2016 Husqvarnas - FIRST LOOK

If you need proof that KTM ownership is the best thing to ever happen to Husqvarna, the success of the brand over the past year should put any doubts to bed. Husqvarna is building far better motorcycles than it has for decades, and the Mattighofen, Austria-based brand is now grabbing accolades in racing circles as well.

Off-road, Husky grabbed the AMA National Enduro Championship with Andrew Delong, and it won the Hell’s Gate Extreme Enduro with Graham Jarvis. It also won the E2 category in the World Enduro Championship, and Mike Brown won XGames gold in EnduroCross. And in both MXGP and AMA National Motocross, Husky has made huge strides.

Updates to the 2016 Husqvarnas aren’t major, but a few key tweaks ensure that the blue and white bikes will stay competitive. The bikes receiving updates include the off-road models (FE 250, FE 350, FE 450, FE 501, TE 125, TE 250, and TE 300) and the dual-sports (FE 350 S, and FE 501 S).

The biggest change, which alters a whole host of components, is a new 4CS fork with a 22mm front axle (down from 26). The 40-gram-lighter axle allows the lower fork leg “shoes” to be shorter, which reduces offset and increases trail. New CNC-machined triple-clamps (with 22mm of offset, up from 20) were revised to achieve an optimal balance between the new fork and clamps. The goal was more stability and front-end feel. Fork damping was revised for the new geometry, while the DCC shock also received damping updates.

Other updates to all the 2016 Huskies include: new front and rear brake discs, lighter spokes, blue anodized Supersprox 2K rear sprockets (with an aluminum carrier and steel chain ring), grippier seat covers, and updated graphics. A couple of models have received further updates. The FE 250 and FE 350 get an updated bearing on the transmission’s input shaft, and modifications to the lubrication system to prevent damage if the bike’s oil supply is overfilled. Lastly, the 2016 Husqvarna FE 450 and FE 501 models get lighter clutch baskets and new pressure plates for improved durability and better feel at the lever.