FC 501 -vs- YZ400F

s-10s_rule · Jun 3, 2006

Hey, I bought a FC 501 and only got to ride it for about ten minutes, and I didn't get a good feel for the power before the bottom end bearings went out. I previously owned a 1999 Yamaha YZ400F and I loved it, just wondering if the Berg is gonna deliver the power of a YZ before I put quite a bit of money into fixing it. It seemed about as stout to me as the YZ but got progressively slower, I think it is because the bearings were locking up at a relatively slow pace, until it started clacking terribly while I was idling across the yard, and I never ran it since. But I tore it down that night and the top end looks great, just almost every bearing was shot, and sixth gear is missing a tooth on the main shaft. Sorry I make such long posts, but I just want to paint a clear picture, if possible. Just curious, thanks for reading.

JoeUSA · Jun 3, 2006

What year and model is it, how much did you pay for it, is the guy still around, will he give you your $ back, if he won't then why did you buy it if he wasn't willing to give you some kind of guarantee??

Oh yeah, did you check to see if it had any oil in it???

Joe

Bobzilla · Jun 3, 2006

If you have a properly running 501, it will make a yz400f feel like a scooter :twisted:
IMHO the 501 is the BEST motor make for a motorcycle. it has plenty of grunt but the top end rush is amazing. a pre 2001 is even better. the harder you run it the better!
If you got the money do the whole motor and you will be suprised. the grin per $ raito is high!

Huskyfatman · Jun 3, 2006

I'm sure I'll catch some flack for this but I would give the nod to the YZ simply because they are bullet proof. Sure the 501 is lighter and more powerful, but only when it is running or is that "properly tuned". For the record I bought a '00 426 and hated it because I was used to Husky four strokes. I replaced it with a KTM 520, which preformed well but but when it smoked a bearing at the sand dunes less than a year after purchase I lost alot of faith in it. A stone-reliable decent performing bike can bring more satisfaction than a kickass performing timebomb. I love my new 650 Berg but only time will tell how I rate it overall. For the record my favorite motor is still the old 610 Husky. I like the engine braking, and slower reving nature as compared to "modern" thumpers. Plus the 610 has my favorite super wide ratio 6spd. My 650 may change my opinion, but not for awhile.

berger · Jun 3, 2006

To answer your question.....All things being equal, the FC501 will chew up and spit out a YZ400. The FC should out pull, out handle any equally prepared YZ.

Brendan · Jun 4, 2006

My opinion is that the 501 will have more torque and compression braking, a little more power, but won't rev as fast, nor handle as well as the YZ. I also believe the YZ will be more reliable, refined, and lower maintenance. My '97 FC501 was a monster. I could only use all of what it had in wide open spaces. It also has the funky old school euro geometry, that for me anyways, did not handle as well as the jap. bikes.

s-10s_rule · Jul 29, 2006

Thanks for all the input guys, I'm planning on putting the Husaberg back together later today (since it is 2:20AM). We'll see what I get, hopefully I'll get my couple hundred dollars worth of fun out of it at least. If it pukes again, you all will be the first to know, if you check the classifieds on here often

.

Taffy · Jul 29, 2006

brendan

those '99s handled like crap! my '99 was unreliable. i got through a kickstart plate that if i'd left another week would have meant new cases.

i also got through gearbox parts. the handling of all '98 and '99s is notoriously crap. they changed the geomemtry the next year.

as for maintenance? no question the husaberg wins every time.

regards

Taffy

husadaddy501 · Jul 29, 2006

I have a 1990 501fc and to honest bud...... it smokes just about anything!!, the early 501's were pure bred race bikes, love to rev and give such a buzz when opened right up its unbelievable. as brendan says though, not exactly a tight woods bike, you can only fully appreciate these 501's if you have the space to ride them properly. i spend a lot of money maintaining mine, but worth every penny.

cookeye · Jul 30, 2006

s-10s_rule said:
Hey, I bought a FC 501 and only got to ride it for about ten minutes, and I didn't get a good feel for the power before the bottom end bearings went out. I previously owned a 1999 Yamaha YZ400F and I loved it, just wondering if the Berg is gonna deliver the power of a YZ before I put quite a bit of money into fixing it. It seemed about as stout to me as the YZ but got progressively slower, I think it is because the bearings were locking up at a relatively slow pace, until it started clacking terribly while I was idling across the yard, and I never ran it since. But I tore it down that night and the top end looks great, just almost every bearing was shot, and sixth gear is missing a tooth on the main shaft. Sorry I make such long posts, but I just want to paint a clear picture, if possible. Just curious, thanks for reading.

Well i had a wr400 yam new in 2000, best allround bike i had ever had, sold it to my boss after 2 years, now thats trust in a bike :shock: .
After a few weeks of looking for a replacement i got a brand new 2002 wr400, another fantastic bike no problems and it was supermotod hair n hounded and used for everyday riding as hard as could be, it never broke or cost me a penny, after two years my boss asked could he buy the 2002 from me as he would like too own two bikes one for dirt and one for s/m, so then i looked around and ended up with the most fun and powerful light weight bike i have ever had yes a Husaberg 550 big valve high comp jobie from dave clarke racing who i must say have always helped me bigtime, but to end this i will say this will be the end of husabergs for me as in the 2 years of owning my 550 it has cost me more in repairs and maintainance than both the yams ever did put together. and the real pisser for me is that my 17 year old son has purchased the yam wr 2000 from my boss and is out riding whilst i save up to pay for a new sem, oh and he lent me his yam for a trackday last week, how good was it to go a bit slower but know it would finish the day without having to cure a problem or pu another Ã‚Â£200 back into it just for it to bust again next time out, yes i am thinking about another yam sad thing is the market price for a used berg is pants so i may have to keep puting money in and save. rant over.
cookeye
:wink:

s-10s_rule · Aug 21, 2006

Well guys, in my typical procrastination and perpetual state of poorness, I just now got the ole' 501 running again. I got it finished Friday night and took it out for a test ride with some of my friends. All of them ride 4 wheelers so I had to stay amoungst them to see where I was going (using their headlights). It ran like a champ all night, so being confident that it would stay together we left for Windrock Tennessee 5 o'clock the next morning. Well after riding for about 9 hours through the mountains I agree with the oppinions that the Yamaha is a little easier to handle, for me at least, and the Berg has the advantage in torque. Like most of you said, I couldn't use 90% of this things power unless I was in a open area. The only things that to me makes the Berg a better woods bike is that it has more off idle power than a YZ and seems to have a lower first gear. On the other hand the suspension seemed to be much too stiff for my size and skill level (>180 lbs. and >moderate). As far as drag racing it is hard for me to guess which bike would win, I think the YZ felt quicker, but that may be from its more 2-stroke like powerband. Either way, this thing has more power than I know what to do with. Other than smoking all my buddies 'fast' YFZ 450 or 450R quads on the straights, or pulling wheelies in 5th gear as I pass them, that is. Oh yeah, to the fellow that asked, I only paid $500 for it, and it is a 1997 model.
Its alot of fun, just hope it lasts.....

FC 501 -vs- YZ400F

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