More reports on newer FE550's please!

RE: More reports on newer FE550

San Diego? I would say a FE550e, or a TE510 or a KTM 525 would be great for open country. all three are much better then any 450 in the open, if you are a 450+ size rider..... meaning, if you are a small bike lover and realy prefer the 250-450 size range then never mind but if you like 450cc bikes then you will love the big brothers.

all three bikes are different and you need to ride all, research all. all the three are good open bikes, though the FE550e is the better woods bike... I can attest to that. I owned a TE510 and have riden KTM 525s

RE: More reports on newer FE550

the bergs are shorter, the riding position is more in what I call the little red wagon feel as You sit right in the groove for good turning. The Huskys are taller more spread out. So a Berg is a good bike for a medium height guy. I am 6'5" and the berg rides so nice, I get over the fact it's shorter more compact then my big tall husky was. plus I have berg bar risers and a berg tall seat.

Both the Husky and the Berg have a short stroke motor with a racy revy linear buttery power band, not much subtle hit anywhere just cholesterol packing buttery big and bright fast power in all gears.

the husabergs have a nice wide ratio tranny, geared tall stock and need to gear down some, The stock gearing and you never see 4th. :lol:

lets see the quality is excellent in both brands. Both bikes easy to servcie and maintain. the Husky has this planted like a running back or linebacker feel great feel and it turns great, The Husaberg has this quick moves like a shortstop feel,but still planted too. it rides real nice.

The Husky 510 has noticable engine breaking, the Husaberg has like no engine braking making the big 550 a better floating woods bike then the 510, but that 510 close ratio works great in the woods too.

you mention the KTM 525 exc long stroke motor.........it feel more tractor heavy like to me more directional not a turner like the Husky and Bergs are. I am not a fan of teh KTM 525 exc, but do appreciate the good all around KTM 450 exc.

The Husky rear suspension is linked and better then the Bergs. But the berg WP front fork suspension is better out of the box then the husky marrzochhi which you know are stiff.

Hope you can ride both, very differnt execpt both have a racy smooth linear powerband motor with deep arm pulling power yet both are very mangageable easy to cruse and have fun on.

I loved my TE510 in the desrt, it stood up and acroos whoops like a pro.

Have yet to ride my FE550 in the desert but did ride one there for a 1 mile.....I kinda liked my TE510 there more becasue I'm tall and need a tall bike.....yet my FE550 is definitely my prefeered bike of the two in the woods. It just is..

I have to agree with bigbob.

The engine brake of the 550 is less than of my 501.
Better handling in the woods.

My friend with a FC470 established this too.

He is enthused and will now a 550 too.

The 501 was too "longstroke" for him.

Traktor power is enough.

Power is good to handle (for a 500+bike) in first an second gear.

I tried last sunday a Sherco 5.1 (95 mm bore.)

very longstroke, sedate, slagardly.

The throttle way of the right hand is to big!
Difficulty to lift the front wheel in impulse.

Very smooth, good for relaxing enduro hiking.

But the owner and dealer of sherco was very quick with the bike!

All a funktion of habituation....