1. 4 Stroke Husqvarna Motorcycles Made In Austria - About 2014 & Newer
     FE = 4st Enduro & FC = 4st Cross

FE/FC 2016 FE450 or 2017 FE501?

Discussion in '4st' started by Tarsky, Aug 20, 2016.

  1. Tarsky Husqvarna
    B Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    TE 630
    Other Motorcycles:
    Africa Twin, Street Twin
    So I went to my local Husky dealer today to see if they had a leftover 501S. No luck, no surprise.

    What they did have was a 2016 FE450 that looked interesting. They said that they could add turn signals, plate holder, DOT tires, etc to make it street legal, which made me wonder if this might be a good alternative to a 501s?

    I understand that the non-S models dont have all of the DOT smog crap on them, so it should be pretty snappy, but since I'm a noon when it comes to dual sport/dirt bikes, I thought I'd ask for some advice.

    What do you guys think about the FE450 compared to the 501s?

    For reference, I currently have a TE630 and I'm looking for something that will be easier on more technical trails.

    Thanks for your help
    Tarsky, Aug 20, 2016
    #1

  2. octagon pilot Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Desert Southwest
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2015 FE501s 2009 TE610
    Other Motorcycles:
    YZ450FX Tenere 700
    As I've read somewhere else, the 450 has a bit more crazy in it.

    I had a 2009 TE610, and then a 2015 501s and did the desmog and remap. The 501 is essentially a long-stroke 450, and is a very smooth, long style of power with almost no "hit" to it. A very DS friendly tractable motor.

    The 450 has some punch.
    octagon pilot, Aug 22, 2016
    #2

  3. Brapman629 Husqvarna
    A Class

    Location:
    NW PA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2015 FE350!
    Other Motorcycles:
    2009 KTM 250SX-F (Wifes)
    Agree with octagon pilot. My experience comes from riding a 450xcw back to back with a 500xcw. The 450 to me felt lively and snappy (but not crazy like a MX 450) compared to the 500. Drop a tooth or two on the rear of the 450 and it will smooth it out some. Personally, I would strongly consider the 450 if I was looking for a more woods oriented DS.
    Brapman629, Aug 22, 2016
    #3

  4. Huskynoobee CH Sponsor ZipTy Racing

    Location:
    Castaic, CA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2011 TE449 2006 WR250
    Other Motorcycles:
    HDUltra Classic IT200 YZ250 SV650s
    The 2017 has a lot of refinements. The new front forks seem to be much better than the 2016 4CS. It's also going to be lighter, with more centralized mass. I'm in the same boat in that I likely won't be able to get my hands on a 16 501s when the time is right to buy, so unless I get lucky and find one, I may have to swallow the extra $1000 price on the 17.
    Huskynoobee, Aug 22, 2016
    #4

  5. racemx904 Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    owenton, ky
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2014 Beta 350RR & 1986 430XC
    Other Motorcycles:
    1975 Rokon and 2004 Kawasaki KX65
    Bills Husky has a 15 501 for 8g and a 16 for 9
    racemx904, Aug 22, 2016
    #5
    LandofMotards likes this.

  6. Huskynoobee CH Sponsor ZipTy Racing

    Location:
    Castaic, CA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2011 TE449 2006 WR250
    Other Motorcycles:
    HDUltra Classic IT200 YZ250 SV650s
    Yeah, but they won't ship them anymore unless the paperwork is signed in person. Not their thing, but a KTM thing. Especially for us Califorskinners.
    Huskynoobee, Aug 22, 2016
    #6

  7. racemx904 Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    owenton, ky
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2014 Beta 350RR & 1986 430XC
    Other Motorcycles:
    1975 Rokon and 2004 Kawasaki KX65
    Hmmm not what he told me..... Maybe he was thinking of just shipping paperwork
    racemx904, Aug 22, 2016
    #7

  8. Huskynoobee CH Sponsor ZipTy Racing

    Location:
    Castaic, CA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2011 TE449 2006 WR250
    Other Motorcycles:
    HDUltra Classic IT200 YZ250 SV650s
    I think it's just a Cali thing. I didn't speak with Bill, but the gentleman I spoke with said he could sell one and ship it to someone from Washington or Arizona, but for California Buyers KTM wants to have the deal done in person. I'm guessing that it has to do with Smog laws here in the land of the greenies. By the time I travel up there and do the deal, the potential savings is greatly reduced and I would probably end up driving home with it in the truck.
    Huskynoobee, Aug 22, 2016
    #8

