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• Out of the dark

Driving report Husqvarna TE 400

Out of the dark

With additional donors, Husqvarna is finally out of the woods. Now the Italian offroad forge is turning the throttle with a new, ultra-modern enduro generation.

The plant needs two things: a world title and money. Husqvarna has owned the former since mid-June with the Australian Stefan Merriman in the 400cc four-stroke World Championship. The latter since the beginning of August, when the Piaggio Group (Vespa, Gilera, Derbi) put its financially strong arm around the bony shoulders of the off-road forge belonging to the MV Agusta Group.
And that’s why it won’t be alone in the future, the highly decorated Stefan’s TE 400. The serial version of the good piece is to be produced from October. MOTORRAD has already been allowed to rumble through the hilly area around Varese with Merriman’s pedestal, in a sense the test vehicle for what is to come. With exactly what the off-road scene has been longing for for years? the new, in-house four-valve single with two overhead camshafts, titanium valves, two oil pumps, thanks to the extremely compact motor housing and electric starter thanks to the vertically offset transmission shafts.
Yes, you heard right. In the future, the Italians will leave the kicks to the customers of the mostly Japanese competition. The Kickstarter is still sticking out of the side cover to be on the safe side, in the series it will be deleted without replacement. Operate the choke, briefly press the starter button and Husqvarna’s new one starts running. Without any noticeable rattle and, thanks to the balance shaft placed in front of the crankshaft, largely without vibrations. Then the clutch is pulled, which remains a one-finger undertaking thanks to hydraulic actuation and the pleasing fitting from Magura. First gear in, let’s go. The single turns up clean. The transitions of the five-speed transmission fit.
A sharp turn, the first practical test. Let the speed drop, then increase it fully. The little single takes a deep breath, but doesn’t cough. Which is by no means taken for granted. Because the TE has to do without the Keihin FCR carburetor used in noble four-stroke circles. Instead, a 38 mm flat slide valve from Mikuni supplies the single cylinder. A loyalty bonus to the Japanese who are currently developing an injection system for the 2003 model year of the 400 instead of the originally planned cooperation with Marelli. In any case, the Mikuni keeps the husky happy. Gentle, easily controllable power from below, sufficient speed reserves above. This is what the new generation of mid-range four-stroke engines lives from. Due to two camshafts and the bore-to-stroke ratio (WR 92 x 60, TE 91.5 x 60.76 millimeters) almost adopted from the trendsetter of this class, the Yamaha WR 400 F, the TE 400 also purrs at the highest speeds without complaint.
Back to the sharp turn. Despite all the modifications, huskies have not yet liked them. From 2002 it will be better. Promised. The new TE circles neatly and nimbly through the corners. Faster than their ancestors ever could. Braking is also appropriate, the Brembo stoppers no longer need to hide behind the Japanese competition.
What the Italo racers often did when it came to suspension. No, not with Stefan‘s bike. The Marzocchi fork and the Sachs shock absorber show what is feasible with a very smooth response and a gentle end stop. for works pilots. Experience has shown that the series will be rougher. Not necessarily at the back, but most likely at the front. Decision postponed, we are eagerly awaiting the series.
We do that anyway. Because the cornerstone for Husqvarna’s comeback seems to have finally been laid with the 400, which will move precisely in what will probably be the most important segment of enduro sport in the future. And the other new Husky models for 2002 will also benefit from this. Only the 250 will in all likelihood have a hard time digesting the uncompromising interpretation of the class-internal benchmark, the quarter-liter four-stroke Yamaha WR 250 F. In contrast, the new cross version CR 450 with the new engine concept could rise to the top division of this category at lightning speed.
UAnd one more thing: In 2003 there will be a new, large, half-liter four-stroke from Husky ?? with a camshaft.

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