By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Supermoto vs Enduro
Husqvarna SM 450 R (MY2005) vs TE 450 (MY2003)
Husqvarna SM 450 R vs TE 450: where they split, and which one to buy.
Idling through hot summer traffic, the Husqvarna SM 450 R has no cooling fan, and there's nothing to stop the heat from climbing. Once it's hot, the Husqvarna TE 450's carburetion turns fussy and the idle won't stay even. At the next light, it simply stalls.
So which one do you buy?
The SM 450 R has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Small edge: SM 450 R
On a winding road, the SM 450 R comes out a touch ahead. Most of that is more feel through the bars and stronger brakes. You wouldn't bet much on a gap like that.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Inches ahead: SM 450 R
For a new rider, the SM 450 R noses ahead. How it fits you counts for more than this gap.
What makes each one tick
SM 450 R
On the Angeles Crest Highway's tight switchbacks, the SM 450 R wants to be flicked hard into each bend, and the chassis holds whatever line you've picked. There's a strong midrange shove as soon as the throttle opens, with the single still eager to rev on past it. The front Brembo bites hard. The exhaust barks out of every exit.
Nils rode the SM 450 R in Austria in 2005 (NastyNils Testride).
TE 450
Low in the revs, the TE 450's single hauls the bike up steep hills and doesn't need much clutch. The suspension keeps both tires planted. There's real force behind the brake lever, with a bite that builds as you squeeze. The steel cradle frame tracks straight through ruts.
Nils rode the TE 450 in Hungary in 2005 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The SM 450 R has the lower seat: 36.0 in (914 mm) vs 38.4 in (975 mm).
- The SM 450 R makes more peak torque: 33 lb-ft (44 Nm) vs 31 lb-ft (42 Nm).
- The TE 450 has more fork travel: 11.8 in (300 mm) vs 9.8 in (250 mm).
Which one for the way you ride
Keeping running costs low
Off its turf: SM 450 R
Leave the SM 450 R out of the cost question. It runs on a different kind of budget.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
SM 450 R
What owners say
Strengths
- Incredible front brake power
- Punchy, free-revving engine
Trade-offs
- Severe discomfort on the street
- Minimal electrical system
TE 450
What owners say
Strengths
- Bulletproof engine reliability
- Torquey, aggressive power delivery
Trade-offs
- Hot stalling and carburetion quirks
Known problems to check before you buy
SM 450 R
- Clutch line and slave cylinder failures The OEM clutch hydraulic line is prone to crimp failures at the banjo fittings or cuts in the plastic sheathing. The Magura clutch slave cylinder can also fail, leading to total clutch loss.
- Battery and starter motor gremlins Several owners report difficulty keeping the battery charged and inconsistent starter engagement. In some cases the starter motor stuck on, damaging the one-way clutch.
TE 450
- Engine stalling and rough idle when hot The engine may stall or idle erratically once warmed up. Common causes include carburetor problems (worn accelerator pump diaphragm, jetting), stator failure, or head gasket leaks allowing coolant into the combustion chamber.
What they share
- Displacement
- 449 cc
- Engine
- Single-cylinder
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
Where the spec sheets split
| SM 450 R | TE 450 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 36.0 in (914 mm) | 38.4 in (975 mm) |
| Dry weight | 287 lb (130 kg) | 273 lb (124 kg) |
| SM 450 R | TE 450 | |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 49 hp (36 kW) | 50 hp (37 kW) |
| Torque | 33 lb-ft (44 Nm) | 31 lb-ft (42 Nm) |
| SM 450 R | TE 450 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 2.4 US gal (9.1 L) | 2.4 US gal (9.2 L) |
| SM 450 R | TE 450 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front tire | 120/70-17 | 90/90-21 |
| Rear tire | 150/60-17 | 140/80-18 |
| Wheelbase | 59.0 in (1499 mm) | 57.5 in (1460 mm) |
| Ground clearance | 10.6 in (270 mm) | 13.4 in (340 mm) |
| Front travel | 9.8 in (250 mm) | 11.8 in (300 mm) |
| Rear travel | 11.4 in (290 mm) | 12.6 in (320 mm) |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
