MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2024-1/2 HUSQVARNA FC250 ROCKSTAR EDITION

THE GEAR: Jersey: Alpinestars Techstar, Pants: Alpinestars Techstar, Helmet: Alpinestars Supertech M10, Goggles: EKS Brand Lucid, Boots: Alpinestars Tech 10.

Q: FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2024-1/2 HUSQVARNA FC250 ROCKSTAR EDITION BETTER THAN THE STOCK 2024 FC250?

A: In a word, yes. In 34 words, yes, definitely. The 2024-1/2 FC250 Rockstar Edition is a preview of what’s to come on the 2025 FC250, and it features the new chassis and smarter ECU system, all of which improve the FC250.

Q: WHAT’S NEW ON THE 2024 HUSQVARNA FC250 ROCKSTAR EDITION CHASSIS?

A: Husqvarna and KTM introduced new frames on the 2022-1/2 Factory Editions that were heavier and stiffer than before. For 2024-1/2 and 2025, the frame has been made (slightly) lighter and much more forgiving and flexible. Starting with the most visible change, the forged shock tower has two large relief holes (one on either side) to improve chassis flex. Besides these two holes, the other frame changes are invisible to the naked eye, but they’re still felt on the track. The thick, forged-steel backbone plates that were welded to the top of the frame’s backbone and wrapped around the downtube were made thinner to allow for more flex. Plus, the two long, symmetrical frame tubes, which are visible from either side of the bike, were made with thinner-walled chromoly tubing for the 2024-1/2 and 2025 models. Like the shock tower, the previously solid head stays had cut-outs in them as well. 

The head stays have triangular recesses cut into them to feed more resilience into the chassis.

Down low, the swingarm has been shaved down just slightly at the front where the chain slider sits to lessen chain binding, and the linkage was made lighter and more flexible as well. The geometry and rising-rate ratio remain the same, but the link arms were made smaller and thinner, and the 17mm shock bolt that attached to the linkage’s bell crank was downsized to a 15mm bolt, while the bolt on the other end was changed from 17mm to 14mm. Smaller bolts and slimmer arms provide more feedback from the rear wheel to increase comfort. At the same time, thanks to the updates in the linkage, WP made the shock valving slightly stiffer to compensate and create their version of the best possible suspension setting for the public. 

The FC250 Rockstar Edition is almost identical to the 2025 FC250—only with a taller seat height.

Q: WHAT’S NEW ABOUT THE 2024 HUSQVARNA FC250 ROCKSTAR EDITION ECU?

A: The new KTM/Husqvarna/GasGas Factory Editions come with new Connectivity units that allow riders to connect their smartphones to their bikes to customize mapping and monitor lap times. KTM originally came out with a Bluetooth connectivity unit on the 2021-1/2 Factory Edition models, but it died of COVID and didn’t make it to the 2022 models. 

This new CUO  is mounted behind the front number plate. It turns the FC250 into a “smart bike.”

The new Connectivity app allows you to adjust throttle response and engine braking. It can customize the levels of traction control and launch control, and even adjust the sensitivity of Quickshift between gears. The new bikes also come with GPS, a G-force sensor, Wi-Fi transmitter and data collector that use LitPro software to track all the regular analytics that LitPro tracks, such as your lap times, segment times, G-forces, airtime, average speed, distance jumped and your theoretical best possible lap. 

What makes this system even better than a standard LitPro is the fact that it’s connected to your bike’s ECU (its brain), so in conjunction with the lap times, it also provides data on which rpm range you’re riding in, how many times you shift throughout the lap, your coolant temperature and more. 

This is the GPS unit that feeds information into the LitPro functions.

Connecting to the bike is simple, and customizing maps is easy as well. When uploading a map, the map you’ve created goes into the green map (Map 2), and the white map (Map 1) is a more mellow version of whatever you created. It’s a bummer you can’t customize both maps and upload them individually (like you can with Yamaha), but at least you still have two map options any time you’re on the track.  The titanium FMF 4.1 muffler adds power, improves sound and makes the bike look trick.

Q: WHAT DIFFERENTIATES THE HUSQVARNA FC250 ROCKSTAR EDITION FROM THE KTM AND GASGAS FACTORY EDITION 250Fs?

