2005 or 2006 FS650?

I've been trying to decide which supermotard to get and have finally decided another Berg would be best over an Aprilia SXV550. This way I always have spares :wink:

I would like to get an FS though I've seen some good FE's around.

The two FS's that I'm thinking about are a 2005 and a 2006. Both are C's which I guess will cause a problem with lighting because of the lower capacity stator. Well my '08 FE650's light is not much more then a match so as long I stick around the city and near burbs I'm not worried.

I freakin' love the blue frame and mostly yellow body work on the '05.

I have two questions.

Which of the FS's will most likely be less problematic?
I thought there was a main bearing upgrade in '06 though I've read someone blew that bearing on their '06.

I am also sizing up a low mileage '06 FE650. My thinking is I order a set of motard wheels, a brake mount, and upgrade the brakes (shorten the kickstand also) to make it a supermotard. I will also probably have to get stiffer fork springs. Plus if I do get serious about enduros and heading out west I've got a spare bike. Either way I guess I have a spare bike. Switch out the forks, adjust the rear shock, change the front brake and presto chango, it's an FE.

A supermoto is another great city bike and one I can take to the track when my friends go (Road raced previously but more interested in getting into the woods. ). I know my FE rips in the city I can imagine how hectic it would be with better traction, ala supermoto. The FE will be for off road and city winters while the FS will probably cost me my license during city summers forcing me to the track.

Of course my friends think I'm nuts for wanting to have two of the same bike but when you're hooked, you're hooked. The FE is a Swiss army knife that does everything well but midwest tarmac (flat open highways- Iowa to Illinois was a killer as a hurricane blew itself out on me as I was bringing her home from Boise.).

Thank you for your informed opinions on which and why.

Cheers!

I was at the shop that worked on my Ducati looking around to see what they had to offer when I started chatting with one of the saleman. The shop had carried Aprilias previously but not for two years.

I mention to the salesman that I want to pick up real supermotard not one of the oversized wannabes, e.g. Hypermotard, KTM Supermotard, and say I have been thinking about the SXV Aprilia.

Well, talk about chance, he won two AMA Supermoto Championships on a SXV550. He talked in detail about the bike and that he had no problems with his bikes but that he had heard of the sealant issue. He did recommend staying away from the SXV450 because it lacked the power for my size, 210 lbs.

If I love a bike I don't mind dealing with the problems that may arise. I believe the fun you have is often times proportionate with the problems that follow. I hope against it but... reality is reality.

Anyways Taffy, stay away from the SXV's is your recommendation.

We don't have '08 or '07 FS's (that I know of) State side so the newest FS I could pick up is an '06. I just am not sure if the there is a big enough difference between the '05 and '06 650 engine to favor one or the other.

I'm going to guess the fun and pucker factors will be much higher on the FS vs the FE on the street.

Thanks for the opinion.