[gagester]

I have narrowed my search down to the ktm or husky. I have to purchase by wednesday to make the Port Angeles race in washington that weekend. anyone race the 450 or 510 and can make a recommendation. it will only serve as a serious race bike. my wr426 locked up at my first race in Medford, OR. it had 1000 miles of trail riding on the engine. thanks.........

 

[ammomac]

What class do you intend to run?

I would think the 450 would give you better options as far as the 450 class and then also an unlimited class where as the 510 wouldn't be allowed in the 450 class.

better check your series and find out if that 510 is going to limit your options

 

[gagester]

I will keep my wr426 for the 450 class. (after the engine is rebuilt) I can still race 3 races with a 510 so it just comes down to 450 high rpm or 510 grunt i guess. just wondered if there where some pros and cons handling or mechanical between the two.

 

[flash]

They're pretty much the same bike but the 510 has a longer stroke!

 

[gagester]

No one races a husky? I havent seen one yet in the supermotousa series. supermoto magazine tested a 450 last year and it didnt compare well to the ktm.
the big bore machines handle diferently than the smaller machines with everything else being the same. I might have to be just another orange clone. wanted to be talked into a husky.

 

[brian]

Get the orange 450.........get the valves done and some porting and a cam, Leo can and you will have an ass kicker of a race bike......You should wait for the o6's.....Yammy YZF.......... and the new Katoom has been rumoured to have a bunch more power the only thing it was missing......Husky does not have the suspension the orange bike does....I'd buy the Husky for the street.....

 

[Ubermoto]

Get the 510 and go to work. They handling is more like the 450 as opposed to the 570 or 630. They work fine - ask Delepine, Seel, Lazzarini, or Bagnis (running 510 in AMA Unlimited).

It's just different than the KTM, doesn't mean it doesn't work as well...

I prefer the Husqvarna to the KTM (obviously)

 

[Jolly705]

I am racing a 450 Husky and love it! I think it all depends on whats classes you wnat to run and that is it. The 510 is the same bike just larger displacement, either way you can't go wrong, they are awesome bikes and easy to work on. They are very similar to the KTM's but are the same weight and have e start so I say Husky.

 

[Eric Landstrom]

If you get the 510, you can slap on a TC exhaust for a little more power and oddly not have to make a change in jetting (sorta like maybe they set the bike up for the TC exhaust and somebody told 'em to cork it).

Also if you can get your hands on a TC intake cam, you'll shovel some of the excess low end up where you can use it.

The one time that I was out on the track with many other supermotos the only thing that pulled on my very stock 510 was an '04 KTM factory bike and a tricked out to the gills CRF 450 flat tracker. On tight corners I was fighting power wheelies.

BTW, the '04 SM450R slipper clutch FBF sells pops right into the '05 450/510 and works great!

 

[chachi243]

My 450 SMR makes ridiculous bottem end and i was running guys over coming off but it does sign off at a certain point....the suspension is good and the brakes are nice , brembo like the KTM, DUCATI....i guess if it was a 510 it would be a little better for the street but for the track if i piped and cammed it i am sure it would ride every bit as nice or better than my CRF! You can almost ride it like speedway with rain tires on it....what a ball!! i am pretty sure either bike (450 or 510) would YARD your 426 whether it had a license plate or not (my SMR is plated!!!) i ride mine in 450! Bagnis flies on his GP Husqvarna! SICK!!!