2011 Husky 450

[motorambler]

This is the new TC450 coming under wraps. I'd imagine the TXC + TE bikes would not differ much, other than the TE using a 6-speed tranny as per the current format.

KEY FEATURES:
(1) BMW EFI engine w/electric start
(2) Kayaba suspension
(3) All new frame/swingarm with concentric axle traction system
(4) Linkage system on top of swingarm
(5) Fuel tank under the seat
(6) Swingram pivot in in line with the countershaft sprocket
(7) Dramatic new styling with in mold plastic and one piece radiator/side panel/rear number plate

ENGINE SPECS:
Type: Water-cooled, single-cylinder, tilted forward, four valve, dual overhead cam four-stroke with dry sump lubrication
Bore x stroke: 98mm x 59mm
Capacity: 449cc
Compression ratio: 12.0 :1
Fuel injection: Keihin
Transmission: Five-speed
Clutch: Cable-operated, small-diameter, multi-disc on the crankshaft
Engine rotation: Backwards
Engine tilt: 30-degrees

I guess they designed the "trough" in the rear fender to feed as much water/dirt/dust/etc as possible to the gas cap area...

 

[skidmark43]

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I knew the engine was changing but had hoped they'd find away to keep the frame.

The Husky engine and frame were always 'the whole point'. Now you'll have previously loyal customers rethinking the offerings from all the performance brands in the market.

I wonder whether BMW will keep or expand market share across the 2 brands... or if Beta will be able to capture market share from all this?

 

[motorambler]

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Interesting you mentioned Beta. Their new (non KTM powered) bikes have gone over really well with the press & test riders. However, I think Beta would need to make them insurable to really have a hope of gaining market share.

 

[zeddy]

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Yuck, So basically Husky is no more! I mean if all its going to be is a rebadged BMW. I guess BMW may adopt or keep the motors that don't compete with theirs!

 

[5thgear]

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TAlk about the death of Husky .

Personally I love Husky, great bikes was an excellent company but that is dead now .Its too bad there motors are built proof and easy to work on .

Beta is stepping up to the plate massively with there new line. Very well built . Same suspension and components as Husky The company treats the dealers very well. PArts are easy to get. They are what Husky use to be back in 2005 . I think Beta is the bike to have for sure . But time will tell and I'm completely agreeing with the great reviews Beta is getting.

 

[tomcycle]

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Just finished talking to skidmark re the new Husky BMW 450. He was saddened that is just a re-badged BMW. That got me to thinking, wasn't it Huskys design that BMW used for the concentric axle?

Then I thought I would look at some of the pictures of the new Husky 450vs BMW G450

Totally different frame, unlike the BMW that doesn't have one

Rear suspension, has linkagedifferent

Swing arm different

Looks to me they are sharing only the engine and who knows whatchanges are done there.


Anyhow it looks to me that you will be buying a Husky with BMW parts, good or bad I don't know. As far as a re-bagged BMW it doesn't look like that to me. It will interesting when the new TE450 finally gets released.

Tom

 

[North]

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The proof of the Bike will be in the riding. :hb:

 

[old trials guy]

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I have one overwhelming concern with the design and that is the countershaft sprocket running at the swingarm pivot. From an engineer's perspective is seems logical and solves all sorts of chain issues but I think this design virtually eliminates the capability of the rider to load and unload the rear suspension with the throttle. It might seem subtle but I know I compress and unload the suspension using engine power which I think is only possible when there is some leverage.

I wonder if any BMW riders can confirm or trash my idea. Not having ridden one, it is just conjecture on my part.

otg

 

[franhoser]

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man i have not seen a bike yet to compte with the berg 570 yet. the more bikes that come out the better that bikes looks.

 

[motorambler]

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I berg to differ

Looks like a great bike!

 

[North]

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More pics



http://www.supercross.at/1news/2010/a/11/husky/index.html




This is what was said about the Bike on a Husky site by a person in the know: The Marketing Director for Husqvarna North America and before that the VP of Marketing and in charge of racing and model policy for the U.S. for KTM for 20 years. Scot Harden



The bike was 100% designed by the Italian team in Centrostile at the factory. There is no German influence.

Testing has been ongoing for several months.

The plastic is very close to the final design.

The reason the photos were released is so that actual real world racing can begin.

From a rider's perspective:

The power is substantially better than the current G450X.

The bike while about the same weight as a G450X feels much lighter. It is extremely easy to manouever around on.

