comparison new berg vs 300 smoker

Its not totally fair to compare the new Berg against a new 300 smoker. I love my Berg but it's really hard to hide the fact that's it alot heavier compared to the 2-strokes. I'm a much faster rider on my FX450 compared to my 250XCW but in the really tight stuff you do notice the weight. Would I switch back to a smoker because of it; probably not right now. Maybe ask me after this years hare scramble race season I might have a different opinion but for now it's my FX450. Last week I got to ride a 2011 Husky WR300, Gas Gas EC300 and my bike back and forth for about 6 hours and I only really started to notice the weight when we were riding down some pretty steep technical hills. That was about the only place I was faster on the smokers. I could off the brakes better and throw the bike around a little better. Other then that I was smoother and faster pretty much everywhere else that day.

I have an '01 trail prepped CR250 in my garage too (heavier flywheel, big tank, skid plate, etc). Concur with the prior post - you can't touch a smoker on technical downhills. In that scenario a 2 stroke feels more like a video game than a motorcycle. You can get crazy aggressive, it just does no wrong. I call the CR my 45 hp mountain bike.

The problem with 2 strokes is traction - or lack of it. It is kind of fun for awhile to ride a snappy 2 stroke, and I did for years (500cc ones too - talk about traction issues) - but I would not want a smoker as my only ride.

I like the solid sound and power of 4 strokes. The 'Berg is a dream machine. It has some 2 stroke handling qualities, yet it is a 4 stroke. I thought I was going to have to wait until dirt biking in heaven to experience this.

One thing that was very clear to me from switching back and forth between the two smokers and my berg was the stability. At speed the 2 strokes were really tichy and all over the place and my Berg was just super stable, when the trail opened up I could ride my FX450 WAY faster then I could on the 300's. I'll take the stability over little weight everytime!!

Next year I might try racing the new 350XCF and hopefully it will have a good mixture of both.

This has been my hang up for along time.. Grew up on 2 strokers and love the weight and the squirrelliness of the 2 stroke but the new Bergs seem to be the closest to making an offroad machine that has combined the two with weight and balance of a 2 stroke that makes the two worlds come closer together than ever before. The Bergs are a very impressive machines. IMO, The new Bergs are the new leaders in offroad design for overall race ready and weekend warriors alike in one machine.. Great job Husaberg! :bounce3:

As a woman who rides a Husaberg 450 I get so tired of the whole "weight" issue with four strokes vs. smokers. Heck I don't have to carry the bike over my shoulder! I love the power and control of my Berg and hate the twitchiness of 2 strokes. Yeah they have the pull my arms off hit but I'm not a pro rider and lets face it, neither are most folks. But I sure can tractor through the mud better, shoot up hills, and sound and look way cooler.

No stinkin smoker girly bike for me!

I own a 2011 KTM300XC and a 2010 Berg 450FX. I like them both, if you ask me I think it depends on the type of terrain you ride on.

Glenn141 said:

I own a 2011 KTM300XC and a 2010 Berg 450FX. I like them both, if you ask me I think it depends on the type of terrain you ride on.

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Glenn here is a very lucky man. Ideal to have both! The 2 stroke comes out after it rains, without fail. When the traction is abundant, the 2 stroke is the most fun one can have on a dirt bike. I like the 4T when conditions are typically less ideal or when doing the high mountain rock garden thing.

Sometimes I just want to ride the quick handling bike and hear the snap crackle pop and other times I crave the relentless hooked up pull of the 4T. It really is fun to hop back and forth.

In the end though, when the chips are down and I wanna haul a$$ or I know I am in a hard core race or ride with the fast group, I take the 2T. No denying it, I am faster on the old CR250 than I am on the 'Berg. Part of that is the CR is an old and inexpensive bike. I really am not interested in cartwheeling my nice FE450. The other part is that it is easier to ride the living hell out of a 2 stroke. I would so love to have a 'Berg TE250 to go with my FE450. Spent some time on a friend's new GasGas 300 - love it for the burly low end, but the less powerful and less spinning engine mass 250s I have ridden are so darn "tossable" and "wring outable", making them even more "2 stroke like" for this rider. It is all good

Something else what made me thinking.

Into what direction is the big end turning?

I can instantly lift my 390's frontwheel faster compared to the one of my RMZ450.

Is this because the big end turns towards you? Could also be the suspension?

I had an 08 KTM 450, then went to a 2010 KTM 300 and now to a 2012 570 Berg.

The simple facts are that:

In every area the 4 stroke gets more traction.
The 4 stroke wieght and inertia helps you 'plow' through rock gardens and rough stuff where the 2 banger will deflect a fair bit.
The 4 banger is easier to ride harder for longer and is less tiring.
The 4 bangers are easier to ride if you lack some experience. I could ride my 300 at 99% pace of my 450 over all terrain and probably 105% on really tight singles but it is harder to do so and requires more rider inputs and control.
Engine braking helps most poeple during cornering as they are more forgiving with general braking.
Awesome on tar roads and long fire trail sections.
FI - no need to mess with jetting or A/S adjustments.

The 2 bangers are a ball 2 ride, the engines on the new Bergs/KTM's are so versatile and relaibale it's not funny.
They do feel much lighter to pick up, especially when compared to the 4 stroke Bergs with their high crank mass.
They are much more nimble and flighty and can change direction really quickly.
The new 300's have heaps of torque when set-up properly.
They are more tiring to ride fast and hold onto when on the pipe, but the sound and feeling will make you smile from ear to ear.
Mixing and carrying oil IS annoying.
They will never tractor like a 4 banger through the slop, a good rider may mask the weakness in this area with his skill, but, like for like, when it gets slippery it's 4 banger territory.
Very easy to work on but are susceptible to jetting and air screw changes to keep them at their best.
They suck to ride on the road and long fire trail sections.

Either are great bikes, it's just depends on your skill level, what you want out of a bike and the sort of terrain you normally ride. As long as you make an informed decision you'll be sweet, there's nothing like a test ride though.