05 450fe or 08 450fe? is the price difference worth it?

I have a choice of an 2005 450 with 1000kms (not many) or a new 08 450. The issue is the $4500 AUS price difference. Has the 08 got that much of an advantage over the 05? are there an issues I should be concerned about with the 05? The 2005 model is in IMMACULATE condition - looks brand new and rode very nice. I'm looking to upgrade from a Honda 250x and like the bergs.

OTTMH the balancer changed and the water pump oil seals and maybe some crank details as well as the bling and fuel tank capacity. Others will know more. For $4500 I'd go the 05 and spend the change on getting the the suspension dialled properly and the ergonomics set to suit. Get an OrangeBerg water pump kit if the seal leaks.

Use the rest to buy us a beer at the Force ride in May at Wallerawang.

Cheers
Steve

with the GST tax credits buying new through business - it brings the price difference to around $3500 ($3000 US approx). Still go the 2005 model?

If you have the money to spend, I would get the '08 without question. The '08 suspension will be better out of the box than the '05 suspension reworked.

All the other upgrades add up as well.

It's hard to say is it "worth" it or not. At the end of the day, dirt bikes are fast depreciating toys, not investments. I say go big and get the '08. You only live once. If it is a matter of budgetary restraint, then the '05 will make you a great bike too.

bang for buck the 05 is hard to beat, id say buy it and ride the wheels off of it, it will depreciate a little more but when the 09 comes out the 08 will lose value quick as it a brand new bike from the ground up rather than a few tweaks that are best appreciated by those that are already familiar with the brand and previous bike models....

but if it was an 04 or earlier it would be a different question in my mind.
05 up has the essence of what a modern berg is.......

The tank is different on the 05 as compared to the 08, it's shape is different, as well as the fact you can bolt up a factory fan kit as the radiator has a place to put in a thermostatic switch too.

The exhaust is also different, the 08 has the Akra system that from what "I" understand is pretty versatile, it can be made quiet for off roading where noise reduction is a responsibility,or the insert removed for a closed course set up. It also has a spark arrestor insert available as well.

Again, from what I understand, the 08's at least here in the states, are coming with the richer jetting as well. Which is the closed course jetting listed in the 05 manual. You'd probably go to that set up at the very least anyway.

I have not kept up on the suspension updates, but, as JohnF3 says the suspension is better. So figure that into your savings as well.

What it boils down to is this, if you have the money for the 08, or the 05. And what are you going to do with it? The 08 is the final evolution of this model and I can't think of any problems that were had on the 07's. There are a few updates on the 08 to consider, like those that were mentioned such as the new water pump seals, but, your countryman Orangeberg seems to have a permanent fix for this.

Are they going to offer you any kind of warranty on the 05, or the 08? I don't like buying used dirt bikes myself, I got burned pretty bad on the first Husaberg I bought, it was supposed to have low hours, it looked great blah, blah, blah. The thing was clapped out, and I ended up spending about $2200 USD in 1996 to go through the whole motor, even the carb slide was worn out from the guy not keeping the air cleaner cleaned. So, unless you know the person who rode that 05, and know them good, it's a crap shoot as to how badly they flogged it and took care of it.

It's only got 621 miles on it and that's very little indeed. I'd have a look at the hour meter on the built in computer. If it's got 25 hours on it, you would think it's just barely broken in. Does it still have the original tires on it? Why did the previous owner sell it?

Sorry, don't seem to be answering your question straight away, just kind of thinking out loud considering all the variables if I was in your shoes. Hope this helps.

Dale

when you mention the 04 or earlier, I am assuming you mean the 04 model, not made in 04? This is an 05 model (but made late 04) purchased new in 06 by current owner who is known to me and it has been babied for 1000kms (600miles). it has bash plate and handguards. Looks new and rides great. Is the suspension that good for the 08 model? I know guys who have spent $1000 on suspension upgrades on 05 model. That brings the two very close. I am 100kg - so will I need spring upgrades on either bike?

cookymonsta said:

when you mention the 04 or earlier, I am assuming you mean the 04 model, not made in 04? This is an 05 model (but made late 04) purchased new in 06 by current owner who is known to me and it has been babied for 1000kms (600miles). it has bash plate and handguards. Looks new and rides great. Is the suspension that good for the 08 model? I know guys who have spent $1000 on suspension upgrades on 05 model. That brings the two very close. I am 100kg - so will I need spring upgrades on either bike?

Click to expand...

Actually the big change came in the 04 model, that's when they started producing them at the Mattigoefen factory in Austria, that's M in KTM if you didn't know. My bike was produced in November of 03, and the austrian factory influence is noticable. Further, that is the year that the Berg's started coming with the FCR carbs and the Kokusan ignitions.

Dude, or Mate as you guys would say. If you KNOW the bike has been babied for the thousand klicks it's been ridden, and she has been taken care of well, buy the 05. I don't know what the aus to us dollar is but take some of that money you saved, and get the suspension done straight away, it's going to be way too soft for you at 100 kilos. The only other thing would be to buy some different brass for the carb. If and when the water pump seal gives you any trouble, your countrymen Orangeberg has the permanent fix for that situation, so no drama's there.

And while you're waiting for your suspension to get done, throw on a good set of new tires with some of that money you saved and keep the take off's for a rainy day. Unless of course it's got brand new ones on it.

