In early December of last year, Husqvarna Motorcycles unveiled the 2023 FC 450 Rockstar Edition. It's worth noting that this limited edition was first introduced in 2018, and last year it was an entirely new model serving as a preview for the 2023 production version. Essentially, this model year focused on suspension refinements and performance enhancements.

There are no visible mechanical changes, except for the new Takasago Excel wheels (replacing the DID Dirt Star wheels), Rekluse clutch cover (replacing the previous standard cover), and the anodized blue FMF Factory 4.1 titanium exhaust (replacing the previous stock black one).

The absence of significant engine, frame, or chassis updates might seem like a step back, but it's essential to remember that the previous Rockstar Edition from last year featured an entirely new engine, electronics, frame, suspension, swingarm, airbox, subframe, and plastics. Expecting major updates from a motorcycle that was brand new just 12 months ago would be unrealistic.

Features of the 2023 Husqvarna FC450 Rockstar Edition include:

• New Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing graphics.
• Rekluse clutch cover.
• New Factory Racing wheelset with EXCEL Takasago rims and black anodized hubs, CNC-machined.
• New FMF Racing Factory 4.1 exhaust.
• New 2K Carbon composite engine and frame protection plate.
• New 2K Carbon composite front brake disc guard.
• Suspension settings have been updated.

How does the 2023 Husqvarna FC450 Rockstar Edition differ from the standard FC450?

Considering that the 2023 Husqvarna FC450 Rockstar Edition is mechanically identical to the 2023 standard FC450, most of the differences lie in the details attached to the bolts.

• Cosmetic changes: The black and white Rockstar Edition color scheme is much more eye-catching than the yellow and gray plastics on the standard FC450. Additionally, the rear fender and fork protection are white instead of yellow. The radiator shrouds feature the prominent Rockstar logo, while the swingarm displays sponsor logos (Brembo, RK chain, Excel wheels, Haan), front fender (FMF), rear fender (Pro Taper, Dunlop), airbox cover (Twin Air, Paradise Chevy), fork protection (Motorex), and front number plate (Motorex).

• Frame color: The Rockstar Edition has a black frame, while the standard bike has a blue frame.

• Seat: The Rockstar Edition comes with a black Guts seat cover featuring seven anti-slip folds, while the standard bike's seat is gray with a slight texture for grip.

• Wheels: Rockstar Edition wheels have black anodized Factory hubs CNC-machined and Takasago Excel black rims (with a cross-spoke pattern at the front). Standard wheels have silver hubs laced to black DID DirtStar rims (with a cross-spoke pattern at the front).

• Anodized black removable triple clamps by Power Parts and Factory offer adjustable offsets of 20mm and 22mm. Standard Neken triple clamps are non-adjustable and non-removable.

• Exhaust: While the Rockstar Edition retains the standard FC450 head, the standard exhaust is replaced with a blue anodized titanium FMF Factory 4.1 exhaust with a carbon fiber end cap.

• Clutch cover: The FC450 engine doesn't feature Rekluse components, but the Rockstar Edition clutch cover features engraved Husqvarna and Rekluse logos. The standard clutch cover has an embossed Husqvarna logo.

• The Rockstar Edition comes with a Factory Holeshot start button, ProTaper handlebars, gray ODI grips, semi-floating front brake disc, polyamide composite Power Parts Factory engine protection plate, and Power Parts Factory front brake disc guard.

• The combination of a fully plastic subframe and airbox, borrowed from Husaberg, is no longer present. Now, the subframe is a hybrid aluminum design reinforced with a polyamide plastic coating.

How does the Husqvarna FC450 Rockstar Edition differ from the KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition?

These two bikes are practically identical. In the past, they had some key differences, such as the subframe, component quality, and so on. Now, the only real distinctions are cosmetic.

• Fuel tank shape: The Husqvarna tank has a different shape, with more fuel capacity on the right side of the bike, while the KTM tank has a slightly narrower shape.

• Radiator shrouds: The Husqvarna shrouds have a flatter shape without the pointed fairing, unlike the KTM.

• Fenders: The front fender on the Husqvarna is white, while the KTM has an orange two-piece fender. The rear fender on the Husqvarna is white and has a different shape where it meets the seat.

• Frame color: The Husqvarna has a black frame, while the KTM has an orange frame.

• Triple anodizing: The Husqvarna features black triple anodized components, while the KTM has orange anodizing.

• Seat cover: The Husqvarna has a black Guts seat cover, whereas the KTM has an orange Selle Dalla Valle seat cover.

• Side panels: The right side panel on the Husqvarna consists of two parts, with a removable front section covering the shock adjusters. The KTM's right side panel is a single piece covering the shock adjusters.

• Frame protection: The black frame protection on the Husqvarna does not extend beyond the center tube, while the KTM's orange frame protection does.

