On Test: Husqvarna 2017 Motocross Range

By TMX Archives on 15th Jun 16

Motocross Bike Reviews Husqvarna TC125 FC250 FC350 FC450 TC250

For the launch of the 2017 Husqvarna motocross range we headed over to

Apex to give a line-up of shiny brand-new Huskys a good old fashioned TMX test...

For 2016, Husqvarna went all out in completely redesigning (almost) its entire range from the ground up the exception being the 250 two-stroke.

So it was almost expected that the 2017 range wouldnt feature too many drastic changes from the massively overhauled 2016 models.

That being said, the 2017 machines do feature several new and notable features and changes really worth talking about.

Lets start with the obvious quite clearly the overall look of the bodywork on the 2017 line-up has been designed to invoke the rich and deep heritage of the Husqvarna brand, while also keeping a sleek and modern feel.

The bikes did look rather striking with the morning sun glinting off the white plastics.

However I can imagine that this gleaming look could be pretty hard to keep up after a while, as we know white is notoriously difficult to keep looking fresh. The ergonomics of the bodywork have been designed to specifically allow for greater control and comfort, with a low-profile, high-grip seat included to enhance the feeling of control and comfort in all conditions.

Another minor change for 2017 is the tyre choice.

The new bikes come with Dunlop MX3S tyres fitted as standard, to enhance handling and give more feel while cornering.

Once again the overall weight of the bikes has been reduced across the board, making light bikes even lighter and even easier to throw around.

The first major change for 2017 is the decision to make use of air forks across the board. For the latest range Husqvarna switched out the old 4CS conventional fork set-up for the new, modern WP AER 48 air-fork system.

For a lot of people (including myself) the suspension set-up was the only thing that let down the 2016 machines it was difficult to really gel with the old 4CS set up.

However Husqvarna have now joined the modern age with the WP AER 48 forks.

These units, in theory, provide far more consistent and progressive damping while also being lighter and super easy to adjust with a simple clicker set-up and a supplied air pump.

But how does it perform on track?

Well, we will get to that shortly

Another big change for the latest offerings is the newly redesigned Map/ Launch Control Switch on all of the four-stroke models.

This new handlebar switch has swapped from its old home on the right side to its new position on the left between the kill switch and the grip.

This simple and easy-to-use new set-up features a light-up display and switches for map settings 1 and 2, launch control and, most notably, traction control.

Yep, you read that correctly, traction control on a motocross bike!

Possibly the most notable new feature on all of the Husqvarna four-stroke machines is this traction control system (pictured above).

The new handlebar map switch also features a button to operate the traction control feature.

The system works by analysing the throttle input from the rider and the rate that the RPMs from the engine increase.

If RPMs increase too quickly the EMS will register a loss of grip and reduce the amount of power to the rear wheel, in theory providing the rider with more traction.

A truly clever little system and innovative in the world of dirt bikes. However its yet to be seen how much this new feature helps on track and under race conditions. So lets find out.

TC125

As always the TC 125cc Two-stroke is an incredibly enjoyable bike to ride. Theres no doubt that youll be beaming ear to ear beneath your helmet while riding this thing.

The new TC125 features the least amount of changes but if it aint broke dont fix it, right!

The 125 is as nimble as ever its even lighter easy toman-handle and a breeze to throw around.

Performance-wise I feel as though the new machine (much like its predecessor) isnt quite as snappy off the bottom as its 2015 ancestor.

You have to really ride this bike hard to get the most out of it but once youve figured that out oh boy does it feel fast for a little 125- I mean she boasts 40 ponies for crying out loud!

The only thing that hurt the overall performance of the 2016 TC 125 was the suspension set up, which in turn affected handling of the bike negatively.

Swapping the conventional forks for WPs air fork system in 2017 has proven to be a smart decision.

Overall the suspension feels far plusher, which means that generally the handling of the bike is even better and you really feel in control on board this little ripper.

FC250

As far as 250cc four-strokes go, the FC250 is up there with the best of them.

Light, nimble and easy to ride, this machine has all the benefits of the little two-stroke motor while also boasting the smooth power delivery of its bigger brothers.

The most notable change for the 2017 Husqvarna four-strokes is the revised handlebar map switch.

I was thoroughly impressed with the new and improved version.

In previous years the map switch has been somewhat awkward to use and figure out.

