I just like the newer KTM and Husqvarna bikes. Since 2017, KTM and Husqvarna bikes have been the bikes to have for twin sport and path driving for many of us. Not like many, nevertheless, I’m not too eager on the five hundred/501 mannequin for varied causes—the primary one being the vibration. It’s sufficient to trigger my prescription goggle inserts and eyeballs to vibrate, impairing my imaginative and prescient. Enter the 2019 Husqvarna FE 450.
2019 was the final 12 months of the 450 sequence, a minimum of on the time, and simply what I used to be searching for. I managed to seek out an out-of-state low-hour used instance and had it shipped to me in Los Angeles. Sadly, the pandemic hit, and getting a VIN inspection to register it for road use in California needed to be placed on maintain. So, the 2019 Husqvarna FE 450 bought plenty of tender loving care whereas ready till the CHP would examine my bike.
“Why the 450, and never the five hundred/501?” I’m typically requested. As talked about, the vibration is much less. Rumor has it that the longer-stroke 500/501 shares the identical counterbalance because the 450, which might be why the longer-stroke 500/501 is such a shaker. The opposite purpose is revability. The 450 motor appears to rev a bit faster and better than the five hundred/501. It’s extra like an MX bike—yeah, I do know, not even shut.
So, the 450 it’s for me. Subsequent is a visit to the tailor!
I’m six-foot-three and 250 kilos—270 kilos, equipped with a backpack. These will not be numbers that play pleasant with the ergonomics and suspension of a inventory dual-sport bike.
My plan with different bikes has all the time been to boost the seat, decrease the pegs, elevate the handlebar, and produce the grips nearer to the rider. I do know, this appears counterintuitive for a protracted, tall rider, but it surely permits my shorter-than-average arms for my top to really feel very comfy.
The seat is a Seat Ideas Tall XL consolation seat with a few quarter inch of 45-durometer neoprene added to the supplied foam package. I like neoprene, as it’s agency, but very cozy—no points with chafing from a too-soft foam! The package, plus my further padding, was simply put in with an air-stapler gun.
The handlebar is inventory, with the Urmosi 720 SBC comfortable bar clamp anti-vibration system holding it in place. A Scotts Efficiency Steering Stabilizer and the extra 20mm of riser get the bar top good. The Urmosi clamps needed to be modified barely to suit the Scotts steering damper; a fast journey to the neighborhood machinist to take away about 1.5mm of aluminum did the trick. To guard my arms and levers, I put in Cycra Probend Racer Pack handguards and bar clamp mounts.
The footpegs have been a bit trickier to get performed. I’ve tried a number of pegs that declare to decrease the peak. Nonetheless, even 7mm is simply not sufficient for me and my 65-year-old knees. I went with Bosley’s Pegs. Bosley’s will make any form of chrome steel footpeg you need, and place, any drop, and any measurement, for underneath $200 shipped. Understanding of the Czech Republic, about an hour from Brno, Bosley’s does wonderful work at a discount value.
With the footpegs lowered 20mm straight down, the shifter needed to be repositioned, as did the brake pedal. Happily, Husqvarna permits loads of adjustment vary earlier than it touches the body. An oversize tip makes it straightforward to seek out.
The way in which the FE runs inventory is to be anticipated, with all of the bureaucratic restrictions nowadays. There are a number of methods to attain a greater working bike, all of them primarily rendering the 2019 Husqvarna FE 450 “closed-course solely” within the eyes of the legislation. I selected the Vortex ECU with a bar-mounted map change.
The Vortex fixes the flame-out and flat-spot points that the inventory bikes have because of emissions requirements, whereas on the identical time enhancing general energy, torque, throttle response, and rev velocity. Although the Vortex comes with a number of map choices, when paired with a pleasant flow-through muffler, solely maps 1 and 4, and possibly map 6, have any real-world enchancment for my driving.
I selected the Graves Motorsports slip-on muffler after first making an attempt the FMF This fall Hex. I desire the Graves’ efficiency, sturdiness, throttle response, and look. I paired it with the Graves Twin Sport Progress Throttle Tube and ProTaper MX Pillow Prime grips.
Okay, so now the 2019 Husqvarna FE 450 matches me, not coughs and sputters, and has a pleasant bark to the ability. We nonetheless have to handle the heavy rider’s impact on the inventory suspension!
I selected the expensive possibility of adjusting out the heart of the inventory WP Xplor suspension with the Xplor Fork OC Conversion Package deal from N2Dirt. Brian at N2Dirt gives a full improve from a single-function damping/spring fork to a dual-damping, dual-spring system. Related mods have been performed to the shock, together with a bladder improve for higher low-speed traction. I additionally had AHM Manufacturing facility Companies do a refined re-springing and re-valving to get the shock to really feel good for me.
The now-personalized 2019 Husqvarna FE 450 bought my favourite tire mixtures—Golden Tyre 216AA 90/100 x 21 entrance and IRC M5B Evo 130/80 x 18 rear. With the pinch-flat-resistant Nuetech Tubliss system, the result’s a dual-sport motorbike that actually sticks to the bottom, gobbling up terrain with out taxing my ageing backbone.
Rounding out the construct are a couple of extra additions:
This practice 2019 Husqvarna FE 450 construct was enjoyable and efficient and drawn from 25 years of experimenting with what works greatest for my measurement, skills, and driving areas, plus which manufacturers are efficient and dependable. Because of Mike Spurgin at Taco Moto for his nice product testing and betting, making some choices a no brainer.
Personalizing Your Twin Sport Bike: 2019 Husqvarna FE 450 Picture Gallery
