New Guy Here, Should I Buy the 450 or 550?

jdalton1 · Jan 5, 2006

I'm in the market for a new dual sport bike to replace my 02' KTM 520exc. Most of my riding will be in the NC National Forests and OHV parks usually riding A and B level trails at a C/B rider spead. I like the low end grunt of the 520 but it didn't rev as quick or long as I would have preferred. One of the guys in our group has a 450EXC and it feels revvier, lighter and more nimble in the trails but is lacking somewhat when we hit the fireroads.

I'm looking for a bike that is fun, easy to ride and powerful but is light and nimble in the trails. I like the Husaberg as a few people have stated it feels more like a 2 stroke in the trails. Does this light feeling apply to the 550 or is it more prevailing on the 450. Does the 550 feel like the 520 exc or more like the 450?

My other decision to make is an 05' or 06'. The 05' is priced at liquidation prices and the 06' will be $600 more. I'm going back and forth on which year model to purchase. Personally I like the looks of the 06' and black frame, however is looks worth $600. Then resell value comes into play, probably could get more resell on an 06' by $600 to justify the difference but then there isn't a big market for used Husabergs, I'm assuming, so it may not make a difference. What would ya'll do in my position. Also is the Rekluse clutch worth the $'s on this bike?

Thanks for your replies!

bigbob · Jan 5, 2006

jdalton1 said:
One of the guys in our group has a 450EXC and it feels revvier, lighter and more nimble in the trails but is lacking somewhat when we hit the fireroads.

I'm looking for a bike that is fun, easy to ride and powerful but is light and nimble in the trails.

the key thing you told me was "lacking somewhat when we hit the fireroads."

Fe550e is the bike for you. I own the 450e, it is the nimble tight woods bike. I miss my TE-510 on open trails...and my Te-510 is close ratio, not great at high speeds, so yes the wide ratio 450e has a nice top end speed.....so for the guys here and out there who want the 450e for open stuff - I am not dissing it as an open bike, not at all........BUT based on your comments above.......and regardless of the the Fe450e wide ratio and its usuability for wide open trails........I still miss that 510 POWER and knowing you have had a 500cc+ plus power before, I don't think you will be happy with a 450 except for tight woods and you did not mention tight woods. You mentioned power, fireroads and light and nimble. The 550 is the same as 450 for light and nimble, it has the power you want.

FIVe FIDDY is the bike for you!

kelsow · Jan 5, 2006

I agree with Bob 100%. The 550 will make the perfect bike for you.
Personally, I would go with the 05. The 06 has more than just a looks difference but I don't know if it's worth 600 bux.

jdalton1 · Jan 5, 2006

bigbob said:
The 550 is the same as 450 for light and nimble, it has the power you want. FIVe FIDDY is the bike for you!

This really helps, If the 550 doesn't give up anything to the 450 for light & nimbleness, then it's a no brainer for me. Does the 550 rev quciker than a 520/525 exc? I think I read a post previously that said yes as it's a short stroke motor with less flywheel effect.

My only possible holdback on a Husaberg is the tank. Is the auxiliary tank the only option? I looked at the Acerbis rear auxillary tank and that won't work for me. Anybody using any other options to carry fuel on the bike? Not interested in putting it in my backpack.

Also do they come with a speedometer? I didn't see one on the pictures on the husaberg.com. And does it have a high/low beam switch?

Thanks.

Coffin · Jan 5, 2006

I just went through the same problem. In the end I decided on the 2005 550. I have had the chance to ride the 450, 550 and 650 Bergs and the 550 was always my favorite. I just love the way that motor works.

I live in an area where it is really tight woods and the 550 would not be the normal pick for most people like it might be out west where it is more open...BUT I just love the bike and went for the 550.

I stopped racing on a regular basis a few years ago so this is just a play bike for me and that was a big factor in picking the 550. If I were still racing Hare Scrambles and Cross Country at serious level, I probably would have bought the 450 because I know it would work me over less in the tight woods of the east coast. On the other hand, I would not hesitate to race the 550 in desert or other areas out west where there is more open country.

With the comments that you have made...I think the 550 is what you want. 2005 versus 2006...that just depends on your cash flow. I ended up ordering the 06 tank and plastics for my 05.

Cheers

risky1 · Jan 5, 2006

I debated a lot regarding 450 vs. 550 but having riddin the 470 and really wanting more power in the bottom i am going with the 550, I pick it up next week sometime. I have heard time and time again that the 550 is the perfect compromise between the reviness of the 450 and the grunt of the 650 and that it will pull away from the 650 in the open...

Get the 550!

kelsow · Jan 5, 2006

AFAIK, all of the FE's come with a speedo. It also has 2 trip metres an odo and a stop watch setting.
Mine came with a full lighting kit as it's street legal.

