Greetings,
I have to say that I am disappointed in CN's off road test of the 450's. In the past, the test has been much more thorough (and accurate) in regards to technical aspects of the bikes and their strengths and weaknesses. I would say that this test was more of an overview, than a real test.
It seems that the only real fault they could find with the HBG was the "wide" tank. Not having ridden a HBG produced after 04 I can't comment on how much wider it actually is, so feel free to jump in here anytime with comments about that. Although, in other tests on 06's & 07's that I've read it never seemed to be much of an issue.
Jetting and other related mods made to the bikes. The CN writer kept referring to the "air" screw, and as we all know, it's a fuel screw. And, unlike the other bikes, with the possible exception of the KTM, on the Husaberg you can actually get to the fuel screw, as it is my understanding that one cannot even get to the fuel screw on the other bikes because it is blocked off by a cap.
The real kcker here is that CN said the bike was "unridably" lean. However, they point out later that it had quite a few hours on it and it had completed the quick sivler enduro. Hmmmmm, this years Quicksilver enduro was super cold, and lot's of that white fluffy stuff and mud. Seems to me that in those conditions, the bike would have been so lean it wouldn't have run. I'm not arguing the fact that they come lean, I just think they overstated the fact. So, their fix? Bump up the pilot to a 45, and then according the article "lowered the needle" (third postion from the bottom). Doesn't that usually lean things out if you do that?? Most of us know that they actually raised the needle by lowering the clip, this is the kind of poor technical moto journalism that just confuses allot of people who are not that savvy with jetting. Also, I know that the Honda for sure, does not have an adjustable needle, it's fixed.
They go on to say that they left the "stock" 180 main jet alone. Unless I'm ignorant of a change there, I believe the bike comes stock with a 178.
It's really too bad that they or someone didn't just set bike up to a closed course setting of the DVR, or even the DVT needle at pos #6, 40 pilot, and the stock main of 178. All they had to do was read the manual……….
Exhaust: CN had to make the point that the HBG was much louder "to their ears" than the other bikes. However, they said, it was legal just barely. Hmmmm, didn't see any DB testing going on there. And for that matter, one bike, had to have it's muffler insert drilled out before the test, and it's throttle stop changed out. Why? was it un-ridable?
"Goofy Ergo's": I think the goofiest thing about that comment is CN's inability to recognize that the top triple clamp has four different positions to mount the bars in front to rear. While I believe it's competition with the exception of the KTM, has a fixed postion for the bar mounts.
Suspension: The article doesn't talk at all about any adjustments, or checking the stock settings, made to the suspension, such as sag, clicker settings or adjustments. And in the overall comparison chart it would lead you to believe that the Husaberg has no adjustability in it's suspension components. While all the others are “fully adjustableâ€Â
I have to say that I am disappointed in CN's off road test of the 450's. In the past, the test has been much more thorough (and accurate) in regards to technical aspects of the bikes and their strengths and weaknesses. I would say that this test was more of an overview, than a real test.
It seems that the only real fault they could find with the HBG was the "wide" tank. Not having ridden a HBG produced after 04 I can't comment on how much wider it actually is, so feel free to jump in here anytime with comments about that. Although, in other tests on 06's & 07's that I've read it never seemed to be much of an issue.
Jetting and other related mods made to the bikes. The CN writer kept referring to the "air" screw, and as we all know, it's a fuel screw. And, unlike the other bikes, with the possible exception of the KTM, on the Husaberg you can actually get to the fuel screw, as it is my understanding that one cannot even get to the fuel screw on the other bikes because it is blocked off by a cap.
The real kcker here is that CN said the bike was "unridably" lean. However, they point out later that it had quite a few hours on it and it had completed the quick sivler enduro. Hmmmmm, this years Quicksilver enduro was super cold, and lot's of that white fluffy stuff and mud. Seems to me that in those conditions, the bike would have been so lean it wouldn't have run. I'm not arguing the fact that they come lean, I just think they overstated the fact. So, their fix? Bump up the pilot to a 45, and then according the article "lowered the needle" (third postion from the bottom). Doesn't that usually lean things out if you do that?? Most of us know that they actually raised the needle by lowering the clip, this is the kind of poor technical moto journalism that just confuses allot of people who are not that savvy with jetting. Also, I know that the Honda for sure, does not have an adjustable needle, it's fixed.
They go on to say that they left the "stock" 180 main jet alone. Unless I'm ignorant of a change there, I believe the bike comes stock with a 178.
It's really too bad that they or someone didn't just set bike up to a closed course setting of the DVR, or even the DVT needle at pos #6, 40 pilot, and the stock main of 178. All they had to do was read the manual……….
Exhaust: CN had to make the point that the HBG was much louder "to their ears" than the other bikes. However, they said, it was legal just barely. Hmmmm, didn't see any DB testing going on there. And for that matter, one bike, had to have it's muffler insert drilled out before the test, and it's throttle stop changed out. Why? was it un-ridable?
"Goofy Ergo's": I think the goofiest thing about that comment is CN's inability to recognize that the top triple clamp has four different positions to mount the bars in front to rear. While I believe it's competition with the exception of the KTM, has a fixed postion for the bar mounts.
Suspension: The article doesn't talk at all about any adjustments, or checking the stock settings, made to the suspension, such as sag, clicker settings or adjustments. And in the overall comparison chart it would lead you to believe that the Husaberg has no adjustability in it's suspension components. While all the others are “fully adjustableâ€Â
