was almost empty. Get home toss some gear on and ride it around the neighborhood, no plate, at night, rebel yell. Fun. Bike is very responsive, runs nice but feels lean . Slightly tight. Get about 4 miles in within a half mile of my house and put it away, I am frozen. Like my initial feeling about the bike and look forward to hopefully getting a few miles on it tomorrow.
The next day I get up and it is 27 degrees outside and snow level is about 100 feet. Crap. Take the wifes car for an oil change, work around the house and it finally warms up enough to go out and look at the bike again. Pull off the mirrors as if I ride at all it will be off road. Remove the canister, and then decide to plug in the EFI plug to run the rich EFI map. Super EZ to to, right under the seat. It's about 30 degrees out and I hit the button and it lights to life and settles to a nice idle no need to touch anything.
Wait till about noon and buddy Adam and I decide to go try to find some gravel roads and low trails to hit. There’s not much, it is all under snow. We park were we can and unload thinking we have about 4 miles to ride and were going home. At this point I have waited for the bike so long I am going to ride that 4 miles 20 times :>) Luckily we find some trails, some road some fun stuff to play on and get about 15 miles in. Some of it semi gnarly single track in 4 inches of snow and through stream bed and loose rocky hills. A semi good test to get an initial feel for the bike anyway.
So...
First Impressions:
Bike feels light, slim and kinda flickable to me. Has a very solid and new feeling. New bikes are so nice, tight, everything in perfect working order. I rip around waiting for Adam to gear up. End up way up some trails and just having a good time sorting out the new bike. Motor feels wonderful, super smooth, very quiet with the massive muffler. EFI with the rich setting is instantaneous, absolutely NO bog anywhere. Feels like an electric motor, the amount you twist the throttle is the amount of power you get, and regardless of gear you are in. Like when I rode the first new Berg (FE450) the EFI stood out right away. It is awesome. Brakes do not feel as strong and touchy as husky brakes in the past, strong for sure but seem easier to modulate without locking up. Rear is no longer a floater by the way. One thing I do notice is the amount of chain noise. I think this is a combo of a super quite bike and new chain guides. Or maybe the CTS bearing quickly chewing itself to death, we will see :>) So I get back to the truck and Adam is finally ready to go. We ride. I'm pretty happy with the bike at this point. My initial feelings are, the bike feels much lighter than I had hoped and that I had read. Feels not far off from my 2010 TXC250 which was a very light feeling bike. Cool. EFI is all I hopped it would be and knew it would be after riding all the new Bergs (390,450,570) and loving those. It is simply perfect. Idles perfect, barks instantly and NO bog at all, in fact works almost to good as you better not whiskey throttle on this bike. Suspension feeling nice, bike feels good, trans shifts smooth, clutch is butter. Love it.
We end up getting about 15 miles in, 70% snow covered so impression were a little difficult to get but there. We ride trail, hills quad trail, roads and street. A good combo for an evaluation. The bike is FUN that is for sure. Here are my initial feelings.
Fit and finish:
Bike is kinda modern car like in design and implementation. Everything looks well sorted and even though it is a complicated MC it has really nice connectors and fittings etc and laid out with everything in it's place. Initial feels are it is a little better laid out and executed than pre BMW huskys. U-nuts instead of inserts is very welcome and everything Zi have messed with is EZ to get to and well put together. The bike is more complicated than it needs to be in the name of fashion in areas like the fenders etc but none the less well put together and fitting.
Ergonomics / Feel:
Bike feels nice, slim, semi hard seat but nice shape and man you can sit anywhere, its odd to have so much choice for sitting. Looking at Adams 07 WR250 and the HUGE IMS tank on it I was sitting up front on this bike where I would be sitting half way in the tank on his bike. It's odd. Pegs do feel a bit on the spread apart side. Clutch cover forces your right foot out, It bothered me for about 4 miles then I got used to it. Adam did not even notice it. When slding back the rear fender does not both me at all, non issue for me but the HUGE muffler and the guard on it which sticks out 2 inches past the muffler would hit my boot on standing and leaning back. Not a big deal and EZ to fix with a new muffler or taking the guard off. Not a big deal just sharing. Bars are of a flatter bend than I like and lower than I like, will be changing them out to my favorite Trailtech woods bars. So the feel of this bike I would rate quite high, feels light (especially for a big bore E-start EFI dualsport bike!!!) is slim, fun to ride,. Nothing glaring and EZ to adapt to. Good stuff.
