Husqvarna TE450
Dr Dan of Dirt Bike Trader mag gets another rip on one of his favourite bikes, the very high performance Husqvarna TE450This bike is sleek and the new plastics that run from the sideplates to the shrouds, but leave the tank bare, are distinctly different and add to the fast look. To complete the classy look there are shiny alloy bits everywhere. Us here at DBT are suckers for things that shine ... well if it's shiny it must be expensive, right?
Sitting on the Husky you notice she's slim, with a slight rise to get right up onto the tank. The bar-seat-bars relation ship is more comfortable than Elle MacPherson in a nightie, although shorter riders may find it a long way to the ground ( as they would find with Elle MacPherson).
THE ENGINE
The engine fires up easily when cold and makes a sound you'd describe as silence with oomph! It amazes us that European manufacturers like Husky can make exhaust systems that are light, quiet and powerful, while the Japanese send you scurrying for the first aftermarket muffler you can get your hands on. Kudos to Husky! This thing on song is a sound to behold.
Get things rolling and you notice that this engine has power to burn. It's good off the bottom, then smoothly works its way into a gutsy mid-range.Anyone not happy with the midrange on this thing just can't be pleased. It's wheelie-powerslide-roost heaven.
Get into the top end and you can ring it till your fillings rattle. No big-bore four-stroke should rev this hard and still make useable power, but this one does. Husaberg and TM are the only companies that can match the Husky in this territory, it's one of the toughest engines going, in fact it's the second strongest engine after the mighty TM450.
There's a downside to all these revs though: the Husky is thirsty. On our regular ride to Laguna and back from Bazza's joint it used 12.4 km/l and we usually get 14-15 km/l from these sized bikes. That said, many a rider will be willing pay this price just to listen to the Husky concerto.
THE HANDLING
The suspension task is handled by a Sachs shock at the rear and a Marzocchi Shiver fork up front. It's as good a combination as bundy and coke. The suspension was more than capable of handling anything we chucked at it and the bike felt very stable. Rutted wash-outs, rock infested hills, squared edged bumps, you name it and the Husky soaked it up and left you thinking it had more in reserve. And it did this without skaing the life out of you over small jittery stuff.
The bike is slim and easy to tip into turns. Husky's of old were known for being great in flat turns but not the nimblest of beasts when carving through the undergrowth. The genetic engineers have been hard at work because the new animal is just as stable as it ever in flat corners but now it's just as comfortable clawing up the inside.
This is all backed up with great brakes. One thing Husky have always delivered is bikes with the best brakes in the class. There are really only two brands of brakes getting around at the moment, Brembo (used on the Husky) and Nissin. How Husky continually manages to outpoint the pack has us beat, but we'll make the most of it anyway.
SOUTHLAKES MOTORCYCLES
Southlakes Motorcycles near Morisset at the foot of the Watagan Mountains in the lower Hunter Valley is an experienced Husky dealer. The have plenty of experience in pre-delivery mods for their customers and are up to speed in setting up the Husky for trail riding. Here's what Southlakes owner Chris Flaherty had to say when we asked him for a few setup tips:
ENGINE
- You can use a straight-through core in the muffler, that's the cheap fix,but most guys who know this bike whack on a Barret exhaust system, which gives the engine more boot throughout the rev range. (Price: $495).
- The jetting then needs to be modified and here's what you do: run a 50 pilot, go one clip leaner on the needle, and one and a half leaner on the mixture screw.
- The radiator shrouds aren't bolted on so cable-tie them.
- Run radiator guards to protect the radiators when you spiral in. They're available from Southlakes Motorcycles or Husky R&D in Sydney.
CHASSIS
- Plug the steering stem with handlebar plugs top and bottom to stop gunk getting in to the steering bearings.
- Tie-wire the brake pad clips.
- Cable-tie the speedo wiring to the front brake line.
- You can get another sidestand bolt that does away with the dreaded flip-up sidestand ($14.99).
- Whipps does a good bashplate for the TE450. Get Bark Busters too, and a brake snake for the rear brake pedal a brake snake prevents the pedal being bent if it slams something hard.
- Go to a 15-tooth front sprocket (on the TE450 and TE510).
MAINTENANCE
- The battery's positive connection is an open wire that can earth-out. Fit a small rubber boot over it.
- Steering head and swingarm bearings come with very little grease so make sure they're done when you pick up a new bike. Then grease them when they need it.
- Keep the sparkplug drain-hole clean so the plug doesn't rust. Blowing it out with compressed air is the easiest way to do that.
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