I am contemplating a change in machinery, again. I purchased the WEC 496 last summer and love it. I do believe that it is the best all around enduro bike made, but catering to faster terrain. Problem is that most of my local riding areas with faster trails have been closed to public access. The trails that remain are tight, rocky, and hacky, in general they are 125 country, as a result I rarely get above 6,000 rpm. I have the Husky 125 (actually I think a buyer is coming for it today), but it has not left the shop since the Husey arrived. I have been waiting for Hbg to make a 250f, but that seems unlikely at this time (and they have poor reliability records). I had thought about making a 380 out of my 496, but that would be big $$$ (new crank, rod, cases, other?). I could put on an auto-clutch, but I hate the clutch kicking out on those 1st gear bum-puckering downhills. I'm even thinking about a trials bike! Sooooo....... I am debating whether I keep the 496 or find an owner can will have even more fun on it. I am not placing it in the classifieds at this time, but am thinking about it. In a way, I am trolling for interest in the 496.
contemplating a change?
- Thread starter tm-enduro
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Joined Nov 2001
17K Posts | 774+
Ely, England
TM
could tweak your nose over this one3 coz i can't agree with your outlook.
first of all you should be considering $$$$$ on your suspension to get what you want. i realise that doing it for free yourself is too much effort but a man who can afford a 496 can afford to have his supension tweaked.
secondly, the rekluse does NOT slip into 'freewheel' on a down hill, the very action of the downhill is that it keepd the revs above tickover therefore the bike can''t freewheel.... i've had my bike freewheel on the flat but never on a hill and most definately not a hill that would worry me.
thirdly, the change to a 380 needn't cost you big dollars, there are people who would like the long stroke in their 450's and would swop with you. yes you would need a piston and linar kit but it's not as much as all that. unless you walk in through the front door with your eyes closed that is!
although you bought mucho bling, you still need to work on your bike to get it to work right.
so i don't share your pessimism. in england you'd be described as a dog with two dicks. i think what you really need is to be poor and then the route forwards is slightly more obvious!
regards
Taffy
could tweak your nose over this one3 coz i can't agree with your outlook.
first of all you should be considering $$$$$ on your suspension to get what you want. i realise that doing it for free yourself is too much effort but a man who can afford a 496 can afford to have his supension tweaked.
secondly, the rekluse does NOT slip into 'freewheel' on a down hill, the very action of the downhill is that it keepd the revs above tickover therefore the bike can''t freewheel.... i've had my bike freewheel on the flat but never on a hill and most definately not a hill that would worry me.
thirdly, the change to a 380 needn't cost you big dollars, there are people who would like the long stroke in their 450's and would swop with you. yes you would need a piston and linar kit but it's not as much as all that. unless you walk in through the front door with your eyes closed that is!
although you bought mucho bling, you still need to work on your bike to get it to work right.
so i don't share your pessimism. in england you'd be described as a dog with two dicks. i think what you really need is to be poor and then the route forwards is slightly more obvious!
regards
Taffy
Joined Oct 2005
935 Posts | 21+
Texas
I'm sure you could sell your Husaberg if that's what you wanted. With all due respect, I'd quit riding before I rode a 125 as my main bike, no matter how tight the trails. One of my buddies son's had a 125 Husky, and it just about sucked the life out of me. I can't think of a bike I had less fun on.
I realize that my 550 is not the hot ticket everywhere, especially tight and technical trails. I wish I had a 450 as well just for those conditions, and for racing too.
Have you ridden a 250 four stroke? They are similar to the 125 two strokes in the fact that you really have to rev them. I don't think they are much fun to ride. I have heard good things about HT Racing's conversion of the new KTM (xcf and xcf-w) 250's into a 315 kit they market. Maybe something like that would be more to your liking. Also, the Katoom 250 four strokes have proven to be very reliable.
I realize that my 550 is not the hot ticket everywhere, especially tight and technical trails. I wish I had a 450 as well just for those conditions, and for racing too.
Have you ridden a 250 four stroke? They are similar to the 125 two strokes in the fact that you really have to rev them. I don't think they are much fun to ride. I have heard good things about HT Racing's conversion of the new KTM (xcf and xcf-w) 250's into a 315 kit they market. Maybe something like that would be more to your liking. Also, the Katoom 250 four strokes have proven to be very reliable.
Joined Feb 2003
3K Posts | 384+
Escondido, Ca. USA
Perhaps the new TM144 may be just the ticket for you. I believe it only comes in MX trim which may make adding lights a problem. You could also take a YZ125 and add an Aethena 144 kit.
My son's modded YZ125 makes good torque. We are running a flat top piston and very high compression.
In any event I would still keep the Berg
My son's modded YZ125 makes good torque. We are running a flat top piston and very high compression.
In any event I would still keep the Berg
Taffy
I disagree with the comment on the auto-clutch. It is not uncommon to get off the bike and bulldog it down a hill, especially when mother nature wrecks the trail and you must "boondock". I agree there is more performance to be had in the suspension arena. I find the constant power to be a delight over 20mph, but it wears on me below 20mph. Please do recall that I am a former AA racer (yes, Im aging and not racing now) with factory support from GasGas and TM on 125s (as well as Husaberg in the early 90s). I know 125s, like 125s, and ride them well.
I already have the 380 piston and liner (to make the 496 from the 550), but would need the crank and rod, and unless I got a custom rod would need the 450 cases (which may be a problem with the modified swingarm area). Additionally, the exhaust header would need to change to the smaller diameter.
I'm 90% sure that I will stay with the 496, it really is a great bike, but maybe someone really wants the 496.
