Husaberg FE390 Enduro

The Basics

The Husaberg FE 390 is after only two years on the market already a household name in the Enduro community. It's the perfect compromise, in a good way. It has enough power for every riding situation and a very high level of traction, yet is not as demanding as a 450. It matches any 250 4-stroke in terms of easy handling, but with its way more bottom end power and torque and it s smooth power delivery it is one step ahead in terms of overall ride ability. These characteristics made the FE 390 the first choice among hobby riders and professionals alike. When it comes to the biggest European off-road series, the German Cross Country Championship, Husaberg’s top contender Hans Vogels swears on the smoothness of the FE 390 which allows him to go flat out for the complete 2 hours of racing and still is able to challenge any opponent right till the very end.

The Details

Equipment

In model year 2012 not only the engine protection but also frame protection as well as very stable MX handguards are featured as standard on all FE models

The Look

For model year 2012 the designers generated a fresh overall appearance for the Husaberg models by updating the graphics as well as plastics colours and the colour of the frame.

Closed Cartridge

The closed cartridge fork is a suspension unit with two internal oil systems. It is more or less fitted with an independent sealed shock absorber inside the fork, which is filled with air set under pressure. This avoids any inconsistencies in terms of damping, which might occur in open cartridge forks due to the oil/air mixture. Therefore a closed cartridge fork guarantees constant damping characteristics during the entire stroke and this means better safety and traction on the front wheel.

In case of a leaking seal ring the fork might lose oil, which means less progression due to the larger oil chamber, but the internal cartridge does still provide full damping. Due to the more sophisticated technology the Closed Cartridge forks are much more expensive than conventional ones, but they are the best choice when it comes to damping and front wheel traction.

Suspension (FE)

The latest WP up side-down forks with 48 mm and a closed cartridge mean a completely new dimension when it comes to standard Enduro suspensions. Compared to an open system these forks are fitted with a separate internal damping unit providing unrivalled sensitivity and damping characteristics well proven already by last year's models.

Frame

The frame is made from chromium and offers a high longitudinal stiffness for excellent stability at high speeds and a good feel of the front wheel. The built-in flex supports the easy handling of the bike. In model year 2012 the frame also enhances the looks of the bikes by it s bright yellow coating.

Rear Subframe

Why does it always have to be metal when high-strength plastics can do the job just as well? With this motto, the Husaberg engineers designed the rear frame of cross-linked polyethylene. This guarantees much more flexibility compared to aluminium, which might be bent in case of crash. Apart from reduced weight, this material offers a free choice of form. Numerous electrical components can thus be safely embedded in the subframe, while a lateral opening under the seat serves as a hand-hold when manoeuvring in tough terrain.

Triple Clamps

All models come with machined triple clamps and for model year 2012 with an even lighter upper triple clamp which supports the front forks by even better clamping characteristics.

PDS Shock

The fully adjustable WP PDS shock absorber features not only adjustable rebound damping but also variable high and low speed compression damping. The setting matches the Closed Cartridge front fork and gives the bike excellent stability as well as great bottoming reisistance.

Airbox

Positioned directly behind the fuel cap, it is concealed by the front part of the seat. A straight intake duct in direct downdraught from the filter to the cylinder ensures maximum performance. This high airbox position guarantees cool, cleaner intake air and in particular unbeatable wading depth for crossing deep rivers.

Fuel tank

The 8.5 litre tank of transparent polyethylene drawn well down under the seat contributes to the centralisation of the masses and the lowest possible bike centre of gravity. A fuel level sensor indicates via control lamp in the cockpit, when the fuel level is getting low. The compact fuel pump is in the lower section of the tank, while the airbox is located in the upper part of the tank.

Engine

The heart of all Husaberg 4-stroke models is the sophisticated SOHC single-cylinder engine with the unique 70° cylinder angle. Apart from top performance, a modern compact design and proven durability, this layout improves the handling of the bike by moving the heavy rotating masses of the crankshaft as close to the bike’s centre of gravity as possible.

70° Cylinder Angle

A flat cylinder angle of 70° allows the crankshaft to be moved more than 100 mm upwards and approx. 160 mm to the rear, this bringing the rotating masses of the crankshaft closer to the bike's centre of gravity. This centralisation of the masses results in an incomparably light handling for a four-stroke single cylinder. Positive side-effects of the more elevated engine are the reduced overall width and significantly unrivalled ground clearance - an enormous benefit in rough off-road terrain.

Cylinder Head

An overhead camshaft operates the four valves (incl. titanium intake valves) using the weight-optimised rocker arm and also serves as a centrifuge for the engine ventilation. Minimised oscillating masses, larger valve cross-section and a flatter valve angle compared with its predecessor result in significantly enhanced performance with a simultaneous improvement in ride ability at lower revs. A magnesium cylinder head cover mounted at an angle greatly simplifies the service work.

Engine Management

State-of-the-art engine management from Keihin ensures a smooth response and riding behaviour simultaneously with improved performance. The cylinder breathes via the airbox positioned in the tank and a 42 mm throttle body in direct downdraught for optimum flow and hence maximum power. Temperature and elevation compensation are also state-of-the-art. In addition, the system offers the possibility of activating two further mappings (more gentle or more aggressive than the standard mapping) via an optional map select switch from Midwest Racing's Online Shop.

Electric Starter

Why do you need a kick-starter when the bike can be started just as reliably at the push of a button. The precise, ultra-modern engine management allows the engine to be started in a second in any situation. This enabled a kickstarter to be eliminated, reducing the engine weight to a minimum level of under 31 kg.

Clutch

The clutch with integrated clutch damper and adequate oil supply was designed for extreme loads. Thanks to the hydraulic clutch actuation from Magura, clutch control is reference class. The FLEX clutch lever of this system can be folded 90° to the front, significantly reducing the risk of breakage in the event of a crash.

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