Handling:
This is the thing most people probably wonder about on this bike and at this point I can't make a good evaluation because of the lack of any setup (never toughed a suspension setting or fork level or sag etc.) but the bike does have a feeling of not wanting to turn quick. The few nice section of trail where I could ride it like a real ride without snow it is a little resistant to turning. It was not an issue but was not a RMZ ether. It is not a bike where you think and your turning like my WR125. But that said it does turn fine and holds line like nothing else. My guess is with a little suspension and setup it is going to turn very nice, deliberate and hold a line very well. I can't say I would mark the bike down for this turning feel but time will tell how much I like it. My 2011 TXC seems to turn way quicker and more spontaneous but was also MUCH more twitchy and nervous and harder to keep on line. My WR too. Time will tell on this aspect of the bike. The bottom line was I had a blast on it, it did not bother me and the bike is rock stable. After setting the bike up and more ride I will report.
Suspension:
Feels very nice. I did nothing to the clickers or sag. Don't even know where the clicker are set. Bounce test feels good so I road it. Initial feeling are the suspension will be VERY nice stock for my needs of rocks, roots and single track. Forks feel good. Rear feels great. Soak up nastly stuff well, feels supple, found a small jump to jump off and they feel nice and progressive. I'm guessing with a little adjustment will be very good stock components.
CTS:
Did I notice it? Maybe. Bike tracks amazingly well, seems to claw for traction even with nearly street tires in the snow I was busting trail EZ. Rear does stay up high and feels a little stink bug. I felt the rear of the bike feels VERY good and not weird at all. I like it. Initial feelings are it is going to bring new found traction and very good suspension performance. All indications so far are very positive from where I sit.
Motor:
Simply fantastic. Runs perfect. Electric smooth power and almost no vibrations. EFI is PERFECT like on the Berg. Power is instantaneous. Throttle has super light pull and it super EZ to modulate. Feels spontaneous, revy and very willing like it is a really strong 250F motor. Power wise it has quick snap and bark right off idle, no bog in fact almost to responsive. For some a mapping switch might be good to tame the response as if you think about it or whiskey throttle your moving NOW. A G2 throttle cam might be good for some doing technical stuff. The EFI on this bike, like the new Bergs is definitely a level or 3 above the Mikuni stuff IMHO. Touch the button and the bike is idling rock steady, snap the throttle and the motor barks. Probably the best EFI I have ever used. Amazing throttle response. Power wise the motor is still brand new and conditions made it hard to get the full picture but I have to say I am in love. The responsive EFI, the super smooth counterbalanced motor and the liquid smooth output of linear power is intoxicating fun and feels very modern, like a new performance car, immediate and forceful acceleration with PERFECT carburation no matter the situation. LOVE the motor. Power wise it has lots. The smooth EFI and super quite muffler make it seem like it is not really super strong but I never was looking for more that’s for sure. At the end of the day I found a nice uphill gravel road I took it for a few wide open up hill rips. Pulls very nice and is deceptively fast. It did flatten out on top and I'm sure that is in big part to the huge muffler which I am sure has a very clogging catalytic converter in it. Still makes great power. Love the power plant in this bike and the fact that the EFI makes it run exactly the same all the time is awesome. One thing I did notice on power is even though it does nto feel like a major torque moter like a CR500 or something no matter what gear your in, 2nd or 6th it feels like it pulls the same. Never any hint of bog or slowing. On up hills the there is NO lag when you ask for more power. It's as if the EFI overcomes anything. Third gear up a technical and steep single track the throttle still applies the same power where ever you set it. It's as if there is no way to load the motor, it just pulls the same no matter going up a hill in 4th or down and hill. Does what your right had says regardless of gear or conditions. Very cool motor.
