Back to the Dark side. 300 TPI to 450F. 2021 Husqvarna FE 450.

Bucking the trends, jumping off a sorted TE300 onto a 2021 FE 450 and my initial thoughts on the whole situation.

[@dereckrodriguez9688]

Fe450 or fe501?? Which is better and biggest diff????

[@bradl45]

in my neck of the woods, we don't see many 450s(non sx bikes) for sale 2nd hand, a few 450 ktm 6day models, I dont remember when I saw a fe450 last, 2 years ago maybe.(daughter is looking for one). FE 450s are HOARDED!!! KEEP RIPPING

[@Ttnorth11]

I went the other way. Off a 450 to a 300 tpi. I hated the 450 in the tight stuff as it stalls and over heats to much. It just comes down to what sort of riding you are doing.

[@ktmkall9812]

Exactly right mate. Pick the one that suits the riding you are doing and you go wrong 👍

[@lyndonewright330]

Like you I went to the dark side came off a 2016 te 300 just got a 2021 FX350 love it it handles so much better than my old 300 did im having to relearn clutch control again had a recluse on my 300 ive stalled my 350 a few times not the bikes fault mine I'm sure not sorry I switched

[@ktmkall9812]

Got 75hours on the 450 now and still don't regret my decision 👍

[@MClyne24]

Hey mate, can I ask what your thoughts are on comparing it to a 350? I am currently looking at either 350, 450 or 500. Ive been leaning towards the 350 as I thought they might be a little more playful being lighter but i have never been on a 450 exc or fe. Have owned multiple 500s though and loved them and have 22 300 tpi as second bike.

[@ktmkall9812]

I have ridden the 21 husky Fe 450 and 350 back to back. Both are much more planted to the ground than the 2 strokes. It mainly comes down to how you like to ride. If you love revving and running in the higher revs, the 350 is the pick, it also feels/rides a bit lighter than the 450. If you are a bit lazier with your gear changes and like a bit more grunt/torque, then the 450 is the go. it feels and rides a slight bit more heavier but is that bit more planted at speed also. Both are great bikes and you can't go wrong with either in my opinion.👍

[@MClyne24]

@@ktmkall9812 Thanks mate im thinking 450 will be for me

[@scottyd2262]

@@MClyne24 Yeah mate, don't buy a 350.. Slow as a wet week.. I don't even notice the extra weight on my 501 compared to my ex 350.. Too busy having that extra fun that my 501 brings, l'd also have a 450 4 sure !

[@MClyne24]

@@scottyd2262 Hey mate, i ended up going 450 its its shit hot, if i had the chance again id go 350, the guy who tunes bikes here in aus for race team’s can make them a shit load faster.

[@scottyd2262]

@@MClyne24 Yeah l know a guy in Brisbane that worked in Europe on the GP teams. I was prepared to go all out. There's so many internal differences compared to the FC/FX models that it wasn't worth it for me. I traded my 21 Rockstar FE350 for a 22 501, got my Vortex remapped for it and the FMF Ti slip on fits right on. I was doing some Supermoto as well so the 350 just wasn't cutting it.... I come from a MX background and the FC 350's are good... Everything is different from the crank, head, cams, throttle body, piston etc Easier just getting the 501.. Without the Vortex and FMF they haven't got enough balls either tbh..

[@ryanelliott1650]

Hey mate iv been thinking about getting one of these fe450 for some time Could you tell me what made you decide to get the fe450 over the fe501 as everyone seems to be going on and on about the fe501 and know one seems to be talking about the fe450 ? What can you us about this and the difference between the two bikes and why you picked the fe450 over the fe501

[@ktmkall9812]

Hey mate. I like the way the 450 makes power over the 500 and how it effects the handling characteristics of the bike in a positive way. The 500 is a grunty engine which is amazing for high speed desert type applications but I found when trying to turn the bike at speed in ruts leaning over the engine would always try and stand the bike upright fighting me in the corner. The 450 does not do that anywhere near as bad. It also has an engine that is much more willing to rev more but still has good grunt/torque if you wanted to ride lazier and just use the power instead of needing to search the rev range to find the best power like on smaller displacements. Best of both worlds in my opinion. Especially if you get the ecu tuned to add some more fuel where needed as all these bikes are lean standard these days. I love this bike even more now that I have done that. Just clocked 103hrs and still going strong as👌

[@mansor374]

Mine FE450 2014. Still strong and never go back. Simple

[@ktmkall9812]

Copy that. The 12' 450exc was a game changer for me and this 21' Fe 450 is just more of that👍

[@mansor374]

I'm riding this bike everywhere anytime. Daily used

[@jeffloucks2120]

@@mansor374 Done a rebuild? That's my main concern.

[@mansor3032]

​@@jeffloucks2120 Sorry i'm late 2years to respone. Done build the engine at 700hrs. Now it 1000++hrs..still strong.

