'09 GasGas EC515 vs '09 Husaberg 570 - ANYBODY???

[y2motoskier]

Hey Guys, Happy New Year!!! I haven't been sleeping well lately trying to decide whether or not to buy an '09 Husaberg 570 or not. I am getting an '09 Gas Gas EC515 but it won't arrive until February or March. I have been drooling over the Husaberg since I first heard of it almost a year ago. I went into a local dealership and sat on one the other day (Big Mistake!) and now I can't get it out of my mind. I have been trying to find a review or test of someone who has ridden them both to tell me the differences. The Husaberg felt a little tall to me and I have read that the GasGas 4-strokes feel small but haven't sat on one so I'm not sure if they were talking about the height or just the overall small feeling? I am 6' tall and 200 pounds. I currently ride a GasGas EC 300 and absolutely love it will always have a 300 2-stroke for the tight stuff but I want a big powerful 4-stroke also for the fire roads and open desert riding. Can anyone out there help me get back to my normal sleeping habits??? Thanks in advance. Tom

 

[eff]

Happy New Year too!

I can't help you with your problem because I think the new Bergs are just beautiful too.

Good luck...what every you choose.

 

[JRDoz]

I gotta admit I am drawn to the 570...

 

[jeffd]

Since this is not a husaberg site - I can pass on something that a wise man once told me - "Never, ever, ever buy the first model year of anything - even a honda..."

Jeff

 

[joey11]

Some riding buddies went to a demo day and rode both the 450 and 570 Husabergs and they said the power on the 450 was smooth. They really liked it. THey did say it might be a little much for the S. Ohio woods. Then they rode the 570 and said it was the most powerful motorcycle they ever threw a leg over. Absolutley rediculous. Too much for the woods, but for desert it might me awesome. I want a 570 in street sumo trim if it rips like that.

 

[GMP]

I admit, if they had a 250F like that it would be hard for me to contain myself. I've been down this road though and like Jeff said I'd take a shower and cool down. Very innovative bike, and while I love the tech I have to wonder how many bugs will come up. Let it play out for a year. If you wan't something now, the Huskys are nice. Crazy fast and very stable in the fast open stuff.

 

[y2motoskier]

1st year model

Since this is not a husaberg site - I can pass on something that a wise man once told me - "Never, ever, ever buy the first model year of anything - even a honda..."

Jeff

Jeff,
Thanks for the advice. I think the same way about 1st year anything but both the Husaberg 450 and 570 have been out in Europe for about 1 1/2 years now and I haven't heard of any problems and I've been searching for them. These engines actually use almost all KTM parts that have already been in bikes for awhile. The only issue I have heard of so far is a noisy cam chain tensioner which has been a problem on the KTM 530's for awhile and KTM has still not addressed on the '09s. DirtTrack makes a replacement for them that solves the noise issue at idle. Thanks again for the reply - it is so good to know people are reading the forums and helping each other out.

Tom

 

[y2motoskier]

250f

I admit, if they had a 250F like that it would be hard for me to contain myself. I've been down this road though and like Jeff said I'd take a shower and cool down. Very innovative bike, and while I love the tech I have to wonder how many bugs will come up. Let it play out for a year. If you wan't something now, the Huskys are nice. Crazy fast and very stable in the fast open stuff.

GMP,
Husaberg is coming out with a 350 4-stroke in 2010. That should be an interesting bike for the smaller tight wood areas! I currently have a 2004 Husky TE510 that I took on trade and it is a really fast bike. It is the first Husky that I've owned and I am very impressed. The only issue I've had is it dies just off of idle if you blip the throttle too fast and then it is difficult to start again. We went for a nice 3 1/2 hour ride yesterday and the problem is I can't figure out if the Huskie is helping to curb my appetite for the Hussie or if it is fueling it! Thanks for your reply, I appreciate all of the input!
Tom

 

[Skidad]

Jeff,
Thanks for the advice. I think the same way about 1st year anything but both the Husaberg 450 and 570 have been out in Europe for about 1 1/2 years now and I haven't heard of any problems and I've been searching for them.

Tom

Maybe in the development stages but not available to the public. This bike was just released this year here and in Europe. Yes it has many KTM parts but still quite different in a # of areas. So far reports seem to indicate that the FI works very well (KTM's new 690 has some serious FI issues on the other hand and their split oil system on the XC4 motors is also having serious issues to the point that they may abandon it in 2010) and that's something to watch IMO. I'm sure you have been on the other forums reading about the Berg and I think their are some small issues alredy and gas capacity is one I would be concerned about with a 570. Personally I would wait a bit even though it is a very cool bike.

Can you point me to the info about this 350 Husaberg for 2010? Many rumors that KTM will have a 350 as well based from their nice 250 motor. This would be very nice.

