Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

KTM dual sporter - which will also be released this yea r. Rema in ing in the lineup are the FE400 and FESOI enduro models, The FE400E, FESOIE and FE600E electric-start enduro mod els and the FXSOIE and FX600E electric-star t desert models. As for the changes, Husaberg's ma in goal w as to si m plify everything an d make the bikes m ore durable . As a result the mot or s got a more efficient cam-chain te nsion ec an d cam-chain guide that is now made of a durable and less noisy plastic. The transmissions got new shift shafts for smoother shifting, a n d th e clutch-plate ma teria l was altered for increased life span an d less d rag. Up top, the rocker arms are new and stronger du e to a be tter hardening process. New guide dowels were used between the cylinder an d crankcase and the head and cylinder for a more precise fit. Fina lly, a redesigned intake manifold rounds out the changes to the motors. The frames were left alone after last y ear's red esign, but the bikes did get wider footpegs and a new, quieter chain guide. The suspension components were updated for ' 98, as the Ohlins shocks of yore have been replaced with White Power "Bleed Adjust" shock to complement the White Power SOmm Extreme forks that were implemented last year. The forks were also updated with new valving to w ork with the new shock, are now lighter, and have 20mrn less front-axle underhang compared to last year. All of the models got a new, simp ler wiring harn ess, and competition-type kill switches. The FE enduro models got new competition-type headlight /taillight switch, while the FE enduro and FX desert electric-start models received a new keyl ess ignition swi tches. All of the electric-start models also come stock with new black-chrome-plated battery boxes for enhanced corrosion protection. The controls received quite a bit of attentio n th is year, showing that Husa be rg is indeed concerned about the small details that have hindered these bikes in the pa st. The FC (m otocross) and FX (dese rt) models now corne stock with tapered-aluminum, crossbarless handlebars, much like Answer's popular Pro -Taper handlebars. The enduro and dual sport bikes will retain the use of standard aluminum h andlebars, to more easily accommodate roll charts and enduro computers . New qui ck-turn Domino throttle as semblies and softer grips are now standard, and Husaberg has finally dumped the Magura clutch levers that fit the hands o f 7-foot-tall Swedes in favor of Domino clutch levers tha t ha ve come on KTMs the past few ye ars. Thank you, Husa berg . Keep letting the good stuff trickle down. H usaberg designed new side number plates th at fit a ll of the bikes and th e color of the fro n t fork proteclors has been changed from yellow to blue. Bold new graphics round out the chan ges to th e 1998 H usaberg lineup. Still loosely styled after the Swedish flag, the graphics are now made out of a new material an d adh esive tha t are slo tted to allow th e gas fumes to escape from th e fuel tanks without bubbling the stickers. The prices on the 1998 Husabergs are as follo ws : $7748 for the FC400 (MX); $7848 fo r th e FCS01; $794 8 fo r the FC600; $7848 for th e FE400 (en d uro); $7948 for the FES01 ; $8698 for th e FE400E (electric-start enduro); $8798 for the FESOIE; $8998 for the FE6OOE; $8668 for th e FXSOIE (ele ctric-start desert); $8868 for the FX600E; and $9198 for the FE600s (dual sport). '" Our congratulations go out to FMF equipped riders who dominated the field in unprecede nte d fash ion a t this ye ars' National Championships lst 2 nd 4 rd ax e s.it 7 ~ 11 James Stewart ir. Broc Hepler Don Truman 8SccMOD 14·1 S 4 th 5 th 1st 2 nd 3 rd ' 4 th 5 th Adam Mennenga Aaron Lindsey 125 A Stad< 3 rd 4 th 12S a Sol< Shone Espos ito Jimmy Wilson Randy Valade Tim Langdon Donovan Mlkhell Trovis Riley 1st 3 rd 4 th 5 th Joshua Summey Derrick Fisher Rhan M orais S one Bes s Gene Stull David Millsap. Ja ke ......i. Dustin Charcelle Slcc AM SIt<<< lst 2 nd 3 rd Brandon Large Budd i Bruner Haven Holdcroft 125 C MOO 1sl Steve Sullivan lst 2 nd 4 th Steve Sullivan Rob~ McQuary Fred y W iecher s 3rd 5th Jimmy Wilson Karl Sco" Shone Esposita 1st 2 nd lord' Witmer Fre Vertucci lst 2 nd Gory Peak Bill Van Vugt Sr lst 2 nd Wallace Fincher Kevin Dunham lst 2 nd 4 rd Billy Whitley Earl May Andy Stacy 12S C Sol< J st Trav is Pastran a 4 th 5 th Chose Reed Doug Leavl" Michael Youag lst 3 nd Broc H....... Soon C.llier lst 2nd 3rd David MIU-p. Kyle CIiIshe. . Joson Uchtle 2 nd 3 rd 4 th 5 th Ben Riddle Aaron Day Jeff Gibson Joshua Wood. Ben Riddle Aaron Day Joshua Woods 6S Sol< i o-n 2SO Open A SIock 4th 2 50 B SIk 3 rd 4 th 5th 6S SlIt 7-9 Jac ob Marti. Scott Conley Travis Senio< P1u. 40 125 Mod 12· 15 Slcc AM SIt< 7·8 1st 2 nd 5 rd Brondon Jessema Donovan Mitchell Randy Valade Tim Langdon 12~ 15 12 S Stk 12-15 lst 3 nd 4th 5 th 2 nd 3 rd 4 th 5 th Jacob Martin Trovis Riley Trovis Gage Joson Fink Supermini 12s a Mod 2 nd 3 rd 4 th 5 th 2.SO a Mod 8.5 2SO !Open A Mod Jim Povolny "/ e V d Open a/ C Plus 2S lst 2 nd 3 rd Mmter Plus SO 1\ ( ~ ..e:~ Silencers • Motors • Suspensions FMF Racing Inc., 2593 0 lelle Port. A.,.•• , Harbor City CA 907 10 310.539-6884 Ix 310 .539-6605 _.fmfracing.com ON LINE What's at the leading edge of motorcycle news? Cy'c'" News Onlinel Now you can access instant race results a nd the Jatest b reaking storie5 in the world of motorcycling, with Cycle News ' home fX'9" on the world Wide Web. 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