my 500 is now over 320 hours, clutch still feels new - bike is sweet, no mechanical gremlins or anything, no brake failures, no fuel pump failure, no starter issues - nothing - hasn't cost a penny in 8k miles (aside the k-tech suspension i chose to insert) . stay on top of oil and clean air filters and bam
Thats my goal man! I am hoping to make this a 500+ hour motor!! *Knock on wood* but this bike has been such an unkillable ride so far and I am loving it. There's something about these 500s dude. I know people get mad and don't listen to the manual that tells you to do the oil every 15 hours, but man I think theres something to it!!
Thanks so much! I love making these kinds of videos, they just take a lot of footage and a long time to film/edit. How do you like that 690 of yours?? I've heard so many good things about them.
I'm blown away by it too. I know the manual says to do oil changes every 15 hours and oil filter changes at every 30 hours. Most people get mad about it and don't follow the manual, but I think its actually worth it! I have never missed an oil change and the bike is running better for it!!
I’ve owned four different bikes and now have a 23’ FE 350 and absolutely love this bike!! 1200+ miles with no issues or problems. I still am curious about the 501 but so far for my needs the 350 does it all! Great video/review!
Those 350's are really cool bikes cuz they're so lightweight and the motors rev up so high!! I would love to put some miles on one and really get to know that platform more.
501s are close to perfection. I do every on mine. ECU is my only complaint. Bike runs lean stock and tends to stall. The 2024 suspension is outstanding.
This is an incredibly well done video man! I bought a 22’ exc-f500 Six Days brand new last year and it is hands down the funnest most reliable and tough bike ever. Athena RX1 ECU, FMF Q4 exhaust with the Megabomb header, Scott steering stabilizer and way too much carbon fiber 😆. Just tricking it out has been a joy. I live in Washington and would love to hit these trails you’re riding someday. Gorgeous stuff! Keep making videos like this man!
Thats the rally up in Washington right? I have thought about going to that, but with how many projects I am trying to do this season, Im not certain if I can or not.. I think it would be a really awesome opportunity to meet more of the community though. Maybe it would even be worth setting up a booth there who knows.
I have the Racetech conversion on my forks on my 2018 FE350. Now it rips though the trails and whooped out sections are awesome. Like being on my moto bike. 130 hours on my bike and running strong
I gotta do that man. I have used racetech springs/valves on my old race bikes and its like night and day on the dirt. Someday after I stop throwing money into cameras and gear for the channel, I'll focus on the bike more again 🤟🏼
I have had drz400s and it works great for everything here in SoCal. If you know how to ride it… it absolutely rips with some simple power upgrades. I also do a week long trip adventure ride in Utah every year and it works on everything up there. I believe it true comes down to the rider.
I think you're right, no matter what bike it is, if you know your way around it and can ride it right, then it can take you anywhere. My 501 has been that bike for me as your DRZ has been for you 🤟🏻 Ride safe out there!
All good info! the rebuild you did was a bit early i hope! lol I really want a 600 hr bike all stock like this! at 160hrs if its apart id do the cam chain, valve guide seals and a piston but it all look very good. The carbon on the exaust valves is normal and fuel additives can clean most of it up but clean off the carbon, inspect and continue! my bike is staying stock and im riding it all but those logs lol... fn love your single track footage!!
I’m stoked you like the channel man! Funny thing is husqvarna recommends a top end every 135 hours lol so I felt like I was a bit late! Tho, to each their own. I’ve heard stories from guys riding the stock piston on their 500s well past 400 hours!! All comes down to maintenance and how you ride I think 🤟🏼
Video skills are impressive. Professional results. Keep close eye on your subframe with those camping pack weights youre loading. The pre-2020 versions cracked with normal riding and broke with gear loads. Do you find it odd you tore down the top end before even hitting a sprocket chain milestone? Seems a little pre-mature in required maintenance/repair. Do oil change frequencies make long distrance travel a hassle? Do you find the highway speeds of 55-60 being enough? I'd like to be able to go 75 on the occasional interstate route, but I've heard the vibration is unbearable.
