My Fe650e Swedish Love Muscle and doubts.

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Joined
Jun 24, 2002
Messages
8
Location
Kennewick, WA
Well,
First off, I really appreciate all of the Posts that I have read on this website. You guys have been a source of many solutions that I have needed for my ride. But, I have just about had it with Husaberg in general.

My 650 is, without doubt, the most powerful dirtbike I have ever ridden. When I think about ripping down the beach in Florence,Oregon with a Paddle tire, doing 80+ miles per hour and a Rooster tail said to be at least 40 feet into the air, A smile erupts on my face. I don't think a better time could be had. I even had a separated shoulder at the time, I didn't feel a thing it was so fun. I am a big guy and I wanted a big bike. So I got the baddest of the bad boys on the block. My 02 berg had no equal on competition hill, If you've ever been to Florence you know what I mean. I would eat up CRF 450's and I weigh over 290. That's how powerful this bike is.

When I purchased the bike in May of '02 there was supposed to be a promotion of products and service included in the sale of the bike. I have never heard or received of any of these products or services. I have inquired many times to many different distributors and have never received word back except once to say that, yes, the stuff is due to you.

I'm still waiting.

Just when I figured that I had the bike working great, I start having problems. Namely the kickstarter shaft broke off. I have had to replace it twice. Husaberg did replace the second shaft under warranty. Due to "possible heat treating issues" I am still waiting on parts to put it back together fully.

While I was at my local dealer, I was discussing the possible sources of my trouble with the mechanic, when he wanted me to show the parts I was discussing. He took me to the back of the shop and I saw a 02 650 motor on the bench in a state resembling stainless steel hamburger. He asked me, "you have an '02 650, right?"

"Yes, I do." I stated.

He jokingly points and states, "Get ready for this."

My jaw dropped and I feel like I have thrown $7000 plus dollars down the drain.

I have been very good with maintaining my bike. I have dealt with hard start issues with some success. I have been religous with oil changes and valve adjustments. I have checked and rechecked decompress functions and cam wear. I have resigned my self to having a bike with Electric start that does nothing but add weight to the bike, because surely it does not start the bike. What more can I do to prevent the inevitable?

Why has husaberg ignored my emails to them? I have sent a number of them and have had no response.

I took my Berg for a ride in September. September 24th to be exact. It was my Anniversary with my lovely wife and we took the day off to go for a nice ride together. We drove 3+ hours to the location we were to ride. I unloaded her Honda and got it started. I unloaded my Berg and proceeded to bust the Kick starter off again after 3 kicks. We then loaded the bikes back up and went to our local dealer to get started on parts. It is now November and my bike is still not running. What good is this bike to me when I cannot ride it?

I would really like for Husaberg to help me get my issues with this bike resolved. I would like to prevent my counterbalancer from turning into swiss cheese. (no pun intended)

I really, really want to enjoy this bike. I went to lengths to purchase it with absolutely no miles on it so that Only I was responsible for the well being of the bike. I was more than adequate with the break in and maintenance. I am really let down by the lack of reliability and very disappointed with the lack of support by Husaberg. I have been told by many people to put the bike back together and get rid of it.

To do this I will be taking a large loss of value in the bike. The resale of Bergs is pathetic in my area. They do not sell. Heck, the dealer has a 98 501 still sitting in the showroom. Brand new. Only faded by the sun coming through the window.

I have obviously made a poor decision with the purchase of this bike. I hate to admit that. I was so excited when I bought the bike. I now feel more resentment than ever. I should have listened to everybody when I was shopping for the bike. As a local Husky dealer stated, "Husaberg's are hard to live with."

I believe that a Bike should be able to run and operate correctly with the suggested maintenance from the factory manual. If it does not then there is a serious lack of engineering skill that has been integrated into the design. I feel for the others who have posted negative remarks on this website. I now understand what they are going through.

I need to start hearing answers soon or else this happens or maybe it just starts now.

For sale 2002 FE650e. best offer

Kennewick, Wa
(509) 948-0399
Ask for Teddy.
 
What can i say you must be unlucky my berg has broken once and still ran after i took the starter reduction gear out i have enjoyed many many hours of enjoyment on my bike and will refuse to buy another brand after my exsperiance with husaberg :D. Maybe when you get your new kickstarter shaft maybe get it cryo treated i hav'nt heard of this being a common problem maybe you could look the way you kick the bike if you are kicking to far or on a bad angle after all you are a big man just a thought

cheers doug
 
The dealer told me to use a solid kick straight through. That is what I have done. I have experience at left kickers. I have had an 81 Maico and several other euro bikes with left kick. I doubt that I am kicking so hard to break the shaft with that ease. I am trying to find any additional resistance in the kick stroke. I am compairing to a 650 that the dealer has. (His personal bike, which he is selling.) I am jealous of those who write and state that they have had no problems. I was wanting that same experience to prove the Nay-sayers wrong. Unfortunately when others say that they have had no problems that doesn't comfort me. I cannot willingly recommend the Husaberg brand at this point, mostly due to the lack of communication.
 
