2020 Husqvarna FE 501/S

The four-stroke enduro and its street-ready dual sport.

2020 Husqvarna FE 501 right sideHusqvarna

The Husqvarna FE 501 platform serves as the Austrian marque’s flagship enduro and dual sport models. Powered by a 511cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine, the 501 leads the displacement charge from the 350cc models, while packing modern electronics like traction control and adjustable engine maps for tackling washes or rock-strewn trails. The S model differs from the base in that it is a street-legal dual sport version (license plate bracket, turn signals, etc.). The S’ rubber is also wrapped around Giant rims (instead of the D.I.Ds used on the base) and it weighs a claimed 247 pounds (239 pounds, base).

2020 Husqvarna FE 501Husqvarna

2020 Husqvarna FE 501/S Reviews, Comparisons, And Competition

When it won Cycle World’s Ten Best Dual Sport, the FE 501 S took the throne in 2015 since it “combine[d] the powerhouse engine with incredible handling and trail compliance, and you have the best dual-sport machine we’ve ridden.”

As with any model that crosses Cycle World’s garage threshold, we ran the FE 501 S on the dyno to measure the horsepower and torque figures: 40.3 hp at 8,100 rpm and 28.2 pound-feet of torque at 5,700 rpm.

When it comes to competition, the FE 501 S model faces the dual sport KTM 500 EXC-F and Beta 500 RR-S.

2020 Husqvarna FE 501Husqvarna

Husqvarna FE 501/S Updates For 2020

The FE 501 does have a few internal changes including a new, more compact cylinder head, new camshaft, and new Konig piston that helps reduce oscillating masses. The FE 501 S also features a shorter and lighter cylinder head, a new camshaft, an increased compression ratio, and a new exhaust system.

2020 Husqvarna FE 501/S Claimed Specifications

Price: $11,099 (base)/$11,499 (S)
Engine: Liquid-cooled SOHC single-cylinder four-stroke
Displacement: 511cc
Bore x Stroke: 95.0 x 72.0mm
Horsepower: N/A
Torque: N/A
Transmission: 6-speed
Final Drive: Chain
Seat Height: 37.4 in.
Rake: 26.5°
Trail: N/A
Front Suspension: 48mm inverted fork, fully adjustable; 11.8-in. travel
Rear Suspension: Fully adjustable; 11.8-in. travel
Front Tire: 80/100-21 (base)/90/90-21 (S)
Rear Tire: 110/100-18 (base)/120/90-18 (S)
Wheelbase: 58.5 in.
Fuel Capacity: 2.2 gal.
Wet Weight: 239 lb. (base)/247 lb. (S)

Cycle World Tested Specifications

Rear-Wheel Horsepower: 40.3 hp @ 8,100 rpm
Rear-Wheel Torque: 28.2 lb.-ft. @ 5,700 rpm