While not quite as ubiquitous a Swedish company as IKEA, Husaberg has been quietly penetrating U.S. markets with quality motorcycles, innovative design, and bikes offering outstanding ride qualities. The 2011 Husaberg FS is the Swedish company’s latest offering and a gem of a bike. The 2011 is only available in one model, the FS 570. The FS is a Supermoto or Supermotard motorcycle that blends the best of offroad, sport, and standard motorcycles into a bike which can tackle trails, tracks, and asphalt with equal aplomb. Even considering the premium price, this sexy Swede checks in as a fast, responsive, and ultra-precise Supermoto. An adjustable suspension coupled with above-average seat comfort and high-speed stability make the 2011 Husaberg FS 570 a great everyday ride. A few suspension adjustments, along with some new wheels and tires will take the FS offroad with above-average ability. Tweak the suspension a bit more, slap on a track set-up and the FS will shame many larger sportbikes. The 2011 FS can win races straight out of the crate and totally overwhelm less experienced superbike riders. The price may be premium, but the FS 570 is like buying three bikes in one.
A fully-upright riding position and a lightweight construction make the FS 570 an easy bike to ride. Throw in ultra-precise throttle response, and a gear box and brakes that border on the sublime and the FS 570 becomes a dream ride. Husaberg took a completely unorthodox approach when designing its motorcycles. As a result, the FS 570’s frame and powertrain offer an unparalleled feeling of balance, agility, and stability. Husaberg’s new laid-down cylinder pushes the transmission in the vertical plane, but retains the countershaft sprocket in its usual spot relative to the swingarm. This arrangement holds the bike’s mass and the crankshaft’s rotational inertia closer to the bike’s center of gravity, which enables the FS to create its unprecedented riding dynamics. The set-up also raises the cylinder and sump, making for greater ground clearance at the front of the engine. However, the design makes it difficult for most riders to operate a kick starter, so Husaberg did away with that. Not a bad thing entirely as the bike without kick start requires fuel-injection rather than carburetion in order to provide reliable starting (most European competitor bikes still use carburetion). This means the FS 570 can Supermoto its way over the Continental Divide in autumn without fuel system niggles.
The Husaberg FS 570 delivers masses of torque from the first pull of the throttle and keeps it thumping up through the revs. The FS 570 rides like a much smaller (in terms of engine capacity) bike and is the ideal enduro bike for fast offroad trails, gravel roads, and serious desert rally-racing. Massive torque, innovative design, and a reinforced steering head create a winning combination on twisty roads and tight Supermoto tracks. The FS Swede shares a number of components with its Austrian cousins, notably the KTM 350 EXC and 560 SMR. The FS shares their swingarm and WP fork and shock. For the most part though, the 2011 Husaberg FS 570 is in a world all its own and answers to none.
- The FS 570 is a new 2011 model.
- Equipped with street legal dual-purpose bike requirements such as a headlamp, turn indicator lamps, and a taillamp
- Husaberg reinforced the steering head and front forks for added bike stability when traveling at high speeds.
- Model: 2011 Husaberg FS
- Engine Type: 566-cc, single-cylinder
- Bore and Stroke: 3.9 inches and 2.8 inches
- Compression ratio: 12.2:1
- Valve Train: Single overhead camshaft
- Induction: Liquid
- Ignition: Electric
- Transmission: Six-speed manual
- Final Drive: Chain
- Fuel Capacity: 2.2 gallons
- Estimated Fuel Economy: N/A
- Brakes (Front): Hydraulic, 10.2-inch disc
- Brakes (Rear): Hydraulic, 8.7-inch disc
- Suspension (Front): Inverted fork, 1.9-inch (48mm) closed cartridge, adjustable for compression damping, rebound damping and spring preloaded
- Suspension (Rear): Twin sided swingarm, WP-PDS shock absorber, adjustable for compression damping, rebound damping and spring preloaded
- Wheelbase: 58.1 inches
- Rake: 63.5 degrees
- Trail: N/A
- Seat Height: 35.2 inches
- Curb Weight: 257 (dry)
- Tires (Front): 120/70-21
- Tires (Rear): 150/60-17
- N/A
- KTM 560 SMR
- BETA RR 520
- Aprilia SXV 550
- Husqvarna SM 511
- Husqvarna SMS 630