2015 Husqvarna Fe 501 S
2015 HUSQVARNA FE 501 S
IGNITION
FIRST RIDE
White, blue, and yellow is the new orange
Blake Conner
We are big dual-sport fans and have had an ongoing love affair with KTM's enduro-ready 500 EXC. But other than a few offerings from tiny Beta, it's pretty much been a one-bike class for a long time. Which is why we're stoked to see the new Husqvarna FE 501 S and its 350cc sibling.
Critics might say these two machines are too similar to existing KTMs—even sharing identical engines—but there are
enough differences to keep them from being called carbon copies.
Key difference? The chassis. Husky’s double-cradle chromemoly frame is unique to the FE, with a high-tech composite subframe designed to give the frame a desired level of flex.
Even more significant is the suspension. The 501S comes with WP’s linkage-equipped Dual Compression Control shock in contrast to KTM’s linkless PDS system. And up front, the
sophisticated WP 4CS fourchamber closed-cartridge fork (with compression and rebound adjustment via tool-free clickers on the top of the fork caps) is said to offer better performance than the EXC’s open-cartridge design.
The FE 501S engine, with a 95mm bore and a 72mm stroke, displaces 510CC. A single overhead cam operates titanium intake valves via a DLC-coated rocker arm. This liquid-cooled
engine is perfectly happy being revved out, but once I took advantage of its luggable nature and bottom-end torque, the bike was much more enjoyable to ride. I could stick it in third gear and chug up anything I encountered; silt and sand weren’t a challenge. When I wanted to get my heart racing I’d just keep the throttle pinned a bit longer and let things get hectic. The 501’s engine always has power, and the torque curve is smooth, so there is never a big hit that instantly breaks the rear tire loose. This makes controlling slides with the throttle easy.
Chassis performance was highlighted by the excellent fork and shock. On one very long Jeep road, both ends were put to the test by the rough and rocky square-edged bumps that dotted the trail. The front sucked up the bumps without deflecting, keeping the bike pointed in my desired direction. And the rising-rate linked shock keeps the bike from kicking sideways through fast chop and over unexpected rocks.
If there’s one thing to criticize, it’s the hard and narrow seat; it’s almost some kind of sadistic joke.
Outside of that, new Husky 501, like its orange cousin, represents the pinnacle of dual-sport performance. This marriage between the two companies has given Husky a
fire that the previous Italian and German owners were never able to ignite. If you are looking for a hard-core dual-sport machine, put the Husqvarna FE 501S on your short list. FIR
SPECS
2015 HUSQVARNA FE 501 S
BASE PRICE: $10,249
ENGINE: liquid-cooled SOHC single
DISPLACEMENT: 51 Occ
SEAT HEIGHT: 38.2 in.
FUEL CAPACITY: 2.4 gal.
CLAIMED DRY WEIGHT: 250 lb.
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THE ENGINE IS THAT IT ALWAYS HAS POWER. THERE IS NEVER A BIG HIT THAT INSTANTLY BREAKS THE REAR TIRE LOOSE.
