06 FE450E make a good dual sport???

RickCJ7 · Jan 26, 2011

I sold my Suz DR650 and I'm looking for another bike.
Found a 06 FE450E.
I don't want any worse on the street but a lot better in the dirt.
I like to take day trips 50-100 mile street and 50 mile or so offroad and then back.
Will DSing a FE450E be a good idea?

berger · Jan 26, 2011

Might be good 90/10 or 80/20 dirt/street. Your looking at way to many road miles. No cush hub and only a 1 quart oil capacity.

RDP501 · Jan 26, 2011

berger said:
Might be good 90/10 or 80/20 dirt/street. Your looking at way to many road miles. No cush hub and only a 1 quart oil capacity

And don't forget that very hard, narrow seat!

I had ideas about using the '96 FE501 I bought new for a dualsport but gave that idea up real soon. I do have a plate for my '05 FE550e but prefer my DRZ400S for any genuine dualsport riding. The only reason to have a street legal 'Berg is to connect trails. Sustained high speed riding can potentially suck up a lot of motor oil, not to mention how your butt will feel. I once rode about 135 mostly road miles on my FE501 and spent the latter part standing up to give my rear end a rest.

steve · Jan 26, 2011

What Berger said, sage advice as ever.

I have a DR650, http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=646076 as well as a 98 FE501 and 07 FE650. They are chalk and cheese, although with the suspension conversion and FCR the DR is better than ever, its still heavy and slower, but smooth and comfy, has an all day 700 km range with the 38 l tank, and I change the oil at 3-4,000 kms rather then 5-7 hrs. The DR is the ultimate do all/anything, but the Berg, especially the 650, is for laughs and the bush.

I suspect that right now, if I could only own one bike, it'd be my DR, and if you'd asked me that a few years ago, I'd have laughed at the suggestion :roll:

Steve

KustomCandy · Jan 26, 2011

I've done a 500K round trip on my 04/5 450. And yes your A** feels it. Not to mention the Vibration thro the bars!
I did it of course on Full Knob tires and left the bike untouched as I ride it for off road (Stock gearing, stock suspension settings). With all my camping gear strapped to the back..... Literally.

It can be done, But its a pain.. A one off maybe... If I was to do it again, I'd go a 650 or KTM..... Bias towards the 650, if safe to do so.

I now have a boat trailer ready to convert over for the hauling around.

Dan

The_Force · May 13, 2011

I had this horrible vibration through the bars @ constant speed. :?
I know fitted a cush hub and changed gearing from 15/48 to 15/45 it is smooth as butter now at constant speed. Riding the bike with the cush hub is like floting on a fluffy cloud both on tarmac and dirt roads.
One of the best upgrades i have done to this bike after the supension upgrade.

Pepole are always debating wether you need it to protect the gear box,
but no one talks about the comfort factor in using a cush hub.
I say people should get it for the comfort factor. :cheers:

Regards

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06 FE450E make a good dual sport???

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