what are the positves

what are the positives and negatives of buying a new 650 husaberg enduro. rather than jap bikes like klx and crf ,wr and so on ....im looking at buying a bike but still stuck on brands .. i live in townsville australia , it will be for riding to work and bush bashing on weekends ,also the odd race ... also thinkin of an couple year old xr 650.....let us know ..wud b aprreciated...................... :roll:

Hi Wheelieman,

I brought my FE 550, last year, at the time, I was considering the CRF450, and the KTM 450 / 525EXC, and Husky 450/510, basically when I considerd what I got for my dollar the Berg came out really good - the Husky was really impressive too, but the berg had some good reports and reviews through 2005, with the exception of the old beef about how wide the tank is (but it really isnt noticable unless you are layin' it flat in turns).

There is bugger all to spent on aftermarket parts for the Berg, like bashplate and some proper handguards - the exhaust is well and truly competent, so considering what you'd want to add to say a CRF 450X, and with the runout deals that are sometimes available the Berg was it.

It probably comes down to how into maintainence you are, if you hate doing the periodic maintainance that all the high end 4strokes need, well the XR650 is a good choice, but its a bus compared with a berg.

If thats no problems, the 650 will likely exceed your expectations - take a read of the September 07 ADB magazine - poor comparison, but highlights the brute power of the machine - no other 500cc+ machine is close, total package is a pretty serious bike.

Azza.

cheers for that mate.im seriously considering the berg 650.when you say maintenance .every weekend or every day.i mean you wouldnt have to stuff around every time you rode it to and fro work wud u ..Id do the basics every weekend after a bush bash....also if u no wat they are like on highway and through town..thanks

well, like I said, I ve had the Berg for just over a year now, I can tell you:
1. Valve settings are as easy as it gets, im not being flippant, but there is surely no easier bike to adjuust valves on - just a touch fiddly working near the radiator.
2. Oil every 300km - 400 at a stretch, filter and clean oil screen every second oil change - easy job - 1 hour being meticulous (I like to wash & lubricate everything I remove before re fitting.
3. Air filter every second ride when dusty in summer (I do relatively short rides - not much open space on the island) easy to check - easy to do.
4. Keep the beast clean - goes without sayin', it'd be like havin' Jennifer Hawkins but not letin her shower.

the things you will notice - (on my 550)- it absolutely eats rear tyres, I do a bit of commuting, but not heaps, and it will chunk a cheap hoop in no time flat!

dont give it too much grief with rapid down changes decelerating into corners (hopping)on the bitumen, your motor and driveline will thank you for it.

the 550 through town riding makes you wonder how it could be legal - if you ever wanted to hop on your motorcrosser and rip through the city, a casual sunday ride through town will soon fulfill this wish - im sure that the 650 is even more crazy watch your speedo - one night after a bad day at work I found myself pouring down the road (50 zone) at 97kph and it felt like nothing.

adjust your suspension by the book - shock sag settings are crucial (and free) - I say this even though I have an occasional unnerving push in the forks on occasions - it goes away as you ride harder it seems.

and last of all, enjoy all the people that stop to look and admire it - even the most hardened KTM fan will be blown away - 'Husa what? - geez nice lines!).

Azza.

I'd like to add that even though the Bergs need a little bit more TLC than the other bikes, it is justly rewarded with the bang you get for your buck. I took my motor out in under an hour & can now do my valves in 30 mins without removing the radiator. The hardest thing about riding them as a comuter is keeping your license. :lol: I too get a little carried away on the odd ocaision with the throttle & the old excuse of " I was just popping a wheelie for the kids in that car there " doesnt cut the mustard like it used to.

the 650 will just need regular oil and the tappets every say 4-5 rides at say 15-20 hours. they can be done in 1-hour flat when you know what you're doing-very easy. honestly!

the ride will destroy the honda and finally you'll be a member of a unique club and be proud of your machine!

one word of warning though: we have had some main bearings fail. the damage isn't cataclysmic first of all and so all that goes are the mains. you even get a warning sometimes. this you should reflect on before saying yes to the berg coz it's worth it!

regards

Taffy

thanks for every ones help i think im convinced ..the dealer wants about $11 800 on road so thats better than i thought..does any one use bash plates or bark busters for them....do they sell them in oz 4 the bergs...

All the berg dealers should have both those items.
They were around the $150 mark about a year ago when I got some.

Both B&B and Whipps alloy plates are Australian made, some of the guys here use the Hyde racing HD Poly ones though.

Azza.