Few topics in one thread

[makazica]

Well, after I fixed up my Berg I've been enjoying it for cca 50 hours now and all is good but it got me thinking....

- I see many of you ride 550, 570, 650 and I wonder how do you get on with such powerful bikes....trail riding with my 450, enduro races, logs, technical stuff...I know I'm an average or below average rider and very often I have found the 450 a handful...wishing for a 250 2t or 390....generally a lighter, less powerfull bike...

While I understand that enduro has changed over years and now the popular thing is extreme enduro....I don't see this bikes as competitive machines any more....

- As I own a, let's say a rare "Force edition" bike, and all of us that own a pre 2008 and 70 deg bikes....considering Husaberg doesn't exist any more....do you think that these bikes are going to be worth something in the future?

Just thinking....

M.

 

[Kayeffess]

It sounds like you are lusting after a different bike.
I have a 650. I ride dual sport and single track trail rides with it. I really like the bike but it is a handful I the tight stuff. I don't race the berg. I race a 144 2t ...used to be on a 250 2t. I wish I could be as fast on the berg as I am on the small bore, I'm still working on it . I've never rode a 450 or 550 but have been told they rev up faster than the 650. 5 years ago, the woods up here were full of 450's of all different brands. People now seem to be going back to the 250's and 300's. That being said, there are guys who are really fast on the big bikes. It comes down to conditioning and skill. Big bikes wear you out when you ride them hard in tight technical stuff. I put an auto clutch in mine and it made a huge difference.
As for being worth anything now that husaberg is done.i don't believe so. Resale has always been poor and you need to find the right buyer. As parts dry up, I think it will only get worse. I see the mid nineties bikes for sale and they are not selling. Personally, I love the bikes but I can't really tell you why. Maybe it is the uniqueness of the brand.

 

[Tollum]

Just drive the bike as it's the last day it works.. A 250 2 stroke will be more of a handfull, because of insane acceleration..

Not sure what you'r "problem" is, if it's to much power, or to heavy for you..
Might help just changing the the rear sproket, to get some less accelration, and more top speed, or the other way around.

 

[bushmechanic]

interesting M

FWIW my 700 is easier to ride in tight going than a jap 450

the engine is like a huge electric motor, only ever gives you as much as you ask for and hardly need to change gears

the 90mm lower COG, 104kgs, 52% rear /48% front weight distribution and nicer tank/seat layout help a ton as well.

the stock berg tank/seat is very wide, also has a very high COG and 52% weight on the front wheel.

i reckon if you put on an omero tank and had a fiddle with geometry/ suspension to better balance out the weight your bike would feel like a completely different machine.

weed or popup has done all that .. he loves the result.

 

[Kayeffess]

Excuse my ignorance on this. But why do you want to take weight off the front. I thought that weight on the front was better to keep the front planted. I took risers off my husky 144 to get more weight on the front and it seems to be much more planted in the corners. Do you also check numbers while you are on the bike?

 

[bushmechanic]

well just MHO of course.....

repeated rocking chassis movements like breaking bumps are easier to deal with when there is close to 50 50 weight distribution, although it hard to notice this also applies to single bumps

all the generally accepted "beautifully handling" bikes Ive examined have 50% or less on the front and a seat layout where you can sit wherever you want on corner entry.

they are more planted than the stock berg because you can also sit way forward on corner entry and get more weight on the front at the appropriate time, the tank and seat on the berg stops you going forward so the high front wheel loading is needed for grip.

high front wheel loading means the rear can easily overpower the front on rocking movements and so needs stiffer forks and your hands get more feedback.

 

[edelweiss]

there is a good reason for moving the battery under the seat (behind the shock), or at least install aux. tank there. Or just any weight, e.g. disc weight from barbell. anything is better than nothing. HBG does have heavy front, no dispute about that! mine is only 103kgs and is heavy at front the same way as stock. comparison to EXC with RFS engines, or to 70degree HBGs, even if these bikes are cca 5kgs heavier, proves the heavy front. these heavy machines are heavy only when they dont move, once they move they lose the weight instantly.
Makazica, one day they will be just for lovers, like VORs are. But it is at least 10y horizon from now. I am optimistic. Buy an EXC 200 twostroke as second bike if you wish, but keep the force!

