To set as a Snowbike pros and cons
2017 husqavarna fe511
- Thread starter vmax1200
- Start date
Pro's:
Lots of power and torque.
6th gear for long road access.
Lighter than some of the 450's (YZ and RMZ)
Easy access to power VIA battery for LED light and Grips.
E Start.
Great bike for off road in the off season.
Con's:
E start Only (not sure if you can add the kicker)
Wider ratio tranny than 450 mx bikes (some peoples opinion)
I'm not a big fan of the composite airbox etc ( I find the KTM's easier to get at filter and mount seat and plastic etc.
Lots of power and torque.
6th gear for long road access.
Lighter than some of the 450's (YZ and RMZ)
Easy access to power VIA battery for LED light and Grips.
E Start.
Great bike for off road in the off season.
Con's:
E start Only (not sure if you can add the kicker)
Wider ratio tranny than 450 mx bikes (some peoples opinion)
I'm not a big fan of the composite airbox etc ( I find the KTM's easier to get at filter and mount seat and plastic etc.
Really curious how the new engine is holding up
I assume you mean the fe501? Basically a ktm 500 exc with link rear suspension...
I was gonna get the husky but it was taking too long for the 2017 to come out so I ended up with the 2016 6 days exc 500.
It makes an awesome snowbike.. electrical power, low end power, overall power..6th gear for the trails. I am suprised by people prefering the close ration transmissions cause in reality on the snow you are in 2nd and 3rd... 4th on open powder areas and 5th and 6th on the trail. I feel the wide ratio transmission suites the snowbike better.
The only negative for snowbike use is the low rev limit on the 500. In deep powder you ride a snowbike like you are flogging it to death and the 500 is pinging off the rev limiter too easy. There is an answer and it is to raise the rev limit. That may come at a cost down the road but it has turned my 500 into a sweet ride and I can keep up with any 450
I was gonna get the husky but it was taking too long for the 2017 to come out so I ended up with the 2016 6 days exc 500.
It makes an awesome snowbike.. electrical power, low end power, overall power..6th gear for the trails. I am suprised by people prefering the close ration transmissions cause in reality on the snow you are in 2nd and 3rd... 4th on open powder areas and 5th and 6th on the trail. I feel the wide ratio transmission suites the snowbike better.
The only negative for snowbike use is the low rev limit on the 500. In deep powder you ride a snowbike like you are flogging it to death and the 500 is pinging off the rev limiter too easy. There is an answer and it is to raise the rev limit. That may come at a cost down the road but it has turned my 500 into a sweet ride and I can keep up with any 450
Been running a 2013 ktm 500 xcw for 3 seasons now ,basic mods ,ecu euro flash ,dobech gen 4 controller,exhaust up grade , just looking to get into a new bike just curious if anyones running the new engine ,if its a work horse or gernade
Hard to believe it is going to make any difference in the snow at altitude.. it is a few hp more for 2017... early inquiry showed it might be a more durable engine compared to the 12-16 years in some service criteria but I can only imagine simple mods on the existing engine are performing as well or better than the stock 17... that saidI am interested in the new engine as well... or maybe a 610 big bore!
Over 300 hrs mostly snow use and engine still solid on compression ,trans and no leaks just hoping the 17s will be the same quality
C
capulin overdrive
Well-known member
I've got a 17 pumkin that will be dirt only.
My only complaints are the no kick, which hopefully we'll get pretty soon?
And it's starting out as the hardest bike to date to get running right with the ECU, after the EPA fiasco.
Motor is pretty corked up for revving, but out of the crate it's been a better riding bike than my 16XCW.
My only complaints are the no kick, which hopefully we'll get pretty soon?
And it's starting out as the hardest bike to date to get running right with the ECU, after the EPA fiasco.
Motor is pretty corked up for revving, but out of the crate it's been a better riding bike than my 16XCW.
HUSKY 501
The FE Husky 501 is an awesome machine for a snowbike. You will have to gear it down as much as possible due to the tall gearing in the transmission but the engine is a torque monster.
We just got back from the Yeti headquarters Yesterday and tuned the owners brother's FE 501 while we were there. This was the first time weve had our hands on an FE 501. I had my doubts in the beginning but Honestly the thing is a beast. Its geared as far down as you mechanically can and it will still do 100 mph down the trail at ease. It has a full fmf exhaust with our Wingman kit on it and I was very impressed. Ill see if I can get him to chime in on his opinion of the set up.
