Howdy folks! I recently purchased (fourth hand) a 2011 FS-570 with just under 50 hours on it. This is the 8th bike in my stable, and it has been an interesting experience so far. Here is my story:
1. How I came across this bike.
I found the bike posted on Craigslist in Thousand Oaks, just about 20 minutes from my place. The location and model-year had specific advantages over the '09 Husky SM450-RR that I was considering as posted down in Long Beach. I was really hoping for a fuel injected bike, and although an SM450-RR is rare, it is carbureted and I almost feel that the Husaberg is even more exclusive. Plus, the mostly white scheme is sharp and makes a good contrast against my all black 2012 RSV4 trackbike.
2. The background, as conveyed to me.
I bought this bike off of Tommy, who was a forum member here for a bit. He was the third owner, the first two being sons of owners of bike shops down in San Diego. Tommy knew the kids from college, having attended down in San Diego. Tommy hadn't spent much time on the bike, doing less than 200 miles during his ownership. He's more of a car guy, having to sell this bike because he had picked up a sick Lotus to play with. Apparently, he does well enough for himself. No family or mortgage helps though. I have both of those.
One of the previous owners had worked the bike over, supposedly. Some sort of new intake and a reflashed ECU to match. An obnoxiously loud FMF slip-on and some sort of fender eliminator that I'm not super stoked on. I hope to do the Akropovic pipe soon and will be ditching the plates all together.
The sad thing was that the bike had been lowered. The kickstand had about an inch or more removed and welded (well I might add) back together. The inside of the FMF showed nearly vertical marks of tire rub from bottoming out. The rear end rebound and compression were WAY off. Like, had to have been revalved - WRONG - to get to this place. I gave the ***-end my typical CPR maneuver to see how it was set up. It fell like shoving on one of those cornstarch-filled stress heads, and it took almost 1.5 seconds to fully rebound. WHAT?!?!?! Who the F sets up a shock that way? Plus, it felt like the preload had been taken way out in order to let the rear sit that low. Ok, not much I could do but open the valving up until I got it rebuilt. The front end had a reasonably firm feel to them, but the forks were pulled up through the triple until they were mm from touching the handlebars. Without a full-length side stand, I wasn't going to adjust height.
Topping it all off, the bike had a hard time starting. I struggled with it through my first weekend of riding, but did some reading here, finding references to the bad cams that were originally shipped in '11 not having proper compression release lobes. Took it to the local Husky shop only to have it consistently start fine for them. Apparently these EFI bikes don't like any throttle being applied when you press the starter. Now that I know that.... it seems ok.
3. Why Super Motard?
So as I was starting to say, I want to get into some SuMo trackdays. Over the past few years I have been running a sportbike trackday company. Lots of fun, but costly and time consuming to get to the tracks, so I'm done managing them, now I just want to get back to riding them! With our family recently started, I don't get many trackdays anymore, so I needed something that I could take to closer tracks that cost less. SuMo is the answer! I have a great dirtbike and although dirt riding is fun, the local tracks are cluster-bombs of disorganization and hazards. All skill levels, riding all together, all the time. That's unreasonable IMHO. Sportbike days break into three approximate skill set groups so as to minimize the difference in closing speed, thus making line selection and hazard avoidance much more achievable at normal human mental capacity (something that time is rapidly decaying my opinion of). I am hoping that SuMo days at my local cart tracks are run much more like sportbike days, but time will help me discover that detail too.
Also, I spend a lot of time training for the State. I operate a training site out in Simi Valley, an inland-ish area of Southern California. We, as trainers, are expected to push ourselves to learn more within the industry. For me, getting into a new segment that blends my on-track skills with some dirt skills is just TOO MUCH FUN!!! So I used this bike as I was coaching some of the States Instructors at our Northern California event held at the Little 99 cart track in Stockton. Below are some of images:
Observer station in the background was where other Instructors would learn from Total Control staff what to look for and how to identify coachable opportunities.
By the end of the day, I had discarded the post-apocalyptic no-visor look and was caught providing some feedback to another Instructor.
Following Instructors at their own pace, I needed to maintain form and set good examples on track.
The second day began wet, so I wore my normal track suit that I have an RS Taichi rain-suit that fits over. By the end of the day, I had stripped off the rain suit because everyone was calling me the walking condom. Left my normal track helmet on because I didn't have time to change it out for the dirty-version.
