Opinions
Well, if you don't like horsepower, this isn't the bike for you. I happen to like hp, so I thought it was great! The motor just pulls really nicely. It steers a little sluggish, but I'm splitting hairs compared to the other bikes. For a big-bore bike it handles well and feels light. It's very fun to ride, has plenty of low-end and plenty of mph in the same gearbox. No tugging to do a wheelie, you just turn the throttle and control the front end height. The little birdie under the seat is interesting until you're told it's the airbox chirping. The tank is very nice for tight turns, considering it's a larger capacity tank. There's a cavity where the airbox is on most bikes, that's large enough to house a lunchbox in case you end up riding your 550 to places where lunch isn't served. Compared to previous Husabergs I've ridden, you know the kind where you needed to carry a suitcase of spare parts, this bike was a very nice change of pace and a lot of fun to ride.
-Scott Forward/6'0''/190 lb/A rider
I really like Husabergs. I've always liked four-strokes, even before they were popular. In fact, when I was racing my Honda XR280 in the 1989 ISDE I saw the very first Husaberg. It was a full 350cc, sort of a rarity at the time, and I wanted that trick bike instead of my hopped-up trailbike. It was a lust I remember from when I was a kid and I saw and heard a Maico (still waiting to ride one of those!). Well, I've had the chance to ride a number of Bergs in my time, and they have all satisfied my quest for a unique ride, especially in power output. Though in all of my time I've only had one mechanical failure (the lighting side of the ignition on one let go, at night!), I've heard a lot about problems with the bikes. Our Long Haul 650 relaxed any worries on that matter. And knowing the 550 is about the perfect size for any real open-class off-road bike, I really dig this bike. Sure, with the introduction of the new KTM chassis the Berg's handling might be a slight step behind, but I still prefer the suspension action on the 550 off-road. I'm surprised it doesn't sell more of these.
-Jimmy Lewis/5'10"/185 lb/Pro trail rider
This bike really is about the motor. It runs great from way down low and stinkin' incredible in the mid and all the way to the top. In every way our long-term 650 engine was good, this one is also good, but the 550 has none of the flaws like heavy vibration and an agricultural feel. The riding position is too cramped for me on long rides. When the airbox starts to seriously moan, though, the 550 comes on like it has a turbo or nitrous and you pretty much forget to sweat the little stuff. I dreaded time on the 650, unless we were playing on hills, but the 550 is a whole new animal-domesticated but not declawed.
-Karel Kramer/6'1"/210 lb/B rider