2011 TE449, TC449 and TE511 Full Article |
| Husqvarna has a tradition of innovation and that tradition continues for model year 2011 with the introduction of the new TE449, TC449 and TE511, all featuring the unique CTS chassis design.The idea behind the 449/511 range is ‘mass centralisation' – to keep the weight of the bike concentrated as close as possible to the centre of gravity and to design a chassis which adapts perfectly to the demands of competitive off road racing. The crux of this concept is the union of the rear wheel swing arm pivot point and the gearbox output shaft sprocket. This solution, which Husqvarna calls CTS (Coaxial Traction System), 2011 TC449eliminates the variation in the length of the chain during rear suspension movement, minimising the effect of the final drive on the bikes handling.
This solution allows a longer swing arm whilst still retaining a wheelbase similar to our competitors, ensuing greater traction in all conditions. The chassis layout allows the modern BMW derived DOHC engine to be mounted closer to the centre of the bike, whilst tilting the cylinder further forward allows a long and straight air intake path at the same time as keeping the centre of gravity as low as possible. This has also meant that the throttle body and fuel injector nozzle can be mounted in the ideal position for optimum intake efficiency. Continuing the theme of mass centralisation, the two part fuel tank design provides a total of 8.5 litres capacity in a low mounted 2 litre pump housing and a 6.5 litre under seat main tank. The under seat fuel tank layout permits the airbox to be located in a protected position above the engine with the actual air intake being at the height of the steering column, to reduce the potential for dust /water ingress. Fuel delivery is managed by a Keihin electronic injection system, with the MX bike having a single butterfly throttle body for a more aggressive power delivery and the Enduro having a twin butterfly throttle body for smooth and predictable throttle response. The MX bike also features a dual mode switch on the ‘bars to select 2 different power curves for differing track conditions and a higher compression ratio than the Enduro bike which results in an increase in maximum power of approximately 8%. TE AkrapovicExhaust systems differ between the MX and Enduro versions too, with the TC449 being fitted with a full titanium Akrapovic system as standard whilst the Enduro versions come with 2 pipes. The standard fit Enduro silencer is the homologated version which gives strong power whilst meeting all relevant noise and emissions limits and also provided with the TE449/511 is an Akrapovic FIM compliant racing silencer, to maximise the potential of the engine and to save some weight. The Enduro bikes are fitted with a 6 speed transmission with ratios developed based on the experience gained during testing and racing by Salminen and Tarkkala. The MX bike uses a 5 speed ‘box, with the ratios being optimised by Andrea Bartollini. MX and Enduro versions both use a hydraulic clutch and are both electric start. 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, 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. A real refinement in the field of chassis design and exclusive to the TE/TC 449/511 range is the CTS, the Coaxial Traction System. This system represents an evolution compared to the one adopted on the BMW G 450X. The solution, which originally used a single swing arm pivot spindle, now has two independent semi spindles which reduce the stress on the swing arm and facilitate the replacement of the gearbox sprocket. The advantages of the CTS system compared to the traditional systems are huge. During the suspension movement along the whole stroke, the chain is not subject to any change in length. The tension of the chain remains constant regardless of the swing arm position, while the chain and sprockets benefit from reduced wear. An important positive effect on the riding characteristics is the marked reduction of the impact of alternating the load on the transmission. The result is better traction during acceleration and surer, more confident gear changes. By minimising the effect of the drive train on the suspension, the stability and rideability of the bike are dramatically improved. |