  9. KennyMc Husqvarna
    C Class

    Location:
    Placentia, California
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    '16 FE 501-S
    Other Motorcycles:
    '17 KTM 300XC-W
    I believe OCKTM has a '16 501S on there floor.
    KennyMc, Aug 23, 2016
    #9

  10. Huskynoobee CH Sponsor ZipTy Racing

    Location:
    Castaic, CA
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2011 TE449 2006 WR250
    Other Motorcycles:
    HDUltra Classic IT200 YZ250 SV650s
    There are actually quite a few left within 150 miles of me (just checked this morning) and it seems the local price for a '17 is $10,799, which is much better than I expected. I'm hoping by the time I am ready to buy, and if I can justify it (:notworthy: oh please oh PLEASE) the '16's will be left sitting around and can be had for a good price. Otherwise if some dealers can't drop the price of last year's bike because of their sales volume $200 more for the new, better bike is pretty easy to swallow and the new Xplor forks seem to have been vastly improved according to my sources, saving me the cost of 4CS fixing.
    Huskynoobee, Aug 23, 2016
    #10

  11. JonXX Administrator

    Location:
    Bill's Motorcycles Plus
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    360CR 360WR SM610 TC450 TXC250 TC250
    Other Motorcycles:
    Hondas, Harleys, Yammys & a squid
    We have a "used" 501 that we can ship to CA...

    But yeah, the mothership is cracking down on dealers shipping brand-new, current-year bikes to "out of area" customers. They insist on the original owner being in the shop to sign delivery paperwork.

    If it's a street-legal model, Oregon law flat out prohibits us from shipping a new bike out of state.
    JonXX, Aug 23, 2016
    #11

  12. Tarsky Husqvarna
    B Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    TE 630
    Other Motorcycles:
    Africa Twin, Street Twin
    Thanks for the info, guys. Im going to the dealer on Saturday and will probably be buying the leftover 16 FE 450. I'm pretty stoked!
    Tarsky, Aug 31, 2016
    #12

  13. Wadzy Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2017 FE501
    Wadzy, Oct 25, 2016
    #13
    nsrrider likes this.

  14. Emig5m Husqvarna
    B Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2016 FE501S
    Other Motorcycles:
    none
    I think the 2016 501s looks much better than the 2017 which when I look at it reminds me of that dorky Honda cub that tried to look futuristic but didn't last long on the market.... Oh and if anyone still wants a new 2016 I found one in California and two in Virginia. And I don't understand the hate of the 4cs? The only thing I find wrong with them is that it's valved (and maybe sprung) too soft. I tightened up my clickers all the way to the hardest setting and they feel much better to me. If I'm going to get on a mx track I'm going to need some stiffer valving and maybe springs but they definitely don't feel harsh or anything wrong other than being valved and setup for real slow and newbie riders but when I stiffened clickers up all the way they feel about in the ballpark for trail riding...


    Oh does the 450 have 6 gears and the top speed of the 500? If you plan to do some road riding might want to think about that because I also thought about legalizing a 450 for on road but decided I the end the 500 would be the better do it all bike. I plan on getting a second set of rims/tires just for on the road and let me tell you the torque and 6 gears come in handy for Highway cruising. So in other words, I'd rather ride a 501s on a mx track than a 450 on the road.l so for me I chose the 501s....
    Emig5m, Oct 26, 2016
    #14
    JonXX likes this.

  15. Tarsky Husqvarna
    B Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    TE 630
    Other Motorcycles:
    Africa Twin, Street Twin
    I ended up buying a 2016 FE 450 and LOVE IT! Lots of motor, smooth power, easy to handle on the trails...fantastic. I decided to throw a Rekluse on it too...picking it up tomorrow.
    Tarsky, Oct 27, 2016
    #15
    reveille likes this.

  16. Wadzy Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2017 FE501
    Love to hear how you like the Rekluse or even a review. Cheers
    Wadzy, Oct 28, 2016
    #16