2015 HUSQVARNA FE 350 S AND FE 501 S DUAL SPORTS
FIRST RIDE
P74
SIBLINGS
As you can guess, the FE 350
S and FE 501 S are very simi-
lar in design, and they feature
many of the same compo-
nents, such as WP's latest 4CS
four-chamber fork, and link-
mounted WP DCC (Dual Com-
pression Control) shock. The
two bikes also share CNC-ma-
chined triple clamps (with four-
position handlebar mounts)
and a cross-linked polyamide
subframe with tool-less air filter
access. Also in common are
their six-speed transmissions,
DDS clutch systems with
Brembo hydraulics, Brembo
brakes, TrailTech enduro com-
puter, black D.I.D Dirtstar rims
and 2.3-gallon fuel tanks.
There are, however, a few no-
table differences between the
Husqvarna and KTM (350 and
500 EXC) dual sports. For one,
the KTM has not been granted
the newer-style 4CS WP forks
yet, and the Husky has link-
age rear suspension; the KTM
still relies on its non-linked—but
lighter—PDS rear suspension
system. The Husqvarnas fea-
ture a three-piece polyamide
subframe with built in grab han-
dles; the KTM retains its one-
piece aluminum unit. Husky
also uses a TrailTech enduro
computer readout, which tracks
speed, distance and time. The
KTM has a less sophisticated
readout.
The FE 350 S, however, fea-
tures the same dual overhead
cam engine as the off-road-on-
ly Husky FE 350 and KTM 350
EXC, but has a slightly heavier
crankshaft for smoother power
delivery and improved rear-
wheel traction. The FE 501 S
engine is the same as the FE
501 off-road and KTM 500
EXC but has a three-layer head
gasket, which decreases com-
pression, resulting in smoother
power delivery and improved
durability.
There is a fairly significant
weight difference between the
FE 350 S and 501 S—about 10
pounds. Claimed dry weight is
242 pounds for the 350 and
251 pounds for the 501.
CLIMB ABOARD
Husky made up for our earlier
disappointment in Sweden by
Now you have even more
dual sporting options with the
introduction of the all-new
Husqvarna FE 350 S and FE 501 S.
