: Husqvarna TE 449

YouTube visitor comment below video of new TE 449 enduro machine: “When did you notice that Husqvarna bought BMW? When Motorcycles Get Ugly." Hm. We're not going to say he's ugly. Not because we didn't dare, but because we saw, looked and felt the bike live. Marco, who was horrified by the visual change in the first photos, was also impressed after the 15 minute lap. However, the new TE (they also offer a 511cc version) is unusual, and yes. And we appreciate the courage to move the manufacturer away from the established rails - but where would we be if we just changed the graphics and changed the colors? Look, a lot of people say that BMWs with GS at the helm are ugly, but they are still very successful two-wheelers in terms of sales. So?

Yes, she is different, this new husky. Instead of a simple headlight, it is now aggressively pointed and (Beemvee) asymmetrical, the front fender repeats the design and became wider, with a different solution for reinforcement on the most loaded part (if you don't know: adhered dirt can break the plastic of its own weight), the red plastic on the side is made in one piece and a wide shovel is now used instead of the traditional Husqvarna pointed rear end. But this width does not bother me at all; neither while riding nor when manually shifting the motorcycle in mud, but the handle under the seat is too forward and too small to use this device, so it should be held under a (dirty) mudguard or wide belt. placed directly in the back for this purpose.

The rear has been radically redesigned with the fuel tank, which (as in the G 450 X) is hidden under the rear of the motorcycle, as if under the driver's butt. In this way, the seat can be fully aligned to the head of the frame, providing more than enough room to move and move while driving. The filler neck is now BEYOND the seat (not in it like in the G 450 X), and an unusual hole gaped right next to it. A? !!

The hole is designed to keep water and dirt from trapping around the container hole (so the pig can drain), but the opposite path is also open on the other side so that dirt flows from under the wheel through the hole into the rear fender and around the plug. It is more difficult to open than classic containers due to the shallow bulge, but also inappropriately more dust and dirt, so this solution does not seem as reasonable as we were supposed to be convinced at the official presentation. However, the under-seat fuel tank certainly has its advantages: the air filter is positioned higher and higher in the front, where it captures cleaner air, and the weight (fuel) moves lower and closer to the car's center of gravity. motorbike. A small part of the tank is transparent and visible from the side, and when it is full, the enduro knows that it has at least two liters of fuel in stock. That, given that the small armature, of course, does not have a fuel level indicator, very handy.

Yes, the digital counter is very small and also hidden behind pigtails when the rider is sitting on the bike. When he does not stand up, as it should be enduro. The position behind the raised steering wheel was, so to speak, ideal for Husqvarna, which is owned by mechanic and racer Jože Langus. The pedals feel a little bit apart due to the large engine, otherwise the bike will be narrow between the legs and allow very unrestricted back and forth movement. The rear brake pedal was placed annoyingly high, and the setting and length of the gear lever were not ideal. For comparison, the KTM SXC 625 has it at 16cm from the foot, while the TE 5 is only 449cm, so anyone who lives on a big foot (and therefore wears large sneakers) will look for an alternative or at least move higher. Another thing: the shaft of the gear lever is hidden in the rear of the engine.

The electronic fuel injection engine ignites perfectly. Even after standing for a long time in the cold, he ignited the throttle lever without the help of a motorcyclist. It is enough to turn the key (yes, it has a contact lock) and touch the starter button to revive the gurgling rumble in the sports muffler. This is part of the package and is intended for racing use only, and with the original TE 449 pot, it meets all the rules governing what you can and can't drive on the road. The sound differs from the Japanese 450cc bombers, as well as from the KTM and, interestingly, closer to the sound of the previous generation TE 450 model.

Already when we drove the BMW G 450 X three years ago in a comparative test, we were told that the single-cylinder engine is very flexible and more comfortable than the competition. It doesn't have the typical explosive thump when opening the throttle quickly, and it doesn't run fast at top revs. It's agile, useful and tireless, and together with good sensory grip and a shorter ratio (one tooth less up front), it proved to be a great climber. It's amazing what climbs he can do without throwing a rider on his back. Endurashi, as you know: a narrow forest train is suddenly covered by a fallen spruce, and it needs to be wrapped. . Well, the 449 handles those kind of climbers just fine, but on the other hand, the bike is quite tall (seat) and generally big, bigger than a motocross-framed KTM EXC, so we advise enduro riders to be mindful of this. Better yet, test! Even with a sharp change of direction, you can feel the size, if I exaggerate, the bulkiness of the new hard-enduro rocket. Tip: if you smell light, look for the new TE 310. .

