Joined Nov 2001
276 Posts | 0+
Sodaville, Oregon, USA
After I first picked up the bike, I put a few miles on it in stock trim. I was riding on my "back 40" (actually 35) which has 80 feet of elevation change, timber, creeks, pasture, man made motorcycle bumps/jumps, and the requisite barbed wire fences. The stock springs were obviously too soft for my lead(Pb) third point of contact (aka "fat bottom"), so I installed a PDS8 rear and 48 front springs. This was good for spring rate, but I forgot to up the rebound settings a bit. The thing was kicking like a big mule. I then found out that the rebound adjusters of the forks turned but did not do anything (see previous post in "suspension" group). I fixed that by paying attention to what I was doing when I assembled the cap back onto the fork leg. By then some ordered goodies arrived so I Installed an Enduro Engineering computer guard, shark fin, and Oregon state license plate.
Now the sag is just as spec'd in the manual and the rebound clickers were cranked up a bit. So it was out back for another spin around the fields. WOW! Easiest bike to ride I have ever been on! But that was why I bought another Berg. Power is nice and smooth, but lots of it on tap. Power delivery is deceptive in it has the FE mumble versus the FC bark for exhuast note. So I am going like a flying rodent out of a hot dark place before I know it. 8O The bike jumps and lands very nicely, but that is from an acrophobic point of view. If I get 6" of air under the rear wheel, I am flying high.
High speeds slides are easy to control and a way of life now. Downhill off camber turns are not a white knuckle flight anymore, as the front end stays right where I put it with this bike. The seat even seems softer; still firm, just softer. So far the only thing that is not spot on is at above 86mph on pavement the front end starts a slight shimmy. That was uphill, my Pb tail, and still had gear and motor left over for more. But the corner necessitated a reduction in forward speed. However, since anything over 55mph on pavement is frowned upon here in Oregon, this little wiggle is not a big issue.
Now the bike has 48mi on the meter. I put her in the shop and changed the oil and filter. The new magnetic plug was doing its job, and had a bit of shavings stuck to it. I am assuming they were left over from machining and assembly; but I will change it again soon and keep an eye on it. The Pirelli's front and rear are working good, I don't even know that they are DOT tires. The rear even holds up pretty good on the pavement during the unintentional wheelies to the local store :lol: !
In summary, this bike seems to be an ideal cross between my FC501 for ease of riding and ability to flick around; but filled with all of the good qualities of the beastial power of my FS600 without having to constantly wrestle that same power. Excellent motorcyle, I can't say enough good about it. And like the kids say, "...that starter is SWEET!"
Now the sag is just as spec'd in the manual and the rebound clickers were cranked up a bit. So it was out back for another spin around the fields. WOW! Easiest bike to ride I have ever been on! But that was why I bought another Berg. Power is nice and smooth, but lots of it on tap. Power delivery is deceptive in it has the FE mumble versus the FC bark for exhuast note. So I am going like a flying rodent out of a hot dark place before I know it. 8O The bike jumps and lands very nicely, but that is from an acrophobic point of view. If I get 6" of air under the rear wheel, I am flying high.
High speeds slides are easy to control and a way of life now. Downhill off camber turns are not a white knuckle flight anymore, as the front end stays right where I put it with this bike. The seat even seems softer; still firm, just softer. So far the only thing that is not spot on is at above 86mph on pavement the front end starts a slight shimmy. That was uphill, my Pb tail, and still had gear and motor left over for more. But the corner necessitated a reduction in forward speed. However, since anything over 55mph on pavement is frowned upon here in Oregon, this little wiggle is not a big issue. Now the bike has 48mi on the meter. I put her in the shop and changed the oil and filter. The new magnetic plug was doing its job, and had a bit of shavings stuck to it. I am assuming they were left over from machining and assembly; but I will change it again soon and keep an eye on it. The Pirelli's front and rear are working good, I don't even know that they are DOT tires. The rear even holds up pretty good on the pavement during the unintentional wheelies to the local store :lol: !
In summary, this bike seems to be an ideal cross between my FC501 for ease of riding and ability to flick around; but filled with all of the good qualities of the beastial power of my FS600 without having to constantly wrestle that same power. Excellent motorcyle, I can't say enough good about it. And like the kids say, "...that starter is SWEET!"
