570 Run in RideAfter an anxious wait, the boats trucks and aforlifts had finally done their bit to bring the bikes to the opposite side of the planet on the 23rd. Berg2 and myself loaded up with funds and went to the local dealer (Valley Force Husaberg) ) for a look-see and checkout and assisted wirth personalisation of the PD process.
Having got the bikes home that night (10pm) I was keen for a ride the next day but all my riding buddies were too busy! Berg2 was finishing personalising his 570 and my other buddies were heading off for Xmas. Berg2 rang me on xmas day at 8am to tell me that he would sneak out later in the day for a run in ride sometime after 3pm. The game was on!
We went out to our usual run in riding area thinking that nobody would be there. Wrong - there was someone else who had the same idea. We proceeded to unload the bikes and get the ride under way. Within the first 300m we knew that we were on something special. The ride out of the car park is steepish rocky hard clay, enough to make most bikes deflect. Not this one. As we got a bit further up the road there were some deep potholes so I figure I'd aim for them and see what happened. Nothing. I tried hitting the edge of the potholes to see if I'd get a kick - still nothing. These things track like they are on rails.
Then on the side of the road was a long whooped out track in a bed of woodchip that extended for a km or so. The back went up and down as did the front. This thing was truly as stable as a battleship thanks to some excellent work at the factory.
Further into the ride we sought some tight single trail to see what (if any - for the sceptics) difference the 70 degree engine would make. It makes a massive difference. The 570 turns in like a two stoke and the previously mentioned awsome suspension package has you attacking things that you would never have thought possible.
The old chassis was a damn fine slider so we thought we better check out what this one was like. Being such a great turner we suspected that it might be a little less stable than the old bikes. Wrong ! This thing is perfectly balanced and has you dialling the amount of slide with your right hand.
In summary these bikes do everything right. The suspension is the best by far of ANY bike I have ever ridden. The power is so linear and the suspension is so good that that you will find yourself going way quicker everywhere than you every thought possible.
Some snaps for those of you who may be interested.
Andrew and Ritchie at Valley Force
This is what you see in the box.
Yes it's a 570 !
Andrew with the Berg2's bike.
Berg2's bike with a few bits of customisation
Unloading
Resting after 40km
I can offer one pice of advice to anyone thinking about buying one of these.
Get your cheque book ready before you ride it.