I guess just some questions about leftovers

drdfblackm · Jun 9, 2012

Ok I am a C+ rider at best looking at dabbling in some races...hare scrambles...no mx and for the most part single track riding. I am 6'4" and approx 225. I had an 02 FX650...too much bike for me, bike became Ned's baby for a while. I just sold my 06 Yamaha WR450 yesterday and well it was about the best all around bike I have had. I am looking at the FE bikes....there are leftover 390 and 570 and looking at a used 450. Ok my thought is that the 390 is too small and will feel under powered with someone my size.....and I believe that the 570 will scare the crap out of me, but since I have not ridden a new Berg I cannot answer any of these questions.

I would appreciated any input you can give me.

In addition the dealer also has a leftover 11 Husky TE511....should I consider it?? Can someone run down the pros and cons of both the Berg vs the Husky.

Thanks.

Electrified · Jun 9, 2012

I never have understood a bike scaring the crap out of anyone. It will only do what your right hand tells it to do. I have been out of dirt biking for 20 years and my first foray back in to it was the FE-570. I have never been afraid on that bike but maybe I don't have the balls to scare the crap out of myself?? 8O

I have always felt it was better to have too much horsepower than not enough. It is easier and cheaper to remove power than to add it. :twisted:

drdfblackm · Jun 9, 2012

No you totally have a point and well I guess I was a little too green at the time for that 650 but I tell you and Ned could chime in I am sure....it was a flipping beast.

So overall likes and dislikes of your 570????

Ruger · Jun 9, 2012

Electrified said:
I never have understood a bike scaring the crap out of anyone. It will only do what your right hand tells it to do. I have been out of dirt biking for 20 years and my first foray back in to it was the FE-570. I have never been afraid on that bike but maybe I don't have the balls to scare the crap out of myself?? 8O

I have always felt it was better to have too much horsepower than not enough. It is easier and cheaper to remove power than to add it. :twisted:

Pure wisdom, that. When I worked for a motorcycle dealership I learned the concept of the "fright bike." We invariably had at least one low mileage bike on the showroom floor with a story attached to it. The story was invariably that a new owner had brought his new purchase back after only a few weeks or months and had said the equivalent of, "Take this bike off my hands before it kills me." Sometimes the owner wanted to trade for a smaller displacement machine, sometimes he wanted to trade for a different kind of motorcycle (usually a cruiser), and sometime he didn't want to trade at all and just wanted to unload the bike of his nightmares, but they all took financial beating.

FredE · Jun 9, 2012

I agree with electrified; I'm a 50yo intermediate level dirt rider and started on a 2009 BMW G450x a few years back, which I still own. It has the same motor as the husky TE449/511 (slightly less cc and hp than the TE511). I also looked at the husky TE511 but ended up buying a 2012 FE570 for just a little more. I was warned by many fellow riders about the uncontrollable power of the FE570, but I went ahead anyway. After 10 hours on the bike I'm so glad I bought it. I fitted a 3 mode switch plus a G2 throttle tamer (but probably not essential) and find the power delivery very predictable and linear. A quick flick of the FEs throttle actually helps me jump logs and gullies where the BMW would require a more concentrated effort and a pull back on the bars to raise the front quickly - often too late to jump the obstacle. The Husky and BMW motors are made in Taiwan by KYMCO - maybe not a bad thing, but my well maintained BMW required a rebuild at 140 hours!! My advice is don't buy the 390, 450 - go for the 570.

berger · Jun 9, 2012

A lot of positive comments from guy's at the last 2 Force rides about the 390. The majority seemed to prefer the 390 for high altitude single track.
For me the 570 is the only bike to have (I loved my 650's) :cheers:

Electrified · Jun 9, 2012

I always had big bore bikes in my early years so when I decided to get back into dirt bikes, it simply never occurred to me to look at anything smaller than a 500cc bike. I wouldn't have a problem on a 450 but my style of riding is conducive to big bores. I don't much enjoy tight single track or even tight woods riding although that is primarily what is around these parts. My biggest high is simply powering my way up a steep hill, over a log or rock, or simply driving the wheel vertical without having to pop the clutch. The 570 excels at all of the above and then some and since I have never owned a smaller bore dirt bike I don't know what I am missing. People talk about the 570 feels heaver or revs slower or whatever but all I know is it will throw my balls right into my stomach when that back wheel hooks up and that cannot be duplicated without sheer horsepower. :cheers:

For some of you that have seen me posting about my mechanical woes with my Berg, that is a separate issue. This posting is simply my riding impression and with that, I am completely pleased.

Idle · Jun 9, 2012

Going slow up ugly rocky hillclimbs is where a bigger displacement rules IMO. No clutch work, and no shifting.

My bike will slow to below idle speed and perk right up with a little twist. I hardly ever stall it, and NEVER have to use the clutch except to shift and start off.

I always hear how a smaller engined bike is better for woods or tight single track. Something about reciprocating mass. My bike will go very well in the 2,000-3,000 rpm range. There's less mass on a smaller engine, but it's spinning at least twice as fast to make the same power. I just don't understand it I guess. I've never ridden a smaller bike on a difficult section, so I may be missing something.

570 ftw!

tommytherocker1 · Jun 10, 2012

Cycle World had a Husaberg FE570s vs. Husqvarna TE511 test in the september 2011 issue. In the same issue Cycle World dubbed the FE570 the best enduro bike of 2011. Cycle world said the FE570 was more like a hard core dirt bike while the Husky was a little more soft - like the more traditional dual sport bikes. I haven't ridden the FE390 or FE450, but I can recommend the FE570. Yes, it is powerful, but the power is linear and easy to use. My friend who rides a YZ426 rode my FE570 the other day commented on the FE being smooth and powerful at the same time - easy to ride. I would recommend a couple of items for you if you do get the FE570:
1) Remove the restrictor piece in the muffler (there are threads about this in this forum). This doesn't make the bike much louder, helps the power output, and greatly reduces heat.
2) Get a map switch. I actually prefer to ride with the "L" or low traction map. It has a little extra torque off the bottom with a smoother flow of power into the mid and high end - works great for trail riding.
3) You will need to change the gearing for trail work. I went from the stock 14/42 to 13/45. The 13/45 will still do a 100 mph with ease. You can't go much more than 13/47 without a new chain (although some have said you can turn the adjusters around and it will fit).
4) You are going to need fork springs and shock spring for your weight as the stockers are pretty soft.
5) At your height, consider using some bar risers and a "tall" seat. I am only 6' and I like the tall seat - it helps my orthopedic knees.

Good Luck!

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I guess just some questions about leftovers

drdfblackm

Electrified

drdfblackm

Ruger

FredE

berger

Electrified

Idle

tommytherocker1

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