Husqvarna introduced its 2016 MX line at Budds Creek.
Not only did Husqvarna reveal its 2016 line of two-stroke and four-stroke motocross models, but, just a few hours later, they also gave us a brief chance to sample all five of its brand-new big-bike models–TC 125 and TC 250 two-strokes, and FC 250, FC 350 and FC 450 four-strokes–at Maryland’s Budd Creek Raceway.
The 2016 FC 450 is much improved over the previous model.
After riding all five of the new Husqvarnas, there was without question a reoccurring theme—they all felt just like the KTM versions (450 SX-F, 350 SX-F, 250 SX-F, 250 SX and 125 SX) that they are all based on. More so than last year.
Starting with the big bike, the 2016 FC 450 is a fantastic machine. But we knew it would be, since we’ve already ridden the 2016 KTM 450 SX-F. Husky claims the FC 450, however, puts out more power than the KTM, which most likely has everything to do with its different airbox, but it doesn’t really feel more powerful on the track, but it would be hard tell without riding them back to back. Don’t get us wrong, though, the bike is still ridiculously fast and, like the KTM, is super easy to manage for such a powerful machine. The motor is simply fantastic.
The Husky also feels incredibly agile-again-for a bike bike. It’s about 10 pounds lighter than the old Husky, making it one of the lightest production 450s in its class (along with the KTM 450 SX-F, of course). Claimed dry weight is 225.7 pounds; our 2015 Husky FC 450 weighed 254 pounds full of fuel.
Suspension is plush yet the WP shock and 4CS fork are still very capable of soaking up the big hits. The bike also handles extremely well, and turns with great ease. It certainly rivals the Suzuki RM-Z450 in the turning department.
Brakes are fantastic, clutch works well and has a light pull, and its gripper seat keeps you planted.
Overall, we felt the FC 450, even with its different bodywork, felt more like a KTM than last year’s Husky did. For whatever reason, the 2015 FC 450 had its own, slightly distinctive feel, but not anymore. It feels like a KTM. But, hey, if you’re going to imitate someone or some thing, it might as well be one of the best.
The FC 350 is fast, torque and fun to ride.
The FC 350 is probably the most fun to ride of Husky’s three FC four-strokes. Like the KTM, the 350 feels more like a 250 with more grunt that it does a 450 with less grunt. Compared to the 450, the 350 feels far less intimidating and easier to ride overall. It has noticeably more torque and bottom-end excitement than the 250 and, if you can keep it pinned, it’s still very competitive against 450s, which it will be normally racing against.
The new FC 250 is lighter and faster than the ’15.
The 250, on the other hand, likes to be ridden in the upper rpm range, but it still has decent torque and pulls quite well off the bottom for a 250F. It has a well-rounded powerpand that is rather easy to manipulate, much more so than the previous FC 250 and earlier KTMs. Again, both the FC 250 and 350 feel nearly identical to their KTM counterparts. Both bikes are fast.
Both the 250 and 350 feel nearly identical to each other in the handling and suspension department. On paper, the 350 weighs about two pounds more than the 250, but on the track, they feel the same. Both bikes are agile, light and very maneuverable, while still remaining very stable at speed on rough ground.
Husky will sell a bunch of these bikes.
If you like riding 125, then you’ll love the new Husky TC 125. This bike is fast.
The two-stroke TC 250 returns without getting a major overhaul but it’s still a great bike.
The TC 125 is tons of fun. If you like holding the throttle wide open and throwing big whips, then this bike is for you. This is also a great bike for those transitioning from 85s to the big bikes, as it fills the wide gap between 85cc two-strokes and 250cc four-strokes.
The Husky is extremely fast and now joins the KTM as the fastest 125cc production motocrosser on the track. It really moves, as long as you ride it aggressively, which is pretty much the case with all 125cc MXers. It has decent bottom-end, but that’s not where this bike likes to be ridden—it wants to be revved to the moon. But the Husky still has a fairly wide powerband for such a highly strung motorcycle, making it relatively easy to ride.
Like all of the other Huskys, the TC 125 is extremely, and we mean extremely, agile. You can throw it around all day long and pound the berms with confidence. But it’s all about momentum, that’s the key with this motorcycle.
Suspension is excellent right out of the crate. We felt no need to make immediate changes.
We look forward spending more time on this bike, as well as the other five.