Motor Feature that is huge no one is talking about:
New category. I read one post mentioning this and thinking it was cool. So I had ridden the bike several time on the street at home and now am out on the trail. Having a good time on the bike and really liking it and flowing well. Get into a cool section of tighter single track and suddenly realize something big... there is no compression braking****************************************! on a 477cc four stroke??? My 2011 TXC250 would almost toss me over the bars of you choped the throttle hard, as would most 4 strokes. This jacking on / off throttle thing is a major factor in why I like 2 strokes in the tighter stuff. I in fact searched out a slipper for my 06 TC250 but never pulled the trigger. A four stroke with it's cool power I always thought would be so much better with out that throwing out the anchor feeling every time you chop the throttle for a corner. Wel the guys at BMW / Husky must agree because the EFI has been programmed to kind of hang a little when you chop the throttle. This makes it feel very 2 stroke like. I LOVE it. Makes everything so much smoother and less tiring. I dislike TE/TXC510's in the woods (or pretty much any big modern 4 st) because of the on off jacking the motor does. This bike does none of that. The effect is obvious and you can feel it. Coming down long gravel roads you can gass it and then chop the throttle and it free wheels much like a 2 stroke. Adds just a little compression braking but no where near the toss you over the bars feeling most do. I have wanted this on the 4 stroke for ever. I find this a HUGE feature no one is talking about. This motor is a 2 st lovers dream. IMHO all EFI 4 strokes should do this. I will say though I bet it is a combo of the CTS, the setup and this free wheeling into corners that might make the handling odd and the feeling the bike wants to stand up and resistant to turning. Time will tell but for me I'll trade some corner technique for the on off jacking I hate in 4 strokes. This rules.
Transmission:
Probably the single best shifting 4 stroke (or maybe any) motor I have ever tried. Butter smooth, never missed a shift, power on, power off whatever. I'm guessing down shifts are butter because of the motor not being loaded on deceleration like most 4 strokes. Right out of the box super slick shifting. Sweet. As for the ratios it is much like the specs were read. 1st is on the verge of being to tall for ultra tight river bed riding root climbing stuff. It works fine but right on the verge. The sweet motor and slick clutch make it EZ though. I did a short stint on the highway and 6th is on the verge of being to low for those that want to pound out many street miles. That said the very smooth motor and happy revy nature make it feel fine at 65 and punchy still. Will be about perfect for me and my needs, might be a bit narrow for some DS guys.
Negatives:
It is slightly wide at the pegs, lots of ground clearance and a slim motor make this almost go away but it is there. Turning is going to take some setup and getting used to. At this point it is not an issue for me just and rethink in the way I might approach stuff. Also this is on super slick almost street tires in the snow so I'm guessing I have a lot to learn in this department. Huge muffler can hit boot when standing and leaning back. Clutch cover sticks out some. No kick starter.
Summery:
It's the honeymoon and it was a crappy day to evaluate so take this for what it is. I find the bike fun to look at and attractive. I feel a pride in ownership because it is new and different and cool. I like the fit and finish. I am very pleased with the feel of the bike and amazed how light it feels, I could use this as my only bike and ride it off road everywhere and be very happy. This might be a GREAT do it all bike and maybe better than the TE310 based on the light feel and awesome motor. I LOVE the motor, the power the EFI the lack of engine braking. It is near perfect for me. I really like the overall feel of the bike. I feel in control and the bike exudes a more modern and next level feel to it. Very refined feeling for a first year effort. Box stock at this point I would rate it as a good step up from the 08 and up platform. It IMHO feels much ligher, has a better motor, a much better shifting trans and just flat works. These reviews of this bike always say it is “fun” to ride. It really is. The spunky quick to please motor, the light feel the “hey lets jump off that” nimble feeling I was not ready for. I felt comfortable on the bike quickly and was in a few miles looking for more challenging stuff to try the bike on. It is very panted feeling, loves to climb, likes to wheelie, loves to jump off stuff (quick EFI makes that a blast). I'd have to say I really like this bike and other than possibly handling (I loved the way the 08 and up huskys turn) I would say thing bike is a pretty good step up from the 08-10 versions. Adam felt the same way.
