The first 10 hours with my 09 FE 450 by Joe Regular Rider

I’d read all the hype, probably just like a lot of you.. some of it right here from Jimmy and company.  I had the advantage of test riding/borrowing a FE 570 from my local dealer ( The Race Shop, Norcross )  a few months ago to see what all the hype was about.  I took it to highland Park in Cedartown GA ( A Eastern US Mecca of quality one way trails ranging from easy to extreme expert/mountain goat )

My first thoughts: Light, nimble, electric smooth, great traction, unbelievable fueling but a little hard on the hit for my taste in the tight stuff and hills climbs.  

At 41 and a weekend warrior at best, I left that day after putting 3.5 hours of single track and hills climbs on the meter feeling fresh, and unlike most rides where I fall comfortably numb with endorphins into my truck at day’s end thinking…..man I’m bushed.  That day I was wishing for more daylight.  Was it the adrenalin?  The excitement of riding a big 570 all day in single track?  Or was this bike truly less taxing to ride?   I woke up the next day less sore?  Less sore?  Come on..we rode hard and long for our group.  I should be hurtin'?

My current bike was a 2007 KTM 400 EC-W, which was trick with KTM parts and still fresh enough and down in value 50% to love it for a long time..  I bought it thinking…I’ll have this bike for a while. At least that’s what I told the wife the day I brought it home and I beleived it.  I can say with confidence this was the best dirt bike I had ever ridden…then the next day after riding the Husaberg I couldn’t stop walking out to the garage to stare at it.  Not wanting to take it back, but knowing I had to.  It was expensive afterall at close to 10K with tax.  And my beloved 400 wasn’t worth much by comparison to cover the gap.  

I saved up for months (hey no doubt it is expensive) hoping I’d forget that day as the days wore on.  Putting a fresh drive train on the KTM, I settled in to save or forget.  Well a month ago I couldn’t help myself and went back to Brett at the Race Shop and Brett, my riding buddy Randy and I unpacked a new FE 450 from the crate.  I was so taken by the blue alloy, I had to have more and we spent the next 5 hours putting damn near every Husaberg part he had in stock on the bike.  We tuned a little, added a Husaberg steering dampner and Brett replaced the springs for me.  I walked out of the shop at 1am the next morning.  I think the last hour all three spent just looking at it.  

So the first 10 hours have made me a believer it was money well spent.  This bike has changed my riding style to smoother; I am riding faster, but in better control.  The suspension is the best I have ridden, and each bike on the list below I had professional suspension work completed on.  The 3 maps are usable, I particularly like the “mud” map as it does great on hills and single track.  I returned to Highland park and charged into logs, rocks and roots in a way I never would have tried on the KTM 400.  I wish I could explain it clearer, but the bike simply works..everywhere and in anything I could throw at it in the toughest trails in the Eastern US. It inspires confidence and I swear you can ride it longer with less energy.  

If you love to ride as I do, borrow one, or as Jimmy said..don’t or you may just buy a ridiculously expensive motorcycle and swear it was worth every penny.  

These are the bike I have owned in the past 10 years of which I compared it to when I wrote this.   I put about 200-300 hours on each.  I had ZERO major issues with all these bikes and liked each one in different ways which is why I have stuck with Euro bikes.    

1995 Husky 250 2 stroke
1999 GasGas 250 2 stroke
2000 KTM 400SX
2004 Husky 450TE
2006 Husky 250 TC
2007 KTM 400 EC-W
2009 Husaberg 450 FE

So now you have Jimmy's opinion and a Joe regular budget, regular rider review.

Dare to swing your leg over one, you won't regret it. But your banker might.  

i wish i had the cash,i love the KTMs,but i also love my current scoot with wich ive second mortgaged the house to modify for me,but if i look at what youve spent on yours a KTM would be relative to my situation(now im thinkin maybe!)the thing that stops me is my wife says go for it.im thinkin this is a scam somehow or somewhere im losin or gonna lose out/but once again mabye!  
---------------- different toilet,same ***

Even tho the 450's are way too big/heavy for me, thanks for taking the time to do the write-up.  
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Hudson Valley NY
KTM XC-W 250

"If you don't have a dream, how can it come true?"

dam i really wanted one now i gotta have one but im only 15 and 10k is a long way away  
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if its got wheels or a skirt your gonna have problems... best t-shirt ever

03 rm125

2stroke eff tee dubba u

hey wheres da pics??????? haha wow man sounds AMAZING!
DavidS  
i take a lot of pride in what i am

___________________
ride: 02yz426
local: north east Oregon

terrain type woods with lots of roots & rocks

Are you auditioning for a DR job?  
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One man gathers what another man spills

At the 2009 Torture Event, it was the only 450 off-road my son really liked (he also rode the 09 WR-450 and CRF-450X).  
.
Dave H 2006 YZ250
(2008 YZ 125 son)

I think the new 'Bergs are really trick looking.  I'd consider one if I had the cash and a dealer near by.  Until that happens, I'll stick with KTMs and Japanese bikes.  
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2001 KTM 520MXC

I've heard nothing but amazing things like what you've said...a friend of ours just got the 570....It's supposed to be amazing.

Great write up too...thanks  
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"Only the desert has a fascination to ride alone in the sun in the forever unpossessed country away from man. That is a great temptation."
--D.H. Lawrence

Thanks for the props, we try to tell it like it is. I'm just the other way around, I like the 570 much better because I like to lug the bike and am very smooth with the throttle.

We've been hanging onto both Bergs becuase we like them so much, we can't decide which one to Long Haul.

JIMMY  
JIMMY
Editor Dirt Rider Magazine

Jimmy, long haul the 570.  450s get all the attention and all the stories, it's nice to see something unique go through a thorough evaluation.  
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2001 KTM 520MXC

Great information! We are putting together a Race Team  for the Perry Mountain 24 hour Race in Maplesville Alabama. We are gonna use an 09 FE570, based on reviews that have been consistently like yours, I think it may be the perfect bike for this event.
Thanks for taking the time to post.
Mark @ SOS  

frend of my who work in spain is wery lucky guy and win the new husaberg-450 from spanisch motomagasin    for free
-this is some pics from this




from here my frend get the prise






first winner pics for the magasine  








happines    




with guys from magasin




==pick up new hesaberg for free==isnt a dream??   coming tru

























 
I DONT KNOW ENGLICH

that bike is beautiful!
what a lucky guy!  
05 wr250 - in progress

who else hates slow shipping?