FE390/450 Berg as a trail bike

[frostyuk]

Am in the early stages of thinking of one of these as a regular green laner, occassional more serious offroad stuff and very occasional commuter, my current xchallenge is great and i love it to bits but there are occasions when i could do with a little more ground clearance and a little less width! anyone got any thoughts about these ? maintenance ? running costs ? must do mods etc for road use?

Many thanks
Ian

 

[Greg Masters]

I have an 2011MY FE570. I love it.

I bought it new in Sept 2010 but had an issue with a burnt out wiring loom. It seems that some bikes had incorrectly routed looms which chafed in the frame. It was all sorted under warranty.

The 2009 bikes have weak cam-chain tensioners - it's an cheap and easy fix that was sorted for 2010 bikes.

2011 bikes got closed cartridge forks - but I really don't think that makes much difference to a tosser like me.

2012 bikes got a slightly dodgy yellow frame.

The bikes share quite a few KTM parts but, IMHO, the design is better - particularly the air intake and filter - high on the 'Berg; low on the KTM.

The fuel tank is low on the 'Berg. I also use the 70 Degree Racing auxilliary tank which adds a useful 4½ litres. It's not cheap but is invisible and also serves to keep the weight low. Husaberg now markets a similar auxilliary tank.

The bikes are FI. Mine has been utterly reliable. They have no kicker, so when the battery goes soft, you're in difficulties (thanks for the pushes, Pete!) [I broke the OE battery and temporarily replaced it with an old battery I had laying around].

The 570 has soooo much grunt, that I can't imagine that even the 390 would feel in any way underpowered. But I chose the 570 because I wanted the chug-chug torque to match my riding style.

I preferred the ride of my old 2008 FE450, but the new bike is a better overall package.

For road use, be aware that the oil capacity is only about 1½ litres, so the oil gets worked hard and would need to be changed frequently. It's a 30 minute, £15 job.

For traffic use (and even trail use), you'd want a cooling fan.

Greg

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

I've got Timolgra's old 450 and use it for green laning, I have a 40 min road ride to get to the lanes.

I think I've had it two years now and so far it's been dead reliable. The only issue I've had is once the rad overflow did it's job on a very hot day and me having just done a long section of nadgery slow stuff (there is no fan but I think you can fit one if you want)

It only holds a litre of oil so I change this and filter every 3 rides (that's a full days riding, road and lanes, and roughly 150 miles). They are supposed to be done every 10 hours, but that's race use so I'm guessing every 450 miles is about right for road/laning use.

The electric start is supposed to be marginal but (touch wood) I've never had an issue (you can buy upgrade kits though).

What else can I say...........well...............the bike has a vicious and fun top end but can trickle along a trail no probs. It's incredibly light and it is a thousand times a better bike than I am a rider. It IS basic but is an absolute hoot to ride and has real 'character'

Andres

Edit: Oooops, didn't cotton you you meant the 'new' Bergs

 

[frostyuk]

Thanks for the input guys ... much appreciated

 

[Possu]

I've had a 59 plate FE390 since last September when it replaced my 04 plate 400EXC. To me, it rides just like KTM, no surprise as the suspension and cycle parts are shared with the current KTM's.

I got it as I fancied something a bit different. As Greg said, the high airbox is a plus as it rarely gets dirty although you need to get used to hearing a bit more induction roar. Servicing is no different to the equivalent KTM (400/450/530 EXC-R). Bought mine with 102 hours on the clock, having been told the valves had been recently checked and found to be in spec. Checked them for the first time at the weekend at 142 hours and found they were still in spec. Personally I think the valve check is a little more time consuming that on the KTM as is tank removal but once you've got the hang of it, it's not an issue.

I feel the FE390 has a more linear power delivery than my old 400EXC which makes it a great trail bike, not ridden the FE450 or 570 though. There are also plenty of aftermarket parts available although not as many as for the KTM's.

The only thing I think Greg omitted from his list is that earlier bikes may also run a different offset on the yokes (2mm)?

 

[Timolgra]

I've got Timolgra's old 450 and use it for green laning, I have a 40 min road ride to get to the lanes.

