Well…, I have been lurking around reading posts on this site for a while, as a visitor, but this one made me actually join up.
I just wanted to share my opinion on this topic.
A couple of months ago I bought a shiney new TE449. Now I`m definately no hard core, passionate, one make only, Husky crunchy nut. I`d more liken myself to a brand slut. I`ll buy what ever I consider to be good value.
This is my first Husky. I think it is brilliant. So easy to ride. I too think is ugly, although it does look good from some angles, but I can definately overlook how a bike looks if it performs well. The drive this thing gets is insane. It climbs the snottiest hills so well that I have had mates say I made it look easy . The motor is very torquey, it encourages lots of midrange use, which for me, means I don`t have to fight the bike, or keep it on the boil and get fatigued so early.
Suspension is great. Obsorbs bumps, doesn`t deflect of them like everything else I`ve owned over the last 29 years. The only thing i have changed is I wound more preload into the rear to have 35mm sag instead of the 50mm the factory says to run (something the CTS apparently requires).
Something I can`t stand with the current gen. 4 bangers is inlet valve wear. When researching the 449 I found the Husky, or BMW more to the point, have done something about it. They use under bucket shimmed titanium exhuast valves, and rocker arm opened stainless steel inlets. The fact they used stainless inlets was a big factor in my decision to buy one.
Yes I`ve only dropped it once, on the right, and put a dent in the muffler, but Trooper lu`s are importing P3 carbon guards. I have one on order.
The mapping is great. They have used a Kiehin system, replacing the Mikuni system since 08. It is so crisp and responsive.
I think it will be an easy bike to live with, sure is easy to ride. Servicing is not an issue, parts are easy to get, yes most stuff is dearer, but I`m hoping I won`t have to replace to much, looking after your bike properly will definetly help there.
I really don`t know why we don`t see more of these things out there. They come will all the good stuff and they are stacks cheaper than a WR450 yammy, which I`ve heard people starting to call ag bikes because they are so date (still a good bike tho). Nor do I know why resale value is so poor. But what I do know is that every time I go riding I`m on a cutting edge bike that is such a nice thing to ride that it breeds confidence in my riding.
If you can get a ride on one of these do so. You will be surprised.
Hooroo