If you have any other questions on building your bike feel free to contact me anytime.
The FE Husky 501 is an awesome machine for a snowbike. You will have to gear it down as much as possible due to the tall gearing in the transmission but the engine is a torque monster.
We just got back from the Yeti headquarters Yesterday and tuned the owners brother's FE 501 while we were there. This was the first time weve had our hands on an FE 501. I had my doubts in the beginning but Honestly the thing is a beast. Its geared as far down as you mechanically can and it will still do 100 mph down the trail at ease. It has a full fmf exhaust with our Wingman kit on it and I was very impressed. Ill see if I can get him to chime in on his opinion of the set up.
If you have any other questions on building your bike feel free to contact me anytime.
C
capulin overdrive
Well-known member
And the 17 is an all new motor, with only slip-on silencers available from FMF at the moment.
A higher reving bike like FC 450 is better suited for a snow bike.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
S
Snowbikepat
Member
FE 501 Durability on a snow bike
I bought a pair of 501's for snow bikes. THEY ROCK. you will need a few upgrades.
1. Seat concepts wide seat.
2. Hand-guards.
3. Remove air filter and put a PST intake on it ($125) or put a simple mesh over the stock frame ($25)
4. Thermo Bob thermostat, A MUST HAVE.
5. PST engine cover to keep the heat in. A MUST HAVE.
6. Header cover, unless you like melted pants.
AND BUY A CASE OF FILTERS AND 5 GALLONS OF 10-50 SYNTHETIC OIL. WE CHANGE IT AFTER 2 RIDES, ALWAYS.... IT TAKES 30 MINUTES TO CHANGE BUT WITH A SNOW BIKE KIT, I HIT THE REV LIMITER 10-25%OF THE DAY WHEN WE ARE RIDING HARD.
I bought a pair of 501's for snow bikes. THEY ROCK. you will need a few upgrades.
1. Seat concepts wide seat.
2. Hand-guards.
3. Remove air filter and put a PST intake on it ($125) or put a simple mesh over the stock frame ($25)
4. Thermo Bob thermostat, A MUST HAVE.
5. PST engine cover to keep the heat in. A MUST HAVE.
6. Header cover, unless you like melted pants.
AND BUY A CASE OF FILTERS AND 5 GALLONS OF 10-50 SYNTHETIC OIL. WE CHANGE IT AFTER 2 RIDES, ALWAYS.... IT TAKES 30 MINUTES TO CHANGE BUT WITH A SNOW BIKE KIT, I HIT THE REV LIMITER 10-25%OF THE DAY WHEN WE ARE RIDING HARD.
N
n16ht5
Well-known member
This.. also, I made my own intake off ebay for $35. And I use Stainless oil filters.
S
Snowbikepat
Member
Kick Starter
One thing i also mentioned you should purchase. Go on Amazone and buy a battery booster, about the size of an Iphone. I found out the hard way, when it was -5 and thick oil would not let it turn over fast enough to start. Had to use cables from my pickup. The following weekend i had the $40 battery pack and it fired right up. A must have unless you want to spend $350 to purchase a kickstarter kit, that you with doubtfully be able to kick over when cold...
One thing i also mentioned you should purchase. Go on Amazone and buy a battery booster, about the size of an Iphone. I found out the hard way, when it was -5 and thick oil would not let it turn over fast enough to start. Had to use cables from my pickup. The following weekend i had the $40 battery pack and it fired right up. A must have unless you want to spend $350 to purchase a kickstarter kit, that you with doubtfully be able to kick over when cold...
How is the transmission gearing working? On paper it doesn't seem to have the 2-3 gap like the previous exc bikes. Just wondering if a 501 or the 5 speed 450 fc is the answer. Thanks.
Hi folks, first post, I will be using my 501 this coming winter so I am reading with interest. Been on bikes and sleds all my life, rode a friends XCF on a 120 TS on a powder day, came home that night and put my sled for sale, hooked,
Which PST filter did you use, straight or angled?
Thanks
I've looked more at the '17 500's... They are now using the 450 stroke and primary transmission ratio... With a little ecu tuning it really should behave like a big bore 450... different than the 12-16 500's that are stroked.
Interesting
Interesting
