Words: Ryan Marmont

There’s been a lot of anticipation surrounding the 2016 Husqvarna FC 250, the brand’s next generation MX2 entry that we were able to sample at Budds Creek’s international press introduction this month.

The latest FC 250 is a bike that I had been hanging out to ride for some time now, so what better place to put this bike to the test than the famous American circuit and its demanding off-camber turns, big jumps and some of the steepest hills you will find on a motocross track.

In 2016 we see some major updates on the FC 250, including an all-new redesign in appearance, improvement in handling and added power to the engine. In simple terms, it truly is a brand new bike from the ground up.

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The ergonomics of the 2016 Husqvarna FC 250 have been completely revised and one of the first things I noticed when sitting on it is how much of a different feel it has from the previous model. It’s got a slick, streamline feeling about the bike and finally a seat cover that can now be called a gripper.

There’s now Pro Taper handlebars and rubber mounts included, which I found great on the track, putting me in the right position on the bike through the turns and elsewhere. ODI grips are now standard throughout the range and they have a great feeling about them – not too thick – and the best part about this product is that they are easy to replace when worn.

A Magura hydraulic clutch system replaces the previous Brembo unit and it has a great feeling on the track. When exiting turns you get a good feeling for where the clutch engages and it’s very predictable. What else you might notice is the GSK brake discs, however they aren’t noticeably much different to ride with.

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The airbox has been completely redesigned and features a new inlet duct, ensuring maximum airflow and maximum filter protection. The air-filter is easily accessed without tools by removing the left side panel. Easy maintenance is guaranteed by the new Twin Air filter and a new filter cage design that features a simplified mounting system for a more accurate installation.

In terms of handling, the chassis of the FC 250 has had some significant revisions. Husqvarna has improved the package by shaving weight from almost everywhere they could – the chassis alone has a weight saving of 3.5kg (4.0kg lighter in total). That type of reduction has a major impact on how the bike reacts, feeling settled over the bumps and easy to throw around in the corners.

For next year we still see the WP 4CS forks, but now with a new mid-valve piston and revised setting, and these forks feel like they have now got rid of that harsh feeling in the mid part of the stroke with a more smooth, consistent feeling coming into turns.

The 2016 Husqvarna FC 250 is now a lot more balanced thanks to a newly-designed carbon fibre plastic composite sub-frame that is now more compact, as well as a new WP shock that’s 12mm shorter in length.

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The rear linkage has been completely redesigned to match the new rear shock, with 148.2mm pull rods replacing the previous linkage’s 145mm, and with this combination Husqvarna has been able to reduce the spring rate and lighten the valving, providing a more stable feeling at speed.

Engine-wise, the new FC 250 is an absolute powerhouse. With the Budds Creek track proving a perfect testing ground, there was nothing the 2016 model couldn’t handle. With a huge improvement in bottom-end acceleration and torque, the FC 250 gets out of the corners with ease, then comes into its own in the mid- to top-end range.

When shifting through the gears it feels like the motor is still pulling when the rev limiter kicks in, so if I was to make a change to make the most of the motor I would add a tooth to the rear sprocket and keep the engine pulling a bit longer.

Source: Supplied.

One of the new features on the FC 250 is the launch control system. With the engine at idle, launch control is engaged by switching once between the selected map and the alternative map, and then back again. When the fuel injection LED flashes, launch control is engaged.

This function limits the amount of power to the rear wheel for approximately two seconds, improving traction and preventing loss of control under hard acceleration. The feeling of the launch control is totally different and takes a few goes to get it right, but once you get the hang of it you will be very surprised in just how great this feature works.

In summary, the 2016 Husqvarna FC 250 is a fantastic package that is now light, fast and with a fresh new look to match. It ticks all the boxes when looking for that new bike and I’m definitely a fan of what the engineers have achieved for the new season.

For further information visit www.husqvarnamotorcycles.com.au or complete technical info can be found here. Further individual tests of the 2016 Husqvarna motocross range will be posted next week.