Ryan Nitzen | May 7, 2022
We get a leg up on the all-new FC 450 Rockstar Edition
Photography by Ryan Nitzen
Five years after clinching the 2018 AMA 450 Supercross title, the first-ever for the brand, Husqvarna continues to march forward with a new rendition of its FC 450 Rockstar Edition. In ’18, Jason Anderson took the Rockstar Edition to victory lane in the model’s first year of inception. The championship was big for the brand. It undeniably put Husky on the map as a serious player in the racing world. Since then, the bike has seen minor improvements, mainly in engine mapping and suspension updates, but for ’22, the bike enters an entirely new generation.
So, what’s new? Well, everything. The 2022 FC 450 Rockstar Edition sports a new frame, engine, and bodywork—that’s easy to see. The frame is a new design that cuts out the “backbone” from the shock mount to the head tube. Now, the shock has a new tower and is said to transfer loads down through the sides of the frame and into the footpegs rather than up the back of the frame and into the rider’s hands. The frame is also black rather than blue from the previous year.
Yes, $11,799 is a lot of money but look what you get! Beautiful.
The Rockstar Edition sports a new powerplant. The SOHC engine is shorter in length and height for a more compact center of gravity. It’s also been rotated backward two degrees, which dropped the countershaft sprocket three millimeters lower, improving anti-squat characteristics when under power. Some high-tech electronics are wired up inside the new motor, too. A quickshift sensor sits in the shift drum. It allows the rider to shift under full power without consequences to the engine internals. When triggered, the sensor cuts ignition for a millisecond lets the engine change gears, then reinstates the power. Trick stuff for sure, something we’ve already tested on the other Austrian “edition” bikes.
Since the KTM Group owns WP Suspension components, the new FC 450 is mounted up with WP sticks front and rear. The Xact fork is the same one we’ve seen in years past, with the usual configuration: air on one side and oil on the other. New bypasses and a hydrostop system inside the fork are designed to reduce pressure peaks under load. The shock is all new to match the new frame and is 15mm shorter while maintaining the 11.8-inch travel mark. It shaved off 100 grams in the process. The fork and shock also come standard with plastic dial adjusters rather than traditional “clicker” screws that require a screwdriver.
It’s hard to top the Husky’s incredible midrange power.
The bodywork and overall bling are the last of the significant refinements for the Husky 450. The black and white theme looks sharp, and the factory gold Rockstar graphics are hard to miss. There’s also a holeshot device, Pro Taper bars, ODI grips, Guts seat cover, black-on-black D.I.D wheels, and split triple clamps. The front-end cockpit is razor-thin and comfortable, with wider pegs and a more defined seat. Finally, the FC’s airbox is sealed off under the seat, one of the significant differences between it and its KTM relatives.
Our first ride on the new Rockstar Edition took place at the classic testing grounds of Glen Helen Raceway. The long start straight, the steep uphills, and nasty braking bumps are all ingredients that help shake a bike down quickly. The Husky held tough on our first day of riding.
The maps switch is very cool.
For starters, the motor is strong, noticeably stronger than the former generation. The FC still has a two-map switch that toggles between a “standard” map and a more aggressive one. In years past, these two were hard to tell apart. Now the two are distinctly different. Map one is more of the familiar Husky power—a long, usable powerband that is predictable and revs well into the five-digit range. Map two, on the other hand, is fast. Like, really fast. It comes on strong down low with a solid punch off the bottom and carries that aggression into the midrange. It doesn’t have the same rev character up top, but, man, does that midrange work well. This setting feels very racey and seems to be something that came straight out of the Husqvarna race shop. Map two will certainly be the preferred map for faster, more experienced riders. In contrast, map one will provide a smoother delivery for other ability levels.
Vents to the airbox are sealed off on the Husqvarna.
The Rockstar Editions come with a vented side plate and a solid one. Along with the airbox being closed off, we expected the FC 450 to feel more restricted than the KTM 450 SX-F. The same motor powers both bikes, but the KTM features fully vented “grab holes” under the seat. We have not ridden these bikes back-to-back and only felt a minor difference in throttle response, the Husky being a bit smoother. In contrast, the KTM had just a bit more hit on delivery. Husqvarna says the closed-off airbox on the FC 450 makes no difference on the dyno.
