MXA TEAM TESTED: HUSQVARNA FC350 FMF FACTORY 4.1 RCT TI EXHUAST

MXA TEAM TESTED: HUSQVARNA FC350 FMF FACTORY 4.1 RCT TI EXHUAST

WHAT IS IT? FMF makes one of the most popular exhaust systems for KTM and Husqvarna motorcycles. With systems made entirely in the USA and used by the Troy Lee Designs 250 KTM team, as well as the factory Rockstar Husqvarna team, it’s no secret that FMF has done its homework on the Austrian bikes.

WHAT’S IT COST? $1049.99 (full titanium), $849.99 (stainless steel/aluminum).

CONTACT? www.fmfracing.com or (310) 631-4363.

WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with the FMF Factory 4.1 RCT system for the 2020 Husqvarna FC350.

(1) Installation. To remove the stock system and install the FMF system, you will need an 8mm and 10mm T-handle or sockets, a spring puller and a flat-bladed screwdriver. Begin by removing the spring that connects the silencer and mid-pipe to the head pipe. Then remove the two 8mm bolts that hold the silencer to the subframe and slide it off. Next remove the 10mm bolt holding the head pipe to the frame. Lastly, remove the two springs at the front of the engine and then wiggle the head pipe off. You will need to remove and install the rubber grommets from your stock muffler onto the FMF muffler before installing it on the bike. Be very careful when doing this; it is easy for the flat-bladed screwdriver to slip when pushing the rubber grommets out and put a hole in your hand. Once you have the grommets in and the muffler on the bike, install the two 8mm bolts and tighten them up. And last, tighten the 10mm bolt and you’re ready to hit the track.

FMF FC350 EXHUAST TEST1

When installing the FMF system, you first want to slide the head pipe on and re-install the two springs at the front of the engine. Then install the 10mm bolt that holds the back of the head pipe to the frame. At this point, leave the 10mm bolt loose until you get the rubber grommets into the muffler.  

(2) Weight. The stock Husqvarna system weighed in at 7.97 pounds. The FMF 4.1 RCT titanium system weighs 6.05 pounds. That’s a 1.92-pound weight savings.  

Brian Medeiros 2020 FC350MXA test rider, Brian Medeiros testing our 2020 Husqvarna FC350 with the FMF 4.1 RCT exhaust system. 

(3) Stock trim. The stock 2020 FC350 will rev to the moon and has a very mellow powerband that makes it easy to ride. The downside is the bike doesn’t have as much bottom-end excitement as most riders are looking for. They felt that the lack of bottom end didn’t pull the bike back up onto the pipe as quickly as the KTM 350SXF system. Why not? This is due to the “ice cream cone” restrictor inside the tip of the Husky muffler. The FMF and KTM mufflers don’t have the restrictor.

(4) Performance. Immediately after bolting on the FMF system, the MXA test riders noticed an improvement in bottom-end power and throttle response. With this added bottom-end performance, the MXA test riders felt that they could enter corners a gear higher. This gave the chassis a “free” feeling that allowed the suspension to absorb the braking bumps better and to settle into the corner without any of the abrupt bursts that often come from going in a gear too low. The FMF system also gave the FC350 the grunt it needed to help pick the bike up on the entrance to tight corners. With the stock pipe, you often needed to use the clutch to get the FC350 on the pipe quicker. As far as top-end performance goes, test riders felt a flat spot in the powerband just before the 13,400 rpm rev limiter. They felt that they had to grab another gear to keep the bike in the midrange to utilize the added performance of the FMF exhaust.

FMF FC350 EXHUAST TEST4

WHAT’S THE SQUAWK? The carbon fiber end cap looks trick, but it did not last. A combination of time, heat and tip-overs wreaked havoc on the carbon fiber piece. MXA recommends going with a stainless-steel end cap if you are looking for longevity and durability from your FMF exhaust system.

MXA RATING: The FMF 4.1 RCT system adds power down low where the 2020 FC350 desperately needs
it, while keeping the power characteristics of the FC350 smooth. It turned our FC350 into a bike that test riders could use to turn  consistent lap times with ease. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE OF MXA’S PRODUCT TESTS

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