FE 390 vs. YZ 285

wardo · Oct 23, 2009

Hello All,
I've posted this over at TT and KTMtalk, but know that not everyone gets over there. I am a new forum member, and am currently riding an '06 YZ 285 2 stroke that is heavily modified for New England style off road riding. I am intrigued by the new 'berg's, everything I read about the 390 indicates it would be perfect for the root infested slick, super tight stuff I have on my property. From what I've read, the 'berg doesn't ride heavy, but looking at the specs I can't help but wonder if I am going to feel the weight. At 5'8"., 165 pounds, I am fit, but not super strong. I'd like to hear from those of you that have experience on 250 and 300 2t's as well as the 390 in really technical conditions, how do they compare? Is there any info you would like to offer? Thanks in advance for your help.

Regards,
Wardo

Johnf3 · Oct 23, 2009

No it will not feel like a YZ motocrosser set up for trails. Mass centralization does wonders for side to side transitions, and the new bikes turn as well as any two stroke I've ridden, but they are still heavier overall. The "it feels just like a two stroke" deal is not really a good description of the new Husaberg, and to me that is a good thing. The 390 is the lightest feeling four stoke I've ridden. I own a YZ 250 and have spent a bit of time of all the new Husabergs.

You really need to try and get a ride on one to see if it works for you. Some two stroke guys are converts, some aren't. For me, the added mass of a four stroke is an advantage on rocks and roots because the bike doesn't deflect off off everything and I can go faster. Get a ride on one and see what you think.

CodeMonkey · Oct 23, 2009

I am thinking of buying a really light trials bike (i.e., sub 200 pounds) with a larger tank and seat - something like a Scorpa Long Ride. Yes, on technical stuff you will feel the weight - I think the slower it is, the more you will feet the weight.

That said, I don't really fall into the category of people you want feedback from - I have no experience with modern two stroke dirt bikes (the last I rode was decades ago), and I own a 570 instead of a 390, although I think they are not that much different.

wardo · Oct 24, 2009

I have a Gas Gas Raga Pro, and have 30+ trials sections on my property. My trails wend there way through these. The YZ is good for this riding, but I am sick of fussing with the jetting, mixing oil on long rides, etc. I used to own a Montesa 4rt with FI and loved the simplicity. I rode it 200 hours before selling it. My solution may be to buy the Husaberg and keep my YZ. I have so much invested in the YZ, I would definitely take a beating selling it or even parting it out. Plus I have spares galore. With both, i can ride whichever I feel like.... Of course there's the cash issue.

Wardo

HeyJohnnyPark · Oct 24, 2009

Who did the 285 Job, Max Power? Im thinking of doing this to my 2002 yz250. How does it go VS stock? Any dyno numbers?

wardo · Oct 24, 2009

The 285 was done by Max Power, but I have had a lot of problems with it. Ultimately I had to send it to Eric Gorr of Forward Motion to remill the head and alter the scavenging, that cured the persistent detonation, which was resistant to all sorts of tuning efforts. Max Power may do things differently now, but in '06 when mine was done it seemed like a common problem. I would recommend talking to Eric, he also does a YZ 300.

On another note, I went to Valley Motorsports today and played with an FE 450. It felt really comfortable, and the build is really beautiful. I gently laid it on it's side and tried lifting it a few times. It would definitely be difficult for me at the end of a 100 mile enduro. I believe the reviews when they say that it would ride way lighter, but I need to factor in the real world drops, etc. I think it will be more bike than my 49 year old, 160 pound body wants to deal with. I also looked at 250 & 300 xc's, I think that may be the direction I'll go.

Wardo

Johnf3 · Oct 24, 2009

wardo said:
The 285 was done by Max Power, but I have had a lot of problems with it. Ultimately I had to send it to Eric Gorr of Forward Motion to remill the head and alter the scavenging, that cured the persistent detonation, which was resistant to all sorts of tuning efforts. Max Power may do things differently now, but in '06 when mine was done it seemed like a common problem. I would recommend talking to Eric, he also does a YZ 300.

On another note, I went to Valley Motorsports today and played with an FE 450. It felt really comfortable, and the build is really beautiful. I gently laid it on it's side and tried lifting it a few times. It would definitely be difficult for me at the end of a 100 mile enduro. I believe the reviews when they say that it would ride way lighter, but I need to factor in the real world drops, etc. I think it will be more bike than my 49 year old, 160 pound body wants to deal with. I also looked at 250 & 300 xc's, I think that may be the direction I'll go.

Wardo

Wardo,
You may want to grab a copy of the latest Dirt Rider magazine. Jimmy Lewis rode a 390 at the Romaniacs Extreme enduro a few months ago and he loved it. He has a good write up on the bike and it's capabilities. He called it the "best trail bike ever made". High praise even from a documented Husaberg lover like Mr Lewis.

wardo · Oct 24, 2009

John,
I have no doubt I'd love riding the bike. Everything I've read indicates that it would be a phenomenal trail bike. I've raced XR 650's in Baja, 450 exc's and I found the bikes all a bit much on tighter stuff, I know the game is different now with the 'bergs. Still, I can't get away from the fact that I've had simple tip overs with my YZ late in a race, and picking the bike up has always cost me a lot of energy. The one thing that is hard to factor in is that with the 'berg, I might be less tired, and less likely to make little mistakes and fall. Still, I can't help but think of those times where I've gone down on a sidehill and used all my energy getting sorted out. The static weight of the bike makes me think that would be a lot harder. I can afford to own a few bikes, and keep the YZ, so I probably shouldn't sweat it. I'll definitely read Jimmy's article and think about it some more.

