Need help with a Husqvarna Purchase

[John Tippit]

I have convinced myself that I need a street legal motorcycle that I can take on class 3 or 4 roads and not worry about the bike being up to the task. I currently have a BMW R1200 GS. It is a great motorcycle but off road it has its limits. I am seriously considering purchasing a 2012 Husqvarna TE series motorcycle. Either the 310, 450 or 510. I am 6'2" and 210 so I am also debating the engine size. I started out thinking that I would get the 310 but I am now leaning towards the 450 or 510. I am getting this bike mainly for it's off road ability but I want it to be able to run highway speeds when necessary. I would love to get some feedback.
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[OlderHuskyRider]

Look for a used 2008-2010 450 or 510, like this one in Austin.
http://austin.craigslist.org/mcy/2945766420.html

These bikes have all the things I was looking for when I wanted to get a hard-core dual sport: 50 state street legal
more than adequate power
2 quart sump
kick and electric start
6 speed transmission

I have almost 8000 miles on mine and it's been a real fun bike, pretty dependable as well. The only downside is the transmission for street riding is too close ratio. In the dirt, it's great, you always have a gear that's just right for the conditions.

Here's my Husky riding the edge of a severely down Lake Travis with some Honda 650Ls and a Yamaha WR250R. We were riding the part of the lake usually underwater.

 

[WHITEROCKET5.9]

i have a 09 450 txc, itll do 70-75ish+ in stock gearing (no speedo but i was passing cars on I-72 while runnin a tractor path frontage road)

 

[Tessier]

If I was considering running highway speeds for any length of time I would rule out the 310 and the X Light motor. I would stick with the 449 or 510. The tighter the trail the smaller the bike I want. So if you want the bike for enduros and hair scrambles go with the 450 if it's more dual sport dirt roads go with a 510.

 

[WHITEROCKET5.9]

i was told the 510 doesnt have much more top end than the 450, it makes more power down low is what the main difference is.....what i was told anyway. i had the same thinkin that itd be faster. ive never seen em run side by side so cant say for sure.

 

[MontyCarlo]

6'6" 205 lbs here, and I also ride a 1200GSA on the street and easy forest roads . My $.02 is that engine size should not be a limiting factor; my TE250 XLite is perfectly capable of hauling my fat ass around technical terrain, and on limited (< 20 mile) highway runs at 55mph. Lifting the front wheel takes a little more planning than just whacking the throttle, but the lightness and revvy nature of the engine make it a worthwhile compromise. If you plan on higher speeds or extended slab, though, you will want something with longer legs like the 449/511.

 

[HuskyTaylor]

I don't know about the new 310's but I have a 09and it sucks on main roads. It's fine at 30 to 40 mph but anything faster it's tacking pretty high. It will go faster just wasn't made for highway speeds. If you use it just to get from one trail to the next it's fine and a great bike in the woods. I think it has plenty of power for me and I weigh in at 190.

 

[John Tippit]

I don't know about the new 310's but I have a 09and it sucks on main roads. It's fine at 30 to 40 mph but anything faster it's tacking pretty high. It will go faster just wasn't made for highway speeds. If you use it just to get from one trail to the next it's fine and a great bike in the woods. I think it has plenty of power for me and I weigh in at 190.

Thanks for the input. Your experience seems to be consistant with what the reviews have said regarding highway use. I just got off of the phone with the dealer and they said the 510 would be the better option. Being in Texas, I can envision doing a 250 mile loop in the Hill Country West of Austin that is 60-70% pavement.

 

[mnb]

What is a Class 3 or 4 road?

If you want to do highway speeds fairly often, it sounds like a used 610 would be the best choice. It's heavier than the plated dirt bikes, but it'll last longer, do higher speeds and is still reasonably capable off road, while being 200lbs lighter than your GS. It's not capable of carrying a bunch of luggage, though, although you can reinforce the subframe and use soft bags and do ok. It will struggle in highly technical stuff, but can ride circles around a GS with regards to off road capability.

 

[John Tippit]

Look for a used 2008-2010 450 or 510, like this one in Austin.
http://austin.craigslist.org/mcy/2945766420.html

These bikes have all the things I was looking for when I wanted to get a hard-core dual sport: 50 state street legal
more than adequate power
2 quart sump
kick and electric start
6 speed transmission

I have almost 8000 miles on mine and it's been a real fun bike, pretty dependable as well. The only downside is the transmission for street riding is too close ratio. In the dirt, it's great, you always have a gear that's just right for the conditions.

Here's my Husky riding the edge of a severely down Lake Travis with some Honda 650Ls and a Yamaha WR250R. We were riding the part of the lake usually underwater.

I appreciate your advice. I think that I have decided to go with the TE 510. While it may not be perfect on pavement it will better than the 310. Duel sport bikes are a compromise anyway. I am looking for a bike that can handle whatever I want to throw at it offroad. If I want to burn up miles on the pavement I will take the GS. The picture of Lake Travis is depressing! I went there the other day while I was house hunting. I couldn't believe how low the water was. Since you are from Austin have you had any positive or negative experiences with the dealer in Austin? They seem very good so far.

 

[OlderHuskyRider]

. Since you are from Austin have you had any positive or negative experiences with the dealer in Austin? They seem very good so far.

