Will be testing the 2010 TXC250 and 390 berg soon...

Like?


Wish they came in this color

did 3 days and 200 miles on the 2010 390 Berg. Fantastic motorcycle. Awesome motor with perfect power. the 390cc and EFI conspire to make one great woods riding package. Wrap that in a configuration that feels 2 stroke light on the trail and suspension that works excellent in the chop right out of the box and we have a winner. Kelly gives this bike two HUGE thumbs up. Berg hit the nail on the head IMHO. (and this is from a guy who does not care for KTM's)

Full report / pix coming.

I'm really looking forward tot he 2010 TXC250 with the new motor and forks. We live in good times for this sport. Right when the bikes get really good but before all the ride areas get closed.

For the KTM crowd it is. They are used to paying 8k plus. this is a big upgrade to the KTM's i have ridden and has the best EFI I have ever tried. It is a lot of money but after riding it it seems justifiable in some way.

I thought it felt lighter than Jakes 08 TXC250 and this bike will do over 90 I bet. 6th is very tall. Also felt lighter than Adams WR250 (Adam agrees as well) It's 251 so it is not real light but feels very light. It is a very good all around bike but at several thousand more than a lot of bikes for sure your paying a premium for it.

Last I checked they were not only non-street legal, but also a 'red sticker' bike in California.

For use in California I'd might as well have a 2st, there are a couple of really nice ones for less than $3k in the classifieds at this time.

Understood and obviously not for everyone. BTW all the 2010 are cali green sticker. Huskys are very much still the one to beat price / performance wise.

Not right now. No $$$ and i want to try the 2010 TXC250.

2010 Husaberg FE390 review

First off let me give you some background. I'm 44, been riding constantly since 6th grade and put on a LOT of miles. I work in the industry so I get to ride a lot of bikes. I like the different stuff, mostly from Europe and have been a Husky head for years. Never really cared for KTM's, i know they are great bikes but just don't do it for me for some reason. Last year i was invited to a private demo of the then all new FE450 and FE570. Having never ridden any Berg i was really interested in this new design. What I was not ready for was how good those bikes were. I was bracing myself for amazing handling (which they have) but was initially taken back but the motors and the amazing EFI controlling it. I have been dreaming about them ever since. Ridden them several times since.

Flash forward a year and Jeff (from Taskys where i bought my last 6 bikes because they rule) calls me and says "I have a 2010 390 Berg Demo bike here you need to try. Turns out i was headed out for an annual 4 day ride trip and he said take it. Cool, a real world ride test in my favorite ride area. NICE.

1st ride:

I took it up one afternoon to a local ride area to get a feel for her. Was alone and had time to get used to the bike. After about 5 miles i was giggling uncontrollably in my helmet. The motor, like the 450 and 570 is amazing. The EFI ridiculously good metered fuel perfectly. the handling was very good, felt light in from like a 2 smoke and turns predictably. It does have a different feel and for some takes a little adjustment to get used to. For others like buddy Jake it was immediately EZ to turn and feel right at home on. So after my 30 mile shakedown ride i was calculating who many of my trusty steeds i need to sell to acquire one. It was that good.

the real test...

So I load the bike up and head out to my favorite ride area between Mt. Adams and Mt, Saint Helens in Washington State. This area has long single track trails, some quite technical and fun. I love riding here and have ridden many a bike. I went to a "play day" event a local club does for it's members yearly. Cool people, great friends, awesome place to ride. The perfect setting for this bike.

The first day is a ride with long time friend Adam who owns a 07 WR250 2st husky. Nicely setup bike with a rekluse, damper. LTR suspension etc. We ride a cool trail system that is semi technical and fun with lots of elevation changes, rocks, roots and river crossings. We trade off at one point and his WR feels heavier. It is slightly lighter but does not feel it. It does have a huge IMS tank on it and was full so it did add tot he sensation. Adam LOVED the bike. Felt right at home on it instantly which is odd for him. We both took turns arguing over who would ride it. :>) His WR is a very good bike. the Berg shined and we both LOVED it.

the next day was the "event" a super fun day with an official start time and short "enduro cross" like start. 85 miles of technical single track and great friends.

so what did i think of the bike after 3 days and 200 miles?

