Thinking about a new bike. Suggestions???

[HuskyHumper]

So I am starting to think about a new bike. I am about 6'4", weigh 105kgs. I ride mostly open stuff, fire trials etc. Basically never ride single trail, but I am thinking about starting to ride it more often. I like bikes with a few balls, that go hard. I don't really like anything under 450cc. I also don't want to buy anything brandnew, want to spend no more than about $7500. I am really thinking about a Husaberg FE570, Kato 500EXC, and sort of eyeing the RMX450.

The bike which im really leaning to at the moment though is the new WR450F's (2012-present), as I've heard they a good bike, and there are some good deals on them if you look. They are apparently fairly bulletproof, but I doubt they would have the balls of the 500+cc bikes.

I am not really a KTM fan at all, I would rather stay away from them but if that's what is going to suit me best than that's what I will have to look at seriously.

Tell me what you think!? im open to all suggestions...

 

[troy deck]

2T OR 4T?

 

[HuskyHumper]

4 stroke. No 2T over 450cc these days...

 

[troy deck]

WELL NOT FOR $7500 HOW ABOUT AN OLDER BIG BORE 2T LIKE A CR/KX 500 IF THERE WELL SORTED THEY WILL STILL HAUL ASS AND SORTING THEM IS PART OF THE FUN

 

[HuskyHumper]

haha yeh they are awesome bikes! I have done my time on a CR500 before, I want 4T though. I want to be able to ride all day long and not have to come back and hose my jocks out.....what do you rekon of the WR450's? the newer ones...

 

[shawbagga]

the newer bergs(13 onwards) & ktm(12 onwards) are pretty hard to beat in the big bore department. yamaha ok but if youre trailriding youll appreciate the extra couple of litres in the ktm/berg tank, 5kg+ weight saving, better brakes not to mention the hydro clutch & 6 speed(yammy 5 im fairly sure). yammy better suspended id say though. just that stupid, big arse headlight eats at me-WTF were they thinking?! makes em look like a DRZ

 

[HuskyHumper]

Yeh I am starting to lean towards the 570's. What are they like to work on? I do most of my maintenance and services myself, are they an easy bike to work with? that's one of my favourite things about my 511, its so easy to work with. A minor service, change the oil, do air filter and generally check the bike takes literally no time. For my budget, most of the 570's available have around 4000-5000kms, will this be an issue?

haha yeh that headlight pisses me off too, it looks terrible. I rekon I would miss the hydro clutch if I bought a WR. you don't realise how good they are till you hop back on something without one. Maybe any cash I saved if I bought a WR I could spend on a hydro clutch.

Also, anyone had any experience with the Suzy RMX450's? I rekon they might go all right but probably wont have the top speed im after, 145kph+...

 

[Cosmokenney]

4 stroke. No 2T over 450cc these days...

A modern 2T 300 will rip your arms off.
The new Yamaha off-road YZ250FX is supposed to be a mean machine. If they come out with a YZ450FX, that should prove to be right up your alley.

 

[HuskyHumper]

yeh I have heard they do go hard, the 300's 2T's, I did consider them and had serious thoughts about getting one for a while there.

But for most of my riding I just think a 4T would be better. I do a lot of faster riding in more open stuff, fire trails, desert etc. I do single trail maybe 2 or 3 times a year, which is where the 2smokers would probably shine, but I don't do it enough to really justify buying a 2T over a 4T. Also, a lot of the time I'm doing 100kph+, which I think a 2T would struggle with.

Please correct me if im wrong in my assumptions.....my 2T experience is really limited to jap mx bikes, so I probably have the wrong view about these newer endure versions of them.

 

[Cosmokenney]

yeh I have heard they do go hard, the 300's 2T's, I did consider them and had serious thoughts about getting one for a while there.

But for most of my riding I just think a 4T would be better. I do a lot of faster riding in more open stuff, fire trails, desert etc. I do single trail maybe 2 or 3 times a year, which is where the 2smokers would probably shine, but I don't do it enough to really justify buying a 2T over a 4T. Also, a lot of the time I'm doing 100kph+, which I think a 2T would struggle with.

