515 the REAL DEAL

[barkeater]

The power delivery is very very smooth and the fuel map was perfect (at least for the 30 degree (f) air temperature.)

Man, you guys in the southern part of Minnesota got some easy winters. That was 30F above zero right? Cuz, up here in the northern part we've been at -30F lately. You REALLY want to test her in cold weather conditions, leave it in my garage up here near Fargo for a week.

Nice ride Bri. I envy you.

 

[Berkyboy]

I'm sure he would have no problem with that.

Last Tuesday we had minus 24 degrees (F) below zero here. Then this weekend it was 30 degrees (F) above on Saturday and 40 degrees (F) above Sunday. We shot the pictures and video on Saturday morning.

Just a note we have been riding with both of the radiators blocked off about 70%.

Mark (Wannabe) is picking up our '08 FSR 450 tomorrow on his way back from the Georgia National Enduro and we will be making a road trip down south (Arkansas) sometime in the next couple of weeks to do our own side by side comparison of the 2 bikes. We'll most likely bring along our '05 450 FSE to compare them with as well.

 

[Boomhauer]

I'm sure he would have no problem with that.

Last Tuesday we had minus 24 degrees (F) below zero here. Then this weekend it was 30 degrees (F) above on Saturday and 40 degrees (F) above Sunday. We shot the pictures and video on Saturday morning.

Just a note we have been riding with both of the radiators blocked off about 70%.

Mark (Wannabe) is picking up our '08 FSR 450 tomorrow on his way back from the Georgia National Enduro and we will be making a road trip down south (Arkansas) sometime in the next couple of weeks to do our own side by side comparison of the 2 bikes. We'll most likely bring along our '05 450 FSE to compare them with as well.

Steve let me know when you guys are coming down to Arkansas so that Girard and I can possibly meet up & ride with you guys.

Are both of you coming down here in a few weeks for the National in LA?

Robby

 

[Berkyboy]

I don't think that 'm going to make the LA National. But if I'm going to go on the 450 / 515 ride it would have to be after Easter.

The location would probably be near Fayetteville.

 

[barkeater]

I'm sure he would have no problem with that.

That would mean I'd have to put down my bag of Doritos and get off the warm, comfy sofa.

 

[SpeedyManiac]

Looks like a nice bike. What's the weight on the 450 and 515? Any word on a smaller thumper in the works (250/350cc)?

 

[Berkyboy]

Brian wieghed the bike full of fluids and with a full gas tank, with Trelleborg Winter Spiked tires (these tires are 10lbs heavier then stock tires) and with Flex Bars (which probaby weigh 3 lbs more the stock) and the bike came in at 275 lbs. I would estimate the bike at 260-262 lbs "ride ready" full of fluids and gas. We'll weigh the bike again once we take those items off.

We should be able to weigh the 450 "ride ready" in a couple of days. I would think they should weigh within 1 lb of each other.

 

[Skidad]

Looks like a nice bike. Any word on a smaller thumper in the works (250/350cc)?

My thoughts exactly! Why haven't they jumped on the bandwagon with a 250/300/350 thumper. I have no use myself for the bigger 4 strokes.

Have you seen the new Sherco 250 thumper that will be released soon? Sweeeeeeet looking ride for sure.


Skidad in MA

 

[Berkyboy]

Thr R&D is being done as we speak. Mark saw a small-bore prototype engine when he was at the factory in December although they wouldn't give any details of a possible release date.

My guess is they have to get the trials four-stroke well into production before they get real serious about the small-bore four-stroke.

 

[GMP]

I hope they forget about the 250 and go right to a 300 - 350F, designed as such from the ground up. Not a sleeved down 450 and not a bored out 250. Also, it HAS to be good. They can't afford to release a bike with reliability issues just to get it out there. I wan't one, but I don't wan't to help with R&D. Been there done that with Cannondale.

 

[Nick]

We've put 05 and 07 450's through several desert races without a failure. Reliability is not an issue.

 

[Cruiser]

Steve,,
Will the 08 515 fsr's come with lighting? or can you order the factory lights? I saw in the one post about them not coming with the lighting any longer, why is that? Also any chance the desert 515 would ever see the US soil? That looks like a great bike to do a baja run on,,

Thanks,
Steve

 

[rider01]

The location would probably be near Fayetteville

Steve
Are you talking about White Rock? Let me know when you plan to come down, I can hook you up with some great single track, about 70 to 80 miles worth. they're having the White Rock enduro this weekend, there will probably be a lot more after this weekend. If that don't float your boat Wild Cat Ranch is about 15 miles from my house, they usually hold one round of the OMA series there, I could talk to Snook & see if he'd let us ride there. He also rides a Gasgas.

 

[Berkyboy]

Until the FSR 515's and 450's get DOT approval I doubt you'll see them come with headlights, all though the wiring harness is inplace so you can just plug lights in.

We're working on getting a Desert FSR 515 rally bike to make it stateside for some testing later this year.

 

[nhrider]

I'll take a 300-350 4-stroker and street legal...

 

[bergerhag]

What's this obsession with a 300 4-stroke? I don't get it. If it is nice and smooth tractable power you want, and that won't rip the arms out of their sockets, try a fuel injected 450, the Gasgas 450 in particular.

But it can still roar if you twist the roll to the stop.

So, why a 300?

 

[eff]

Because we live in New England. It's all about the terrain here. Most would like more than a 250F but less than a 400/450F.

 

[bergerhag]

Still don't get it. With the fi 450 you get the power you ask for. Have you tried a Gasser 450?

 

[mountain thumper]

What's this obsession with a 300 4-stroke? I don't get it. If it is nice and smooth tractable power you want, and that won't rip the arms out of their sockets, try a fuel injected 450, the Gasgas 450 in particular.

But it can still roar if you twist the roll to the stop.

So, why a 300?

i just sold my 85 xr350r to buy my gasser. the only 450 ive rode was a honda. the 350 is the perfect putter, gear or two higher rider, no prob. wheelies all day, superb fuel economy, you dont really ever need to stand up unless you are racing, they are just so tractable, even on snow without studs. the only thing i didnt like about my 350r was that it wasnt quick, fast, but not quick. even with a 13/54 sprocket set. that made a huge difference, but braught my top speed from 50-60 down to about 35 in 5th. my new ec300 blows that bike out of the water in every way but low end, but as soon as i get my gnarly, ltr jets and 9oz weights, i doubt ill notice it much. i rode an 05 with 12oz weight, and a 2k3 stator last year(the reason i bought my 07) it was just like my 350 but with the 2t top end i had been craving. it probably doesnt help im riding in 20-30f all the time,but im waiting till it warms up a bit before i make any major changes.

 

[Nick]

Berger, rotating mass has a big effect when you change direction as much as the guys in the eastern US have to.