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Comparison test: 450cc sport enduro bikes

Four 450cc enduro bikes in an off-road comparison

When two people do the same thing, it’s far from the same: While KTM has been plowing the scene with the second brand Husaberg for years, BMW is stepping up its off-road commitment with newcomer Husqvarna. The new TE 449 in particular brings explosiveness to the enduro family dispute.

It’s like in real life: sometimes the addition of the family is planned, sometimes it comes as a surprise. While KTM has been testing unconventional technical approaches with the Exile Swedes since taking over the Swedish hardcore enduro manufacturer Husaberg, the relationship between BMW and Husqvarna is more complicated. Finally, the opportunity arose to buy the off-road specialist Husqvarna in 2007, Immediately during the upcoming market launch of the G 450 X. The situation within the family therefore remains tense. Tea G 450 X is only selling slowly, Husqvarna urgently needed a successor model for the aging TE 450. The result: The BMW remains technically unchanged in the range, Husqvarna took over for the brand new mid-range enduro, the TE 449, which was originally for Bavaria single produced at Kymco in Taiwan.

Comparison test: 450cc sport enduro bikes

Four 450cc sport enduro bikes in an off-road comparison

Jahn

Unmistakable: the almost upright built-in engine became the trademark for Husaberg enduros.

It is getting serious. Three completely different routes, an abandoned coal mine, a stony enduro area and a sandy motocross slope, cover the entire range of uses between modern motocross-oriented cross country and traditional enduro sport. Didi Lacher, a highly decorated motocrosser and regular off-road tester at MOTORRAD, is also aware of the explosive nature of the situation. It is only secondarily about family honor. Rather, the success of the new TE will determine the future of the currently so enthusiastic restart at Husqvarna.

Helmets on, warm-up on the liquid course of the coal dump. The high-frequency singing of the intermediate shaft is a reminder that the crankshaft of the BMW and Husky’s engine is turning backwards. The units tackle very directly, pounding forward brawnily from idle speed. Subjectively, one would trust the massive singles with 50 or even 100 cm³ more displacement. The revised mapping and the changed timing are noticeably good for the Husqvarna’s drivability. Above all, the livelier start and the greater ease of turning are evidence of the additional development work in Italy.

That moves at the opposite end of the scale Husaberg aggregate. The single cylinder is fine, even as soft as butter, and is incredibly easy to dose. However, high-speed appearances are not the thing of the unconventional unit. The mountain has a hard time with high engine speeds and prefers to shift up early.

The KTM squeezes into the gap between the Husky / BMW duo and the Husaberg. Or put in positive terms: The Austrian combines the best of two worlds. Still easy to dose in the lower speed range, the EXC propellant starts its job with verve from mid-speed, revs up quickly and freely and ultimately convinces with an almost unbeatable universality.

Jahn

Italian chic: the successful lines of the TE 449 demonstrate self-confident independence.

This also manifests itself here in the pitch-black terrain on the chassis side. Whether in tight berms or long curves, the KTM runs well, is agile, steers neutrally and is excellently balanced in every situation. In short, you can tell that the Austrian has been fine-tuning this concept over the years. Speaking of the concept: the Husaberg remains true to its engine-side alignment when it comes to chassis. The closer the bends, the easier it is for the exiled Swede to be playfully thrown into the curves in the twisted terrain. The price for the agility: With its emphatically light front, the nervous mountain wants to be kept on course with a firm grip on fast, bumpy straights.

A problem that BMW is also familiar with, but in contrast to the Husaberg, it cannot rehabilitate itself in the narrow run. Tea G 450 X seems a bit stubborn, too front-heavy in many situations. One reason for this is the noticeably high drag torque (engine brake) of the drive, which the Husky technicians encountered in their own way. When the accelerator is released, the units continues to run at increased speed for a moment and only then falls to the normal idle level. This characteristic cannot be changed mechanically, but can only be influenced by intervening in the engine management system. The trick shows its positive effect in fast corners. The front remains up, the driving behavior largely neutral.

When braking on tight bends, however, the unwanted thrust, which repeatedly pushes the front wheel over the targeted residents, bothers. As a consolation she has Husqvarna TE 449 one of the characteristics of their Bavarian parallel model has been retained, the sensational grip on the front wheel. As if on rails, the TE moves its course even without residents, literally digging its way into the ground with the front section. A peculiarity that is only surpassed by its rear. Whether on slippery terrain or sharp acceleration edges, the husky’s hindquarters literally sticks to the ground and requires the pilot to recalibrate the previously accustomed acceleration points. It remains to be seen whether the torsional rigidity of the frame, which, according to the information provided by Husqvarna technicians, is almost doubled compared to the BMW, the modified design of the swing arm or other things justify this ability. In any case, the Husqvarna TE 449 redefines the term traction.

