515 the REAL DEAL part deux

[Berkyboy]

Just got back from a weekend of riding up in the Paul Bunyan State Forest (Akeley, Minnesota) with Hasslbri and Wannabe where we got to spend some serious time on the Hasslbri's 2008 FSR515.

In a word, WOW!

After receiving a special flywheel weight from the GasGas Racing R&D department in Spain we finally got a chance to put the bike through some serious riding this weekend. In all the bike logged over 100 miles of mostly tight single-track and never missed a beat.

The flywheel weight, which added over 10 oz of rotating mass, took away the occasional stall the 515 suffered from when it was ridden aggressively before. Prior to the change it was not uncommon for the motor to fall flat on its face if the throttle was chopped hard coming off of idle.

The 515 motor has always delivered an incredible amount of linear power right of the bottom and if you aren't careful you would find yourself out accelerating your riding skills if you held the throttle open to long. Most four-stroke's give the rider a warning as the bike hooks up as they normally start barking (read start making a lot of obnoxious noise from the muffler) as they start to build serious power. That noise reminds you its time to pay attention.

Not so with the 515. The bike, with its stock muffler, is deceptive in its quietness and has the ability to flat out haul a$$. The bike takes a smooth throttle hand, especially in the tighter stuff, but you learn quickly that it doesn't take a lot of throttle to pick up the pace and as Hasslbri put it "don't grab any clutch unless your serious."

The most surprising part is the FSR515's frame geometry and layout hides its weight incredible well and actually handles tight single-track more like a 200 two-stoke then a big-bore four-stroke. I spent most of the weekend on an '06 EC250 with a Clarke tank and each time I got on the 515 I felt like I was sitting on a 125.

I'm sure Hasslbri and Wannabe will chime in here soon but the bike surprised me. The only additions I'd add would be a G2 throttle cam set up, with the least aggressive cam installed, and for me at least a steering damper to help slow down the steering responsiveness. Don't get me wrong the bike handles like any other GasGas, which is very predictable, especially when riding tight rocky single-track, it's that I need a little help controlling all of that momentum I just created because I had I had to see how quickly I could accelerate to the next corner.

The additional flywheel weight made all the difference, especially if you have an aggressive riding style. Over the next couple of weeks were going to play with some mapping changes and we'll let you know how they go.

[fury1]

I want a white one!!!

[Eric K]

Any word on DOT approval for street use?

If it were approved street legal, that would put it on my very short list for my next motorcycle purchase - a serious off-road motorcycle that is street legal.

[hasslbri]

Well, the changes I have made since earlier this year are increadibly possitive. I have found this bike begs to be ridden fast. Here are a couple of things I notice about the bike.

Steering- Unbelievably light almost too quick, this bike, because the front tire is weighted, will turn inside my 300 in almost any corner. In the super tight trees I could go faster then I think I have ever had. It drops into berms and flat corners and sticks. The only thing that holds it back are corners after long straights. The combo of weight and power tend to over ride the traction of the tires at high speed. It also didn't seem to like long ruts. I think I will stiffen up the suspension a little and that should help cure the rut woes. That might be a four stroke trait as well that I am not used to.

Engine- Off the bottom it is almost too quick. The throttle is soo sensitive you really have to take care of what you do with it. The clutch is only a stall preventer. If you are slipping the clutch for more power, you must either be stuck in the mud or pulling a small boat to you favorite fishing hole. The flywheel helps but could be bigger yet. The exhaust, I am guessing, chokes the bike up quite a bit. Top end is a little flat which is fine. You want to go faster, shift, it will pull the next gear with ease. It is so nice and quiet, I think I will leave it alone. As far as running temp. The bike would constantly gargle antifreeze during the ride, but it would never loose fluid. These trails were really technical single track and the weather was hot.

Clutch- I installed a slipper clutch after my first few rides. I like the incredibly light pull and lack of wheel hop on downshifts and decelleration.

Weaknesses -

Clearance- The way I have the bike set up, it sits about and inch lower then my 300. Seems like the frame and pegs are always catching stuff. If this is a tradeoff for handling I am all for it.

Weight- Even though this bike handles really light and quick, almost 250f like, it still is a bit over weight. When I am fresh it will be no big deal, but late in a race I am guessing it will wear on me quicker then my 300.

Restarting- Even though it gets better with every ride, it still is a fuel injected fourstroke, so if you stall it, you need to let the pump prime and then start it. Not a big deal but in race conditions it can be a pita.

Airfilter access- very tight and difficult to work with.

Guys this bike is good and getting better the more time I get on it. You have to remember that I am only about 5'7" tall and weight 155 lbs. So I am not the typical big bore rider out there. I think guys wanting a big bore fourstroke really need to consider this bike. If anybody wants to take a spin on it. I will be racing it at the National Enduro in Minnesota come on up and ask for a ride.

Brian

[fury1]

any guesses what your setup will show on a sound test??

[hasslbri]

I am not sure, but it should be in the 92 - 93 range. It is more quiet then my 250F Yamaha with a Q Core and that was about 94 - 95. I is on par with my old Husaberg and that thing was stealth. I don't know, every club does it different and most do it completely wrong. I have had my 200 blow a 88 and my 300 blow a 98 so who knows. If they don't pass it I will have major issues as you can't stick a pencil past the tip of the pipe.

[Metalefty]

Sounds more and more like I should upgrade from my "old" '05. I've been waiting for a significantly better 4 stroke or a DI 300.