My first bike, and I am considering an FS650

Fiftyfive · Feb 25, 2015

Greetings!

I am about to buy my first motorcycle, and a friend of mine have an FS650 '03 he wants to sell to me. After doing some research on the bike itself, I have read that the husaberg before '04 may have some reliability issues.

I am looking after a bike that I can take out for a ride when I want, and where I can take it for a trip for like 2-3 hours straight without having concerns about the engine. Will have some fun, but not race the entire time.

The engine has been taken out of the bike, then sent to some kind of professional workshop in Great Britain, where it all have been taken apart, and overhauled and then put back together and sent back to Norway, so the engine is considered as new.

I am aware of chaning oil and filter ever 10th hour, and I don't see that as a problem.

My question is. Should I go for the bike, or should I pass?

Goose916 · Feb 25, 2015

The berg has a pretty stout motor. That said, it's only a push button and go bike when the owner takes pains to maintain her. She's not good at sitting around and she demands frequent oil changes and valve adjustments. Sounds like you may want to look at a DRZ 400sm or a converted XR650. Heavier and slower but parts are abundant and the 'berg requires significant attention. May want to start with a DRZ, then get a berg for those track/twisty days to treat yourself.

Fiftyfive · Feb 25, 2015

Goose916 said:
The berg has a pretty stout motor. That said, it's only a push button and go bike when the owner takes pains to maintain her. She's not good at sitting around and she demands frequent oil changes and valve adjustments. Sounds like you may want to look at a DRZ 400sm or a converted XR650. Heavier and slower but parts are abundant and the 'berg requires significant attention. May want to start with a DRZ, then get a berg for those track/twisty days to treat yourself.

Thanks for the fast reply! It may sound like she's not the one. But I can handle the valve adjustments and the oil changes, but I am more worried about the maintenance after 200 hours. It sounds expensive.

Goose916 · Feb 25, 2015

It can be. About the same as most European bikes (husky/ktm). Could be worse, could be an Aprilia (great bike, a money pit when you need the big maintenance done).

As the old addage goes, "those without a sponsor or a trust fund ride rice." (Club Racing addage for all of us that drooled over Ducati's at the track back in the 80s and 90s)

basalt · Feb 25, 2015

Fiftyfive said:
Thanks for the fast reply! It may sound like she's not the one. But I can handle the valve adjustments and the oil changes, but I am more worried about the maintenance after 200 hours. It sounds expensive.

200 hours is a long time. 100 2 hour rides. Do you plan to ride it every day or just some fun on the occasional weekends?

Fiftyfive · Feb 25, 2015

basalt said:
200 hours is a long time. 100 2 hour rides. Do you plan to ride it every day or just some fun on the occasional weekends?

The conditions in Norway is very weather dependent, so the bike will be used maybe some hours after work a few days, and when I have time in the weekends, when the weather allows it of course.

When the summer comes, I have 4 weeks vacation, and the bike will be used alot more than the my car, so it may run several hours these weeks aswell. Again, if the weather allows it ;o

basalt · Feb 25, 2015

This current thread discusses pretty much what a 200 hour service is, I don't know if the older motor has any other specific things that need attention:

http://husaberg.org/mechanical/19796-fe450-2005-engine-sound.html

It would certainly be hard to find a more fun bike that the FS650!

Wolfy · Feb 27, 2015

For a first bike, I would recommend the DRZ also. My first SUMO was the DRZ, bullet proof motor, but the mods can get addicting though.

By the time I sold mine, it was a fire breathing stroker/big bore 470cc, canyon carver. I too have an FS650, but with regards to street riding, comfort, and reliability the DRZ outshines the Berg.

The DRZ is not a track bike, period. This is the reason I sold it and eventually got Berg #2. For around town, I sure wish I had my little rice burner. I logged about 10,000 miles on DRZ, and it that time I only shimmed the valves once and changed the oil every 1000 miles. When I pulled the motor the thing still looked brand new inside.

This is just my two cents. My first car was a Honda Civic, not a Bugatti Veyron.

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My first bike, and I am considering an FS650

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