The Fat Man Rides Again

Hey All!

It's likely been a year or more since I made noise on this site. Previously, I did a ton of reading through loads of new and old posts for technical info and rider feedback about Bergs. I also launched several questions on the site and got good straight answers from you lot on everything I was wondering about.

Then I did the unlikely and odd move of picking up a DRZ400 dual sporty to get around my neighborhood on and perhaps also get me back out in the Canadian Alps (OK...Rockies) and some base level old fart racing.

Well, neither time nor I have been sitting still since then and, while the DRZ is a swell little machine that I will own for a very long time, I simply was not satisfied with it's overall mediocrity and my lust for a "real" off road bike continued to rage.

I am writing this evening to inform all that I no longer have to hang my head and cower in the background as a pretender when I enter this site. Life being far too short to be Bergless any longer, I laid down cash for a shiney new (still in the crate) 2007 FE650E.

Too say that I'm stoked to be getting back on a neck snapping, steriod belching open class bike is a severe understatement. That the bike is a Berg has my head spinning.

I have had the good fortune and benefit of getting to know Fryguy directly over the last year and have collected a nice list of starter setup tips. I have placed a sizable order for personal bike setup hardware. ....and, not like this particular machine needs more in the way of performance, but I am also eyeing some carb mods (beyond jetting) to make it run cleaner and stronger as well as some possible suspension work to make the plush even plusher.

Looking forward to getting the bike built, and muddy, and even bent and scraped a little so I can feedback my thoughts on riding this monster torquer.

If any of you happen to have any cool or worthwhile setups, add ons, or "watch out for" items that you care to pass along to help a brand new Berg guy setup his brand new '07 FE650E....I'm all ears (and smiles).

As I learn to tune and ride this wonderous beasty over the next while, I'll return as much as I can to the forums here and, hopefully, some of it may be of use to others as well.

Guess what Mom?! Guess what? I got me a Husaberg!!!!!

Holy *****, from Chevette to Corvette. That's quite the jump.
I know that you will be more than pleased with your choice.
Have fun and post up some pix.

***** indeed!

I recall jumping onto my kid brother's KX500 back in about '86 having been off the open class racing hardware for about 18 months while at school ( although having raced big Maicos and Yams for years prior). I was lost with the power and not able to "see" fast enough to keep it pinned except in short spurts, nearly endoed the first time I had to semi-panic stop since I had not owned a bike with a front disc brake (actually was caught completely off guard by the stopping urgency and slightly twisted a thumb and wrist simply having it bent back & under due to the stopping force)....then I wheelied both his practice KX500 and his brand new KX500 over backwards about 40 minutes apart snapping off both rear fenders. A fine day!

Now, I have been off bikes of any real intent for more than a decade....and I have slipped this FE650 under my ***. Let the wide-eyed shreaking begin!

I'm heading up to my local Husaberg shop in 2 more sleeps, only an hour away lucky for me, to dig my beast out of the shadows and cobwebs, peel open the crate, and slide & snug all the brand new bits together. First new bike since...ummm...1987. This really is Christmas!

Then I'm going to bring it home and take it apart again to send away my suspension and carb for upgrade work....cause everyone knows these new FE650s are pretty slow out of the crate....yeah, that and Ricky Carmiechal can't ride fast....

I'm just treating myself to the best made better for the first time in my riding life....and getting prepared to terrified spitless everytime I jump on this bike for some time to come. Now that's what I call FUN!

Me Too!

I just bought an 07 FE650 yesterday as well . The 07 is the freakin' hottest looking Berg ever made.

I'm so stoked to go riding, but there's still 3 feet of snow up here. I don't pick my bike up for another 1-2 weeks, so hopefully it's all melted by then (yeah right).

Where'd ya buy yer bike? I'm from alberta too, but I got mine in the States (slightly used).

Congrats on the ride!

AJ

DRZ? What a turd? I thought Suzuki was a piece of raw fish! Really tho, I sense a bit of excitement and may I venture, a bit of sarcasm when explaining your true need for speed. I being of more mortal make-up ride a lowly 07 450 that more times than not will enter time warp at my beckon call. May we co- exist with our new steeds in peace and harmony and not meet each other too soon in the hereafter...in other words, keep the rubber side down!

Gentlemen; pictures please. New bikes are soo exciting. Even when they're not yours.

I should have some pic's of the roost machine to submit in a few days... :twisted:

DRZ turd......I owned a DR 350 for 60 miles once. By the first 30 miles I had the paint on every weld flakes off and the primary drive blew up. The repair lasted another 30 miles, and the bike was never rode again. BBB you are going to love this new bike. ( Big Bad Bill or Canaberg ) Just to get your blood flowing, i may be riding without spikes on dry ground by the weekend. What are you doing?

