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HUSABERG FE 390_

Ryan Dudek

LAST YEAR, HUSABERG'S FE 450 literally turned the enduro world upside down. The bike’s engine configuration (with high-mounted crank and nearly horizontal cylinder) broke new ground and was a factor in the selection of the FE as Best Enduro Bike in Cycle World's Ten Best voting. For 2010, the small Swedish manufacturer has expanded its range with the addition of the FE 390.

The liquid-cooled, four-stroke, 393cc Single has a shorter, 55.5mm stroke compared to the 450’s 63.4, while bore remains identical at 95mm. Changes to EFI/ignition mapping and camshaft specification were made to accommodate the reduced displacement.

These modifications provide slightly softer power delivery compared to that of the FE 450, but the 390 is also smoother and more controllable, which results in better traction. Outcome? The 390 crawls over rocks and grunts up hills more efficiently than its higherpower sibling. Furthermore, as on all FE/FX bikes, there are three power-output options, which can be selected via a switch behind the front numberplate. In addition to the standard mode, a lessaggressive setting is ideal for extremely slippery surfaces, while a more-aggressive map allows maximum power output when traction is abundant.

Changes to the chassis are limited to new suspension settings and revised tripleclamp offset (changed from 19 to 22mm). High-speed stability is improved by the latter, making the bike far less nervous-feeling when blitzing along wide-open terrain in top gear.

Husaberg arranged for the press introduction to take place during a WORCS (www.worcsrac ing.com) off-road race in Olympia, Washington. The course ran through a network of single-track trails and fireroads while also incorporating a motocross track and endurocross section; pretty much everything you can throw at an off-road bike, all in one lap!

On the motocross section, the FE wallowed around high-speed sweepers and easily blew through its travel on jump landings. Under the canopy of the woods, however, the FE came into its own, the agile chassis-helped greatly by the engine’s unique placement in the frame-and enduro-specific suspension tackled ruts, rocks and roots without drama. The 390 transitions from side-to-side easily, sticks in turns without wanting to run wide and can be snatched upright with little effort for a good drive out of comers.

Our biggest complaint about last year’s 450 was that it was sold for closedcourse competition use only, meaning limited, red-stickeronly use in California. For 2010, the entire FE line (also including the 450 and 570) comes standard with a spark arrestor, headand taillight, plus an EPA-legal fuel tank, which allow the FEs to meet green-sticker requirements in the Golden State.

Our one-day riding/racing experience proved that the FE 390 fills an important gap in the Husaberg range. At $8898 ($1050 less than the FE 450), the price is a little hard to swallow, but the 390 is overall a better-balanced bike than its largerdisplacement stablemates and continues the new tradition of turning the enduro world upside down.

"Husaberg created exactly what we wanted, a bike that Is less expensive and even easier to ride.”