Words: Guy Streeter

Earlier this year, Husqvarna unveiled an all-new line of enduro models at the 2017 world launch in Sweden and, more recently, MotoOnline.com.au were invited to the Australian launch, where we had the opportunity to test Husqvarna’s extensive range in the central tablelands of New South Wales, including the 2017 Husqvarna FE 501 machine.

The FE 501 has been redesigned from the ground up for 2017. It boasts traction control, centralised mass, plus new lighter and better performing suspension, which are just a handful of noticeable improvements.

Before you even start the bike, you will notice several refinements alongside new plastics and a few extra buttons. ODI lock-on grips grace the controls – a concept the motorcycle industry has taken time to catch on to what mountain bikers have been using for years, where they require no glue or grip wire.

Twist the throttle and you have the option of a quick or slow throttle cam – the slow pull throttle cam comes as standard. Cast your eyes to the left side of the bar and you’ll come across an engine mapping switch with traction control, while a Magura hydraulic clutch ensures you get the same feel no matter how hot or cold the conditions are.

Black CNC machined triple clamps with a 22-millimetre offset are accompanied by Pro Taper handlebars with variable mounting positions, including rubber dampening on the top clamp for greater reduction in vibration.

Image: Grant Reynolds (Fiftysix Clix).

All-new slim plastics with an updated seat design provides added comfort and grip, while additional grab handles on each side of the seat come into great use out on the trails if you happen to get stuck in a bog hole or even if you’re trying to manouver the bike around.

Some of the things you might miss at a glance are the few things that have been engineered to help prevent problems during your ride, such as integrated brake and speedometer cables along with footpeg mounts and a gear-shifter that have been designed to reduce dirt and debris clogging up. Husqvarna has spent considerable time redesigning the air box to improve airflow to the engine, while also ensuring the filter can be installed properly.

The footpegs also come in at six millimetres taller than the motocross models, which provides added ground clearance. For taller riders, or if you feel you want to get your feet lower to the ground, you can easily switch out the enduro-spec footpegs with the motocross version. On the underside of the bike you will notice a newly-designed bash guard, which bolts directly into the frame.

The MY17 FE 501 frame has been redesigned to fit in the all new-engine while centralising the mass of the bike to aid in its handling. At 600 grams lighter than the previous year’s model, the rigidity of the frame has also been adjusted with a 20 percent increase in its side to side rigidness, while the front to back rigidity has been relaxed by 30 percent to work with the suspension and improve rider fatigue.

The sub-frame is unique to the Swedish manufacturer, as its construction is made up of a three-piece 30 percent carbon composite material which has dropped weight by one kilogram from its predecessors. A translucent 8.5 litre fuel tank with intergrated fuel pump and level sensor is accompanied by a quick release fuel cap and revised fuel line to help prevent damage out on the trail.

Source: Supplied.

WP has developed the new Xplor 48 front forks, both lighter and out performing the previous 4CS forks. The open cartridge forks feature a spring in each leg with split damping functions – compression in the left fork and rebound in the right fork. Adjustments can be made easily using the clickers on the top caps, while a tool-less pre-load adjuster allows for further adjustment.

Moving to the rear suspension, WP made further improvements with the DCC linkage rear shock, as balance of pressure makes for better damping and weight reduction. The new WP Xplor 48 fork and DCC Linage rear shock combination really make the handling of the FE 501 stand out, especially from the previous 4CS suspension. The suspension is really well balanced and feels good on the smaller, choppy terrain while managing the larger hits well.

The FE 501 power plant boasts an impressive 63 horsepower in what is a completely overhauled engine for 2017. Forget looking for a kick starter, the FE 501 fires into life with an electric starter, powered by a new lightweight LI-ION battery, which has save one kilogram for 2017.

This brand new FE has more torque and power than you will know what to do with and there are not many people that can actually use all of its available horsepower, so Husqvarna has assisted with an ECU that allows you to have the choice of two engine maps and traction control.

The engine is being fed by an all new Keihin engine management system with a 42 millimetre throttle body that includes a new injector position, allowing for better throttle response and ability to control the big-bore fire breather.

Image: Grant Reynolds (Fiftysix Clix).

A six-speed gear box with wide range enduro-specific ratios puts power to the rear wheel, while the gear sensor allows the Keihin EMS to select a specific engine map for each gear, improving traction and ride-ability.

It’s very difficult to not be really excited about the FE 501 – the bike has so many new features that make your overall trail experience that much better and it has more horsepower than most people can handle. The options with engine mapping and traction control create ample power to ease the ride in slick and muddy conditions, while also increasing enjoyment.

Between the trees the FE 501 feels at home just as much as it would out on the open fire trail. With torque for days, the bike handles exceptionally well when being lugged around and, with the huge reduction in weight, it feels nimble too.

For myself, the additional technology that Husqvarna has put time and effort into making your ride better really top it off. Obviously traction control is one of the best features on the bike, and we really got to figure out how it works and find the benefits of it in the wet, muddy parts of the trail.

It’s hard to say enough about having traction control available, particularly on the FE 501, but lets just call it a ‘next level game changer’. The WP-developed radiators and cooling fan are also neat additions for 2017, making for a top-spec and proven option in the market.

The Husqvarna FE 501 is now available at your nearest dealer with an RRP of $15,495 including GST. For more details on Husqvarna’s 2017 off-road range, visit www.husqvarna-motorcycles.com.