Test rode a Husaberg FE 550

Very well articulated Anthon Berg. :cheers:

You will find most Husaberg riders are also equally well-versed in the ways of the Force

I was told once when I had my DRZ

"Well its heavy but at least it doesn't have a lot of power"

The more I rode My DRZ the more I didn't like riding it the more it was pushed the more the flaws with the bike became really evident. Don't get me wrong it went every where I pointed it but man soooo lack luster and you had to take your time... Getting the front end to come up while flying down the trail could be an issue not enough power and too much weight. I did all the mods to mine the 3x3 open exhaust FCR carb but still what a turd...

I got my FE550 way back but was always worried about long pavement trips on it due to lack of oil CAP, but I got fed up with mediocre performance off road so I played with some gearing put on a Zstart pro and havent looked back I have done sever 500 mile DS days no issues and always a smile ear to ear.. I take this thing anywhere and every where nasty single track to 70 miles of freeway been rock solid and 10 fold better then the DRZ ever was.

As far as your suspension feeling plush the DRZs are really soft and give you a cushy feel unless resprung. If you take some time and measure the sag you will pry find that the spring rate is way way way to soft. The DRZ is made for the masses and has its purpose but like most others on this site I want something a bit better and off the beaten path so Ill take my 550 berg anyday. :cheers:

I raced a DRZ 400E model for a few seasons (not the slower S model, actually a big difference). Bike was acceptable in many ways, but my 09' FE450 blows it away everywhere. The DRZ was rock solid, it never let me down. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for the Berg. But, I seemed to have all the gremlins chased out, it runs perfectly now.

Actually, the FE390 model I tried out had very similar power to the DRZ. The FE450 on the softest power map feels very much like the DRZ, with a bit more. On the standard or aggressive setting, no comparison. I do, however miss the overrev the DRZ had which is non-existent in the Berg. When the DRZ started howling it was ready to go. With the Berg, you shift into the next gear.

I am still trying to re-learn the limits of the bike. After riding the DRZ for so long, I am holding back on the Berg because the brain says bike can't do it. Actually, I have yet to find the limits of the bike braking, suspension or even top speed. Currently, the bike has more balls then I have

But I gotta say, the 450 torque blasting out of the turns is addictive. Some say the 450 power wears you out but I don't care. I have made it my mission to tame the beast.

BTW, my Berg rides just as plush as the DRZ. I would hit stuff on the DRZ that would send it into fits and maybe me into the ground. On the Berg, these things disappear, they don't exist, at least at mortal human speeds. In fact, the bikes sweet spot, where it just smooths out of the trail and plain rips, is just above my regular ability right now. Occasionally I get glimpses of it, and it is wonderful. The DRZ had a sweet spot too, but much slower than the Berg. The biggest difference was a mistake on the DRZ would launch you off the bike. On the Berg, its usually of little concern.

Sounds like yet another has been bitten by the BIG BORE BERG BUG! My 570 is so nice to ride in every way but it just doesn't have the rawness that the old 600 forces upon you! I can only imagine how aggressive those 700+ strokers must be!

bkowal....
I am also starting to find the "sweet spot" on my 390. This is my 3rd season on her and really starting to feel as if the bike is an extension of me. My skills have grown with this bike, as I came off a 1995 kx125 before owning the berg. I am height challenged therefore really trying to keep my feet on the pegs. Learning how to keep the front end a little light over the rough stuff, and using my feet to really get the bike to turn while on the pegs. I am also getting the glimpse of its potential... Need to get over the bars a bit more to weight the front end. I just don't quite have that trust yet... It took a beer and some singletrack to let that fear go...Hope this bike will teach me more as it seems to be doing every time I ride....

I am 167cm 5ft 6 " 160lbs/ 72 kgs (no gear) and have the stock bars at 0 degrees in the stem. The stem holes being used are set closest to me... Forks are on the first line below fork nut. (have been slowly dropping them over the last 3 months...) and slowly moving damping and compression settings from comfort to standard.... sag is correct...
Bike also came with bars cut to 29", which seems to really work for me....old bike also has cut bars(just what i am used to)
I have essentially learned dirtbiking on this bike, and completely feel it was the right bike to do it on. Once considered lowering the bike, but thankful that I took the time to learn to cope with ride height. Only wish she was a bit lighter, but positive effect is the more I drop her, the stronger I get. I did chop the seat height down to make standing possible. Most get off being at 0-2mph.
Only thing i may try is to put the bars forward in the triple trees, but have the feeling the cockpit may be too open for me....Like the feeling of being low and compact flying through the nastiness of mud,roots, rocks, and combinations of all the above that vermont has to offer. Kind of like a ski racer in a "tuck" position...

Would like to here more feedback of how others are adjusting body position/bike settings etc... to meet the demands of their terrain and maximize performance.