As posted last week, I got my 09 FE450 a week and a half ago and finally got out for my first real ride today.
I honestly dont know where to start with this bike report. I feel like I have been drinking too much of the Berg Kool-Aid but the bike is truly amazing!!
I am 6ft tall and am a svelte 200lbs (LOL) dry and the bike fits me perfect. I left the bars in the stock #2 position and it was OK, but #3 would be better for me. I would probably like a slightly taller bar, but not much taller than stock.
I am embarrassed to say but I didnt check the sag or anything. I just met up with 2 buds this morning for a mid-week trail ride. One guy has an 08 200XCW and the other has an 08 CRF450X. We all were dieing to compare the 3 bikes.
We pulled out and hit the single track and all I can think is, "Man, this thing feels light" but I havent ridden in a few weeks and am just not sure if it was the kool aid talking or if it really is that light feeling. It really does feel like a 250F but with more power. It does not feel like a 450 woods bike.
The bike totally rails through the twisties and the front end sticks the ground like velcro. Into the whoops, I really notice the chassis as my 08 FE450 would always get squirrelly in the same section before I put a Scotts damper on it. The 09 FE450 (bone stock) tracks way straighter than my 08 with the damper and resprung suspension. The suspension is on the firm side and for little guys it may be too stiff, but I am leaving it alone for now. The firm suspension adds control in the whoops. I might have to take a couple of clicks out for the rocks though. You could do some club MX with this bike.
The EFI works flawlessly. There really isnt more to say. Hit the button and it fires up. There is no 4 stroke bog no matter how hard you whack the throttle. There is absolutely no hit in this motor. I did flame it out once on the trails, but it fired right back up when I hit the button. It seems decent on fuel, but I dont have enough time on it to reach a judgement. My buddy with the CRF went on reserve and I still had lots of gas left.
It actually "feels" slow but my buddy with the 08 CRF450X says he cant reel me in on the straights and the guy with the 08 200XCW didnt say anything as his helmet was full of our roost. It isnt the fastest 450 on the block, but for woods use, it is a great mill. The 13/52 gearing is spot on for my riding.
My 2 buddies both rode it and they couldnt believe how nimble the bike felt in the woods. My one buddy is a Euro bike "Hater" and he even said he loved it.
As you can tell, I really, really like this bike. The only thing I can fault with it is the paint that KTM uses on the side covers for the clutch and mag. After 85kms, the paint is 50% worn off the cases. Very poor paint on the motor. I think I might pull the covers off over the winter and strip the paint off them altogether and polish them up like chrome.
My only other complaint is that the rear brake seems grabby but the pedal was too high out of the crate and I didnt bother to lower it. Once I lower the pedal, I will revisit this complaint.
I know I will get flamed for this but the bike is almost too quiet. It sounds like a sewing machine when sitting idling in the parking lot. I wish it had a bit more bark than it does. It sounds like a corked up WR250F. I have an Akrapovic muffler on my 08 FE450 and it sounds good and only blows 92dbs. Berg offers an Akra for the 09 but it is crazy expensive. Maybe an FMF Q4 would add a bit of bark and still keep it under 94dbs?
All and all, this is one super bike. Anyone who gets a chance to ride or better yet, buy an 09 Berg, is in for a pleasant surprise.
I honestly dont know where to start with this bike report. I feel like I have been drinking too much of the Berg Kool-Aid but the bike is truly amazing!!
I am 6ft tall and am a svelte 200lbs (LOL) dry and the bike fits me perfect. I left the bars in the stock #2 position and it was OK, but #3 would be better for me. I would probably like a slightly taller bar, but not much taller than stock.
I am embarrassed to say but I didnt check the sag or anything. I just met up with 2 buds this morning for a mid-week trail ride. One guy has an 08 200XCW and the other has an 08 CRF450X. We all were dieing to compare the 3 bikes.
We pulled out and hit the single track and all I can think is, "Man, this thing feels light" but I havent ridden in a few weeks and am just not sure if it was the kool aid talking or if it really is that light feeling. It really does feel like a 250F but with more power. It does not feel like a 450 woods bike.
The bike totally rails through the twisties and the front end sticks the ground like velcro. Into the whoops, I really notice the chassis as my 08 FE450 would always get squirrelly in the same section before I put a Scotts damper on it. The 09 FE450 (bone stock) tracks way straighter than my 08 with the damper and resprung suspension. The suspension is on the firm side and for little guys it may be too stiff, but I am leaving it alone for now. The firm suspension adds control in the whoops. I might have to take a couple of clicks out for the rocks though. You could do some club MX with this bike.
The EFI works flawlessly. There really isnt more to say. Hit the button and it fires up. There is no 4 stroke bog no matter how hard you whack the throttle. There is absolutely no hit in this motor. I did flame it out once on the trails, but it fired right back up when I hit the button. It seems decent on fuel, but I dont have enough time on it to reach a judgement. My buddy with the CRF went on reserve and I still had lots of gas left.
It actually "feels" slow but my buddy with the 08 CRF450X says he cant reel me in on the straights and the guy with the 08 200XCW didnt say anything as his helmet was full of our roost. It isnt the fastest 450 on the block, but for woods use, it is a great mill. The 13/52 gearing is spot on for my riding.
My 2 buddies both rode it and they couldnt believe how nimble the bike felt in the woods. My one buddy is a Euro bike "Hater" and he even said he loved it.
As you can tell, I really, really like this bike. The only thing I can fault with it is the paint that KTM uses on the side covers for the clutch and mag. After 85kms, the paint is 50% worn off the cases. Very poor paint on the motor. I think I might pull the covers off over the winter and strip the paint off them altogether and polish them up like chrome.
My only other complaint is that the rear brake seems grabby but the pedal was too high out of the crate and I didnt bother to lower it. Once I lower the pedal, I will revisit this complaint.
I know I will get flamed for this but the bike is almost too quiet. It sounds like a sewing machine when sitting idling in the parking lot. I wish it had a bit more bark than it does. It sounds like a corked up WR250F. I have an Akrapovic muffler on my 08 FE450 and it sounds good and only blows 92dbs. Berg offers an Akra for the 09 but it is crazy expensive. Maybe an FMF Q4 would add a bit of bark and still keep it under 94dbs?
All and all, this is one super bike. Anyone who gets a chance to ride or better yet, buy an 09 Berg, is in for a pleasant surprise.