I think I've had it two years now and so far it's been dead reliable. The only issue I've had is once the rad overflow did it's job on a very hot day and me having just done a long section of nadgery slow stuff (there is no fan but I think you can fit one if you want)

It only holds a litre of oil so I change this and filter every 3 rides (that's a full days riding, road and lanes, and roughly 150 miles). They are supposed to be done every 10 hours, but that's race use so I'm guessing every 450 miles is about right for road/laning use.

The electric start is supposed to be marginal but (touch wood) I've never had an issue (you can buy upgrade kits though).

What else can I say...........well...............the bike has a vicious and fun top end but can trickle along a trail no probs. It's incredibly light and it is a thousand times a better bike than I am a rider. It IS basic but is an absolute hoot to ride and has real 'character'

Andres

Edit: Oooops, didn't cotton you you meant the 'new' Bergs

I've had the 'old type' 550 for a couple of years and love it, much more power than you really need and loads of torque. Reliability wise, it's been perfect!

Best thing about them is they're not orange like everyone else's

 

[force4fun]

Had a 2006 fe 450 and now have a 2010 fe 390. They are simply amazing. Great to ride, feel like a 250 with the grunt of a 500. Super strong. Just do it, get one - you will lover it.

 

[Timpo]

Although the 390 would be my choice, i have riden the 570, and it was a beast when the right grip is twisted. Bags of grunt and when the revs get high you're moving at some pace. Low down chug-chug as greg mentioned is wonderful, and how I like to ride too.
Suspension is lush, though the seat is narrow and if you are tosser sized, i reckon a day in the saddle will see you walking funny for a while!

 

[Gromit]

I bought a FE 550 off someone on here and to be honest it's a bit extreme. I need something to ride to where the green lanes are which is at least an hour from here and then it needs to be capable of riding the trails but after riding the berg on the road for an hour I need half a days rest.
It would be great if I could trailer it to where I was going but that would be another tax mot and insurance which I can't afford.

I'll probably end up selling it but I have no idea what could replace it.

 

[frostyuk]

am going to look at an 09 450 with 150hrs on the clock at the weekend (hopefully) but also been given a heads up on an low mileage mint previous model 08 version so will have to see

 

[frostyuk]

finally ended up getting the 09 fe450 just loved the feel of the bike on a short test run, bought it from midwest racing and must admit am very pleased with the service they gave me and the prep they did on the bike to suit me inc heavier springs front and rear, bar risers etc will post a pic or two when the weather picks up a bit

 

[Timolgra]

finally ended up getting the 09 fe450 just loved the feel of the bike on a short test run, bought it from midwest racing and must admit am very pleased with the service they gave me and the prep they did on the bike to suit me inc heavier springs front and rear, bar risers etc will post a pic or two when the weather picks up a bit

Enjoy...the weather's perfect right now for it btw

 

[Timpo]

I believe the upturned engine has been dropped for next year's 'bergs.......

 

[Timolgra]

I believe the upturned engine has been dropped for next year's 'bergs.......

Great, I'll be back in fashion and someone get to buy Rick's bike

 

[Greg Masters]

I'll be back in fashion ...

Don't hold your breath!

 

[frostyuk]

I believe the upturned engine has been dropped for next year's 'bergs.......

just means i got two exclusive and classic machines in the garage ..... xchallenge and a 70degree Berg ..... always good at picking a winner me

 

[Timpo]

just means i got two exclusive and classic machines in the garage ..... xchallenge and a 70degree Berg ..... always good at picking a winner me

I'm not being funny, but I thought the engine configuration was great news to the enduro rider......
I reckon, there may be several cheap deals to be had with the release of the 2013 machines, and I'd like a 390FE, so I'll watch for deals as the dealers rid themselves of the '12 old stock!

 

[frostyuk]

from what i've heard the 390s are highly sought after so holding their value well, ams4ktm have a couple with 20 hours or so on them scruffed pannels etc and they're still over six k, midwest had a their 2012 race bike 5 hours on, fully spec'd but sold it for 5 and half, just wished i'd had the money to buy that, a cheap 450 was all i could afford for now, if i really get on with it to the point the xc gets irrelevant then i'll look see if i can get a newer 390, at the moment apparently there are no new 2012 390s available.