sporto
Full Member 2012/2013
Posts: 32
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« on: February 24, 2013, 06,29:59 AM » |
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Hi everyone, Well after 20+ years without a bike I'm about to take the plunge and get back in to riding! I used to do a lot of track MX riding when I was younger but gave all that up when I got my car license  I stumbled across AMTRA thanks to Google and from the gallery section it all seems to be right up my alley, so I thought this would be a great place to ask. I'm looking to get in to riding the high country and other state forests etc so I'm looking for advice on bikes. I've only ever owned motocross bikes in the past but I'm guessing enduro's would be the norm for such riding? To date I'm considering either a KTM 350EXC-F of the Hasqvarna TE511, no particular reason, but after a lot of reading they both seem to have very positive reviews. Of course reading reviews is one thing, but I'd really like to hear from the guys out using their bikes every week. What would you guys recommend looking at? I was thinking about getting something 12 months old but can stretch to buy new if that is a much better way to go. I'm 6" tall and weigh 78Kgs so pretty standard in that department. Any advice or recommendations would be most welcome. Thanks! |
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Current Ride - 2012 Berg FE390.
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Ian Robinson
Administrator
Posts: 2551
Life Member
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« Reply #1 on: February 24, 2013, 06,44:14 AM » |
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Both are good bikes. I looked very hard at the Husky a few months back as the price was hard to resist however as far as I know there is no larger tank available and from all reports the fuel range is only around 100 kms. Not enough for the high country so unless you like carrying fuel on your back you may need to look at something else.
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Life member since Feb 82
Only a motorcyclist knows why a dog hangs its head out the window.
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nathanstott
Full Member 2013/2014
Posts: 1125
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« Reply #2 on: February 24, 2013, 06,59:16 AM » |
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Welcome to Amtra, both of the bikes you mention are very good bikes, i have a 2011 TE449 which has been the best bike i have ever owned! The power is very smooth and easy to use. The traction and drive these bikes get is amazing the coaxial traction system on these bike really works and if you ever spend any time on one you will know what i mean, it's like the rear end is glued to the ground. I've done 4000 gentle kilometers on mine, the throttle has never been past half way and the bike has been absolutely bullet proof! The only problem i've had with it is the battery died, which can happen to any bike. Like Ian said the pricing of the Huskys is unbeatable and as far as extra fuel range goes, it depends on what type of riding you want to do, i get 120km out of mine and carrying a litre or two doesn't bother me at all, you just dump it in the bike as soon as it will fit or you can buy one of these larger fuel tanks. http://www.cafehusky.com/threads/te449-511-big-tank-5-5-gal-coming-soon.30280/#post-275380 |
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oobgolfer
Full Member 2013/2014
Posts: 77
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« Reply #3 on: February 24, 2013, 09,02:10 AM » |
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I think you will find there are a lot of differing opinions on what is best. The AMTRA family regularly has opinion pieces on what bikes are best and these are usually slanted in favour of their current ride. Some swear by the larger capacity bikes i.e 400+ and these certainly do the job with most of the high country riding. Add to this that most will have "safari tanks" offered by various manufacturers to increase your ride distance capabilities. That said, if you intend to do a mix of single track, technical stuff and some distance then the 300 - 400cc bikes i.e the KTM or Husaberg & Husqvarna bikes should fit the bill. These are generally lighter and easier to ride, with sufficient go in most situations to keep up with the pack. Most also come with additional fuel capacity options. Best bet, go out and try a couple of different options in what you think fits you. If you find a group like AMTRA to ride with, you will probably be able to try multiple options on the same day. Most modern bikes can be customised to fit you and make "your" bike what you need it to be.
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Peter r
Full Member 2013/2014
Posts: 2482
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« Reply #4 on: February 24, 2013, 09,33:12 AM » |
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Husaberg Fe350 2013
When only the best will do.
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nathanstott
Full Member 2013/2014
Posts: 1125
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« Reply #5 on: February 24, 2013, 10,33:51 AM » |
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I think you will find there are a lot of differing opinions on what is best. The AMTRA family regularly has opinion pieces on what bikes are best and these are usually slanted in favour of their current ride. Some swear by the larger capacity bikes i.e 400+ and these certainly do the job with most of the high country riding. Add to this that most will have "safari tanks" offered by various manufacturers to increase your ride distance capabilities. That said, if you intend to do a mix of single track, technical stuff and some distance then the 300 - 400cc bikes i.e the KTM or Husaberg & Husqvarna bikes should fit the bill. These are generally lighter and easier to ride, with sufficient go in most situations to keep up with the pack. Most also come with additional fuel capacity options. Best bet, go out and try a couple of different options in what you think fits you. If you find a group like AMTRA to ride with, you will probably be able to try multiple options on the same day. Most modern bikes can be customised to fit you and make "your" bike what you need it to be.
No slant here, he asked a question about two bikes and wanted feedback from people that had experience about the bikes in question! I own and regularly ride one of the bikes he asked about and gave him my honest opinion, i wouldn't hesitate to recommend a 449/511 to anyone that was looking for a big bore bike! Because the big bore huskys are different to the norm they don't get the recognition they deserve, i usually change over my bikes every 12 months but this 449 that i've had for 2 years isnt going anywhere! |
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Zeb Colic
Full Member 2012/2013
Posts: 785
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« Reply #6 on: February 24, 2013, 11,30:15 AM » |
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Ride as many as you can before you decide , you will know when you find it .... My last bike was a husky and the current one is a berg , both great bikes for different reasons can't really say one was better than the other. Everyone says 4T but don't discount the 300 cc 2T smokers they are great bikes , fun to ride and cheep as @$€£ to maintain.
