New rider-FE390 or FE450?

Hey guys,
I'm looking to maybe buy a 390 or 450 Berg. I've never had a dirt bike but many street bikes. I raced Mountain bikes for a few years and race cars as well. I'm 40 and live in Boulder, CO. I went trail riding with some friends last week on my buddies CR250r and had a blast. I can't believe I've never done this sport and want to get into it. I've done alot of research and I'm thinking I want a 4 stroke over a KTM 300 2 stroke. I want to plate the bike so I can ride from my house to the trails (5-30min) if need be. I have a truck to haul it as well. Boulder is such a small town the convenience of riding it around town would be nice and the trails are close. Colorado will allow plates on these bikes.

I enjoy more technical riding but probably wont do any track riding. I'm sure I'll do some longer rides in the state in addition to some in Utah, Arizona etc. I'm told by locals to get a lighter bike for the technical stuff and am thinking the 390 would fit the bill. I'm just wondering if I shoudln't get the 450 for the extra power.... SOunds like the 390 has plenty and works better for technical trails but is it ok for the longer stuff or street riding? I'll need a bigger gas tank on either one.

Thanks,

CD

You can add 3 different aux. tanks up to 8 gallons total (including the original capacity).

I've not ridden it, but I think the 390 will be better for technical or woodsy trail riding - anything where there is a significant value in agility and tractability, less suitable for open country and street. It depends on which you place more value on.

Plating the bike - only the 2011 570 (fe/fs) is 50 state street legal. What the possibility/risks of being able to plate a 390 in your state (or any state you might move to) is best researched by you. I have seen a number of dirt bikes plated in CO that you could not plate here (without a bit of luck - I saw a KTM 300 2 stroke with a WA plate yesterday).

Just be aware that if the bike doesn't have the EPA/FMVSS cert/sticker then some states might not let you plate it. I think all of the 2010 bikes are 'EPA legal' which generally means they get a different sticker than the '09 bikes (which say 'competition use only'), but doesn't make them 50 state street legal - although it won't hurt that it doesn't say 'off-road only' on it, and may help. In that sense there is no diff between the 390 and the 450 - they will both have the same sticker.

fstclyz said:

Hey guys,
I've never had a dirt bike but many street bikes.

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when it comes to off road riding street bikes usually means squat, infact for alot its a disadvantage as they just go straight for the biggest off road bike they can find, but from the rest of your post you've already got alot more sense than most roadies.

if i was you id go for the 390.

Dont known what boulder is like but the 390 had enough to haul my 270Lb *** around gunnison area earlier in the year and if you believe the sales pitch when they introduced the 390 its exactly your type of situation - those just just coming into the sport - that they designed the bike for.

Unless you not telling us that your surname is Tomac or similar then thats the bike i'd go for.

As for the KTM 300, nice bike, the 2011 6 speed electric starts look the dogs, but unless your a really quick learner or got a good health insurance then perhaps leave the ktm300 as your next bike.

Thanks for the info. I am a pretty quick learner and think I could get used to the 450's powers although I'm thinking the 390 will do just fine and let me hone my skills. One issue I thought about is the altitude here in Co. I'm at 5k feet and will be riding in the 7k to 11k range. I'm hoping the 390 still has the horses to keep my satisfied. I'm 185lbs dry so if that one guy is 270 riding in Gunnison, I'm guessing I'll be ok. The altitude I'm talking about might make the 450 more managable for me (maybe on the conservative map setting also).

So I guess I'm wondering how much different the 450 handles from the 390. It sounds like the 390 does indeed feel lighter but it is really measurable? If not, I'd look at the 450.

Most the guys I rode with last week had 400's or bigger, expect for one xcw 300. They seemed to be having a great time although the trails weren't too technical...

Maybe I need to ride both as i've only riden a 390.

CD

Get the 450 and the map switch. Use setting #1 if you need less power, but, once you get up high, you'll want the standard or aggressive map for the extra power.

As far as fuel goes, we are starting production of our sub frame tank that will hold a gallon so you should be all good.

I will have to agree that the map switch does tame the bike.

