Personalizing Your Dual Sport Motorcycle: 2019 Husqvarna FE 450
I like the newer bikes from KTM and Husqvarna. Since 2017, KTM and Husqvarna bikes have been the dual-sport, trail-riding bikes for most of us. However, unlike many others, I’m not that keen on the 500/501 model for a variety of reasons – the main reason being the vibration. It’s enough to make my glasses inserts and eyeballs vibrate, which affects my vision. Enter the 2019 Husqvarna FE 450.
2019 was the last year of the 450 series, at least back then, and it was exactly what I was looking for. I managed to find a used example out of state and had it shipped to me in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, the pandemic struck and a VIN inspection to register them for road use in California had to be put on hold. So the 2019 Husqvarna FE 450 was very lovingly cared for while waiting for the CHP to inspect my bike.
“Why the 450 and not the 500/501?” I’m often asked. As I said, the vibration is less. Rumor has it that the longer stroke 500/501 has the same counterweight as the 450, which is probably why the longer stroke 500/501 is such a shaker. The other reason is revisability. The 450 motor seems to rev a little faster and higher than the 500/501. It’s more like an MX bike – yeah, I know, not even close.
So the 450 is it for me. Next up is a trip to the tailor!
I’m 6’1″ and 250 pounds – 270 pounds outfitted with a backpack. These aren’t numbers that play nicely with the ergonomics and suspension of a stock dual-sport bike.
My plan on other bikes has always been to raise the seat, lower the pegs, raise the handlebars and bring the grips closer to the rider. I know this seems counterintuitive for a tall, tall rider, but it allows my arms, which are shorter than average for my height, to be very comfortable.
The seat is a Seat Concepts Tall XL comfort seat with about a quarter inch of 45 durometer neoprene added to the included foam kit. I like neoprene as it’s firm yet very comfortable – no issues with chafing from a foam that’s too soft! The kit and my extra padding installed easily with an air staple gun.
The handlebars come standard, with the Urmosi 720 SBC Soft Bar Clamp anti-vibration system keeping it in place. A Scotts Performance steering stabilizer and the additional 20 mm risers ensure the right handlebar height. The Urmosi clamps had to be modified slightly to fit the Scotts steering damper; A quick trip to the neighboring machinist to remove about 1.5mm of aluminum was all it took. To protect my hands and levers, I installed Cycra Probed Racer Pack handguards and handlebar clamp mounts.
The footpegs were a little more difficult to make. I’ve tried several pegs that claim to reduce height. But even 7mm is just not enough for me and my 65 year old knees. I went with Bosley’s pegs. Bosley’s makes any type of stainless steel footpeg you want and position, any drop and any size, for under $200 shipping. Bosley’s operates in the Czech Republic, about an hour from Brno, and does an excellent job at a great price.
With the footpegs dropped 20mm straight down, the shifter had to be repositioned, as did the brake pedal. Luckily, Husqvarna allows for a lot of adjustment range before it hits the frame. An oversized tip makes it easy to find.
The way the FE manages stocks is to be expected, with all the bureaucratic restrictions these days. There are several ways to achieve a better wheel, all of which make the 2019 Husqvarna FE 450 “closed track only” before the law. I went with the Vortex controller with a pole mounted map switch.
The Vortex addresses the flameout and flatspot issues that the stock bikes have due to emissions standards, while improving overall power, torque, throttle response and rpm. Although the Vortex comes with multiple map options, when combined with a nice flow-through silencer, only map 1 and 4, and maybe map 6, have a real improvement in my riding.
I settled on the Graves Motorsports slip-on muffler after first trying the FMF Q4 Hex. I prefer the performance, durability, throttle response and looks of the Graves. I paired it with the Graves Dual Sport Progress Throttle Tube and ProTaper MX Pillow Top grips.
Okay, now the 2019 Husqvarna FE 450 fits me, no longer coughs and stutters and has a nice bark in power. We still have to deal with the effect of the heavy rider on the stock suspension!
I went with the expensive option of swapping out the guts of the stock WP Xplor suspension with N2Dirt’s Xplor Fork OC Conversion Package. Brian from N2Dirt offers a complete upgrade from a single function damping/spring fork to a dual damping dual spring system. Similar modifications were made to the shock absorber, along with a bladder upgrade for better low-speed traction. I also had AHM Factory Services do a more refined re-spring and re-vent to get the shock feeling just right for me.
The now personalized 2019 Husqvarna FE 450 has my favorite tire combos – Golden Tire 216AA 90/100×21 front and IRC M5B Evo 130/80×18 rear. Featuring Nuetech’s crush-resistant Tubliss system, the result is a dual-sport bike that really sticks to the ground and engulfs the terrain without putting a strain on my aging spine.
Rounding out the build are a few more additions:
This 2019 Husqvarna FE 450 custom build was fun and effective and comes from 25 years of experimenting with what works best for my size, skill level and riding area and which brands are effective and reliable. Many thanks to Taco Moto’s Mike Spurgin for his great product testing and betting, which made some decisions a breeze.
Personalization of your Dual Sport Motorcycle: 2019 Husqvarna FE 450 Photo Gallery
