• 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.

    When he passed, I worked with his kids to gather the necessary credentials to keep this site running. Since then (and for however long they worked with Coffee), Woodschick and Dirtdame have been maintaining the site and covering the costs. Without their hard work and financial support, CafeHusky would have been lost.

    Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been working to migrate the site to a free cloud compute instance so that Woodschick and Dirtdame no longer have to fund it. At the same time, I’ve updated the site to a current version of XenForo (the discussion software it runs on). The previous version was outdated and no longer supported.

    Unfortunately, the new software version doesn’t support importing the old site’s styles, so for now, you’ll see the XenForo default style. This may change over time.

    Coffee didn’t document the work he did on the site, so I’ve been digging through the old setup to understand how everything was running. There may still be things I’ve missed. One known issue is that email functionality is not yet working on the new site, but I hope to resolve this over time.

    Thanks for your patience and support!

TE511 FIRST 500 KMS

SAM511

SAM511

Husqvarna
AA Class
TE511 FIRST 500 KMS 5/5/11

Well, I have now finished just over 500 KMS, and wow has this engine loosened up and delivered ? It has to be the best power delivery of any of the big bores I have ever had and ooooh so smooth with superb gear change quality and excemplary EFI. Will be dumping the original oil later today and filling up with my favoured Motul 300V 15W/50 which will only enhance gear change quality even more from my past experiences.

ERGONOMICS
Egos are exceptional, albeit a bit too high for my 5 ft 10 inch height and I am still struggling a bit but I guess I will get used to it as I did with my last bike a 2009 TE450 after coming off a KTM which seemed lower to me. I find the seat OK and I am a big fan of Duz fasteners. The standing position is the best I have had so far on any bike, in fact it encourages me to stand more aften because it is comfortable. Having said that I have installed 12mm bar risers and pulled the bars slightly back towards me which made it even better for me.

TIRES
I immediately jetisoned the standard FIM tires in favour of Pirelli MX Extra rear (120/100) and XC Mid Soft front (80/100) as I did on my last bike and boy was that a revelation ! It makes it feel like its got 4WD by comparison. Great staggered knob pattern gives confidence in power sliding, nice and progessive. The front especially is exceptional in all terrains IMO.

SUSPENSION
Aaah, everyone wants to know and everyone has different opinions. Well, I am falling in love with this bike as it responds so well to chassis adjustments on all levels. I personally do not feel the need for valving changes like some others claim. One spring rate upgrade both ends (refer below) with some small clicker adjustments here and there, oil height of 120mm in the forks and that was perfection for me, end of story, and the best set up of any of my past bikes. One thing that I have noticed is that with the stronger rear spring it allows me to run more rider sag of 120mm (with all gear and full tanks) whilst maintaining a reasonable static sag of 45mm. It seems to be its sweet spot for me.

THE CTS REAR END
This bike is all about the rear end action, its effect on weight transfer, anti squat feel and extra traction that it susequently delivers. Its stability on steep, rough and badly rutted rocky hills can not be explained or appreciated by people unless you ride it.

COMBINED HANDLING & ENGINE BRAKING
It has a different feel for sure, but for me I feel that what it can deliver to the rider is worth a slight rethink in riding style. It definitely suits smoothness in cornering rather than the cut & thrust style of burying the front and booting in the power, which now kind of almost feels the old fashioned way. In saying that, I also feel that this bike definitely delivers faster corner speed and for enduro or trail riding that is the faster way round. Part of this sensation is the engine braking. It felt bizzare when I first rode it. There is not much engine braking for the first 2 - 3 seconds after choping the throttle and then a mild engine braking comes on. It must be the EFI programming that kind of "hangs" the engine for a short time. This in conjunction with the CTS effect on the chassis is why I say that riding it is sort of like a 2 stroke where they tend to run wider and faster round corners.

Anyhow, enough gas bagging from me for now. This bike is truly awesome and its new concepts inspired me to write down my thoughts. I would love to hear of other TE511/449 owners thoughts on the bikes and their own various set ups.

I will post some field photos from Adelaide South Australia at some another time.

I have listed below some changes that I have made and I am waiting to see what steering damper solutions become available in the future that will still allow easy removal of the long seat.

