I'm currently in negotiation with the owner of a newish Husqvarna TE 450 who may sell it at a good price.
I want to go green laning, which SWMBO thinks teenagers do - not old farts like me. Should I or shouldn't I go for it: Or should I just blat the 1200GSa down the tracks?
If it's one of the later ones with fuel injection, it will be an absolute peach of a bike!. just don't wind it right up until you feel confident to do so
It'll have stacks of power, but it will be very progressive in delivery.
If it's one of the earlier ones, make sure the valves have been recently checked, or swopped for white bros stainless. (the original ti valves stretch like elastic bands).
Power delivery on the early bikes is very brutal, i found the throttle to be very on or off. Feathering it was a very conscious effort- something you could do without if trying to negotiate tricky ruts, or a technical climb.
Suspension and handling on both will be good- i preferred it to the orange offerings
I'd say do it. You'll have alot more fun, it will be easier to pick up (they weight around 120kgs!), and you can go for further without feeling so tired (unless you buy an earlier bike
).
Greenlaning on a bike bike is also fun, but it stops being fun once you've dropped it a few times and broken expensive bits off it. Sudden a cheap second bike seems a positive bargain!
Do it!
