Will an FE650 kill me?

I have a choice to make. I need an enduro. Most of my riding will be on gravel roads, and salt water beaches, some trail riding.
I have a brand new 06 FS650C, never rode it yet but getting to that soon enough.
My off road experience is min. I got my first "real" dirtbike this spring, took it to my job in the arctic and rode it ALOT. Mostly technical stuff, tight trails. It's a KDX220R. It's at my jobsite- stays there. I found it had good power, wheelies were easy, seemed to be the right bike for making your own trails or when the places got tight and tech. but lacked top end when the spaces opened up. Found some great fishing holes...
So I have the chance to buy the mate to my 650SM same everything just for the dirt...for obvious reasons it would be nice to have a matching set. It's brand new, same guys that sold me my moto, and its a really good deal. So why not buy it?
1. it's a lot of bike...and I am not sure if it's a good idea given my offroad experience.
2. it's a beautiful and expensive bike and not sure about the salt water...and crashes...
3. a little nervous about having two potentially mechanically intensive machines...
3. I am in love with the Duke 990R and I can't have everything...
So my options are buying a used dirt bike and passing on the 650 or just admitting i will have way more use out of the enduro than another road bike and buying it.
There's a bundle of 2 strokes around CHEAP, and a nice deal on a low hours 525...
Opinions? Suggestions? Insults? Cheers!
I guerss I should add I have lots of on road experience and own ZX9R so I do have some throttle responsibility...(most times)

Treat it with respect and it wont be an issue, I was tempted to go for a 650, but as I am using mine as a race enduro bike, and very little (slim to none) open road stuff, I went for the 450.

I came from an 02 KDX220R (KDX - 450 EXC - 300 EXC, and now the lovely FE450), and that bike is for a lack of better word - lethargic - compared to the even the 450...it's a whole new ballgame...but fun!

Rgds

/J

you answered your own question with point # 1

You can trail ride a 650 with a measured throttle and get around just fine but this motor wants to be used. Unless you like to push yourself and get on it a 450 or 550 would probably be easier and more fun to ride. The 650 is a handleful and is best appreciated by someone who likes to grab one.
Pollo

x2 what pollo says

If death comes knocking at least you'll pass on with a big smile.

The 650 is more at home riding big open desert/sand trails. Maybe not so great for tight technical riding in the woods.

Motorcycles dont kill people.....cars do :wink:

Actually people kill people!

With a controlled throttle hand the 650 is huge fun, but if you are not fully in control, you will be out of control faster than you can blink.

For bush work, 1-3rd gear I'd suggest its too much for the inexperienced. I only let people I know who know what they are doing ride mine and I delight in their bulging eyes and grins afterwards. Mine makes a 525 feel doughy and flat and a 450 like a 125.

Not for the inexperienced in tight going, as it could amount to suicide.

On the other hand, for more open terrain and if you can control the right wrist you may survive and enjoy it.

I find that riders who learn on small bikes tend to have a heavy right wrist, generally treating the throttle as a switch, ie on and off, whereas you need to ride a big four stroke with some subtlety.

Steve

Go the 650 I reckon..completely different to ride than the FE550 I must say. Constraint makes for a better rider ( when you dont fall off you can ride more often ) :lol: . The 550 snaps the power on like a 2 stroker I've found, but the new 650 has alot broader rev range with all the power coming on later. You can always get better later whilst you get used to it.

Ride on... :wink:

650 kill someone? nahh its a toy

this thing does sound like its going to eat you but all it does is spit dirt all over everything :twisted:



seriously a freind of mine just got hit by a car on his rmx almost lost his leg, severed to the bone and only 3mm away from a big artery agree with above its dem cars dats the trouble.

regards
Bushie

It's not the bike or the speed that kills, it's the crash.
I'd keep a finger on the clutch lever in tight stuff if I tried a 650...

Ok thanks for the help. I am not an ***** and it sounds like if I take my time and pick my rides it will be fine. It's mainly on road in winter around town, and then to get to the beach and then 50-100 kms of wide open beaches and 10 X that many logging roads.
So hows it crash and how does it hold up to the salt water/sand use? As soon as I finally get my 650C on the road I will get quite used to the throttle. I started it to charge the battery the other day while on a stop over enroute to home and man what an animal. I can't wait to finally ride it.

Dont know about the 650, but I flipped my 550 doing standup wheelies last week in 6th gear at 120km/h & only had to replace the bars & the number plate holder. ( & most of my right ar$e cheek ) I'll save you the photo's of my cheesegrated clacker :lol:

gnasty :shock:

I know its OTT but CHECK OUT WILDMANS SHED!!! phwoar! and isnt that another Berg sidestand I see at the bottom right?

Cool s#!t !! I love sheds, allways something cool tucked away.

Azza.

Ya no kidding I was thinking now here's a man who knows where his priorities are...I also have a problem of not bieng able to sell anything...My girlfriend just recently told me "You are NOT allowed to start collecting motorcycles!!!" Haven't decided if I am going to be single and collect motorcycles (I haven't heard a motorcycle nag me yet) or try and find a sort of balance in between. On topic if thats all that happened at 120 kms/hr I guess Bergs crash pretty damn good.

At this point I just want to thank my tolerant partner in life. 25years and never less than 2 bikes in the shed. I love her for that and more (I know she'll never read this so s'ok) :lol:

Drifting off topic here, but oh well......

My girlfriend brought me (us) a GPZ1100 B2 back in 1982 in a successful attempt to get me to propose. 25 years married this year and still going strong. She had a DT175 at the time for herself to commute on and my road and race bike was always in the shed, and the seat was single too. A CB500 Honda 4 with 750 pistons and carbs, Dunstall exhaust, Yoshi rods and CR gearbox, Ceriani forks with a 4LS front brake, shed built monocoque chassis made up of the original steel frame cut and shut with alloy sheet attached for the tank and seat hump, tapered rollers for the swing arm pivot, Ah, the memories.......

Who is your best friend when you have a broken right wrist and left shoulder and want to go to pee? My wife.

In the meantime,

REASONS WHY MOTORCYCLES CAN (AT TIMES) BE BETTER THAN WOMEN
Motorcycles don't get pregnant.
You can ride a motorcycle any old time.
Motorcycles don't have parents.
Motorcycles don't whine unless something is really wrong.
You can share a motorcycle with friends.
Motorcycles don't care how many others you have ridden.
When riding, you and your motorcycles get there at the same time.
Motorcycles don't care how many others you have.
Motorcycles don't care if you look at others.
Motorcycles don't care when you buy motorcycle magazines.
If your motorcycle goes flat, you can fix it.
If your motorcycle is too loose, you can tighten it.
If your motorcycle is misaligned, you don't have to discuss politics with it.
If you swear at your bike, you don't have to apologise before you can ride it again.
You can ride your bike as long as you like, and it won't get sore.
You can stop riding your bike as soon as you like without it getting frustrated.
Your mother won't stay in touch with your motorcycle after its gone.
Motorcycles don't get headaches.
Motorcycles don't insult you if you are a bad rider.
Your motorcycle never wants a night out with other motorcycles.
Motorcycles don't care if you're late.
You don't have to shower before you ride your motorcycle.
You can ride a motorcycle the first time you meet without having to take it out to dinner.
The only protection you have to wear when riding your motorcycle is a helmet.
You can talk openly about what a great ride you had.
You can have pretty much any colour and type of motorcycle and bring it home to your
parents.

Steve

Lol i like that one Steve good stuff! How is the recovery going? Hope all is well
Regards Pids