2010 FE450 Ride Report

On the 17th November I picked up my 2010 FE450 from Bairnsdale KTM. It had been a bit of a mini saga over the last year, but finally it happened. I ran the bike in over the next week on three good rides and had the first sevice performed on the bike on Tuesday.

Yesterday I went out on a really good,long ride. Had an absolute BALL!!! The bike is everything I expected. Don't have much time right now to post a detailed report, but will do so mid week next week.



Cheers

And?

Greetings Fellow Berg Riders,
sorry for the delay in this report - but time gets away from me.

First of all, a bit about myself. I am 53 years old, and although I have been riding bikes since I was seventeen, I am quite new to the off-road scene. A couple of years ago I picked up a KTM 640Adventure to have some fun and explore the Victorian High Country. I was aware it was a big bike but I really needed the range for long day rides. The best thing I did on it was to partake in a two riding course. I learned correct riding positions and the right mental attitude for certain situations. Would like to do a refresher course to sharpen some skills and learn a bit more. I still ride like a gumby.

Anyway the Berg is everything and more than I expected - and I had high expectations. I have been devouring the World Wide Web for information for at least fifteen months. Now as far as handling like a 250, I can not comment on that as I have no basis for comparison. Getting off a 640 Adventure, any of the current 450's will feel light and nimble. A good riding mate of mine had a very short spin on my bike and was very impressed indeed. He rides a Honda 450CRF-X and was really surprised on just how flickable the bike is at low speed. This was one aspect that I like. I am no good at high speed, so I might as well be competent at low speed. I just love the low speed balance the bike has. It is great trying to do low speed trials like moves.

On the few rides I have been on, I have been acutely aware of just how much confidence this bike gives me. I have been saying to myself, I could easily out ride my skill level and find myself in in BIG trouble.

On the 4th of Dec I was out on a great ride with my mate and ended up having the biggest crash I have had in 35 years! At around the half way point, we were going down a narrow trail. Near the bottom of the hill is a short steep pitch bit of snotty trail -loose rocks and rutted as well as slippery. A month or so before, I went down this bit on the 640 and I totally froze, I ended up getting off the bike and walking down the hill. I felt like bit of a 'softcock'.

Anyway, I was determined not to let the hill defeat me again. I was feeling quite good and comfortable and was feeling positive mentally. While going down this bit of trail, I suddenly found myself going much faster than I wanted to. I did not feel safe applying the brakes any harder than I already was (I don't mind using my front brakes down hill). So I thought it best to stay relaxed and ride the bike to the bottom. The Berg was handling fantastically and was starting to make me feel I could get out of this predicament safely.

Unfortunately there was a small tree right across the trail and I barely had time to swear before I hit the tree. I went straight over the handlebars and the bike cartwheeling and landing on top of me. It seems the back of my left leg took the full brunt of the crash. I have had a massive bruise from mid calf to the top of my buttocks. Even now, some three weeks later I find sitting down very uncomfortable. I also sprained my right thumb. I thought I had broken it at first.

Upon first sight it looked like the Berg came off very lightly indeed. It has a few minor scratches on top of the rear mudguard and exhaust pipe. The kill switch was full of dirt and had to be taken apart before we could start the bike to get out of there. Once home I gave the bike a quick look over and it looked pretty good -nothing obvious. Amazingly the wheels were still round with no flat spots on the rim - could not believe that.

Went for a long ride on Thursday -my first since the crash - and I noticed the front wheel is not pointing straight ahead, not by much and is hardly noticeable. However as the day wore on I was not feeling very happy with the way the bike was handling, so I knew there is something more than first meets the eye. Once home, I bounced on the front suspension a few times and it is making some horrible grinding noises from inside the forks. Obviously these will have to come apart now and be checked for damage/bending.

Apart from these dramas it is still a fantastic bike and one that I hope will give me many years of pleasure.

Trevor

Thanks for the informative report and good to see you enjoying the best bike around !

Like others who own FE450s I am quite impressed with the engine. I really love the smooth, linear power. The more you turn the throttle the faster you go. I like the fact it has no power hit and is very easily controlled. I am also very impressed with it's hill climbing ability - it seems all you have to do is keep the throttle on and steer where you want to go and with its nimble handling it is very easy to avoid obstacles on the trail. The bike flatters my riding ability. Once the brakes were bedded in and the rear lever moved to a better position, the brakes are very good. I like their power and feel - very nice.

The FI is impressive. I like the no bog off idle. Makes hill starts and moving off a doddle - just so hard to stall off idle - something I haven't done yet.

