1. 4 Stroke Husqvarna Motorcycles Made In Italy - About 1989 to 2014
     TE = 4st Enduro & TC = 4st Cross

Calling all 2013 TE449 owners - Would you buy it again?

Discussion in '4 Stroke' started by JeffV, Jun 22, 2013.

Page 4 of 20

  1. oregonsage 4st Clerk

    Location:
    Dry Washington
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    FX450
    Other Motorcycles:
    Yamaha DT400 x 2, BMW G310R
    When BMW sold the company dealers got an opportunity to help clear out the warehouse by buying whatever was there at steep discount. Finding those bikes at dealers is pretty random, and dwindling. Its hard to say if you can find another one at the lowest prices you see quoted here.
    oregonsage, Jun 27, 2013
    #61
    Coffee likes this.

  2. JeffV Husqvarna
    A Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    none
    Other Motorcycles:
    Kawasaki KLR650
    Well,if I don't get a great deal on it, I just won't buy it; other than price, I don't really see an advantage to buying one. Ill buy a KTM or Beta or wait out the change and buy a 2014.The extra cost will probably be saved in depreciation, hassle and uncertainty. Or maybe ill just put a 290 kit on a WRR. The only reason the TE449 got on my radar was the great price and my lifelong history with owning huskys.

    What do you all think?
    JeffV, Jun 28, 2013
    #62

  3. Coffee CH Owner

    Location:
    Between homes - in ft Wayne IN
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2006 TE250, 2013 TR650 Terra - sold
    You list a KLR650 as your only bike, which is way different than a TE449.

    Only you can decide how much you want to ride places where the TE449 excels, and the KLR650 does not.

    Personally I do not buy very many things without a firm reason for buying them (usually multiple reasons), then generally hang onto those things for a long time.
    Coffee, Jun 28, 2013
    #63

  4. oregonsage 4st Clerk

    Location:
    Dry Washington
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    FX450
    Other Motorcycles:
    Yamaha DT400 x 2, BMW G310R
    I think you can get a deal, maybe just not at the lowest prices quoted here.

    I paid around $8k for my TXC511 in 2011 as an early adopter, and I got a bike that was worth every penny more than the $6k I paid for my last CRF450X Honda. Then I picked up an '11 TXC449 on a closeout sale last year for about $6.5k and fitted it with full Baja Designs light package, Trailtech Voyager (wGPS), Seat Concepts seat, etc....So I have a 'TE' with the TXC ECU and TXC suspension; street or dirt worthy.

    I got a good deal on the first one and a fantastic deal on the second one.....If you're on the west coast you could talk me out of the barely used 449 for about $6500...only because I dont really need both of them. Or if you dont need lights the 511 is competition ready for $4700. I will be happy with whichever one I keep and I wont really mind if I keep them both (though my wife may disagree :D ) .

    Ive let several KTM guys ride the 511 and the general response is that its far better than they thought....especially if they come across a gnarly, whooped out uphill. Havent had anyone say its inferior to their KTM. In my neck of the woods, Betas are exotic figments of the imagination....sightings of Saquatch are more frequent...they may be great bikes, but I dont know anyone to ask.

    It may be in your situation that the window of opportunity has passed, I dont know.
    oregonsage, Jun 28, 2013
    #64
    Lonfish likes this.

  5. James Patton Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Edwardsville, ILL
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    TE511 2012, WR125 2006
    Other Motorcycles:
    1250S Bandit, DRZ400S
    I buy what I want, you should too...If your not sure, don't buy anything until you know...
    These are SO different than the KLR/DRZ etc...really if I did not do the dirt thing obsessively,
    I would not own one.
    James Patton, Jun 28, 2013
    #65
    TE in RC and oregonsage like this.

  6. Tinken Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Hesperia, CA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    MY12 WR511
    Other Motorcycles:
    Yamaha
    Sounds to me that you are buying it for the name, regardless of the performance. Maybe you should purchase a KTM and put a Husky sticker on it.
    Tinken, Jun 28, 2013
    #66

  7. JeffV Husqvarna
    A Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    none
    Other Motorcycles:
    Kawasaki KLR650
    LOL. Isn't that whats going to happen in 2014? And I don't understand what you mean "regardless of the performance." I see it as an opportunity to own a quality motorcycle for the price of a toy bike. I do like the design and engineering of the TE 449/511 and have been longing for one since I first saw a 2012 at the motorcycle show. Im sure any of these bikes will probably be more capable than anything I need. Remember I'm 44 years old.

    It just seems to me, for the prices i've been seeing, that I could get much more bike in the Husky TE than anything else out there. I love the rear suspension with the concentric output shaft/swing arm pivot. And we are talking almost $4k less than a KTM. However, the full list price is just too close to a KTM or Beta to risk buying a last year model of a bike who's factory has been shuttered, probably permanently.

    Like most of you all, I've own tons of European and Japanese dirt bikes in my life(too many to list) , though I currently only have a KLR650, which doesn't get ridden much as it is really just a street bike capable of fire roads.