geekmo

phone all the regular dealers for your parts and not just the one. even call BMG, call HMS call motoexotica call the other two or three well known supporters of husaberg in the states.

secondly, it doesn't sound like you have spent anything like the time i and other owners of 02s have in order to get the best out of them so i think that you've had a lucky/good ride so far.

and remember they all break!

your fat arse and a 650 = component failure somewhere or other along the line.

have you been fettling your bike in anyway all along? i see that you've been a member for two years yet you had only posted once before. not much input there now is it fella?

i wish you good luck, call ALL, yes ALL the dealers up to get your parts.

regards

Taffy
 
re: husaberg support group

Teddy

Call Brett Saunders: 1-877-650-BERG
( http://www.husaberg-usa.com )

or

BMG: 506-328-8853

and see if there's anything that can be done in your situation to ensure that the bike is right when it goes back together.

This site is often seen as a support group when people need assurance that they didn't get taken. Well, for whatever reason, be it yours or some minimum wage worker in Sweden, You Own A Piece Of Shit. Hey, it happens, and every body hates it. I've owned a 2002 Honda car since new that the dealers can't turn off the SRS light or seal the front of the engine, so I worry about getting hit in the face with an airbag while driving down the road and I get to put a quart of oil in it every week. It doesn't make me feel warm fuzzy either that there are others out there that love Honda Mo Co and have never had a problem. I'll never buy another new car from them. I know it's irrational, but A) I'm angry and B) irrational or not, I Own A Piece Of Shit that was made by them.

To all the people who come here to let us know that they're unhappy, please don't act like we built your bike. We're just a bunch of guys that take time out of our busy schedules to help you with your piece of ****.

I'm tired of the ultimatums, snide comments and insinuations, as if a) I personally built your bike and take a personal interest if you sell your bike or not or b) I can wave a magic wand and make your bike whole again. Please stop with the compassion you feel for the others in your position or the tagline "for sale, best offer", or any of the other cliches that people post when they've been a member here for 2 years, but only decide to post WHEN THEY'VE HAD IT WITH THEIR PIECE OF **** BIKE!

Ask us what's wrong and we'll try to help. Save the drama for somewhere else, or if you'd rather, all of these whining people that you feel compassion for could get together and create a sub-group of the main group that just talk about how they taken to the cleaners.

thanks,
json
 
Geekmo: I feel for you, there's nothing worse than a long drive then having the bike munch it self. Been there done that! Please stay in touch with the board for update and advice. As there many people who have a lot of experience with the 02 650's. You really need to be a man to own one of those, there’s two sources of parts that I'd call ASAP. For the best prices I'm pretty sure he has it on the self Call Andrew at Euro Motor's 248-680-4179 or Dan at motoexoctica you'll have to dig up the phone number. Hang in there old boy, remember this isn’t your fathers Honda!
 
If 2 kickstarter gears is all of your problems in 2 plus years, you have no problems. As for the counterbalancer.... ride it and if it breaks fix it. You bought the lightest, fastest fourstroke made.... not a Honda Accord.
I would take a look at the low speed decompression device on the cam shaft. It sounds like your not getting enough lift out of it. This could lead to both of your starting issues.
 
berger said:
If 2 kickstarter gears is all of your problems in 2 plus years, you have no problems.

Why don't you try the 04 starter mod with the YTZ7S battery as detailed here: Starter mod

Also cryoing the kick starter shaft may be a good solution for you. I had a starter gear done for $10.00. Your kicking technique may be a little too much for it considering your weight. It was posted here before that a factory mechanic stated the proper way to kick start the bike to avoid breaking the shaft off the bike is with your right leg. You may want to explore replacing the kick start lever itself with one from the 04 model. If you try it please post your findings.
 
Hey Teddy I will start the bidding. How's about $1000, since your bike is such a POS. :D

Just kidding I wish you the best of luck. I have an 02 FE650 and man are they fun!!!! Pulled two KX 500's and a XR720 at the last race :twisted: :twisted: . If I was in your shoes I would Keep it and do everything possible to make it run right.
 
I think there was a question addressed to me, will take this briefly.

Yearly cost to keep it running etc, 2700USD.
This far this year 12 weeks stop of 24 weeks during the high season. All brand related. This gives 60 hours less on the bike during day time in the high season, no night rides, no possibility to attend in the club races and no possibilities to attend to some interesting meetings this year. However, I think still I have been lucky.

I have also the complete history of three Yamaha bikes. The first two have around 100 hours and 70 hours respectively during a year. No stops and nothing done to the bikes. The other one has 150 hours in one year and 180 hours in total. The wheel bearings have been replaced once; the valve clearance has been within the limit all the time and no stops. These two bikes with 100 and 180 hours respectively have been used in a bunch of races.