The only things that I don't like about the bike are very minor. My biggest ***** is the seat height. Unfortunately I am not blessed with long legs and although I have had the low seat fitted I still struggle with putting both feet down at times. I also find the rear mudguard just a bit high to throw my leg over easily. (by comparison - my mates Honda 450CRF-X it is quite easy to throw my leg over) It is inevitable that when I stop on the trail I have to roll the bike to a more suitable spot to remount. Not really a big deal, just bit of a hassle.

I am hoping the seat foam will soften up a bit as it currently has all the compliance of a block hardwood. I reckon I will be getting the seat refoamed by mid year next year. I don't expect Goldwing comfort on these bikes, but occasionally I do like to sit down to rest on 'transport sections'.

Here is a pic of my FE450:-

trevr
I almost didn't buy a 010 husaberg because of the seat height on the show room floor, I knew it would be alittle better in the dirt but at 5'6' ( I used to be a big 5'7" to many years of riding I guess) 150lbs I didn't think there was any way I could handle one of these bikes.
Glad to say I bought the bike. After three hundred miles I set the suspension up, had to go with a 69 N/mm spring on the rear for my weight instead of the stock 72 . Sag is 95mm not the 105 book recommends but I like it this way you just need to be on the gas hard in the apex of the turn works great.
With the suspension rider sag set to my likeing I also step cut the seat foam about 15mm some guys like the step some don't for a short guy it was a must, I don't sit much only in a turn and I like this setup and I can kind of reach the ground!
Very happy with the bike and setup
have a great ride
Haskell in Idaho

Hi Haskell,

I'm a newbie here and first time poster. I just bought a FE 390 and took it out for a short trail ride today. I'm 5'8" on a good day and 155lbs. I found the seat height a real challenge on single track when things got hairy. I've been reading a bit about adjusting the SAG, but haven't any experience mucking with making those adjustments. It sounds like you've made adjustments that could benefit me as well. I'm wondering whether I need to take it to a shop to swap the for a 69 N/mm spring and set SAG correctly or if it's pretty straightforward? I assume I need to adjust the front shocks too if I make these changes. I've read the manual and it seems easy enough. Is it easy or am I better off taking it to a shop if I don't have experience?

Thanks for any and all advice.
John

If you can follow instructions and work slowly..it should not be very hard to do!!

Go for it!!! The more work you do on your bike, the more you feel the bike belongs to you and you know how to fix problems at a later date when they arise.

The bike is tall. I am 6'6" tall and I still have problems getting on the bike (I have a bad back and it is hard for me to lift my leg that high) - still, it is good for my back I guess to try. I don't have as much of a problem putting my feet down except sometimes on a trail when there is a hole or a spot where I want to put my foot down is lower. I think the remedy is of course to keep your feet up on the pegs and I have been doing better in that regards - usually.

Some things I recommend to make the bike easier to ride:

1) A Rekluse. Makes everything easier - especially going up a hill, but also going down a hill. Either way, you won't stall the bike.

2) Steering damper. Makes technical trails less tiring on your arms and you won't feel like you are fighting the bike as much.

3) LHRB. In combination with the Rekluse, going down a decline, you can use the rear brake easier and use it to control your speed somewhat even if the rear locks up. Because the engine won't stall with the Rekluse you don't have to worry about pulling in the clutch. It may not be good technique, but on downhills I use the rear brake as an anchor of sorts and let the front roll free so I can keep my steering. Of course you can use the front brake lightly.

For Haskell - and everyone else that's the last to know if its raining,

Get in touch with a mob called KTM Newcastle, based in Newcastle NSW Australia. They do a mod to their KTM's where they "lower" it, which could probably be easily applied to a berg. a good mate of mine bought a lowered EXC250 for his missus, and rates it fairly high (considering he's also a berg rider. also rates it as gutless, but hey its a 250). Will get more of the technical details when he calls me back.

EDIT - To lower the front they put on bar raisers & shoved the forks all the way up in the triple clamp. To lower the rear they sent the rear shock off to get a spacer put in it and wound the spring all the way off, and also put a cut down seat on it. They've got one on the floor now thats got smaller wheels on it, too, but my mate stayed with the stock 250 wheels.

I'm going to guess that it costs a pretty penny for the parts, but if the ride hight is too much of a problem it could be an ideal solution.

I rate these guys, too. I've never had any problems with them over anything at all. And they're pretty friendly to boot!

Trev, yeah that seat is a *****. after long rides with too much sitting down it sorta feels like a giant g-string trying to wedge its way into my crack. let me know how that refoam goes!!!!

Re:

trevr450 said:

Here is a pic of my FE450:-

Click to expand...

Hi Trevr450, can you tell us more about your header protector - the carbon akrapovic is extravagantly expensive 8O , it looks like you have an aluminum one? Do tell!

I have fitted radiator guards, case saver and header pipe protector from B & B Offroad. Search http://www.bboffroad.com.au/

I rate their gear as excellent - their radiator guards are superb.