2018 Husqvarna FC 450 Rockstar Edition First Test

Cycle News Staff | December 22, 2017

2018 Husqvarna FC 450 Rockstar Edition First Test – Like KTM’s Factory Edition special models, Husqvarna now has a special edition of its own, called: Rockstar Edition. Husqvarna has taken its 2018 standard FC 450 model and updated it so its factory race team riders can have the very latest in motocross technology that Husqvarna could give them for the 2018-racing season. And Husky homologated just enough them so that you can race one too—if you don’t mind paying a few dollars more than you would the standard and act quickly enough to get one. But if you can wait, odds are that this year’s Rockstar Edition model will be next year’s (2019) standard model. (Husky hasn’t announced an MSRP for the Rockstar Edition yet, but the standard FC 450 sells for $9699.) Availability is expected February 2018.

2018 Husqvarna FC 450 Rockstar Edition First Test

Husqvarna basically took the standard 2018 FC 450 and tweaked on it with the goal of making it feel lighter, peppier and more comfortable to ride. The standard 450 is already a fantastic motorcycle; in fact, it finished third in our six-bike 2018 450 MX Shootout, eeked out for second place by its near-twin KTM 450 SX-F. So, Husky had a great starting point for its Rockstar Edition (RE).

Husqvarna gave us the keys to the RE for the day and we made the best of it by hardly turning it off before it was time to load up and head home. So, what did we notice first? Without question, weight.

The Rockstar Edition does indeed feel lighter on the track than the standard FC 450. But the funny thing is, one the scale, the RE weighs the same as the standard! The meat of the RE actually did lose some weight thanks to a new 0.5-pound lighter two-piece subframe and a redesigned and more compact SOHC cylinder head (the cam is positioned 15mm lower), but it gained all of it back with the edition of things like a carbon fiber skid plate and a front disc brake guard, and a mechanical holeshot device that the standard model does not have. But thanks to a redesigned frame that is narrower in the midsection and has been modified to reduce side-to-side flexing while allowing a bit more front-to-back flexing, the RE definitely feels more agile and “whip-able” on the track. All of the changes also makes the bike easier to get in and out of the turns. The redesigned cylinder head deserves a lot of credit for this as well, because it is, as mentioned, more compact and sits lower in the frame, as do the radiators, for improved mass centralization—which is biggie when it comes to handling.

2018 Husqvarna FC 450 Rockstar Edition First Test

The first thing our tester said as soon as he got off the bike for the first time was: “Man, this thing feels light!” Adding that the bike indeed felt narrower between his legs, especially from the midsection on forward. Husky certainly fulfilled on its promise on delivering a lighter feeling motorcycle.

Beside the cylinder head, the rest of the engine is exactly the same as the standard FC 450 engine, except for the exhaust system that has a new flow-designed resonance chamber and a shorter and more compact silencer. We found the engine performance to be similar to the performance of the standard FC engine but with noticeably quicker and snappier throttle response. The RE doesn’t really feel more powerful overall than the standard FC, but it sure does rev quicker, which our test rider definitely approved of. Things liven up even a little more in the second (of two) mapping adjustments, via the handlebar map switch.

Another noticeable difference between the RE and the standard FC is the handlebar. The aluminum Pro-Taper handlebar has a different bend (Pro-Taper’s Ricky Carmichael bend), and it’s a tad lower, too. Our tester like the bars overall but said it was a little on the narrow side for his tastes. There are also three handlebar-mounting positions than you can play around with, too.

2018 Husqvarna FC 450 Rockstar Edition First Test

Suspension is pretty much the same as the standard’s suspension but has updated settings. We found the suspension to be a little on the soft side but nothing a few clicks on the clickers couldn’t fix.

Other non-performance updates include a new-generation Li-ion 2.0 Ah battery, external fuel line that has been moved inward for added protection, a billet Rekluse clutch cover and updated bodywork with Jason Anderson Rockstar Team-replica graphics.

Other things that we liked that are carried over from the standard is the RE’s traction control system (it’s not just a gimmick), electric starting, hydraulic clutch, strong brakes and Odi grips.

So far, we are very impressed with the new Husqvarna FC 450 Rockstar Edition. We can’t get over how light and agile this bike feels while still having all of the bells and whistles, like electric starting and a skid plate. Had this bike come out a few months earlier, we just might’ve had a different 450 shootout winner. CN