2011 HUSQVARNA TE511
Modifications and Accessories

Husqvarna Billet Alloy Fuel Tank Cap
Husqvarna Billet Alloy Oil Screen Caps (2)
Husqvarna Billet Alloy Oil Filter Cap
Husqvarna Carbon Fibre Rear Chain Guide
Husqvarna Spring Preload Adjuster
Husqvarna 12mm Bar Risers
B&B Alloy Mid Pipe Heat Shield
B&B Alloy Bash Plate
B&B Alloy Radiator Guards
Racetech 0.48 Fork Springs
Kayaba 5.3 Kg Rear Spring
Motorsportz Rear Disc Protector
DID VM X-Ring Gold Chain
Stealth 50 tooth Rear Sprocket
Pirelli MX Extra Rear Tire (120/100)
Pirelli XC Mid Soft Front Tire (80/100)
G2 Ergonomics Throttle Tube & Cam
Works Connection Rotating Bar Clamps
Biketique Alloy Hand Guards
 
great review ... I still don't know which I would choose : the new TE310 or the TE449. I had a TE510 (2005) and now I'm riding a TE 250 big bore 310 (2007) for 4 years now and at the end of this year I will buy me another Husqvarna but still don't now .... TE310 vs TE449 .... Time will tell
 
Wheeling Jo said:
great review ... I still don't know which I would choose : the new TE310 or the TE449. I had a TE510 (2005) and now I'm riding a TE 250 big bore 310 (2007) for 4 years now and at the end of this year I will buy me another Husqvarna but still don't now .... TE310 vs TE449 .... Time will tell
Click to expand...

Wooh !
That's a tough question.
I guess it depends on what type of riding you do, how much you weight and what size bikes have you been accustomed to in the past.
I chose the TE511 because it was so forward thinking in concept. Every other top quality bike (and top quality nowadays means european ie Husky, KTM, Husaberg, TM) are still all basically the same as what I had previously (2009 TE450) only newer. The TE511/449 is exciting because it delivers so differently. It actually inspires me to ride more.

I love it.

1. CTS Rear
You have to feel it on snotty hillclimbs and become a "true believer"

2. Top side Linkages on Swingarm
I can not believe no one thought of it earlier

3. Fuel cell low in the chassis and centralised
Whilst no lightweight I can assure you that it feels very light and flicky in your hands when underway.
9Kgs placed much lower is noticeable.

4. Sealed injection/intake system with snorkel high up near the handlebars
I can confirm that the air filter definitely stays cleaner longer
Also great for crossing waterways that unexpectedly become deeper than you thought.

5. Sweet BMW engine
Awsome EFI
Akropovic Standard in Australia
Very positive 6 speed gear changing
Starts Easy
Mild Engine Braking not too heavy
 
thumbsup.gif
Yep. I have over 700 miles on my TE511 and freaking LOVE that bike. All the things you said and more. Amazing machine.
 
SAM511 I can concur with everything you have said .... I made the choice to go 511 instead of 310 primarily because of the chassis and I am glad I did. The awesome FI engine package is icing on the cake....

I wonder if I can wedge my WR300 engine into this thing
eek.gif
 
Yes, this chassis should become their standard and rolled out across the line ASAP.
However if they are building a new 2 stroke they also need to add a gear or two. Heck my wifes 5 year old Mercedes has 7 speeds in it, when are bikes going to catch up? :-)
 
So the chassis gets the overhand over the motor ... I way 100 kgs and like the power of the 310 : no overkill on power when you leave the turn ...

I will get back in september and maybe Husqvarna will put a 310 engine in the 449 chassis ... time will tell

grtz from Belgium
 
SAM511 said:
TE511 FIRST 500 KMS 5/5/11

Well, I have now finished just over 500 KMS, and wow has this engine loosened up and delivered ? It has to be the best power delivery of any of the big bores I have ever had and ooooh so smooth with superb gear change quality and excemplary EFI. Will be dumping the original oil later today and filling up with my favoured Motul 300V 15W/50 which will only enhance gear change quality even more from my past experiences.

