The brakes and clutch are
top-notch on the Husqvarna.
Again, smooth is the first word
that comes to mind. While some
riders don't love hydro clutches,
the Brembo components on the
FC offer comfortable modulation
with identifiable engagement.
Same with the brakes, as you can
easily trust their strength during
late braking on a steep downhill.
Things start to get tricky in
the suspension department. The
fork and shock on Husqvarna are
10mm lower than the KTM. This
lowers the seat height by about an
inch and puts the bottom of the
bike about half an inch closer to
the ground. The good part about
this is it gives the bike a Velcroed
feeling to the dirt. It feels planted
to the ground, stable at speed, and
is the undisputed king of flat turns.
This bike excelled in the hard-
packed conditions of Cahuilla
Creek, as riders could slice across
the track to avoid bumps late in
the day. The swept-back bend of
the ProTaper bars also contributes
to an overall lower feeling.
The downside? This lowered
character wasn't favored by our
taller riders. With most of our
testers standing approximately in
the five-foot, 10-inch range, they
noted the cockpit feeling small
and cramped, making the transi
-
tion from sitting to standing a bit
harder.
The shorter stature also
gave us a feeling of the bike be-
ing longer than the others.
So,
what's the deciding factor?
With third through fifth separated
by only three points, we're truly
splitting hairs. Shorter riders will
favor the Husqvarna, and taller
guys will likely adapt well after
bolting on their favorite bar bend.
SHOOTOUT I 2023 450cc MOTOCROSS SHOOTOUT
P98