Coffin · Jan 5, 2006

Kelsow,

I got the street plate for mine this week. I will look forward to riding with you this summer....on and off road.

Master Dalton,

We are like drug dealers on this site...buy the 550...buy the 550...you are getting sleepy...buy the 550...you love Canadians...buy the 550

:lol:

bigbob · Jan 5, 2006

Coffin said:
Kelsow,

We are like drug dealers on this site...buy the 550...buy the 550...you are getting sleepy...buy the 550...you love Canadians...buy the 550 :lol: :lol:

buy the 06 Fe550e you want it, you NEED it........the 06 is calling you.

pretty 06 colors, black frame

DaleEO · Jan 7, 2006

I chose the 550 for it's all arounder attributes. The Berg clutch pull is lighter than the KTM's, so don't know if you'll want the Rev Loc, do you have one now?

The other option for auxillary gas is to go with a number plate gas tank. That's probably what I'm going to end up doing for our longer rides, although I have not had a problem with running out of fuel even though my KTM buddies have the bigger tank of the MXC. I am close at the end of the rides and they have a bit more than me.

If it were me, I 'd go with the 05 and use the $600 for the stabilizer mount, or getting my suspension set up.

BrianSM · Jan 7, 2006

jdalton1 said:
bigbob said:

The 550 is the same as 450 for light and nimble, it has the power you want. FIVe FIDDY is the bike for you!

Click to expand...

This really helps, If the 550 doesn't give up anything to the 450 for light & nimbleness, then it's a no brainer for me. Does the 550 rev quciker than a 520/525 exc? I think I read a post previously that said yes as it's a short stroke motor with less flywheel effect.

My only possible holdback on a Husaberg is the tank. Is the auxiliary tank the only option? I looked at the Acerbis rear auxillary tank and that won't work for me. Anybody using any other options to carry fuel on the bike? Not interested in putting it in my backpack.

Also do they come with a speedometer? I didn't see one on the pictures on the husaberg.com. And does it have a high/low beam switch?

Thanks.

having ridden the 520 , 525 and 450 orange bikes the 550 revs faster has much more power and the power band is very very linear.....

jdalton1 · Jan 7, 2006

Brian - That was just what I wanted to hear.

Dale - Currently I don't have a autoclutch, and have been debating if it's worth the cash. Chances are I won't be changing the gears much in the trails, so I'll probably opt out on the purchase. When you mentioned the number plate auxilliary tank, were you referring to the front number plate by Acerbis or a side tank like baja designs sells for the KTM's? As I'll be dual sport riding when I need the gas, I won't be able to use the front number plate, need the headlight. A side tank would be great.

Thanks.

kelsow · Jan 7, 2006

You can always use the aux tank seen here.

sandskipper · Jan 7, 2006

jdalton1,

I have never owned or even ridden a 450 bike. I do however have on '02 FC550/6 that I have been the proud owner for 2.5yrs. I love my bike and would not want to go down to the 450 no way, no how!!! You have already been owner of a 520 so you know what you'll be getting. The 550 is brutal. My mate had on '01 520EXC and I liked that bike alot but it was much more relaxed than the Berg 550. I was two pubic hairs from buying one myself but by the grace of God I stumbled onto the deal with my current Husaberg. The 550 is like a gorilla on steroids, it is that wild. There is a very good article written several years back by two fellow mates of this site, Heimir Bardason and Carl. It is in the FAQ on the left side of the page if you haven't read it already.... So Im thinking of buying a Berg

Regards,

jdalton1 · Jan 7, 2006

I spoke to my local dealer today, He was wrong, the 06' will be about $1000 more than his 05' models on the showroom floor. Now my decision is super easy.

Kelso - Thanks for the link on the tank, that's most likely the route I'll go. Also thanks for the link to your dual sport club, your bike is sweet.

SandSkipper - Good info, the 550 is the bike for me.

CelticDude · Jan 8, 2006

I bought a 2005 FE-550 about a month ago from Dan at Motoxotica. Prior to this I had been riding a highly modified KX-500 with an auto-clutch. Even after porting and a pipe for bottom end the KX still required a steady throttle hand. 8O The Husaberg is magic. It will pull right down to idle and is a rocket on the fireroads. It even feels lighter than my KX. I recommended the 550 it to a friend of mine and he just picked up the last 2005 550 that Dan had.

Search

Search

New Guy Here, Should I Buy the 450 or 550?

jdalton1

bigbob

kelsow

jdalton1

Coffin

risky1

kelsow

Coffin

bigbob

DaleEO

BrianSM

jdalton1

kelsow

sandskipper

jdalton1

CelticDude

Similar threads

Register CTA

Recent Discussions