I am a 73 years old rider. Been riding all of my life. In 2023 I decided to get a small dual sport so I bought the KLX300D. I just wanted a bike to go out and explore on. It does great for that. I have owned 2 other Huskies before and a KTM. The thing that we need to remember is; the Husky 501 weights less than the KLX by quite a bit. It is even lighter than my daughters XT250 Yamaha! Yet, it has twice the power. So in 2024, I bought the FE501s. Changed the ECU and the end cap of the stock exhaust and a few minor cosmetic changes. Tires of course. Except for the height of the bike it is perfect! I didn't do anything to mitigate vibration except to balance the wheels for when I am on the road. I don't even notice it anymore. For us older dudes, it is nice to have a bike that weights less than 300lbs when you have to pick it up and has the power to easily loft the front end when you need to. I am not racing or even riding super fast with it. I just like to go out and explore and trail ride. At this stage in my riding life, the Husky is still relevant and a great option. I am not getting rid of my KLX but I think the Husky rounds things out nicely for me.
@AdventuresofLokiandPaul-ju3jv Excellent post! 73 and still riding. That is motivational to all of us who have dirt riding pumping through our veins! I balanced my wheels when I first got it. That definitely helps. Something I should have mentioned in the video. Yes, the weight to power ratio of the 501s makes it a blast to ride! Thank you very much for your feedback! Cheers.
I love mine, It is not for everyone but it is for the Experienced rider who wants some performance offroad but still can ride on the street and isn't afraid of the increased maintenance. Good job on the vid.
@Lost1Byte Thank you. Yes, I agree. Fortunately, I like many are already used to the increased maintenance coming from two and four stroke race bikes. Cheers!
I'm with you the 501 is for more of a racer background. For vibration, split triple clamps help as do the phds bar mounts, which you're gonna need anyhow when you put on a steering damper. All this stuff is more pronounced on the new frame vs the old 22 frames I did the norcal BDR on my 23 450 XC-F in september. This is what else I did and it was as good as a small bike can be on the roads there - nitro mousses, balanced wheels - upgraded stator - headlight/taillight/brake switch That's about it and it was good to go.
Very good summary on who this bike (or a similar KTM) "Isn't" for. I agree with everything you pointed out. I have a 22 year old DRZ that I've owned for 18 years. I also have a 2019 KTM 450 EXC-F. Each serves a different purpose for me. I stopped riding the DRZ on single track up where I live in Washington state when I bought the KTM. The KTM is easier to ride on single track. However, the KTM is not the most comfortable bike to ride on a boring, long day of nothing but forest service roads. The vibration gets annoying and the seat is hard as a rock. The 450 doesn’t vibrate as bad as a 500/501. I use the DRZ for long days of riding nothing but forest service roads.
@DualSportDoug That's exactly why I think peeps who are purchasing the 501s as a commuter and light trail riding would be very disappointed. Thank you for your feedback!
When we add Rim Locks which you should do, it is important to balance the wheels. Especially, when you ride it on the road. It smooths things out. I added a seat concepts comfort seat and also changed the hand grips. I've done 250 mile dual sport rides with it that involved quite a bit of blacktop to connect trails. I wasn't beat up when I got home from the ride. The Husky is a really good bike. After a ride like that, check spoke tensions. The air filter is a snap to pull out and clean. The forks and shock cane be adjusted by hand without tools. The Husky is an amazing bike. I also learn a lot from Taco Moto Co. However, when I added my ECU it was before I knew of them so I put the Vortex ECU on. Regardless, the power is very manageable and yet rips when you get frisky. I am loving my decision to buy it. It is truly a bike that a pro or AA rider can fully exploit as well as an old man who just wants a great bike to explore on. These bikes are not cheap but you definitely get what you pay for. And with all of the hype about cheap dual sports, it turns out that the high end stuff is still better even for us older folks. Sometimes, I just need to keep up so I ride the Husky. Sometimes I don't. Then, I ride the KLX. Both serve a purpose. P.S. Balancing the wheels is the easiest thing there is to do on a motorcycle. And, it makes a huge difference when riding on the road with rim locks.
