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Needing some advice

C

cbull

Joined Dec 2013
6 Posts | 0+
Wendell ID
This coming spring I will be buying a new bike. Been looking at a Yamaha wr450f or a fe501.
But also starting to think about the fe 350, I see quite a few good reviews about the 350 but very little for the fe 501.
Is the 501 not a good bike? I'm having a real hard time with my decisions. I'm wanting another bike for open dessert, some sand dunes and mountain trail riding. I've rode bikes since I was a little kid, been riding a quad for the last 5 years and now its time to start riding a dirt bike again. Im a little guy weighing in at a 135 to 140 lbs (depending on scale), my last 2 bikes were a Yamaha wr426 and before that was a xr600. Really enjoyed the 600 for the power but it was just to heavy of a bike.
Thanks for your time and any opinions!
 
With the brand being gone, you might not get a new 501 or 350 in the spring. The 350 should have good power and the 501 has big power. I don't own either, but I've tried the 501 and own a 570. Great bikes and for your size either should suit. The 501 will have better legs for the dez. I know it's not much info, but it's really all I have for you. I do know this, if you find a good used 570 you'll be very happy!!!
 
I am not an expert about enduro bikes...
But If I would buy an enduro bike for my use/terrain where I live I would prefer a 350/390.
But for the sand it's nice to have some serious power so 500+cc would be a good choice imo the 501 is MUCH lighter than an xr 600 the weight difference compared to smaller displacement bike is not big at all just the power delivery.
 
I should have no problem getting a husaberg, my dealer has 3 501's left and 2 or 3 350's. Very doubtful they will sell them beings how its winter. (Snowmobile season)
I have read some good reviews about the 570, but aren't they pretty heavy?
 
I've seen it mentioned from time to time that the 570 is heavy. I don't know. I can't really say I agree. I've seen the weight quoted as 114-120kg. Is that heavy? :) They feel very very light when you're driving them, that's for sure.

Frankly I think it's kind of crazy to consider the 570 to be heavy bike, but maybe people have some other point of view than I.

However, the 501 and 350 are even lighter than the 570 :)

You can't go wrong with any of them I think! What kind of bikes have you had before and what bikes have you liked or disliked to ride?
 
Like i said up above, my last 2 were a wr426 and a xr600, before that i had a 82 xl500 next was a yz250 and kx80.
currently have a built yamaha raptor 700 for the sand dunes. I thought my 426 was an awesome bike until i got to ride some of the newer stuff. such as the new yz450f and kx450f, but the problem with them is i want a wider range trans, electic start, and a bit bigger fuel tank, oh and a head light is a good idea too.
 
The 570 with the good mapping has a LOT of power and feels like a 250 2t when it's moving. Compared to an MX bike, it might be heavy, but ride one and you'll see what all the hype is about! The 70* thing is worth trying! Trust me!
 
Go the 501! For how you described where you will ride that is the go. The 70 degree bikes are good, but for smaller riders the matter is not so much the overall weight but high centre of gravity. Since you have used big motors you will love the light 501 that can pull and rev depending on you mood.
 
It kinda sounds like the husaberg/KTM's are a higher maintanance bike then say a yamaha. Is adjusting valves, changing pistons and piston rings and over heating a norm for these bikes? Even with the 2013's and 14's?
I really like the thought of more power and better suspension, but im a little worried about droping the yamaha side of things. I've had such good luck with them and seen others have the same kinda luck. My wr426 I bought new and rode the piss out of for about 8 to 9 years never gave me any trouble, I sure hope the Husaberg stuff can be at least half as good. (Reliable)

Thanks for the posts guys! Sure would like to here from a few newer 501 owners!
 
Enduro360 just did a tear down of a 120 hr ktm350 engine. I certainly wouldn't be afraid of the 501. Lots of aftermarket stuff for them also since they are a blue katoom.
 
The 501 is the motor size that got berg originally going being bigger than 450 but smaller than 600. To me weight is important, and so is low centre of gravity that is why the 501 may be the best choice. The 570 is a fantastic bike and that extra capacity you would love. Once going the bike is great but when going slow or picking up, I prefer the weight low. Think of picking up a wheel Barrow with the weight at the front near the wheel or back in the middle?
not wanting to get into the berg husky issue, I note the husky novolette sport motor looks like the berg 70 degree motor? Take a Google look.
 
I need somthing like that on my mountain bike! Center of gravity sure looks low, although im prolly going to want a little more, get up and go!
I sure would like to know if a good rider can tell any big handling differances between the fe 350 and fe 501, i think there is only about a 10lb differance.
 
cbull said:
It kinda sounds like the husaberg/KTM's are a higher maintanance bike then say a yamaha. Is adjusting valves, changing pistons and piston rings and over heating a norm for these bikes? Even with the 2013's and 14's?
I really like the thought of more power and better suspension, but im a little worried about droping the yamaha side of things. I've had such good luck with them and seen others have the same kinda luck. My wr426 I bought new and rode the piss out of for about 8 to 9 years never gave me any trouble, I sure hope the Husaberg stuff can be at least half as good. (Reliable)

Thanks for the posts guys! Sure would like to here from a few newer 501 owners!
Click to expand...
Yes you need to give them a bit more TLC than a yamaha, but you get much more back imho. The engines use shims so you don't need to adjust the valves as much, most never do it. It's mostly a routine check every 45 h to see it's still in spec. Regarding change of pistons and rings I cannot really compare. We (husaberg owners) are supposed to change it relatively often but the seller recommended me to change the piston after ~170 hours. Some of my husa friends never do it.

As long as you do the routine maintenance (change oil, oil filter, clean air filter, clean it, bleed forks) you will be just fine.
 
In my seach for info on the husaberg's im starting to think a little bit about the TE300. I've liked the 4 strokes since I rode my first big bore, but this te 300 sounds pretty good on power and seems to have pretty good power even down low.
Really liking the weight, weight i saw was 226lb, not for sure but thinking that was wet weight. If so thats a big differance!
thinking the te 300 would have the same power as the fe501 just come on a little differantly.
Been told there is not another dirt bike that has as good of a power to weight ratio as the husaberg te300, other then maybe a KTM since they pretty much the same thing, to my knowlege.
Any one spent time on both?
Thanks!!!
 

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