So far my subframe has been fine which is awesome! I did replace the sprockets but not the chain cuz it’s a super reliable o-ring chain. Those just last forever. The top end was really preventative maintenance and manufacturer spec is per 135 hours so I was even late to that service interval technically. The oil changes do make the long distances feel a little like a hassle, but they’re well worth it. I’m pushing 174 hours on the stock clutch and it still feels great. I really don’t recommend going over 60 because year it is really unbearable with the vibrations. Though, so much of that depends on your tire choice. If you are using it for supermoto and have street tires, then higher speeds are just fine. Glad you liked the video man!!
I hope that bike takes you to some awesome places man! Reach out and let me know how that bike performs once you’ve gotten some miles under your belt with it 🤟🏼🤟🏼🤟🏼
Stock 21-23 501 bikes suck some but once modified correctly (below) nothing can match versatility....Yoshi Exhaust, ecu map for such, BDSB 11oz steel clutch-end plate (kills all vibrations), G2 throttle tamer...20% slower hand cam. Tool steel transition piece running from case guard to low point on linkage, second rear wheel with very different sprocket and a set of mx plates.... I feel i have 5 bikes in one...MX, Hard Enduro, Trail, Desert race, Adventure. The heavier clutch-end plate and G2 makes it so much nicer on the hiway that its a completely different, (better natured). I love mine NOW, but probably should have got a Beta 390, made zero mods and saved a lot of $$
Great review seems like a great all around bike! You should try a newer 300 two stroke on single track and off road stuff I think you would love it for the off road more technical stuff.
A friend of mine once let me throw a leg over his 300 and I'll admit, they feel incredible in the dirt. Super lightweight and more than enough power for me!
I pretty much feel the same way about my KTM 450. It's a great all around dual sport bike for more technical, challenging roads and "Jeep trails". Fuel injection makes it so much more versatile to ride regardless of the elevation. My first trip with it I went to Silverton, CO for a week of riding from 9,200 to upwards of 12,000 feet elevation. I really fell in love with it all over again after riding it for 8 or so days in and around Death Valley and central Nevada in early April. Granted, I still intend to keep my DRZ because it's a great bike for longer distance rides, but the KTM is a keeper for more challenging stuff like single track and what not.
My buddy has a KTM450 too and those are beasts! Another buddy of mine just picked up a lightly used DRZ400 too! I am so stoked!! I agree having the fuel injection is amazing for those longer rides with elevation changes.
Awesome video. I bought a ‘22 TE300 to get back into riding and I only end up riding forest roads, and jeep trails due to my wife preferring 4 wheels. I wonder if this platform would be more enjoyable or versatile for where and what I tend to ride. I suck at riding so going single track alone doesn’t seem like the best option lol
Thanks! The 300 is definitely a single track oriented machine for sure. If all the riding I was doing was that, then I would stick to just that bike. I love the 501 because it is as close to being the best of both worlds as I can get. I ride adv, on the street, single track, and more. I just got back from riding some of the gnarliest trails in moab on that bike too. Tho I admit I got whooped by those rocks in moab hahahaha.
How did you fit a 16 tooth front sprocket?? I’m thinking you meant to say 15. Because the 15 barely fits. Maybe I’m wrong. The check engine flashing is most likely your idle is slightly off. When my 501 engine light flickers. I mess with the idle and it goes out. Thanks for sharing your 501 story. 👍👍🍻
I'm pretty sure its a 16 because my old sprocket setup was a 15/48 and I wouldn't have replaced the front with the same number of spines since the sprocket wasn't really even worn out yet. I'll have to go check again next time I am in my shop. Interesting that thats what causes your check engine to come on! Usually mine comes on after I have been highway riding for a good deal of time. Originally the tech that I was consulting had the theory that my fuel pump had a clog. Apparently my year/model had an issue where the stock tank came with a chemical liner that deteriorated into a powder when exposed to gasoline and then that can clog the fuel pump. Then if the fuel pump is slightly clogged, the bike throws a code while the engine is starving for gas at high RPMs. Then it was like magic and poof the system showed no history of throwing codes at all. Sometimes these euro bikes can be weird I guess, but they're absolute weapons on the trails!!
