FE390 or KTM 525EXC? Getting back into it

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doolin64

Joined
Sep 19, 2012
Messages
53
Location
Dudley, MA
Hi everyone,

I know this is a Husaberg forum and I fully expect most people to say Berg.

My background....limited on two wheels. Most of my experience has been riding quads for over 20 years. Back in the day I had an '87 RM125 that I trIl rode. I wasnt a racer but I used to love riding it. Later in life I got an '01 Yamaha FZ1 street bike and road that for some time. Last year I wanted to get another bike and bought an '05 GasGas EC250. After 2 rides I realized 2 strokes werent for me.

I've been drawn to Husaberg big time. I love the 70 degree motors. The looks, etc. I'm some what on a budget. I'd prefer not to spend a ton.

Locally theres not many Bergs. 3 hours away I found a 2010 390 with 150 hours and some extras for $3800. Then today a 2011 bought as a left over last year came up for sale about 20 minutes away. He wants $6500 to pay off his loan. It has 101 miles. Two rides on it and two oil changes. Then the town over from me guy is selling a 2004 KTM 525EXC. I went to see this one. It has 688 miles. 41 hours. Aftermarket pipe. It is clean clean clean. He has a log kept for all service performed, as well as a log for his quad, sled, mower and cars.

I'm looking to just trail ride up here in the Northeast (US) with my friends and ride the road only to jump from one trail to the next. I'm also a good size at 6'2 240lbs.

Let me know your thoughts please.
 
Just by scanning this blog I saw a couple of issues with the 2010 model 390's in terms of fuel pump and weep holes at oil check, so look into that and see if the guy has replaced or had issues, if the trail is open and not to tecnical the 2004 bike seems like a good buy I think, hrs are low and if he has a service record the motor will still be strong, jump on it.
Sweet. :mrgreen:
 
688 miles in 41 hours? That doesn't seem quite right.

The 2011 sounds expensive. In the UK old stock bikes are well discounted - did you see the original bill of sale?

The fuel pumps only seem to be a problem in the north American market - that may be because you guys have to use distilled maple syrup instead of real gas. The pump got changed in production in 2011 IIRC but some were changed under warranty.
 
the 390 is a great NE bike. The stock suspension is set up for a max of around 185 lbs. sounds like the guy was doing a lot of single track riding if the mileage is that low, which is very possible around here. Some say the cockpit feels cramped for larger riders. I have 180 hrs on my bike and the original pump just gave out. Husaberg is doing a good will return on these pumps. Valves are still in spec and have never moved. Got enough mud in my weephole from the get go, so no need for the weephole mod (knock on wood) You can't beat the handling to grunt ratio. You just point and go and the bike goes right where you want. Buy a header guard to prevent melting pants.
The throttle position sensor needs to be siliconed as well. Moisture got in mine and corroded the fine metal pickup.
 
As far as I know, reliability on the 70-degrees is very good after preventative fixes. What's the maintenance like on the 525 motor? Haven't read up on them but I've assumed they're milder on maintenance than the pre-09 Husabergs ... ?

That said, I can understand that you're leaning towards the 525 :) What's the owner asking for it?
 
Greg, I could be off on the hours. But i do know it only has 688 miles.

Anthony, he wants $3500 for his 525.
 
Grab the 390 2010, fair price and you won't be disappointed. Then you can sell it and still get a good price.

525 sounds over priced and lot older.
 
i just sold an '05 525 exc for $2800. god knows it was no cherry, but ran well and looked good. not a bad bike for the az mountains, but preferrred more open spaces than the tight, twisty stuff. weight is about the same as the berg, but power comes on quite quickly on the ktm. i would hate to have to muscle it around a tight wet eastern trail for any length of time. when i raced back east (steam powered bikes), we always had a better time on the smaller displacement machines.
 
One thing I noticed is that the bergs dont come with a kicker. Never really thought about it until someone pointed that out. Then again I'm not reading horror stories of you guys being stranded out in the woods with dead batteries.
 
I have a pair of cables with crocodile clamps. Cheap, nothing fancy. I use that to jump start if I need to. So far I haven't needed it but I helped a guy with a KTM without kick and with a flat battery. It works fine and take no space.
 
doolin64 said:
One thing I noticed is that the bergs dont come with a kicker. Never really thought about it until someone pointed that out. Then again I'm not reading horror stories of you guys being stranded out in the woods with dead batteries.
Click to expand...

Unless it has an auto clutch, they can still be bump started.
 
I just got a 390 this summer. Compared to my buddies KTM 450 XC it is not as much of a straight line brute but it is amazing when things get tight.

If you want to burn it up along fire roads, go big and get the 525. If you want to mix it up in the single track go for the 390, that is what it is really good for.
 
The KTM 525 EXC is an excellent all-round bike and is actually quite good at single-track.
 
The 390 and the Katy are 2 very different bikes. As mentioned it really depends on what the majority of your riding will consist of. I ride an even mix of fairly open and single track and, at 6'3" and 230lbs, went for the 570 over the 390. Given your choice, personally, I'd go for the KTM or lose 50lbs and take the 390!


GregUK said:
The fuel pumps only seem to be a problem in the north American market
Click to expand...

Don't you believe it. Ask me how I know.
 

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