FOURTH PLACE
SHOOTOUT I 2022 250cc FOUR-STROKE MOTOCROSS SHOOTOUT
P84
The Husqvarna
simply rips, but
it's also the most
expensive.
FC 250
HUSQVARNA
>
Just missing out on a
podium spot this year is
the Husqvarna FC 250. The
Husky continues to receive
mixed reviews from testers
and, in turn, continues to finish
midpack during shootout
season. It's not for lack of
trying, though. The Husqvarna
sports some of the nicest OEM
parts in the game but also has
a price tag to match.
The biggest difference
between the Husqvarna and
the KTM is in the suspension.
Yes, it does come equipped
with the same WP Xact
components as the KTM and
the GasGas, but the Husky's
sticks and shock are 10mm
shorter than the others. This
makes the FC's seat height
about half an inch lower than
the KTM (37.4 inches vs. 37.0
inches). This design aimed
to centralize the mass of the
bike, keep it slightly lower
to the ground, and make it
easier to turn. It's a great
idea on paper, but it receives
mixed opinions each year—the
shorter riders enjoy it, and
the taller riders aren't often
as excited. If we had more
shorter riders than taller ones
in our stable of testers this
year, perhaps our shootout
results would have been
different.
One place where the
lowered Husky shines is in
tight turns and flat corners.
Its ability to lean over makes
the FC feel like a crouched
tiger, stalking the perfect line,
ready to pounce and destroy
any berm in sight. You can
easily square up big bowl turns
or dart from outside to inside
with apparent ease. Where it
falls short is braking bumps
or rough chop under power.
More specifically, bombing the
downhills at Glen Helen. Our
riders felt that they needed
to stiffen the suspension
