1. Husqvarna Motorcycles Made In Sweden - About 1988 and older

Best of the late sweetish big bores for everyday use ?

Discussion in 'Vintage/Left Kickers' started by silverstreakNZ, May 7, 2017.

  1. suprize Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Bendigo, Australia
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    WR 400, bike in a box Moto Villa 350
    Other Motorcycles:
    ktm 300
    I couldn't believe how good the wr is c/w the xc....Brrrr
    husqyhamm likes this.
  2. fran...k. Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    eastern ct
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    420ae 98wr125 2004wr250 others
    Other Motorcycles:
    electric freeride 1993 yam gts
    Some of the stuff in the above quoted text is puzzling to me. At least for this market USA I am under the impression that there was only a wr 500 one year I believe 1984 and not a single shock. I never had one but the parts sheet shows the same wide ratio transmission as wr 430 and xc500. The more engine rotation per kick is effected by the primary reduction, there was a change in the starter and intermediate gear but I think the ratio of that change is minimal and if talking about single shock all will be the later version.

    Back to the general use I have my doubts a big bore two cycle can be made to pass sound tests. The political landscape seems changing especially in the state to the north, even for riding on private property.
  3. silverstreakNZ Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Christchurch nz
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    82cr500,76gp360,90wr250,81 420AXC
    Other Motorcycles:
    74 tm400 , 02 gasgas ec 300
    We don't have nonsense like that in my part of the world . Most of the tt500s at vmx run straight pipe exhausts . So they can go slow loudly lol
    DaveM, oldbikedude and ajcmbrown like this.
  4. suprize Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Bendigo, Australia
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    WR 400, bike in a box Moto Villa 350
    Other Motorcycles:
    ktm 300
    I rode a new xt 500 a mate bought when they first came out....I had an old xl 250 motosport Honda. I couldn't believe what an enormous bucket of crap it was. we were riding tightish single lane and rough 4wd tracks and this thing was just awful. but...as you do when a mate has a spanking new toy..."it goes good!" I told him.... later in the day he clipped tree with the bars..nothng big, left a small tree scar but it broke both upper triple clamp bolts on the opposite side and peeled the clamp wide open so the fork leg was floating in space....they look nice...
    oldbikedude and Brad-in-STL like this.
  5. justintendo klotz super techniplate junkie

    Location:
    mercer, pa/northwest pa
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    84 250,86 400,87 430,88 250,95 360
    Other Motorcycles:
    99 kawasaki zrx 1100
    good motor, awful chassis. i can see why the mill is transplanted into the husky chassis
  6. suprize Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Bendigo, Australia
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    WR 400, bike in a box Moto Villa 350
    Other Motorcycles:
    ktm 300
    im not so sure of the motor... found it was too big fourstroky..firing every 20 feet when the going got tough, either digging a hole or wheeling out of control trying to get up hills..had to ride it like a 125...clutch clutch and more clutch ....was great on more open tracks, cant deny that.... and I guess for the time it was a biggie...just never impressed me. there were easier bikes to ride I thought....
  7. rancher1 Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    WA
    Frank, the guys making some of those comments are in New Zealand, Australia, and Africa so it isn't really related to the US.
  8. Bigbill Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    '83 250wr
    Other Motorcycles:
    0 right now
    I rode a street legal 98 Husqvarna wr250. She was a awesome ride. With Dunlop dot knobbies. She sounded great on back country roads just brapping along listening to the popcorn in the pipe.

    As far as speed I stayed with and passed a 600rr Honda till he let off I had him beat off a red light. I had a Harley guy cut me off at a red light he said sorry man as we waited for the light. I ate him alive off the light. He didn't stand a chance. My point is a 250cc can hold its own in traffic.

    The 99 Husqvarna TE610e was another nice street ride. I enjoyed the grunt of the 610.

    I would do a Sunday morning church loop with the 250wr. I would loop around two towns where the churches were in the country side. Besides my 12am rides. One of my morning rides as I came out of the forest trails in town there was a state police spot check. After showing my reg and insurance card I rode away. I never had a sound test.


    My point is there are many choices.
  9. DaveM Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Adelaide, Australia
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2001 TE 570
    Other Motorcycles:
    Motorised Bicycle
    I had a street legal 95 WR360, great bike but wicked throttle response and power band.

    First time I rode it on the road near my house, the road was wet.

    Everything was great until the power band in second gear, it did a complete 180 and was then going down the road backwards at speed.

    I threw my right leg out by pure instinct and did not come off.

    I am really sure any other bike but a Husky it would have ended up very messy!

