I’m from Kelowna and have heard more rec vehicle rider/owners refer to Ian here for some reason or another in the last 10 years, then riders that know Husqvarna makes bikes lol.
These bikes have proved to be excellent off road. We're coming off pretty tweaked 2013 KTM 500 XC-Ws (not street legal) and these bikes, as modified, are as good (if not better) in every regard - except perhaps for the rear tire which was less aggressive, and is very rapidly disappearing. With our tiny mirrors folded down, you would not even think about the fact that you are legal for the street. Perfect.
Probably the best 501 video on mods I've seen, but MORE power!?, your kidding, maybe it's just me then but my 501 has a lot more than I can use especially off road. Slave cylinder protector might be another god upgrade. Love mine but tarmac is killing my tires.
Thanks for the comment Brad. Our initial tires completely melted off. Less than 700 kms and they were done. As for the power comment, we can really get into using it when things open up. These bikes are monsters, and we love them. They sound is pretty crazy to. :P Oh, and since we did this video, we have added Steg Pegz. Awesome and a must have for pretty much every rider I figure.
As it happens, we had to revert one of the bikes back to stock exhaust as the rider was doing his road test and did not want to offend the examiner with the loud noise. He also rode this bike a few times with the stock exhaust and did feel some power loss when going full-on. With that said, we do feel that it may just be a perceived loss because you don't hear the monstrous noise. :P As for manageable power in the dirt, we found that the bikes felt terrible at normal street pressure of 25 psi. We dumped them down to 12 psi and they feel totally different. Heavy duty inner-tubes are being installed later this week to help prevent flats.
Almost 200 miles on my 501s. Love the Torque. The Bike proved much more able to deal with serious off road then I yesterday. It's Very different than my DRZ 400e. I am still puzzled by the High Idle and kind of rough engine run at a low throttle position. I have nothing to compare it to around here though. I've been search the net for a comparison sound.
+Mr D Spot on.... The TPS setting was Too lean. As you say, "Different Bike"... Wish I would have checked that off my list from the get go. Runs Awesome now,
We're really putting these bikes through the paces. We're riding a combination of super tough trails & Hare Scramble race courses, and we're going on some longer more remote adventures in the backcountry with our GPS units and some Google Maps assistance. Favorite Additions to Date (in no particular order) - Lower Gearing - Exhaust - Steg Pegz (Awesome & Rare Addition in North America - but now a must-have) - Giant Loop Saddle Bags (Gets some weight off the back and adds a small-ish amount of cargo space.) - Rider's Edge Suspension Redux (Always our first bike enhancement) - Bark Busters - New Tires! The stock ones suck big time. Rear melts off and front washes out very easily. These bikes are taking everything that we throw at them, without any of the negatives associated with being a street-legal ride. Yes, they are modified a fair bit, but that was the plan. The bottom line is that these bikes are now significantly better than our previous rides (KTM 500 XC-Ws) which also had significant modifications - and we can enjoy the occasional street / urban session. Given our philosophy of use, which is to make barely street legal off-road monsters, these are the best bikes that we have ever ridden. Questions and comments are welcome.
Have you review or seen the 2017 FE501. I hear the forks are sprung only for 165 lbs rider. Do you know offically what weight the front fork is designed to be riden by? I'm 185 without gear. Do I need to upgrade fork and rear spring? Also, any engine mod advice for the 2017?
Hi guys, just bought a 2017 FE501. I'm located in BC and researching 045588 FMF full system. I hear the FC450 fits the 501. Just an insider tip. Thats the good news. Bad news is the full system is around$1500 Canadian. I definitely am getting the pipe but struggling to pull the trigger on the header. I know some people that intend to do future mods generally do the header but assuming the header does NOT translate any noticeable power gains in the seat of the pants, maybe on the DYNO but not to the rider the extra $850 is tough to justify. Anyways, my question is what is your experience with the header mod and do customer regret this upgrade and feel the money is better spent somewhere else on the bike? My budget for upgrades on the 17 are around 2500 and I don't intend on racing the onroad moto scene.
Hi Zachary. Sorry, I don't recall. As it turns out, we have decided to keep both of our 501s and just add them to the stable. They are so killer! I hope you enjoy you new steed!
+Sparky 2 Sorry, I am not certain about the gearing. Ian did it for us. I can tell you that it is still a bit too high for lugging around in the technical terrain. We're going to bring the gears inline with what our previous bikes had (KTM 500s XCW).
My bike (Husqvarna FE501S) came with 15:45 gearing. That sucked. Then I put a 13 tooth in front and that was better, then I tried 13:50 and it was nice, but top speed was severely limited and first gear was useless. Now I've got 14:50 and it's good, but I'm considering 13:48 or 14:52 next time I replace sprockets.
