So i have been spending pretty much all my time on my TE511 which was unexpected. I just love the bike. I recently got my 09 WR125/144 back in rotation and after not riding it for a while and jumping off the 511 onto the 144 a couple things really jumped out at me. The rear of the 511 is way more planted and follows the ground far better. The 144 is revalved and working very well, the 511 stock. But the difference in stability, tracking and overall suspension performance is noticeable for sure. Obviously the weight and 4 stroke play a lot to this but i really believe in the CTS thing now. Additionally i could really feel the up high weight of the gas on the 144 and the wideness of the tank. I prefer the ergonomics of the 511. All this really got me thinking how good a CTS and mid gas tanked 2 stoke husky would be. Will be interesting to see if husky goes in this direction. thoughts?
Hi Motosportz, the press in Oz have not taken to the 511 and definatively prefer the 449. What is your take on this. It is interesting to get your views on the CTS, makes the theoretical more of a reality.
I rode a TE449 and my TE511 back to back for a day. Odd they have an issue because blindfolded you would be hard pressed to tell them a part. 511 has a little more power down low otherwise feels very much the same. The only difference is 30cc. Love the CTS and think it works well.
I agree 100% with Motosportz on this.... my WR300 is still a blast to ride and works very well in the traditional way and the TE250 is also fun to ride, but the TXC511 is everything he says it is.... As for the 449 question, I havent ridden one but with the controllable power and responsive FI on the 511 Im not sure why the smaller engine would offer any benefits. Either one is a competitive off-road racer right out of the box.
I did have a chance to ride a stock TE449 about 6 weeks ago. Normally I dislike riding big bore 4ts in the woods - too chuggy and harder to flick than the smaller 4ts. The power delivery of the 449 isn't like any other 450 I've ridden & I found it quite easy to change direction & it didn't have that chuggyness in tight corners. Very muted and tame, it felt more like a 250 with 350-400cc power on tap. Need more power?just clutch it a bit and it's right there. Didn't have enough time on it to really make a true evaluation of the CTS, but I found it didn't present any issues and am sure it's an asset waiting to be exploited by the rider, once they learn how.
"...and am sure it's an asset waiting to be exploited by the rider, once they learn how" That's my take on it as well, everyone in this age/era has been brought up with mostly MX chassis industry standard progressive linkage rear suspensions (or KTM's PDS which has always tries to be as close to a link as possible). Throttle control, weight and balance,body position, braking and all the dynamics thinkable are just a little different with the CTS chassis ( have been told by top tier pros)( I only have a very limited time on one, but it is "different" for sure). I think the word exploit the tech is the best statement. Most guys want instant gratification when jumping from one machine to another using the same ride style. As the year goes on and the pro level guys get the bikes dialed and themselves dialed in to the "new" feel of the chassis things have been getting/going better. Some folks need to think about the fact that this is an all new chassis design with less than one solid racing year on it. See the results from the ZipTy guys and even Salvini in WEC, its still a work in progress at that level. For us normal riders as seen from y'all (yes I said that) its more than effective/competitive at the club race/trail ride level. My 2 cents PS I would say that Motosportz probably is right up there at the top on CTS chassis mileage in the customer world, works good in the northwest zone for Kelly aned his crew.
All sounds kinda weird to me. Not sure what that would feel like. Interesting. Does it affect pulling the front tire off the ground? I just kinda hate 4-strokes in general but do know the light front end of the 125/150 for sure deflects more then a heavier 4-stroke. I wold just be happy to see the old 250 engine in a new style frame even. I DO NOT want to see BMW take over this whole thing. We will see how this partnership works. Hmmmmm. Not sure???????????????????????????
