We drove: Husqvarna TE 449
- Video, first time
- Video, second
- Prices 2011
Let me write down my impressions of trying out the newest fun plowing tool.
the fields began with a story that is not directly related to the product itself, but is beautiful
describes the background of events in a territory that was once Swedish, then Italian, and now
German company. That Italian presentations are less organized than
Austrian, German and Japanese, we already understand this - it was so
also at last year's (2010) Husqvarna event: after initial efforts to
coordinate free motorcycles, journalists and photographers with the schedule, after
hours in the camp real chaos reigned.
You took this motorcycle,
which you wanted or which were free and drove as far as you were
will. The hottest new product at the time, the TE 250, was so incessant.
busy and some participants are reluctant. There were two sites this year
tests of motocross and enduro on pallets separately, for each motorcycle
there was always the same mechanic, the guides gave clear instructions, all
events, however, proceeded on a pre-established schedule without error. May be
coincidence (after all, I didn't give as many presentations as I would like
I can say with certainty), but I think that the influence of the German hand is felt. V
this might be the right formula for Husqvarna.
What's the news? Ugh,
many. The frame is completely redrawn. It is unusually narrow (especially under
seat where two pipes connect the back of the motorcycle to the head
frame), expands only where it needs to be wide for correct
the position of the driver's legs. Also he is already under his feet, where they were
Husqvarnas of the previous generation are too wide, go into deep corners and
strikes the ground quickly when overcoming obstacles. Also all very high quality plastic
parts (produced by Polisport) have been redrawn and merged
the sides of the plastic in a single piece provide easy access to the intestines (quick
service! ) and for a clean sideline (no transitions where you could be
stuck in, say, racing boots).
Installation seems annoying
eight bolts under the rear fender, since after the mud race the service will be free
a high pressure cleaner is probably impossible. There is a new two-piece container for
fuel under the seat (lower part transparent) with filler hole
fuel behind the seat (like the BMW G 450 X) and the rear wing is very unusual
with a hole on the plug (?!). The seat is very flat and the front almost reaches
frame heads. The non-classic design continues with the shape of the front.
a fender that does not require additional reinforcement due to its width and shape, and s
headlamp with convex glass on the left. You couldn't
give up asymmetry, eh, Germans?
They also adopted from the Bavarians
solution for attaching the front sprocket to the rear fork axle. Right
reduce the load on the drive chain when driving over bumps and
improve traction. The list of new products does not end there: connecting rods
the rear shock was moved over the swingarm to increase it
distance from the ground, better protection of "scales" from impacts and dirt and
facilitated mechanical access to the shock absorber. Motorcycle installed upon purchase
silent muffler complying with Euro 3 standards, as well as a new owner
he also receives an Akrapovich pot for racing.
TE is between the legs
very narrow, only the front extends classically around refrigerators.
The steering wheel is already high enough in the standard setting, the control levers are on
in the right place (hydraulic clutch). The engine starts up nicely and through
Akrapovich's drums are good, but unfortunately we weren't able to try the serial one.
The engine itself, still in BMW, we had the opportunity to test in 2008.
At the time, it seemed to me that the combination of the Husqvarna concept and
The BMW engine is a very good package and after the first few miles it can
I also confirm. As if he has more than 450 "cubes", below
the real torque of the tractor in the area.
Therefore, it rises very well on demanding
terrain as well as jumping when we want the front wheel to be in the air.
The power delivery is soft and non-aggressive with electronic injection.
Cycling seemed to me after replacing 310cc with 449cc TE
bulky, naughty in closed corners, but such is the difference between the two
two motorcycles. For the test, I then first took TE 310, and a colleague
stopwatch in hand, and on a closed enduro track set the time to two minutes, 34
seconds and some changes, then switched to TE 449.. And the result?
Do
seconds at the same time! Proof that a few pounds of excess weight can
replaces a flexible and powerful unit. Replacing the Marzocchi fork with
The kayabinimi turned out to be a good move as it looks less like a motorcycle.
reflects on short irregularities and is generally very stable.
Feces
it seems we can do it again after a two-year hiatus in Auto magazine
comparative test of hard enduro 450 cc, because at that time
there was nothing really new on the market and the TE 449 is perfect for mud sports
small revolution. It hides a lot of small and big special things.
technical solutions that should prove themselves in racing and hobbies
off-road trips. According to BMW's brutal attack on others
motorcycle segments, we dared to predict the name of Husqvarna
became a big splinter in the orange heel. Proof: at a time when the field market with
fell 2008 percent in 2009-25, this is Husqvarna's global market.
the share increased by 28 percent or more
always growing.
TE 310
Husqvarna should have done this before: the 310 TE 2011 is essentially the latest generation TE 250. Thus, the 111 motorcycle has lost 106 kilograms and became the ideal enduro hard package: lightweight, agile and strong enough.
