I am not sure if this has been done, but I thought I'd post my thoughts on the 2 bikes. A little background first.
I have owned an 01 520 since spring of 01. This has always been a bit hard to turn, but the motor has always been magic. I have been riding and racing 4 strokes since long before they were 'the thing' which means that I am used to riding the torque, instead of worrying about how well the bike revs out. I also have always been one of those riders that rides through a bikes quirks, rather than fuss with the little details. So, even though the 520 always handled a bit odd, I simply adjusted and learned to ride it like I stole it.
After 7 years on that bike, it finally came time to get something else. I did a demo ride last spring on 3 Husa's(380, 450, and a 550) courtesy of Kurt and Dave at the Bike Barn. That was enough. I now have about 6 hours on a new 08 FE450, and I have a few thoughts on the difference between it and my 01 520.
The Husa handles amazingly well, it is sooo much easier to turn, it has caught me off guard a few times now, with me actually missing corners by turning in too much, and getting inside the line(trail/enduro, no motocross). I have not had much occasion to rev it out, as it is still breaking in, and as I said, I like torque. I can tell that were my 520 started to sign off, the 450 is really starting to sing.
There is definetely an adjustment getting used to remembering which gear I am in. This was simply a non issue with the KTM, as there was never such a thing as being in the wrong gear. I have stalled the Husa a number of times from being a gear too high, or missed a hill from being a gear too low. Not that it does'nt have any torque, but it is certainly not on the same level as the 520. I've no doubt that once I am fully adjusted this will not be an issue, but for sure the 520 made me a 'lazy' rider in that regard.
There is also a huge difference in the amount of engine braking. Not a big deal, but something that needs to be compensated for. I suspect that this will increase corner speed in time, but at first it made for some hairy fast missed corners...
Tires. Ok, what the heck are they thinking putting those crappy 6 days DOT tires on the bike? I'ts not street legal, and does not even have lights.( Headlight switch behind the number plate, but no lights?).After about 1 hour of riding, I switched to a new M5B that I had just put on my KTM. What a huge difference. I still have the stocker front, but I promise to wear it out quickly so I can justify a S12 as soon as possible.
Suspension. I think once it breaks in fully, it will be super slick. As stated above, I tend to ride through issues rather than make any ajdustments, but this feels pretty good out of the box.
'Extras. I have never been taken by 'Bling', but I must admit that the little adonized pieces, polished hubs, and basic fit and finish do add a nice touch to what appears to already be a well made machine.
In summary, this is going to be a fun, fast bike. I think I may keep the KTM as a play bike, as the electric like engine is a grin machine,and it has a dual sport kit for connecting trails. After I adjust to the Husa, I may not like it anymore... Time will tell, but I've no doubt that the Husa will produce faster lap times, all else being equal. I did get a plate for the Husa, no problem at the Oregon DMV.
Brn2rde
BatteryStuff.com
I have owned an 01 520 since spring of 01. This has always been a bit hard to turn, but the motor has always been magic. I have been riding and racing 4 strokes since long before they were 'the thing' which means that I am used to riding the torque, instead of worrying about how well the bike revs out. I also have always been one of those riders that rides through a bikes quirks, rather than fuss with the little details. So, even though the 520 always handled a bit odd, I simply adjusted and learned to ride it like I stole it.
After 7 years on that bike, it finally came time to get something else. I did a demo ride last spring on 3 Husa's(380, 450, and a 550) courtesy of Kurt and Dave at the Bike Barn. That was enough. I now have about 6 hours on a new 08 FE450, and I have a few thoughts on the difference between it and my 01 520.
The Husa handles amazingly well, it is sooo much easier to turn, it has caught me off guard a few times now, with me actually missing corners by turning in too much, and getting inside the line(trail/enduro, no motocross). I have not had much occasion to rev it out, as it is still breaking in, and as I said, I like torque. I can tell that were my 520 started to sign off, the 450 is really starting to sing.
There is definetely an adjustment getting used to remembering which gear I am in. This was simply a non issue with the KTM, as there was never such a thing as being in the wrong gear. I have stalled the Husa a number of times from being a gear too high, or missed a hill from being a gear too low. Not that it does'nt have any torque, but it is certainly not on the same level as the 520. I've no doubt that once I am fully adjusted this will not be an issue, but for sure the 520 made me a 'lazy' rider in that regard.
There is also a huge difference in the amount of engine braking. Not a big deal, but something that needs to be compensated for. I suspect that this will increase corner speed in time, but at first it made for some hairy fast missed corners...
Tires. Ok, what the heck are they thinking putting those crappy 6 days DOT tires on the bike? I'ts not street legal, and does not even have lights.( Headlight switch behind the number plate, but no lights?).After about 1 hour of riding, I switched to a new M5B that I had just put on my KTM. What a huge difference. I still have the stocker front, but I promise to wear it out quickly so I can justify a S12 as soon as possible.
Suspension. I think once it breaks in fully, it will be super slick. As stated above, I tend to ride through issues rather than make any ajdustments, but this feels pretty good out of the box.
'Extras. I have never been taken by 'Bling', but I must admit that the little adonized pieces, polished hubs, and basic fit and finish do add a nice touch to what appears to already be a well made machine.
In summary, this is going to be a fun, fast bike. I think I may keep the KTM as a play bike, as the electric like engine is a grin machine,and it has a dual sport kit for connecting trails. After I adjust to the Husa, I may not like it anymore... Time will tell, but I've no doubt that the Husa will produce faster lap times, all else being equal. I did get a plate for the Husa, no problem at the Oregon DMV.
Brn2rde
BatteryStuff.com