Jahn

Pioneer: stainless steel frame, coaxial swing arm pivot point, tank in the rear – unusual technology from BMW.

Even after Change of location to rocky enduro terrain. Regardless of whether driveways with loose stones or wet boulders, the Husky rumbles unstoppably upwards. Asks little more from the driver than to stay in the saddle. The rest is done by the stoic engine and soft suspension. No comparison to its German sister, which is much less efficient on this terrain, has a harder tuning and is rougher on the engine side. The Concours d‘Elegance decides in this situation Husaberg FE 450 for themselves. As with a trial machine, the front wheel can be lifted playfully over the steps, the entire bike lifted up with short thrusts of the throttle, while the sensitive suspension additionally supports the grip. In these cases, pronounced fine motor skills are required on the KTM 450 EXC. If you don’t master the game of gas and clutch perfectly, the spinning rear wheel rattles over the rock slabs in no time. The Austrian once again thanks those who are in control of the situation with her extremely lively and agile demeanor.

What she does on the Motocross track runs to top form. With huge reserves of suspension and excellent power delivery, the KTM 450 EXC not even to fear full-fledged cross bikes here. Your Enduro colleagues certainly not. While the BMW G 450 X Here finally benefits from its firm suspension and the generous amount of space, the Husaberg has to withdraw between tabletops and residents. The softly tuned suspension and the not very revving, in the upper speed range quite good engine clearly signal: Please not with me. Also the Husqvarna TE 449 would like to turn back into the undergrowth. Whereby the decidedly comfortable coordination of the Kayaba spring elements is only one aspect of their reluctance. Not only is the idle gas increase annoying when braking into tight turns on the cross-piste, the TE leaves springs especially in terms of handling.

Jahn

Know how: unspectacular technology, coordinated with a lot of experience. At KTM, you know how to do it.

Subjectively, the difference to the lightest in the test field, the 114 kilogram KTM 450 EXC, appears to be significantly larger than five kilograms. And the front wheel orientation, which promotes grip in the terrain, is also reversed in motocross. The front feels heavy and can only be lifted with difficulty over edges. The situation in deep sand waves becomes critical, where the husky struggles to stay on course. A phenomenon that affects BMW to an even greater extent and the cause of which is therefore possibly to be found in the cylinder tilted forward 25 degrees or the crankshaft rotating backwards. Anyway, The Husqvarna TE 449 keeps a respectful distance from the cross track, With the new technology, it completely reflects on the enduro tradition of all its predecessors.

Or, to come back to family life: while KTM and Husaberg cover the entire spectrum of the enduro segment in harmony, the crisis in the Bavarian-Italian relationship is inevitable. Compared to the Husqvarna, which is superior in all criteria, the BMW looks pale. Not a good omen for long-term cooperation.

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Conclusion

Jahn

They don’t have different concepts, but that’s why the four enduros are not the same.

1st place: KTM 450 EXC
Whether motocross, cross country or enduro – no other bike shines with such a pronounced universality. An undisputed winner.

2nd place: Husaberg FE 450
Anyone who talks about Enduro is talking about the Husaberg. Excellent handling, sensitive coordination of chassis and engine – the FE takes care of the fine manners in the undergrowth.

2nd place: Husqvarna TE 449
Anyone who speaks of Enduro also speaks of Husqvarna. Traction is the magic word with which TE convinces – and thus continues the brand tradition seamlessly.

4th place: BMW G 450 X
It will be difficult for the two-year-old Bavarian. Your colleagues are either more manageable, more traction or more sophisticated – or all of the above.

MOTORCYCLE off-road rating

Category engine:
The Husky engine is characterized by great controllability and good starting behavior – even if the topic of top performance is barely occupied by the KTM. The manual force for the clutch on the BMW and Husqvarna remains relatively large.

Winner engine: Husqvarna / KTM

Category chassis:
The sluggish handling is undoubtedly the Achilles’ heel of the BMW and Husqvarna. Sensitive enough but still equipped with sufficient reserves: the suspension of the KTM.

Chassis winner: KTM

Category other:
The Husaberg convinces with great details, the maintenance of the Husky remains cumbersome.