An Israeli journalist and I checked the difference between the TE 250 and TE 310 on a flat road: there was no difference in acceleration at full throttle, but when we threw the throttle at about 50 kilometers per hour in sixth gear, the driver of the larger Husqvarna went way ahead. Both bikes have a new hub and Excel wheels, a quieter exhaust system, two different engine programs, a new fuel tank with an improved pump, a tighter and narrower frame under the pedals, new guards, new cooling pipes and improved exhaust. pipe fencing.
3 questions: Salminen soup
The 1998-year-old Finn is a seven-time world champion in enduro. He has been racing for the Austrian KTM since 2009 and in 2 he joined the BMW team and now races for his subsidiary Husqvarna. This year he has run two races in the XNUMX World Championships and finished third and fourth both times, but has now missed three due to injury. Can not wait,
to continue the season with the new Husky.
What are the main differences between the BMW G 450 X and the Husqvarna TE 449?
Motorcycles are very different. There are no parts at all to be supplied from Husqvarna to BMW or vice versa. The engine is mainly from BMW, but it has a new gearbox, electronics, air filter chamber ... Husqvarna was also built on the experience of BMW, where we tried out some new technical solutions, so the TE 449 is already developed on paper, which has some drawbacks. no more. This is a brand new bike and the riding experience is completely different, I am faster with the bike.
Will BMW continue production of the G 450 X?
To be honest, I do not know, I am not the right person to answer this question. If it continues to sell, I see no reason to discontinue production, but there will probably be no further development of this model. BMW owns Husqvarna, which is effectively the same company, and off-road motorcycle development will continue under the Husqvarna brand.
Have you ever tested bikes of different sizes on the same track? Which one are you fastest with?
Of course we tried, so little for fun. It really depends on the driver, not the motorcycle. Antoine Meo, for example, can be as fast with a small 125 cc engine as I am with a 450 cc. The volume is not as important as the driver. The smaller motorcycle is lighter and more agile, while the larger one has more power.
First impression
Appearance 4/5
We'll have to get used to the new design principles, but we certainly can't blame the new line for boredom and obsolescence. In the case of the test cars, we found some minor defects in the final workmanship (inaccurate casting of the gear lever and an ugly cut rubber seal under the valve cover).
Motor 5/5
Competitiveness in the class will only be shown by direct comparison with competitors, but the engine is excellent for enduro after the first kilometers. Maybe not as explosive, but much more rewarding.
Driving performance, ergonomics 5/5
The suspension is very good, as is the driving position. At first glance, the seat length seems to be exaggerated, as the enduro rarely or never sits down.
First grade
At the end of the editorial, the price was not yet known, but we expect it to be slightly higher compared to the current one - because this is a really new product and because they will also "give away" the Akrapovic silencer. At first glance, the TE 449 is a good hard enduro bike with some technical features that we will only be able to appreciate in longer tests. 4/5
TC 449
The TC motocross model differs from the TE enduro in hardware (it doesn't have lights, of course), has a different camshaft, higher compression ratio and therefore eight percent more power, a choice between two programs (switching between “soft” and “hard”). ”), you need to turn off the engine and wait 10 seconds after pressing the switch) and one gear less in the transmission. The single-cylinder engine is very strong in the mid-range, and in general I would venture to say that (Japanese) competitions are tougher and more explosive.
The TC is a very good motocross specifically aimed at the amateur motocross rider, thanks in part to the Kayaba's well-functioning suspension that follows the ground very gently, but how the package performs at the highest levels of racing will be shown in the competition results. . TC is already equipped with an Akrapovic muffler as standard and they already offer a kit to increase the volume to 480 cubic meters.
Husqvarna TE/TC
449
TC and TE are built on one
in fact.
engine:
single-cylinder, four-stroke, liquid-cooled, 449 cm6, four valves per
cylinder, comp. p.: 12: 1 (13: 1), electronic fuel injection Keihin D46,
electric start.
Maximum power: n.
p.
Maximum torque: np
Download
powers: Transmission 6-speed, chain (5-speed gearbox).
Frame: steel tubular, auxiliary frame
light cast iron.
brakes: front
prick? 260 mm, ask a colut? 240 mm.
Suspension: Kayaba adjustable front telescopic fork?
48, 300 mm bending, ask
adjustable single Kayaba shock, 300mm travel.
Tires: 90/90-21, 140/80-18 (80/100/21,
110 / 90-19).
Seat height from ground:
963 mm.
Minimum
ground clearance: 335 mm.
Dishes
for fuel: 8, 5 l.
honeyed
distance: 1.490 mm.
the weight
(without
fuel): 113 (108) kg.
Representative:
Avtoval, Grosuplje, 01/781 13 00, www.avtoval.si, Motocenter Langus,
Podnart, 041/341 303, www.langus-motocenter.si, Motorjet, Maribor,
02/460 40 52, www.motorjet.si.
Matevž Hribar, photo: Milagro