Fit and finish:

Fit and finish on this bike is very nice. Everything in it's place and well looks well designed. It uses a lot of toques fasteners which my 09 KTM200 riding buddy says are actually really nice once you get used to the idea. I did no maintenance on the bike as it was new so i have no idea or input on how that might be as a long term owner. Seems like everything is obvious and EZ to get to.

Ergonomics:

Unlike most KTM's this bike fits me very well. I slightly prefer my huskys but then again i have a lot of miles on huskys. the bike seemed to fit a variety of rider sizes. One A enduro rider that tried it liked the bike but said "feels like your typical Euro bike, you sit on top instead of in it" Makes sense and he is right. He is a short guy and rides a Yamaha and those site lower and you feel in the saddle in them. The bike is a little tall, I am 6 foot averaged sized guy and i had no issues with it but I am used to tall huskys and like lanky setups.

Handling:

The motor layout does in fact come with a new feel. Some were a little taken back by it and some felt instantly at home on it. To me it feel lighter at the bars / front end than any other 4 stroke. Feels very 2 stroke like in this regard. At first it can be slightly unnerving and the front end can feel like it might wash out. After a few miles the sensation goes away and you realise this bike likes to turn. Took me about 10 miles to get over the feel and fall in love with the cornering manners. Fells light and flicable.

Suspension:

since my FE450/570 experience last year I still don't understand why i really like the Berg but not KTM's. Seems the suspension is virtually the same. maybe it is the motor placement, the frame, the geometry. what ever it is i find the stock suspension pretty darn good for a stock bike. Swallows roots and rocks very well. Stays planted and drive straight through the nasties. Never experienced the KTM kick from the rear and seemed very competent on the rough slow stuff or the fast whooped stuff alike. Very confidence inspiring and controlled.

Motor:

I purposely saved the best for last. As good as the light feel, nice suspension and turning manners are the motor steels the show. EVERYONE who rode it instantly commented on how good it was. This motor displacement with that fantastic EFI is amazing. I ran it on the advanced map the whole time. It spools up quick and is VERY responsive yet never gets out of control. it will pull uphill a gear or two high until you can count the revolutions and crack the throttle and it just pulls smoothly away. I am currently on a 09 WR125, had a 08 TXC450 before that and a TC300 (kitted 250) before that. I like all sizes. i always thought 350 would be the perfect displacement for a 4 stroke woods bike. Turns out 390 with EFI is. I just can't say enough about the motor. super flexible, lots of power but does not wear on you like a 450. It just feels like the perfect amount and quality of power. i really like the 250F on steroids feel. Sippy yet quite powerful without beating you up with to much power. It is PERFECT to me.

Transmission:

Very nicely spaced 6 speed gear box has a nice low 1st and perfect spacing to a very tall 6th. This would be a very good DS bike. will do 80 mph no problem and climb the nastiest hill without issue. A very good gear box. that said my one gripe with an otherwise near perfect package is the clunky shifting. I found it kind of notchy and hard to find neutral some times. it's far from horrible just noticeable because the rest of the package is so polished. Maybe it will loosen up. Maybe not. It's not a big deal just not perfect.

Summery:

I love this bike. Light feel, great suspension, excellent turning, amazing power. Whats not to like. Well OK. the prices are a little shocking but IMHO you really are paying for the cool new tech and fortunately in this case it flat works. the bike is extremely well balanced in every major department. For more open stuff the 450 would be better as power rules. The 570 is a rocket ship. This 390 IMHO is the right bike for woods riding where you spend a majority of time in 1-3 gear. Like i said, i ride a lot of bikes and love many of them. This bike really is very good and to those with the $$$ to land one i don't think you could be disappointed. The 390 for tighter woods work, the 450 for DS and an array of riding and the 570 for going faster than anyone needs to. Husaberg hit the nail on the head for me with the 390. It is different enough from the 450 to make it viable. Feels like a SUPER strong 250F. One of the bast balanced and usable bikes i have ridden.

Next up 2010 TXC250 husky with the super light EFI motor. The fun continues.

BTW, I'm not jumping ship to Berg land. I rode buddy Shanes 09 WR125 back to back with this bike and realized how good / fun the 125 is. I have decided to send the suspension off and let local 2 stroke engine builder / guru see about more motor for the little beast. Building the little bike should be fun. I'm also thinking the new 2010 TXC250 might be another revolution in motorcycling. We will see.

Correct, and EFI (a first for the TXC line)