'08 FE550 -- OOOO EMMMM GEEEEE

WHAT
A
MOTOR
:cheers:

What
A
Bike

News at 7


Scott

Thanks for reaffirming my thoughts on the 550! (Although, mines an antique). Badass/brutal acceleration yet oh so mild mannered.
Can't wait for the news hour! 8O

sorry no crashes to report....

Went on a poker run for her "break in" ride with my son and a long time friend.
put on a skid plate, my hand guards du jour..new rubber...
MT16 front
MT43 rear
need the DOT, plate is next!

26 miles...middle of the state...dual track some single, but 90% of it was deep soft sand whoops. Wore this old man out
other 10% was rocks etc which I can handle and will take ANY day over deep soft sand whooops

the suspension needs some adjustments, see how close I can get her front and rear with just the clickers...if not, then off to Les at LT Racing....

Now to the Girl.
wow, what an incredible motor.
Rick B in portland had jetted it for the previous owner and it is TACK SPOT ON with the carb and jetting from idle to nose bleed
sharp snap with the revs with just a quick flick of the right wrist....that AK exhaust has a wonderful bark...

I love how I can pick around rocks and single track like my CRF-270x...just idle and putt...bike is WAY lighter than my CRF-270x....wow...just as gentle as can be off idle

Love how the motor is really a two if not three stage set up ...
idle just a smooth as you could wish for...then get the Swede on the main jet and WOOOOOH
the motor is seamless when you are on the throttle....each gear pulls and solid and steady as the previous and never runs out of juice...it just pulls....and keeps on PULLING and I dont care if you are going up a steep hill....the motor just keeps pulling until its time to grab another gear...

there was a couple of farming road connectors at the event...so had the chance to open the throttle up without the sand whooops....
so...open her up and let her stretch her legs....and just go-------WOW what torque--------...eyes watering with goggles, shift..........eyes water more...shift....helium in front tire is pretty kewl.........shift...nose is running now, ears are popping....eyes are really blurry...SHIFT......helmet is whistling.... :bounce:
good brakes too!
what
a
motor....it just pulls from idle to shift point and if you dont want to shift and run in the single track it doesnt care.
jetting is perfect...no flat spots, never flamed out on me, e start is perfect....I did pull the kicker out one time to make sure it pivoted
:mrgreen:
bike goes where you point it, I could see mounting up a damper possibly, but do NOT want to do anything until I get the legs dialed in...first things first.
Stock bars are TOOOOO low for me and my long legs and arms...and have a set of Fastway F3 pegs to open things up a bit.
get my standard tall bars...Pastrana Pro Taper Freestyle bend..5 1/2 inches of rise...good bend...
only complaint...bars too low...and would like the pegs down and back a bit...

other than that...what a machine....handles, flicks, motor of amazingness....
wooo hooooo!

Now its time to get a plate on the girl....

Scott

And now you see what you have been missing :cheers: Too bad you had to get old to figure it out :wink:

I agree completely! The 550 is is my favorite of all the off-road bike I've owned or ridden. It feels lighter than any of the KTM, Yamaha, or Honda 4-strokes I've owned and changes direction with way less effort than the KTM 200XC-W I used to own.

2nd 3rd 100th all the above 550 best bike ever lol
happy 07 fe550 owner

Must say mine is an oldie but a goodie(550)04.
I dont have a need to update anytime soon, when set up right, it turns very nicely, sets up well under brakes into turns, in fact I just love when you are under heavy braking and starting to turn, let the brakes go and she just sits there in a 2 wheel slide and slowly turns tighter into the corner, just love that feeling , also turning in ruts and so forth , tight terrain ,quick directional changes, bloody awsome.
So easy to get to anything on the and around the motor and frame, not much goes wrong if you look after em.


Regards,

Yeah the motor is just pure fun and will do anything you ask at just about any time
Maybe with KTM deep sixing the 70degree they can bring this one back
With
FI


Scott

[attachment=0:2youygpl]photo.JPG[/attachment:2youygpl]

time for the dual sport gear and plate this week...

here she is ready for a bath...

next?

Lithium battery and full lights/signals etc...

Pure
Middle Aged
Silly
Stupid
Grins


Scott

I agree with you whole heartedly. I have an '08 550 too. I have owned an '02 650 and have ridden ALL of the current 4 stroke models and the '08 550 is the bike for me by FAR!

Eveything it does puts a smile on my face and I cannot say that about the curent models and the engine and chassis is much nicer that my 650 was.

Some guys love the new bikes which is great, but for me, it is my '08.