+Sparky 2 Mine had 14/50 new, put a 13 on which made little difference, went to 13/52 and was good for off road. Gone to SM 17'' mode now with a 13/44, go to 14/44 tomorrow (Sunday) and then perhaps a 15. Can't believe anyone used an enduro with 15/45 or perhaps it's a sm already.
With the expecation to do a lot of time off road, woods riding but connecting trails with the road. What are people running on the 2017 FE501 for gearing 14/48????
Better than KTM 500? We have no idea. All I can tell you is that our last bikes were 2013 KTM 500 XCWs. The new bikes ride great, and they have similar mods. I would suggest the new Husky 501s have a bit more power but it is very rarely tapped. Truth be told, the biggest change and improvement is the addition of the Steg Pegz. We could do a whole video just on them, but other guys from Australia have already done a great job covering the topic.
Congrats on your new steed! We like SRT rad guards. They offer protection to the front and add strength to the structure to help with side impact when we dump our bikes on the trail, particularly when in rocky areas.
I ended up riding my 2013 KTM 500 XC-W today, and not the new Husky 501s. Both have very similiar mods - basically the Husky is newer and street legal (barely). Both bikes can practically rip my arms off, but I noticed it WAY more on the KTM today, and that can be attributed to that my Husky has Steg Pegz, and the KTM does not. I can't say enough goodness about Steg Pegz. Here's a great online review of them by our favorite RUclipsr. ruclips.net/video/gPyg20KnP7I/видео.html
I’m from Kelowna and have heard more rec vehicle rider/owners refer to Ian here for some reason or another in the last 10 years, then riders that know Husqvarna makes bikes lol.
These bikes have proved to be excellent off road. We're coming off pretty tweaked 2013 KTM 500 XC-Ws (not street legal) and these bikes, as modified, are as good (if not better) in every regard - except perhaps for the rear tire which was less aggressive, and is very rapidly disappearing.
With our tiny mirrors folded down, you would not even think about the fact that you are legal for the street. Perfect.
Probably the best 501 video on mods I've seen, but MORE power!?, your kidding, maybe it's just me then but my 501 has a lot more than I can use especially off road.
Slave cylinder protector might be another god upgrade.
Love mine but tarmac is killing my tires.
Thanks for the comment Brad.
Our initial tires completely melted off. Less than 700 kms and they were done.
As for the power comment, we can really get into using it when things open up. These bikes are monsters, and we love them. They sound is pretty crazy to. :P
Oh, and since we did this video, we have added Steg Pegz. Awesome and a must have for pretty much every rider I figure.
As it happens, we had to revert one of the bikes back to stock exhaust as the rider was doing his road test and did not want to offend the examiner with the loud noise. He also rode this bike a few times with the stock exhaust and did feel some power loss when going full-on. With that said, we do feel that it may just be a perceived loss because you don't hear the monstrous noise. :P
As for manageable power in the dirt, we found that the bikes felt terrible at normal street pressure of 25 psi. We dumped them down to 12 psi and they feel totally different. Heavy duty inner-tubes are being installed later this week to help prevent flats.
Maybe some Kriega haul straps front and rear?, and a lighter lithium battery.
Absolutely! Thanks for the nudge. I've been wanting this type of system for several bikes now. Let's make this happen!
Almost 200 miles on my 501s. Love the Torque. The Bike proved much more able to deal with serious off road then I yesterday. It's Very different than my DRZ 400e. I am still puzzled by the High Idle and kind of rough engine run at a low throttle position. I have nothing to compare it to around here though. I've been search the net for a comparison sound.
+Aubrey Roche Sort out your tps. Mine was dreadfull at low throttle and backfireing, moved it from .4 to .65v - different bike.
+Mr D Spot on.... The TPS setting was Too lean. As you say, "Different Bike"... Wish I would have checked that off my list from the get go. Runs Awesome now,
We're really putting these bikes through the paces. We're riding a combination of super tough trails & Hare Scramble race courses, and we're going on some longer more remote adventures in the backcountry with our GPS units and some Google Maps assistance.
Favorite Additions to Date (in no particular order)
- Lower Gearing
- Exhaust
- Steg Pegz (Awesome & Rare Addition in North America - but now a must-have)
- Giant Loop Saddle Bags (Gets some weight off the back and adds a small-ish amount of cargo space.)
- Rider's Edge Suspension Redux (Always our first bike enhancement)
- Bark Busters
- New Tires! The stock ones suck big time. Rear melts off and front washes out very easily.
