First Ride: 2011 Husabergs

Not a whole lot has changed on the 2011 Husaberg FE line of enduro machines, but that doesn't mean the Swedish machines couldn't make a grand entrance onto the U.S. market. The 2011 Husaberg FE 390 and FE 450 four-stroke off-roaders were introduced to media recently at the Jack Pine Enduro in Mooresville, Michigan, where we were fortunate enough to be guests. We were among the lucky few to swing a leg over the new and improved 'Bergs for some riding and racing.

The most central change to the '11 Husabergs is the new fork. Both the FE machines receive the closed cartridge WP fork which was originally reserved for only the FX closed-course racer. The WP fork is largely the same as that of the KTM XC line, but valved specifically for the Husabergs.

The FEs also receive a new triple clamp, going from a 19mm offset to 22mm. Coupled with the new fork tubes and stiffer spring rates, the FE duo is designed for improved handling and more aggressive riding.

Other changes to the FE line include the absence of the 570 model. The 570cc bike will still be available but in the form of an FE 570 S which will be a 50-state-legal dual sport model, and an FS 570 which is the street legal supermoto model (equipped with 17-inch wheels).

At the recent Jack Pine Enduro "Cowbell Classic" we got to spend a day riding and shooting photos of the new FE 450 and 390 in the thick woods of Michigan followed by a day racing the Berg of our choice at what was quite possibly the tightest AMA National Enduro of the year. (When Mike Lafferty and Russell Bobbitt both say, "Yeah, that was really tight," you know it was downright ridiculous.)

When we weren't trying to shove the handlebars between tree trunks with a crowbar, the new FE enduro bikes proved to be great accomplices through the technical and sandy conditions of central Michigan. While there were plenty of super-tight wooded sections, our testing grounds were actually a fair mix of roads, double track trails and single track ranging from first gear on the clutch to fourth gear sections.

From our first impression, it seems the updated front end is more capable than ever of tackling tough, technical sections at race pace under riders of all sizes and abilities. From ramming logs to floating over root crossed sections of trail, the 'Berg stays well-behaved and comfortable while still retaining its superior handling abilities while weaving through trees.

As always, we can't say enough about the Husaberg's inverted 70-degree motor and what it does for handling. The physics of keeping the largest amount of rotating mass at the bike's true center of gravity really aid in its ability to change direction with the least amount of energy. But like all things, this characteristic is a trade-off.

Raising the crank to a higher point in the frame helps with handling, but makes the 'Bergs noticeably more top-heavy than other enduro bikes. This will quickly become an important factor when you're negotiating tight conditions over technical terrain. The FE is less forgiving than other bikes when it comes to finding yourself slightly off balance, and having to upright it or get it unstuck will quickly draw your attention to how inconvenient it can be to have the bike's weight centered higher.

In all fairness, these were the only conditions we've ever had the Husabergs in that really showcased this flaw. In all other aspects, the FEs are incredibly capable woods machines. The adjustable ignition maps allow you to choose exactly how much snap you will get from a crack of the throttle, fuel injection and a strong electric starter make it reliable at any elevation and any temperature. As always, there's the list of favorable features on the Husaberg FE models ranging from tool-less airbox entry and suspension adjustment to top level components on the Austrian-made Swedish machines.

Look for more on the new and improved FE 450 and FE 390 coming in the pages of Cycle News.