new need help on 1998 fe400e

Stators seem to be the biggest complaint with them but the e-start models have a balancer shaft that seems reduce the problems.

I'm not sure how you rate reliable, but the '97 thru to 2000 seem to have been the strongest of the engines, and this one being a 400 should be the least stressed of them.

Money sounds about right. I paid $3750 for my FE600E about 3 years ago with crap exhaust & electrics needing attentions.

A lot of parts such as plastics for these "older" models aren't available easily in Aus anymore, but I would not say they are much more expensive than Honda.

It should feel lighter than an XR and have better gear ratio spread from 1st to top than the Yams. How quick they are depends more on the nut that holds on the handlebars!

PS: Put in your profile what part of the country you hail from.....

Hi there Mr. Swain,

If you are looking at this bike only because new WR's are too expensive, then I would suggest that you might want to look for a used WR. A lot of people that buy a Berg because the bike they wanted is not available walk away very unhappy.

For instance, you asked about street legality. Now on a Yamaha or Suzuki, you could circle the great highway with nary a problem. Husaberg's on the other hand(especially the older ones), are not designed for street riding. Stop and go seems to be ok, but long runs at high speed will be apt to cause you heartache.

I propose you let us know your riding habits and what you want out of the bike (are you looking for a maintenence schedules like a Jap bike?) and we'll help where we can.

thanks,
json

schwim said:

Husaberg's on the other hand(especially the older ones), are not designed for street riding.

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I tend to disagree with Jason there a bit. The balanced FE'E engine with its wide ratio 6 speeed box is brilliant on the road, particularly with a set of motard wheels - even dodgied up cast ones.

You are right about the price of used WRs here! You would be lucky to find an XR400 or a WR400 (I think they came out in '98 or '99?) here for less than $5000. If you did it would likely have had a hard life.

Also be aware that our (ie New South Wales) definition of road registerable is entirely different to most parts of the world, including the US. It seems that in most other countries you can fit lights etc onto any bike and get it on the road. In Oz it all hinges on whether a compliance plate is fitted - and it is VERY hard to register a bike in NSW without one. I'm not sure if the early WRs had a plate.

What ever bike you get, if you think you want to register it, make sure the plate is legally fitted (ie not "lost" or swapped from another bike). If you do happen to get a bargain that is currently registered but the plate has become "lost" then NEVER let it run out of rego. Chances are you will never be able to re-register it again.

If it was my call I'd go for the 'berg over a dearer WR. Any bike runs the risk of a major failure.