TE310 or 449?

[Motosportz]

I have ridden many of each and owned both. The X-light is smaller feeling, handles better and is a great race bike. The 449/511 is also a great bike, more versatile, feels bigger and heavier but most bikes do compared tot he X-light (250/310). Both great bikes. If your plan is to sight see, ride a variety of stuff and general trail ride the 449 is a great bike. If you like to pound out lots of fast miles on tight stuff the 250/310 is better. the 449/511 is a great do it all bike. Can ride it anywhere. The 250/310 is more of a race bike, really tight transmission ratios, tightly packaged and somewhat harder to work on. No bad choices here.

 

[Tinken]

Here's a TE511 in action; I like this video, hopefully the owner doesn't mind me posting it.

 

[oregonsage]

I agree with DG, the 449 is better suited to experienced riders in order to handle it in the tight stuff. They are going into 2014 with the 449s, apparently they haven't sold out their warehouse of Kymco engines yet.

+1

I would add that the 511/449 seems like a less highly stressed bike and so far has required low maintenance beyond obsessively frequent oil changes. Im a big guy who likes to ride in the desert so the advantages of the 310s nimbleness/raceworthiness are lost on me, but this guy likes it.

 

[m1kebeck]

tons of help thanks guys. going to sit on them and feel them out today, Ill let you know what I decide.

 

[oregonsage]

, but I tried a TE449 (2011) after racing a TE450 in 2010, and found it too big and "clumsy" .
There were other things I liked / disliked, but mainly it felt like a Tank !

Certainly the 310 feels more nimble, but I wouldnt call the 449/511 tank like.... I rode 450X Hondas before I got the 511... in that comparison the 511 is the ballerina and yet I see people succesfully riding and racing the Hondas, so they work for somebody.

As they say, everything is relative.

I agree for most people in most situation the 310 is a better racebike and single track bike...but I keep riding the 511 and 449 because they work better for me...

 

[henson802]

Certainly the 310 feels more nimble, but I wouldnt call the 449/511 tank like.... I rode 450X Hondas before I got the 511... in that comparison the 511 is the ballerina and yet I see people succesfully riding and racing the Hondas, so they work for somebody.

As they say, everything is relative.

I agree for most people in most situation the 310 is a better racebike and single track bike...but I keep riding the 511 and 449 because they work better for me...

Very true. I started riding a 250 cc 4 stroke 275 lb honky tonky. A 450 that is 250lbs dry feels pretty light to me since I was used to battling the 250 hog with little power to help. I have always thought all the name brands (Honda, Yamaha, Kawi, KTM, Husky) all have very similiar weight for their 450s -- maybe KTM being slightly lightest out of the bunch - difficult to gauge a few lbs difference when you are riding.

I think saddle height is what really helps if you are riding slower through trails. I want to be more or less easily plant both feet on the ground if I'm lugging through the trails.

 

[Huskynoobee]

You don't need to dab if you can just twist the right grip. No substitute for torque!

 

[Tinken]

Seat height 310 - 37.4 inches. 511-37.5 inches.

 

[James Patton]

Looks like most agree. The 310 for the enduro/harescrambles racer, or maximum single track.
The 511/449 for us guys that are play biking, trail riding, etc...
I don't think either is any good at motocross, either could be competitive (310 more so) at enduro/scrambles,
What I think would be the 449/511's expertise is TT racing. I play with mine on the clubs track, and if lowered,
Proper tires, set up, the CTS would make it a winner in the right hands.
Me, I play at it all, and love the 511.

 

[henson802]

Seat height 310 - 37.4 inches. 511-37.5 inches.

I like the video of that 511, shows the versatility of the beast. That was definitely a good rider, he was man handling that machine through some tight stuff.

Question--- Are the shocks/suspension the same type on the 449/511's as the 310? I know my TE 250 has really stiff suspension for an off road trails bike - I have a yami450 and though the specs say it's an inch and a half taller seat height.. I can sit on it and touch ground much easier then my 250. The suspension on the 450 sags real well (abeit older too)...

I have tuned the TE250 for the lightest rider setting and it doesn't sag at all really, I can barely tippytoe it and I'm 5'11".

 

[m1kebeck]

Just went and sat on it. It's a pretty big bike but I can manage it. Any way to lower the 449 at all?

 

[Motosportz]

I like the video of that 511, shows the versatility of the beast. That was definitely a good rider, he was man handling that machine through some tight stuff.

Well thank you, thats me on my 511 the sexy beast that she is...

 

[Motosportz]

Just went and sat on it. It's a pretty big bike but I can manage it. Any way to lower the 449 at all?

No problem, any good shop and do it and if your not hitting big stuff a wise choice in my opinion.

 

[Motosportz]

Question--- Are the shocks/suspension the same type on the 449/511's as the 310? I know my TE 250 has really stiff suspension for an off road trails bike - I have a yami450 and though the specs say it's an inch and a half taller seat height.. I can sit on it and touch ground much easier then my 250. The suspension on the 450 sags real well (abeit older too)...

the 449/511 has the same type of forks but totally different rear end. The TE versions are soft and the TC and TXC versions are quite firm for the average guy. My TE511 is soft at the speeds I ride and to the point of being floppy if pushed. I rode the OregonSage / BMP 511 race bike with Watson performance suspension and it was anything but floppy. You could ram that sucker through anything at high speed and is did not even flinch. That bike is fun to rip an new hole with.

 

[Tinken]

Like Kelly says, you can make the suspension on the 449/511 into anything you wish. Higher or lower, from plush to Tinken stiff. There are many great suspension shops who can set you up to your riding style.

 

[henson802]

the 449/511 has the same type of forks but totally different rear end. The TE versions are soft and the TC and TXC versions are quite firm for the average guy. My TE511 is soft at the speeds I ride and to the point of being floppy if pushed. I rode the OregonSage / BMP 511 race bike with Watson performance suspension and it was any but floppy. You could ramp that sucker through anything at high speed and is did not even flinch. That bike is fun to rip an new hole with.

Cool just wondering about the suspension because I had a local KTM shop tell me that Husqvarna bikes have a much stiffer suspension in general vs the Japanese bikes (honda / yamaha?). I don't know if that is personal bias talking or what. But I know my 2010 TE250 is pretty stiff comparatively to my Yami 450 which feels much more plush and sags really well when I sit on it - I don't ride it too quickly through the bush like the Husky.

Why I ask if the 310 suspension (rear) is same as 449/511..

That said, love how the TE250 handles in the tight stuff, handles it incredibly well but my light a** can't get it to sag even if i try!

 

[DG Harv Serv]

Cool just wondering about the suspension because I had a local KTM shop tell me that Husqvarna bikes have a much stiffer suspension in general vs the Japanese bikes (honda / yamaha?). I don't know if that is personal bias talking or what. But I know my 2010 TE250 is pretty stiff comparatively to my Yami 450 which feels much more plush and sags really well when I sit on it - I don't ride it too quickly through the bush like the Husky.

Why I ask if the 310 suspension (rear) is same as 449/511..

That said, love how the TE250 handles in the tight stuff, handles it incredibly well but my light a** can't get it to sag even if i try!

The 310 Forks are basically the same, but the Rear is completly different. The 449 has the Linkage above the Swinging Arm, the 310 Below.
Depending on year, both use KYB units. (Older 310 rears were Sachs).

But on any bike you need to set the SAG to your weight. If you cant do this you need to change the Spring / Springs.
Normally Rider Sag would be about 100mm, Static Sag about 25 / 35 mm. (Check manual for your model).
This in my opinion is critical on any bike, and if needed, will be the best money you can spend on a bike !