A: Sadly, the Factory Edition models do a disservice to the Pierer Mobility Group as a whole. All year long, the marketing teams for Husqvarna and GasGas work to create a unique brand image to separate themselves from the mother ship, KTM. Most people see the Husqvarna and GasGas as little more than different-colored KTM models, even though MXA tries to explain every detail possible to show how each model is different. Husqvarna and GasGas have found unique ways to platform-share KTM parts, like painting the chromoly frames different colors and using different clutches and ignition covers, electronics, suspension components and settings to differentiate the bikes. 

The FC250 still comes with WP XACT air forks, but they aren’t identical to the forks that come on the stock production FC250. Instead they are the forks from the 2024 KTM 250SXF.

Unfortunately, because the Factory Editions are only sold in limited quantities, they are practically the same bikes in different colors. They all share identical suspension settings (the Husky Rockstar Edition doesn’t get the shorter suspension). Their excuse for putting the KTM suspension on the Husqvarna and the KTM/Husky map switch on the GasGas is that their factory Rockstar Husqvarna race team uses the full-travel suspension, not the shortened stock stuff. The factory Troy Lee Designs’ GasGas team bikes use map switches and Brembo brakes—not Braktec—thus the Factory Edition gets Brembo, too.  

There are, however, a few parts that make the Husqvarna and KTM 250 four-stroke Factory Edition bikes different. 

(1) Muffler. The Husqvarna comes with an FMF Factory 4.1 RCT titanium muffler with a carbon end cap, while the KTM comes with an Akrapovic muffler. 

(2) Subframe. The Rockstar Edition uses the same closed-off Husqvarna airbox (KTM’s is open and breathable). 

(3) Handlebars. The Rockstar Edition comes with Husqvarna-bend Pro Taper handlebars. They are flatter, lower, wider and straighter than the non-branded Neken bars that come on KTMs. 

(4) Bodywork. The Husqvarna plastics are unique, and they come with Rockstar Husqvarna team graphics with black number plates and white fenders and shrouds. The frame is also painted white on the Rockstar Edition model. 

(5) Seat. The Husqvarna uses a Guts Racing seat cover. 

(6) Clutch cover. The clutch is completely stock, but it has the Husqvarna Factory Racing Rekluse clutch cover. The right-side shroud should be cut back to expose the shock clickers so that are easier to access. The Husqvarna design department has botched the right side panel several times without getting it right.

Q: HOW DOES THE 2024-1/2 HUSQVARNA FC250 ROCKSTAR EDITION HANDLE?

A: Because the 2024-1/2 Husqvarna FC250 Rockstar Edition has KTM suspension, it handles just like the KTM 250SXF Factory Edition. Thankfully, both bikes are much more compliant due to the frame and linkage updates. When these new-generation bikes first came out in 2023, we complained about the long, 10-hour break-in period and rigid feel of the FC450 and FC350 four-strokes especially, but the FC250 didn’t receive the same criticism. Yes, we complained about the stiff-feeling chassis, but we never struggled with the 250s as much as we did with the heavier and faster Austrian bikes. The FC250 is lighter, less aggressive, has reduced rotating mass inside the engine, and comes with softer suspension settings than the FC450. Naturally, it wouldn’t be as harsh.

Still, the 2023–’24 FC250 was too rigid, and the new Rockstar Edition frame was built to fix it. All of our test riders love the new frame, linkage, head stays and swingarm. Break-in time has been cut down by 90 percent. Before, it needed 10 hours; now, it needs about an hour, and it has improved comfort on the track. The 2024-1/2 FC250 Rockstar Edition has the same engine and horsepower as the 2024-1/2 KTM 250SXF Factory Edition.

Q: HOW DOES THE 2024 HUSQVARNA FC250 ROCKSTAR EDITION RUN ON THE TRACK?

A: It runs great. From the moment you hit the electric-start button and fire up the engine, the power is very connected and confidence-inspiring. It’s funny, because you don’t realize how strong the electric starter is on the Austrian bikes until you spend some time on the Yamaha four-strokes. The blue bike’s e-starter requires a slight amount of throttle to start on the first try, and the bike has to be in neutral. Not so with the Austrian bikes. 

