2020 HUSQVARNA FC450
FIRST REVIEW
P82
looking for more power, no mat-
ter what Husqvarna delivers. For
2020 shootout comparisons, the
new map will help close the gap
on bikes that feel snappier.
The airbox for 2020 gets op-
tions. You can run with a stock,
solid cover, or go with holes.
The ventilated cover has sleekly
designed gills carved in it that
look more show than go. How-
ever, its no secret Husqvarna
owners have been drilling out
airbox covers for years to get
the composite subframe/airbox
assembly to breathe a little more
freely. Our opinion on this is the
holey airbox lid will likely improve
mid-to-top-end performance of
the bike, allowing it to intake
more air more rapidly. Do we
need more mid-to-top pull on the
450s today? We can go with or
without this mod so far. If we get
to faster tracks and can test the
covers again, we will likely have
more input here. So far, it looks
pretty cool.
Next on the mod list for the
2020 Husqvarna FC450 is a
rear sprocket change. They went
up one tooth on the rear. This is
a very common mod for those
looking to tighten up the gaps in
a motorcycle transmission and
provide more rapid bottom-end
acceleration. Final-drive swaps
aren't new or revolutionary, and
the change on the Husqvarna
does what you'd expect. Com-
bined with the second map
changes, the bike has more
aggression than before. On the
negative, changing final-drive ra-
tios this direction will affect mid-
and top-end pull and will likely
result in one more shift as you
approach a high-speed track ob-
stacle. Or you'll be hitting it with
higher RPM in the same gear as
before—neither of which I'm a big
fan of. This gearing change will
be a welcome addition to most
and save them a few bucks on
a part they were likely going to
change. For me, it saves me a
downshift in turns. I can now ride
The suspension, as
good as it is, might
be a little soft for real
aggressive riders.
