VOL. 53 ISSUE 50 DECEMBER 20, 2016 P165
2
nd
PLACE
HUSQVARNA
FC 250
PROS
•Second-lightest 450
•Electric (super-easy) starting
•WP AER 48 air fork
•Very usable power delivery
•Hydraulic clutch
•Strong brakes
CONS
•Soft power delivery
•Most expensive
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
Weight (full fuel): 235.5 lbs.
(w/o fuel): 224.1 lbs.
MSRP: $9499
The air box is also a little more
restrictive than the KTM's. These
differences mean the FC 450
engine feels very similar to the
KTM, just a hair down on power
through the bottom and mid-
range. When the Husqvarna en-
gine gets into the upper midrange
and top-end, the power feels on
par with the KTM. Some testers,
though, felt the Husqvarna pulls
slightly harder right at the top of
the rpms. On the dyno the two
engines put out nearly the same
numbers, the Husqvarna just
revs a little slower and isn't quite
as snappy as the KTM. On the
track the Husky's power delivery
comes on slightly softer (because
of the more restrictive muffler
and airbox) but progressively gets
stronger as it goes. The Husky
has one of the most powerful
engines in the class; it's just not
as exciting as the others. Some
testers said that the Husky lacked
hit, but then went on to say they
went just as fast on the Husky
but with less fatigue. The ultra-
smooth delivery is also welcomed
when the track gets more slip-
pery. Traction control? Yes, it
works! Like you probably, we had
our doubts when we first heard
about TC on a dirt bike, and then
we tried it. We're believers now.
A favorite setting amongst test
riders was map "2" with traction
control turned on. Overall the
Husky has a great engine and its
plenty fast.
The switch from the WP 4CS
fork to the WP AER48 air fork is
what helped propel the Husqvar-
na into the second position right
behind the winning KTM. The FC
450 is a great handling machine;
it turns quickly and with razor-
sharp precision, all while staying
very stable at speed. Usually
when a bike corners as well as
the FC 450, it acts nervous when
going fast, especially when enter-
ing corners. The Husky doesn't
show any signs of twitchiness.
The chassis, combined with the
suspension and smooth engine
character, creates a bike that is
easy to ride in all situations. The
fact that it is the second-lightest
bike in the shootout, even with
electric start, helps with the light
and nimble feel.
It would have been easy to
claim the Husky and the KTM
tied for the second spot but there
are a couple differences that
translate into a slightly different
feel out on the track. If you want
the Husky's engine to perform
like the KTM 450 SX-F, install
the less restricted KTM muffler
and open up the Husky air box a
little. Also, the bodywork is a little
different and the Husky seat is a
bit higher than the KTM's, putting
the rider in a slightly different po-
sition when seated. Testers were
mixed when it came to which bike
they liked more, the Husky or the
KTM, but in the end, more riders
chose the KTM to slightly edge
out the Husqvarna. The hard real-
ity is that the Husqvarna and KTM
are only separated by a muffler,
airbox airflow and bodywork.
The only real thing
standing between
the Husky and the
winning KTM is their
exhaust systems.
The Husky's is more
restrictive.