    :)
  10. suprize Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Bendigo, Australia
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    WR 400, bike in a box Moto Villa 350
    Other Motorcycles:
    ktm 300
    there is a guy on utube on a kato who pulls that manoeuvre off!! by accident! ive done it in slick mud once or twice with both feet "a la trainer wheels" on the deck.
  11. DaveM Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Adelaide, Australia
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2001 TE 570
    Other Motorcycles:
    Motorised Bicycle
    It's not something I want to repeat, that's for sure!
    :)
  12. silverstreakNZ Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Christchurch nz
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    82cr500,76gp360,90wr250,81 420AXC
    Other Motorcycles:
    74 tm400 , 02 gasgas ec 300
    Cheers you lot . I am planning on buying this wr430 . Already has different forks on it which suits me because I have some 98 rm 250 forks for it . First real mods will be check spring rates and swap accordingly . Chch rear travel and remove spacer from rear shock if needed .
    Also have access to a smart carb ....
    Can anyone comment on stock pipe vs up tite vs dp etc ?

    Attached Files:

    Brad-in-STL and DaveM like this.
  13. 86 400 XC Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Calgary
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    75,82,83,2x84,85,3x86,87,88 and 89
    Other Motorcycles:
    more Huskys
    New Up-tite pipe perhaps, very nice bike you found.
    XC or CR?
  14. ajcmbrown Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Metung Victoria Australia
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    400WR 250WR 07 WR500 430AE 360AE
    Other Motorcycles:
    1985 500CR Ducati Multistrada 1200S

    If the Up-Tite pipe on my 400 is anything to go by, I'd leave the stock pipe on for street use. The biggest difference is the huge mid range hit with the Up-Tite, but less over rev. After riding them back to back at the Yass Vinduro, the difference is very obvious and I guess it comes down to rider preference for off road use, but for on road I think the power delivery is more useful.
    Surprize also rode my 400 with the Up-Tite after his stock pipe 400, he noticed the difference too.
    I'm unsure if it produces more power, or just concentrates it in the mid range.
    Tony.
  15. justintendo klotz super techniplate junkie

    Location:
    mercer, pa/northwest pa
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    84 250,86 400,87 430,88 250,95 360
    Other Motorcycles:
    99 kawasaki zrx 1100
    this also seems to describe the dp pipe on my 430, altho i am running the stock silencer with factory clamp on arrestor. im sure that is sapping power. less top and stronger bottom/mid..
  16. silverstreakNZ Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Christchurch nz
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    82cr500,76gp360,90wr250,81 420AXC
    Other Motorcycles:
    74 tm400 , 02 gasgas ec 300
    Oh yea I didn't actually mean I was going to ride it every day to work or anything etc sorry about that . Meant this will be my main trail ride /adventures bike . As opposed to the fleet of vmx only bikes I have .
    Yea that is an up tite pipe . Was asking for opinions of characteristics of each .
    It's a wr . Was advertised on there last month .
  17. suprize Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Bendigo, Australia
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    WR 400, bike in a box Moto Villa 350
    Other Motorcycles:
    ktm 300
    the uptite puts all the power in a low to mid range band, very sharp sign on and sudden sign off. after riding my rev out special I found it very restrictive and a little harder to ride. I found I had to be very careful with the throttle or unhappiness would result! I can see a good rider in tight woods and loamy country would love the uptite but if there is tricky ground conditions, slick rocks, steep hills with tree roots and fast sections, I think the stock pipe is a better option. BUT without knowing timing, muffler jetting etc of tb's scooter etc it may be possible to spread the uptite power upstream and make it more rideable.
    if you have one on the bike, I would work around it. George from uptite may have sometips on getting the best out of the pipe.

    one thing for sure, your mates will be impressed....
  18. oldbikedude Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Honey Brook Pa.
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1988 wr 430 with cr suspension
    Other Motorcycles:
    66flh,67 CA77,76 CR125M,73H1,74ty250
    Nice find!:thumbsup: I think you'll love it. My bike pulls hard from down low & it comes on strong in the mid to upper rpms. Doesn't feel like it signs off real early to me but I have an SA pro silencer. Every bike is a lil different. I had this pipe on a CR430 as well. Very sturdy pipe.
  19. ajcmbrown Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Metung Victoria Australia
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    400WR 250WR 07 WR500 430AE 360AE
    Other Motorcycles:
    1985 500CR Ducati Multistrada 1200S

    Good point JC, I would welcome any and all advice in achieving this, the stock pipe is easier to ride, there's no doubt about that.
    My bike has stock jetting, stock muffler and is timed at 1.8mm btdc, any gurus out there?
    Tony Brown.
  20. suprize Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Bendigo, Australia
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    WR 400, bike in a box Moto Villa 350
    Other Motorcycles:
    ktm 300
    you could.....
    1. retard timing a tad
    2. drop the needle 1 clip
    3. try a larger bore muffler if you can find 1 or try repacking with steel wool.

    leaning out the mid will soften the hit onto the main jet. I thought you had some richness in the system to be able to do this. obviously you need to test it to make sure its not too lean.