I wanted a 650 but all seem spoken for as far as my search results go.I found a 550 and was looking for experiences/opinions.I am going to be using the bike for 99% street riding and may get it on the track for a track day.I have a KTM 625SMC now that I use for street duty/commuting.How do they compare,the 550/650 to the 625 in terms of power/handling? Is the 550 soft in the power department and what is with the bearing issues? The 550 I am looking at is an '07 new and still on the dealers floor.After reading the threads on the bearing issues it kind of puts me off the idea of a 'Berg because I have NO dealers even remotely close to where I live.If I ride street only and no racing am I going to be riding a time bomb and end up with a bike that I can't ride? I am not slamming the 'Berg as I have wanted one for quite some time but have concerns as far as longevity of the engine.I don't want to buy a bike and have bearings replaced or worse after 10 or so hours of riding.
300 engine hours and 8000 miles on my 05 FS650E.
Aside from an exhaust valve spring that went klink on my bike at 200 engine hours all has been well. No other damage or issues resulting from the broken valve spring. All fixed now and the fun continues.
The 550 motor ain't no slouch. You won't be hurting for power. It many respects the 550 motor is the best of both worlds, it spins up fast like the 450 and has almost the same grunt as the 650.
Aside from an exhaust valve spring that went klink on my bike at 200 engine hours all has been well. No other damage or issues resulting from the broken valve spring. All fixed now and the fun continues.
The 550 motor ain't no slouch. You won't be hurting for power. It many respects the 550 motor is the best of both worlds, it spins up fast like the 450 and has almost the same grunt as the 650.
Thanks for the information.Whats the issue with getting parts? Other than frequent oil changes and filters what needs replacing?
Joined Nov 2001
17K Posts | 774+
Ely, England
it would appear that the bearing issues hit the country to which the engines were saent first - the hardest and that's australia. the uk has had a few but i'm not sure who in the states has had trouble if indeed any. sorry but i don't keep records!
as i'm aware there are absolutely no issues now with these bikes bar the question of the mains and perhaps that a waterpump seal will go now and again. you have a warranty with the bike and for peice of mind i would get the engine insured. most decent mechanics could rebuild the engine for you locally as long as you had the stats on the bike for the mech.
i will have to leave others to give you the confidence to buy a husey. i love 'em but they don't encourage flakey owners yet. you still need to be an enthusiast!
regards
Taffy
as i'm aware there are absolutely no issues now with these bikes bar the question of the mains and perhaps that a waterpump seal will go now and again. you have a warranty with the bike and for peice of mind i would get the engine insured. most decent mechanics could rebuild the engine for you locally as long as you had the stats on the bike for the mech.
i will have to leave others to give you the confidence to buy a husey. i love 'em but they don't encourage flakey owners yet. you still need to be an enthusiast!
regards
Taffy
I've done about 2500km on my FE650 motard on the street & no problems yet. Just keep up the oil changes & keep it tuned.
Go the 650. Would you rather tell people you ride a 650 or a 550.
More street cred on a 650.
Have fun.
Go the 650. Would you rather tell people you ride a 650 or a 550.
More street cred on a 650.
Have fun.
Joined Oct 2004
350 Posts | 1+
Yellowknife, NT Canada
I have a 04 625 SMC and now a 06 FS650 and I can tell you they are completely different bikes. I don't race them - they are just nice street bikes.
The berg is up 15hp and down 30lbs on the SMC and it makes a world of difference.
Both are superb bikes, the berg vibrates a lot less than the SMC, both have painted 2x4's for seats but who cares, both have excellent build quality, both are easy to work on but the berg exacts a price in maintenance for the performance gains and light weight.
The SMC has a lot more flywheel than the berg.
I don't ride more than 75hrs a year on my street tards so I can live with the berg's appetite for maintenance.
Cheers
Mark
The berg is up 15hp and down 30lbs on the SMC and it makes a world of difference.
Both are superb bikes, the berg vibrates a lot less than the SMC, both have painted 2x4's for seats but who cares, both have excellent build quality, both are easy to work on but the berg exacts a price in maintenance for the performance gains and light weight.
The SMC has a lot more flywheel than the berg.
I don't ride more than 75hrs a year on my street tards so I can live with the berg's appetite for maintenance.
Cheers
Mark
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