Is an earlier Berg the bike for me?

Hi Andrew,
I owned an ATK 605 and was not overly stoked about the bike. However, Dan at Motoxotica and Keith at American Dirtbike made it pretty easy to get parts. The ubiquitous nature of the Rotax and it's use in flat track racing made things relatively easy.

The Husaberg, well not so much. Still, parts can be found and it seems that every older 501 that quits ends up parted out and on ebay. Still, those parts are used and, I'm no expert on the older bergs, there is not as much KTM cross over as developed in the 2004 - forward bikes. You have to go 2004 and newer to get away from the SEM.

The electric start is really an electric assist. Dial in the valves and keep it in good tune and you'll only touch the starter when racing. However, it's nowhere near the long haul tractor that the Atk is. You have to check the valves much more regularly along with the oil changes. The power of the ATK was ok, and I wish I had a nickel for every person who told me I'd be amazed by it. Frankly, every Husaberg I've owned 450 . . . and 550 included would pass the old ATK like it was parked. I liked that it was unique, quirky, sort of American made and had novel ideas . . . like a Buell, but nothing about that bike would make me want another. I'd buy another berg tomorrow if i had the coin.

sum up:
1. Parts - about the same as the 605 atk.
2. Reliability - ATK checkups are less frequent and consumables (belt) are cheaper;
Performance - Perhaps a 700 2 stroke intimadator would beat my berg, but no 605DS would come close.
3. Likelihood of passing another on the trail? ATK, well, only in Utah and L.A. Unique and people wanna talk your ear off about them. Goofy left leg burning frame and all. Older Husaberg, about the same without all the gobsmacking talk (except of course some crack about reliability)
4. Simplicity of design - the berg is a nice engine that has known issues that all can be addressed. ATK, same thing. Likely able to find more "tuners" for ATK (Ron Wood) and tuner parts since it is a Rotax. However, a good KTM tuner can hook up a berg.

California girl or Swedish model? Plusses and minuses abound.

Do NOT sell your lc4 Adventure.
Youll be very sorry if you do it.

And yes, get a 2004+ 550 or 650 Fe...

what Goose said except that we have now licked ALL the issues with the 1994-2008 bikes.

it might cost you a lot and nearly half the bits on the bike can be renewed/made better etc but it can be a bike that you just touch the button and they go!

regards

Taffy

certainly a repaired SEM is a 95% cure over the original SEM. they aren't perfect either but they are very good. they can't help but fail if everyone sprays them with the jet wash and makes no attempt to keep them dry.

all in all, those that atke a little care are OK but eventually "can't be arseed" always wins one day. you have to keep the water out ALL the time.....the water only has to be lucky once.

Taffy

For what it appears you want to do, I'd look for a 450 or 570 slant motor bike from 09-11. Rare, unique, powerful and reliable (for what it is). I want one desperately (though, not enough to part with my 04-08s). Still Husaberg and not just a Ktm with white and blue plastics. Still expensive on the private market but not so bad given the lower maintenance, ease of acquiring parts, performance similarities and practically civilized manners. Angry enough to know it's a berg, but you don't have to start making all the "fixes" from the day you bought it like you do with older bergs. I confess though, I like making the fixes (it's not like you're polishing a turd). Confession number 2? Those "inexpensive" lil fixes add up fast and suddenly you realize you could have bought a 570. Just a thought

I had an ATK605 for a while myself. Never quite warmed up to it but I still have a friend with 2 of them. He bought mine for cheap after I swapped on Ohlins forks and a pumper carb.

I like the 570 a lot for everything I do. It does feels heavy when it's on the ground (it is) but pretty good when it's moving. Tons of torque too. The 70 deg Bergs are also a good option if you want better misc parts availability than the older Bergs - but not as unique.

Good luck

oh god yes, get it

I have a 98 FE501E I'm in the process of renewing mine. I am making it legal for street and haven't neglected the off road duties. The suspension is in the shop getting a complete tear down/ rebuild. Rest of the bike will be completely overhauled and refreshed.
I haven't ridden it yet but will hopefully in a month or so. I have a 2007 YZ450F and 4 different 500 2-strokes to compare it to. The YZ in my opinion handles very well,mostly motocross racing for it. The 2 strokes have seen vintage mx and hare-scramble duty and have ample power.
I hope to provide a decent comparison of the berg vs the others from an objective point of view.
If you haven't purchased a bike by then maybe I'll have some insight for you! I have never had a motorcycle I regretted owning even if they were less than stellar. I like owning bikes that are not mainstream. Good Luck!

tourist said:

oh god yes, get it

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+1

Get a 06 or later for lesser trouble! 09-12 is Great allthou special. 13-14 is a ktm. The newer The better since u dont rly know What u want. Its all small money for The Joy ul get!