 

[jon andersson]

Its not only about power, it's how it's distributed. My 570 is more friendly to drive than a 70 deg 450 (imho). The 570 got more bottom and has a very linear powerband (Ljunggrens motor competition map), the 450's I tried are more wild in character and are much more willing to rev if you let it.

 

[Idle]

My 650 has 422 hours on it so it's a bit soft on power and completely manageable.

Disconnecting the TPS helps a lot in making it smooth and predictable.
Also I have done the BK mod, so the accelerator pump only shoots a tiny squirt, and only from a closed throttle.

I ride my FS on easy, medium and some difficult trails. I like that with treadless tires there's no chance whatsoever of the rear hooking up all of a sudden and causing a loopout. It does very well in the woods for a dirtbike with slicks.

It's only heavy when I'm trying to chainsaw it down a really steep hill.

Once it starts to get a little damp, I air down the rear for better traction. When the real rain comes finally, the knobbies will get some use.

 

[tourist]

Interesting discussion - thanks all.

The oldschool 'Berg handling character is also quite stable by design, as stock. I love this in the terrain we have here - wide open fast desert-ish spaces but with potholes and rocks. Feels very secure and stable. That kind of handling character does become a bit of a burden in the tight stuff (which we also have). Maybe try decreasing the trail for "quicker" handling e.g. by having the fork angle steeper. Drop the front and raise the rear a bit. For example lower the yoke on the forks and raise the rear with different preload. Probably not a final solution or a complete one, but it can give a taste. A little different geometry can change the feel quite a lot - just a couple millimeters here and there are easily noticeable.

 

[Goose916]

As for future value, I'm thinking no, or at least not a significant uptick like an old MV Agusta or Velo. Indeed, it is unlikely that it will even be "Penton-like" as an investment type bike. Accordingly, owning a 'berg is about the ride and not the checkbook. If it even increases in value, I believe it will be very very gradual. To me, all the value is wrapped up in the feeling I get when I throw a leg over her in the morning to start my day.

 

[makazica]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not selling my Berg....ever.

What I'm trying to say is that with the way modern enduro has gone - mixing it with trial....I don't think that pre 2009 Bergs are competitive. Sure, it has a bit to do who's riding it, Jarvis or makazica but still...

Also, for that kind of riding I think that all 450ccm+ bikes are not competitive, 300, 350, 390, even old 400 rfs....yes....but above....no. I had a chance to ride the 70 deg 450, 570 and the newest 501 they are all more manageable than old carb bikes.... Is there anybody here that does that kind of enduro riding with a 550 or bigger bike? I can't imagine turning even for a cross country race with a FE650 or similar.

Front end weight was mentioned....I don't have a problem with front end, I have a problem with too much power.... and it's delivery. When on flat, easy uphill, fast...I tend to stand up and control the front with my body weight, suspension could be better (set it up myself) but no problem. Allaround, when there's grip....love it....when you need to find grip....for ex. uphill off camber, muddy, slimey, slippery, logs, man made obstacles, doing pivot turns....hmmmm....lesser power bikes are more competitive.

Anyways, this thread is only for the kicks,....I know that if I ride more I'll be better at it but I'm still shocked with what Dr_C made "in a shed" so I'm not posting in tech stuff....

Cheers!

M.

 

[rens bos]

Well Goose i think youre right about the rewarding ride on a Husaberg , even a old school like my 1990 FE 501, oh yeah i am also an old guy
To see a Husaberg as an investment, well maybe it will be in demand as a Penton in the future.
The prices fore example a Maico GS 490 1981 are trough the roof overhere in Europe and think stateside also.
So i think that every Husaberg rider/owner should be awere that they have something very extaordenary and be proud to have one.

grtz Rens

 

[jon andersson]

I do mostly gnarly enduro stuff with my 570 (recluse to the rescue), then I also go tarmac, ice and gravel.

If it's competitive? I dont know as I'm not. But I guess not as you dont see them in any competitions. But they do just fine and I prefer the instant power to solve sudden problems. The problem comes when you are drained as the throttle respons is instant, then for sure a smaller engine is better. My solution to that is to improve my stamina.