Sorry Fryguy, didn't mean to bring back bad memories...Randy Hawkins once suggested that I might like DR 350 like he was riding at the time and I only had to remind him of the issues he had during the sixdays a few years back...got a shy smile return!

When I had bought the bought, I had visions of being Randy, and off course being from the sticks, didn't hear of the dilemmas being experienced by those guys. You have to have those poor rides to make the good one better.

and yes, I get the willies when I think of it pinging and flexing... LOL

Actually, I kind'a like my DRZ. It's a bit like the family dog. Always just seems happy to be there, and doesn't ask much in return. It's just a no frill, no thrill, no stress (except for the frequently dead battery) ride around wherever bike.

Bit of a shocker with my new Berg. Instead of putting it together on the weekend, I took it further apart. We uncrated the wonder beast and promptly ripped out the carb & rear shock and slid out the forks. All are on a ride with the courier right now on the way to ****'s Racing for some world class upgrading.

Streethawk, I'm in Edson. Not quite moved in yet as I just landed here and that is part of the reason I decided to do the upgrades right now. Need a few more weeks while the snow melts to get a proper place arranged to bring the Berg home to.

Have a list of nifty parts to assemble via mail order in the meantime too and my new dealer, RPM Powersports in Whitecourt, has a lot more in stock than anticipated as well. I'm not big on bling, but this machine will have function out the whazzoo.

I'll make a list as I build it and post what I bolt on.

I would like to put up a few pictures of my new gem. How do I start a gallery?

Fryguy, I apologize up front for the roost you are going to have to endure when I bring The Shredder down to your place in a couple months. On second thought, with the suspension and carb upgrades my scooter is getting, you'll likely be so far behind that you'll be well out of the roost actually. No problem, eh?!

cant' wait Canaberg :angry: :angry: :angry:

canaberg, just curious...****'s Racing is about an hour away from me...why did you choose him for your baby and did he give you any kind of turn around time?

Is RPM Powersports in Whitecourt a Husaberg dealer? or no?

thanks!

aj

Ooooooo.....Fryguy all flamey and stuff. Don't singe your beard speedy. I'll play fair and ride behind you a couple times so you can try to fling some Wardlow cow traction at me too. It's gonna be great. What could be more fun than trailriding coulees with an aggravated ISDE guy? Oh! I know! Roosting him, that's what!! :lol:

Ragman: I picked ****'s because of all the good press they've been getting over the last year or more for his KTM suspension and engine work. I liked the descriptions of how he set things up and the results. Following my own decision to use his services, I tripped over quite a following of his work on this site as well to confirm that I had made a reasonable choice. I called the shop and **** actually called me back himself to discuss what I wanted. He had a Berg in the shop for suspension work and walked back to look at the carb setup while we talked as he was double checking clearance for the mods I was talking about. I got a good vibe talking to the guy on top of everything else. My parts (shock, carb, forks) were couriered Monday and should be in his hands before the weekend. 8) I did not inquire about turn-around as I am in no rush. If it turns out to take a while for quality results, so much the better!

Streethawk: Yup. RPM Powersports in Whitecourt is a dealer. Randy is the man. They still had another '07 FE650 in the crate (after mine), and a small selection of other new Bergs too. For a small dealer, I was surprised at some of the parts he had on-hand for my bike like, skid plate, Boss rad guards, OEM tall saddle, OEM fan kit, stainless fuel screw. I spent some time with JC, the man in the back, too and he might even be more enthusiastic than Randy. They've spent lots of saddle time on the shop '05 FE650 between them so have some pretty good feedback from the seat of the pants as well. I like'em!
(Not sure where you're situated in the province, but A&E down in Brooks has been front and center with the Bergs for quite a while. If I had not moved so far north and discoverd RPM way up here, I definitely would have been dealing with the A&E crew. Been talking to Dave down there about Bergs for around 3 years already. Walt Healy's in Calgary also sells'em. Those are all I know about in the province so far)

....Fryguy might know where there are another couple tucked away someplace....What about it "flamey" (or should I say, "roost munch"?), anymore Berg shops in Alberta?

Who you talkin ta boy, with that "flamey" nonsense.....

To my Husaberg roost instructor I presume. Gotta get you properly motivated! It's kind'a like a bucket of fried chicken poking a lion with a sharp stick, but it must be done!

I know there's a dealer in Red Deer as well, but I had no idea there was one as far north as Whitecourt. I live in Ft Mac right now but will be living in Grande Prairie by spring, so having a dealer as far north as Whitecourt is going to be great!
Cheers,
aj