@@AdventuresofLokiandPaul-ju3jv Excellent response and spot on! Yes, I should have mentioned that about balancing the wheels and the use of rim locks. I spoke of that in my very first video on the bike and should have repeated it on this video. I am glad you are as stoked about the bike as I am! Thank you for responding and taking the time to watch. Cheers!
Have been riding a 701 and its fantastic bike on and off road. Being older than most and exploring more varied and difficult terrain I bought a 24 500excf. I ride from the house to the good stuff in the foothills and Sierras. Yes the 500 vibrates and will cost $$ to address but will be worth it to make life on and off road more enjoyable. Will probably keep the 701 as the adventure bike when riding lots of slab or for days when riding with others that do not have dual sport bikes. Just need to decide what tires to replace the very worn motoz desert ht with.
Being able to have multiple riding platforms is the cat's meow. I have my 300xc for the hard-core single track myself. Not to mention, it's just fun to mix things up! I run the Desert HTs myself. However, a medium would probably suit me better offroad. Thank you for watching and your input!
I installed a Mako 360 with green dampers on mine. Absolutely no vibrations in the bars! I’m also running ODI Rogue grips and a Seat Concepts XL comfort seat. I do have some minor vibrations in the footpegs though.
@@AaronWhitt82 That's great! I was going to mention the Mako option and ask for feedback back, but I forgot too. I have never run a Mako before. Thanks for the feedback!
@@DesertVetRider It’s a little pricey, but definitely worth the money. Here’s a video of my bike review with all the upgrades if you are interested. Thanks! th-cam.com/video/A1YQ2Jhz2nc/w-d-xo.htmlsi=HYL1QtILaz_KJUZ1
Are you talking engine vibrations? wihtout wheels balanced they vibrate like made on the streets. How does the FE501 engine vibrations compare to the FE450? I've got a FE450 Supermoto but always wish I had gone with the 501, but not sure if it vibrates more on comparison. Thanks for your time.
@OffsetFPV I am speaking about engine vibration. Yes, balancing the tires is a must, and I should have spoken of that in the video. I haven't ridden the Husky 450, but maybe someone on this channel has, and could comment on it? The 501's engine has that long stroke, and I believe that what causes the vibes. Thank you for watching! Now go ride! 😀
@@DesertVetRider My 18' FE 450 vibes also but goes away over 60-65 mph. My old 02" DRZ did the same but at a little lower RPM. Both drive me nuts on pavement connecting trails which is usually way below 50mph. When I used to work 4 miles from home, I'd ride the DRZ, no prob (45mph speed limit straight shot). No way would I ride my FE to work next job at 13 miles away (50 mph speed limit multiple roads, traffic, signals, etc).
@OffsetFPV The KTM / Husky 450s vibrate a little less than the 500/501s. I have a 2019 KTM 450 EXC-F. I test rode a 2024 500 at an event a few months ago and concluded I'd never buy a 500. The vibration was really bad compared to my 450. .It's pure coincidence I stumbled across The comment above mine, from Andrewroberts3301. He and I have been riding together since about 2003. We don't ride together as much as we used to after I moved 300 away in 2013, but we do still ride together some. When I saw that he'd sold his DRZ and replaced with with a Husky, I decided It was time I get a new bike too. He said he'd done a lot of research on the 350/450/500/501s. Everything he read and heard indicated that the 500/501 vibrated a lot, the 450 was less, and the 350 was even less than the 450. I had a 2012 500 and the vibration was horrible. I didn't want that nonsense again, so like him, I opted for a 450. in 2019, the only way to get a KTM 450 in dual sport trim was the SIx Days Edition, so that's what I have in addition to my ancient DRZ
I am a 73 years old rider. Been riding all of my life. In 2023 I decided to get a small dual sport so I bought the KLX300D. I just wanted a bike to go out and explore on. It does great for that.
I have owned 2 other Huskies before and a KTM. The thing that we need to remember is; the Husky 501 weights less than the KLX by quite a bit. It is even lighter than my daughters XT250 Yamaha! Yet, it has twice the power. So in 2024, I bought the FE501s. Changed the ECU and the end cap of the stock exhaust and a few minor cosmetic changes. Tires of course. Except for the height of the bike it is perfect! I didn't do anything to mitigate vibration except to balance the wheels for when I am on the road. I don't even notice it anymore.
