2010 FE450 Ride Report

On the 17th November I picked up my 2010 FE450 from Bairnsdale KTM. It had been a bit of a mini saga over the last year, but finally it happened. I ran the bike in over the next week on three good rides and had the first sevice performed on the bike on Tuesday.

Yesterday I went out on a really good,long ride. Had an absolute BALL!!! The bike is everything I expected. Don't have much time right now to post a detailed report, but will do so mid week next week.



Cheers

Greetings Fellow Berg Riders,
sorry for the delay in this report - but time gets away from me.

First of all, a bit about myself. I am 53 years old, and although I have been riding bikes since I was seventeen, I am quite new to the off-road scene. A couple of years ago I picked up a KTM 640Adventure to have some fun and explore the Victorian High Country. I was aware it was a big bike but I really needed the range for long day rides. The best thing I did on it was to partake in a two riding course. I learned correct riding positions and the right mental attitude for certain situations. Would like to do a refresher course to sharpen some skills and learn a bit more. I still ride like a gumby.

Anyway the Berg is everything and more than I expected - and I had high expectations. I have been devouring the World Wide Web for information for at least fifteen months. Now as far as handling like a 250, I can not comment on that as I have no basis for comparison. Getting off a 640 Adventure, any of the current 450's will feel light and nimble. A good riding mate of mine had a very short spin on my bike and was very impressed indeed. He rides a Honda 450CRF-X and was really surprised on just how flickable the bike is at low speed. This was one aspect that I like. I am no good at high speed, so I might as well be competent at low speed. I just love the low speed balance the bike has. It is great trying to do low speed trials like moves.

On the few rides I have been on, I have been acutely aware of just how much confidence this bike gives me. I have been saying to myself, I could easily out ride my skill level and find myself in in BIG trouble.

On the 4th of Dec I was out on a great ride with my mate and ended up having the biggest crash I have had in 35 years! At around the half way point, we were going down a narrow trail. Near the bottom of the hill is a short steep pitch bit of snotty trail -loose rocks and rutted as well as slippery. A month or so before, I went down this bit on the 640 and I totally froze, I ended up getting off the bike and walking down the hill. I felt like bit of a 'softcock'.

Anyway, I was determined not to let the hill defeat me again. I was feeling quite good and comfortable and was feeling positive mentally. While going down this bit of trail, I suddenly found myself going much faster than I wanted to. I did not feel safe applying the brakes any harder than I already was (I don't mind using my front brakes down hill). So I thought it best to stay relaxed and ride the bike to the bottom. The Berg was handling fantastically and was starting to make me feel I could get out of this predicament safely.

Unfortunately there was a small tree right across the trail and I barely had time to swear before I hit the tree. I went straight over the handlebars and the bike cartwheeling and landing on top of me. It seems the back of my left leg took the full brunt of the crash. I have had a massive bruise from mid calf to the top of my buttocks. Even now, some three weeks later I find sitting down very uncomfortable. I also sprained my right thumb. I thought I had broken it at first.

Upon first sight it looked like the Berg came off very lightly indeed. It has a few minor scratches on top of the rear mudguard and exhaust pipe. The kill switch was full of dirt and had to be taken apart before we could start the bike to get out of there. Once home I gave the bike a quick look over and it looked pretty good -nothing obvious. Amazingly the wheels were still round with no flat spots on the rim - could not believe that.

Went for a long ride on Thursday -my first since the crash - and I noticed the front wheel is not pointing straight ahead, not by much and is hardly noticeable. However as the day wore on I was not feeling very happy with the way the bike was handling, so I knew there is something more than first meets the eye. Once home, I bounced on the front suspension a few times and it is making some horrible grinding noises from inside the forks. Obviously these will have to come apart now and be checked for damage/bending.

Apart from these dramas it is still a fantastic bike and one that I hope will give me many years of pleasure.

Trevor

Like others who own FE450s I am quite impressed with the engine. I really love the smooth, linear power. The more you turn the throttle the faster you go. I like the fact it has no power hit and is very easily controlled. I am also very impressed with it's hill climbing ability - it seems all you have to do is keep the throttle on and steer where you want to go and with its nimble handling it is very easy to avoid obstacles on the trail. The bike flatters my riding ability. Once the brakes were bedded in and the rear lever moved to a better position, the brakes are very good. I like their power and feel - very nice.

The FI is impressive. I like the no bog off idle. Makes hill starts and moving off a doddle - just so hard to stall off idle - something I haven't done yet.

The only things that I don't like about the bike are very minor. My biggest ***** is the seat height. Unfortunately I am not blessed with long legs and although I have had the low seat fitted I still struggle with putting both feet down at times. I also find the rear mudguard just a bit high to throw my leg over easily. (by comparison - my mates Honda 450CRF-X it is quite easy to throw my leg over) It is inevitable that when I stop on the trail I have to roll the bike to a more suitable spot to remount. Not really a big deal, just bit of a hassle.

I am hoping the seat foam will soften up a bit as it currently has all the compliance of a block hardwood. I reckon I will be getting the seat refoamed by mid year next year. I don't expect Goldwing comfort on these bikes, but occasionally I do like to sit down to rest on 'transport sections'.

Here is a pic of my FE450:-

If you can follow instructions and work slowly..it should not be very hard to do!!

Go for it!!! The more work you do on your bike, the more you feel the bike belongs to you and you know how to fix problems at a later date when they arise.

I have fitted radiator guards, case saver and header pipe protector from B & B Offroad. Search http://www.bboffroad.com.au/

I rate their gear as excellent - their radiator guards are superb.