Did I now crush the wounded toe totally?
 
Last night I spoke with my dealer in length about your kick starter problem, a second time. Earlier he called husaberg about it for me to see if there was any recalls. husaberg said that they have had a few problems with 01 & 02 kick starter shafts breaking, they suggested when doing the repair to install a 03 kick starter shaft as they've upgraded the shaft. My dealer said the part was like $70 us.
 
Style of kicking was said to have a lot to do with the kickstarter shaft breakage. I suggest going to the 03 shaft and trying to get an 05 kickstarter lever(Verify that it will fit prior to purchase.). Also look into fixing the auto-decompression lift and getting your electric starter parts upgraded.

Yes the first generation of the new motor design(2001-2002's) had some problems, but they can be upgraded with newer parts to solve most the issues. ...or in the case of the cam chain going to an older part. :)
 
Well,

Thank you all for your remarks, Much appreciated. Sorry about the Drama, Schwimm. That was not my intent to offend anyone here, I understand that this is a forum for enthusiasts. I want to be an enthusiast but when I kept hearing bad news about my bike it was pushing me over the top.

Just how much work does one of these bikes take to run? I feel that I have been keeping up with the maintenance well.

As to kicking style, I have been aboard big bore Maicos and other Euro rides and have developed a left kick habit. I feel that I am doing it properly as my dealer had demonstrated. I may have given a good hard kick from time to time as I was frustrated with the bike not starting in the early period of my ownership of the 650. However the replacement kickstart shaft only lasted for 1 ride with multiple starts.

I have gotten good news from my local dealer, Husaberg is going to update the counterbalance bearings and the rockers in my motor. I just need to get it back together to get it to the shop. There may be hope for the beast yet. I am considering purchasing a back up ride so that my wife will not kill me when this thing breaks down. Which it will.

If Husaberg would communicate with me, I would be much happier. They still have not responded to me directly in reference of some Emails I sent to them.

It is unfortunate that many writers on this board are negative about the bikes. But sometimes a person just has to vent. Not everybody is going to appreciate a bike that has so many quirks and wrinkles. I understand that they are lightweight super powerful bikes. A price must be paid for that edge. However, It should be backed up well for the price we paid.

Geekmo
 
re: Foot Of Thunder

Hi Teddy,

I'm not arguing that you ARE kicking wrong, but in almost eight years of reading posts, I've never run across anyone who broke more than one. Which would make me think that either A)your kicking method is off or B)there is something else inside that engine that is either binding or putting an abnormal strain on the kickstarter.

If you're positive on A, then I would think that we have to concentrate on B. Has the engine ever been completely with the intention of looking for trouble in this area? Maybe check the alignment of the cases to see if the bores are misaligned?

If the local dealer is going to replace your bearings, I would ask him to look for anything like this.

That's my only guesses on the matter. Let us know what you think.

And thanks for coming back in a more rational frame of mind. It makes it possible to try to help you.

thanks,
json
 
I thought I would post an update as to the workings of my bike. The Local dealer started with the Counterbalancer modification and updates to the rockers. I also found the Decompressor shaft in the crank case to have been misaligned. The bolt apparently overrotated in the shaft. Also noticed a bit of unusual wear on the autodecompressor device in the cam shaft. I was unaware of this wear due to the fact I never pulled the cam completely out of the motor. I know better know. I haven't ridden since September and have not purchased another bike yet. Doesn't matter though, due to thoughtless people and the legal system one of our local riding areas has been closed. It is a shame that a careless few ruin riding for the majority.

EEERRRRR. Dumb Riders EEEEEEEERRRRRRRR.

Teddy "geekmo"

2002 FE650E (in Pieces)
 
Geekmo, I feel your pain, but bergs are not the only bike with these type of problem. Remember when the yz400 came out? Non of the two stroke guys could start them and they were breaking kick starters. I bought a used 96 KTM that quickly earned the name "Keeps Taking Money". First ride rod started making noise= new bottom and top end. Third ride the internal parts of the kickstarter failed, engaging the starter while I was motoring along in fourth gear. Not sure if the starter trying to take my leg off hurt more than the endo. After this and numerous other problems, the bike has proven to be problem free and very reliable.
 
A friend of mine broke his shaft on a 02 550 as well. I just couldn't believe it. That is supposed to take any power you can throw at it in my opinion.

I've got a Berg myself, very happy with that, but when I start it, the kick starter jams on the foot peg. HOW is this possible? The bike is brand spanking new..

I love Bergs, but they sure do have som quirks. For instance, how to fill oil on a 05 model?? Tossers :)
 
The kickstart hanging up on the peg is common (I would not know as I have never kickstarted mine yet :wink: ). You just need to trim off a little bit of the foot peg where the kick lever sticks. A die grinder will make quick work of it.
 

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