Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1139968
2020 HUSQVARNA FC450 FIRST REVIEW P84 nearly every corner in the moto- cross planet in third gear. Another setup we used was the black throttle cam. This is the optionally included throttle- tube cable cam that comes with all Husqvarna motocross bikes. It provides a shorter turn of the throttle to open the throttle body fully. It's a pretty big difference compared to the "stock" gray wheel—around 4mm or so when measured on the throttle hous- ing. The stock wheel requires quite a long twist, taking out some of that opens the throttle sooner and allows you to get to wide-open without re-gripping. On the Husqvarna, it should be the only one you use. The last significant change for the 2020 Husqvarna FC450 (and one that doesn't have to do with power delivery are) the suspen- sion specs. In one word, the sus- pension is now plush. This year marks a significant shift in the FC range's depar- ture from KTM's SX-F line up. Going forward, you will see independent spring rates/air spring settings, oil levels, and valving specs inside the shared components from WP. And in Husqvarna's case, the commit- ment to comfort is very appar- ent. Our test riders are 170-180 pounds with intermediate to pro ability. Both of us felt the Husqvarna was on the soft side, overall, but not tragically so. It has excellent comfort, for sure, but with a few clicks of rebound damping added to control some "springiness," we had a setting we were both confident enough in the compression-stroke settings to ride as a normal track- day bike on any obstacle we were comfortable hitting. We think Husqvarna went a little soft overall. A rear-shock spring-rate upgrade will be in the cards for a lot of folks. In general, we feel it's going to be easier for people to tune in some stiffness than it was for them to tune out some harsh- ness from 2018 and 2019's FC450s. The most noticeable change here is the nice initial bump compliance. The annoying harshness from initial bump impact some have experienced on WP components the past few years is gone. It is compli- ant across the board with con- trolled bottoming. From here, we can quickly go stiffer if and when it's needed. The competitive nature of the 450 motocross class is mak- ing sure manufactures keep modifying their machines to win shootouts and sales-floor races. Husqvarna's changes make the 2020 FC450 more competitive for the faster racers in the motor department and more comfortable for all in the suspension department. There are some questions we need to answer before shootout time, and the biggest are: is the new, more powerful map enough for the fastest riders, and can the WP suspension be com- fortable and capable for the same? Right now, the bike is still hitting the sweet spot really well. CN S P E C I F I C A T I O N S 2020 HUSQVARNA FC450 ($10,099) ENGINE: ..... Liquid-cooled, SOHC, 4-valve, 4-stroke, single DISPLACEMENT: ................................ 449cc BORE X STROKE: ........... 95mm x 63.4mm COMPRESSION RATIO: ..................... 12.75:1 STARTING SYSTEM: ........................ Electric FUELING SYSTEM: ........Keihin EFI, throttle body 44mm CLUTCH: ........ Wet, multi-disc DDS-clutch, Magura Hydraulics SPROCKETS: .................................... 13t/49t FRAME: ........... Central double-cradle-type, 25CrMo4 steel SUBFRAME: ...........Carbon fiber reinforced polyamide FRONT SUSPENSION: ........ WP XACT-USD, 48mm, fully adjustable REAR SUSPENSION: .....WP XCT Monoshock w/linkages, fully adjustable FRONT BRAKE: .....Single disc, 260mm Brembo REAR BRAKE: ......Single disc, 220mm Brembo FRONT WHEEL: ............ D.I.D 80/100-21 in. REAR WHEEL: .............. D.I.D. 120/80-19 in. TIRES: ....................................Dunlop MX3S STEERING HEAD ANGLE: ..................... 26.1° TRIPLE CLAMP OFFSET: ....................22mm WHEELBASE: ....................................58.5 in. GROUND CLEARANCE: ..................... 14.6 in. SEAT HEIGHT: .................................. 37.4 in. FUEL CAPACITY: ............................ 1.85 gal. WEIGHT (CLAIMED, DRY): ...........222.7 lbs.