05 FE650E Vs 525EXC

c337b · Oct 5, 2006

Looking at a 05 KTM525EXC Approx 7,200 US 550 miles on it or Husaberg 05 FE650E Approx 7,500 US 1000miles on it. Which to buy????
Which bike is more reliable with less maintenance costs. Do either have any bad reputations?? KTM dealer 40 minute drive Husaberg dealer 80 minute driven

Thanks

Frank

supertireguy · Oct 5, 2006

Not an easy decision. They're both sweet bikes and have basically the same maintenance needs & costs.

Both bikes have good reputations.

Good luck but you won't really need it as either bike will be good fun. The 650 will have the most power.

Satex · Oct 5, 2006

Two veeerrry different bikes, imo. However, to answer your questions, reliability should be about equal, which is to say very good. The maintenance requirements will be close to each other also.

I've had the KTM 525exc, and it's a sweet bike. Resale will be better on the Katoom. My suggestion is, given the essentially equal prices and other attributes, to carefully choose the one that best suits your riding.

c337b · Oct 5, 2006

Satex You say veeerry differnent bikes. Whats the difference. Just getting back into riding after 20yrs. Last bike 1984 RM500 Want a dual sport so I can ride it on the road to the trails.

fryguy · Oct 5, 2006

Where and what type of riding do you do?

whosahberg · Oct 6, 2006

my FE650E is 2 years old 200 hours of neck snapping fun

the 650 is the way to go 8)

Scouser · Oct 6, 2006

I had 525 very nice machine. i now moved to older Fe 501. my husaberg is far superior on the trails to the KTM. the KTM are too expensive for what they are . Have you road tested both machines? I rode the 501 and had to have it!! But i think that if you do not want to race, the 650 will be too much power for trail riding. The KTM is more popular so easier to get breaker spares! Enjoy which ever bike you end up on!

kayteeem · Oct 6, 2006

I had a 525 for a little while, fantastic bike, cant knock them at all. Had one ride on a Berg 550 and bought it for the fun factor. My brother had a 525 for 3 years and swore that orange was all he ever would buy. I lent him the berg for a ride in the bush over a weekend, and when he returned it he had 2 bergs on the ute... he was impressed... they are built for fun and lots of it. He also would not knock the 525... great bikes.
As for a 650 now thats going to be serious power... most likely too much for real trail riding.
test ride both if possible

c337b · Oct 6, 2006

fryguy said:
Where and what type of riding do you do?

I plan on riding old logging roads. I want something to ride from the house to the trails.
I might ride 5 to 50 miles to a trail ride and come out in another spot and ride home on the road. Comfort worries me We have been doing 2-3 hr rides I am riding a 1997 Yamaha XT350 Its like sitting on a couch. Like the bike but the throttle is pinned all the time. Motor isn't going to last that long.With the bigger cc bike I can cruise along and if I want, try and pin it and see if I run out of road.

Frank

Johnf3 · Oct 6, 2006

c337b said:
fryguy said:

Where and what type of riding do you do?

Click to expand...

I plan on riding old logging roads. I want something to ride from the house to the trails.
I might ride 5 to 50 miles to a trail ride and come out in another spot and ride home on the road. Comfort worries me We have been doing 2-3 hr rides I am riding a 1997 Yamaha XT350 Its like sitting on a couch. Like the bike but the throttle is pinned all the time. Motor isn't going to last that long.With the bigger cc bike I can cruise along and if I want, try and pin it and see if I run out of road.

Frank

Honestly, you're looking at the wrong bikes. Neither the KTM or the Husaberg make good dual sport bikes, even if they are easy to get a plate for. They are true racing motorcycles, and thus require the maintenance of such.

You need to be looking at the KTM's with the LC4 motors, a true dual-sport type of bike that can easily stand up to the type of riding you are doing.

Both my KTM and Husaberg are street-plated motorcycles, but they are far from dual sports. The plates are there to be legal in connecting single-track trails and to avoid harrassment from the law when doing so. I'm talking very short distances on the road, a few miles is all.

If you're talking more than that, you won't be happy with either the Husaberg or KTM.

Satex · Oct 6, 2006

c337b said:
Satex You say veeerry differnent bikes. Whats the difference. Just getting back into riding after 20yrs. Last bike 1984 RM500 Want a dual sport so I can ride it on the road to the trails.

Maybe I implied too much difference. Either bike is light years different from your current ride, but the enormous power of the 650 'berg is not for the faint of heart if you're riding offroad. The huge power of the 525 is also a handful offroad. There...the difference is enormous vs. huge.

Seriously though, I just doubt that many of us are man enough to handle the FE650 when the going is tight and/or technical. Also, I agree with John that neither bike makes a great dual sport, unless you're talking 98% dirt and 2% street. Given the fact that comfort is important to you and that the seats on these things were designed by sadists, it's even more apparent that these bikes aren't your best choice.

BTW, let us know how you like the FE650.

c337b · Oct 6, 2006

I understand about the maintenance issue. I don't mind wrenching. Checking valve clearence etc, not a problem. I like dirt. You must carry licence and insurance and get permits to access privately own logging roads. The only road riding will be getting to and from trails, . yes it could be up to 50 miles plus I would by jap rocket if I was going to ride the road for a second bike.,

It would be nice to get on a bike for the weekend and try it to see if you like it. That doesn't happen up here where i live. I basicly have to find someone and pin up a check on the wall and say let me try it If I break it i'll buy it.

That why your input is great Please let me know all the pro's and con's

Hate to spend 10 grand to find out I made a mistake

I loved my 1985 RM500. I use to ride it wide open it the woods.

Frank

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05 FE650E Vs 525EXC

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