Notes:
Initial Ride review TE511
Well I finally get to ride the most controversial husky of our time. After selling my 2011 TXC250 in anticipation that the TE511 I ordered would be here Septemberish I waited, and waited and waited, until almost freaking March for Husky to cough up a bike. In that time I got to read WILD speculation and out right goofy posts about a polarizing bike to read. Was interesting for sure but I just wanted to ride the bike.
So 2-25-11 I finally see and take ownership of the wild beast. Unfortunately like an idiot I forget my SD card for my cam, I would have loved to got a shot of Taskys all full of new huskys, Betas, GG and Bergs, shop looked GREAT. While looking at the new bike Jamie Tasky had the quote of the day... “customers say the seat looks like your sitting on a 125 backwards” , it does he he he. It is a different bike for sure. Really something to look at for long periods of time. It is both way different but not that different at the same time. Hard to explain but for sure looks like nothing else. It is a gas station magnet that is for sure. Looks to me like a modern street sport bike stretched into a dirt bike. I like the rear of it but am not wild over the heavily BMW inspired front fender. It will stay though because it is part of the package and it's uniqueness is interesting.
So my very first impressions were good. Here is why... rolling it out of Tasky most excellent shop it felt light and EZ to roll around. Then I hit the button and it popped to life and idles smooth. Let it warm for a minute and decide to ride around the driveway. First crack of the throttle resulted in a 20 foot pavement burn out into a wheelie... yep, we will get along just fine.
So make the semi long drive home, know the left side of the bike real well as I have stared at it in my rear view mirror for hours. Interesting bike for sure. Get it home, it is late, buddy Adam leaves, I push it into the shop and can't do it, I have to ride it. Load it back up in the truck and take it to the gas station. Drop 2.2 gallons in it as it was almost empty. Get home toss some gear on and ride it around the neighborhood, no plate, at night, rebel yell. Fun. Bike is very responsive, runs nice but feels lean . Slightly tight. Get about 4 miles in within a half mile of my house and put it away, I am frozen. Like my initial feeling about the bike and look forward to hopefully getting a few miles on it tomorrow.
The next day I get up and it is 27 degrees outside and snow level is about 100 feet. Crap. Take the wifes car for an oil change, work around the house and it finally warms up enough to go out and look at the bike again. Pull off the mirrors as if I ride at all it will be off road. Remove the canister, and then decide to plug in the EFI plug to run the rich EFI map. Super EZ to to, right under the seat. It's about 30 degrees out and I hit the button and it lights to life and settles to a nice idle no need to touch anything.
Wait till about noon and buddy Adam and I decide to go try to find some gravel roads and low trails to hit. There’s not much, it is all under snow. We park were we can and unload thinking we have about 4 miles to ride and were going home. At this point I have waited for the bike so long I am going to ride that 4 miles 20 times :>) Luckily we find some trails, some road some fun stuff to play on and get about 15 miles in. Some of it semi gnarly single track in 4 inches of snow and through stream bed and loose rocky hills. A semi good test to get an initial feel for the bike anyway.
So...