Suspension is another key talking point on the new Husqvarna. Yes, the forks are very similar to the ones used in the past few years, but they keep getting better. Since the WP team has spent more time with this rendition of the Xact system, their new settings are the best we’ve felt to date. Gone is the vague or dead feeling we used to get with the air fork. Now the movement of the fork feels plush in small bumps and while leaning the bike into a turn. With that, the control of the front wheel feels much more precise. I felt the ability to actually steer with the front wheel and pinpoint precisely where I wanted it to go. Ultimately this drives rider comfort and confidence when piloting the FC 450. I will never be a fan of checking the air pressure in the fork, but the weight savings from a spring-less design are hard to argue.
The SOHC engine is shorter in length and height for a more compact center of gravity.
The shock provided a smooth ride all day. It worked well to offer a balanced feel when paired with the new chassis. No pitching or diving to write home about here. Think of it as a “no news is good news” situation. We liked the dial adjusters on the shock for their ease of use and ingenuity. We went out one-quarter turn on high-speed compression to smooth out the hit on hard landings as far as changes go.
On to the electronics. The new map switch is futuristic looking and could’ve come off a Tesla. We like it for its slim design and how it reduces overall clutter on the bars. This chic control panel has two maps, traction control and the quickshift. Traction control is a cool option, but the odds of you using it are slim. We threw it on late in the day as the track conditions got harder and slicker. In that instance, it’s useful. As for the quickshift, I’m still split. It would be a game-changer on a long start, but it might not be as useful for normal shift points around the track. I left it on and used it to help carry speed in the faster sections of the track but resorted to normal “let off” shifting in the other areas.
Grab a handful and the Husky responds.
Most of these changes and opinions feel like deja vu if you’ve read our previous tests on the KTM Factory Edition. That’s because they are virtually the same bike. In the past, there were some key differences like the subframe, quality of components, etc. Now the only real differences are just in the cosmetic department. Bars, grips, graphics, plastic design, and a sealed airbox set the FC 450 apart from the KTM 450 SX-F.
As with Factory Editions of the past, the 2022 FC 450 Rockstar Edition is a likely preview of the 2023 production model. At $11,799, it is only $100 more than the KTM and serves as the most premium offering in the KTM, Husqvarna and GasGas debate. When it comes down to it, though, we’re a bit confused as to why you’d buy one over the other. Previously, the Husqvarna came standard with more desirable specs—Magura components versus the KTM’s Brembo, a carbon fiber subframe versus an aluminum one. Both bikes are virtually identical, save for Rockstar versus Red Bull, and white plastics instead of orange. Both bikes are still serious players, but at the dealership, it will come down to your favorite energy drink brand or what color fender you prefer. CN
2022 Husqvarna FC 450 Rockstar Edition Specifications
| MSRP: |
$11,799 |
| Engine Type: |
4-stroke, single |
| Displacement: |
449.9cc |
| Bore x Stroke: |
95 x 63.4mm |
| Compression Ratio: |
13.:1 |
| Valvetrain: |
SOHC, 4-valve |
| Cooling System: |
Water-cooled, |
| Starting System: |
Electric |
| Fueling: |
Keihin EMS |
| Transmission: |
5-speed, w/ quick shift |
| Clutch: |
Brembo, hydraulic |
| Frame: |
Steel central-tube frame |
| Subframe: |
Plastic frame, aluminum mounting |
| Handlebar: |
ProTaper |
| Front Suspension: |
48mm WP Xact |
| Rear Suspension: |
WP Xact, single shock, linkage, fully adjustable |
| Front-Wheel Travel: |
12.2 in. |
| Rear-Wheel Travel: |
11.8 in. |
| Front Wheel: |
21 in. |
| Rear Wheel: |
19 in. |
| Tires: |
Dunlop Geomax Mx33 |
| Front Brake: |
Single 260mm disc, Brembo |
| Rear Brake: |
Single, 220mm disc, Brembo |
| Triple Clamp: |
Split-design, anodized black |
| Seat Height: |
37.5 in. |
| Ground Clearance: |
13.4 in. |
| Fuel Capacity: |
1.9 gal. |
| Weight (dry, claimed): |
228.6 lbs. |