My guess is it’s from running lean. That’s why I’d be so interested in getting one of those ECUs. I really want this motor to be a 700 hour motor and I gotta get it to run cooler and cleaner.
I notice the heat issue doing singletrack on my 500 exc-f. Like you said, never had it overheat or anything but I always get a little uneasy when the fan is blowing constantly like that. Are you still running the stock single fan or have you upgraded that at all? Nice review. I love my bike too and it's been rock solid so far.
I’m still running the stock fan, but I wouldn’t be surprised if I invested in some upgrade for it later down the line. These 500s are absolutely legendary and after I’ve rebuilt my 501 too many times, I’ll buy another one 🤟🏼
Thanks so much for asking that question! I should've included it with the review. I am currently running the original ECU/Mapping. According to what I've heard, the stock setup runs the bike a bit on the lean side and I have heard people make decent power gains from running an aftermarket ECU. I think TacoMotoCo sells some.
How did you attach the handlebar bag above the headlight? It looked nice and secure and I would like to mount a bag in same location. Thanks for any insight.
It has 4 straps that go around the fork tubes and handlebars! I’d look around for some bags from giant loop, wolf man, maybe moskomoto, or maybe just google motorcycle storage bags. Let me know if you have any other questions!
They're awesome bikes!! I heard the 2023 got like entirely revamped by husky too. I run the FMF 4.1 exhaust and currently stock electronics. Though I want to get the ecu to richen it up and help it run cooler.
@@madjack_757 i’ve had the JD tuner since the very beginning, and it’s helped with flameout, but I would not say the bike runs cool by any stretch of the imagination. I’m going to get the FMF 4.1 as well because I was told that might help it run cooler so we’ll have to see.
All my blinkers are intact and the motor performance is fantastic! Though, I have heard that people think the 501 motor is amazing UNTIL they get the ECU tune and then they suddenly realize how much better the motor could have been. Its just a very expensive upgrade.
@@madjack_757 the stock gas tank worked for you? How many miles do you get out of a tank? Thanks! (Agree about the ECU, and most upgrades on these already super dialed expensive bikes!)
@@madjack_757 oh this is great info to have! I really wanted this motorcycle, I’d like something with longer service intervals. Still looks like a great bike to have!
@brettw1518 a lot of higher performance motors recommend that kind of servicing nowadays. Though, I am curious how a Honda or other Japanese manufacturers are when it comes to that kind of servicing.
Actually like on a real note dude there was a moment on one of those longer days where I wasn’t sure if I was gonna be able to step off the bike. Like my ass hurt so bad 😂😂😂😂
@@madjack_757 hahaha..it’s the only thing stopping me from buying one. With the short time I get to ride these days, the last thing I want is my ass telling me I’m done. I wanna do light adv so maybe a 701 is better. I have zero free trails, just dirt roads but even they’re scarce.
@@ridewherever Yeah that makes sense. The 701 is a really really fantastic bike too, so its a really good option. Even dirt roads can be fun too though!
I love this rig and have considered getting one, but I'm hearing many people echo your thoughts that they don't typically feel comfortable going over 55ish mph on them for any extended period of time. Today I ride a CRF300L with offroad oriented modifications like suspension, and I have a hard time justifying the switch to these 500 platforms with more power, only to LOSE top speed comfort. I'm totally comfortable at 65mph on the Honda. Would love any feedback from anyone riding their EXCF 500 or FE 500 at 65-ish mph for 2-4 hours of highway at a time!
This is the most accurate and conclusive video on the 501. I bought very lightly used 2020 last year and have loved every second of it. Like you, have hit some epic single track, crawled all over the Boise mountain range, hunted off of it, and use it around town. It really is the best bike I’ve ever owned and I love seeing someone else appreciate it and display it the same way I do! Awesome video 👊🏻
Thanks so much man!! I gotta ask how did you mount your rifle/shotgun on your 501?? Bird season is comin up fast and I always just carry a .22 revolver for when I see grouse, but I want to pack my shotgun so I can use the bike to get be up to some alpine lakes or up deeper in the desert for chukar.
