Originally posted by 380EXCman
It has tons of big bore power, but its not very torky like the 550. Its more revy. It has less compression braking than the 550, which is really good thing (my biggest gripe about 4-strokes)... It feels very light. Lighter than the Berg. I think this bike will be very forgiving like my 380's were. Right now my only complaint is the 4-speed. She runs out of gear real quick...
I haven't ridden an '04, but after riding my friend's '03 I was thinking "YZF powerband, but more of it." Not at all like the E/MXC.
Swapping the extra two gears is very doable, around $ 350 in parts (provided the '04 comes with the two main gears already installed like the '03 SX models).
Sweet bike, sweet forks, motor is almost too much, turns like a KX (unlike any KTM RFS I've ridden).
Enjoy the new scooter 380EXCMAN.