Anyone know anything about huskys

[edo]

Looking at dirt bikes...either a 250 or 450. Doesnt need to be roadable (will get trailered to bush) but must be registered. Had a peek at WRs, KTMs & the new CRF but the Huskys catch my eye mainly because they have a 2 year warranty...the others are 3 months.

Who knows anything about them?

[Mini_Me]

Whilst i have not owned a husky, i do know of many people that own them, and have read far to much information about various bikes on the internet/magazines.

The new husky's are pretty awesome machines. Out of the box, they are just about ready to win enduro races. They are pretty on par with the KTM EXC range, and the Yamaha WR-F range. Each brand has its pros and cons, and really the best way for you to find out which ones you like is to get a ride on them

I was seriously considering a 250TE, as i ride tight technical terrain and the 450 is more of a beast. Regarding the 2 year warranty, there is a stipulation that all the servicing gets done at the dealer (many of my friends do their own work), and also conforming to strict manufacturer guidlines on piston hours etc. I'm not sure of the husky times, but the Honda CRF for example "needs" a new piston every 15 hours!!

Of the 450's, the husky seems to have quite a docile power delivery. Not that it is underpowered, but a WRF will certainly have more kick. Stock i'd say it has better handling than a KTM, but again it is very dependant on how/where you ride, your skill level, and what mods you'd like to do to the suspension eventually.

As well as the 450, husky also sell a 510.

Something else to consider is a Husaberg. They have a 12 month parts and labour warranty, and are awesome machines. a mate bought a 550FE and is wrapt with it. Don't quote me, but i think the bergs are a bit more leniant with the warranty service requirements than the huskys, but this can also come down to how well you know your dealer!

Regarding your other options, the Yamaha is a very solid mount. Good power, good suspension. One concern that some have is the quality of standard items - cheap steel bars, and also the top heavy, and weightier feel of the bike.

The KTMs are super popular and are also solid bikes, but dont have the reputation for reliability of the Yamahas.

I would personally stay away from the CRF. whilst it sounds like an awesome bike to ride, they are far from the most reliable, and IMO i 'd wait for them to prove themselves, especially seeing as the CRFx (enduro model) is only just out.

All these bikes will leave a DRZ400 for dead when the going gets rough, provided that you can ride them well enough. They are lighter, more powerful and better suspended, but all this comes at a sacrifice of some reliability, and comfiness.

Post some Q's on dirtbikeworld and i'm certain that someone will own just about any bike you can think of, and will be able to answer your questions a lot better than me. I've only owned a KTM 200 and 125, but have riden the whole KTM range, the WR-Fs, but not a husky, or honda, so my opinions are a bit second hand.

www.dirtbikeworld.net

[Mini_Me]

sorry, that post was mainly about the 450's.

now for the 250's. The husky TE250 is not as common as other mounts, but seems to be a good bike. Not that dissimilar to the 450, as i believe they share frame, suspension etc. It would be my second pick behind the yamaha, mainly because it costs so much more

The yamaha WR250F is arguably the best bike out there ATM. its been around for 4 years, many friends have done hours and hours on them and they are bullet proof, within reason for a little 250 that revs to 13,500rpm. My next bike will be a YZ250F - the MX variant. One of the best things about this bike, is it uses the frame (based on) of the YZ125 which is ultra light and handles well, as opposed to the 450's and many 250 4 strokes, which are generally based on the 250 2 stroke frames which are larger than the 125 2 stroke frames. confusing? :D

The KTM 250 RFS(racing four stroke) is based on the 450, and is either de-stroked or sleeved or both, and consequently is a bit heavier than the WRF, but it sounds like a much improved bike on previous years. There is also a 350cc kit available which sounds like an excellent compromise

Again, on the CRF250x, i personally wouldn't buy one after reading of many reliability issues.

BTW, when you move to Melbs, do you know where you will ride?(tight/fast terrain etc) How much do you weigh? How tall are you? Those things can make a difference for bike selection

[edo]

Price wise everything is exactly the same.
WR250 $11199
TE250 $11390
WR450 $11799
TE450 $11890

Im 6ft tall & weigh 90kg...not overly skilled!:) Dont know where I'll be riding yet. To start with it will be beginner hack trails but I hope I'll dig my skills up fairly quickly (its been 20 years since I sold my last dirt bike) & I dont want to be left in say 2 years wishing I had bought something else. This bike should do me for 3-4 years minimum.

Im not concerned about maintenance schedules, I wont have facilities in Melb to service it myself so it will all be done at a dealer anyway.

A docile power delivery sounds good to me...it might scare me less. I just dont want to get stuck wishing I had more grunt...thats why Im tending towards a 450 plus the price difference is diddly.

[chino]

Great dirtbikes... Have a look at the TE610e if it is still sold new.

[Charlie]

the new breed of 250 4 strokes aren't really bikes you grow out of, they're as fast / faster than anything out there on most trails. Of course if you're the sort where too much is never enough, the big bores can provide a bit more grin ;)

[Mini_Me]

grinno, the 610TE is no longer sold i believe. in 2002 it was renamed 570TE (its actual displacement) and i think now, it is no longer made, as it has been replaced by the 510.

gee, i'm amazed that the husky retails for 11300. i would have expected about 13,000 on the road. Also, there tends to be a bit more bargaining power with the yamaha's, and i was considering a near new second hand bike, but anyway.

if you are prepared to pay for the extra servicing costs, to gain the 2 year warranty, i would recomend the TE450, i know many people that are happy with them. Not that heavier riders can't and dont ride 250's well, i think at 90kg, you might have more fun on the larger bike. I'd also consider the 510.

do you know where you will be living in melbourne, and what dealers will be near by?

Another two bikes you may consider - husaberg FE450, Gas Gas EC450 (EFI)

[edo]

Yeah, the husaberg & gasgas are about $2k more, & they dont have the warranty either.

I dont really expect to grow out of any of them...they will always be better than I am but sometimes its easier to have that bit more grunt...especially for a retard like me who might find himself in the wrong gear fairly often.

I think I'll be likely to be living in Port Melb & there is a husky dealer in Brighton which isnt too bad.