Husaberg FE400

The 2000 FE400 comes with a host of changes, all aimed at enhancing performance and reliability. It's also had major styling surgery which makes it much easier to spot in a crowd. If the 'harpoon' front-guard looks familiar, you've seen it on the latest KTMs. In fact, these days, Husaberg makes no secret of having close ties with the KTM factory. To that end, both marques share WP 'PDS' linkless rear suspension and the Magura hydraulic clutch and handlebars.

The FE400 - which has been on sale in Australia since 1997 - doesn't have a mad rush of power like the WR or DR-Z. Rather the power delivery is very linear; on a dyno, the power curve wouldn't show any spikes.

This makes this bike 100 percent predictable through the bottom end and midrange - it also makes the horrors of enduro riding a lot less threatening for ordinary folk because the drive can be regulated with precision.

It mightn't feel like you're going faster, but you sure know about it when you get to the braking areas. Thankfully, the brakes can provide a lot of power for very little effort. Some people will find them too sensitive at first, but they can save you energy when you get used to them. The serrated shape of the 'INOX' disc rotor is supposed to limit the build-up of mud in wet conditions - and a day out in the mud proved that. That being the case, we can expect to see similar designs on more bikes in the future.

The top-end power is significant, it's a real screamer and the six-speed gearbox turns it into a very fast bike when space or expertise allows.

I turned to Jeff Sargent - a regular Thumper Nats competitor - for an expert opinion on the Husaberg. He was most impressed by the top-end mumbo and confessed: "I'd like to race this bike with a few adjustments to the rear-shock."

Experts appreciate what the Husaberg has to offer, backed up in the bike's sales brochure with the old Viking saying that 'a man chooses his weapon according to his abilities'. However, I believe you don't have to be an enduro warrior to enjoy this 'Berg.

To test the theory, I also talked your average farm boy/ag bike rider into taking the bike for a ride.

"It's making a funny noise at low revs," farm boy said with a puzzled look on his face. "Sounds like a couple of weasels running around in an empty beer carton."

I was most intrigued that he knew what weasels in a beer carton sounded like, and I almost missed what he was actually referring to - the bike has an unusual induction roar as it uses the frame tube as an airbox. You'll notice an unusual space where the airbox is normally situated on most dirt bikes and, as a result, the air cleaner is located just below the front of the seat. That's why the induction roar is rather unique - a bit like weasels running around in a cardboard box for those in the know!

"But when you rev it up," he continued, "bwoaar - it bloody goes mate."

He got that bit right, so I asked about the suspension.

"Mate - I didn't realise suspension could be so good."

As far as gripes with the Husaberg are concerned, a few issues came to the surface. Starting has been at the top of the list, with the left-hand kickstarter not a favourite with most riders. Reliability is also a concern, which seemed to point in the direction of the engine oil. This oil sits in the bottom of the motor and it doesn't get the benefit of circulating through a separate tank or an oil cooler like some of the other 400s. With that in mind, Husaberg riders should consider that the engine oil works hard, so frequent changes with a new filter and good quality oil are cheap insurance.

This Husaberg costs a bit more than the others at $10,495 but it has a lot to offer and it appeals to both experts, novices and those who prefer something exclusive and special...