We test the 2021 Husqvarna FC 450!

In spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, new dirt bikes continue to roll off the production line on schedule and that's a good thing because off-road vehicle sales are off the charts this year! Anxious to get outside and be active, consumers are buying up recreational vehicles at a record rate since the quarantine started. Last week we took delivery of our first 2021 motorcycle and this week that trend continued with a pair of 2021 Husqvarnas! We'll start with the FC 450 as it is the most popular bike in Husky's motocross lineup.
We met Husqvarna's Andy Jefferson and Anthony daGraca at Glen Helen Raceway this morning to put the new FC 450 through its paces for the first time. SML test riders Rene Garcia and Connor Ericsson. Because the engine is unchanged for 2021 we had a good idea of what to expect from the FC powerplant, and we were not disappointed. The FC 450 produces a ton of broad, usable power in map 1 that is most effective when ridden in the meat of the powerband at lower rpm. Overrevving the FC produces violent results that will wear you out in a hurry, so it’s best to keep shifting and chugging along. The map 2 setting produces a more exciting powerband that makes things happen in a hurry, and both Rene and Conner preferred it over the smoother map 1 option. Map 2 has a freer-revving feeling than map 1 and pulls further up top. As for the traction control, we’ve always had testers who love it and testers who hate it…it’s there is that’s your cup of tea.
The big news for 2021 is the new WP suspension that has been lowered for better handling and cornering characteristics, thanks to the lower center of gravity it yields. In addition to being updated internally to produce the 10mm shorter results, both ends have been firmed up in comparison to last year's "comfort" settings. Suspension action is much improved over 2020, and both testers agreed that the bike has gotten away from the wallowy feel it had last year. Instead, the bike has a well-balanced feel that is much calmer and controlled. Small bump compliance remains acceptable in spite of the firmer settings, but the fork has much more mid-stroke control before reaching the excellent end-of-stroke bottoming resistance.
The FC 450 corners as amazingly well as it always has, as it enjoys a well-balanced weight distribution that allows it to claw for traction with both wheels. While the Husky does have a big feel at times thanks to its power characteristic, it never feels large when tipping into corners as it leans over with ease and changes directions as directed by the rider. Does the new lower suspension allow the bike to corner better than it did last year? We want to say yes, but since we tested the FC 350 concurrently it was hard to draw a definitive conclusion because the engine character of the smaller, freer-revving 350cc engine allows the bike to corner better than any full-sized 450. Was there a drawback to the 10mm less travel or 10mm less ground clearance? Absolutely not. Neither of our testers noticed a greater tendency to bottom out or drag the engine cradles in the dirt. We will report back on the handling of this machine once we have more time on it. Stay tuned!