How good was the 501?

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pollo

pollo

Joined
Jun 6, 2008
Messages
1,092
Location
Simi Valley Ca.
Ok, so I had a little discusion about the Husaberg 501. Just want to get some feedbsck on this machine. Reliability issues and the fact that it blows away any and all Husabergs ever built. Anyway that's what I've been told. Never said I didn't believe it, just want to hear from those who really know. Thanks,
Pollo
 
Hey Pollo

As Bobzilla says, the 501 was magic. I owned an 01, an 02 and and an 03. Once the 550 became available, I rode those and forgot the magic of the 501 till I built a 496, which is the 501 piston and sleeve in a 550 bottom end ( .6 mm shorter stroke on the 550 than the 501 hense the 496 ). It is a torquey, revvy powerfull motor which I loved. I sold this bike to a buddy who loves it. BOSS built a 496 for Rory Sullivan to compete in teh ISDE, and the 496 has been used by the WEC team, and support riders as well. The 501 was really good, and really not forgotten if you consider that you can build the 496.

Tell it as it is Bobzilla, as you always have :)

cheers

fry
 
Good to hear Fry. Good thing I have my 07 CRF 450R motocross bike . White brothers exhaust, 53 HP, this bike gives me the tork and revs I like wrapped up in an awsome alluminum alloy frame. Sure I love my Husaberg 650 but when I want that HIT the 450's the ticket. Sounds like the 501 was a perfect cc for Big Bore power with small bore revs. I get it. But now there are issues of reliability aren't there? Up until 03 they hadn't come into the (Good years) so to speak. Main bearing failure? What else?
 
Ok, so I miss my CR 500 2-stroke. Is there anyone that didn't like the Husaberg 501? Does everyone know about the magical Berg? Do we all bow our heads at the sight of one of these masterpieces? Something, someone say something bad about em. Dare you! 8O
Pollo
 
Pollo
I had over 5k on mine before it went BANG really bad. I had the usuall problems starting getting it jeted right Delorto sucks. I went WAY beyond service intervilas ans it still kept going. I knew of others that had much fewer hours and many more problems. Dale build some really fast ones for flattrack. The thing about the 501 was how fast it spun up and how much power it made every where but especailly on top. The harder you rode it the better it got. I like my 550 but would consider making a 496 when it comes apart.

The best way I can describe a 501 is it like the hot slutty girl you once had....... soooooo much fun but some problems too......... was it worth it???
OH HELL YES
 
Pollo
My experience with the 501 mirrors Bobzilla's. My 02 had 200+ hrs, with the rocker arm update later in its life and its still running with a local guy. The 04, I think was the first year of the upgraded roller brg, earlier models had ball brgs. Reliability wise, keep the ignition dry, with good oil and frequent oil changes, and you have a great bike.

Bobzilla, would your wife forgive you if you reintroduced yourself to ' that ' girl?
 
[quote="fryguy.

Bobzilla, would your wife forgive you if you reintroduced yourself to ' that ' girl?[/quote]

Well I have had many mistresses, right now its there is a big busty German and a sevlt Sweed in the garage, an Italian would round out the playroom but two Sweeds would be good too :lol:

I think I would have to wait on the first year bike this time, get the teething out of the way so when the 550 gets tired I may have to go the 496 route.
 
Iv'e been looking at the prices on used 500AFs. New ones from Service Honda I think are 12G and up . I wouldn't mind owning a later model CR or KX 500 at a good price. I see some between 2 and 3 grand. The main thing is that I would need a green sticker bike. Got the plated Berg, and the red sticker 450.
Pollo
 
How good IS the 501 ? IS being the operative word. I grew up on big bore two strokes and still have my 82 IT 465, my brother has an 84 Husky WR 500 and a 89 KTM MXC 500 we haven't had a drag race yet, but I expect it to be close. Absolutely love my 00 501 and it has a plate and insurance !
Ron
 
My 501 was nice. I thought the noises it was making were normal. Oooh, how I was wrong. Now it's going to cost $501 in parts to fix. Ned, I've got your beer :stoopyd:
 
You poor little 501 fellers! Let bygones be bygones. Welcome to the real world without em. The 550 has some of the best motor reviews of all the bikes as an all around favorite not just a drag bike. And then we have the beloved 650. OH YEA. :lol: Among many other things I love about it is when people see it. That's right, its got big numbers too! People gawk at the lightweight 6-FIDDY. Get some!
Hey Bobzilla. Had to do it. (JUST STIRRING THE POT) :D
Pollo
 
No worries Pollo

The 501 didnt get the rep of being a great motor because of breakdown issues and the brand never got good press back then

I have the 550 and the best thing I ever heard said about it was at a check point in a race. After being behind some better riders than myself but watching them miss the course a few times I let the big dog run in a sand wash and just buired them in roost (they were on 525's hahaah) and at the check point they asked me" WTF kind of DRZ is that?" didnt see them again :twisted:
 
I thought you would know Bobzilla that August 2008 Dirtrider Mag called the Husaberg 550 as the single best 4-stroke motor ever. Thats a pretty big statement. Anyway we all know how the 650 keeps pulling. Even uphills. Could the 501 outpull a 650 up a steepie? Even if you say yes I won't believe until I ride one. And I'll never ride one. :) I wouln't want to hurt my pride over the 650. I'd probably never get over it.
These guys that extreem hill climb have dual 650s side by side. 1300 screeming cc's. Now why don't they have the 501s. It would be a 1002cc bike.
Just rambling on.
Pollo
 
It is sooooooo good , So that if everone in Congress was strapped to one with Bobzilla driving they would be begging for mercy in 20 seconds or less, and they would quit screwing us! It may be time to invoke the second amendment. Ramble on..................................
Ron
 
One little comment from me and this is turning into a thread as long as " what oil to use"/ which valve adjust method is better. :lol:

all in fun Pollo. I do dig the 6fiddy for the open stuff and sand mountain is a hoot with a paddle I just really loved the 501. to bad dirtbag mag didnt ride a 501 back in the day

stick a fork in it
 
Just one more thing Bob. I just saw a 1996 KX 80 for $350. I could rip out that motor and install a KX500 motor. :twisted: You know that would be a death machine but for some twisted reason I think id like to do something like that. Maybe a CR500 motor in an 80 frame, or to be a little milder a 250 mote in there
Pollo
 
You havent met me ...... I cant fit on an 80 :lol:

Now a 380 smoker with a button for the really tight stuff.....................hhhuuuuummmm
 
Hi, my '03 501 really is magic! With nothing other than an Akro silencer and some TLC she blasts away both of my mates tuned KTM 625 SMR's! Although it's time for Taffy to tinker with it she isn't what I would call unreliable!!
 

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