First Impressions:
Bike feels light, slim and kinda flickable to me. Has a very solid and new feeling. New bikes are so nice, tight, everything in perfect working order. I rip around waiting for Adam to gear up. End up way up some trails and just having a good time sorting out the new bike. Motor feels wonderful, super smooth, very quiet with the massive muffler. EFI with the rich setting is instantaneous, absolutely NO bog anywhere. Feels like an electric motor, the amount you twist the throttle is the amount of power you get, and regardless of gear you are in. Like when I rode the first new Berg (FE450) the EFI stood out right away. It is awesome. Brakes do not feel as strong and touchy as husky brakes in the past, strong for sure but seem easier to modulate without locking up. Rear is no longer a floater by the way. One thing I do notice is the amount of chain noise. I think this is a combo of a super quite bike and new chain guides. Or maybe the CTS bearing quickly chewing itself to death, we will see :>) So I get back to the truck and Adam is finally ready to go. We ride. I'm pretty happy with the bike at this point. My initial feelings are, the bike feels much lighter than I had hoped and that I had read. Feels not far off from my 2010 TXC250 which was a very light feeling bike. Cool. EFI is all I hopped it would be and knew it would be after riding all the new Bergs (390,450,570) and loving those. It is simply perfect. Idles perfect, barks instantly and NO bog at all, in fact works almost to good as you better not whiskey throttle on this bike. Suspension feeling nice, bike feels good, trans shifts smooth, clutch is butter. Love it.
We end up getting about 15 miles in, 70% snow covered so impression were a little difficult to get but there. We ride trail, hills quad trail, roads and street. A good combo for an evaluation. The bike is FUN that is for sure. Here are my initial feelings.
Fit and finish:
Bike is kinda modern car like in design and implementation. Everything looks well sorted and even though it is a complicated MC it has really nice connectors and fittings etc and laid out with everything in it's place. Initial feels are it is a little better laid out and executed than pre BMW huskys. U-nuts instead of inserts is very welcome and everything Zi have messed with is EZ to get to and well put together. The bike is more complicated than it needs to be in the name of fashion in areas like the fenders etc but none the less well put together and fitting.
Ergonomics / Feel:
Bike feels nice, slim, semi hard seat but nice shape and man you can sit anywhere, its odd to have so much choice for sitting. Looking at Adams 07 WR250 and the HUGE IMS tank on it I was sitting up front on this bike where I would be sitting half way in the tank on his bike. It's odd. Pegs do feel a bit on the spread apart side. Clutch cover forces your right foot out, It bothered me for about 4 miles then I got used to it. Adam did not even notice it. When slding back the rear fender does not both me at all, non issue for me but the HUGE muffler and the guard on it which sticks out 2 inches past the muffler would hit my boot on standing and leaning back. Not a big deal and EZ to fix with a new muffler or taking the guard off. Not a big deal just sharing. Bars are of a flatter bend than I like and lower than I like, will be changing them out to my favorite Trailtech woods bars. So the feel of this bike I would rate quite high, feels light (especially for a big bore E-start EFI dualsport bike!!!) is slim, fun to ride,. Nothing glaring and EZ to adapt to. Good stuff.
Handling:
This is the thing most people probably wonder about on this bike and at this point I can't make a good evaluation because of the lack of any setup (never toughed a suspension setting or fork level or sag etc.) but the bike does have a feeling of not wanting to turn quick. The few nice section of trail where I could ride it like a real ride without snow it is a little resistant to turning. It was not an issue but was not a RMZ ether. It is not a bike where you think and your turning like my WR125. But that said it does turn fine and holds line like nothing else. My guess is with a little suspension and setup it is going to turn very nice, deliberate and hold a line very well. I can't say I would mark the bike down for this turning feel but time will tell how much I like it. My 2011 TXC seems to turn way quicker and more spontaneous but was also MUCH more twitchy and nervous and harder to keep on line. My WR too. Time will tell on this aspect of the bike. The bottom line was I had a blast on it, it did not bother me and the bike is rock stable. After setting the bike up and more ride I will report.
Suspension:
Feels very nice. I did nothing to the clickers or sag. Don't even know where the clicker are set. Bounce test feels good so I road it. Initial feeling are the suspension will be VERY nice stock for my needs of rocks, roots and single track. Forks feel good. Rear feels great. Soak up nastly stuff well, feels supple, found a small jump to jump off and they feel nice and progressive. I'm guessing with a little adjustment will be very good stock components.
