My first 70klms.

In summary I am a 4T convert. It was sad leaving the 300 behind, having ridden them for the last 4 years, but its all but a distant memory after my first ride on the Husaberg. The FE 390 is a fabulous machine. First thing I found pleasing was the tar section to my ride location - no hopping in out out of power band - only a small mercy but still a +ve. Secondly was the smooth roll on of power. You can lug the 300 around all day, and manage the power band hit, but you defintely don't get the easy access to the torque of a 4T. Thirdly was how light this thing feels handling wise. I kid you not other than a few ergonoimic differences, it felt like the 300.The front end feels very light, in fact first 30 minutes I was sure it was going to give every time I hit a corner, but it doesn't it sticks. The suspension setup seemed OK, tending towards a little firm. The 70 degree slant of the barrel has a noticeable impact on handing compared to the convential setup. I recall my 450 EXC needed a little more encouragement into corners. The Berg corners like a 2 smoker. Also had a bit of getting use to the compression braking, nearly losing the rear end a few times coming down muddy declines, and braking a little early into corners, but again within 30minutes all good. The motor is also great. Smooth linear delivery of power, more power than enough power for an average rider out to enjoy some trails. The power delivery excels on hill climbs, keeping traction and chugging along at low revs. Can't confirm it yet, need to do a few more ks but I also think the front end tracked well up hill, helping the bike stay on line. Some things that I will need to sort out though is the cockpit feels a little cramped every though I am only 5'10". Clutch and rear brake feel they sit too far back but I guess its soemthing I'll get use to. Clutch was a bit stiff to start with and the gear box clunky, neutral hard to find etc, but seems to have sorted itself out by the end of the ride. Also, I put the starter to the test which didn't fail me, but when its hot a little bit of throttle is needed to help her fire up again. I am now looking forward to my next ride this Friday. More ride reveiws to follow.

Cheers Gidders

Hi Gidders,
That's a great report especially for your 1st post.
Welcome to the site and have fun with your new bike.

log

Did another 130k on Friday west side of Buladelah. Plenty of log hops, greasy downhills, fire trails, creek crossings and tight singles. Still wrapped in the power delivery. Love the way the Berg power keeps rolling on, smoooooth delivery, no bogging from go to woe, no big hits, blip the throttle front end comes up no issues. There is more then enough grunt in this motor for the trails I'm riding. Its amazing how low down the rev range you can let this donk go with out stalling it, it just keeps chugging. Also no stalling issues in the deep water with the fuel injection. Took a while once again to trust the front end in the slippery stuff. I'm finding you have to sit a little further forward than I did on the 300 however. Still running the stock Pirelli front but they aren't to bad. The stock rear was causing me a lot of grief initially in the conditions but after I dropped it from 14 to 11 it hooked up a little better. Still they are ***** the 6 Day. It's going bought myself an IRC M5B on the weekend. Might take another ride on it if its a dry day, otherwise its gone. I'll keep the front though. Front shocks felt a little harsh from time to time but will have to do a few more rides to see if its spring rates and they just need some running in. Might need some bleeders as well. in regard to the electric start, I needed to give it a very small amount of throttle just after pressing the red button for it to fire up cleanly. Not sure if this is a quirk to starting or a running in issue. All in all still very impressed with this bike.

Cheers Gidders

Gidders said:

I needed to give it a very small amount of throttle just after pressing the red button for it to fire up cleanly

Click to expand...

Also worth noting and if needed, removing the tank and checking the throttle calble slack is within tolerance, because that can create delay to throttle body and a slight roll when starting (3mm).

re: partial throttle at start

From what I've gathered, a revamped map for the EFI is supposed to address that issue? My FE390 was remapped prior to me taking delivery, and I've not needed to use any amount of throttle during starting -- fires right up.

I'll get the dealer to look at the throttle when I do the first dealer service

Cheers

Bike has just over 500k on it now been riding tight singles, flowing singles, fire trails, hill climbs and descents, drop offs, rock ledges, creek crossings, jumping erosion mounds, you name it - one word for the bike - brilliant - I love this bike. In summary the 390 has the light feel of a 2 stroke, particularly in cornering. The power delivery is very linear therefore no surprises and easy to use. The motor has "almost" diesel like torque in the low rev range, great on hill climbs, just keeps popping along with out easy stalling. The geometry is a little strange at first, I think it has something to do with the peg positioning, makes you sit forward and upright on the bike. Seat is as hard as marble, keeping you on your legs, which is a good thing I guess. Only stock performance change so far was to get rid of the 6 Day rear at about 100 k and fitted IRC M5B which improved traction threefold. As noted before, front end has a very light feel to it but holds - can influence tyour confidence in turns - just wondering if dropping the shocks down the tripple clamps a bit might help? Shocks could do with some work given my weight but as a once a month rider probably not worth the spend.

Cheers Gidders

I too have a new FE390:


- buy the fork air bleeders - convenience.
- clutch always silky smooth as is the gearbox (oil changed at 1 hr and 3 hrs)
- when hot, I also too noticed a touch of throttle required to start the bike.
- the bike is much lighter than what I am used to (Husky TE610) so I find body position more important for rear traction ie weight back when needed
- put a 12 tooth cog on front so less clutch work at low speeds
- I overheated my bike twice so put on a fan kit

Regards
Fizz