2016 Husqvarna FC 350 First Riding Impression

If there is a bike in the 2016 Husqvarna lineup that was very impressive, the FC 350 was easily that bike. During press model launches trying to get time on a number of very similar bikes, often there is a bike like this, one that felt just right. A lot of factors could play into the FC 350 being the right bike for the track and conditions, but I’m pretty sure it is deeper than that.

Being all-new from the tires up, the FC 350 seems designed to have the engine and chassis work as one. On all of the bikes I rode that day, previous and after, I found it necessary to play around with suspension clickers to be really happy. And even though the 350 had been set with the stiffer compression and rebound damping (like all the other bikes as well) on the WP 4 CS fork it didn’t even hint at needing a change. And a lot of that feeling comes from the way the power was delivered.

The magical size of the 350cc engine is in that it has a lighter feel of the 250F with abundant torque more like the 450F. For some reason the Husky felt lighter through the engine character than the other 350 that it is very similar too, less flywheel effect but at the same time more abundant and quicker pick-up when you get on the gas. Then it was very smooth and progressive building power for what seems like forever. The top end power is not that far off what 450s put out if you are willing to let the bike rev. And it revs freely and does not run into the rev limiter very easily.

For the technical Budd’s Creek and it’s off-camber sections that require traction and tractability the 350 was perfect and didn’t need much shifting, even though smooth shifting and clutch action are a high point on this bike. The compression braking was just right at helping the bike set up for turns but not so much that it upset the ride. You could really ride the whole track in third gear and hardly use the clutch. The bike has an aggressive position on the switch which does just that–adds aggression– and was noticeable and worked well of there was traction. The Launch Control for the starting is very different from other systems and you would have to practice on how to use it, it has a procedure beyond just flipping the switch and taking off.

The ride was as balanced as any bike I’ve ridden lately and at the same time the front end was plush enough that I didn’t feel the need to alter the fork setting. And this was surprising since every other bike was different. The bottoming control was great and the bike rebounded well from hard landings. Top it off with the light feel of the bike backed up with what feels like bonus power for the weight and we are talking about a perfect blend of power and agility. You could be a little lazy on jump approaches and still use throttle to clear things or rev the bike like a 250F and haul ass without the bike fighting back and tiring the rider. When slowing the brakes were insanely good, powerful and with excellent control.

Why was the FC 350 so good? I really think that when designing the new chassis, which I’ve been told could have been different for every bike if it needed to be, the 350cc size may have been the one used most in development. And somehow there was just harmony in the Husqvarna chassis, maybe having something to do with the air box and how it alters the character of the bike ever so slightly. All for the better. This FC 350 is an excellent motocrosser for those wanting 450 power in a much lighter feeling and acting chassis.