CTS:
Did I notice it? Maybe. Bike tracks amazingly well, seems to claw for traction even with nearly street tires in the snow I was busting trail EZ. Rear does stay up high and feels a little stink bug. I felt the rear of the bike feels VERY good and not weird at all. I like it. Initial feelings are it is going to bring new found traction and very good suspension performance. All indications so far are very positive from where I sit.
Motor:
Simply fantastic. Runs perfect. Electric smooth power and almost no vibrations. EFI is PERFECT like on the Berg. Power is instantaneous. Throttle has super light pull and it super EZ to modulate. Feels spontaneous, revy and very willing like it is a really strong 250F motor. Power wise it has quick snap and bark right off idle, no bog in fact almost to responsive. For some a mapping switch might be good to tame the response as if you think about it or whiskey throttle your moving NOW. A G2 throttle cam might be good for some doing technical stuff. The EFI on this bike, like the new Bergs is definitely a level or 3 above the Mikuni stuff IMHO. Touch the button and the bike is idling rock steady, snap the throttle and the motor barks. Probably the best EFI I have ever used. Amazing throttle response. Power wise the motor is still brand new and conditions made it hard to get the full picture but I have to say I am in love. The responsive EFI, the super smooth counterbalanced motor and the liquid smooth output of linear power is intoxicating fun and feels very modern, like a new performance car, immediate and forceful acceleration with PERFECT carburation no matter the situation. LOVE the motor. Power wise it has lots. The smooth EFI and super quite muffler make it seem like it is not really super strong but I never was looking for more that’s for sure. At the end of the day I found a nice uphill gravel road I took it for a few wide open up hill rips. Pulls very nice and is deceptively fast. It did flatten out on top and I'm sure that is in big part to the huge muffler which I am sure has a very clogging catalytic converter in it. Still makes great power. Love the power plant in this bike and the fact that the EFI makes it run exactly the same all the time is awesome. One thing I did notice on power is even though it does nto feel like a major torque moter like a CR500 or something no matter what gear your in, 2nd or 6th it feels like it pulls the same. Never any hint of bog or slowing. On up hills the there is NO lag when you ask for more power. It's as if the EFI overcomes anything. Third gear up a technical and steep single track the throttle still applies the same power where ever you set it. It's as if there is no way to load the motor, it just pulls the same no matter going up a hill in 4th or down and hill. Does what your right had says regardless of gear or conditions. Very cool motor.
Motor Feature that is huge no one is talking about:
New category. I read one post mentioning this and thinking it was cool. So I had ridden the bike several time on the street at home and now am out on the trail. Having a good time on the bike and really liking it and flowing well. Get into a cool section of tighter single track and suddenly realize something big... there is no compression braking****************************************! on a 477cc four stroke??? My 2011 TXC250 would almost toss me over the bars of you choped the throttle hard, as would most 4 strokes. This jacking on / off throttle thing is a major factor in why I like 2 strokes in the tighter stuff. I in fact searched out a slipper for my 06 TC250 but never pulled the trigger. A four stroke with it's cool power I always thought would be so much better with out that throwing out the anchor feeling every time you chop the throttle for a corner. Wel the guys at BMW / Husky must agree because the EFI has been programmed to kind of hang a little when you chop the throttle. This makes it feel very 2 stroke like. I LOVE it. Makes everything so much smoother and less tiring. I dislike TE/TXC510's in the woods (or pretty much any big modern 4 st) because of the on off jacking the motor does. This bike does none of that. The effect is obvious and you can feel it. Coming down long gravel roads you can gass it and then chop the throttle and it free wheels much like a 2 stroke. Adds just a little compression braking but no where near the toss you over the bars feeling most do. I have wanted this on the 4 stroke for ever. I find this a HUGE feature no one is talking about. This motor is a 2 st lovers dream. IMHO all EFI 4 strokes should do this. I will say though I bet it is a combo of the CTS, the setup and this free wheeling into corners that might make the handling odd and the feeling the bike wants to stand up and resistant to turning. Time will tell but for me I'll trade some corner technique for the on off jacking I hate in 4 strokes. This rules.