Other winner: KTM

 Max points  Bmw  Husaberg  Husqvarna  KTM
Overall rating  250  183  197  197  208

Data and measurements

Drawing: archive

The performance diagram of the 450 sport enduro.

As to be expected in the narrowly defined test field, the performance curves differ only minimally. Nevertheless, the characters differ considerably in practice. The KTM is aggressive, the BMW and Husky are powerful, and the Husaberg are gentle.

BMW G 450 X

Jahn

The BMW G 450 X

engine
type design  Water-cooled, single-cylinder, four-stroke engine with four valves per cylinder
Valve train  dohc
Boron x stroke  98 x 59.6 mm
Displacement  449 cc
compression  12th
power  38.0 kW (52 hp) at 9300 rpm
Mixture preparation   injection
diameter  46 mm
Corridors  5
landing gear frame  Bridge frame made of stainless steel tubing
fork  Marzocchi
Guide tube diameter  45 mm
Strut  Ohlins
Weight  117 kg
Price without additional costs  8,500 euros 

Husaberg FE 450

Jahn

The Husaberg FE 450

engine
type design  Water-cooled, single-cylinder, four-stroke engine with four valves per cylinder
Valve train  ohc
Boron x stroke  95 x 63.4 mm
Displacement  449 cc
compression  11.8
power  35.4 kW (48 hp) at 9900 rpm
Mixture preparation   injection
diameter  42 mm
Corridors  6th
landing gear frame  Single-loop frame made of tubular steel
fork  WP suspension
Guide tube diameter  48 mm
Strut  WP suspension
Weight  116 kg
Price without additional costs  9095 euros

Husqvarna TE 449

Jahn

The Husqvarna TE 449

engine
type design  Water-cooled, single-cylinder, four-stroke engine with four valves per cylinder
Valve train  dohc
Boron x stroke  98 x 59.6 mm
Displacement  449 cc
compression  12th
power  37.6 kW (51 hp) at 8700 rpm
Mixture preparation   injection
diameter  46 mm
Corridors  6th
landing gear frame  Bridge frame made of tubular steel
fork  Kayaba
Guide tube diameter  48 mm
Strut  Kayaba
Weight  119 kg
Price without additional costs  8,799 euros

KTM 450 EXC

Jahn

The KTM 450 EXC

engine
type design  Water-cooled, single-cylinder, four-stroke engine with four valves per cylinder
Valve train  ohc
Boron x stroke  95 x 63.4 mm
Displacement  449 cc
compression  11.9
power  38.7 kW (53 PS) at 9400 rpm
Mixture preparation   Carburetor
diameter  39 mm
Corridors  6th
landing gear frame  Single-loop frame made of tubular steel
fork  WP suspension
Guide tube diameter  48 mm
Strut  WP suspension
Weight  114 kg
Price without additional costs  8.645 euros

Relationship box

archive

1983: The Husqvarna TE 510, ancestor of all four-stroke sport enduros.

KTM and Husqvarna – two competitors with cross connections.

So much the enduro world also turns, two manufacturers survive the changing times like rocks in the surf: KTM and Husqvarna. It seems almost like an irony of fate that the turbulent history of Husqvarna in particular has a significant influence on both the current brand constellation and the technology in the enduro segment.

Because with the TE 510 In 1983, the Swedes were the first manufacturer to design a comparatively light four-stroke sports enduro, whose puristic concept ultimately became the forerunner of all modern four-stroke off-roaders. After the sale of the traditional brand by the owner at the time, the Elektrolux Group, in 1987 to the Italian Cagiva Group (Cagiva, Ducati, Moto Morini), former Husqvarna technicians founded Husaberg a year later. Extreme lightweight construction and uncompromising technical alignment of the machines gave the young brand an innovative flair, but the economic success remained meager.

1995 took over KTM the Scandinavian competitor, then used its know-how to develop the four-stroke enduro range presented by the Austrians in 1999. Since 2003 the Husaberg machines have been produced exclusively in the KTM plant in Mattighofen.

Even at Husqvarna played an economic distress fate. The financially tight Cagiva Group sold the off-road specialist to BMW in autumn 2007. The 2011 TE 449, which is now rolling off the assembly line in the brand new Husqvarna plant on Lake Vares, is the first Husky to be developed entirely under the direction of BMW. Whether the only competition-oriented off-road project from BMW, the G 450 X, will be pushed ahead for any longer, may be seriously doubted.

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