Words: Guy Streeter

For 2017 Husqvarna has made significant changes to every component within its entire off-road range, dropping weight, re-configuring weight distribution, updating frame rigidity, adding new suspension, increasing power, improving handling, updating engine mapping and adding traction control – the list goes on. With all of these new changes on offer for 2017, MotoOnline.com.au was lucky enough to attend to national press intro and experience the new MY17 off-road range.

Let’s get straight to it, the 2017 Husqvarna FE 450 is a damn fast bike with all the power you need. With the mapping switch and traction control, the power is more usable and easier to control, which is even more evident in the tight single trail and more slippery, muddy conditions. I didn’t really know exactly what to think about traction control on a dirt bike, but we were fortunate to have a wet and muddy section of grass track to test it out on.

The easiest way to explain it is, with the traction control on you could keep the throttle on without the fear of the back-end stepping out and spitting you off the bike in a big ‘high-sider’. The back-end just seemed to step out a certain distance and then held, kind of like a safety net. Turn around, switch back to the normal aggressive mapping, return to attack the same corner and your well-being is back in your hands alone.

The engine itself is more compact, lighter and, as I mentioned, provides more power! The engine is controlled by a state of the art Keihin engine management system with electronic fuel ignition. Featuring a new 42mm throttle body and an updated injector position, the response to this animal is much quicker and direct than the previous model. The task of putting the power to the ground is undertaken by the new six-speed gearbox featuring refined and precise gear ratios, making the FE 450 so much fun to ride.

Forget looking for a kick-starter, because it’s gone. Weight is a big deal these days, so the kick-starter has been ditched and a new LI-Ion battery, which works better in cold conditions and is considerably lighter than previous batteries available, has also been added to bring the FE 450 to life.

The new XPlor 48 forks are a standout improvement over the 4CS forks on the previous model, which is a completely different design. Everyone has that one buddy who is chasing suspension set-up from trail to trail and these forks are going to be their dream. Tool-less clickers are featured on the top of each fork tube, as well as a pre-load adjuster for further tinkering.

The new DCC linkage suspension and XPlor 48 fork work great together and complete the bike well. The overall handling of the bike is great and the suspension does exactly what you expect it to do – no big surprises in rougher sections of the trail and very evenly matched.

There are plenty of other things on this bike that are easy to gloss over, things that you would like on your off-road/enduro bike that you would usually end up buying as an aftermarket accessory.

Let’s start with the ‘no-dirt’ footpegs and shift-lever, along with a grab-handle at the back of the seat. You probably wont see the benefit in these on every ride you do, but when you are frustrated after having crashed or find yourself stuck on the side of a mountain, these things are just one less thing you have to worry about. During the test I don’t think we got the benefit out of any of these, but maybe we did and I didn’t actually notice?

The ODI Lock On grips are pretty sweet as well. Mountain bikers are well-acquainted with these, but for whatever reason it has taken moto riders a little longer to cotton on to these things. A translucent 8.5-litre fuel-tank comes standard with a fuel level sensor to really try and idiot-proof how much fuel you actually have left. It’s good to see these tanks being fitted as standard items featuring a short turn-lock cap to finish it off nicely.

The overall feel of the bike is really light, nimble and comfortable. Ergonomically, the cockpit of the 2017 Husqvarna FE 450 is easily adjusted for most riders as the handlebar positions can be changed with four different positions, along with the footpegs. The FE 450 footpegs are 6mm higher than the FC 450 motocross model, giving you improved ground-clearance when hopping over logs or rocks. For taller riders out there, the footpegs are easily switched out with the FC pegs, which will give you a little more room to stretch your legs.

Husqvarna has redesigned the air-box for improved performance and function. The improved air-flow has increased power and while they were at it, they redesigned the way the air-filter is secured – it’s near impossible to install the filter poorly and suck dirt through to the motor.

While we are talking about the air-box area, the sub-frame has been redesigned and is a whopping one kilogram lighter than the previous model thanks to a 30 percent carbon-fibre composite material. Husqvarna’s bringing the ‘Fast and the Furious’ weight reduction kit to the off-road market!

A Magura hydraulic clutch has been fitted to the MY17 FE 450, providing an easy and consistent pull at all times. It’s still surprising that more manufacturers don’t offer these as standard. Brembo brakes slow it down for 2017 and the rear brake particularly has been revised to help reduce weight and also to improve performance. The pedal has been extended by 10mm to aid rider input and feel, while the piston has been reduced by 2mm. No huge changes here, just fine-tuning of the existing set-up.

With all the new componentry and a smaller, more compact engine, a completely new frame has also been designed. Engineers haven’t simply thrown all of the new stuff into the old frame and haven’t made the new frame without getting some major improvements at the same time. The frame now works with the suspension to help fight off rider fatigue.

The 2017 Husqvarna FE 450 frame features 30 percent less rigidity from front to back, which allows the bike to flex with the suspension to help soak up those harder hits and constant smaller bumps. Its frame has also been stiffened up from side to side by 20 percent, which helps the bike handle and turn. This is one of the reasons the bike is so agile between the trees.

The FE 450 has to be at the top – or very close to it – for the 2017 off-road shopping list. It features so many great performance features and gadgetry that definitely won’t make you second-guess handing over some hard-earned for.

The 2017 Husqvarna FE450 comes in at a recommended retail price of $14,995 including GST, be sure to head to your local dealer now to check one out for yourself. For more details on Husqvarna’s 2017 off-road range, visit www.husqvarna-motorcycles.com.