Need Opinions for FE550 For SM Racing

BrianSM · Jun 20, 2005

I'm looking at a 2003 400 SM with a 2002 FE550 engine in it...the 6 speed 550 ? anyways the machine is all new.......(The bike is 2000 miles from me)The price is right.....the seller thought he would ride on the street and realized its not quite the right bike for that........also the engine noise that some Euros make freaks him out.....(he sent it back to the dealer and the dealer ripped it aprt and found no problems and threw in new bearings in it for good measure ?)
I know the Del. carb is a pain and should be changed over the FCR or ??
The bike will be raced only....I've bounced around here abit and found some 05 550's with some lower end issues....I have also seen ratings on the enduro with this engine and they gave it a 10.....Did I say the price is right...........The new 450 is kinda lame power wise but handles very well....the 650 has some torque but doesn't really wind out, I know it likes to be short shifted but it just isn't my style......I've read here that the 550 winds out and pulls all the way up the revs....It seems like a fantastic combo to woop those big SMR's and still handle like a S1 class bike........I really want a Berg bad.... or should I quite being a wimp and pony up for a 650 and break old habits..........I'd appreciate opinions........no I'm not expecting it to pull like a KX5 (I'm racing one now) :lol: besides you guys need more Tards around here 8)

Taffy · Jun 20, 2005

hello brian

if you check the lap times you'll see that the 450s do the same lap times as the 650s so your 550 will be fine whilst you learn. track time is everything. spend all the hours out there you can until you flick the bike around with disdain and like a rag doll.

on your way, you'll be setting the suspension, grips and learning everyuthing about set up. you'll also come up against 450s and 650s and can decide if you are losing if anything.

it maybe that your nike hooks up before theirs!

regards

Taffy

Gix · Jun 21, 2005

Hi Brian..

As a direct comparison, I recently became embroiled in a dogfight with a mate on a 550(04) with me on my 650(04). His bike runs exactly the same add on power gizmo's as mine does. Despite being a slightly faster rider than him I could not find a way past using power alone. He could get on the power a very slight bit earlier.whereas I was near running into him at the next corner.
I must say though, alot of this was down to the track...had it been the following week at a faster track I would have blitzed past.
The 550 is definately a good compromise but if your tracks are fast and wide go 650 as thats what everyone will be using and they WILL pass you.
Lap times are subjective to the particular track. Some tracks favour 450's and some the open classer.
The uk tracks are getting tighter with bigger jumps etc and for that reason a lot of riders are running tuned 450's in the open class.
Check out the tracks you will be using in your particular championship, then take a quick look at what bikes the top riders are using.
Oh and btw..a 650 will rev out quite quickly, if it doesn't its set up wrong

albacore · Jun 21, 2005

Hey Brian, good see you over here from the Junkie site. Be sure to give Rick a call about the 04/05 factory updates http://husabergheadquarters.com/.

P.S. did anyone notice Iddon on the podium in Austria?

FinMoto · Jun 21, 2005

Ciao Brian !

I think You have a great bike there !

As Taffy pointed out, track is a great way to enjoy and learn, and adjust all the suspension and tires etc.

Go have fun, and lets hear how Your doing !

FinMoto

BrianSM · Jun 21, 2005

I was actually more concerned about the engine......I know the bike handles very well...suspension setup is suspension set up......
All our tracks up here are modified go cart tracks and some are more open....the 450 is really the weapon of choice....but the lil berg is weak power wise...thats why the 550 is attracting me.....my KX actually handles quite well for what it is, but I found I'm faster on a 4 stroke......there is alot to be said about a slow bike that handles well as opposed to a rocket that handle quite as well.......

burnman · Jun 22, 2005

550 rocks

G'day Lads,

Well its slightly early days for me to post a detailed description, but I picked up my 05 550 yesterday and I'm friggen CHUFFED ! Motor screams - IMHO it romps all over a CR 500 (flat, uninteresting power) the bottom end is brilliant, midrange goes like hell and I've yet to wind it out to the top ! Handles brilliant, stops on a dime, clutch is awesome.
I was going to setup a motard kit for it - and having spent 1.5 hours on it, I'm DEFINATELY going to ! This thing will be a weapon on the tarmac !

Bernie
B)

BrianSM · Jun 22, 2005

Thanks Bernie !!.......I called the guy....gonna write the cheque tomorrow.......I will post picts once the bike is setup to my liking, new carb, exhaust system,K&N, bark busters, sliders and of coarse big meaty slicks....I will say the Berg is very easy to back in, just have to be able to cross the bike up with feet up......RIPPA !!! Thanks for the responses.....I always will need pointers on pipes carbs etc but will look through the site before I start askin dumb questions....... :wink:

crashnberg · Jun 23, 2005

Its a shame alta vista don't do this particular translation as i have a 550 fc supermoto and would love to help! anyway - great bike.

BrianSM · Jun 23, 2005

crashnberg said:
Its a shame alta vista don't do this particular translation as i have a 550 fc supermoto and would love to help! anyway - great bike.

I'm always happy to share information....In this case I will need lots of info as the Berg is a new beast for me............I'll pm you with my e-mail address then we can share stories .... :idea:

Bobzilla · Jun 23, 2005

BrianSM said:
crashnberg said:

Its a shame alta vista don't do this particular translation as i have a 550 fc supermoto and would love to help! anyway - great bike.

Click to expand...

I'm always happy to share information....In this case I will need lots of info as the Berg is a new beast for me............I'll pm you with my e-mail address then we can share stories .... :idea:

I know we don't have a SM forum but we like to hear anyway. Just use the general forum or are the knotts too tight already? :twisted:

BrianSM · Jun 23, 2005

well at least the guys with bumpy tires can relate........

super moto is about as fun it can get.......triple digits top speed and clearing doubles on the same track.......slicks in a deep greasy berm is kinda weird..... :wink:

BrianSM · Jul 3, 2005

I bought the bike and I am waiting for it to arrive this week......I hooked up with a very knowledgable dealer and he has a stock pile of goodies for me......I'm getting a FCR 41 carb, newest generation upper valve train and I am contemplating a slipper clutch.......The after market exhaust system will be $$$ and give very little gains HP wise, also I have to watch the noise issue with our race tracks up here......other than bells and whistles, am I missing anything.....fatter cam maybe ???? from all the reading I have been doing all the owners of 550's claim it pulls like a KX 500 but w/o the hit.....my goal is 60 hp at the tire, with race gas ??? am I on track ??? :twisted:

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Need Opinions for FE550 For SM Racing

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