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TE610 vs FE390 for single track

F

fizz

Joined Jun 2010
139 Posts | 1+
Canberra Australia
I know the answer to this one but I need your asurance before I pull the trigger and spend big $$ on a FE390.

I own a Husky 2006 TE610 - did a 2 day single track recently and loved it. The bike is more an adventure bike that I use for overnight self supported camp trips, but does do single track ok if it must. The poor turning radius and 170kg of weight makes things quite tough when the trail is tight, and I keep stalling it at low speeds; I have dropped 2 teeth on the front cog for tight stuff. I am now addicted to single track and am lusting after a FE390.

I would keep both bikes - am I stupid, are they too similar? I can't test ride a FE390, I would be buying a new one off the showroom floor.

Thanx in advance
Fizz
 
Gonna be quite different. Yes, the 610 and bikes of that weight/size/focus can be made to work on single track, but as the trail gets harder and harder you will be worn down and it will require more and more energy and skill. Jimmy Lewis can ride a BMW R1200GS on hard trails, but I don't recommend it.

As you said, the 610 is a bike for dual sporting. IMO dual sports are compromise bikes - they don't do street or trail all that well. Some do one better than the other. If you want to do off-road and not get beaten up by the bike then a light dirt bike is what you want. The 390 is at least 60 pounds lighter and it is an Enduro, not a dual sport.
 
I have held the opinion for a while that a Husky TE610 and a Berg FE390 would be a perfect combo. There isn't very much overlap between the bikes. The TE is for long rides, camping, exploring, general dualsport use. The 390 is a dedicated, lightweight, tight trail bike. You truck the 390 to the trails. You ride the 610 down the hiway, up the gravel roads,down a short single-track and back home.
 
Thanks guys for your posts.

When I tell my wife I want a dirt bike for dedicated single track, and the more gnarly stuff, she says ' youve got a dirt bike' and doesn't understand - in her mind a dirt bike is a dirt bike. I know, you know, but I will let her read these posts when the new toy comes home if I can get a good deal.

In the kitchen, why do we have an oven, microwave, slow cooker, a pressure cooker, a BBQ, grill plate, steamer, fry pan and a tagine - hey, they do things differently.

Watch this space. :bounce3:

Regards
Fizz
 
fizz said:
In the kitchen, why do we have an oven, microwave, slow cooker, a pressure cooker, a BBQ, grill plate, steamer, fry pan and a tagine - hey, they do things differently.
Click to expand...
Exactly - you wouldn't try to fry a steak in a steamer. You would not try to race on a track in an SUV against a Corvette.

There is some crossover, but generally one of the big factors is weight. I have a street bike (Ducati) and a dirt bike. I could have a lot of bikes in between, but the idea is to have a bike that is going to work well. When I was shopping for my 'dirt bike' I started out considering the TE610, but it too heavy and not well suited for the riding I wanted to do - technical single track. You can try to ride the TE610 on technical single track, but you are not going to have much fun (if any), you are going to be working very hard managing the heavier bike, and you may get hurt, or hurt more often - the bigger bike will make you fall more often and make you fall harder, or even fall on you.

Later I may buy something like the TE610 to serve as a 'dual sport' in addition to the Husaberg, but right now I am having fun riding the Hussy.
 
"...You can try to ride the TE610 on technical single track, but you are not going to have much fun (if any), you are going to be working very hard managing the heavier bike, and you may get hurt, or hurt more often - the bigger bike will make you fall more often and make you fall harder, or even fall on you...."

CodeMonkey, yes, the safety angle will be the deal clincher with Mrs Fizz. You should be a lawyer\marriage counsellor, its a win\win; I get the bike and I stay alive to do household chores :lol:

Will touch base when I get back from work in 8+ hrs with an update - if I can get a good price, I will pay and have a bike today; otherwise I will wait for the 2011 model with those damn Closed Cartridge forks :D .


Regards
Fizz
 
Horses for courses, as they say. Among others, the major elements of my 'fleet', are a 4wd ute, a 4wd tractor, a 2wd buggy, an AWD Magna sedan, and the bike collection. They all complement one another, with very little overlap, other than that they all constitute motorised transport. I'm really enjoying the DR650, did 500kms of dual sporting on Tuesday and Wednesday this week and had a hoot. Open fire trails and dirt roads mostly with a little single track to join a few dots. Got home and parked it in the shed. Its ready for the next trip with no more than a chain lube. The Berg would at least need an oil change and I would not pull up as fresh due to the comfort factor. I love them all, but they each serve a different primary purpose.

One of each I say.

Steve
 
fizz said:
Will touch base when I get back from work in 8+ hrs with an update - if I can get a good price, I will pay and have a bike today
Click to expand...
Honey? I bought you a motorcycle. :mrgreen:
 
Sorry I didn't give you much last night...I was in a hurry.

But yes, as someone above mentioned I think the big 610 and the 390 are perfect for most everything you could do offroad on a motorcycle. They are a really good complement with not "much" overlap.

The good thing for you is both those bikes will do anything you ask. The 390 will run the street and the 610 will do the singletrack. There are a bunch of bikes that will split those two down the middle though.

Good luck in your quest and with your decision. 2 great motorcycles.
 
Wow - what a day. I am now back from work after those 8+ hours and here is the story...

At lunch I drove to the local Berg dealer with 1K cash deposit and the rest on standby and made an offer. The salesman was impressed, he went to talk to the boss, I waited, and waited, and he returned...'No, sorry cant do it'. Dang!!!!!
I didn't want to be rude or insulting, or even counter offer as my high limit was set and I used it on my first and last offer.

I drove back to work, quite upset. Now I'll have to go for the thrashed second hand one on the internet... oh well it has lots of aftermaket goodies, so I moped.

I was orderring lunch and I got a call from the dealer - with a bit of to and fro'ing, the deal was done.

I am now the owner of a new 2010 FE390 with hand guards and radiator protectors. I am waiting for it to arrive in the next 30 -45 minutes :bounce3:


Thanx for all your help in getting me to this stage.
Fizz
 

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