KTM vs Husqvarna

[rmk01r1der]

Let's hear everyone's opinions an thoughts on this one! I can not decide between the 2 Gonna be a 450 for summer and winter. I'm ready to join the snowbike club

 

[sidehillsam]

The Difference That Isn't There

What color and decals do you prefer?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gSV84dPhVw&feature=player_detailpage

 

[dooman92]

Rmk, I'm not certain if you are interested in a new bike or older ones so fwiw. I have a 2010 te 510 with a st. A riding buddy has a 2014 ktm 500 xc w with a st. I rode his ktm and found it very similar to my husky. The ktm might have been slightly smother at low rpm but the husky was at least as strong at higher rpm and gear. Overall if you closed your eyes mid pull you wouldn't know the difference. But, only rode it for about 20 mins.

 

[capulin overdrive]

Kind of a wash, and should probably boil down to dealer.

But I'd pick a 2015 KTM SX over the Husky version for 2 reasons that I know about. KTM comes with Excel rims, and Husky has a deferent subframe and airbox is supposedly more restrictive.

 

[hobbes]

They really are almost identical bikes if you are looking at the newer bikes (2014 and up). The only real difference is the Husky uses a linkage rear suspension and a polycarbon rear subframe instead of the KTM's direct shock swingarm and titanium rear section. The linkage rear has a nice plush ride but also gives you a little less clearance for going over stumps and rocks in the summer. Husky also claims that the polycarbon rear section provides slightly more flex making it easier on the rider. Long story short I don't think either of these differences will make one bit of difference on a snowbike in the winter. So you'll be making your decision based on how/where you ride in the summers IMO. I opted to buy a FE501 Husky, mostly because it seems like everyone is orange out there lately and I wanted to be a little different. One thing I can tell you for sure is you're going to want to buy yourself a different seat. I don't know if the KTM's run the same exact seat or not, but the Husky's is about a comfortable as a rough hewn 2X4. I ordered a Seat Concepts seat last week.

A little quote I found about the differences in rims on the two from MX Action Magazine...
"(6) Rims. The 2014 KTM motocross bikes come with low-cost OEM versions of Excel rims. The 2014 Husqvarna TC250 is equipped with black-anodized D.I.D. DirtStar rims. DirtStars are below the LT-X and ST-X rims in the D.I.D. product line, but, in our opinion, we rather have them than the silver Excels on the KTMs."

 

[Rush44]

The issues with the airbox can be fixed easily. There is no difference in the motor between the two bikes (like the FC450 and 450sx/xc) and that's a great thing since KTM 12.5+ motors are excellent. Very durable.

 

[rmk01r1der]

Thanks for all the input guys. Yeah their both new 2015s I'm looking at. Just gotta make the hard decision soon. Both look like great bikes though. I'll be making the decision this week, when I do I'll post up a pic.

 

[boondocker97]

They really are almost identical bikes if you are looking at the newer bikes (2014 and up). The only real difference is the Husky uses a linkage rear suspension and a polycarbon rear subframe instead of the KTM's direct shock swingarm and titanium rear section.

It depends on which models you are looking at. The KTM SX and XC bikes have linkages, while the XC-Ws and EXCs still have the no-link PDS shock. Also, the subframe on the KTMs are aluminum, not Ti.

If you are looking at 500cc bikes, Dirt Rider's latest shootout placed the Husky FE501 just above the KTM because the power delivery was a little smoother and more manageable. If you are looking at buying a 2015 bike, I'd say go with whichever dealer you like better. If you are waiting for a 2016 bike, I'd hold out for the KTM. The 450 should have the 10lb weight reduction and all the improvements that the 2015.5 factory edition bike got this year. Whole new bike pretty much. Off-road bikes are rumored to have a new chassis coming as well. Local Husky dealer says starting in 2016 they should have more differences between them and the KTMs too.

 

[madmax]

Wait for the 2016 ktm next month. The new 450 also has more power along with the new frame and weight reduction mentioned in the other posts. Power is supposed to be 61hp as opposed to 57 for the 2015 450. There is a noticeable power difference between the two 450's.

 

[rmk01r1der]

Picked up a 15 husky 450, not sure how to upload pictures on here... But gonna be a fun year!

 

[backcountryislife]

Wait for the 2016 ktm next month. The new 450 also has more power along with the new frame and weight reduction mentioned in the other posts. Power is supposed to be 61hp as opposed to 57 for the 2015 450. There is a noticeable power difference between the two 450's.

fyi the husqy 450 is rated at 60 for 2015.

I like the linkage suspension & like the XCW trans, so the husqy was a good fit for me. (also in the 300, the TE is the XC tuning rather than the toned down xcw cdi)

 

[lundracing]

I went with the 15 husky 450 fc as well. Just liked the colors better. Looked like pretty much identical bikes otherwise.

 

[GlennRMK]

Which 450 are you thinking? Moto or off road?

Are you a trail guy or motocross guy?

I think I would rather have the FE 501 Husky then a 450 or 500 XC-W. The stiffer forks would be better for snowbiking. Although I like the XC-W open chamber forks better for technical slower speed trails in the summer.

If you are a moto guy you probably want the 16 KTM 450 SX-F with all the new changes.

If you are doing trail and moto and snowbike go for the 16 450 XC-F.

I have personally rode a 14 500 XC-W and 13 450 XC-F in the summer on techy trails. I find the 500 to be a far superior dirt bike. I did not like the 450 XC-F in the woods at all. Power is too aggressive and it likes to stall and overheat. I have not rode a 450 XC-W though.

450 is a better snow bike though. Close ratio tranny, stiffer forks and higher revving engine is better for snowbikes. None of that is helpful for technical single track though. Pick your poison.

Personally, I have a 300 2 stroke for woods and a CRF450R that I want to put a snowbike kit on it. If you can swing it, that is ideal.

Or pick up two used bikes which can be had for the $10k a new 450/500 brings.

 

[capulin overdrive]

bump

 

[barefooter]

Thanks. Somehow I missed this on the search.......

 

[madmax]

Husky did release a 450 enduro for 16' that. Rated at 54hp and not the 63hp for the MX bike.

 

[off road rider]

We just picked up a 15 Husky 501 at a decent price since the 16's are coming out next month.
after riding Exclusively KTMs since 2000. I am pretty much orange blooded.
what made the choice obvious for me was the Huskys suspension in the 500CC class
KTm is just a bit behind the curve in my opinion, now if they offered the Xc in the 500 I would have gone that route.

 

[capulin overdrive]

I went KTM 500 because I didn't want the 4cs forks.


White Power ain't much to brag about in any trim, if they wanted to do something they'd put Ohlins on there.