Best Berg for Trail Riding?

R

r7css

Joined Mar 2003

31 Posts | 0+

UK

Discussion Starter
• Feb 15, 2005

• #1

Hi Guys,

Does anyone use their Berg for Trail Riding in the UK.?

What is the best size engine, i was thinking of a FE400. Have seen some 470's for sale and wondered if these would be too powerful. Is the 470 an FX model and are they much different to the FE's.

Keeping my FE650 for Road use.
Appreciate any views.

Thanks
Colin

 

Taffy

Joined Nov 2001

17K Posts | 774+

Ely, England

• Feb 15, 2005

• #2

colin

i think the 470 would be better than a 400 as it'll grunt it's way around. the 400 needs a high gear all the time. my ideal green laner would be a 400 with a '53' cam fitted. rips up trees without being silly!

the 470 came as a "FC470/6" which is a cross country machine with no leccy boot and 6 speeds, no alternator. also as a 'cross country' FC470e and FX470e. both with the leccy boot and alternator. the first-the FC470e has a CR 6th gear. the later-a standard 6 speed. the FX has the 18" rear wheel. the last two, the FC470e and the FX470e can be converted to road bikes.

regards

Taffy

 

R

r7css

Joined Mar 2003

31 Posts | 0+

UK

Discussion Starter
• Feb 15, 2005

• #3

Cheers Taffy...........interesting.

The 470 i'm looking at has an electric start and an 18" rear wheel, the guy mentions a wide ratio box, that may be the CR box you mention.
Must be an FX470e then i guess.

The 470 would not be too powerfull.?

Could be worth pursuing then........

 

R

r7css

Joined Mar 2003

31 Posts | 0+

UK

Discussion Starter
• Feb 15, 2005

• #4

Correction, that would make it an FC470e.?

 

R

r7css

Joined Mar 2003

31 Posts | 0+

UK

Discussion Starter
• Feb 15, 2005

• #5

Would an FE501 be too powerfull for trail riding.?

 

L

logjump

Joined Jun 2001

1K Posts | 10+

Troutdale, Oregon USA 2005 FE550e

• Feb 15, 2005

• #6

I love my 501 in the tight trails. It makes very smooth and manageable power.


Logjump

 

R

r7css

Joined Mar 2003

31 Posts | 0+

UK

Discussion Starter
• Feb 15, 2005

• #7

Thanks Logjump, a 501 sounds just the ticket.

Would you say its tractable and easy to ride on the trails.?
How do you find the suspension, not too firm.?

Thanks.

 

H

Hakan

Joined Nov 2001

138 Posts | 3+

Long Beach, CA

• Feb 15, 2005

• #8

THe 501 is great for trail riding, The first gear is very low so personally I use the 2nd alot even in very tight terrain.

Hakan

 

R

r7css

Joined Mar 2003

31 Posts | 0+

UK

Discussion Starter
• Feb 15, 2005

• #9

Guys,

What year 501's do you have.?

thanks

 

R

r7css

Joined Mar 2003

31 Posts | 0+

UK

Discussion Starter
• Feb 15, 2005

• #10

Would a 2002 FE501e be ok for trail riding.?

 

L

logjump

Joined Jun 2001

1K Posts | 10+

Troutdale, Oregon USA 2005 FE550e

• Feb 15, 2005

• #11

My bike is a 2002 fe501 and yes, it is extremely tractable and I have always loved the supple suspension. I weigh 195 US pounds.

Log

 

Taffy

Joined Nov 2001

17K Posts | 774+

Ely, England

• Feb 15, 2005

• #12

r7

there is othing novice or forgiving about either the 501 or the 470. BTW a mate has raced both and says the 501 is a lot torque-r.

if you are in anyway a novice i suggest that you buy a 400 or don't go husey at all.

regards

Taffy

 

R

rustie

Joined Dec 2004

76 Posts | 0+

Thousand Oaks, Calif

• Feb 15, 2005

• #13

Naw,
Ya gotta get an FE650. It will out torque anything out there. If you wanna cross a stream dry, just grab a little throttle and the front wheel jumps over a 20ft wide stream with ease.....ESPECIALLY with a 140 x 80 Terraflex on the rear. Can you say TRACTION ??? 8O 8O 8O

 

R

r7css

Joined Mar 2003

31 Posts | 0+

UK

Discussion Starter
• Feb 16, 2005

• #14

Not a novice Taffy,

I already have 2 MX bikes and used to race years ago, been riding for 25 years on and off. I'm a competent rider but not quick.

Colin

 

R

r7css

Joined Mar 2003

31 Posts | 0+

UK

Discussion Starter
• Feb 16, 2005

• #15

I already have a FS650e with both sets of wheels, suspension and brakes etc. The 650 is overkill for muddy, slippery rock trails in the UK.....

 

wildbill

Joined Dec 2002

759 Posts | 0+

western NC

• Feb 16, 2005

• #16

Personally a lot depends on your ridding style. I myself ride a 96 FE501 witch has a smaller front sprocket that does me fine. All of them sit basically the same so a try out for you should be in order to be certain of witch you like the best. Hope this sheds a little light on the subject. Good luck.

 

7

70marlin

Joined Sep 2003

312 Posts | 0+

02FX470E with fe light Kit. USA, MI

• Feb 16, 2005

• #17

I ride a 02 FX470E in tight woods and it works fine. My son rides a 03FE400E both bikes work very well in the tight & open stuff. The 400 has to be rev'd a little more and it has a plusher suspension.

 

R

r7css

Joined Mar 2003

31 Posts | 0+

UK

Discussion Starter
• Feb 16, 2005

• #18

Thanks guys, good info....

Sounds like the 400 to 501 size would probably be best.
Have you bikes been reliable.?
My 03 FE650e has been pretty good.

70marlin,

You say the 400 has to be revved harder, does that mean its gutless at the bottom (off tickover).? or pulls ok but not very hard.? It sounds from your comments that the FX supension is a touch firmer than the FE's.?

Colin

 

7

70marlin

Joined Sep 2003

312 Posts | 0+

02FX470E with fe light Kit. USA, MI

• Feb 16, 2005

• #19

I wouldn't say it’s gutless. The 400 has bottom end, it's just the 470 has major grunt. I'm a 230 lbs rider. The FX suspension is considered a MX suspension, the FX bike I was told that's it was designed to be a Hare scramble racer, and the FE is a full blown enduro set up. Also I feel that the 03 fe400 would be a more reliable bike. My 470 has already had a major failure. My sons 400 has been flawless.

 

wildbill

Joined Dec 2002

759 Posts | 0+

western NC

• Feb 16, 2005

• #20

The FX model has basically the same type of supension as the FC and the FE is not supposed to be as stiff. A smaller engine has to be reved higher to get the same amount of power for climbing and such.