Please correct me if im wrong in my assumptions.....my 2T experience is really limited to jap mx bikes, so I probably have the wrong view about these newer endure versions of them.

I agree, you'd probably be pushing the limits of a 300 2T.

 

[ghte]

Go the 450 every time. They spool up quicker on the fire trails and turn in quicker on the ST. best all round proposition.
Othe makes to consider are Gas Gas 450, Beta 450 Sherco 450 all fine bikes. But the WRF is hard to beat for all around reliability.
No bad bikes out there really just one will suit your size and style most.
PS I have owned 510's and 450's and weight 240 and reckon the 450 is best all round.
I actually only ride ST noe and the 300-350's are best for 80% of the time

 

[shawbagga]

for lazy/cruisy firetrail type WFO riding the big bores are the go. 450s a bit racier. 4000-5000km on the 570 just broken in!!! id still be inclined to go for the 2012+ 500exc or 2013/14 fe501 over the older 570s. 500s have plenty of go trust me, 570 bit more of a handful in tighter ST plus they are a bit heavier i believe. 500 probably do 150+ hours on a top end. 350 probably have more fun but wont last as long. im same height & similar weight(102kg so you got a coupla kegs on me) as you Humper & i wouldnt rule out the beta 480. havent sized one up in the flesh but the 930mm seat height worries me a little. only concern with them. rmx450z already a 5/6year old bike. not bad but poxy fuel tank(6-7litres). hate to say it but ktm/husky rule the off road big bore world now.

 

[HuskyHumper]

Yeh I have considered the exotic euro 450's (sherco, beta etc) but I don't have any dealers anywhere near me. im sortof scared that I will buy one and it will shit itself and I wont be able to take it to anyone nearby that knows what they are doing. im about 4 hours west of Sydney. In town I have Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki dealers, and have Yamaha, ktm and husky dealers all within an hour away. That's why im sortof leaning towards these brands. I know I don't have a husaberg fella anywhere near (dedicated husaberg dealers gone anyway aren't they?), but I rekon that the ktm dealer would've come across a few in his time so....

I am seriously thinking about a wr, there seems to be a few cheap 2012 ones floating around, but I don't know if they would have the nuts im after. Are they easy to mod to make them better? the reliability appeals to me...

I would love a 500exc and even more a fe501, but bit out of my budget that's why im almost sold on the 570, theres a few cheap ones round, apparently they can do a few kms without shitting themselves, and I rekon they would have more than enough nuts for what I need. is there any issues though with the 70 degree motors?? because most of the cheaper ones are 2009-2011 models. and what isparts availability like?

mmm kato and sons def do have the offroad stuff under their thumb that's for sure!! im not really a fan of them but you have to admire them for what they have done...

hahaha shawbagga, better a keg then a six-pack eh

 

[Russ]

I have had a TE630 for almost 4 years. Last weekend I went riding all day with a mate who has a 2012 WR450F with 800kms on it. We swapped bikes for quite a while & I must say I was a little underwhelmed with the WR's engine performance compared to the 630 (actually 600cc). I'd read reports of how powerful the 450s were and that perhaps 350s may better suit many riders, so I guess I had high expectations.

The WR certainly isn't gutless - it spun up well, and the more I revved it the better it went. But it didn't have the same gratifying instant terrain shredding grunt off the bottom that the TE has. My mate said the same thing after hopping off the TE - said you could certainly tell its a genuine big bore.

The WR is obviously a more accomplished off road bike overall, with it's longer travel and stiffer suspension, better brakes and almost 40kgs less weight. However, that was only really noticeable on the tighter and more technical stuff, and it was a different story on the tar where it didn't see which way the 630 went.

For the type of more open riding you've described I'd be going for the 500 class, Berg 570 or even a 690 Enduro R, although the latter would probably be outside the budget.

Good luck with it!

 

[Cosmokenney]

Yea, OP's avatar box shows a TE511. Is that the bike you are on still? The TE511 vs. a WR450 is a no brainer. Freshen-up your TE511 with a new top-end. If you don't already have a Power Commander, there's a used one for sale in the classifieds:
449 511 Power Commander Autotune

You won't believe the difference the PCV makes. Maybe some fresh graphics to give it a new look. Some really good tires like the Battlecross X30s.

