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Driving report Husaberg FE 390

Always on the little ones

Less displacement for better controllability. Under this premise, Husaberg offers a smaller version for the 450 class ?? the FE 390.

The place of honor in the company chronicle of HJens Elmwall has definitely secured usaberg. After all, it was the now 40-year-old development engineer who, with a highly unconventional concept, moved the enduro manufacture into the focus of the off-road world last year. In order to position the rapidly rotating crankshaft, which is crucial for handling, as close as possible to the center of gravity of the motorcycle, the Swede implanted the engine upright in the frame. The positive side effects of the unorthodox idea: the high-seated cylinder, tilted forward by 70 degrees, allows a streamlined configuration of the intake tract and creates additional ground clearance through the retracted frame beams. The enthusiasm for innovation at Husaberg was rounded off by gasoline injection and a rear frame made entirely of plastic. Success gives the exiled Swede – Husaberg has been owned by KTM since 1995 – right.

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Driving report Husaberg FE 390
Always on the little ones

FE 390 thanks to the familiar conceptual strengths of the new Husaberg generation. Because well-balanced stability and excellent steering precision are the pounds with which the little “mountain” grows. The narrowest line in the cross test – no problem with the front that literally sticks to the floor and therefore gives a lot of confidence. Extended ruts littered with stones – the reduced displacement and, above all, the additional flywheel mass of the crankshaft help to peck through without stressful engine reactions and with full traction. Only when things get really tricky and the bike has to be catapulted from stone step to stone step does the good-natured character take its toll. Then instead of short bursts of throttle, with which the FE 450 advances to an impressive, excellently controllable free climber at such moments, less sensitivity is required with the FE 390.

Throttle up and through is the uncomplicated and effective motto for getting ahead in an uncomfortable environment. However, the small power unit lacks a little spontaneity for the long-term energy-saving and already more elegant loading and unloading play of the drive train. But there is no slouch in the open terrain. When it comes to revving, the 390 engine is slightly superior to the 450 unit and has a noticeably lower impact on the chassis reactions than the larger-displacement version. That means: Compared to the FE 450, the WP Suspension spring elements respond more sensitively and iron hard edges smoothly more effectively. What is ultimately the greater benefit of Husaberg downsizing. Because when it comes to efficiency, the FE 450 set a mark a year ago that the competition can hardly ignore – not even the FE 390.

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