450 OR 550?

ClarkKent · Mar 8, 2005

I'm about to upgrade my 2000 FE501E to a 2005 model. Question is, do I go down in size to a 450 or up to a 550?
Keeping in mind that I am approaching 40 and only ride on gravel roads & snotty fire trails (ie single track, rocks, fallen trees,hill climbs,- the usual stuff etc),
I need to know off current 450 & 550 owners what the power/torque characteristics are for these bikes are?. The 501 was a good all rounder in that it could tractor up hills but still rev hard & fast when needed.
I once!!! rode a WR426 in overgrown forest for a mate who had given up in a ball of sweat. I offered to ride over a few fallen trees and around "wait-a-while" vines for him. With a cable clutch & peaky power, I got stuck on every tree root and ended up just as buggered as he was. After that I swore never even think about buying a bike like it. The 501 could idle over obstacles with ease and therefore I don't need the extra power of a 550 but I don't need a 450 that is a peaky as a 426.

husabutt · Mar 8, 2005

It was a real tough decision for me but I went with a 05 FE450. I started big 600, then 470 and now a 450. I wanted to be able to toss it around a bit if I felt like it and it does feel very very light. You don't give up that much power I think and the trade off, power vs. fast handling works for me. It also builds revs pretty quickly which helps offset the lessor amount of torque. The smaller displacement Bergs can generally go further between scheduled maintenance than their big brothers too.

If only smoking all other bikes down a long straightaway will do get the 550 and rule the flatland.

ajt · Mar 8, 2005

I got the chance to ride both the 05 450 and 550 FE, and the 450 would not be described as peaky. It had a real nice spread of power, as much as anyone really needs short of the BAJA 1000, just not as much on tap as the 550, not say it is weak just that the 550 has some real power!!!

MAW · Mar 8, 2005

We have three Husabergs in the family, a 470, 550, and a 650. We chose these bikes in part as a concession to our size and weights, all three run fairly evenly when we're side by side. My middle son is 6'3" weighs 180 and has the 470. I have a 550, weigh 250, and am 6'5". My eldest son is 6'7" and weighs 300, he has the 650.

We swap back and forth some on a given weekend and all of us tend to prefer the 650. It can be ridden in a much more relaxed manner, you can ignore a shift here and there, the torque just pulls it through. Usually the people we hear talking about too much power are the lighter weight (<160lb) riders.

The one concession I make to the 470 is in starting, it is much easier to kick thru.

Regards, Mark

BundyBear · Mar 8, 2005

ClarkK - Good to see a 'bergite nearby. Yours wouldn't be the bike on ebay, would it?

You are aware of the big changes in the donk that happened for 2001? Many would argue the 2000 is the bees knees. It would seem most of the probs introduced got sorted by '04 though.

ClarkKent · Mar 8, 2005

I knew when I asked the question I'd probably get replies that would make it even harder to decide.
Bundy (fellow Hunter Valley Bergite) Haven't advertised it yet. My brother (Ex KTM rider) is interested. Your right about the 2000 model - touch wood in the 5 years of owning it nothing has gone wrong with it - except the usual damage done with the occassional get-offs. I just regularly service it and replace all broken items straight away.
Husabutt, I owned a '96 FE600E - damn thing nearly killed me, especially coming from a Yamaha TT600. The 96 600 had way too much horsepower in the tight stuff, but great for blasting down long gravel trails. Ended up selling it due to many problems with the starter sprag clutch plus the new look 2000 model looked to good to pass up

Cheers Mark aka ClarkKent

wildbill · Mar 9, 2005

After checking out the 05s at a dealership today this is what I noticed. The 550 feels basically like a 501, maybe a shade lighter and the 450 feels lighter still. If I understand it right if you can handle a 501 you should be alright on a 550. The 450 is for more tight stuff and is supposed to handle like a 250. The problem I have is after I checked both of them out is I like both of them. Proably muddied the water more than before but it might shed some light on the subject. Good luck.

dsducati · Mar 9, 2005

I agree, hard to fault the old 501. I'm on my fourth one. When I give up my 03 501 I'll go with a 550. Having ridden the smaller Berg, I couldn't help thinking if only it had more low end torque. I like to be able to lighten the front end in any gear for whoops yet have relatively smooth power. The 550 I bummed a ride on was a bit more abrupt than the 501, but I believe I would adapt to it in the tight stuff. Of course if I rode tight stuff all the time, I might think different. There are times when I am asking for a little more from my 501 (high speed sand whoops) and a 450 would be going the wrong way. Of course some guys get a feeling of satisfaction from riding the pants off a smaller bike and not having to exercise so much throttle control. So.....it's rather a personal preference.
Dan

jmumme · Mar 9, 2005

Can't say much for a 450.. But, I will say that being 40, 170 and 5'7" that I would have no problem attacking the woods on my 04 550. It's feels light and flickable. If you ever wanted to dual sport you would use the motor less than a 450. The gearing is perfect in my opinion for every situation. There's always more on top when needed and it's really nice smooth power. I have raced mine 90 miles twice and don't even have a blister to show for it. Very nice ride..
For what it's worth.. Your on the right track!
John

ajt · Mar 9, 2005

450 or 550. blondes or brunettes. It is all about personal preference. I think I would like to have both.

Splat · Mar 9, 2005

if you like the power of your 501, how will you feel about losing some of it, especially the low end grunt?

If you can honestly say, "I don't need all the power." Then get the 450. If you really enjoy the power of the 501, get the 550 so you won't feel disappointed.

ClarkKent · Mar 10, 2005

Some interesting points fellas. If I'm hearing you right, the 450 isnt well hung in the torque department. I've gotten pretty attached to torquey bikes over the years - past dirt bikes were a XT550, KLX650 & TT600 & currently own a Honda VTR1000F road bike (twin).
In saying that I don't need anything with stump pulling power of a FE650 because I used to own a '96 FE600 and found that the bottom end power
was ample or too much in some cases. To give you an example, coming into a blind corner on a loamy firetrail, you can back off on a 501, slide into the corner and open the throttle as soon as you can see where the track is heading. Because it has a smooth bottom to mid power transition, you have already straightened up before top end bark comes. Do the same thing on the FE600 and it use to hook up mid corner, lift the front end and you'd be joining the wildlife in the scrub. :shock:
This is why I posed the question in the first place. I cant get to demo the new bikes in their intended environment - a lap around the block on bitumen from the bike dealer somehow doesn't cut it. :wink:
Basically I want to get a new 'Berg as mine is over 5 years old. If they still made the 501 I wouldn't have had a second thought about not getting another one. I just need to make the right choice as I will be also be keeping this new one for another 5-6 years.

Thx

Mark / ClarkKent

nsman · Mar 10, 2005

Mark,
The fe550e is the one you want

ClarkKent · Apr 5, 2005

Thx for the comments, just purchased an '05 FE550E. What a hoot. 8O

Taffy · Apr 6, 2005

good man :shock: :shock: :shock:

you're so 8) 8)

Taffy

FinMoto · Apr 6, 2005

Complimenti

450 OR 550?

Help Support Husaberg:

ClarkKent

husabutt

ajt

MAW

BundyBear

ClarkKent

wildbill

dsducati

jmumme

ajt

Splat

ClarkKent

nsman

ClarkKent

Taffy

FinMoto

Similar threads

Register CTA

Recent Discussions

Recent Discussions