Husaberg Fe600

HUSABERG FE600

FOUR-STROKE FACE-OFF

WEIGHT IS A BIG DEAL when it comes to four-stroke Singles. Price seems to increase exponentially as pounds diminish. At $6195, the Swedish-built Husaberg 600 is expensive, but it weighs 30 pounds less than anything in its class, and gives Open-class two-strokes shivers on the scales.

Hands down, the Husaberg is the lightest-feeling Thumper ever. At 245 pounds without fuel, the bike can be tossed into and out of comers. It seems to float over rocks rather than pound through them. In the air, it has a feathery feel. So, how does it stack up against the Husky 610?

Well, the Husaberg’s layout is excellent; the bike fits all sizes of riders. A big plus is a clutch pull that feels as if it’s off an 80cc mini. The ride is plush over all types of terrain, though when pushed hard, the Husaberg can be a little unstable at high speed. That sacrifice is well worth the precise turning the front-end geometry gives. Give the chassis and handling edge to the Husaberg.

Motor-wise, the 600 is strong, but not a monster, with quick-revving, controllable power. Building most of its steam down low, the engine responds best to short-shifting through its six-speed gearbox, and doesn’t have the top-end surge of the Husky 610. Advantage Husqvama.

Husky sweats the details better, too. Overdue for

improvement on the Husaberg is the shifting; it takes a solid click to make a gear change, and neutral is next to impossible to find with the motor running. Also, the bike’s seat is as hard as brick, and though new brake rotors have greatly improved stopping manners, the Husaberg’s needs further aid in this department. For the price, we expected better.

In the end, the Husaberg wins the weight and handling categories, which should make it the racer’s choice, but finishes behind the versatile Husky when it comes to price, engine performance and attention to detail. In the future, as Husaberg becomes more established, that may change. But for now, the world’s best off-road fourstroke wears a Husqvama nameplate.

Jimmy Lewis