Straight line acceleration over uneven terrain is amazing.

The test riders including Saliminen all turn their best lap times on this particular test motorcycle over any of the other bikes tested including KTM, Honda, BMW and our current TC/TE450.

Vibration is almost zero.

EFI is ridiculously correct.

Altogether I was extremely impressed with the bike.

Real world race testing should help with all the final settings before production begins.

The factory has done a very thorough job in developing this bike.

 

[5thgear]

No German Influence ??????? I must be blind or the world has turned upside down.

I love Husky but that isn't a Husky AT ALL .

BETA thats the new Husky

 

[motorambler]

No German Influence ??????? I must be blind or the world has turned upside down.

I love Husky but that isn't a Husky AT ALL .

BETA thats the new Husky

Considering that Husqvarna was your first choice to represent as an "official" dealer, that really was a silly thing to say, wasn't it? And what defines "Husky"? Do the bikes have to stagnate & remain unchanged for eons to be classified as "Husky's"? I mean, c'mon, if you want to talk semantics Husky die-hards would argue "Husky stopped being Husky" when the Swedes relinquished to the Italians ages ago. I get tired of hearing "It's no longer a <bla bla bla>" because someone decides a particular mechanical design defines a brand.

Look, Husaberg is coming out with 2-strokes > THEY'RE NO LONGER HUSABERGS!?
KTM went linkage > THEY'RE NO LONGER KTMs!?
Porsche water cooled it's iconic flat six > IT'S NO LONGER A 911?!

Sheeesh...

 

[trout]

Whatever bike it is - Husky, BMW, German, Italian - I say that is one sweet looking ride. I'm all for collaboration if they can produce better bikes for all of us to ride.

 

[motorambler]

^^^^ Amen.

 

[North]

No German Influence ??????? I must be blind or the world has turned upside down.

I love Husky but that isn't a Husky AT ALL .

BETA thats the new Husky

I wonder who is selling Betas?

Beta did a great job of keeping there trials bike like feel into an enduro bike. Vey low center of gravity in the tight woods it feels like a 250. Very smooth power delivery . Capable of 160kmh on highway 6 speed transmission . KTm motor so parts are very easy to get . Suspension and chassis is described as a better handling KTm. The reviews on youtube and others are really good.

I thought that Beta was the new KTM.

 

[awitzke]

I wonder who is selling Betas?




I thought that Beta was the new KTM.

Funny how opinions change so quickly.

The new 450's engine is based of the current BMW G450X engine but pumps more power out. The frame, suspension etc. is still Husky. What do you expect when BMW owns them now, of course they will push a bit of their current tech. over to Husky. The G450 engine has proven to be very stout and just as reliable over the last year and a half.

 

[5thgear]

I don't know looks like a German women wrapped in a knock off Italian dress.

ON the plus side the motor is fast and finally some down tubes in front of the motor to protect it rather than the way BMW hangs theres like a pinata.

 

[DRuZer]

I almost bought the 'berg, but thought that it was a little to single purpose for my ends. I have no doubt that it would be much easier to ride gnarly single track than the bim. In fact I suspect that the KTM and Beta would be as well, and they offer a little more stability than the 'berg. The BMW, on the other hand:


I can say that the motor on the 2010 BMW is amazing. No vibration, and fuel injection is awesome. I won't go back to the clunkerator. The 2010 mapping (in lo power, anyways) is very good - not too much hit down low but good controllable torque, building to a fairly standard 450 midrange. Not crazy on the top end, I suspect that's where the hi power mapping kicks in. But the low power setting is so good that at this point I'm not even interested in the hi setting. This motor, if it stays together, is awesome IMHO.

The concentric swing arm pivot and sprocket drive and its effect on loading the suspension, etc, is true ... to a point. You can still load the suspension like the "other" bikes, but not to the same degree. On the other hand, it's geometry is more stable under strong acceleration and engine braking. The design offers a better compromise between high speed stability and low speed agility, and to me, that's really what its all about: powersliding at a stupid pace down a logging road to get to some awesome single track. This is a bike that you could race in the desert, then gear it down and do the piston run – well, not me, but maybe yesteryear....

Obviously from the race results, those who learn to ride the concentric pivot/drive suffer no disadvantage. The bike is winning its share of the big events.

And I think the new husky, with the taiwanese motor designed by germans, is going to rock as a dual sport.

 

[motorambler]