When I was looking to buy the last year of the Italian motor TE450/510, the only one I could find within 500 miles of me was in Lubbock. I went and got it, then had a problem with the fuel pump being gummed up. I took it to the local dealer here, to see about getting it warranted, and he said to me, I remember it like it was yesterday, he said "Why don't you take it back up to Lubbock where you got it?" I have not been back there since that day. I have spent alot of money of farkles, tires, Husky parts, etc, and it's all been online.

If you are looking dealer, are you looking at the new platform 449/511, they have 1 quart sump, twice as many oil changes......

Here we are riding where water used to be, at Lake Travis again, deep pea gravels and other assorted rock sizes.

 

[John Tippit]

What is a Class 3 or 4 road?

Sorry for the confusion on the road classification numbers. Since I am from Texas and have been on a lot of Texas specific duel sport web sites lately I threw the numbers out like everyone across the country would know what I was talking about. In fact, the rating system that I was refering to was created by Richard Gibbens who is the arthor of some duel sport ride guides for the Texas Hill Country and Big Bend area. He also has a web site and holds several rides each year. The discription is below.

Class 1: Improved dirt, gravel, etc. Passable by any motorcycle capable of off-pavement travel.
Class 2: Poorly maintained dirt, gravel, etc. Rocks, sand, mud holes, ruts, inclines, water crossings, or other similar obstacles make this road difficult for larger, heavier adventure motorcycles and requires some rough terrain riding skills.
Class 3: Rugged, unmaintained dirt, gravel, etc. roads. Significant obstacles such as moderate sized rocks, deep sand, deep or long mud sections, deep & wide water crossings, and/or steep inclines with loose terrain & tentative traction make this road/trail extremely difficult for large adventure bikes and very challenging for large dual sport motorcycles such as 650cc thumpers. Advanced rough terrain / off-road riding skills advised
Class 4: Extremely rugged road that contains highly challenging obstacles such as steep drop-offs, deep & fast moving water crossings, very steep inclines with loose surface, boulders, deep & long mud sections, downed trees, and deep & long sand sections. Generally not passable by large adventure bikes, extremely difficult for large dual sport motorcycles such as 650cc thumpers, and very challenging for smaller dual sport / trail bikes. Should be attempted only by those with significant rough terrain / off-road riding skills and experience.

 

[mnb]

Got it.

Yup, right now, the 450/510 would be the best choice. It has power, aftermarket support (eg: oversize fuel tanks are available) and is not too heavy.

 

[oregonsage]

I own both a TE250 and TXC511 and if I were planning anything more than 20 miles of roadwork the 511 would be my choice. My former TE610 also worked well in this regard, but wasn't much of a single track beast.

If I were you I would get a TE449/511

 

[Indorider]

When I was looking to buy the last year of the Italian motor TE450/510, the only one I could find within 500 miles of me was in Lubbock. I went and got it, then had a problem with the fuel pump being gummed up. I took it to the local dealer here, to see about getting it warranted, and he said to me, I remember it like it was yesterday, he said "Why don't you take it back up to Lubbock where you got it?" I have not been back there since that day. I have spent alot of money of farkles, tires, Husky parts, etc, and it's all been online.

If you are looking dealer, are you looking at the new platform 449/511, they have 1 quart sump, twice as many oil changes......

Here we are riding where water used to be, at Lake Travis again, deep pea gravels and other assorted rock sizes.

I applaud you for not going back to that dealer. I just recently had a somewhat similar siutation with a dealer who I was intending to spend several hundred dollars with. His flippant attitude cost him a decent sale. I ordered the stuff from the main dealer that the other guy had in stock knowing it would take a couple of weeks to have in hand. That guy won't get a cent of my money and I'll discourage anyone from doing business with him.
As per this thread, I also agree about having the 2 quart oil capacity. Frankly, the 800cc's of oil im my TE 250 frightens me (almost as much as the cost of good oil).

 

[JasonfromMN]

I own both a TE250 and TXC511 and if I were planning anything more than 20 miles of roadwork the 511 would be my choice. My former TE610 also worked well in this regard, but wasn't much of a single track beast.

If I were you I would get a TE449/511

I have both as well and agree, I'd choose my 450 over the 250 pretty much for just about anything but single track or tight 2 track.

 

[mnb]

Which is geared better for the highway, the te450 or the te449? Or are they close enough it doesn't make much difference?

 

[OlderHuskyRider]

My TE450 has a 1 tooth bigger CSS and I do 65mph at 6000 RPMs, which is no problem at all. But that gearing makes 1st gear basically a 2nd gear and I have to feather the clutch at low speeds, which I have become an expert at, kind of a poor man's Rekluse.

 

[BignHusky]

If you are looking dealer, are you looking at the new platform 449/511, they have 1 quart sump, twice as many oil changes......

i look forward to changing the oil twice as often, but then again i've always changed the oil more frequently than most. I will say that OldHuskyRiders 450 pulled my TXC511 in two drag races. That aint right and i'll catch him / pass him when i get this thing tuned correctly
He has done a lot of slab on that 450. More than i ever want to on a dirt bike So yeah i think the old engine is pretty reliable. The new BMW motor however is looking good too dependability wise.