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

  • Hi everyone,

    As you all know, Coffee (Dean) passed away a couple of years ago. I am Dean's ex-wife's husband and happen to have spent my career in tech. Over the years, I occasionally helped Dean with various tech issues.

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Husky for Beginner?

Eduardo

Eduardo

Husqvarna
B Class
Hello All!! I've recently joined CH back in November. I've never owned a Husky, let alone a dirt bike for that matter. I've never been able to own one for economic reasons :(. But this will be the year for me to get into enduro and dirt bikes :banana:. Thanks to a job offer from abroad, I will be able to buy my first enduro bike, when I move to the UK.
I've lived in the U.S. for a total of 12 years of my life. I'm from Venezuela, and am living here at the moment. Things here are hard for the average person to get into this sport which is sad, because this would help to take young people of the streets and give them sport to enjoy and learn.
I've been reading a lot of the threads on here for tips, reviews, and general knowledge about the husky bikes. I really like the TE449, not only for it's styling which is awesome, but also the technology that it has. I would like for this bike to be my first enduro bike, but I'm 5'7" 170lbs (78kgs) and am concerned about he power of the bike and me trying to control it:confused: . I've ridden a KTM 450 EXC before but only a couple laps in flat straight line and not shifting beyond 2nd gear (i'm not good at shifting, but I guess it takes practice). I also rode a WR250, same way I rode the KTM. What would be the ideal husky to get started for someone like me? I would like to know anyone's opinion, advice, tips, etc.. Thanks to all, and looking forward to riding in 2013.
 
The TE250 would be a good start. Perhaps the TE310. They don't use CTS like the 449, though. Only the 449 and 511 do.
 
mnb said:
The TE250 would be a good start. Perhaps the TE310. They don't use CTS like the 449, though. Only the 449 and 511 do.
Click to expand...
In recent days I've been looking at the TE310r 2013, and I think it would be better if I'm doing single trail enduros, hare scrambles, and sprint enduros which is what I will be doing in the UK.
 
I've been riding/racing dirt bikes for over 50 years....all types and sizes.

If it were me....I would buy a cheaper bike that I could put both feet down flat (used Honda or new CRF-230 at $4,170). Being your first dirt bike, it will get dropped and parts will break. A good used lower power, user friendly bike ....then when you get better at riding off road, go for something more exotic if you like.

http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/50-crf-150230-fl/

The 230 is a perfect starter bike.

af4bb951.jpg
 
You might wanna consider a 125cc 2-stroke machine if you are not concerned about being street legal ...

That hondo is a good idea for starting but as soon as you figure out what you are doing, that bike will be mush if you develop any riding skills and start carrying any speed on trails ...
 
No doubt about it...the CRF230F would be a great choice for you. My girlfriend is new to this sport (shes 44) and that is what she rides. She's been riding now for 6 months. She's had a lesson to learn the basic skills...like how to stand on the pegs, how to sit, turn, brake and all that goes into it. I would suggest like dalecarlsbad says!! Did you watch that video with the 2 230's? Awesome choice and awesome bike for someone entering the sport.
 
The 230 is a great bike but not for anyone looking to race in the near future. Also choose bike on the class you will be racing in. Older red head TE310 or TXC/TE250 would be a great starter bike. Easy to work on and has power to grow into. Add a drop link to lower the bike if needed and add bar/hand/lever protection. KTM200, WR125/144 are a good bikes, smaller, light and has friendly power. I'm not a 2T guy, raised on them but ride 4T.

Dealer support?? contingency??

Other bikes
WR250f
350EXC/XC
350RR/RS
CRF250f
KTM105
GasGas 125-250
TE310r
 
XT250 is a great low seat bike to begin on. Relatively inexpensive and easy to work on. Not too heavy, not too fast, just kind of a good median machine...
 
+1 on starting with the Honda 230 (or similar ).

But get a used one, that way you wont loose too much when you sell it to upgrade to a 310R or the 449.
 
I was riding a CRF 230 for a year (just starting out) before jumping on board with Husky (TE 250). I really never understand power delivery concerns. I'm 135 soaking wet and I want a 449 now, or at least 310. If you know how to ride or drive a car that isn't automatic - it's all about clutch control and easing on the accelerator. You don't always have to twist that throttle as fast as you can and snap off the clutch. If you ease both, it's relatively easy to control power delivery on any bike (well maybe except 2 strokes hehe).

I think the biggest issue for a newer rider is the height of the seat. It's great once you are used to it, but I think of all things, would take the biggest adjustment time.

But if you do get a Husky, while TE 250s are great great bikes, you may as well get a 310 since they are same basic frame / weight from what I understand - but gives you more power to grow into.
 
frontiercat said:
XT250 is a great low seat bike to begin on. Relatively inexpensive and easy to work on. Not too heavy, not too fast, just kind of a good median machine...
Click to expand...

