• 4 Stroke Husqvarna Motorcycles Made In Italy - About 1989 to 2014
     TE = 4st Enduro & TC = 4st Cross

  • 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 The previous version was outdated and no longer supported.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!

Would like to discuss Husky TE310 & TE450, years 2007-2013

Ol'HuskyRider and especially Motosportz, great pics! Motosportz, your bikes are shinier than any brand new ones I've seen! Beautiful!

All, you've provided great input. Thanks!

Colombia510, your statement, "If you like to trouble shoot electrical gremlins in the forest alone then get a efi model...," cracks me up. This IS a fear of mine. Packing fuses sounds like a great idea. How about packing an injector, a fuel pump, and a computer? Do you carry any of these? I have no idea what these parts cost but I bet the total price of all three exceeds $1000.00. That's a lot of expensive parts to carry around for several years until you might need them.

I was wanting the TE310 originally because I thought it was lighter, but now I've learned that it's not. The 450/449's and 510/511's weigh close to the same. I think I need to open up to the possibility of a 510/511 as well.

There is a 2006 TE510 on Craigslist (Orange County, CA), for $2900.00. A little older than what I thought I wanted, but this is a great price. Mileage not stated. http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/mcy/4279199826.html

This is an interesting pair of TE450's. http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/mcy/4226897361.html

Here's the one I'm considering. Great conversation with the owner. We talked more about trails and the desert than we did the bike. http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/mcy/4278902142.html

Last one of the crop. http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/mcy/4292468653.html

That covers the current crop of used TE 449/450/510/511, for So Cal.

Then there are a number of 310's in the area for around $4500.00, as well.

There are a couple of new "blow out" 511's around. Still lots of "blow out" 310's around.
 
Hendricus said:
I was wanting the TE310 originally because I thought it was lighter, but now I've learned that it's not. The 450/449's and 510/511's weigh close to the same. I think I need to open up to the possibility of a 510/511 as well.
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The 449/511 does feel bigger and heavier than the 310. Not enough to bother me but is not as nible. The 449/511 motor is very nice though, more power, smoother and more refined feeling to me. No starter issues, better EFI (older than 2012 310's have the old EFI) and less issues. Again all these bikes are very good just explaining nuances not big deals.
 
Hendricus said:
I was wanting the TE310 originally because I thought it was lighter, but now I've learned that it's not. The 450/449's and 510/511's weigh close to the same. I think I need to open up to the possibility of a 510/511 as well.
Click to expand...

Just an FYI. I went from a 09 TXC510 to a 13 TE310R. I think I weighed about 4kg difference between the two, 310 being lighter. Regardless, the (11,12,13,) 310 feels MUCH lighter to ride. Much more flickable, will change direction easier and doesn't wear me out as much. 310 likes to be ridden in the upper RPM, kinda 2 stroke like. It just depends on what you like, big bore torque that can be lugged around and ridden for longer distance at high speed or fast revving, exciting single track weapon that is quicker and easier to handle in the tight stuff. I have more fun on the 310.
 
Boogie, how tall are you and how much do you weigh? I'm wondering if this has anything to do with it. I'm wondering if my size nudges me towards the bigger bike. I'm 6'4" 220lbs.

Last trip out, I rode a friend's Yamaha WR250 (2005). I loved it! Nimble and plenty of power on the goat trails in the desert (rocky single tracks in the desert hills).

The last bike I owned was a 1984 WR510 (2-stroke). I loved this bike too.

Hell, I have no idea where I will use the thing! A buddy wants explore the Death Valley area of California. Sounds like adventure riding to me, but I'm game.

I just looked at the 2013 449/511. That avant-garde tank location is not appealing to me. I'm not going to buy one of these.
 
I'm 6'1 and way more comfortable on the 449. Some bar risers would make it about perfect. It's the best part of the bike as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't feel like anything else but in a good way.
 
Hendricus said:
Boogie, how tall are you and how much do you weigh? I'm wondering if this has anything to do with it. I'm wondering if my size nudges me towards the bigger bike. I'm 6'4" 220lbs.
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I'm 6'3" 236lbs (265lbs with gear). I use lower footpegs and clamps that move my bars forward and up which give me more room than the stock 510.

I'm usually the biggest guy on the smallest bike most rides. lol

I kept my 510 for months after getting the 310 just incase I didn't like the small bore... it collected dust in the shed so I sold it (510 was still a great bike and awesome in the open terrain)

The real answer is: 310 + a 450/510/449/511. Buy two, see which one you ride more :)
 
Boogie, I hear you! No man can own just one pair of Levi's. Same for his bike - I mean bikes - I mean bike collection.

It is interesting to hear your perspective. You actually came from the bigger bike. I will be thinking about your point all evening now.

There's also a 2012 barely used TE310 that I'm looking at. Price is close to that of the 2009 TE450, I mentioned in my opening post.
 
Hendricus said:
I just looked at the 2013 449/511. That avant-garde tank location is not appealing to me. I'm not going to buy one of these.
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dont let that steer you away its part of the reason these bikes feel lighter than most when under way. As an owner that rides a lot it is completely a non issue for me. All bike are moving toward mass centralization for a good reason.
 
Hendricus said:
But I also like to think downward. Perhaps I can find a little older model, say 2005, for $3500.00. Now the questions swing to, what features am I giving up as I go older? What about parts availability? When do you start running into part's availability issues?
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In California, the TE450/510 were factory street legal starting in 2006. I ride in SoCal and would not consider a bike that wasn't CA street legal. It opens up a lot more riding options to be plated.
 