Engine:

The Husqvarna FC450 Rockstar Edition's engine slightly lags behind the KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition in terms of horsepower throughout most of the range. However, the FC450 doesn't play second fiddle to any other 450cc-class bike when it reaches its maximum power. Its engine produces 59.30 horsepower at 9600 RPM.

The primary reason the Husky doesn't quite match the 59.94 horsepower of the nearly identical KTM Factory Edition engine is the "non-breathing" airbox. Specifically, it's due to the power policy at the Austrian factory in Mattighofen. The Husqvarna airbox looks the same as the KTM's until you get up close. Then you can see that the large hand recess just below the seat is closed on the Husky but wide open on the KTM. Throttle response is dampened because the Husky engine doesn't receive sufficient airflow.

For several years, MXA test riders have requested a more significant difference between the Mellow (map 1) and Aggressive (map 2) settings since the gap between them was virtually non-existent. Finally, with the FC450 Rockstar Edition and the 2023 standard bike, Austrian engineers provided two completely distinct maps. The Mellow map is genuinely soft, but it still has significant success, whereas the Aggressive map is much more useful in the lower RPMs and then offers serious power from the middle to the top.

When we compared two Husqvarna FC450 Rockstar Edition maps with identical KTM 450SXF Factory Edition maps, we found that the two KTM maps were livelier, and there were more differences between them. However, on the Husqvarna, every MXA test rider used Map 2 (some with traction control enabled).

Suspension Let's be honest: the front fork, rear shock, and linkage on the 2023 Husqvarna FC450 Rockstar Edition are not the typical Husqvarna suspension components. Yes, it's WP suspension, but it's no longer the soft, lowered Husqvarna suspension. Instead, stiffer and taller KTM suspension components have been used.

Why didn't the motorcycle come with highly rated Husqvarna suspension? The best answer we could get from Husqvarna was as follows: "To release Factory Editions and Rockstar Editions as early as possible, the factory had to start purchasing and stocking parts as of November last year. Given that there are Special Edition 450 and 250 versions for KTM, Husqvarna, and GasGas, it made more sense to order 1,600 identical front forks and shocks instead of 400 stiff forks for KTM and 400 soft ones for Husqvarna."

Would we prefer the FC450 Rockstar Edition to have the previous suspension? Yes, because we liked the maneuverability of the lowered chassis, the feeling of softness, and increased comfort for slower, shorter, or older riders. However, none of our professionals wanted to race with softer Husky suspension.

WP claims to have made "minor improvements" to the mid-valve shimming kit to make the front fork smoother and more comfortable. They didn't touch the rebound side, and there were no changes in the offered air pressure or clicker settings.

As for the 2024 WP rear shock, which is coming soon, high-speed compression damping settings have been updated because the company's engineers believe that the 2023 settings have too wide a range for each adjustment. WP's goal was to make the high-speed compression damping disc perform smaller adjustments with each movement. How much smaller? Each additional change has been reduced by 50 percent. This allows the rider to finely adjust the compression changes with smaller increments.

On last year's shock, it was easy to overdo it with each adjustment, but on the 2023 Rockstar Edition, it's easier to find the best setting. High-speed compression damping is controlled by a spring that compresses the stack of shims. WP did not change the adjuster or the spring; instead, they went from 15 shims to 23 shims to provide a clearer distinction during adjustment.

Considering that many riders do not use high-speed compression damping or do not fully understand its function, this shock change comes into play only when you turn the high-speed compression damping disc. The recommended setting is 1-1/2 turns.

What should you know about the front fork on the Rockstar Edition?

Keep in mind that the first ride on the WP XACT AER air fork will be the worst ride of your life. Husqvarna and KTM forks come off the assembly line with very stiff tolerances. This is great in the long run, but it's absolutely terrible for the first few hours of riding. Fortunately, MXA test riders don't worry about finding the best setting on the first few rides because the fork changes with every ride. In all honesty, the fork reaches its maximum softness after five hours of break-in.

Frame The 2023 Rockstar Edition frame has ultra-strong forged-steel mounts at the top (above the headstock) and, unsurprisingly, forged mounts on the lower tube (below the headstock). These forged parts make the frame more reliable, but they require a lot of time for break-in. Five hours for the WP fork is just a "warm-up" for the frame. Our frame was getting closer to its natural stability with each hour of riding and became perfect at the 10-hour mark.

It might seem crazy, but you don't need to wait for 10 hours. The frame will feel better every time you ride it. You'll be amazed at how many new owners of 2023 KTM/Husky models sold their brand-new motorcycles after the first two rides because they were too stiff. All they really needed to do was ride them more.

What do we think about the Quick Shift? There's nothing new in Quick Shift. This feature is present on many Japanese road motorcycles, not to mention KTM Adventure and KTM Duke 390, 690, 890, and 1290 models. What is Quick Shift? Quick Shift is an electronic switch that interrupts the ignition when the drum-shift sensor signals the ECU that an upshift is about to occur. Cutting spark reduces gearbox pressure, allowing for faster shifts without using the clutch. Quick Shift works only when upshifting. It can be turned on or off by pressing the "QS" button on the map switch, and it can be adjusted on the fly. Finding this tiny button on the left side of the handlebar is a big challenge. We turned the map switch forward to make the QS button more visible, but most test riders still found it hard to locate.