Thanks,
Wardo

tuts · Oct 26, 2009

i have an 06 gasgas ec300, which i took to fr3.
i rode the test track with my gg prior to riding any of the bergs.
i then rode the 570, then 450, then 390.
the difference btwn the 3 cc disp is very noticeable and each one has it own personality.
the 390 is the closest to a two stroke in terms of engine braking, revving, clutch slipping, etc.
the 450 and 570 are not like a two stroke in terms of motor but they are extremely planted and flickable.
all the bergs had excellent front wheel feel and stickage. the gg is very well front tire footed and the bergs exceeded the gg. to me, thats quite a statement.
of the three bergs, standing on the 390 is the easiest.....but not quite as easy as the gg.
naybe because its my bike and i'm used to it, but i could rail the corners on the pegs, but i felt like the bergs needed/wanted a little seat action.
the 390 made some nice power and seemed to get it to the ground better than the gg.
you loss some of the 'steer with the rear wheel' on the 390 vs the gg .
there was a small part of the track with a twisty uphill and the 390 shoot me thru as fast as i'd like.
using this little test section as my basis...for the technical snotty stuff you get some of the best traits of both a 2st and 4st. it was less tiring to ride then the gg because of the 4st nature.
the forks were very very nice, even though it was definitely undersprung for me.
would i buy a 390 for what you are planning on riding it in??
yes. without hesitation. the 390 was fun to ride. fun. the others are nice...but not like the 390.
hope this helps. got some specific questions?

tuts :devil:

Rod · Oct 27, 2009

390

tuts said:
i have an 06 gasgas ec300, which i took to fr3.
i rode the test track with my gg prior to riding any of the bergs.
i then rode the 570, then 450, then 390.
the difference btwn the 3 cc disp is very noticeable and each one has it own personality.
the 390 is the closest to a two stroke in terms of engine braking, revving, clutch slipping, etc.
the 450 and 570 are not like a two stroke in terms of motor but they are extremely planted and flickable.
all the bergs had excellent front wheel feel and stickage. the gg is very well front tire footed and the bergs exceeded the gg. to me, thats quite a statement.
of the three bergs, standing on the 390 is the easiest.....but not quite as easy as the gg.
naybe because its my bike and i'm used to it, but i could rail the corners on the pegs, but i felt like the bergs needed/wanted a little seat action.
the 390 made some nice power and seemed to get it to the ground better than the gg.
you loss some of the 'steer with the rear wheel' on the 390 vs the gg .
there was a small part of the track with a twisty uphill and the 390 shoot me thru as fast as i'd like.
using this little test section as my basis...for the technical snotty stuff you get some of the best traits of both a 2st and 4st. it was less tiring to ride then the gg because of the 4st nature.
the forks were very very nice, even though it was definitely undersprung for me.
would i buy a 390 for what you are planning on riding it in??
yes. without hesitation. the 390 was fun to ride. fun. the others are nice...but not like the 390.
hope this helps. got some specific questions?

tuts :devil:

If I recall correctly Tuts, you had the biggest grin on your face after riding the 390, but then again...I saw allot of that from everyone at FR3!

wardo · Oct 27, 2009

Thanks everyone for the valuable input. I picked up a 390 this morning and had a great buying experience. One of the reasons I went with Tim of Edelmann Sales was I knew I'd be dealing with the owner. He took great care of me and I am very satisfied with the buying experience. I feel confident I wont need much support going forward, but if I do I'll be taken care of.

I took a short ride before heading back to work and was instantly impressed. The bike is amazingly well balanced and the power felt great down low (the only part I tapped into). I rode it one lap around the GP track and over a few trials obstacles. It went right up a 3' rock with zero drama. I look forward to exploring the bike more in the coming weeks, at least until winter really settles in and the skis come out.

Regards,
Wardo

Rod · Oct 29, 2009

Congrats

wardo said:
Thanks everyone for the valuable input. I picked up a 390 this morning and had a great buying experience. One of the reasons I went with Tim of Edelmann Sales was I knew I'd be dealing with the owner. He took great care of me and I am very satisfied with the buying experience. I feel confident I wont need much support going forward, but if I do I'll be taken care of.

I took a short ride before heading back to work and was instantly impressed. The bike is amazingly well balanced and the power felt great down low (the only part I tapped into). I rode it one lap around the GP track and over a few trials obstacles. It went right up a 3' rock with zero drama. I look forward to exploring the bike more in the coming weeks, at least until winter really settles in and the skis come out.

Regards,
Wardo

Congrats on your new ride Wardo!

FE 390 vs. YZ 285

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