MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2024 HUSQVARNA FC250

THE GEAR: Jersey: Thor Mx Prime, Pants: Thor Mx Prime, Helmet: Thor Mx Reflex, Goggles: Scott Fury, Boots: Alpinestars Tech 10.

Q: FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2024 HUSQVARNA FC250 BETTER THAN THE 2023 FC250?

A: For 2024, Husqvarna made minor changes to the WP suspension and updated the graphics slightly. Otherwise, it’s the same bike as last year. 

Q: WHAT’S NEW ON THE 2024 WP XACT SUSPENSION?

A: The 2023 FC250 was all new, and the WP suspension was updated for 2024 to increase comfort and stability. WP created smaller incremental adjustments per click. Inside the forks, the compression shim stack got some minor changes to make the mid-valve damping feel more fluid and comfortable. They did not touch the rebound side of the fork’s damping. 

The shock got new high-speed compression damping settings with smaller gaps per adjustment. The 2023 WP shock had 15 high-speed compression shims, while the 2024 shock has 23 shims. The increase in the shim stack made each adjustment smaller and offered the rider twice as many options.

Q: WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE KTM AND HUSQVARNA FOR 2024?

A: In years prior, the subframe design and materials differentiated the Husqvarna from the KTM. The KTM’s subframe was made of aluminum, while the Husqvarna’s subframe was composed of a carbon composite plastic. For 2024, KTM and Husqvarna share the same subframe (ironically made of a combination of aluminum struts and a carbon composite shell); however, there’s still one difference. The KTM airbox has large air vents on each side of the airbox, while the Husky air vents are molded shut. This has become the norm for Husqvarna. The Austrian engineers have closed off the Husqvarna airbox to give the white bike’s engine a different character profile from the identical KTM engine. 

With its closed-off airbox, the FC250 engine has a harder time sucking air into the combustion chamber, which detunes initial throttle response. On the dyno, the Husky runs just as well as the KTM, but on the track, the KTM has snappier throttle response.  

Of course, the changes don’t end there. The Husqvarna’s chassis is also 1 inch lower than the KTM’s thanks to the 10mm-shorter forks, longer shock linkage arms and a taller seal head on the WP shock. The bike comes with ProTaper-branded handlebars (rather than KTM’s Neken handlebars), and, of course, the Husqvarna has its own plastics and dark blue frame instead of black.The FC250 didn’t receive much in the update department, just refined suspension settings. 

Q: HOW DOES THE 2024 HUSQVARNA FC250 RUN ON THE DYNO?

A: The FC250 engine was all new in 2023 (just like the KTM), and it gained considerable midrange grunt. We put the FC250 up against the rest of the 250 pack in our “2024 Motocross Action 250 Shootout,” and it was the strongest in its class at 7000 and 8000 rpm on the dyno and the third most powerful at peak horsepower overall, behind the Kawasaki and KTM. To get the most power, the FC250 needs to be revved high into the rpm range. If you hold on long enough, the FC250 will hit 44.78 horsepower at 13,280 rpm. In the torque category, the FC250 is second to Kawasaki’s 21.06 pound-feet by a minuscule 0.3 pound-feet at 21.03. 

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

A: On the track, the FC250 engine is impressive. The Brembo hydraulics, Belleville washer clutch spring, and CNC-machined steel clutch basket (with the primary gear machined into the back of the basket) make for the strongest clutch in the class. Of course, the Husky is tied with KTM because they share the same setup. What about the GasGas clutch? It doesn’t use Husqvarna’s and KTM’s Brembo slave unit or master cylinder, instead being spec’ed with BrakTec hydraulic actuation. 

Compared to the 2022 and prior-model FC250, the 2024 engine is stronger in the low-to-mid range and is significantly faster than the 2024 CRF250 and YZ250F models from mid and up. The FC250 has a linear pull that is smooth and easy to use, making it feel slower than it really is. Of course, as we’ve mentioned, it runs like a KTM, but with less excitement at the crack of the throttle.

Q: HOW ARE THE FC250 ELECTRONICS?

A: We appreciate that the Husqvarna engineers increased the distinction between Map 1 and Map 2 for 2024. The FC250’s multi-switch also accesses Traction Control, Launch Control and Quick Shift. Most MXA test riders don’t engage traction control for two reasons: (1) Traction Control isn’t needed on a 250 four-stroke, as most riders can modulate the power with their throttle hand. (2) On the 2022 and earlier FC250s, Husqvarna’s Traction Control was a viable option for slippery conditions, but starting in 2023 the . Traction Control settings on both the 2023–2024 KTM and Husky 250 four-strokes were horrible. They went way too far in detuning the engine. We hope this is fixed on the 2025 models, starting with the 2024-1/2 FC250 Factory Edition. 

As for QuickShift, which cuts the ignition off for a split second to take the load off the gearbox when upshifting, it didn’t move the needle for most MXA test riders. QuickShift is at its best on long, fast starts where straight-line speed is accentuated by being able to shift quickly without touching the clutch; however, most MXA test riders didn’t like it on the rest of the track. They opted for standard shifting because they are more comfortable with it.

