2009 Husabergs
 

I got a chance to (briefly) ride a 2009 FE450 while I was in Romania. All I can say is WOW. Best handling thumper I've ever ridden. Handled almost as good as my Gasser. Almost. Fuel injection is awesome. My buddy Shane Cuthbertson was racing it in the Red Bull Romaniacs. Even after a crash with a hot bike, it started right back up with the electric starter barely getting a workout thanks to the EFI. There is no four-stroke gyroscopic effect from the engine. The bike is very flickable and responds well to input at the pegs. Handled better than a CRF250R which is saying something. Engine is still traditional Husaberg, even with the new design. Feels like an old school THUMPer. Very chuggable. Personally I'm not a huge fan of the power because I'm used to a zippy two-stroke. But, the flickability made up for the somewhat docile power. The new composite subframe is cool and I think it's going to be durable. All of the plastic is high quality. Quick release seat is very nice.

My one gripe is it uses a KTM swingarm, so it has the offset shock. Didn't get to ride it enough to see how it felt but my gut feel is it won't be as good as a GasGas, but probably better than a KTM as Husaberg seems to know how to valve a shock better than KTM.

Very cool bike and it's probably the first non-GasGas bike I've been excited to ride in a long time. I'd really like to try a GasGas 450 to see how they compare as I after I get a trials bike and a new 2-stroke race bike, I would like to add a thumper to the garage for the open stuff.

whats the purpose of the goofy shocks anyway, in my world this would cause the bike to handle like it was a car with bad alignment.

The new Husabergs are very nice indeed if not a little funny looking at first. When they have a 300-350 sized motor (NOT based off the 450) I would be interested for sure. I have no interest in a 450 4 stroke in my riding area. Husaberg is kind of a testing bed for KTM I think. You will see the trickle down effect in the motor design if these work out well. As a matter of fact the all new KTM 65cc bike has a motor designed the same way as the Husaberg motor except it's a 2 stroke. VERY cool little motor.

I hope the new 250 thumper motor Gas Gas is working on can also be made into a 300+ sized diplacement. This seems like it might be the best all around size for power vs weight for many people. I know Beta is working on this size.


Skidad

I'm probably going to get roasted for what I'm about to say, but there are two things I would like to address.

First, engine size doesn't always equal engine size. By that I mean that one 450 doesn't equal another 450. I have a 2006 Husaberg 450, along with a 2002 Gasgas 250. The Berg 450 is a woods weapon, I still prefer it to my GasGas in the really tight woods. The motor is magic. I would not consider any of the Japanese 450s as a woods weapon. I admit that setup is key, carb and suspension make all the difference. Also, I weigh 200lbs. (I wish my GasGas were a 300, so I am an admitted big bore bigot). I guess what I'm getting at is, give a Berg 450 a good try before wishing for a smaller motor. It is nothing like the major brand 450s. Husaberg made a 380 kit for the 450 up to 2008, and it got rave reviews, so Husaberg does realize the enthusiasts wish for the small bore four stroke. I've never ridden one, but would sure like to give it a try.


As to the PDS rear suspension, I'm not a fan. I've owned KTMs and Bergs with it, and always think, "if only I could have an Ohlins with a link". That being said, I have to say also that PDS can work pretty darn well, but it is VERY picky about setup. That includes spring rate, preload, and the clickers. My GasGas has the best suspension I have ever ridden or owned. If I could shoehorn in a 1986 KTM 350 motor into the frame, it would be my number one bike. Am I warped, or what?

1997 KTM 360 EXC you might like instead. Linkage with Ohlins in the back and 50mm conventional Marzocchi's up front (or you could swap on a pair of WP 50mm Extremes). Problem is it does weigh almost 250lbs dry. I have the 250 version.

Here is the world championship winning 360SX of Shane King (notice coated 50mm WP Extremes)

http://65.57.254.60/ktmtalk/photogal...hayne_King.jpg

What's really sad is, the shock is offset towards the exhaust pipe.
There is plenty of room to go to the left side. But, they chose to save money.

husa
 

Mark my words, you'll see alot more 70deg bikes from Asia and Europe in the coming years. I saw a sketch of a new Kawi street bike zx10/14 i can't remember for sure with that 70 deg design just like the Berg. Those Bergs have always been the best thumper on the market perfomance wise. It's the only non 2t i'd ride. Have owned a could over the past decade.