ERGONOMICS
Egos are exceptional, albeit a bit too high for my 5 ft 10 inch height and I am still struggling a bit but I guess I will get used to it as I did with my last bike a 2009 TE450 after coming off a KTM which seemed lower to me. I find the seat OK and I am a big fan of Duz fasteners. The standing position is the best I have had so far on any bike, in fact it encourages me to stand more aften because it is comfortable. Having said that I have installed 12mm bar risers and pulled the bars slightly back towards me which made it even better for me.

TIRES
I immediately jetisoned the standard FIM tires in favour of Pirelli MX Extra rear (120/100) and XC Mid Soft front (80/100) as I did on my last bike and boy was that a revelation ! It makes it feel like its got 4WD by comparison. Great staggered knob pattern gives confidence in power sliding, nice and progessive. The front especially is exceptional in all terrains IMO.

SUSPENSION
Aaah, everyone wants to know and everyone has different opinions. Well, I am falling in love with this bike as it responds so well to chassis adjustments on all levels. I personally do not feel the need for valving changes like some others claim. One spring rate upgrade both ends (refer below) with some small clicker adjustments here and there, oil height of 120mm in the forks and that was perfection for me, end of story, and the best set up of any of my past bikes. One thing that I have noticed is that with the stronger rear spring it allows me to run more rider sag of 120mm (with all gear and full tanks) whilst maintaining a reasonable static sag of 45mm. It seems to be its sweet spot for me.

THE CTS REAR END
This bike is all about the rear end action, its effect on weight transfer, anti squat feel and extra traction that it susequently delivers. Its stability on steep, rough and badly rutted rocky hills can not be explained or appreciated by people unless you ride it.

COMBINED HANDLING & ENGINE BRAKING
It has a different feel for sure, but for me I feel that what it can deliver to the rider is worth a slight rethink in riding style. It definitely suits smoothness in cornering rather than the cut & thrust style of burying the front and booting in the power, which now kind of almost feels the old fashioned way. In saying that, I also feel that this bike definitely delivers faster corner speed and for enduro or trail riding that is the faster way round. Part of this sensation is the engine braking. It felt bizzare when I first rode it. There is not much engine braking for the first 2 - 3 seconds after choping the throttle and then a mild engine braking comes on. It must be the EFI programming that kind of "hangs" the engine for a short time. This in conjunction with the CTS effect on the chassis is why I say that riding it is sort of like a 2 stroke where they tend to run wider and faster round corners.

Anyhow, enough gas bagging from me for now. This bike is truly awesome and its new concepts inspired me to write down my thoughts. I would love to hear of other TE511/449 owners thoughts on the bikes and their own various set ups.

I will post some field photos from Adelaide South Australia at some another time.

I have listed below some changes that I have made and I am waiting to see what steering damper solutions become available in the future that will still allow easy removal of the long seat.

2011 HUSQVARNA TE511
Modifications and Accessories

Husqvarna Billet Alloy Fuel Tank Cap
Husqvarna Billet Alloy Oil Screen Caps (2)
Husqvarna Billet Alloy Oil Filter Cap
Husqvarna Carbon Fibre Rear Chain Guide
Husqvarna Spring Preload Adjuster
Husqvarna 12mm Bar Risers
B&B Alloy Mid Pipe Heat Shield
B&B Alloy Bash Plate
B&B Alloy Radiator Guards
Racetech 0.48 Fork Springs
Kayaba 5.3 Kg Rear Spring
Motorsportz Rear Disc Protector
DID VM X-Ring Gold Chain
Stealth 50 tooth Rear Sprocket
Pirelli MX Extra Rear Tire (120/100)
Pirelli XC Mid Soft Front Tire (80/100)
G2 Ergonomics Throttle Tube & Cam
Works Connection Rotating Bar Clamps
Biketique Alloy Hand Guards
Click to expand...

Where did you get your B&B Alloy products from for your 511?

I'm located in B.C. and can't seem to find a B&B dealer in the area. Any assistance you can provide would be great.
 
tripboundless said:
Where did you get your B&B Alloy products from for your 511?

I'm located in B.C. and can't seem to find a B&B dealer in the area. Any assistance you can provide would be great.
Click to expand...

Have a look at my other followup post I put up. It gives more detail.

2011 TE511 NEXT 500 KMS 7/5/11
 
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