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/126622
.. 0") Im,-ression: 1983 Husgvarna 2S0XC & SOOXC Swede revenge: They didn't make enough By Karel Kramer The mid-year introduction of Husqvarna's 500eR heralded a new seriousness from Husqvarna about the American market. With the introduction of the 1983 models, it was apparent at first glance that times were changing. We've now put a couple of the new XC models, the 250 and 500 through a thorou~h ringing-out, and we can say:They did not make enough of these bikes. no matter how many they made. Apparently the public has anticipated our conclusion as Husky was back-ordered on the XC models when we spoke with them last. In desert and off-road riding, racing and enduro situations. these are the finest motorcycles we hav e ridden. The 250 is the ballet dancer of the desert, . while the 500 is a ground missilewith a degree in acrobatics. lQ Scandinavian beauty At first glance. several changes grace the " jumped out and grabbed me " list. Glistening white paint interrupted by new yellow/blue graphics. similar to the design of last year's Husky Products riding jersey, is a large departure for Husky. The aluminum gas tank remains. but th e polished panels on the sid es are ex tinc t. A new -number pl ate. new sidepanels, with a much improved mounting system. and deeply valan ced fenders adorn a completely redesigned fram e. Gold rims of Husqv arna manufacture are still laced to lightweight conical hubs, but th e gold co lor is not as pronounced as ,before. The hubs appear th e s?m t7: but a double leading shoe front brake gets personal with the front hub. The two rub shoulders well. but alas for older Husky owners, the hub is new . and the new backing plate will not retrofit. Eighteen inches ofTrelleborg wrap the rear wheels of the XCs. making one other less obvious change. Good bye 17·inch rim. hello tire selection. The rear wheel is stroked through 13 inches of rising rate travel . via a radical new shock mounting system and two Husky-designed. Ohlinsmanufactured shocks. A straight-rate spring is used, sin ce the geometry and internal shock damping provide progressivity. In the last third of the rear wheel travel, a second piston. above the relatively contemporary Ohlins pistons. travels through the internal shock oil. Since the secondary piston is much smaller than the inside diameter of the shock. it doesn't do much more than swish the oil around until it reaches the final third of the travel. At that point, the smaller piston enters an initially camferred chamber that isa much closer fit. The once inactive piston increases com pr ession and rebound damping marked ly in the final one third of th e movement. The increased com pression damping negates the need for a thick rubber bumper on th e shoc k sha ft. , Basically the ,sam e excellent .H usI ~ . t I , . ... I I J J ~ .: I JI ~ qvarna telescopic fork that debuted a new srnoother-actioned damper rod on the '82 500CR, rests in tapered I roller bearings -at.uhe .front of the frame under a new coat of white paint. Their action was excellent.