After riding the
FC350 on several
tracks over the last
month and playing
with different oil heights in
the 4CS fork I have come to
realise that a height of 90mm
from the top is much better than
the 100mm I had. One of the
biggest complaints with the 4CS
fork is that it blows through the
stroke far too easily. By reducing
the fork air volume by adding oil
and making the height 90mm,
the action becomes much more
progressive and stiffens up
much more nicely towards the
bottom of the stroke.
This setting works much
better for quicker riders or riders
over 80kg but, for beginners or
light-weights, the 100mm oil
height from the top would be
better. Now that I have got the
suspension dialled to perfection
I am really starting to feel how
nimble and easy this bike is to
throw around.
With the airbox opened up
and the exhaust de-restricted I
really like how much power the
350 can produce. It still doesn’t
have the torque of a 450 and
has to be revved harder, more
like a 250, but the motor has
loads more pull through the
gears than a 250.
I am noticing that I have to
be on top of my gear changes a
little more, just like on a 250.
I can not be slow with my left
foot and rely on engine torque to
make up for my laziness.
With all this said, I am gelling
well with the bike and feel very
comfortable. I haven’t got to
race the bike as yet because of
the rain but I am hanging to get
on the startline and have a go.
Servicing the
Husky has been an
easy task. I clean and
re-oil the air fi lter after
every ride and every fi ve hours I
have been dumping the engine
oil and replacing the oil fi lter.
I haven’t seen any nasty metal
fi lings in the oil fi lter or on the
magnetic sump plug so I know
everything inside the engine is
running well.
One thing I feel like I really
need to brag about on the
Husky is the brakes. It is so
hard to beat a set of Brembo
brakes. They give such a solid
and confi dence-inspiring feel.
The levers and pedal are all
comfortable and perform their
jobs perfectly.
To back that up there is the
new Magura hydraulic clutch
which works effortlessly. Another
thing that is high on my brag list
are the handgrips.
This is the fi rst time I have
used ODI lock-on ’grips. They
are comfortable, have loads of
grip and I know they are never
going to move.
I have a small OCD problem
when it comes to ’grips. They
need to be comfortable and
never move.
If a ’grip moves slightly then
I am done with it and it needs
to be removed, reglued and lock
wired into place. The ODI ’grips
are certainly a win, hopefully
more ’grip companies follow in
ODI’s footsteps.
Next month the FC350 is
getting a full custom sticker
kit from Kustom MX graphics
and a new set of Bridgestone
Battlecross X30s. Check back
then to see how it all turns out.
Technical Editor Mat Boyd123http://www.adbmag.com APRIL 2016 | 135DIGIT PROTECTORS
A set of handguards this big are usually only seen on enduro bikes,
but Husqvarna offer them as standard with their motocross range.
They might look big and ugly, but you will be thanking the Swedish
gods Husky have fi tted them if you often fi nd yourself working your
way through the pack rather than leading it. Roost and motocross
debris (some tracks have bricks expsoed so you never know what will
be fl icked up into your hands) can catch your fi ngers and either end
a day’s racing prematurely or leave you with broken, welted fi ngers.
They’ll also save a lever or two if you go over!THIS SETTING
WORKS MUCH
BETTER FOR
QUICKER RIDERS OR
RIDERS OVER 80KG
HUSQVARNA
FC350TOTAL HOURS 15
MODS THIS MONTH
More suspension
MODS NEXT MONTH
Kustom MX graphics and
Bridgestone Battlecross X30
tyres.COSTS
RRP: $11,695
Warranty: Three months parts
Distributor: Husqvarna Australia
Web: husqvarna-motorcycles.
com.au
1800 644 771