All of that is a whole lot cheaper than a brand new bike. And you'll have a better bike than much of the competition.

 

[dmw_az]

Check out the Husqvarna TR650 as well. Throw on a tall Seat Concepts seat and some handlebar risers, and I think you would really like the bike.

 

[HuskyHumper]

yep I do have a 2011 te511 already. I actually really do like this bike, but it is pissing me off so bad as I cant get it right. I guess by starting this thread im admitting defeat with it
I have the FMF pipe, map 3 (it was put on by an aussie husky dealer, they called it the Akropovic race map or something) and a JD Tuner. just when you think you have it right, it seems there is something wrong with it again.

It seems to run not to bad through the middle at the moment, but it defiantly doesn't pull through the middle like a 478cc bike should.
Down low its bad. you have to ride the clutch to get going, and if you ride along with the throttle just above idle, it jerks and cuts in-and-out all the time, its just a pain in the ass. it doesn't rev out to the rev limiter as well, it seems to have nothing up top, wont rev or hardly pull. It does seem to get a not bad top speed (about 145kph-150kph) but it takes a long time to get there, it certainly doesn't pull most of the way there.
When I use the higher settings for the JD tuner I found by rear wheelin (most settings around the 4-5-6 mark), it seems to pull heaps harder, but when you ease off, it coughs and splutters and carries on. when I use the lower settings in found somewhere on café husky, it think it was an aussie bloke that posted them from memory (most settings around 2-3-4), it seems to run better, you don't have to ride the clutch as much, but it wont pull as hard.

I want to get a TC449 airbox, and do the throttle flap modification. It probably wont fix fuel problems, but it will probably help it to pull a bit harder, and be a bit more hardnosed. I tried the TPS reset, and it did seem to help for one day, but the next time I rode it, it seemed to have changed again or something. After riding my mates well-sorted drz400, I just know this bike can be better, but im buggered if I know how to get it there. His bike pulls harder through the middle, and you hardly even ride the clutch and your off. It also goes about 145kph, similar to the big husky. I would have 20kgs on my mate I rekon, but the big husky should be kicking his ass. When you feel like riding someone elses f#cking drz more than you feel like riding your own, supposedly far superior, enduro bike, you do start thinking how you can do better. If I can get this sexy-looking red beast sorted properly, I will defiantly keep it. I don't care about horsepower figures and all that shit, I just want a bike that runs smooth and pulls hard.

tell me what you rekon I should do: persevere a bit more with the husky, or find something else.

 

[Cosmokenney]

Absolutely pick up a used PCV + Autotune. Or ride someone's bike who has one on it first. Sell the JD to offset the $s for the PCV. I currently run with standard air box with UNI filter. 2nd butterfly removed. PCV+Autotune. All of my low end issues are gone. And the bike has way more mid-high than I need (but I don't care about high speed stuff). Put the map on the PCV that has ignition changes (its available here). Play with the accelerator pump on the PCV. It can make the bike loop-out from a standstill if you want that kind of power from standing. Much better than the same feature on the JD.

I had a JD and it was very similar to your situation. I'm pretty happy with my bike now, however. I still have some oddball issues like surging, but Tinken helped me out with that and it's much better. But for power, and handling, I can't think of a bike I'd rather have.

 

[HuskyHumper]

Cosmo you have finally convinced me. Soooo after a loonng think, ive decided I will keep the big red girl for a bit longer and try a power commander on it. I will try and sell the JD on ebay or somewhere. Do I need autotune or should some of the downloadable maps be right to go? Or should I get it dyno tuned? (gotta think of the bottom dollar though remember).

And does anyone know any cheap places to buy one? Would like to keep it cheap as possible, $300 area if possible. The secondhand one that cosmo posted for $180 has been sold.....serves me right for rooting around about my decision!! I should have bought it as soon as I saw it....

 

[domrvt]

And does anyone know any cheap places to buy one?

https://www.motomummy.com/dynojet-powercommanders/dynojet-powercommander-v-dual-sport/dirt/