Q: HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR THE 2024 FC250 TO BREAK IN?

A: The new-generation KTM/Husqvarna/GasGas motorcycles (with the new frame, engine, subframe, swingarm and shock) take twice as long to break in as the 2022 models did. The initial rigidity isn’t as noticeable on the FC250 as it is on the FC350 and FC450 models, but it’s still there, especially for lightweight riders. This has been a major flaw of the Austrian brands since the new frame came out on the 2022-1/2 Factory Editions. Thankfully, the 2024-1/2 Factory Editions have totally updated chromoly frames with cutouts in the shock tower, smaller linkage bolts with revised linkage ratios, different tubing thicknesses, updated suspension settings and new cutout head stays, all to make the bike more compliant and flexible on the track. 

Q: HOW DOES THE 2024 FC250 HANDLE ON THE TRACK?

A: Ever since 2021, the Husqvarna FC250 has had shorter suspension than the KTM, bringing the seat height down about an inch. In 2021 and 2022, this bike won MXA’s 250 shootout. Universally, Novices, Intermediates and Vets preferred the lower center of gravity and enhanced cornering prowess of the Husqvarna chassis over the KTM’s. When the new chassis was introduced in 2023, MXA’s faster test riders began having a harder time with the shorter forks and shock. Vets, Novices and riders under 5-foot-8 still loved it, but our faster test riders gravitated back to the stiffer and taller KTM 250SXF when choosing between the Austrian brands. 

Don’t get us wrong, the 2024 FC250 is still a very capable machine, and even our Pros admit that it finds traction better than any other bike in the class. The lower center of gravity is next-level for cornering. The WP XACT air forks also work well on this bike, as long as you take the time to bleed the air screws and set your air pressure. 

Q: HOW IS THE HUSQVARNA BODYWORK?

A: Since the day we first saw the 2022-1/2 Rockstar Edition Husqvarna models, we’ve complained about the “afterthought” shock reservoir cover that Husqvarna snapped onto the bike as a last-minute Band-Aid when Kiska and Husqvarna realized their test riders could change the high-speed compression clickers when gripping the bike. The added cover was a bad design. It wiggled, fell off on occasion and was majorly unattractive.

Fortunately, it will be replaced on the 2025 FC250 by an elongated radiator shroud that will eliminate this flaw. 

The one-inch lower FC250 doesn’t feel smaller on the track, but it corners easier than any other bike.

Q: WHAT DID WE HATE?

A: The hate list. 

(1) Price. The 2024 FC250 has the highest MSRP in the 250 class at $10,299.

(2) Weight. The FC250 got heavier in 2023, and the slight suspension and graphic changes didn’t make it any lighter for 2024—224 pounds is heavy for a bike that used to weigh 219 pounds. 

(3) Radiator cap. The plastic radiator cap is a pain to remove. Nihilo Concepts makes a removal tool to make it easier.

(4) Traction Control. They went too far with this one.

(5) Aesthetics. If asked, what color would you say the 2024 Husqvarnas are? White? Gray? Yellow? Or blue? We prefer the white plastics and white frame on the 2024-1/2 Rockstar Edition models, but we don’t think that color combo will make it to the 2025 production model.

(6) Spokes. The spokes come loose on all Husqvarna/KTM/GasGas wheels. Keep a close eye on them until the spokes take a set (and check the spokes next to the rim locks for as long as you own the bike). 

Q: WHAT DID WE LIKE?

A: The like list. 

(1) Brakes. Brembo is always best in class.

(2) Shock collar. The new WP shock collar is much easier to use and more durable for setting sag. 

(3) Quick Shift. Although most of our MXA testers don’t like Quick Shift on the track, it’s fun to play with it and doesn’t hurt anything since you can turn it off. 

(4) Air forks. If you take the time to check your air pressure, and rely on the clickers, you’ll like the WP XACT air forks.

(5) Seat height. The majority of our test riders like the lowered seat height, plus the rider triangle (seat/handlebars/ footpegs) is no different on a Husky than on a KTM 

(6) Handling. The Husqvarna corners like a dream and is comfortable for a wide range of riders. 

(7) Engine. The new engine is smooth and strong. It has manageable power from low to mid that allows the rider to roll the power on sooner, and that manageable power is followed by beaucoup power from mid and up. That is the perfect power profile.

 Q: WHAT DID WE REALLY THINK?

A: The 2024 Husqvarna FC250 ranked second in MXA’s 250 shootout for the second year in a row. It’s better than the KTM for short riders, light riders and Vet riders. It’s also better than the rest of the 250 four-stroke competition in the power department. If you’re looking to buy an FC250 and you have the option to buy a new 2024 model or a slightly used 2023 model, go for the ’23. The suspension setting updates are barely noticeable; otherwise, the bike is the same.