We send our resident Technical Editor Geoff Walker out to test the latest Husaberg woods weapons…
FX450
As expected the handling and power delivery was smooth and very controllable on the FX. The lighter weight was immediately noticeable compared to the enduro models on the twists and turns of the MX track and the enduro loop. The gearing was tall but it encouraged a fast pace to keep the bike moving, even in the more technical sections of the loop.
The lighter weight also contributed to less clutch fade in the 40 degree heat of the Spanish sun when the going got gnarly. Rock steps were a blast on the FX as well as pretty much every other situation I could throw it at. If you are going closed course only then this weapon is one to consider – the suspension was positive and plush and at no time felt too stiff, just supportive when pushing hard as this bike encourages you to do. The MX track was also a good test and bottoming was never an issue on the jumps and cornering was a blast. This bike is not an arm ripper but it’s designed this way and delivers the promised package with style.
FE390
I’d been looking forward to the 390 since I heard the Berg crew were making it and I was gagging to throw my leg over it. And I wasn’t disappointed with the 390 as it delivered almost all I expected and hoped for.
The power is smooth, the ride is amazingly comfortable and every control is tip top in feel and function from front to back as you would expect from what is essentially a limited edition, super-desirable off-road bike. The only negative with the FE390 was a slight lack in punch from the motor. Don’t get me wrong, this bike makes more than enough power for pretty much all situations and I am not talking about the speed of the bike at the top or mid-range, I just expected a little more of a free revving power from the stock bike.
These bikes can be re-programmed through re-mapping and if we had more time to play around with the bike I am sure the feel I was looking for on the day could have been dialled right in. The torque this bike produces is amazing, in fact it finds grip so well I managed to loop the puppy out on a rock step when running a little bit of sneaky ‘off piste’ action with Skippy the bush kangaroo catcher as riding partner…
There are hard parts available from Husaberg dealers for all the models including the 390 and the first port of call for what I think would be an amazing extreme bike would be the Akrapovic exhaust system. The development engineers from the Slovenian factory were on hand at the test and the power increases and weight savings available for the 390 and the rest of the range are looking good for 2010.
FE450
The 450 is one of my favourite bikes and not a disappointment for 2010. The improvements made for next year are easily detectable straight away on the ride. The steering is light years ahead of what it was – and I thought it was great for this year – with the extra 3mm of off-set helping the bike turn even better. Superb!
The suspension seemed to work well in its action in most situations but the forks needs to be slightly stiffer for the speed the bike wants to be ridden at. The rear shock is cracking in its action and never caused a blink all day on the 450. Overall the FE450 has stepped it up again and I cannot really find fault with this bike as a package from chassis to motor to controls.
FE570
The big daddy with a small feel features most of the same improvements as the 450 so the ride is again predictable and fun and you would not believe you are on a 570 machine when tackling technical sections of going on this big-bore weapon.
It tracks up and over everything with ease and when it comes to opening the gas on the beast it comes into its own. This bike is your low-down grunting friend and also your demon fire-breathing buddy when you are brave enough to give it full beans! Open your eyeballs wide and enjoy the world going by at a cracking rate of knots, then simply brake it down and drop into tech mode again. Great fun, very rideable and a blast in all terrains.
Specification:
FX450
Capacity: 449.3cc
Bore and stroke: 95mm x 63.4mm
Transmission: Six-speed
Fuel tank capacity: 8.5 litre
Front suspension: 48mm WP (300mm travel)
Rear suspension: WP PDS (335mm travel)
Front brake: 260mm disc
Rear brake: 220mm disc
Seat height: 985mm
Wheelbase: 1475mm
Ground clearance: 390mm
Kerb weight: 112.8kg
FE390
Capacity: 393.3cc
Bore and stroke: 95mm x 55.5mm
Transmission: Six-speed
Fuel tank capacity: 8.5 litre
Front suspension: 48mm WP (300mm travel)
Rear suspension: WP PDS (335mm travel)
Front brake: 260mm disc
Rear brake: 220mm disc
Seat height: 985mm
Wheelbase: 1475mm
Ground clearance: 390mm
Kerb weight: 114kg
FE450
Capacity: 449.3cc
Bore and stroke: 95mm x 63.4mm
Transmission: Six-speed
Fuel tank capacity: 8.5 litre
Front suspension: 48mm WP (300mm travel)
Rear suspension: WP PDS (335mm travel)
Front brake: 260mm disc
Rear brake: 220mm disc
Seat height: 985mm
Wheelbase: 1475mm
Ground clearance: 390mm
Kerb weight: 114kg
FE570
Capacity: 565.5cc
Bore and stroke: 100mm x 72mm
Transmission: Six-speed
Fuel tank capacity: 8.5 litre
Front suspension: 48mm WP (300mm travel)
Rear suspension: WP PDS (335mm travel)
Front brake: 260mm disc
Rear brake: 220mm disc
Seat height: 985mm
Wheelbase: 1475mm
Ground clearance: 390mm
Kerb weight: 114.5kg