@@madjack_757 so in my case, I was bow hunting, so the bow was attached to my pack and I had water, food, and some other gear in my reckless 10. Not super conducive to have the FMF on there for that, but oh well 🤣 I think there would be a way though to utilize something like the TNM rack and a reckless setup to strap down a shotgun or rifle to the rear though. I am actually about to order the TNM rack just for peace of mind on that composite frame since I am always at least carrying the R10 with fuel, tools, tube, etc.
In terms of your clutch, have you considered a Rekluse? After seeing your Moab adventures I am curious. I have been using a Recluse for years on a variety of bikes with no issues.
I have definitely considered a Rekluse, they're just so pricey! I am at a point where I gotta do a bit of work on my husky after riding it so hard in Moab and my budget is tight. Tho I think a rekluse is one of those parts that kinda pays for itself over time.
I bought 2 bikes last year and rode them with a buddy from MN to MA. One is the BMW g650x-challenge and the other is the Yamaha TW200. Needless to say, the TW was pushed a bit hard on the road, even with a sprocket change. I love the power of the BMW, and even though it is lighter than many similar bikes, at 340 lbs, it's a lot heaver than the FE501s at 250 lbs. This is pretty much my only complaint about the BMW, and the FE501s looks like the best change I could make. I'd gladly give away a few HP for 90 fewer pounds. With that said, when the going gets tight, the TW200 is the bike to use. Overall, I may be happier keeping the 2 bikes I have rather than try to solve multiple problems with the FE501s, but it's an ongoing debate. Interesting enough, when I bought the g650x, the seller had replaced it with the FE501s, so I guess he went down the same road I am now going down. Good video, nice to hear your thoughts and see what the FE501s can do.
You know, often times we play the game where we want a bike built for the purpose and it leads to having more than one bike. Nothin wrong with that! In fact, when you try to have a 'do anything bike' more often than not it will have shortcomings in SOME area because its a jack of all trades instead of a master of one. That being said, the 501 is DAMN near close to a do anything bike. I don't think you would be disappointed by it! Though, those T-dubs are crazy fun even if they are slow hahahaha
The 501 has a dry weight of 250 pounds, then add the 3.1 gallons of gas with my oversized tank and it’s about 270 pounds. I can’t speak for how the weight is distributed on one bike vs another, but after having had to lift the bike over obstacles, I can tell you from a “dirtbike” standpoint, my 501 is always the heaviest bike in the group. Nonetheless it’s still a phenomenal motorcycle.
I did my top end rebuild at about 4k miles and just over 160 hours in the motor so you ought to be fine for a bit! Stick with the maintenance schedule and the bike will run forever 🤙🏼
Just doing research for a first bike in over 30yrs so def need a grain of salt with this: Do the vast majority of riders simply not use these newer bikes as daily commuters? At 12-15k mi/yr and your 4k rebuild, that's 3 rebuilds /yr (and if having a shop do it then that's about $5k/yr). Is that roughly what's recommended or are you just having to do yours early? Compared to say an Xr650l where they're just starting to think about it and the price point for a new one is about half. Huge cons though to the xr650 is air cooled and 100lbs more weight. Yeah, it's 30yr old tech but it seems like they just go and go w/o huge maint costs every year.
@@EricGustafson I do use my 501 to commute short distances, but I mainly use it as an offroad or adv bike. Yeah, it is true that the maintenance is very expensive, but rebuilds don't seem to come as fast as you'd think for me at least. Though, to each their own! If I were purely commuting, riding fire roads, riding adv rides, etc.. I would probably go with the XR. The 501 is great because it can do all that and handle intense terrain.
I have 5 bikes now with my 3 sons. I agree with your video 100%. Excellent review. My '22 FE501 my favorite of all I have owned or rode. It is well modified from stock now. Been riding for almost 35 years.
