07 550 or 650

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sethro

Joined
Oct 17, 2006
Messages
254
Location
Flagstaff Az.
Hello all

I have desided to get a Burg, I now have a TE 610 and love the motor, it is a tourqe monster and real fun to ride, BUT when the pace pics up it is just to darn heavy, I live @ 7000 feet so a normaly powerfull bike does not feel fast up here. What do you guys think about the 2 Bergs as far as handling and performance, fun factor, and has anyone rode a TE610 or with some one? How does it compare in the power department??

Sethro
 
What type of riding do you do? Tight singletrack? High speed jeep trails? 48" quad trails? Dual sport? What?? Are you a casual rider or a racer? Whats your skill level? Just a little more info please. :thumbup:
 
tight single track- not much, every once in a while
high speed jeep trails yes
baja once a year, would love to leave those factory honda's in the dust
I am a b plus rider, been riding dirt bikes for 22 years
might race once a year
love big power of a long stroke moter

Sethro
 
My opinion.
The 650 is not an ideal tight singletrack bike. It is an excellent choise for higher speed riding. It is also really fun to play on and fairly forgiving.
If you want a serious go fast bike and tend to do alot of tight single track the 550 is the way to go. I have owned both. The 550 seems to be much quicker and has a better grin factor. The 650 is actually a funner bike for me to ride due to the gobs of torque it produces. 550=fast. 650=fun. The 550 can do it all, as well as do it all brutaly fast. For me the choise would be another 650 if it were not for all the singletrack I ride. They tend to get hot and are a handfull in the tight stuff. If not for the singletrack it would be 650 all the way.
I am currently riding a 496.The 496 seems to be an excellent singletrack weapon although I do miss the grunt of the 650.
 
wow the Bergs are easily 50 lbs lighter then the TE-610, probaly 60 lbs lighter. you will love that. the Husabergs are short stroke big bore motors they rev faster and spin up in power, not deep torque of a long stroke motor like the KTM exc bikes, dont know the Honda bore stroke ratios to compare. The bergs ride light n FAST, wide ratio trannys with tall stock gearing.....they are so smooth and electric in the power band with not a huge hit, but they get going very fast before you know it.

Sounds like you like the power, go for the 650, just don't run it in the summer on tight trails , but for jeep trails....Big grin factor. The 550 is no slouch either
 
Sethro

If you ride single track, go with the 550 as Berger said. The 650 will work, but it will work youover as well. The 550 will just plain work well everywhere. Its the best bike in the berg stable, bar none.
 
At lower altitudes a 450cc bike would be plenty big & powerful for trail use but if you plan to use the bike on a regular basis at high altitudes (7000 feet) I would recommend a large +600cc engine so you're not short changed in available power department.

A Husaberg would make for a good choice as they are one of the lightest 4stroke bikes on the market, 113kg dry if I'm not mistaken.
 
Go the 650, my 05 650FE handles only ever so slightly worse as my 02 400FE in the tight. I find my 650 less demanding in the tight as i can keep it in third (using clutch instead of changing gears) and keep momentum, corner speed and torque it around everywhere. This seems to be a minor trade off for the small gyroscopic effect the 650 has over my 400 ie have to tip in only slightly more. I love the power everywhere and the fact i dont have to rev the arse off it all the time like i did my 400.

Once you get out in the open whether it be hardback or the deepest soft sand you can find she gets to like a warp speed in no time. It has a slight vibration that some people dont like, but i dont seem to notice it until I am going warp speed ie over 140kms or 150kms. I run 16/45 but if i was to race on a smaller enduro type track scenario i would run 15/45. So far mine has been a great bike with a huge grin factor as well as a huge power factor. It has done 3800 kms so far trouble free and starts no worries on the button. I use Amsoil MCV 20/50 changing every 500kms and oil filter every 1000kms.
The only downfall so far is Tyres, Chains and sprockets as the 650 loves to chew all of them hahahhha :p
 
faktor said:
starts no worries on the button. I use Amsoil MCV 20/50 changing every 500kms and oil filter every 1000kms.
Click to expand...

Hi faktor,
I dont want to turn this into an oil thread, but why the Amsoil? Doesnt seem to be commonly available around here, is there a specific reason for using it?
 
I like the Amsoil MCV 20/50 weight as it has better wear properties opposed to the Motul 300v Competition 15/50 i used to run in my 400. I really dont think you can go wrong if you use any high quality motorcycle oil, Amsoil, Motorex, Motul and change it regularily.

What do you think?
 
faktor said:
I like the Amsoil MCV 20/50 weight as it has better wear properties opposed to the Motul 300v Competition 15/50 i used to run in my 400. I really dont think you can go wrong if you use any high quality motorcycle oil, Amsoil, Motorex, Motul and change it regularily.

What do you think?
Click to expand...

What you said is all good. :)

Good to hear the 650 is still putting a smile on your face :thumbup:
 
I'm sure I'll catch some flack for this but it sounds like you might be happier with a KTM 525. Bergs rev much faster than the big KTMs. The only downside is the closer ratio tranny in the KTM isn't as well suited to open riding as the Berg or "old school" Husky.

As far as weight, if you have an E-start 610, the Berg or KTM will be WAY lighter. If you have the kickstart model, they will be 10 to 20lbs lighter depending on the models compared. My FE650e weighs like 255lbs, my '02 520SX-245lbs, and the '00 TE610 weighs like 265, but it feels like a much bigger difference and the Berg has the button.

Like you, I love the slow revving big torquey feeling of the 610 motor, and the super wide ratio tranny, but they are kind of heavy feeling. You might try to find a clean '01/'02 TE570, they weigh like 260 and supposedly have tighter handling.
 
thanks everyone for the replys
I think I am leaning towards the 650, only because of the high altatude here in Az. not to mention it being a monster, he he, I had a 525 and did not like the slow reving motor, guess the Hussy is the perfect beast! I have a 4000 mile 05 950 to sell first then I am on my way to a o7 650. Any one want a totaly pimped out 950????
Seth
 
Get the 650, you won't regret it. I have had no overheating issues & I ride trails mostly. Great hillclimber!
 
Sethro,
Where at in Az.? Being from Phx. I can recommend the fan kit on whichever bike you decide on.
 
I am up here in flag, won't need it up here
, thanks for the thought though
Sethro
 

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