Comparative test: Hard enduro 450

Watch the video from testing.

Let's say this is so, and let's say we have relatively little free time, even if someone else might say that you have exactly as much as you do. So how you spend it is very important!

Anyone close to motorcycles, adrenaline, fun, socializing, nature and of course sports and the endeavors that come with it are on their way to becoming addicted to enduro.

Any economist will argue that better than a spike is a longer-term approach with a slightly more modestly rising but strongly rising sales curve. And in the world of motorcycles, this is exactly what characterizes the enduro.

Today you are not the best makeup artist if you are driving in front of a bar in mud and on a motorcycle wearing picks. Anyone looking for instant shine should board the Thousand Cubic Foot Athlete, preferably grown in Borgo Panigale (Ducati, of course). But a true enduro isn't looking for sparkle, it's closer to the distance from the crowd, in which every ride experiences a new adventure.

If you are skeptical, take a test drive, hire a friend to check. We promise you won't be bored.

We've had a lot of fun with this hard-enduro motorcycle comparison that has become quite traditional this time of year. We drove three chubs and our most modern 450cc athletes on Rab Island, where they have two motocross tracks and friendly locals. We took a close look at the time-tested Husaberg FE 450 E, the all-new Husqvarna TE 450 with electronic drive and the completely redesigned KTM EXC-R 450.

In the fight for first place, we wanted to launch the new Aprilia RXV 4.5 and at least the Yamaha WR 450, which would well complete the line of homologated hard enduro bikes in our market, but, unfortunately, this time it did not work out. . And the second time! The Kawasaki KLX-R and Honda CRF-X 450 are two other very interesting Japanese products, but we didn't include them in the fight because, unfortunately, they don't have license plate rights.

When weighing with a full tank of fuel, interesting data was obtained, which is certainly important for enduro. The Spartan design, despite the old design, put Husaberg in first place with 118 kilograms (7 liters of fuel), the second lightest was the KTM with 5 kilograms (119 liters of fuel) and 5 kilograms (9 liters of fuel). the toughest Husqvarna.

Since a silent exhaust is the best enduro exhaust, we also measured the volume, which (we emphasize) is measured with a non-standard device and cannot be a benchmark compared to the data from the homologation. But you can still say: KTM was the quietest, Husqvarna was the loudest, and Husaberg was in the middle. We were thrilled that the loudest bike never exceeded 94 decibels at just under half throttle.

When it comes to ecology, one cannot but take into account the fact that Husqvarna is the greenest and most environmentally friendly. This is what the Germans have achieved with electronic fuel injection (a bit hard to get used to the fact that Husqvarna is now owned by BMW, right?). The other two are currently carbureted, but not for long, of course. Whoever cares about the fact that he has to "open" the KTM or Husaberg first, that is, remove any blockages that are otherwise approved but by no means off-road, only Husqvarna is at his disposal.

The TE 450 is also the only hard enduro with a two-year warranty, provided you take it to an authorized service center, of course. For us, this is very important information about the motorcycle, which makes it easier for you for eight and a half thousand, as much as these toys cost today. The price is definitely a big minus for each of the three, but unfortunately that's the price of modern four-stroke engines for the field.

Otherwise, a quick glance reveals that they have been generous with equipping quality components. KTM and Husaberg have a lot in common (suspension, brakes, steering wheel, some plastic parts () because they come from the same house? So everything is done in the spirit of keeping costs down while keeping the best components. Husqvarna has a Marzocchi fork and Sach shock instead of WP suspension, and the steering wheel was provided by Tommaselli instead of Renthal; in short, the brands are still respected.For example, they all have the same rims (Excel), the best and most reliable on the market for hard enduro motorcycles.

Well, while they work the same on paper, there are differences between them. They were identified by a team of riders (we partnered with the Croatian magazine Moto Puls), which included a professional motocross racer, a professional enduro racer, a few serious campers as well as two newcomers.

We summed up the impressions as follows: First place convincingly went to KTM, which is currently the most refined 450cc hard enduro. The engine is just a reference; it is full of power and torque, but at the same time perfect and versatile, so that both professionals and beginners can work with it. The transmission and clutch are perfectly matched, and the brakes are by far the best. They stop it as a joke, but require a little more attention and knowledge.

