The 2013 Husqvarna TE449 is powered by a strong 4 valve, dual camshaft engine forged using the company’s experience in off road racing. Fuel delivery is managed by an electronic injection system and you also get two exhaust silencers which are Euro 3 compliant.

Compared to the old generation, the new one uses more 25CrMo4 chrome-moly steel to reinforce the steering head, the seat rail and engine mounts. On the other hand, the bike also features new suspension settings and the rear Kayaba monoshock is shorter by 4 mm, further reducing seat height. The front suspension has been improved as well, and now it gets progressive dampening.

The stopping power is assured by Brembo brakes. Up front you get a 2600 mm disc with twin piston floating calipers, while out back there is a 240 mm disc paired with a single piston floating caliper.

Hit the jump for more information on the 2013 BMW Husqvarna TE449.

2012 BMW Husqvarna TE449

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2012 BMW Husqvarna TE449
  • Engine/Motor: Single cylinder, four-stroke
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Press Release

The experience gained over the last year has made the new TE449 an even more competitive bike. The basic profile is unchanged, the 449 is still the bike that inspires love at first sight, with all the innovative technical features that put it amongst the market leaders in the sector. It was already exclusive, now it has become more streamlined and efficient. Aesthetically it is more pleasing, the chassis is now black, the hubs anodised silver, new graphics emphasize the flow of the lines that express functionality, lightweight and style. The ergonomic side panels allow the driver more freedom of movement, the integrated in-mould graphics are guaranteed to last. The days of "adhesive" graphics that come off with the second power wash are gone.

But races are won by the stopwatch, not on the catwalk, and the changes in handling and mechanics make the new TE449 a more reliable bike, tough and competitive enough to win and keep winning!

Engine

The single cylinder, four valve, twin cam titanium valve engine is a recent design and needed few modifications, just some minor changes to the power curve. To better access and exploit all the power of the TE449, the designers concentrated on mapping of the Keihin injection, which controls the action of the double flap 46mm throttle body). Fine tuning included balancing of the engine thermodynamics with the light steel Akrapovic exhaust, developed in collaboration with a prestigious Slovenian manufacturer. The efficiency of the cooling circuit was improved with a change to the radiator, introducing a new WP component.

Unchanged are the six gears and clutch with soft and progressive hydraulic action. Weight is saved by eliminating a kick starter, which has proved to be superfluous, given the efficient and reliable electric ignition with high-power battery.

Chassis and Suspension

The new version uses more 25CrMo4 chrome-moly steel to reinforce the steering head, the seat rail and engine mounts. The rear section – now a single rear fender piece – is stronger and more streamlined and the entire electrical system has been simplified and lightened. The styling and layout have been completely redesigned; it has better balance, with new suspension settings and the rear Kayaba monoshock is shorter by 4 mm, further reducing seat height. The top of the range rear suspension uses Kayaba components (adjustable for rebound and compression) and upside down linkage, combining the advantages of progressive linkage with a sheltered location. The front suspension (48 mm diameter forks) has been improved with progressive dampening. The rear shock is better shielded for additional protection.

These modifications are the result of the collaboration between the Husqvarna R&D team and the official racing team, further streamlining the frame designed to concentrate weight on the bike's centre-of-gravity and minimize chain-torque. The steel tubing perimeter frame was designed for the CTS - Coaxial Traction System – the TE449 reduces to a minimum the influence of the final transmission on dynamic handling and steering. With the driving pinion coaxially aligned with the swingarm pivot, the torque generated by a powerful 450cc engine now has almost no influence on changes in road holding and handling, and above all allows the designer to place the engine as far to the rear as possible, improving the wheelbase, enabling the forward slant of the cylinder head which lowers the centre of gravity and giving straighter fuel lines to the engine.

The safety of the braking system is to a trusted standard: Brembo! The front Braking disc has a diameter of no less than 260 mm - with twin piston floating calipers, while the 240 mm rear disc has a light and compact single piston floating caliper.

Performance

Naturally, Husqvarna's long experience in Enduro racing has played an important part in the development of these new motorcycles. The challenges posed by the conception of geometry and by the general concept of the motorcycle itself were linked to the tough demands of riding in the most severe and extreme conditions. The result is a surprisingly effortless and smooth ride along with agility and outstanding steering stability.

The perimeter design chassis is made of high strength steel tubing. The geometry of the rear suspension is revolutionary, with a new linkage mounted on top of the alloy swing arm.

This solution offers many advantages: it increases the ground clearance, improves general reliability thanks to the reduced exposure of the components and makes maintenance easier.

But there's more: dynamically, by exploiting the advantages of the double cradle frame made in high strength steel tubing, the roughness of the ground is absorbed more gradually, attenuating the stresses on the rider.

The advantages when jumping are also remarkable with the recoil effect of the rear wheel being significantly reduced and the smoothness of the suspension is particularly perceivable on rougher and more difficult ground.

Specifications

Displacement

449.00 ccm (27.40 cubic inches)

Engine type

Single cylinder, four-stroke

Bore x stroke

98.0 x 59.6 mm (3.9 x 2.3 inches)

Fuel system

Injection. Keihin Digital Fuel Injection

Transmission type,

final drive

Chain

Clutch

Multi plate, hydraulic operation

Driveline

6 speed constant mesh

Frame type

Double beam, double cradle and high resistance chromoly steel frame (round and elliptical). Light alloy sub frame

Rake (fork angle)

25.8°

Trail

101 mm (4.0 inches)

Front suspension

48mm Kayaba USD

Front suspension travel

300 mm (11.8 inches)

Rear suspension

Kayaba single shock with remote reservoir, adjustable spring preload, compression (high and low speed) and rebound damping.

Rear suspension travel

300 mm (11.8 inches)

Front tyre dimensions

90/90-21

Rear tyre dimensions

140/90-18

Front brakes

Single disc

Front brakes diameter

260 mm (10.2 inches)

Rear brakes

Single disc

Rear brakes diameter

240 mm (9.4 inches)


Quotes

Total Motorcycle----"A master of the dirt and still 50-state street-legal, the TE449 is Husqvarna’s flagship dual-purpose motorcycle. Chassis upgrades and refined power output make the 2012 TE449 easier to ride and more well-balanced than ever. Kayaba suspension components harmonize with Husqvarna’s exclusive CTS (Coaxial Traction System) to offer unmatched performance on this street-legal off-road specialist."

Ultimate Motorcycling----"When something is already on top in the dual-sport motorcycling sector, why change much? This was exactly what Husqvarna was thinking when designing the 2012 TE449. For 2012, Husqvarna didn't need to make many modifications to the power of the TE449, considering the motor was already a top performer in the world of dual-sport motorcycles."