TE450 too much for a newbie?

Hi all- I am thinking about a TE450. I owned a KX250 back in high school and an Intruder 800 several years ago. I currently own a couple quads (Yami Griz 700). I am really wanting to get back into riding a bike! I really am looking for ya'lls opinion, which after lurking here, I value.
I haven't ridden a TE450, or for that matter a TE510, which I am also considering. I was a pretty decent rider, but it's been a while. Not knowing how much power to expect, am I going to kill myself on it? How snappy is the bike in stock form? This might help:

-I'm 6' tall
-Weigh 195.
-I'll be 36 years old when I get back from the desert and buy it.
-I'll be riding 50/50 high desert and mountain trails

Do ya'll think it's too much bike?

Steve,

Like many things motorcycle related, I think a lot depends on you as to how the bike will work out for you. The 450 is a great bike for your size, it's fairly heavy but not too bad considering it's street legal. I went from riding open country and fire roads on a KLX300 to a TE510 in some snotty PNW type trails and my learning curve was/is still quite vertical. Tighter trails seem to be easier on the 250/310 from guys who have had 450/510's. I don't know anything different for a good comparison. I'm 5'10" 165lbs. I do know one thing for sure; I've dropped and crashed the hell out of my 510 and it's never failed me. It does however, tend to get REALLY heavy at the end of the day if you drop it often, lol.

Air Force?

Thanks for the opinions/info. It's greatly appreciated!

ion- Yup, Air Force. Based out of Mtn Home, altho I'm at Norfolk right now awaiting airflow to Afghanistan.

Welcome and thank you for your service for our country.

I don't think you will any problem with a 450 or 510. I have not ridden a 510 but everyone says that the 450 turns a little easier.
Have you considered the WR300? If I didn't have so many bikes or more money I sure would give them a close look.
Let us know how things are going over yonder.

Been in Mtn Home long, or how familiar are you with the area around there??
(FYI: I'm a Mtn. Home High graduate....many many yrs ago)

With past riding experience and if you can maintain decent control of that throttle hand at first, I think you'd do fine with either the 450 or 510....both great bikes for out in the Owyhee high desert areas and on the Danskin area trails (the 510 is especially nice on the long loose hill climbs).

Trails over in the Trinity Mtn area is where things can change a bit. I've taken my TE510 over a lot of the nasty advanced/expert single track over there and while it makes it thru just fine, it's a lot of bike and flat wears you out after hours of crawling thru technical rock sections and/or steep switchbacks averaging single digit speeds.......those are times I would rather be on something like the WR300 2-stroke or a well set up 250/310. (I'm 5'-10", 240lbs)

Any of the bikes you may get would be best geared down 3-4 teeth up in back, and then maybe get a spare tooth smaller front to switch to for the Trinity's tight trails.

Haven't ridden one, but know the TE610 is capable of doing some decent trail work, but I think it would be best left for more adventure type rides and mid-level trails, and not one I would make my first choice for our whooped out desert or mtn single track trails

Hi RLW- Yeah, I've been there for almost 2 years. I've ridden the Owyhees, Danskins and Trinities quite a bit on my quads. In fact, i've put 2k on my quads since I've been at Mtn Home. I will ride the Trinities a good bit on the bike I buy. We'll have to get together for a ride after I get back. Good to know there's another guy from S. Idaho here. By the way, how is the Husky dealer in Boise? I went in there once to look at some bikes, but I don't know anything about them.

Anything you took a quad on, any of the TE's will eat up w/ease. There's a whole other world of riding in the Trinities and above Featherville that quads will never see (& shouldn't ever try to)

Loyal and his wife Stephanie that run Moto-Tech are good people, actually of those I've met, it's a pretty good bunch overall.......which is good since we don't have a choice.
Other than plugs or oil filters, parts I've needed typically had to be ordered. But I've also needed very few parts and what I did order was quick to get in and prices were fair. (FYI: 10% parts discount for TVTMA members http://www.tvtma.com/ .....good way to hook up on some nice rides too)
Their stock of bikes can be somewhat limited at times

I have a 08 TE250 and I'm ready to upgrade, though it won't be for a couple years. I feel spoiled riding four strokes, actually thinking about switching back to a two stroke (WR300). If you came off a KX250 I think you would be disappointed by the lack of power and snap. Recommend the 450 or above IMO.

Airforce huh, thats cool. I've been in the Army for about 13 years and have worked with a lot of Airmen. Good luck over there and post some pics if you can.

This is the perenial Question and a Husky 350 would be a great fix all round. The 250/310 will be a tad better in the tight and not quite a good on the wider trails and sand.
I had a TE 510 and went down to a 450-huge difference in the tight. The extra con rod throw made it a less willing handler. At your age and weight a 450 is the best desripter for you. The 310 is close but not quite for you given age and weight. Dont forget bikes today handle and brake so much better than those from the ninties and eighties. This means less effort and more confidence.
Good luck
All huskies are teriffic and will give you much joy, any one will have a wee compromise somewhere-just find the best fit for you.

I have a TE 450 (6'2, 205lbs) and ride ATV to tight single track. It has very controllable power and is balanced nicely so it feels lighter. If you do not need a plate, I love 2-strokes or even the TXC. Oh man the decisions are hard

I have an 09 TE 450, 09 Husaberg FE450 and 05 KTM 450 EXC.

The Husky is snappier than the other two which I mainly attribute to its closer ratio tranny.

I run the throttle G2 throttle tube with #4 cam (slowest ramp rate) which makes the motor smoother off the bottom which I like.

I weigh 175 without gear and the stock springs are perfect for me but may be a little soft for your weight. It will be close.

I'm 5"10", 175# w/o gear and 62 years old so I think your 6'0", 195# 36 year old body won't have a problem with it.

It's definitely a nice scoot.

Hi Steve, I'm around the same weight as you, and 5' 10". I have a powered up '09 TE450 and find it no problem at all despite only having about a year and a half dirt bike experience (mostly on a WR250R so it was quite a step up). I have the G2 throttle cam fitted with the 200 (intermediate) cam in it at the moment, and the engine mapping button so you can use a softer map for those slippery days (but I've never had to do that yet).

We don't have too many really tricky technical sections round here but I haven't found it a problem when the going does get tough, and with the cam fitted the power delivery is really easy to manage. It's not as light as the smaller TEs of course, but it's lighter than anything I've had before (even the WR250R) and the power hit when you do wind it on is really addictive! I'm sure you'd love it. When the time comes, take one for a test ride if you can (I did, and I liked it so much... well you know the rest).

And good luck for your tour in Afghanistan. I was 15 years in the British Army and served alongside US forces several times, and my sister married a US Cavalry officer and has lived in Virginia Beach for many years (and one of their kids joined the US Navy) so you have my support!
(If you're still in Norfolk, when the wind's in the right direction shout "Hi" to my sis would ya!)

Wow! Thanks for all the info! I really appreciate it and thanks for all the support concerning the deployment. It means a lot!
Pete- I said "Hi" to your sister for you! How's she look, by the way? Hahaha! Just kidding, she's safe. I'm outta here in another 2 hrs...

Mods- sorry, accidental double post...

do you need a roommate? i'll wash that husaberg for free