2010 Husaberg FX 450 Summary of Test Rides

Posted Tue, 02/16/2010 - 22:09 by vsliker

Dirt Rider's Jimmy Lewis posted the results of his 2010 Husaberg FX 450 First Test just a few days ago (linked below).   I've been eagerly awaiting this report and like to think I might have been one of the first to read; however, I haven't had time to talk about it until now.  I've been drooling over the FX 450 since July '09 (here.) when everybody was reviewing the '09 FE 450e and dreaming about the FX 450.    Around here, Embro likes his 570, but in his review, Lewis claims the 450 is fine for GNCC and Hare Scrambles, thus it would suit me fine -- if I was to get off the computer and actually on a bike anytime soon (my last ride: 1999) (I know. I need a little less talk and a lot more action)  Chilly White reviewed the FX 450 back in October '09 with a delicious little review for Motorcycle USA (linked below).   I'm going to try to summarize these reviews for you and give you a general sense of the new FX 450. 

The guys at Dirt Rider took her out to Perris Raceway and Glen Helen  and I think Chilly White went out to Glen Helen also.   

Components that make it more of a racer:

  • 19" rear wheel  -  more susceptible to flats, but makes the bike feel lighter and has a wider range of tire selection
  • a closer ratio six-speed gear box
  • no lights
  • more aggressive suspension settings including a closed-cartridge WP front fork
  • closed-course EFI settings

FX 450 Pros:

  • Slim, easy to move around on  - feels lighter and more responsive - easy to ride in tight, technical conditions, easy to "flick around in the air" - makes other off-road bikes feel portly and sluggish
  • Flawless FI system/great throttle response - responds instantly, whatever gear, whatever temp, whatever altitude, no matter the RPM
  • Quality parts - KTM brakes are some of the best, air filter access is tool-less and stays clean in hiding, ignition puts out tons of power and Husaberg's electric-only starting never lets you down
  • Shock works really well, tracks straight, rides smooth, resists bottoming
  • Kickstand is unobtrusive and hugely functional

FX 450 Cons:

  • Soft compression characteristics most noticeable on the faces of jumps where it'd get close to bottoming and lose speed
  • Smallish fuel tank - don't plan on much over 55 miles
  • WP closed chamber fork - a little bit of fork drive under braking - just stay on top of servicing and it'll be OK
  • Heavy to push around and lift on the stand

2010 FX 450 Specs:

MSRP:  $9499.
Engine:  Single cylinder, 4-stroke
Displacement:  449.3 cc
Compression Ratio:  11.8 : 1
Transmission:  6 gears
Dry Weight:  248 lb
Actual Weight (ready to ride, no fuel) 266 lb
Seat Height:  37.3 in
Seat-to-Footpeg Distance:  20.8 in
Footpeg Height:  16 in.
Sound Test:  95.8 db

 

Quotes from some of the test riders:

Chilly White:  "This bike  has quality written all over it........ The 2009 FE 450 felt like it was cornering on the front tire with the rest of the bike trailing after it.  The new bike feels slightly less planted in the corner, but will now steer a little with the rear wheel."

Jimmy Lewis:  "It is very nearly a blue KTM XC, the same, just a lot different at the same time..... It is a proper mix of motocross efficiency and trail-able comforts rolled into a package built to suit many tastes and riders.  The motor is basically the enduro-spec with a non-spark arrested muffler, though it is still quite quiet, and an EFI tweak.  Our test bike had the multiple-map ignition switch which easily allows going from a very mild to a slightly aggressive engine setting and you could likely do a lot more with the FI tuning software.  When you ask the Husaberg guys, they are clear that this bike is not a motocross machine, yet they point out that it easily performs for what they consider a "hobby" MX rider."

Jesse Ziegler (5'10", 175 lbs, Vet Intermediate) - "The closed-course EFI setting has opened up the power just enough to add some excitement but it doesn't ruin the easy-to-use attitude of the torquey thumper.  The closed-cartridge fork is probably my favorite improvement in that it lets me get more aggressive on the bike.  I don't want 260 pounds of angry bike blowing through the stroke and bottoming my fork.  With the FX setup, this rarely ever happens."

Brad Olsen (6'1", 160 lbs, Intermed. MX, Novice Off-Road) - "The FX, although heavy to push around and lift on the stand, was easy to flick around in the air, and the weight really helped to power through gnarly braking bumps.  The FX won't over-rev, so you're shifting quite a bit, but the bottom power is as good or even better than the other 450 motocrossers.  The suspension was a little soft, but the handling and steering of the bike was unbelievable.  Wherever you point the bike, it goes there.  The FX makes getting and staying in ruts so effortless.  With a little work int he motor to get it to rev out longer, and a stiffer suspension set-up, the FX would be competitive against the other top motocross bikes."
 

Click here for Dirt Rider's test ride by Jimmy Lewis.  Click here for Chilly White's review.  Both are excellent reads.