QUICKSPIN I 2023 Husqvarna Motocrossers
P102
changes to the 250 and 450
FCs, the 350 has a surprisingly
strong bottom end paired with
that lightweight rev through the
mid to top. The option of two
maps gives the rider some extra
tunability as well for different
track conditions. It also feels
lighter and less labor-intensive
to ride despite being only 1.73
pounds lighter than the 450. By
the end of the day, I felt most
comfortable on the FC 350;
consistently hitting my lines
with the least amount of fatigue,
especially as the track dried out
late in the day.
Now, the FC 250. We got a
preview of this bike when it was
unveiled as the 2022 Rockstar
Edition model, and the '23 sees
practically all of those same
updates aside from the
suspension (the Rockstar
Editions did not have the
10mm lower suspension).
The new 250's power-
plant is everything we
wanted from last year's stan-
dard model. It's stronger down
low but doesn't seem to give
anything up from mid to top.
We've always liked the Aus-
trian bikes for their long-range
internal gearing, and it feels
like they've kept that but added
on where it was lacking. The
more aggressive map two was
consistently our favorite map on
the smaller 250.
TWO STROKES
Husqvarna had two pre-produc-
tion two-strokes on hand, one
125 and one 250, for the Fox
Raceway intro. We tested the
new EFI system at RedBud,
but these were our first laps on
home territory. Both bikes now
come standard with electric
starting, two maps, as
well as the new frame
and bodywork. The '23 is
also weight neutral when
compared to the '22; re-
moving the carb assem-
Husqvarna does
not have a 300cc
two-stroke like
KTM has, but that's
okay, it still has
the TC 250.