It was rather difficult to decipher whether you were actually in setting one or setting two without the assistance of a magnifying glass and it was nigh on impossible to actually switch up the maps while on-track. However with the advent of the 2017 range all of those silly little problems have become a thing of the past.

The new map switch is ergonomically easier to use as well as becoming more aesthetically pleasing, despite being somewhat bulkier. The light-up display ensures that you can never mistake what setting you are in and the user friendly buttons allow you to switch between maps and turn traction control on and off so easily while on the go.

The map settings themselves are still rather remarkable. The difference you feel between the soft map and the advanced map is as noticeable as ever, with the advanced map feeling far more responsive and the bike revving out a lot more.

I feel that to make the most out of this setting you really have to be going fast. Because of that the more elite riders will favour the advanced setting whereas the average Joe will feel more comfortable and far smoother using the softer map.

The only annoying little thing I experienced because of the newly redesigned map placement was trying to hit the kill switch because the map switch sits between the kill switch and the grip its a bit too much of a stretch to reach your thumb over and hit the off button.

But thats why God gave us two hands I guess. Other than that I couldnt fault the FC250 and the new map switch set-up.

FC350

Once again Ive come down with a serious case of the Goldilocks syndrome.

I always seem to forget just how much I enjoy riding 350s, and the new FC350 is no exception to that rule. Shes every riders dream plenty of power, heavenly to handle and totally controllable. Lets be honest, an average rider like myself is never going to be able to truly make the most out of a 450cc machine.

But 350cc is more than enough and that extra 100cc is just there to catch us out when were off guard.

Thats why I personally prefer the FC350 over the FC450, but I totally understand that the faster riders and the pro guys want as much power as they can possibly have.

The utterly satisfying smooth power delivery of the FC350 is truly gorgeous and so confidence-inspiring.

The bike is so easy to ride both power and handling wise, which means its so easy to conserve energy Im not having to really rag the bike like the 125 or the 250F and Im not putting all my energy into taming the beast, which is likely to happen on board the 450.

Im simply riding and I feel like I could just do lap after lap after lap.

Much like the rest of the range the bike is light, nimble and handles great and the new air-forks are plush and give great feeling, although I did encounter a couple of heavy landings. Despite that, all of the above adds up to my favourite bike of the day.

The FC 50 is a great bike and the 2017 model has only been improved via the inclusion of the WP air-forks, the traction control system and the new map switch.

FC450

Its almost incredible just how light and unlike a 450 the Husqvarna FC450 feels.

Yet again the Husky technicians have managed to shed weight from their machines, making them some of the lightest bikes on the market.

And for me being predominantly a 125/250F rider this makes the big 450 that much more appealing.

Im by no means the biggest guy in the pits but even I feel as though I canman-handle the 450 well enough.

I feel as though Im actually in control of the 2017 FC450 rather than it being in control of me, which I have most definitely experienced in the past riding the big boys as a youngster.

The power delivery of the FC450 is satisfyingly smooth, yet the pure power at your fingertips is exciting.

This bike is fast, theres no doubt about it and handling wise the combo of the slim ergonomics and the new WP air-forks come together to create great feeling on the track. The most intriguing feature for me while riding the FC450 was definitely the new traction control capabilities. Obviously, with the sheer amount of power available to me, I thought that the traction control may well prove to be the most effective on board the big 450.

Located and operated via the new map switch on the handlebar, the traction control button lights up orange once engaged, so theres no missing it. On the day of the test the track at Apex featured tons of grip and plenty of berms for the rear wheel to chew in to.

That being the case we didnt have the optimal conditions to really give this feature a proper test.

However I did encounter one instance with the traction control engaged in which I really felt its effectiveness.

I blew out a berm at the bottom of a hill, I felt the rear end blow through the loose Apex woodchips and catch the slicker, harder going beneath.

On previous laps the rear end would have slipped out and I would have had to back off the throttle.

In this instance I felt the traction control kick in and I was able to keep on line and moving forward. It will be interesting to see how this feature really performs in slick and muddy conditions.

Its this sort of innovation that will soon take our sport to the next level.

TC250

In 2016 the TC250 two-stroke was left pretty much untouched while she watched on as her siblings received one hell of a face lift.

For 2017 however the big two-stroke has finally joined the party and undergone the same procedures that the rest of the range received last year.

We will be bringing you an extensive test and review exclusively on the all-new TC250 two-stroke very soon.

Specifications

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