    I want a bike that is not just capable of riding up trails but also FROM trail to trail and designated riding area to area without having to look out for rangers/sheriffs/CHP. And if I feel like taking it easy, just ride the fire roads from Upper Lake over the mountain and not get hassled. I haven't ridden off road in years, but even back when I did, we would always get hassled by the rangers on the trail or in camp in the evening.

    Unfortunately, I don't have much spare time in my life to devote to tinkering with hobbies. The lack of dealers is an issue. There just aren't any in my area, except for Monroe Motors and they are really a street only shop, so problems requiring dealer attention will take days out of my life. Also, the "get on it and ride" temperment of the lesser bikes is attractive to me.

    If the world were a perfect place I think I'd go down to my LOCAL Yamaha dealer and buy a WR450R, but alas, they only exist in Australia.
    JeffV, Jun 28, 2013
    #67

  8. oregonsage 4st Clerk

    Location:
    Dry Washington
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    FX450
    Other Motorcycles:
    Yamaha DT400 x 2, BMW G310R
    Seems like all our Bay Area guys go to Motoxotica, which is pretty much the reverse of Monroe...dirt, dirt and more dirt mostly...of course they are also Beta...

    http://motoxotica.com/
    oregonsage, Jun 28, 2013
    #68

  9. tonskiguy Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Greenville, WI
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2012 TE 511
    Other Motorcycles:
    1986 Yam XT350
    tonskiguy, Jun 28, 2013
    #69

  10. jerbear610 Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Sacramento,CA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    14' WR300, 11' TE511, 06'TE610 sold
    Other Motorcycles:
    11' Husaberg FE570, 15' Beta 300RR
    +1 MotoXotica can handle all your Husky needs and you don't even have to live close by. Just call and they'll ship it to your
    front door.
    jerbear610, Jun 28, 2013
    #70

  11. Coffee CH Owner

    Location:
    Between homes - in ft Wayne IN
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2006 TE250, 2013 TR650 Terra - sold
    If it were me, I would buy a 449/511. Seems perfect. That is why I bought my first Husqvarna in 2006 - but for Stonyford.

    While many owners do several things to those bikes, I'm not sure how many are necessary for casual riding.
    Coffee, Jun 29, 2013
    #71
    turtlemoye likes this.

  12. gillies Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Phoenix, AZ
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    '11 TE449
    Other Motorcycles:
    '09 R1200GSA
    Good post. Here are my thoughts, for what they're worth...

    Hope my analysis isn't taken the wrong way. Just trying to help.


    Cheers!
    gillies, Jun 29, 2013
    #72
    Normann likes this.

  13. LandofMotards Moderator

    Location:
    Colorado
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2014 TC250
    If you don't want something high strung the DRZ or WRR would be the best bet. I had both in SM trim, I preferred the WR. 24k mile valve checks, fuel injection was awesome, and it felt quite a bit lighter. It was a little down on power in comparison but that was more about torque. If you get either, it will be just like here, you'll want to mod them to open them up. They are almost no maintenance though.
    LandofMotards, Jun 29, 2013
    #73

  14. Mike-AK Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Alaska
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2012 TE 310
    The biggest thing the 449/511 has against it in my opinion is the Chinese knockoff BMW street engine. Now that BMW no longer owns Husky, its kind of a bastard child of a bastard child.
    Mike-AK, Jun 29, 2013
    #74

  15. Radar Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Southern Nevada
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2012 TE449
    Those clever Chinese. It's a great engine. Probably better than BMW could have done on there own. Sometimes a bastard will improve the DNA.
    Radar, Jun 29, 2013
    #75
    4eyes, TE in RC, Motosportz and 2 others like this.

  16. Mike-AK Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Alaska
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2012 TE 310
    Yeah...it's dominating the motocross and enduro scene.
    Mike-AK, Jun 29, 2013
    #76
    Radar likes this.

  17. Radar Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Southern Nevada
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2012 TE449
    If I were going to dominate MX I would be a 2 stroke.

    The TE 449 is perfect for me, I don't go around in circles. I like to explore. Once I have seen a trail I don't need to see it again. Let's go someplace new.:)
    Radar, Jun 29, 2013
    #77
    BarberPole and jerbear610 like this.

  18. jerbear610 Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Sacramento,CA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    14' WR300, 11' TE511, 06'TE610 sold
    Other Motorcycles:
    11' Husaberg FE570, 15' Beta 300RR
    Care to elaborate on this ? BMW street engine ?? Mike, with all do respect I think I know where this came from and let me just say anything that
    dude types(HuskyRipps) comes from a bitter,dark,resentful place and should not be taken seriously.
    jerbear610, Jun 29, 2013
    #78

  19. Mike-AK Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Alaska
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2012 TE 310
    It is a copy of the BMW 450 engine made by Kymco. BMW no longer owns Husqvarna.
    Mike-AK, Jun 29, 2013
    #79

  20. Caiman Senior Vice Procrastinator

    Location:
    Australia
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    SWM SM500R
    Kymco also made the BMW g450x engine, so I don't know how it's a 'BMW knockoff'. The 449/511 donk is Mk2 of the g450x engine.
    Caiman, Jun 29, 2013
    #80
    4eyes and Radar like this.
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