Motosportz, that's good to hear. I do like the mass centralization effort. I appreciate your thumbs-up in regard to this bike too. This discussion has made want to get out a ride that much more! Not much negative being shared at all, which is great! There's a reason we all like Huskys. Damn good bikes!
 
I didn't like the tank location either, and that is one of the reasons I went with the 310. When riding single track I don't think the 310 can be beat, but for putzing around on fire roads, a 449 or even a 511 would be better. The 310 is just geared too narrow for that kind of riding.
 
Mike-AK said:
I didn't like the tank location either, and that is one of the reasons I went with the 310.
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I dont understand this thinking. Its a hole you put gas into. Unless your racing and trying to quickfill whats the negative? The fuel is lower and more central while the light airbox can now be forward and higher. Also that airfilter in the 449/511 because of its location not by the rear wheel churning up silt and dirt stays 3-5 times cleaner (longer) that typical. I almost forget to check mine now it is always so clean. Dont fear change. BTW the concentric chain makes for crazy good traction and a very long lasting chain and sprockets. All these things are step forward for me.
 
I think its more to do with being able to get a larger tank. With the IMS tank that's out now it shouldn't be an issue plus you sell the Nomads for the 11's. I don't really see the issue in carrying some MSR fuel bottles though. There are options for fuel though so don't decide against one just for that.
 
This bike gets really good milage and I can do about 65 off road and 90 on with the stock tank which is about as good as anything. With the IMS or Nomad your good for whatever you like. I'm not trying to sell you on the bike just let you know real customer experiences.
 
I think a bigger decision for me would be that the older huskies were made to be rebuilt every damn race. Tank comes off with one bolt, seat and side plastics can go with it. Boom 2 minutes and the bodywork/tank is off the bike. Now we can do everything but the bottom end with the engine in place..

I am taking delivery of my 2014 511 at the end of the week, the main thing I am already groaning about is how some components are buried behind others and the bike is going to be a major pita to trouble shoot or work on.

That said, its a new bike, hope I don't have to do any real work on it ;)

I had a older 450 and seriously the thing was a work of art for a mechanic. Never gave me any trouble, but due to the reputation I also bought a used spare motor "just in case" lol.
 
Huskylove, nice! I hope you ride the wheels off that thing! - in the good way.

Where do you live? What sort of riding/trips will you be enjoying your new Husky on?

How often do you buy a new bike? Is it an epic event as it is with me, or do you have a garage full of them, and you've bought a lot of bikes over the years?
 
No sir I usually only have 1 motorcycle at a time. Last march I sold one car (I had 2) and took some money I had to purchase my dream bike (2010 Ducati Hypermotard Evo) and sold at the time my 450 Husqvarna supermoto. I paid for my dream bike cash it had 500 miles on it and was like new. I have been riding it sparingly because I love it so much to keep the miles low, it is at only 3,500 miles so far. I love it. But I realize it is limiting me with my rides as it is a big powerful sport type bike with long travel suspension. I want something that is a bit less work to ride.

SO, I am picking up a te511 (financing a portion of it) to use as my daily ride. Then park the ducati and other vehicles to save insurance on them. I will hopefully be doing lots of dual sport trips the first couple of months, few running around town miles...Then will be purchasing supermoto wheels and parts. Use the bike as a street supermoto, and swap the dual sport wheels for a month or two in the "winter" and go do some longer rides. Kind of a do it all bike. They crash very well, insurance is 1/3 my other bike, gets better fuel mileage, easier to park, I can attach storage without denoting the look of the bike much! Plus I get to wear my MX boots and helmet everywhere again!

This is my first brand new bike ever purchased as I am only 25. Actually first new vehicle ever. So it is a big deal for me. I hope the bike does it all like I plan as I do not ride freeway more than 15 miles at a time really. So it will be my mini-adventure bike :)

Good luck in your decision there are other factors with buying new vs used I wont go into, I just wanted something with good reliability (this is why I have not considered a 511 till recently they are in very high regard for mechanical reliability it seems). Also for 6500$! It is HALF the price of a ktm 690! And about 60% the cost of a ktm 500! After tax both those bikes are nearly 12k here with dealers not wanting to deal with you at all because "the bikes sell soon as we get them". VS Husqvarna dealers are trying to get rid of the bmw stuff and go to the 12000$ ktm's to make some money!
 
huskylove said:
I think a bigger decision for me would be that the older huskies were made to be rebuilt every damn race. Tank comes off with one bolt, seat and side plastics can go with it. Boom 2 minutes and the bodywork/tank is off the bike. Now we can do everything but the bottom end with the engine in place..

I am taking delivery of my 2014 511 at the end of the week, the main thing I am already groaning about is how some components are buried behind others and the bike is going to be a major pita to trouble shoot or work on.

That said, its a new bike, hope I don't have to do any real work on it ;)

I had a older 450 and seriously the thing was a work of art for a mechanic. Never gave me any trouble, but due to the reputation I also bought a used spare motor "just in case" lol.
Click to expand...


The 449/511 is a little harder to work on but not really. "what?" you say? Oil changes are EZ. Air filter needs much less attention making it EZer in the long run, Battery does not eject into the airfilter so you don't need to fix that. Chain and sprockets last a lot longer due to no whipping from the CTS. Zerks on the linkage that is also above the swingarm so does not get ground into the mud. Swing arm pivot bearings are silly EZ to get to unlike "conventional" setups. Most of the 449/511 have been stone reliable so other than oil changes there is not a lot to do. Once you own one for a while you understand.
 
Well that is the point, one is designed to be worked on every race day...the other is designed to be put together and ridden! I was not knocking either really. I love the ease of access to any parts on the 450/510 but love the idea of not having to fiddle with it ala 449 511 :)
 
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