These bikes are taking everything that we throw at them, without any of the negatives associated with being a street-legal ride. Yes, they are modified a fair bit, but that was the plan.
The bottom line is that these bikes are now significantly better than our previous rides (KTM 500 XC-Ws) which also had significant modifications - and we can enjoy the occasional street / urban session.
Given our philosophy of use, which is to make barely street legal off-road monsters, these are the best bikes that we have ever ridden.
Questions and comments are welcome.
Where can I order the fold down mirrors? Just picked up a new husky a couple weeks back and loving it
.
+Kirk McHugh
We got our from Rider's Edge in VErnon BC. GREAT shop! www.ridersedgesuspension.com/
Awesome Thanks!
Have you review or seen the 2017 FE501. I hear the forks are sprung only for 165 lbs rider. Do you know offically what weight the front fork is designed to be riden by? I'm 185 without gear. Do I need to upgrade fork and rear spring? Also, any engine mod advice for the 2017?
Hi guys, just bought a 2017 FE501. I'm located in BC and researching 045588 FMF full system. I hear the FC450 fits the 501. Just an insider tip. Thats the good news. Bad news is the full system is around$1500 Canadian. I definitely am getting the pipe but struggling to pull the trigger on the header. I know some people that intend to do future mods generally do the header but assuming the header does NOT translate any noticeable power gains in the seat of the pants, maybe on the DYNO but not to the rider the extra $850 is tough to justify. Anyways, my question is what is your experience with the header mod and do customer regret this upgrade and feel the money is better spent somewhere else on the bike? My budget for upgrades on the 17 are around 2500 and I don't intend on racing the onroad moto scene.
Curious what the cost was for Riders Edge to redo your suspension? I was about 1 day away from buying your bike! Bought a new FE 350 s instead✊
Hi Zachary. Sorry, I don't recall. As it turns out, we have decided to keep both of our 501s and just add them to the stable. They are so killer! I hope you enjoy you new steed!
I've got the same idea for my 501. love the look of the 2016! what gearing did you go with and which map did you use on the ECU?
+Sparky 2
Sorry, I am not certain about the gearing. Ian did it for us. I can tell you that it is still a bit too high for lugging around in the technical terrain. We're going to bring the gears inline with what our previous bikes had (KTM 500s XCW).
+Sparky 2 Mostly off road? If not totally? go for 13 / 52
My bike (Husqvarna FE501S) came with 15:45 gearing. That sucked. Then I put a 13 tooth in front and that was better, then I tried 13:50 and it was nice, but top speed was severely limited and first gear was useless. Now I've got 14:50 and it's good, but I'm considering 13:48 or 14:52 next time I replace sprockets.
+Sparky 2 Mine had 14/50 new, put a 13 on which made little difference, went to 13/52 and was good for off road. Gone to SM 17'' mode now with a 13/44, go to 14/44 tomorrow (Sunday) and then perhaps a 15.
Can't believe anyone used an enduro with 15/45 or perhaps it's a sm already.
With the expecation to do a lot of time off road, woods riding but connecting trails with the road. What are people running on the 2017 FE501 for gearing 14/48????
Better than KTM 500? We have no idea. All I can tell you is that our last bikes were 2013 KTM 500 XCWs. The new bikes ride great, and they have similar mods. I would suggest the new Husky 501s have a bit more power but it is very rarely tapped. Truth be told, the biggest change and improvement is the addition of the Steg Pegz. We could do a whole video just on them, but other guys from Australia have already done a great job covering the topic.
Hey hows it going? Just got a 2017 FE 501 and was wondering what brand radiator guards you had? Thanks!
Congrats on your new steed! We like SRT rad guards. They offer protection to the front and add strength to the structure to help with side impact when we dump our bikes on the trail, particularly when in rocky areas.
Thanks! Appreciate the reply!
What is the gearing? I didn’t say
hey i noticed you are in vernon bc! im looking at the exact same bike and wondering how it is doing for you?
Awesome. We have two of them actually. Love them! They are sleeping for the winter. We have FC 450 for snow. See VernonSnowMX.com if interested. :P
I ended up riding my 2013 KTM 500 XC-W today, and not the new Husky 501s. Both have very similiar mods - basically the Husky is newer and street legal (barely).
Both bikes can practically rip my arms off, but I noticed it WAY more on the KTM today, and that can be attributed to that my Husky has Steg Pegz, and the KTM does not.
I can't say enough goodness about Steg Pegz. Here's a great online review of them by our favorite RUclipsr. ruclips.net/video/gPyg20KnP7I/видео.html
nice :D
Goof