Contact Steve in this thread, he and I talked about a fella in your parts that does good suspension work. I think he's held clinics before as well. I liked the way he set things up, used the stock pistons etc, just changed shim stacks if needed, and set up with the right springs. Don't let someone sell you one of those langston springs that are supposed to be good for all weights from 70 to 160 kilos etc... and you just set the static sag at 35mm. That spring will coil bind and break your shock.

The suspension evolves every year. I haven't ridden an 08 yet, but if my previous experience is anything to go by they still can benefit from a revalve. We are doing a suspension workshop at Wallerawang at the Force Ride and taking bookings soon. An 05 can be made better than a stock 08, no worries. Cost will be $290 for service, gas oil and revalve. Parts will be extra, but at a good price. You will need at least a rear spring @ 100kg, probably a 9.2-9.4. You do not need to spend $1000 on suspension. Anyone who does is being ripped off.

We talk about the 04 and later due to them having Keihin carbs and Kokusan ignitions. Some early 04s had ignition hiccups but that seems to be resolved. 04 and later are generally more reliable and easier to get right than their SEM and Dellorto predecessors, and I also think that the frame geometry evolved from the 03s as well. They were also made in Austria which seemed to result in better quality control.

The bottom line is that there are not many changes from 04 on, and those are mostly detail ones only.

Its your call, as its your dollars. Both will be a great ride. If you don't buy the 05, pm me as I know someone who is interested in a good 450.

Cheers
Steve

Yes Steve you are correct, the frame geometry is different, the head angle is one degree steeper on the 04 compared with the 03. I can't believe I forgot that!!

Those are very reasonable prices for the suspension work as well.

thanks - I'm waiting on info back from seller regarding tyres. New Maxxis on the rear to sell. He may have put new tyres on to sell. Basically guys I go riding with, some with Husabergs and some not have told me about this bike and the way it was ridden. I has hardly been used. The guy hasn't ridden much because young kids started playing sport and he bought his first road bike - finds it easier and quicker to go for a road bike ride and less chance of injury is the theory. I don't think it's been used for around 8 months and therefore he only used it for a few months. 12 months registration too.

I guess all I'd really want to know in addition is that the oil was changed often.

Steve

I'd say the oil was changed often. By his other gears condition, etc.

steve said:

The suspension evolves every year. I haven't ridden an 08 yet, but if my previous experience is anything to go by they still can benefit from a revalve. We are doing a suspension workshop at Wallerawang at the Force Ride and taking bookings soon. An 05 can be made better than a stock 08, no worries. Cost will be $290 for service, gas oil and revalve. Parts will be extra, but at a good price. You will need at least a rear spring @ 100kg, probably a 9.2-9.4. You do not need to spend $1000 on suspension. Anyone who does is being ripped off.

We talk about the 04 and later due to them having Keihin carbs and Kokusan ignitions. Some early 04s had ignition hiccups but that seems to be resolved. 04 and later are generally more reliable and easier to get right than their SEM and Dellorto predecessors, and I also think that the frame geometry evolved from the 03s as well. They were also made in Austria which seemed to result in better quality control.

The bottom line is that there are not many changes from 04 on, and those are mostly detail ones only.

Its your call, as its your dollars. Both will be a great ride. If you don't buy the 05, pm me as I know someone who is interested in a good 450.

Cheers
Steve

Click to expand...

you make good points steve, most people get ripped on revalving I ran a combination of settings since my old 05 550 race bike and i must say the suspension has got better since and ive only changed springs, im 110 kg and the 06 650 for some reason switched to .42 fork springs standard which need stiffening but i only added one .44 in one leg to give me .43 thats the bike i rode at Finke 2006 with 92-250 rear spring top 80 finish, i found at 160 kmh the small hits hurt when i got tired thats when you need to revalve for special occasions because its so extreme ie FINKE, at hattah on my 07 force bike the one you seen at louee i ran 44. forks and 92 shock and after 2 hours i was hurting, but thats the same as Jarrod Ewin ran on the same bike at finke 2007 that year and climb top 8th before his crash, you met him at louee hes 20 years younger and fit.
overall the suspension on a berg is dialed at the more agressive rider and valved heavier as when i rode KTM in 2004 i have springs in the worksop that i cant use now 97.250 im down to an 88.250 on the rear now because im so unfit but im going to Bega NSW for the first round of the AMCROSS next w/end in o/35 s class come down and say g/day,
ORANGEBERG

Hi John,

Ahh, AMCROSS. I did the full series a few years ago and in 05/06 organised the Cooma rounds. Generally considered to have been excellent tracks, and frustrating for me because I designed the tracks and got 3 laps in and all the **** being Clerk. Stepped back last year from the Club and with the new bike decided to do the full AMCROSS and other stuff. Hurt my back in Feb and blew my knee up in April basically stuffed last years racing, but even with 2 months away overseas still got almost 100 hrs on the bike.

Coopers Gully is a great NT venue, the FSC Club normally run a great event so you should have a good time. I can't make it as I have a couple of other committments this weekend. Even the Cooma round in April is double booked. I'm helping get it set up the previous weekend, but I have prior a committment to DSMRA to assist with the Kowen 2 day ride which will also be a top event.

I almost think I'm over racing, but I love nothing more than a brisk trail ride with good company!

Cheers
Steve

PS
Not sure why you'd change springs if your weight doesn't change. I'm 118 geared up with all my ballast on the trail and use a 9.7 rear and 46 up front and ride all day without a blister appearing on the hands. Its all in the valving.