[@simonharris4801]

Mate just came from 20 tpi with TSP mods , had 17 300, just got a 21 450, an can so relate to what your saying 100% have same point of view,

[@ktmkall9812]

Yeah they are very confidence inspiring and easy to ride. Am glad I went back to the dark side.

[@stevenburton7922]

Really good review. On the gncc and regular enduro circuit you see a lot of high caliber riders using the 4 strokes. I think you made the right decision. I will most likely go with the 450 as well. Have been considering the 300 but at the end of the day I would consider myself an enduro rider and not an hard enduro rider. Two great bikes though. I would give my nod to the 450 as the better all around bike. Thanks for a very good review! Steve from the USA.

[@ktmkall9812]

100% agree with all you said mate. I now have 30 hours on the bike and still loving it👍

[@bradl45]

nice bike, fe450 has a linkage shock too!! 300s, great bike, both the fe450, and 501 are great trail riding and go fast bikes I need to buckle down and have a quiver of bikes, I wish I had a 300 and my 4 stroke, lol.

[@ktmkall9812]

Yep, one for each occasion would be nice but hard to justify unfortunately. The 450 is a great allrounder in the bush. I am still happy with my change back to it. 85 hours on it so far and still running like a top.👍

[@double-oseven5725]

Agree...just got a new 22 FE501 and its like having a 2 stroke, 4 stroke and adventure bike and supermotard all in one, love em!!

[@ktmkall9812]

The new four bangers are certainly very versatile machines 👌

[@jandrews377]

Guys, I currently have a '07 KTM 250 exc (2t). Im probably a c-grade rider (at best) (5'7, 155lb) ,and generally just do day-rides with my son and a bit of playing around on an MX track. Would one of these FE450 or FE510's be a massive upgrade? or am i buying into marketing hype?

[@RDHZRD]

Your not wrong all the manufacturers have the 450's dialled and they get forgotten with all the 2 stroke hype. My 450 has been so reliable for the past four years that if I sold it for a 300 2 stroke and it had issues I would be embarrassed and kicking myself.

[@ktmkall9812]

2012 was my last 450, am bloody happy to be back on one. I loved the 300's but was never as comfortable on them as this thing. I will say the 2017 xc300 was a weapon tho.

[@calmacardy9097]

Yep agree, I love my 2018 450! Perfect all rounder 👌🏻

[@ktmkall9812]

They sure are mate👍

[@petesibay]

Nice open paddock basher. Keep a 300 for the technical stuff :)

[@ktmkall9812]

Took it bush on the weekend and was impressed with how it went in fairly tight single

[@scottyd2262]

@6:12 not my idea of a fun ride ! lol I bought a new 21 FE350 thinking that they wouldn't be much less power than the FX/FC350's, boy was l wrong (that was with a Vortex and FMF ti slip on) !! I would have eaten it on my 99 125SX. Happy to say that l now have the bike that l should have got in the 1st place.... 22 FE501 got the Vortex remapped for it and the FMF is the same size so that was a bonus. There is next to no weight difference between the 2 bikes. It's everywhere on the internet that an ECU and exhaust transforms the 350 like it's night and day, while there were gains but it wasn't like people said. The 501 on the other hand really came alive with those mods. Coming from a MX background l expected more. If you want a bike that lifts the front wheel without the use of the clutch and putting your weight right back Don't buy a FE350.. Lower gearing would help for sure but they run out of steam on fire roads.. sorry about my rant..... I just don't want anyone to make the same mistake that l did...

[@ktmkall9812]

Yeah the enduro 350's today are more corked up than ever. They do ride with a lighter feel than their bigger brothers but certainly don't have that outright HP that the bigger bikes have. I don't regret going the 450 route.👍

[@freedom7047]

300 tpi the best!!

[@ktmkall9812]

The 2 banger's certainly are the pick of the two for the nasty stuff, but everywhere else I reckon this 450 has got it covered👍

[@AdventureMotoEnduro]

I would of gone with tractor 501 mate 450? whats the go there lol , nice bike but,hehe

[@ktmkall9812]

The 450 feels a bit more livelier with the way they develop their power but still can tractor pretty good. Took it for a blast in the bush on the weekend and loved it. Honestly easier to ride in most situations than the 300 for me at least.

[@AdventureMotoEnduro]

@@ktmkall9812 oh yeh for sure ,400 hours before rebuild

[@vegasromaniac]

still a mistake (in my opinion), the 250 4t is where the sweet spot is , maybe a 290 big bore 4t if you really have the balls .... but you go the 350's ktm's and they become just big thumpers that flame out a lot

[@ktmkall9812]

In the terrain I am riding mostly in these days I think it works pretty good. There will no doubt the 300 would work better in some of the more technical stuff but this 450 is pretty sweet everywhere else👍