Husqvarna FE 501s
The Husky FE501s has officially returned from Santa Cruz Suspension and Accessories, and let me tell you—Rich did an amazing job. So, naturally, I hauled it up to the Mountain House for some dual-sport exploring. Before we get into the rides (and the misadventures), let’s talk upgrades.
The Husky 501s Build Sheet
Santa Cruz Suspension Upgrades:
✅ Vortex ECU
✅ Yoshimura RS-12 Stainless Slip-On Exhaust w/ Aluminum Muffler
✅ Cycra Ultra Probend Handguards
✅ Dunlop D606 Rear Tire
✅ Pirelli MT21 Front Tire
✅ IMS 4.5 Gallon Gas Tank
Additional Upgrades Installed:
✅ Garmin zūmo® XT2 GPS
✅ NICECNC Universal GPS Stout Mount
✅ Public Land Riders Handlebar Bag (now swapped for a smaller one—more on that later)
✅ Giant Loop Buckin’ Roll Tank Bag
✅ Enduro Engineering Brake Pedal Tip
✅ Heimdall Industries Kickstand Peg
✅ Seat Concepts Seat
Ride 1: The Route That Should Have Worked… But Didn’t
The plan was simple: use OnX Offroad to plan a route, upload it to the Garmin, and head out. Turns out, “simple” is a relative term. My first attempt at a route led me through a rural neighborhood where the locals made it very clear I wasn’t welcome. Let’s just say, I didn’t stick around for tea.
Realizing I needed to figure out the GPX file upload process, I dug in. Long story short, the Garmin didn’t like the raw OnX Offroad GPX file. The fix? Using the Tread app on my Android tablet to convert the GPX into a route. Lesson learned.
Ride 2: Private Road + Shotgun Guy = Instant U-Turn
With my newly functional GPS route, I headed out again—this time towards what I thought was a forest service road. Turns out, the locals had different ideas.
Within minutes, I was greeted by a guy wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying a shotgun. Not exactly the friendly neighborhood welcome I was hoping for. I skipped the small talk, flipped a perfectly executed U-turn, and called it a day.
Ride 3: Finally, a Win!
Third time’s the charm. This ride followed a dirt two-track that led to a forest service loop. The highlights?
✔️ A scenic waterfall
✔️ A narrow bridge crossing the South Fork Stanislaus River
✔️ A solid mix of technical terrain & fast sections
Some deep ruts turned parts of the loop into single-track, but the 501s handled it like a champ. Best of all—no mechanical issues, no wrecks, no injuries. That’s a successful adventure in my book.
Ride 4: The Mud Bath Incident
Not all rides are wins. This one sent me south toward lower elevations, where I quickly found myself in a series of mud bogs. Most of them I managed to skirt around, but then I hit the one that couldn’t be avoided.
I went in too cautiously. Buried the front wheel. Went over for a swim. Now, with the bike on its side in knee-deep mud, the real struggle began.
A fully fueled FE501s isn’t exactly light. Combine that with mud suction locking my boots and bars in place, and it took a solid 20 minutes of grunting and cursing to get it free.
After that, I noped out and headed back to the previous loop, this time with my camera and tripod strapped to my back for some hiking and photography.
The Handlebar Bag Debacle
By this point, the rain started coming down and temps were dropping, so I called it a day. But not before two crashes caused by my handlebar bag hanging up on the oversized gas tank.
🚨 Crash #1: Mid-ride, bars wouldn’t turn, and down I went.
🚨 Crash #2: Trying to U-turn on a steep paved road. The bike went downhill, and I barely had the strength to lift it. More leg days needed.
Solution? Swapped the medium handlebar bag for a smaller one. Problem solved.
Final Thoughts & Next Steps
✔️ The bike is running great—responsive, smooth, and well-geared for the trail.
✔️ The gearing isn’t ideal for highway riding—it can go faster, but it’s most comfortable between 50-55 mph. Sprocket changes may be in the future.
✔️ Strength & endurance still need work—this ride reminded me there’s still a long road to full recovery.
Despite a few setbacks (and one unexpected mud bath), the garage and outdoor therapy are working wonders. More rides, more recovery, and more upgrades ahead. Stay tuned!