One thing that blurs the picture is that the 125s that I have ridden have had aftermarket suspension / factory (forks), and they simply work better. The conventional Paoili 46mm blue steel forks were magical. Taff is correct, I don't care to spend lots of time doing valving myself, especially when I can get it done relatively cheaply.
Furthermore, imagine a riding area where half the riders (AA included) run trials tires in the rear, and some in the front too. Surely things will be different when the snow melts in the higher trails and the load is dispersed and I can find 3rd, 4th, and 5th gear trails again. Believe me, contrary to what the magazines say, the 2T is alive and well here.
I disagree with the comment on the auto-clutch. It is not uncommon to get off the bike and bulldog it down a hill, especially when mother nature wrecks the trail and you must "boondock". I agree there is more performance to be had in the suspension arena. I find the constant power to be a delight over 20mph, but it wears on me below 20mph. Please do recall that I am a former AA racer (yes, Im aging and not racing now) with factory support from GasGas and TM on 125s (as well as Husaberg in the early 90s). I know 125s, like 125s, and ride them well.
I already have the 380 piston and liner (to make the 496 from the 550), but would need the crank and rod, and unless I got a custom rod would need the 450 cases (which may be a problem with the modified swingarm area). Additionally, the exhaust header would need to change to the smaller diameter.
I'm 90% sure that I will stay with the 496, it really is a great bike, but maybe someone really wants the 496.
One thing that blurs the picture is that the 125s that I have ridden have had aftermarket suspension / factory (forks), and they simply work better. The conventional Paoili 46mm blue steel forks were magical. Taff is correct, I don't care to spend lots of time doing valving myself, especially when I can get it done relatively cheaply.
Furthermore, imagine a riding area where half the riders (AA included) run trials tires in the rear, and some in the front too. Surely things will be different when the snow melts in the higher trails and the load is dispersed and I can find 3rd, 4th, and 5th gear trails again. Believe me, contrary to what the magazines say, the 2T is alive and well here.
For clarification
My post about "trolling for interest" was primarily geared at racers and generally seeing how many folks are really interested in a race bike. Thank you for the PMs that I received regarding my WEC496.
For a couple of years I have been in contact with BMG (actually since they took over Hbg imports) regarding race bikes. I repeatedly suggested that they need a race team with real race bikes, preferably based upon WEC bikes.
When the WEC came to north america it became a good opportunity to get some of those WEC bikes if the race team and BMG could work out a deal. As it turned out, BMG was able to get bikes and offer them to racers, and I got one.
Anyone that has read my posts knows that the WEC496 is an amazing bike. It is everything that I imagined (except not magical suspension, at least compared to other bikes I have ridden). It is perfect for grass track and other ISDE format enduro special tests, it will rage at WORCS events and I think it will hold its own against the 250 2T's in GNCCs, at least when the trail is faster. Believe me when I say that Hbg nailed it with this bike.
When I got the bike I had planned to race it in the ISDE format enduro in our area to get some exposure on the brand. Since then, the riding areas that could host ISDE format enduros have been closed and we are left with HS racing (at 40+ I just don't care to lock bars and bang into other people for 3 hrs anymore) and only the occasional enduro. All the riding areas within 2 hrs are rock gardens (but at least we still have them). It is truly saddening.
I really want Husaberg to win races and for racers to have the right tool to win, hence the post.
My post about "trolling for interest" was primarily geared at racers and generally seeing how many folks are really interested in a race bike. Thank you for the PMs that I received regarding my WEC496.
For a couple of years I have been in contact with BMG (actually since they took over Hbg imports) regarding race bikes. I repeatedly suggested that they need a race team with real race bikes, preferably based upon WEC bikes.
When the WEC came to north america it became a good opportunity to get some of those WEC bikes if the race team and BMG could work out a deal. As it turned out, BMG was able to get bikes and offer them to racers, and I got one.
Anyone that has read my posts knows that the WEC496 is an amazing bike. It is everything that I imagined (except not magical suspension, at least compared to other bikes I have ridden). It is perfect for grass track and other ISDE format enduro special tests, it will rage at WORCS events and I think it will hold its own against the 250 2T's in GNCCs, at least when the trail is faster. Believe me when I say that Hbg nailed it with this bike.
When I got the bike I had planned to race it in the ISDE format enduro in our area to get some exposure on the brand. Since then, the riding areas that could host ISDE format enduros have been closed and we are left with HS racing (at 40+ I just don't care to lock bars and bang into other people for 3 hrs anymore) and only the occasional enduro. All the riding areas within 2 hrs are rock gardens (but at least we still have them). It is truly saddening.
I really want Husaberg to win races and for racers to have the right tool to win, hence the post.
TM,
Thanks for your reply to my PM. It actually sounds like the 496 is NOT the bike for me after all. Looks like a 380 may be in my future.
Thanks for your reply to my PM. It actually sounds like the 496 is NOT the bike for me after all. Looks like a 380 may be in my future.
On a side note, have you looked at this????? It's the scorpa T-Ride.
http://www.scorpausa.com/?trigger=bikes&bikeid=tride250F
http://www.scorpausa.com/?trigger=bikes&bikeid=tride250F
As a matter of fact I have, it does pique my interest. If you ever rode around here, you would understand why BBR can actually sell $12,000+ aluminum framed XR200s.mud400 said:
BTW, anyone (such as Taff) that has ever riddne and fe400 will agree that the fe380 will be a major hit with the 40+ crowd (heck even Dylan and Rickard are riding them!).
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