For us older dudes, it is nice to have a bike that weights less than 300lbs when you have to pick it up and has the power to easily loft the front end when you need to. I am not racing or even riding super fast with it. I just like to go out and explore and trail ride. At this stage in my riding life, the Husky is still relevant and a great option. I am not getting rid of my KLX but I think the Husky rounds things out nicely for me.
@AdventuresofLokiandPaul-ju3jv Excellent post! 73 and still riding. That is motivational to all of us who have dirt riding pumping through our veins! I balanced my wheels when I first got it. That definitely helps. Something I should have mentioned in the video. Yes, the weight to power ratio of the 501s makes it a blast to ride! Thank you very much for your feedback! Cheers.
You're living the dream.. And that's how we all should be, keep it going ✌️
Just recently purchased one, rode it after doing 17 miles on my yzx and it rips and feels so smooth.
I love mine, It is not for everyone but it is for the Experienced rider who wants some performance offroad but still can ride on the street and isn't afraid of the increased maintenance. Good job on the vid.
@Lost1Byte Thank you. Yes, I agree. Fortunately, I like many are already used to the increased maintenance coming from two and four stroke race bikes. Cheers!
I just spent $25 on some spongy grips and it's good-to-go! Problem solved. It's an amazing bike
@@davidh1314 What grips are you running? I have ODI's. Work great.
Grip Puppies are good.
I'm with you the 501 is for more of a racer background.
For vibration, split triple clamps help as do the phds bar mounts, which you're gonna need anyhow when you put on a steering damper. All this stuff is more pronounced on the new frame vs the old 22 frames
I did the norcal BDR on my 23 450 XC-F in september. This is what else I did and it was as good as a small bike can be on the roads there
- nitro mousses, balanced wheels
- upgraded stator
- headlight/taillight/brake switch
That's about it and it was good to go.
@@ericxnelson Good stuff! Thanks for your run down. An Idaho BDR is on my bucket list in the next couple of years.
Very good summary on who this bike (or a similar KTM) "Isn't" for. I agree with everything you pointed out.
I have a 22 year old DRZ that I've owned for 18 years. I also have a 2019 KTM 450 EXC-F. Each serves a different purpose for me. I stopped riding the DRZ on single track up where I live in Washington state when I bought the KTM. The KTM is easier to ride on single track. However, the KTM is not the most comfortable bike to ride on a boring, long day of nothing but forest service roads. The vibration gets annoying and the seat is hard as a rock. The 450 doesn’t vibrate as bad as a 500/501. I use the DRZ for long days of riding nothing but forest service roads.
@DualSportDoug That's exactly why I think peeps who are purchasing the 501s as a commuter and light trail riding would be very disappointed. Thank you for your feedback!
When we add Rim Locks which you should do, it is important to balance the wheels. Especially, when you ride it on the road. It smooths things out. I added a seat concepts comfort seat and also changed the hand grips. I've done 250 mile dual sport rides with it that involved quite a bit of blacktop to connect trails. I wasn't beat up when I got home from the ride.
The Husky is a really good bike. After a ride like that, check spoke tensions. The air filter is a snap to pull out and clean. The forks and shock cane be adjusted by hand without tools. The Husky is an amazing bike. I also learn a lot from Taco Moto Co. However, when I added my ECU it was before I knew of them so I put the Vortex ECU on. Regardless, the power is very manageable and yet rips when you get frisky. I am loving my decision to buy it. It is truly a bike that a pro or AA rider can fully exploit as well as an old man who just wants a great bike to explore on. These bikes are not cheap but you definitely get what you pay for. And with all of the hype about cheap dual sports, it turns out that the high end stuff is still better even for us older folks. Sometimes, I just need to keep up so I ride the Husky. Sometimes I don't. Then, I ride the KLX. Both serve a purpose.
P.S. Balancing the wheels is the easiest thing there is to do on a motorcycle. And, it makes a huge difference when riding on the road with rim locks.