A machine mounted on a Kayaba (soup!) Suspension works best on rough terrain or fast sections. It perfectly matches rocky or frozen mud base, maintains stability and gives a feeling of reliability and safety. This is facilitated (at least that's what Husqvarna says, and in our experience there really is something in it) the CTS (Coaxial Traction System) or the pinion pinion located on the rear swingarm. Everything is going well, very good.

But the German hand still didn't hit the Italian table hard enough. The thermostat wires on the radiator are bare and poorly protected, the plastic contacts at the back are not the most accurate, dirt has got on the side plastic mounting screws, and the muffler is completely susceptible to shock. Yes, such trifles worry many and may even scare them away from buying.

Now we're looking forward to a season of competition, featuring enduro-experienced motocross rider Alex Salvini at the World Enduro Championships, and at least one of them will also compete in the national enduro and cross-country championships *. Well, let's see!

* Mikha Spindler has already won the first race of the Slovenian Cross Country Championship with the TE 449.

text: Matevž Gribar, photo: Aleš Pavletič

Face to face - Piotr Kavchich

Hmm, traction is what surprised me, and very positively. The motor is extremely flexible and ideal for enduro as it is not too wet so there is significantly less rear tire spin at idle. It climbs hill very well and is stable on fast wagon tracks. The brakes are also surprising, and to a lesser extent the position of the gear lever and rear brake pedal, which protrude too much outward.

How much does it cost in euros?

Test motorcycle accessories:

Folding clutch lever 45 EUR

Acerbis hand protectors (set) 90 EUR

Steering wheels for steering wheel lifting 39 EUR

Base model price: 8.999 euros

Test car price: 9.173 EUR

Technical information

engine: single-cylinder, four-stroke, liquid-cooled, 449 cm6, four valves per cylinder, comp. p .: 3: 12, Keihin D1 electronic fuel injection, electric starter.

Maximum power: np

Maximum torque: np

Energy transfer: Transmission 6-speed, chain.

Frame: steel tubular, light cast iron auxiliary frame.

brakes: front coil? 260mm rear coil? 240 mm.

Suspension: Kayaba adjustable front telescopic fork? 48, 300mm travel, rear adjustable single Kayaba shock, 300mm travel.

Tires: 90/90-21, 140/80-18.

Seat height from ground: 963 mm.

Minimum ground clearance: 335 mm.

Fuel tank: 8, 5 l.

Wheelbase: 1.490 mm.

Weight (without fuel): 113 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.

THANK YOU

flexible, comfortable motor

reliable ignition of the engine

stability on bumps and at speed

podcast

brakes

hill grip

ergonomics, driving feel

installation of rear suspension arms ("scales")

GRADJAMO

rear fender hole

installation of screws for fixing side plastics

the gear lever is too short

braids obscure the view of the dashboard

inaccurate plastic contacts

open muffler

motorcycle size for little riders

or more difficult terrain

• Basic data

  Base model price: € 8.999 XNUMX €

  Test model cost: € 9.173 XNUMX €

• Technical information

  engine: single-cylinder, four-stroke, liquid-cooled, 449,6 cm3, four valves per cylinder, compressor. p .: 12: 1, Keihin D46 electronic fuel injection, electric starter.

  Torque: np

  Energy transfer: Transmission 6-speed, chain.

  Frame: steel tubular, light cast iron auxiliary frame.

  brakes: front disc Ø 260 mm, rear disc Ø 240 mm.

  Suspension: Kayaba Ø 48 front adjustable telescopic fork, 300 mm travel, Kayaba adjustable single rear shock, 300 mm travel.

  Fuel tank: 8,5 l.

  Wheelbase: 1.490 mm.

  Weight: 113 kg.