Weight

The 2023 Husqvarna FC450 Rockstar Edition weighs 103.8 kilograms. Even at this weight, it remains lighter than any 450cc Japanese motorcycle, but it's 3.1 kilograms heavier than the 2023 GasGas MC450F.

Price

The retail price of the 2023 Husqvarna FC450 Rockstar Edition is $12,199, which is $100 more expensive than the KTM 450SXF Factory Edition. Yes, we think the price is ridiculously high, but if you strip away the added-value components from the price, it's actually a good purchase, but only if the Husqvarna comes with the same mods you need.

On the Track

On the track, the Husky Rockstar Edition was smoother and easier to handle, whereas the KTM 450 Factory Edition was more responsive to throttle input. Our veteran riders preferred the power of the Husky, while professional racers favored the KTM for its quicker acceleration. There are compromises between the two limited edition machines, but both have excellent linear power ranges. Additionally, both bikes are more responsive in the lower RPM range compared to their stock counterparts.

What We Didn't Like

• Seat height. The FC450 Rockstar 2022 and 2023 models are very tall. They wouldn't be as tall if they had the stock Husqvarna suspension.

• Check list. Regularly check the tightening bolts on the rear sprocket, gear shift lever, shock, front forks, front engine mount, and swingarm pivot.

• Buttons. We like the buttons on the new electronics for starting, stopping, traction control, mapping, and Quick Shift, but the buttons are so low-profile that pressing them with gloved hands is often challenging. To reach the Quick Shift button, we rotated the map switch forward to make the LC and QS buttons more accessible.

• Weight. One of the advantages of KTM, Husky, and GasGas used to be their incredibly light weight. Well, at least GasGas can still claim that achievement.

• Chain sag. The Rockstar Edition owner's manual states that the chain sag should be 58mm at the rear chain guide, but in reality, this value ranges from 65 to 70mm.

• Shock adjuster cover designed by Kiska, protects adjusters from rider's boot impacts. Interestingly, KTM doesn't need this clumsy cover because it has a longer panel. Kiska engineers should have designed a proper side panel for Husky that could do its job properly instead of adding another piece of plastic.

• Weight. One of the advantages of KTM, Husky, and GasGas used to be their incredibly light weight. Well, at least GasGas can still claim that achievement.

• Frame protection. We like the frame protection covers because they reduce friction between boots and the frame paint, but we hate them because they splay our feet outward too much. Without them, the motorcycle feels narrower.

What We Liked

• Torque. Husky engineers lowered the intermediate shaft sprocket by 3mm to reduce squat during acceleration.

• Cross-laced three-spoke wheels. The more a spoke crosses an individual spoke on its way from the hub to the rim, the stronger and more reliable the wheel. The front wheel of the Rockstar Edition has a cross-laced pattern.

• Offset triple clamps (20mm and 22mm).

• Tip-over sensor. For safety, there's a mercury switch that shuts off the engine if the motorcycle lies on the ground for more than 7 seconds.

• Air filter. No air filter is easier to install or remove than the one on Husqvarna, except for KTM and GasGas air filters.

• Engine cut-off button. The previous button was mounted on the left side of the handlebar. In 2023, the "Off" and "Start" buttons share a mounting on the right side of the handlebar. Once again, the button itself can be raised for easier use.

• In 2022, the FI diagnostic LED indicator would constantly pop out of its holder. In the Rockstar Edition (as with the KTM Factory Edition), it was relocated behind the hour meter.

• Anti-squat lines during acceleration. Credit goes to the experiments by ATK and Horst Leitner.

• Engine castings. Completely new engine halves have been downsized so that the mounting bosses are in the same place as the 250cc model. This allowed Husky to use the same frame for FC250 and FC450.

• Footpegs. Cast footpegs are 7.5mm longer, but they don't extend further. Instead, they are mounted closer to the frame. We like the feeling of our feet being closer to the frame, to the extent that some of our test riders removed the plastic frame protectors to put their boots even closer.

Summing It Up

The stock 2023 Husqvarna FC450 is an ideal motorcycle for veterans, as its engine offers an incredibly manageable power range. There's no "explode-and-wheely" syndrome here. It provides outstanding handling and a "smooth" power range. What sets it apart is the excellent characteristics that no other motorcycle offers. On the other hand, the Husqvarna FC450 Rockstar Edition isn't as unique as the stock model, as it has a stiff suspension (similar to KTM). Essentially, the limited edition Husky is just a bike for those who don't prefer the orange color.

#Moto #Offroad #Dirt #FC450 #Husqvarna