Budget is god but don't spend everything on the bike , their are must have items that you will need to buy if your gunna bush bash , radiator guards , bark busters , bash plate plus a decent toolkit and hydration pack , unlike MX , enduro / trail riding will take you to some remote places got to have a plan B so you can get back , 100k is a long way to walk in bike boots .
The only bike I reckon you my want to sty clear of are the boutique European brands like , Ossa , Beta , Sherco , great bikes but standard and aftermarket bts can be hard to get so your options get a little thin when you wanna modify , fix or update something .
Enjoy looking
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« Last Edit: February 24, 2013, 11,34:12 AM by Zeb Colic »
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SHE ASKED ME TO WISPER SOMETHING REALLY SEXY INTO HERE EAR AND I WISPERED " BRRRAAAAP "
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sporto
Full Member 2012/2013
Posts: 32
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« Reply #7 on: February 24, 2013, 08,52:18 PM » |
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Guys thanks very much for all the feedback, I really appreciate it. Any ideas where the best place is to ride a few bikes before making a decision? Are the retail ourlets happy to let you ride a few bikes? Do the manufactures ever hold testing days?
A friend of mine I was chatting to last night was a little worried the 511 or 449 would be too powerful for me and suggested looking at Husky 310. Any thoughts on that? I'm certainly no speed demon, I just want to get out in the bush and have some fun, but also conscious that being under powered could be as much of a problem as being over powered.
Thanks again!
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Current Ride - 2012 Berg FE390.
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john t
Committee 2013/2014
Posts: 645
Club Captain
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« Reply #8 on: February 24, 2013, 08,57:37 PM » |
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The Daylesford kid L1 day could be an option as most of the bikes you are interested in should be there and you could talk to the owner at the same time
John T
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Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Beer in one hand - throttle in the other - body thoroughly used up,totally worn out and screeming what a ride
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Clarky
Full Member 2013/2014
Posts: 124
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« Reply #9 on: February 24, 2013, 11,32:47 PM » |
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I just upgraded my 2008 Yamaha WR450 to a Berg 350. The WR was great but the Berg is sensational after the 1st ride.
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Peter r
Full Member 2013/2014
Posts: 2482
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« Reply #10 on: February 25, 2013, 12,24:59 AM » |
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I just upgraded my 2008 Yamaha WR450 to a Berg 350. The WR was great but the Berg is sensational after the 1st ride.
"See" When only the Best will Do !!! |
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johnny d
Full Member 2013/2014
Posts: 301
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« Reply #11 on: February 25, 2013, 01,46:31 AM » |
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I just upgraded my 2008 Yamaha WR450 to a Berg 350. The WR was great but the Berg is sensational after the 1st ride.
"See" When only the Best will Do !!! ahuh ahuh ahuh |
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go hard or go home !! current ride - husaberg 570, in the shed ktm 525
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nathanstott
Full Member 2013/2014
Posts: 1125
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« Reply #12 on: February 25, 2013, 05,54:47 AM » |
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Guys thanks very much for all the feedback, I really appreciate it. Any ideas where the best place is to ride a few bikes before making a decision? Are the retail ourlets happy to let you ride a few bikes? Do the manufactures ever hold testing days?
A friend of mine I was chatting to last night was a little worried the 511 or 449 would be too powerful for me and suggested looking at Husky 310. Any thoughts on that? I'm certainly no speed demon, I just want to get out in the bush and have some fun, but also conscious that being under powered could be as much of a problem as being over powered.
Thanks again!
The 310 Huskys are a brilliant bike, i have one of them as well. They are very light, have exceptional handling and are definately not under powered! Most if their power is in the bottom to mid range so they are very torquey motors. The 310 just won ADB magazine's bike of the year amongst some very stiff competition so that should give you some idea of how good the 310 is. I should be at John T's ride day in Daylesford your welcome to have a ride of mine if you can get me off it! |
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sporto
Full Member 2012/2013
Posts: 32
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« Reply #13 on: February 25, 2013, 06,05:42 AM » |
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Again guys, thanks very much for all the help!
So I've done a lot of reading and looking today and I've added another option to the mix, the 2012 Husaberg FE390. There is one for private sale at the moment quite close to me, they are asking $9K and it has 1200Kms on the clock. I know that's quite a few clicks, and I can get a new (2012 plate) 390 for around $11K with full reg, so I'm tossing up whether it's worth saving the $2K for the risk of a second hand bike.
I looked at the Husky TE310 about 30 minutes ago and it looks very nice. For the MY12 it's about the $10K with full reg, so then the questions becomes do you spend the extra $1K and get the Husaberg?
This is all doing my head in, but MAN it's FUN!!!!
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Current Ride - 2012 Berg FE390.
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ACTHEJB
Suzuki 2013 HCR
Posts: 11
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« Reply #14 on: February 25, 2013, 06,21:21 AM » |
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Remember to add the extras to the price. Like a previous post, all the extra gear for enduro riding. You gotta love it. Current ride Husky 510 and will never sell it.  |
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