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/1466689
QUICKSPIN I 2022 Husqvarna FC 450 Rockstar Edition P114 back-to-back and only felt a minor dif- ference in throttle response, the Husky being a bit smoother. In contrast, the KTM had just a bit more hit on delivery. Husqvarna says the closed-off airbox on the FC 450 makes no difference on the dyno. Suspension is another key talking point on the new Husqvarna. Yes, the forks are very similar to the ones used in the past few years, but they keep getting better. Since the WP team has spent more time with this rendition of the Xact system, their new settings are the best we've felt to date. Gone is the vague or dead feeling we used to get with the air fork. Now the move- ment of the fork feels plush in small bumps and while leaning the bike into a turn. With that, the control of the front wheel feels much more precise. I felt the ability to actually steer with the front wheel and pinpoint precisely where I wanted it to go. Ultimately this drives rider comfort and confidence when piloting the FC 450. I will never be a fan of checking the air pressure in the fork, but the weight savings from a spring-less design are hard to argue. The shock provided a smooth ride all day. It worked well to offer a bal- anced feel when paired with the new chassis. No pitching or diving to write home about here. Think of it as a "no news is good news" situation. We liked the dial adjusters on the shock for their ease of use and ingenuity. We went out one-quarter turn on high-speed com- pression to smooth out the hit on hard landings as far as changes go. Grab a handful and the Husky responds.