Transmission:
Probably the single best shifting 4 stroke (or maybe any) motor I have ever tried. Butter smooth, never missed a shift, power on, power off whatever. I'm guessing down shifts are butter because of the motor not being loaded on deceleration like most 4 strokes. Right out of the box super slick shifting. Sweet. As for the ratios it is much like the specs were read. 1st is on the verge of being to tall for ultra tight river bed riding root climbing stuff. It works fine but right on the verge. The sweet motor and slick clutch make it EZ though. I did a short stint on the highway and 6th is on the verge of being to low for those that want to pound out many street miles. That said the very smooth motor and happy revy nature make it feel fine at 65 and punchy still. Will be about perfect for me and my needs, might be a bit narrow for some DS guys.
Negatives:
It is slightly wide at the pegs, lots of ground clearance and a slim motor make this almost go away but it is there. Turning is going to take some setup and getting used to. At this point it is not an issue for me just and rethink in the way I might approach stuff. Also this is on super slick almost street tires in the snow so I'm guessing I have a lot to learn in this department. Huge muffler can hit boot when standing and leaning back. Clutch cover sticks out some. No kick starter.
Summery:
It's the honeymoon and it was a crappy day to evaluate so take this for what it is. I find the bike fun to look at and attractive. I feel a pride in ownership because it is new and different and cool. I like the fit and finish. I am very pleased with the feel of the bike and amazed how light it feels, I could use this as my only bike and ride it off road everywhere and be very happy. This might be a GREAT do it all bike and maybe better than the TE310 based on the light feel and awesome motor. I LOVE the motor, the power the EFI the lack of engine braking. It is near perfect for me. I really like the overall feel of the bike. I feel in control and the bike exudes a more modern and next level feel to it. Very refined feeling for a first year effort. Box stock at this point I would rate it as a good step up from the 08 and up platform. It IMHO feels much ligher, has a better motor, a much better shifting trans and just flat works. These reviews of this bike always say it is “fun” to ride. It really is. The spunky quick to please motor, the light feel the “hey lets jump off that” nimble feeling I was not ready for. I felt comfortable on the bike quickly and was in a few miles looking for more challenging stuff to try the bike on. It is very panted feeling, loves to climb, likes to wheelie, loves to jump off stuff (quick EFI makes that a blast). I'd have to say I really like this bike and other than possibly handling (I loved the way the 08 and up huskys turn) I would say thing bike is a pretty good step up from the 08-10 versions. Adam felt the same way.
Notes:
- I pulled the side plastic and air filter just to see the process, it takes some time and 5 screws but is EZ and clean. Reports are the filter stays 3x cleaner and looking at the air box design I see why. I like it.
- Fit and finish on the bike is very nice and all the connectors and stuff are well laid out and very cleanly implemented.
- Zerks on the linkage.
- German Behr rims.
- Light seems brighter and actually useful.
- Oh, I almost forgot, I really like who they have the ignition / electrical set up. You turn the key on and only the park lamp in front and brake lamp in the rear come on. The lights and stuff only work when the bike runs. The red button to kill the bike is only push, not push and release. This setup makes the bike work great for off road etc. You never leave your light on when the bike is off. And when you turn the bike off you only have to hit the red button and walk away, no key to turn the light off etc. then when restarting you just hit the starter. Not need to hit the red button again to restart. Seems like a little thing but in practice works excellent. No clutch switch ether. Hit the black button to start and go, hit the red to kill it. Nothing more. No key on or off, kill switch on or off, lights on or off. Black to go red to stop. Love it.
- Rear fender works and looks much better in person than I thought it would. Able to grab the power portion for lifting the bike without breaking plastic.
- All plastic but the tank is now Polisport and seems MUCH more flexible and resistant to braking than past huskys and this was in near freezing temps.