4. So what's in store for the future?
Well, now that I've ridden this beast for a couple of days, put a few hours on her myself, and had a chance to form an opinion, I'm psyched! Even with the suspension in its limited state, I had a BLAST riding this light and nimble frame, and throwing it around with ease was a joy.
I picked up a full-length side stand, and the suspension is on its way back to me from Race Tech right now. I am really stoked to get it back in and sit on the bike at full-intended height!
This is the suspension now that Race Tech have done their work.
Apparently their high-line of shock springs only come in that color. Fine if I were on a KTM, and I could have had it powder coated and re-etched with the spring rate and info, but without the forethought and being in a bit of time pinch to get the work done prior to their year-end, beggars can't be choosers.
The red fork seals though.... I hate to sound like a style snob, but, ew!
January 10th I'm taking the Total Control Intermediate Riders Clinic. Then on January 24th I will take the Total Control Advanced Riders Clinic. These are both classes that I encourage developing riders to take, as they are excellent opportunities to develop more road-speed skills without the hassle of track-prep. Instructors give an abundance of feedback on your riding skills, while riding your own bike. I do this all in preparation to certify to teach the Intermediate course. I'm looking forward to offering that at our site in early 2016.
Following riding the FS570 through all this additional training, I will get this beast out to some of the local SuMo days. SoCal SuperMoto is a local group that does some great on-track training. I will be attending a few of their events. I also hope to do Rich Oliver's Mystery School with a group of other trainers in early 20216. With any luck, then hope to tuck in a trip to American Supercamp either late 2016 or early 2017.
5. In conclusion:
With riding for me, it is always a balance of the length of my honey-do list, how long I can convince my wife and infant I may be away, and what can I afford! Having done some planning, and getting dates and events on the calendar, I can't wait to ride this beast some more!!!
Thanks to this Husaberg Forum for being a strong player in the community, and contributing the knowledge base that mongers of oddball bikes desire. I promise to stop by occasionally for a good read, to share my findings and experiences, and to occasionally play devil's advocate (time and trolls willing).
Cheers to all and a Happy New Year!
Rick Becker
MRE Corp.
1. How I came across this bike.
I found the bike posted on Craigslist in Thousand Oaks, just about 20 minutes from my place. The location and model-year had specific advantages over the '09 Husky SM450-RR that I was considering as posted down in Long Beach. I was really hoping for a fuel injected bike, and although an SM450-RR is rare, it is carbureted and I almost feel that the Husaberg is even more exclusive. Plus, the mostly white scheme is sharp and makes a good contrast against my all black 2012 RSV4 trackbike.
2. The background, as conveyed to me.
I bought this bike off of Tommy, who was a forum member here for a bit. He was the third owner, the first two being sons of owners of bike shops down in San Diego. Tommy knew the kids from college, having attended down in San Diego. Tommy hadn't spent much time on the bike, doing less than 200 miles during his ownership. He's more of a car guy, having to sell this bike because he had picked up a sick Lotus to play with. Apparently, he does well enough for himself. No family or mortgage helps though. I have both of those.
One of the previous owners had worked the bike over, supposedly. Some sort of new intake and a reflashed ECU to match. An obnoxiously loud FMF slip-on and some sort of fender eliminator that I'm not super stoked on. I hope to do the Akropovic pipe soon and will be ditching the plates all together.
The sad thing was that the bike had been lowered. The kickstand had about an inch or more removed and welded (well I might add) back together. The inside of the FMF showed nearly vertical marks of tire rub from bottoming out. The rear end rebound and compression were WAY off. Like, had to have been revalved - WRONG - to get to this place. I gave the ***-end my typical CPR maneuver to see how it was set up. It fell like shoving on one of those cornstarch-filled stress heads, and it took almost 1.5 seconds to fully rebound. WHAT?!?!?! Who the F sets up a shock that way? Plus, it felt like the preload had been taken way out in order to let the rear sit that low. Ok, not much I could do but open the valving up until I got it rebuilt. The front end had a reasonably firm feel to them, but the forks were pulled up through the triple until they were mm from touching the handlebars. Without a full-length side stand, I wasn't going to adjust height.
