2008 Husqvarna Te450

WELL I'LL BE, IS THIS HOW THEY MAKE A BIKE TO RIDE WITHOUT ADDING SHIITE TO MAKE THEM GO BETTER .

This is my ride report from a grade 3-4 trail rider ,not biased because i own it ,just how i found out the difference between my ktm 300exc 2005 well sorted with recluse and trials tyre.

i had asked plenty of opinions from different blokes and not ridden any other bikes ,i just went with my gut feeling ,some opinions are just that brand favourite .My first ride i had to get the gear lever into the correct position and this one is the hardest I've ever had the misfortune of adjusting when sorted ,who cares its done but gee its hard to get a spanner on .

I have to thank a couple of blokes for the correct advice , ARGYLE for telling me that it doesn't matter what 4t i get I'm going to go forward far quicker than on a 2t as he has followed me when riding and said i was looking for a 450 4t to get better ,thanks Dale good advice mate .

MIKE KTM 250EXCF for telling me after he rode a husky 450 or 510 that he could not in all conscience buy a ktm after riding a husky and i think it was a 06-07 model ,he also said that the 2years parts and labour warranty and unlimited kms warranty sealed the thinking for him thanks mate ,your test ride awaits you

For the benefit of Nawill i now have to break my sentences up with gaps ,i don't know if its gonna read any better and for the benefit of Barker i owned a ktm 300exc now i have this bike come on a ride with me so i can roost your *@#&*@#&*@#& ass man .

now into the report i bought this bike second hand from a racer boy in Coffs harbour he has owned huskies for 25 years and been a dealer for 20 years it was 2 months old with 1200kms ,i dislike buying new i would rather something like this that the original purchaser has dropped some retail and sorted the bike . the suspension was done to suit his weight 75 kgs and he said that he prefers it hard as it takes the hits better and also he rides fast . he reckoned that it was gonna be perfect for a trail riding 85 kg rider that like the suspension plush . i asked him about setting the clickers if i didn't like it and the reply was don't *@#&*@#&*@#&*@#& with the setting's there right . if you do anything go a couple of clicks harder or softer on the compression only don't touch the rebound . Tony had already re-valved and changed some shimms in the forks and rear shocky he does it himself .

What can i say i owned a ktm 300 that has a steering dampener and bark busters , i don't need a dampener or bark busters for this bike i feel that confident on it . I hit stuff harder and faster than my ktm and felt in control the whole time . I was always backing off on the 300ktm, with the husky 450 i power up or into hills jumps etc faster and harder ,thats just the way it likes to be ridden .

Engine the close 6 speed box is awesome i loved it , no gaps anywhere ,i wasn't up and down all day unless i was on road transports up to 6th gear and i just nursed her along at about 80kms an hour in between riding the bush ,i didn't buy it for the road mate .

Fuel injected engine didn't miss a beat when i ride the ktm 300 i hit hills in 2nd gear maybe 3rd if it doesn't get to steep with this bike 3-4 gear and the engine can pull 1-2 gears higher in the revs i reckon because of the EFI it justs keeps giving no misses or coughs ,just smooth awesome power all the way there are no hits or spikes plenty of torque i call them the torque monster it justs pulls . I am no hill demon but thats about to change with this new machine the confidence is high and that hopefully will add to the ability .The throttle is firm and smooth no movement or play in the tube its just smooth and firm ,just dial on the power with the EFI .

The tyres i used were on it when i got it bridgestone 201 front at 10 psi was good all the while i like the grip but find they don't like rocks they seem to get spiked and bridge stone 404 rear half worn at 6psi i was told by Tony its the best all rounder . at 6psi it hung on like me trials tyre it was great mate never slipped or skipped out i was impressed .

The seating position i sat on a ktm and thought how can i pay this much money and feel this uncomfortable ,i sat on the husky and thought ah this feels good even the way it was setup ,the handle bars are great and levers etc fantastic .The seating handle bar footpeg relation is great i lowered the footpegs about 12mm with aftermarket power pegs and its the first time i felt comfortable while standing ,normally i feel as if i can go over the bars at any stage ,not confidence inspiring .The headlight is great it even is focussed on the road and highbeam much better ,first time i've had a good light .

Brakes i was informed most of the big enduro riders use solid rear disc's so as to prolong there rear pads .i had 4-5mm of pad when i bought the bike and did 230kms of hard riding and still got 3-4mm left easy .brakes are nice and do there job ,i also liked the engine braking of the 450 4t it helped me on the downhills .

As you can see this bike gives great appeal to the eye and the button start well i would not give it back and it was faultless .

Instruments are nice and clear and they are easy to use . when riding this bike it felt easy as i rode it for two days solid and quick and didn't get tired at all. I moved around on the bike and slipped up and down the seat as if the bike was controlling me it made me stand when it wanted me to and pushed me forward and slide me back as if in control of my body . this bike is so easy to ride it makes you ride better and gets you in to the correct position faster .

Fuel economy was great 7.2 litres tank they reckon they will do 120kms , i used about a litre less than the Ktms i used 4 litres they used 5litres so i'm not going to run out when riding the trails i ride anyway i was more than happy .Engine temp was great nice and cool ,i rode on two very hot days 36 degress and i was into it ,steep hills ,single trail and being the leader i was constantly stoping to put corner men down it didnt overheat and ran perfectly all day i was happy to hit water crossings just a little faster to cool and wet the engine though . I have not as yet tried the bung that goes into the rear exhaust ,i like it the way it was , i will try on a wet day to tame it down i think .

I may add more but in short i love this bike ,i don't feel the weight at all of the machine and am only going to get better ,so ERWIN come up to play mate i have played with GILLIE and he reckons he loves the 450's i know why now .

TO COMBAT EVIL ALL GOOD MEN MUST SPEAK .