2010–2012 · Enduro · Buyer's Guide
Tight Woods, Tractor Torque
The FE 390 is built around one unusual idea: a 393 cc single canted forward at 70 degrees, which pulls the engine's mass toward the middle of the bike. Everything else follows from that. You get 46 hp and 27 lb-ft in a steel double cradle frame, 273 lb (124 kg) wet, with a six-speed gearbox and fully adjustable WP suspension at both ends. There's no ABS, no traction control, no ride modes. In the enduro class it occupies its own corner: the agility of a 250F with noticeably more torque underneath you. That's the whole pitch.
On the trail the power comes in smooth and tractable, which is exactly what I want from an enduro: rideability beats peak numbers in tight woods and technical terrain. The engine is overbuilt, and the bike has earned its cult following. The caveats sit around the motor, not in it. Fuel pumps on bikes built before October 2011 fail intermittently, and the inline fuel filter on pre-2012 bikes can clog, so check what's been upgraded. This is for experienced off-road riders who spend their time in the dirt, not on the pavement connecting it. It's no road bike!
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 46 hp (34 kW) |
|---|---|
| Torque | 27 lb-ft (37 Nm) |
| Displacement | 393 cc |
| Engine | Single-cylinder |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Front tire | 90/90-21 |
| Rear tire | 140/80-18 |
| Wheelbase | 58.1 in (1475 mm) |
| Ground clearance | 15.4 in (390 mm) |
| Front travel | 11.8 in (300 mm) |
| Rear travel | 13.2 in (335 mm) |
| Seat height | 38.8 in (985 mm) |
| Wet weight | 273 lb (124 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 2.2 gal (8.5 L) |
Equipment check
Chassis
I've spent years listening to the people who own these bikes: paddock conversations, club-night talk, owner chats and the messages riders send me directly. For the Husaberg FE 390 the pattern is clear. Riders praise the engine's durability and the way the bike behaves in the woods, and their gripes sit around the edges of ownership.
The most consistent report is about longevity. Owners talk about hundreds of hours without major engine work, and they keep repeating that the valves hardly move. On the trail, riders describe a bike that feels planted and easy to maneuver, with a broad, usable powerband. The suspension gets its share of praise too, for resisting harsh bottom-outs when the hits get bigger. Confidence comes up a lot.
The recurring worry is starting. The bike relies on the electric starter alone, and riders point out that a dead battery in the woods leaves you without a backup. Some owners mention that it's heavier than a true 250F, which you notice in extremely tight going or in a race. Others report that certain parts are getting harder to find for a discontinued, low-volume model. No kick, no plan B!
Fuel pump failure on pre-October 2011 models
The original fuel pump is prone to intermittent failure, causing stalling and hard starting. Most early bikes have been upgraded to the revised pump.
Inline fuel filter clogging on pre-2012 models
The fine mesh filter in the fuel line can clog or swell with heat, restricting fuel flow and causing poor running. The updated 2012 spec mesh or a Can-am filter solves the issue.
Premature countershaft spline wear
On bikes used for adventure riding or extended road stretches, the countershaft splines can wear faster than normal, especially without a cush drive hub or aftermarket sprocket holder.
Exhaust heat melts rider's gear
The forward portion of the exhaust pipe can get hot enough to melt pants and boots, particularly on earlier models without extra shielding.
Where this Husaberg FE 390 pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the FE 390 is actually built for.
This is the best fit of the three. Slickrock ledges, sand and technical sections are what this light chassis and tractable single are made for. Just plan your day around 2.2 gal (8.5 L) of fuel.
Made for Moab · Bar M / Kane Creek · Imperial Sand Dunes
Only a partial fit. It'll make the hard sections easy, but 2.2 gal (8.5 L) of fuel and countershaft splines that wear on long road stretches work against multi-day logistics.
Made for AZBDR — Arizona Backcountry Discovery Route · California BDR South · COBDR — Colorado Backcountry Discovery Route
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Husaberg FE 390. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
