2000 FE400 (new condition)

Hello everyone I'm new to the forum

I have a 2000 FE400 with 89 miles on it that I'm at the crossroads what to do with I'm looking to trail ride with my wife and kids but want a bike that I can still get parts for. I am a mechanic so won't need much support there. Looking for advise on what to do with this bike. My wife and I currently ride and maintain Ducati and Aprilia road bikes and appreciate European bikes and the awesomeness that comes with them.

Thank you for your input

Welcome. You can still get just about everything for these. But you might have to get them from Europe . As for the indended use as a trail bike. It will do it but remember that this is a enduro bike primary . So you should change the oil frequently and it will be difficult to increase range . What I seam to feel after a year ownership of a similar model is that they tend to make you try to go fast all the time . Not a relaxed ride at all.

yes & no

Hello Space and Family.
Well, you sure can trail ride a Husaberg rocket ship. But, you will drive the rest of the world nuts. Few people are amused by a trail rider getting huge air, slamming every berm, sliding every flat corner even at freeway speeds. Your Husaberg isn`t a versatile decent trail bike. It is a over developed race bike. In it`s day, nothing could stay with a hard ridden, well tuned Husaberg. The bike doesn`t know it is not in the Baja 1000, or some crazy Euro race. Forget riding with friends who aren`t better than you. Easy fix tho, cherish your 400 as the jewel that it is. Grab a used KX250F, service it, apply the "mild tune plug" to start with, and have no trouble EVER. The plug is on the steering head, and permits 3 different levels of tune in seconds. Ask Kawa shop which plug yours has. They are color coded.
I got the same model Husa as you. I gave up trail use on it. I like it to much to sell it tho. In fact, I found a tough old Ferrari race piston very close to the OE one. It`s just bigger and lighter. Simple to rebalance the crank to make it work. It will make it 490 cc and another 15 ish hp easy. Why do that when it`s to fast already you ask? Forget trails, it is headed for land speed attempts. Good luck, L

All good words of wisdom I appreciate you sharing your experiences. It's sure a great bike.

Im gonna keep and ride this sweet bike. What should be the first items of concern i should be watching for.

Thank you

89 miles? Hang it on the man cave wall.

you found my bikes twin! just got it a few weeks ago. Im a top 5 novice woods racer and i have always preferred 2 strokes. my cr125 with 144 big bore is my favorite bike to ride. But once i hopped on this 17 year old beast, i couldnt beleive how well it rode. I absolutely love it!!

Agreed. My wife and I ride Ducati and Aprilia road bikes and love the awesome performance of and attitude of European bikes.

must do

Hello again Space, as you asked...
Pull tank, remove petcocks, clean screens - they are blocked. Apply new fuel and overflow lines with proper routing.
Pull carb, fuss over float height - it is wrong. Clean jets, etc. Lube all the cables, correct routing. Service 3 air filters, put two in sealed bags and bring one on long rides. Pull seat to check every few tanks. Grease throttle bits, should be smooth and light.
Grease every frame bearing or pivot, adjust bars so grips parallel with ground. Wash and polish shock with WD40 especially preload threads. Check preload first. It has to be 3" sag with you sitting back a bit. Ditto with forks. For sure it`s time for suspension fluid service. True wheels, consider wheel bearings. Try Dunlop MX52 tires for amazing grip. TKC40 Conti for pretty good grip and long life. Never ride with old OE Pirellis. These are like rock and you will crash fast Husaberg.
Change brake fluid with new DOT4 Motul or ? Clutch might still need mineral oil in that line.
Replace spark plug with proper NGK resistor plug, it has the wrong one. Cap ok? Tug on every poorly done wiring connector, lube every plug in, route wiring a little better. Fight with battery, jammed down there. Fuss over main fuse, 15 amp blade type is correct. Avoid taking cursed start button / kill switch apart. These are use-once crap switches.
Use only ethanol free 91 fuel or better.
Use only real synthetic bike oil. 15-50 and change it every two tanks or so. Only takes .9 L. Filter is easy to get from Husky dealer. They don`t want to know this, so take them the old one to see, and leave it on the counter there, still dirty and oily of course. Treat every rubber frame bit with protectant, tighten every bolt, and so on.
This forum can tell you the rest. Husabergs fix themselves, quality is so good, mostly. Good Luck, L

Ooops

Hi Space. Make that Treleborg tires, re the old rim protectors. L

Love my 2000 fe 400

Thank you so much Ivspeed. excellent maintenance sugestions. Great Forum!!!