 

[HydroDog]

Jeff,
Thanks for the advice. I think the same way about 1st year anything but both the Husaberg 450 and 570 have been out in Europe for about 1 1/2 years now and I haven't heard of any problems and I've been searching for them. These engines actually use almost all KTM parts that have already been in bikes for awhile.

Tom

Don't be in a hurry young GrassHopper. I being a past owner of a First year Berg which was owned by KTM at that time also, I would wait to almost the throu the 2nd year also. I'm not in anyway trying to bash the Berg brand. I like the new ones too but in the past Husaberg has been a little slow in doing updates to increase durability. It wasn't till 2004 model that they had 99% of the bugs worked out. Would I buy a Husaberg again? In a heart beat.

 

[jeffd]

Two recent bike "innovations" puzzle me - okay, I'll be honest, i think they are dumb and pure fad.

Raising the crank location on the new husaberg motor is not a good thing - it will make the bike feel heavier side to side due to increased gyro effect.

The new BMW G450 - placing the countersprocket at the pivot point for the rear swingarm means less "bite" when accellerating - the rear end doesn't squat under accelleration. This has been tried before and abandoned due to poor behavior...

jeff

 

[ferguscawley]

I have ridden the 2009 515 in Supermoto format. It rips. I am 6'1" and weigh 215. Bike is plenty big with lots of room to move about. The SM will wheelie off the throttle in 4th all day long
Brakes are stonking.

See here for pics of the SM

http://www.bikebuyersguide.ie/Biked...ics=4&Make=GasGas&Model=EC 515 SM&frmFilter=#

 

[ScottyR]

Two recent bike "innovations" puzzle me - okay, I'll be honest, i think they are dumb and pure fad.

Raising the crank location on the new husaberg motor is not a good thing - it will make the bike feel heavier side to side due to increased gyro effect.

The new BMW G450 - placing the countersprocket at the pivot point for the rear swingarm means less "bite" when accellerating - the rear end doesn't squat under accelleration. This has been tried before and abandoned due to poor behavior...

jeff

I hate to argue, but the FE450 is the "lightest feeling" 4T I have ever ridden. You really notice this when you flick the bike side to side. It is unbelieveable! You can flick it around like a 250F. Husaberg is onto something with this engine design.

I hate to sound like I have been drinking too much of the kool-aid but the 09 FE450 is simply the best 450 woods bike money can buy today.

 

[HydroDog]

The new BMW G450 - placing the countersprocket at the pivot point for the rear swingarm means less "bite" when accellerating - the rear end doesn't squat under accelleration. This has been tried before and abandoned due to poor behavior...

jeff[/QUOTE]

Just curious, who tried this before?

 

[fury1]

pretty sure atk tried it....

 

[GMP]

The big Husky 4-strokes need more flywheel, IMO. I have a lot of seat time on an '05 TE450, well set up, and the cough and die at grunt speeds is common. Otherwise its an animal.

 

[eff]

I hate to argue, but the FE450 is the "lightest feeling" 4T I have ever ridden. You really notice this when you flick the bike side to side. It is unbelieveable! You can flick it around like a 250F. Husaberg is onto something with this engine design.

I hate to sound like I have been drinking too much of the kool-aid but the 09 FE450 is simply the best 450 woods bike money can buy today.

From what I read that was their goal. The guys at Trail Rider really loved it.

 

[GMP]

Jeff's point about the 'Berg crank is the first thing I thought as well. Then I thought there must be something more to this when you do the math though, these guys can't be that stupid. Don't just consider the crankshaft's height, perhaps the fact that the rotational forces are moved to the rear more than offsets the crank being higher. Look at modern I4 sportbikes, with the trans and clutch stacked high over the crank to allow the engine to be moved back. When all the numbers are crunched, the end result must be a positive one, as riding the bike has proven it seems. I'd be more interested in seeing how things work out as far as reliability, like the plastic subframe, and the motor after a lot of hours running in that position (oiling system). I like the bike's concept, better than the BMW, but of course I'd have to ride them before commenting. What does the bike weigh? I wonder if the 350 will be built on a smaller platform, rather than sleeved down?

 

[ScottyR]

I assume that the 2010 FE390 will be the same motor with a 400XCW top end grafted on, just like the 2009 FE450 has a 450XCW top end.

 

[webmaster]

The new BMW G450 - placing the countersprocket at the pivot point for the rear swingarm means less "bite" when accellerating - the rear end doesn't squat under accelleration. This has been tried before and abandoned due to poor behavior...

jeff

Just curious, who tried this before?[/quote]

I had a friend who built custom built bikes & his own frames...

jeff