Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/127804
·RIDING'.IMPRESSION, ' 1997 Husaberg FX 501 E -------=--------------------- Now imagine that you're racing a 1997 Husaberg FX 501 E - Husaberg's new electric start desert-aimed fourstroke rager - made just for you desertcrazies out west. On this day, you prob- .,. ably would have been first to the end of the bomb run due to the electric start and the sheer power the bike produces. And when (okay, if) you crashed the bike it would have been significantly easier to pick up since it only weighs 260 pounds, even with the electric start, and it would have fired right up with the push of a small button - salvaging your excellent start and remaining race. Husaberg has been known for producing four-stroke motorcycles that are lightweight and extremely fast, for years, but their reliability has always been in question due to the high revving, lightweight nature of the motors. Since KTM gained control of -Husaberg early this year, they are on a mission to improve the reliability and (Above and Right) The Husaberg FX 501 E Ia a new desert-orlented model for 1997 and, basically, Is an FE 501 E (Enduro model) with the lights and odometer removed to create a dust-making, rock-bustlng, cactus-clodglng, crossgraln-sklpplng tour-stroke flyer. (Left) Huge SOrnm 5060 White Power Extreme conventional forks are clamped Into new gUll-wing trlple-plnchbolt-Iowerclamp triple clamps. Together, they offer a nice balance of flex and rigidity. By C8l1Ieron Coatney Photos by Kit Palmer magine that you just got one of the best starts in your four-5troke desertracing career. Your big thumper actually started on the first kick and you got a jump that put you within the top 10 at the end of the bomb run. So you're rag-· ing right along, picking off the few guys in front of you, and by the second check there are only a few remaining dust clouds in front of you to .chase down. But the inevitable happens on a slick, extremely rocky and loose uphill - the bike gets away from you and lands offtrail in the rocks. The first thing you've got to d,o is mus<;le the 290-pound beast into a position where you can actually get back on it, and then begin the long and laborious process of trying to start a hot and freshly crashed thumper. In the meantime, 20 to 30 riders are able to motor by as you pummel yourself into exhaustion, kicking and cursing away. quality control of Husaberg's entire 1997 lineup. The two companies have been sharing sl,lppliers and information, which should result in immediate improvements in both manufacturers' lineups. Husaberg introduced two new desert models for '97 - the FX 501 E and the FX 600 E - which are basically the same bikes as the enduro model FE 501 E and FE 600 E without the odometer and lights. We were able to get our hands on an FX 501 E for some testing and came away quite impressed. For 1997, Husaberg made significant changes to the motors to enhance reliability. The motors got a new oil-pump system, a new oil-filter system and a screened drain plug to improve lubrication. Stronger center cases and a new counterbalancer also were implemented for increased strength. The shift mechanism, shift drum, clutch pressure plate and clutch springs also were changed to improve gear selection and durability.