On the track, the power is responsive without lag; however, it’s not abrupt. The FC250 engine is very linear, and it likes to be revved. It soars up to 14,000 rpm and does its best work in the high-rpm ranges. If you have a lot of 350 or 450 experience, you’ll need to retrain your brain when you jump on the FC250. The power and torque are there, but it requires some effort and skill to get to them. We like to put the vented airbox cover on because it improves throttle response. 

Thankfully, the mapping has received a “silent” upgrade on this new bike. We call it silent because the Austrians didn’t publicize any details about their new mapping for this Factory Edition, but traction control works better now. The 2023–’24 four-stroke 250 models came with traction control, but it acted like there was something wrong with the electronics when we used it. Last year’s FC250 traction control detuned the bike too much. Now, the Husqvarna Connect app allows you to adjust how strong or how light the traction control is, and it works and sounds better.

Q: IS THE 2024-1/2 ROCKSTAR EDITION FC250 WORTH THE MONEY?

A: The stock 2024 Husqvarna FC250 is already the most expensive bike in the class at $10,299. Compared to other brands’ suggested retail prices, it’s $100 more than the KTM, $900 more than the GasGas, $1400 more than the Yamaha, $1600 more than the Kawasaki, $2000 more than the Honda and $2200 more than the Suzuki.

Then, the price jumps to $11,449 for the FC250 Rockstar Edition. Why? Because it’s a limited-edition bike with serious upgrades. Most years Husqvarna doesn’t offer a Rockstar Edition FC250, only the FC450. This is only the second time they’ve brought in the special version of the FC250. The first was the 2022-1/2 Rockstar Edition FC250. Husqvarna wanted to bring in 400 units of the new-generation 250 so their factory team could race it during the 2022 AMA Supercross and motocross seasons. Now, they made significant upgrades again, and they want their factory team to be able to race with this updated frame months before it comes out as the production 2025 bike.

The second reason it’s worth the money because of all the aftermarket parts that come with it. The extra money gets you the white frame (the 2025 model won’t be white), an FMF muffler (worth $829), CNC-machined Powerparts split triple clamps (worth $550), the Powerparts factory wheelset (worth $1029.98), WP start device (worth $104.99) and more.

Q: WHAT DID WE HATE?

A: The hate list:

(1) Start/stop buttons. We still press the map switch button to turn the bike off. Thankfully, Nihilo Concepts makes a fix that moves the kill button back to its rightful place.

(2) Chain slack. On the 2024-1/2 Husky FC250 Rockstar Edition, you need 70mm of chain slack. It’s about four fingers under the chain at the back of the buffer pad. We hate how loose it’s supposed to be nowadays.

(3) Radiator cap. The plastic radiator cap is a pain to remove. Nihilo Concepts also has a fix for this. They make a removal tool that helps.

(4) Spokes. KTM’s (and Husqvarna’s spokes come loose all the time. If you can’t check all the spokes, be sure to check the spokes closest to the rear rim lock; if those spokes are loose, you need to tighten them all.

(5) Seat height. We wish the Rockstar Edition came with their proprietary shortened suspension and a 1-inch-lower seat height like the standard bike.

Q: WHAT DID WE LIKE?

A: The like list:

(1) Brakes. Brembo sets the standard. These brakes are best in class.

(2) Holeshot device. It’s nice that the bike comes “ready to race.”

(3) Shock collar. It’s more durable and easier to use than Showas and Kayabas.

(4) Vented airbox cover. You get two airbox covers when you buy a Husqvarna: a stock cover and an optional vented cover.

(5) Factory skid plate. The Husqvarna comes with threaded bolt holes under the frame to mount the skid plate.

(6) No-tools clickers. It’s nice to adjust everything (except the shock rebound clicker) by hand.

Q: WHAT DO WE REALLY THINK?

A: This bike has taken a big leap forward. Even though it didn’t need the new frame as badly as the FC350 and FC450, we’re still happy to have a more compliant and rider-friendly FC250. Our only complaint is that it doesn’t come with the lowered suspension concept that Husqvarna has been using on its stock bikes since 2021. Our test riders love the lower center of gravity it offers and appreciate the fact that it makes the Husky different from the KTM.