This bike is not a dirt bike. It's not a trail bike and just barley a DS. Out of all the bikes I have to ride, my dad's XT is the last to be chosen. Girls that never rode a DS/dirt don't like this bike. They all choose the KLX250 over the XT. Now if you just wanted to cruse down pavement or fire roads, this is one bike. Still, one bike but at the bottom of the list.

Seat height would be the only reason not to get a Husky, KTM, Beta, CRF's, GasGas,,,, All these bike have a mild/friendly powerband and when needed, be a racer. Buy the CRF230 and plan to sell it by June when bike prices are at the highest.
 
Weantright said:
This bike is not a dirt bike. It's not a trail bike and just barley a DS. Out of all the bikes I have to ride, my dad's XT is the last to be chosen. Girls that never rode a DS/dirt don't like this bike. They all choose the KLX250 over the XT. Now if you just wanted to cruse down pavement or fire roads, this is one bike. Still, one bike but at the bottom of the list.

Seat height would be the only reason not to get a Husky, KTM, Beta, CRF's, GasGas,,,, All these bike have a mild/friendly powerband and when needed, be a racer. Buy the CRF230 and plan to sell it by June when bike prices are at the highest.
Click to expand...

QUOTE ""I would like for this bike to be my first enduro bike, but I'm 5'7" 170lbs (78kgs) and am concerned about he power of the bike and me trying to control it:confused:"" END QUOTE
 
XT is very top heavy, 14-15 hp and no suspension. This is not an enduro bike. If you don't de-smog the TE250/310, these bikes are very forgiving. New TE310 have a road/EPA gearing that also reduces the power output. Might be different in his country, still things can be done easily to reduce power.
 
Go with a TTR230 or CRF230. 34" at the seat and only 250 lbs wet. My TE310 is 36" after lowering and lowered seat. and 280 lbs. I was a new rider 4 years ago and had a TTR230 for 2 years. So glad I did. It is a much smaller bike to control and learn on. Hitting the throttle at the wrong time on the 230 was interesting. The wrong time on the TE and you're lying on your back wondering what the just happened?
 
The CRF230 is a pretty popular bike. You can get a used one, learn on it for a year, and pretty much sell it for what you bought it. Then you're "movin' on up....".
 
Guys, thank you all for your opinions and input. It makes me feel good that I can have support from this forum, for a beginner I think it is really important. dalecarlsbad I agree with you about the CRF230 being a good starter bike. But I think I can handle the TE310r because when I rode my friend's 08' KTM 450EXC it was already de-smoged and it had also a higher rear sprocket for going uphill, it was jetted and all that stuff, also I did do the laps off-road and was getting used to the throttle but didn't keep riding 'cause I didn't have any gear on. I just wanted to try the bike out. So, I would ride it epa stock with out changing anything and just get used to the bike, changing gears, maneuvering, etc...
Also, I've always driven manual shifting cars and it is the only type of car I would ever drive. I'm not fond of automatic because I feel I don't have control of the vehicle.
I would like to race in the E2 category and I've read the TE310 is a good choice for that and would like to start getting familiarized with the bike. If I feel the need in the future for more power and after upgrading the TE310 to it's fullest, then I would consider something like the TE449.

Guys again thanks for the inputs, and keep them coming I like to hear different opinions and comments the more the better!!
 
You can learn driving on any bike only the risks and the learning curve will be different
and i would not advise you to get a CR 500:eek: as a learning bike (the risk would be really high you would take out your self and/or somebody else)

learning the basics on riding can be done on a moped

you want to bring it step further then you throw lesser weight into the equation and after that you throw more power into it.

the crf 230 is a very good beginner bike to get the basics learned on you might also consider a Kawasaki sherpa or even a honda XR 250

I like the 2 strokes as a learning bike and a 125 is already a hand full if you drive it to the maximum yet it is a lower risk then a 250 or higher displacement 2 stroke

a mistake can easily hurt you badly

yet 125 2 stroke is not that forgiving in a mistake and let you know you're where wrong without that it brings you to an elevated level of risk of having to much power in the wrong situation. but it could frustrate a learner in the beginning of its career.

a four stroke is more forgiving then a 2 stroke but in my opinion you learn it better on a 2 stroke (it learns you that you have to stay in a much narrower power band) so going fast on a small bore 2 stroke can be achieved by driving with flow (keeping momentum) and little tricks like the clutch (ab)use, picking your lines and surfaces on the trail/ track).

I bought my son (6years) an small Chinese electric pit bike only to coach him on body position on the bike (standing, sitting, cornering, braking) this bike doesn't go faster then 25 KM/h I teach him on balancing on the bike and try to drive as slow as possible (almost standing still)

its just the little things like, where do you look when you ride and approach a corner (you look where you want to go and not 3 meters in front of you).

You will be supriced how many riders don't master this simple principle (it should be automatic and that's practice practice practice and possible on anything with to wheels)
same as to focus where you want to go (setting out your lines) more important then worrying where you don't want to go (that's a lot more places and if your focus where you want to go its less chance that you en up where you don't want to be:oldman: )

all this brings confidence and that is creating speed on the bike (not only the throttle as a lot of people think)

Robert-Jan
 
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