Help me

I would like to replace my 1999 fe 400 soon,

looking at a couple of options,

new berg 450 or maybe even 550


am also considering a ( dare i say) Husky 450. Theres just something about it that appeals to me. Havnt ridden one yet,

Any one have any opinions , How dies it compare to the berg?

any one ridden one?

haven't ridden a new one but when i had a go on an '04 found it a bit fierce. would probably be ok on the open tundra you've got but found it harder to ride in tight stuff than berg.

mate of mine raced his '04 450 husey and then last season a new '05 450 husky. to be fair he couldn't sell the husey so he was stuck with both. he found the husky 'too much' even though he's a cracking rider. so he's back on the husey this year and sold the husky (i think it's gone anyway).

regards

Taffy

For what it's worth..........

I ride a variety of terrain out here in Southern California, some resembles, if vaguely the riding area that you posted pictures of. Except there are bushes, and no clear running streams usually in the desert. However, there are many a tight twisty trail out in the desert and the local mountains where we ride during the summer months. And as you will see in an upcoming ride report, I spent some time riding in Idaho and Washington on miles and miles of single track.

And while I have not ridden a 450, my personal prefference is a 550. Why you might ask? I have not found the 550 to have "too much power" in the tight stuff, and while others opinions are that the 450, 380, et. al are more flilckable in the tighter terrain, I have not found my 550 to be non-flickable. It's also pretty cool when you come upon an obstacle that requires lofting the front end, nothing more is usually required than to open the throttle. I have also found that when riding tight trails or open terrain it sure is nice when you come upon a gnarly uphill with a short run, all you have to do is punch off and you have almost instant momentum.

The 550 has a power band that is mellow down low, and builds power as the revs are increased to a great top end hook. If you want instant power, just fan the clutch and you won't be dissappointed.

I rode 250's for years and all my buddies rode open bikes. I always thought a 250 was enough for me until I bought my 94 &1/2 FE501. In the first race I rode it in, I came to an uphill of loose rocks and silty dirt with my fellow competitors scattered all over it. I had to weave my way around the stuck riders, and when I had to slow to get around someone, all I had to do was punch off once around them and I instantly had my momentum back. From that day forward I knew why all friends rode open bikes. They are so much easier to ride.

So that's my opinion, take it for what it's worth.

I can give you my honest opinion for what it's worth.
I currently own a 05 TE 450 and have a couple of Bergs in the garage. I like the Husky alot and will not disparage it. It is a great trail bike. Mine has been bullet proof and has had none of the drama's associated with the Husabergs. The bike starts effortlessly, hot,cold, wet and after being crashed upside down. The valve adjustments for me are easier even though you need to replace shims. I have no qualm's about changing the oil in the husky every 5-10 hours where on the bergs I will change it every ride to every other ride. Now for the minus side. I find the bike feels alot heavier than the bergs. I give clear advantage to the bergs in suspension and handeling. The twin cam motor on the husky does not have the bottom end pull of the Berg. It likes to run in the upper rpm range, kinda pipey like a 2 stroke.
All that being said. If I am going out to mark a course or do trail maintenance where there is alot of starting, stopping ect. I will use the Husky. If I need to loan a bike out, it will be the Husky. If I want to have a good time it,s berg all the way. I feel the Husabergs give
me more confidence being a weaker rider. The advantage in handeling,suspension and
the way the motor pulls allow me to be a better rider.
All in all the Husky is a very competent trail bike and one hell of a sexy looking bike. If you are prone to neglecting your maintenance it is probably the bike to own.
All else considered I would pick the Berg as long as you are willing to give back alittle of what you get

Ice,

Being a recipient of Kens Husky at the Pheonix '06 ride, I will agree with everything he wrote. I rode the Husky quite a bit while I was out there. I liked it overall. It was a bit heavy, but managable. I liked it for a trail bike. But, I was riding my 03 400 last summer at the east coast ride, and had NO problems mechanically (estarted every time, even on the nastiest stuff I've ever ridden). I also like the berg for the performance and weight.

As far as displacement, I personally adhere to it's personal preference. If you're a power freak, regardless, then the 550. The arguement is that the smaller bikes work better in places where grip is needed, like tight woods. I'm smaller, 63kg, and have a good time on 400's in the woods.

--Parsko

thanks for you opinions guys,

I have bought my FE400 in 1999 ( new) and have been riding it is since,

I have kept a detailed log the whole time, change oil every nearly every ride and have followed a stricked preventive maintaince regime ( ie changimg rocker rollers befor they break etc)

The Berg has never let me down adn have I actally enjoy pampering it as it deserves,

The sound of teh engine always gives me the shivers,

guess that means ill always be an IceBerg. IceHusky just doest sound right

I owned an 05 TE 510 for 18 months, and rode a couple TE 450s too. I only own my 06 Fe450e now

my review:

Husky: street legal, most power of any 450, short stroke, linear, close ratio tranny, need to gear it taller if you like open trails and top end speed. Husky is strong and reliable, feels like buttery thunder. Linked rear suspenion is better then the berg set up and has grease nipples on the bearings - why no one else has these is silly.

Berg : short stroke linear electic power with a hit down low, lightest E start 450 on the planet , wide ratio tranny better front suspension out of the box then husky, but husky's forks do break in eventually.

Both very fine bikes. If you can own only one, you best ride them both. Husky a tall bike, very stable turns great. Husaberg a smaller bike more compact very nice too in the woods. give the bid to the Husaberg in the tight stuff becasue its lighter and more compact and yes less power, give the bid to the Husky for its close ratio tranny always have two perfect gears in any situtation while the berg can feel gappy on like a bumpy up hill charge today when neither 2nd or 3rd worked for me. My Husky loved that hill and the desrt more then the berg.


The BERG is light and that is sweet