When I bought my 570 Husaberg had not yet announced the 390, but I came into it with the idea that I wanted the lightest 500 to 650cc class bike I could find. I was thinking along the lines of what the bike would be on the pavement. I had a DR350 and I knew it was a bit lethargic in some pavement conditions - but I wasn't really thinking.

When I read that the 450 and the 570 were the same bike with different displacements I just naturally thought 'more power is better, if it isn't too much', and after riding the 570 a little in a parking lot I thought 'this is plenty tame enough'.

Most of the time I have ridden the bike with the 'traction' setting and found that fine. Recently I experimented with the 'aggressive' setting on the trails I ride (technical). I went to lift the wheel slightly over a fallen tree and wound up with a 4 foot wheelie instead of a one foot wheelie. So I switched to the 'standard' map and promptly wheelied up a hillclimb that I have done 50 times before, and I dropped the bike on its side.

So 'traction' it is I guess for the trails.

I did ride home on the 'aggressive' map, and I noticed throttle response was more immediate. Not huge amounts of more power, but the bike felt more alive and immediate in its response to any throttle. In short, it was more fun on the street that way and even felt a bit smoother.

Having started in dirt, I know some of basics of trail riding - but since I am chicken (I have broken too many bones), old, and out of shape, I basically suck at trail riding. I sit down too much, I go too slow, I paddle too much. And yet, I don't think the 570 is too much bike when I use the 'traction' setting. So I don't think you will find the 450 to be too much bike either.

If you get a chance, ride them all on a nice trail and go with the one you like the most.

I live in CO and would recommend the 450. The 390 and 450 are almost identical in weight. You'll get the same handling w/ a bit more power.

The power is so smooth on these bikes. The 450 will not be too much power...you'll appreciate it when you get into some of the nasty climbs out here.

Good luck.

I have been riding a bit over 2 years, technical trails. Went from a TT250 dog to the FE570. I am loving it.
Map Switch on Soft and it will do anything you want.
I am still a crap rider but the bike is well suited to my riding skills, it goes slow up a hill, brakes are amazing, seems to just go where you point it when you wind the power on and looks real pretty.
Ride all 3 first if you can

fstclyz said:

.... I'm told by locals to get a lighter bike for the technical stuff and am thinking the 390 would fit the bill....

Click to expand...

390
450
570

Identical weight
Power and performance difference only
http://www.husaberg.com/Enduro.9.14.html

eyspy said:

fstclyz said:

.... I'm told by locals to get a lighter bike for the technical stuff and am thinking the 390 would fit the bill....

Click to expand...

390
450
570

Identical weight
Power and performance difference only
http://www.husaberg.com/Enduro.9.14.html

Click to expand...

I've not ridden the other bikes, but I have talked to people who have. There are differences in how they handle, but I am thinking that mostly the advantages of the 390 may be for those people who have the skill and experience to notice the agility and easier to ride engine over a longer period. I know that is kind of contrary to the general opinion of most people - but then most people ride *much* better than I do, and can maybe notice the differences better because they have the skill and experience to ride at that level where they would notice it.

I don't think any of the bikes would be a bad choice. I have read the reviews of the 390 and the experts/skilled riders like it for the technical stuff, and for competitions where there is a lot of technical sections. So if that is what you want then take that into consideration. I have also read some parts of reviews where they have noted the lower power levels, especially on the bottom end - which is not surprising. At that point I sometimes think it is better to ride the 450/570 and run it in 'traction' mode, then be able to switch up to 'standard' or 'aggressive' and have that power, than try to beef up the power delivery of the 390 and wind up with a bike that has lost its advantage.

I love the low end tractor like power of my bike - others who have ridden it and have ridden the 390 and 450 like it too. They have commented that with the power, the gearing (12/52) and the Rekluse, it makes it a very nice trail bike. That combined with the ability to move right along on pavement, and later have the power for SM use, or as a snowbike, or use with a Christini kit, all of these things I want, makes me think I made the right choice.

But if you can, definitely test ride all three.

Not having ridden a 450 or a 390 from what I understand the 390 is a is less tiring at the end of the day ??