Was it interesting to compare the opinions on the suspension? Both pros were impressed with the move, while the recreationalists admitted that it was a little tiring as the ground contact is so direct, so small bumps are felt quickly. The KTM 450 EXCR also proved to be the most resistant to falls, rocks and branches as it is actually impassable.

Husqvarna won the second place in the hard-hitting duel. Compared to the KTM, it lost mainly due to the nature of the engine and brakes. We lacked more torque and power in the lower rev range, faster throttle response and stronger brakes. However, the serial crankcase protection (the only one of the three) must be commended, because in enduro it is very important that the ride is not rudely interrupted on too high a cliff. Recreationalists also love the suspension, which also provides a slightly more comfortable ride than the other two, which have a rear shock mounted directly to the swingarm. We also applaud the fact that this is actually the only hard enduro that doesn't need to be remodeled to be able to drive off-road at all, and it's a bold decision with a two-year warranty.

Third place went to Husaberg, who has known each other for many years. While they have installed even better components on it than so far, this is the bike that either excites you or you struggle with it. He prefers precisely cut lines and is an excellent weapon for liquid and direct cross tests. In a more technically complex environment, it works a little cumbersome and therefore only copes well in the hands of a technically and physically trained driver. The engine loves to accelerate and turns with pleasure at maximum revs, where this "Berg" also demonstrates its advantages best. The question is not so much whether the engine is good, but whether the rider is in line with the design and philosophy of the bike.

We would also like to point out that we did not record any problems or defects during our testing. Modern four-stroke engines do not leak, run quietly enough, do not shake, do not overheat, light bulbs do not burn out as quickly as before, plastic parts are durable and, above all, perfectly ignite when touched. electric starter buttons.

Peter Kavcic, photo: Zeljko Pushcenik

1. KTM EXC-R 450

Test car price: 8.500 EUR

Engine, transmission: single-cylinder, 4-stroke, 449 cm? , Keihin FCR-MX39 carburetor, el. start + foot starter, 6-speed gearbox.

Frame, suspension: steel tubular, chrome molybdenum, front adjustable forks USD? WP, rear single adjustable damper PDS WP.

brakes: diameter of the front reel 260 mm, rear 220 mm.

Wheelbase: 1.490 mm.

Fuel tank: 9 l.

Seat height from ground: 925 mm.

Weight: 119 kg without fuel.

Contact person: www.hmc-habat.si, www.axle.si.

We praise and reproach

+ the most versatile

+ manageability

+ best-in-class block

+ quality components

+ powerful brakes

+ workmanship and durability

+ suspension

– wide between the knees and in the fuel tank area

- no crankcase protection

2. Husqvarna TE 450

Test car price: 8.399 EUR

Engine, transmission: single-cylinder, 4-stroke, 449 cm? , e-mail fuel injection Mikuni 39, el. start + foot starter, 6-speed gearbox.

Frame, suspension: steel tubular, chrome-molybdenum, partially circumferential, front adjustable fork USD? Marzocchi Sachs single adjustable rear shock.

brakes: diameter of the front reel 260 mm, rear 240 mm.

Wheelbase: 1.495 mm.

Fuel tank: 7, 2 l.

Seat height from ground: 963 mm.

Weight: 112 kg without fuel.

Contact person: www.zupin.de.

We praise and reproach

+ fresh design, innovation

+ ecological unit

+ better ignition

+ suspension

+ quality components

+ guarantee

- a large and tall motorcycle, which he also knows while riding.

– motor inertia

– Brakes could be better

– we found some vibrations on the pedals at higher speeds

3. Husaberg FE 450 E

Test car price: 8.800 EUR

Engine, transmission: single-cylinder, 4-stroke, 449 cm? , Keihin FCR 39 carburetor, el. start + foot starter, 6-speed gearbox.

Frame, suspension: steel tubular, chrome molybdenum, front adjustable forks USD? WP, rear single adjustable damper PDS WP.

brakes: diameter of the front reel 260 mm, rear 220 mm.

Wheelbase: 1.490 mm.

Fuel tank: 7, 5 l.

Seat height from ground: 930 mm.

Weight: 109 kg without fuel.

Contact person: www.siliberg.com.

We praise and reproach

+ spontaneity, uncompromising

+ quality components

+ brakes

+ suspension

– hard and bulky on technical off-road

– motor inertia