- Clutch lever feel is very good, butter smooth, semi EZ pull and engages near the end so you don't have to pull it clear to the bars like previous huskys. I like this and it seems to completely disengage the clutch and not drag.
- Switch gear is nice.
- Light is very usable
- Gas cap could use a bigger grip flange but threads on slick and works well. Never felt it with my butt.
- Rear brake is no longer a floater and is much quieter.
Excellent review. Does the bike share many of the preceding Husky component parts? I see the top yokes look familiar but that is about all at a glance from that pic. Also, might be a dumb one, but WHERE is the fuel cap??
shares very few parts with other huskys other than the wheels and some levers etc. Fuel tank is where the air box was and fills form the rear...
moto66
Husqvarna
A Class
Whoa, that is unusual. You kind of could be forgiven for thinking you sat on backwards. I know my SM was real slow out of the crate so if she's picking up well from the outset, has got to be a good sign. If you get time, be interesting to see a few pics with her clothes off. Nice one
Air box is where the tank was, tank is where the air box was.
From the web...
From the web...
moto66
Husqvarna
A Class
What do score for fuel capacity? Sorry if I missed it in your review. And thinking that coolant tank def needs some graphic disguise.. Otherwise it looks clean in there. Fixings look 100% better than the flaky gold things I'm slowly replacing. Looks like a fuel cut off under tank?
For sure, thanks Jeff, shop looked great. Sorry i did not have more time (traffic / miles) and forgot my SD card as i would have loved some picks of the shop. These seem like great bikes, husky version of the Bergs. Feel lighter and less top heavy than the Bergs but the Berg might turn better. Both fantastic. Hope you sell a pile, they are very good.
2.2 gallon but I think it will get VERY goods mileage. Thats not a coolant tank and but a fuel subtank.
demi
Husqvarna
AA Class
ok Kelly.. I was going to give you grief for dragging your review out for so long.... been waiting! So, is this wide at the foot peg controversy...an issue? You know I am an MXer, but do you think this bike will work for me? Just Vet stuff... Are you going to take care of the muffler issue also?
neither the footpegs or the muffler are an "issue" to me was just being complete in my assessment. the muffler on the Tc probably will be a total non issue as it is much smaller. Footpegs give great leverage over the bike and are fine. As for MX I don't know, i am not an MXer by a long shot but the sweet motor and rock solid stability have me thinking this will be a GREAT vet bike. For top riders it is probably going to weigh to much and not have enough hit. I am basing this off riding a fully street legal TE511, the TC449 will be a good bit lighter and have more power. I bet it is a great vet bike.
Pix...
I had to wash it even though it was cold out
sexy beast
slim
I had to wash it even though it was cold out
sexy beast
slim
HomeFinance
Husqvarna
A Class
Beautiful machine! Looks like a larger tank is going to be a challenge ?
Now you are waaaay ahead of me Kelly. I spent about an hour in my 20 degree garage, mounted the 'interesting' hand guards, pulled the filter out to see what that was all about (agree with your assessment and the flexible plastic made it pretty easy to get in there). My brother and I gave it a good looking over last night, the top mounted suspension linkage and the CTS will give Les something new to hone his expertise on ... and yes, the throttle response is just amazing.
I wimped out and didnt ride though..... warming trend in the Pac Northwest coming so should get out next weekend.
It is one of those things you really like to keep looking at, just different enough to make me go back for one more look. My WR300 is jealous.
I wimped out and didnt ride though..... warming trend in the Pac Northwest coming so should get out next weekend.
It is one of those things you really like to keep looking at, just different enough to make me go back for one more look. My WR300 is jealous.
Safari did a larger tank for the BMW version, basically added a bulge in the rear ... and also made one to go in the standard front tank location.....
http://www.safaritanks.com.au/home/vmchk/12-BMW/View-all-products.html
It looks like they would be able to do something similar for the rear on the 449/511, but I agree with Kelly that the mileage will be pretty good so it will work as is for most riding.