Topping it all off, the bike had a hard time starting. I struggled with it through my first weekend of riding, but did some reading here, finding references to the bad cams that were originally shipped in '11 not having proper compression release lobes. Took it to the local Husky shop only to have it consistently start fine for them. Apparently these EFI bikes don't like any throttle being applied when you press the starter. Now that I know that.... it seems ok.
3. Why Super Motard?
So as I was starting to say, I want to get into some SuMo trackdays. Over the past few years I have been running a sportbike trackday company. Lots of fun, but costly and time consuming to get to the tracks, so I'm done managing them, now I just want to get back to riding them! With our family recently started, I don't get many trackdays anymore, so I needed something that I could take to closer tracks that cost less. SuMo is the answer! I have a great dirtbike and although dirt riding is fun, the local tracks are cluster-bombs of disorganization and hazards. All skill levels, riding all together, all the time. That's unreasonable IMHO. Sportbike days break into three approximate skill set groups so as to minimize the difference in closing speed, thus making line selection and hazard avoidance much more achievable at normal human mental capacity (something that time is rapidly decaying my opinion of). I am hoping that SuMo days at my local cart tracks are run much more like sportbike days, but time will help me discover that detail too.
Also, I spend a lot of time training for the State. I operate a training site out in Simi Valley, an inland-ish area of Southern California. We, as trainers, are expected to push ourselves to learn more within the industry. For me, getting into a new segment that blends my on-track skills with some dirt skills is just TOO MUCH FUN!!! So I used this bike as I was coaching some of the States Instructors at our Northern California event held at the Little 99 cart track in Stockton. Below are some of images:
Observer station in the background was where other Instructors would learn from Total Control staff what to look for and how to identify coachable opportunities.
By the end of the day, I had discarded the post-apocalyptic no-visor look and was caught providing some feedback to another Instructor.
Following Instructors at their own pace, I needed to maintain form and set good examples on track.
The second day began wet, so I wore my normal track suit that I have an RS Taichi rain-suit that fits over. By the end of the day, I had stripped off the rain suit because everyone was calling me the walking condom. Left my normal track helmet on because I didn't have time to change it out for the dirty-version.
4. So what's in store for the future?
Well, now that I've ridden this beast for a couple of days, put a few hours on her myself, and had a chance to form an opinion, I'm psyched! Even with the suspension in its limited state, I had a BLAST riding this light and nimble frame, and throwing it around with ease was a joy.
I picked up a full-length side stand, and the suspension is on its way back to me from Race Tech right now. I am really stoked to get it back in and sit on the bike at full-intended height!
This is the suspension now that Race Tech have done their work.
Apparently their high-line of shock springs only come in that color. Fine if I were on a KTM, and I could have had it powder coated and re-etched with the spring rate and info, but without the forethought and being in a bit of time pinch to get the work done prior to their year-end, beggars can't be choosers.
The red fork seals though.... I hate to sound like a style snob, but, ew!
January 10th I'm taking the Total Control Intermediate Riders Clinic. Then on January 24th I will take the Total Control Advanced Riders Clinic. These are both classes that I encourage developing riders to take, as they are excellent opportunities to develop more road-speed skills without the hassle of track-prep. Instructors give an abundance of feedback on your riding skills, while riding your own bike. I do this all in preparation to certify to teach the Intermediate course. I'm looking forward to offering that at our site in early 2016.
Following riding the FS570 through all this additional training, I will get this beast out to some of the local SuMo days. SoCal SuperMoto is a local group that does some great on-track training. I will be attending a few of their events. I also hope to do Rich Oliver's Mystery School with a group of other trainers in early 20216. With any luck, then hope to tuck in a trip to American Supercamp either late 2016 or early 2017.
5. In conclusion:
With riding for me, it is always a balance of the length of my honey-do list, how long I can convince my wife and infant I may be away, and what can I afford! Having done some planning, and getting dates and events on the calendar, I can't wait to ride this beast some more!!!
Thanks to this Husaberg Forum for being a strong player in the community, and contributing the knowledge base that mongers of oddball bikes desire. I promise to stop by occasionally for a good read, to share my findings and experiences, and to occasionally play devil's advocate (time and trolls willing).
Cheers to all and a Happy New Year!
Rick Becker
MRE Corp.
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