I like the torque of the bigger motor, it lets me be lazy when I want to (most of the time), hill climbs are a breeze, and when I want the power I have it all.
When I get older (OLDER I SAID !!!! not old ! already there ..... )I would not hesitate in downsizing to a 390. Then to a 250 .....then 125.....then a moped....then a quad....following by an electric wheelchair and then being pushed around by nurses dribble coming out of the corners of my mouth rambling about 'The good old days'

My FE390 handles and rides like a big mountain bike, so nimble and fast. It has enough power for me that i usually leave my mapping on standard. I have owned both a 250 and the last bike was a 450. For me the 390 is the best bike i have ridden so far!

For me the 390 is about the way the power arrives on the ground and how it finds and creates traction (NZ is a great testing, ground we have one of the wettest winters in the world similar to England),all the 70 degrees have fantastic traction, but in those conditions where more power can be limiting factor, super wet, wet and steep,the way the 390 puts it down is amazing .Add some really good tires and you’ll be riding like a rider in the dry, on those wet rides, when everyone else has turned for home.I have always ridden ,and do ride 450's. The 450 gets left in the shed these days because the 390 is so much fun,ride all day then go out at the end of rides and pick up all the flags and you will feel about the same as a 5 hour ride on a 450.

Thanks for all the thoughts. Found a really good used 10' 390 and loving it. All my friends with other bikes like mine the best and say they've never ridden anything like it. It's very easy to ride and chugs up the climbs with no problem. Coundn't be happier although the suspension was set up for a completely different rider and use. Stillwell's doing a total suspension package on it so it'll be butter once done. Can't wait.

CD

I like the 390. Good power. Good handling. Doesn't tire me out... Toss this bike around real good. Buy one!

Hi, I know this is an old thread but I did find it usefull when I was looking at this same dillema.
I was riding a 05 KTM 350exc (ktm NZ did an upgade/run out on their left over 250exc's and put the 400 barrel & piston onto the 250) and I was wanting to upgrade but was a bit hesitant to go full on into a 450. I had a 390 all but signed up then it fell through and all I could find was a fe450.
I did the deal and have been riding the 450 for about a month now. I'm very pleased with the power delivery of the 450, I just short shift it (ie don't rev it out) and it is fine. Doesn't rip my arms out or too scary, it's got plenty there if I want it but I think the 450 was the right way to go.
I would describe myself as a basic rider moving into intermediate. The Berg is the best fit for me and from what I'm reading it'll out last me.

I love this bike !!!

My opinion would be that anyone in this situation would be fine on either the 390 or 450.
Have fun, be safe

Had the same dilemma...

Was looking at 390s and realized the weight was the same as the 450s. I came from a crf250x...

Bottom line: never been happier. Plently of power whenever needed but flickable and controllable, even in the tight stuff. Now dumpng it and having to pick it up are another story (but that would be the same for the 390).

Anyway, I think you made the right choice. :cheers:

no difference i suspect.

390 on full power is stronger than a 450 on soft so, quite frankly you can control the power on the flick of a button.

don't worry about it. the only thing is that the 390 on soft is the softest and the 450 on sport is the fastest.

regards

Taffy

Taffy said:

no difference i suspect.

390 on full power is stronger than a 450 on soft so, quite frankly you can control the power on the flick of a button.

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Not so sure about that, I've ridden both back to back at Husaberg ride day and the 450 has a decent amount more balls. The map switch *******/advances the ignition by a mere 2 degrees plus/minus, not really that much of a big deal in my opinion.

Either way both good bikes, it's just the 390 has a linear (boring) power delivery. I'd take the 450 and ride it in ******** mode any day over trying to 'power-up' a 390.

All just my opinion of course.

get a 450...i was off bikes for 20 years and they sold out of 390's so i bought a 450. it is peppy but by no means overwhelming. and we have most real tight woodsy stuff.

60cc isn't going to be a huge difference, and you can always mellow out the 450 more with a map switch.

have you ever heard yourself "god i wish i had less power?"....i doubt it.