@@AdventuresofLokiandPaul-ju3jv Excellent response and spot on! Yes, I should have mentioned that about balancing the wheels and the use of rim locks. I spoke of that in my very first video on the bike and should have repeated it on this video. I am glad you are as stoked about the bike as I am! Thank you for responding and taking the time to watch. Cheers!
@@DesertVetRider Thank you. I appreciate your channel and your passion for riding.
Have been riding a 701 and its fantastic bike on and off road. Being older than most and exploring more varied and difficult terrain I bought a 24 500excf. I ride from the house to the good stuff in the foothills and Sierras. Yes the 500 vibrates and will cost $$ to address but will be worth it to make life on and off road more enjoyable. Will probably keep the 701 as the adventure bike when riding lots of slab or for days when riding with others that do not have dual sport bikes. Just need to decide what tires to replace the very worn motoz desert ht with.
Being able to have multiple riding platforms is the cat's meow. I have my 300xc for the hard-core single track myself. Not to mention, it's just fun to mix things up! I run the Desert HTs myself. However, a medium would probably suit me better offroad. Thank you for watching and your input!
I installed a Mako 360 with green dampers on mine. Absolutely no vibrations in the bars! I’m also running ODI Rogue grips and a Seat Concepts XL comfort seat. I do have some minor vibrations in the footpegs though.
@@AaronWhitt82 That's great! I was going to mention the Mako option and ask for feedback back, but I forgot too. I have never run a Mako before. Thanks for the feedback!
I am also running the ODI grips. I guess I should have mentioned that, too!
@@DesertVetRider It’s a little pricey, but definitely worth the money. Here’s a video of my bike review with all the upgrades if you are interested. Thanks!
th-cam.com/video/A1YQ2Jhz2nc/w-d-xo.htmlsi=HYL1QtILaz_KJUZ1
The best dirt bike ever made🦄
😅 Dude, that thing is awesome! If there ever was a hard enduro bike, you can ride legally on the street, That's it 💯
@@Pompomgrenade Spot on!!
Are you talking engine vibrations? wihtout wheels balanced they vibrate like made on the streets. How does the FE501 engine vibrations compare to the FE450? I've got a FE450 Supermoto but always wish I had gone with the 501, but not sure if it vibrates more on comparison. Thanks for your time.
@OffsetFPV I am speaking about engine vibration. Yes, balancing the tires is a must, and I should have spoken of that in the video. I haven't ridden the Husky 450, but maybe someone on this channel has, and could comment on it? The 501's engine has that long stroke, and I believe that what causes the vibes. Thank you for watching! Now go ride! 😀
@@DesertVetRider My 18' FE 450 vibes also but goes away over 60-65 mph. My old 02" DRZ did the same but at a little lower RPM. Both drive me nuts on pavement connecting trails which is usually way below 50mph. When I used to work 4 miles from home, I'd ride the DRZ, no prob (45mph speed limit straight shot). No way would I ride my FE to work next job at 13 miles away (50 mph speed limit multiple roads, traffic, signals, etc).
@OffsetFPV The KTM / Husky 450s vibrate a little less than the 500/501s.
I have a 2019 KTM 450 EXC-F. I test rode a 2024 500 at an event a few months ago and concluded I'd never buy a 500. The vibration was really bad compared to my 450.
.It's pure coincidence I stumbled across The comment above mine, from Andrewroberts3301. He and I have been riding together since about 2003. We don't ride together as much as we used to after I moved 300 away in 2013, but we do still ride together some. When I saw that he'd sold his DRZ and replaced with with a Husky, I decided It was time I get a new bike too. He said he'd done a lot of research on the 350/450/500/501s.
Everything he read and heard indicated that the 500/501 vibrated a lot, the 450 was less, and the 350 was even less than the 450. I had a 2012 500 and the vibration was horrible. I didn't want that nonsense again, so like him, I opted for a 450. in 2019, the only way to get a KTM 450 in dual sport trim was the SIx Days Edition, so that's what I have in addition to my ancient DRZ
I feel very little on my bike, same as yours!!