Husqvarna FE 501S vs. KTM, Beta and Honda — 2026 Comparison

Shopping the Husqvarna FE 501S and want to know how it really compares to the KTM 500 EXC-F, Beta 500 RR-S and Honda CRF450RL? Here’s an honest, sourced side-by-side — specs, price and the places the competition wins — from Empire Cycle & Powersports in Spokane Valley, WA. The most powerful bike in Husqvarna’s dual-sport line — a street-legal 511cc four-stroke with WP XACT suspension, Brembo brakes and EFI, ready from pavement to single-track. Here’s the honest look, platform truth included.

Empire Up Front Research

Honest, sourced comparisons — we even tell you where the competition wins. The same no-games promise as our Up Front Pricing.

2027 Husqvarna FE 501S vs. the 500 dual-sport class

The most powerful bike in Husqvarna’s dual-sport line — a street-legal 511cc four-stroke with WP XACT suspension, Brembo brakes and EFI, ready from pavement to single-track. Here’s the honest look, platform truth included.

 
HusqvarnaFE 501S

Our pick

KTM500 EXC-F
Beta500 RR-S
HondaCRF450RL
Engine511cc 4-stroke511cc 4-stroke478cc 4-stroke449cc 4-stroke
WP suspension + Brembo brakes✓✓ZF / NissinShowa / Nissin
EFI + electric start✓✓✓✓
Weight claimed, no fuel~256 lb~256 lb~259 lb~291 lb
Price starting MSRP~$13,599~$13,499~$12,199~$10,199

Why buy the FE 501S from Empire

The biggest-power, most capable dual-sport in Husqvarna’s line — premium chassis, street-legal and trail-ready.

  • ✓
    Biggest power in the class. The 511cc four-stroke gives the strongest, most torque-rich engine here — plated for the road and ready for the trail.
  • ✓
    Premium chassis and brakes. Full WP XACT suspension and Brembo brakes, standard.
  • ✓
    Modern convenience. EFI and reliable electric start, with a proper dual-sport LED lighting and plated package.
  • ●
    Straight talk. The FE 501S shares its platform with the KTM 500 EXC-F — nearly identical bikes; you pay for Husqvarna’s trim and chassis feel. The Beta 500 RR-S is cheaper with a devoted following, and the Honda CRF450RL is far cheaper and legendarily reliable, though heavier and less powerful.
Built for Northwest dual-sport riding. Plated for the ride to the trailhead, then torquey and capable on the rocky panhandle single-track — with Empire behind it for setup and service.

And the price is the price. Our advertised number already includes freight, setup and our documentation fee — only sales tax and title/registration are added.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Husqvarna FE 501S a good choice?

The biggest-power, most capable dual-sport in Husqvarna’s line — premium chassis, street-legal and trail-ready. The 511cc four-stroke gives the strongest, most torque-rich engine here — plated for the road and ready for the trail.

How does the Husqvarna FE 501S compare to the competition?

The FE 501S shares its platform with the KTM 500 EXC-F — nearly identical bikes; you pay for Husqvarna’s trim and chassis feel. The Beta 500 RR-S is cheaper with a devoted following, and the Honda CRF450RL is far cheaper and legendarily reliable, though heavier and less powerful.

Where can I see the Husqvarna FE 501S near Spokane?

Empire Cycle & Powersports in Spokane Valley, WA stocks the Husqvarna FE 501S with Up Front Pricing — freight, setup and our documentation fee are already in the advertised price. Text us at 509-498-3541 or browse the inventory online.

Figures are 2026 model-year from manufacturer and published sources; competitor specs and prices are approximate, vary by trim and market, and should be verified before purchase. MSRPs exclude tax and title/registration. Video links are independent third-party YouTube reviews for research; Empire Cycle & Powersports is not affiliated with the creators. Comparison by Empire Cycle & Powersports, Spokane Valley, WA.

Keep exploring

New to the category? Read our buying guides, see how Up Front Research works, or browse the inventory. Prefer to talk it through? Text us at 509-498-3541.

Reviewed & updated by the team at Empire Cycle & Powersports, Spokane Valley.