HUSQVARNA 501 S VS. BETA 500 RS
COMPARISON
P88
BY ADAM BOOTH
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ADAM BOOTH
I
f the image of an XR650L or
DRZ650 floods your cerebral
cavity when you hear the term
dual sport, clear your mind and
prepare to redefine what a dual-
sport bike can be. Dual sport is
no longer synonymous with bulky,
heavy, or slow. The 2016 Husqvar-
na FE 501 S and 2016 Beta 500
RS are two examples of dual-sport
awesomeness that are lighter,
faster and more nimble than ever.
Even in stock trim, these
machines are more off-road
worthy than most road-oriented
dual-sport models. They have
turn signals, a horn, EPA legal
mapping and DOT approved
tires, but take away those items
and you have full-blown off-road
versions offered from the same
brand. For U.S. consumers the
major players in this "hardcore"
dual-sport world include Beta,
Husqvarna and KTM.
The Beta 500 RS
(left) and the Husky
FE 501 S (right)—
two very different
motorcycles that
perform similarly
on the trail.
Dual-Sport
DUEL
Beta takes on
big-bore dual
