MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2025 HUSQVARNA FC350 HERITAGE

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 THE GEAR: Jersey: FXR Racing Podium,Pants: FXR Racing Podium,Helmet: 6D ATR-3, Goggles: Scott Prospect 2.0,Boots: Alpinestars Tech 10.

Q: FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2025 HUSKY FC350 HERITAGE BETTER THAN THE 2024 HUSKY FC350 HERITAGE?

A:No! Why not? There were no Heritage models in 2024. They were introduced as a one-year model in 2023 and not offered in 2024. But, it’s back for 2025. However, don’t confuse the 2025 FC350 with the 2025-1/2 Factory Edition. The Heritage models are not “next year’s bikes now,” but rather an updated graphics package and color scheme. It is a similar package to the 2025 Yamaha YZ450F Monster Energy Edition, which is basically different-colored plastic parts and graphics. The upcharge between a stock 2025 Husqvarna FC350 and a 2025 Husqvarna FC350 Heritage is only $100, while the Yamaha Monster Energy Edition costs $200 above the $9999 MSRP of the basic 2025 YZ450F. 

Cosmetically, a Heritage buyer gets blue radiator shrouds, Swedish-style graphics on the radiator wings, blue seat cover, white powder-coated frame and yellow front number plate (with blue winglets).

Thanks to its all-in powerband, relatively light weight and high-quality components, the 2025 Husqvarna FC350 Heritage is easy to throw around.

Q: WHAT’S NEW ON THE 2025 HUSQVARNA FC350 FRAME?

A:New for 2025, the forged shock tower has two large relief holes (one on either side) milled in to improve chassis flex. This is something that was seen on the prototype MXGP frames in 2023 and 2024, and made its production debut on the 2024-1/2 KTM, Husqvarna and GasGas Factory Editions. The head stays are also relieved on the new chassis to improve flex as well. The shock tower holes and the hollow head stays aren’t the only updates to the chassis, but they do get most of the credit for the improved feel. 

The 2023–2024 frame was best suited to the stiffness requirements of faster riders. It delivered increased stability and balance, but those changes came with added rigidity, which resulted in a much harsher ride. It was decided to throw the 2023–2024 frame away after only two years in production.

On the 2025 frame, the thick forged-steel backbone plates that were welded to the top of the 2023 frame’s backbone and wrapped around the head tube were made thinner to allow for more flex. Plus, the two, long, symmetrical, curved frame tubes, which are the main tubes visible from either side of the bike, were made with thinner-wall tubing for the 2025 models. The end results are a much more forgiving ride quality and less break-in time for the chassis.

Q: HOW DOES REDUCING CHAIN TORQUE HELP THE SUSPENSION? 

A:In 2023, KTM and Husqvarna rotated their engine backward by 2 degrees to lower the countershaft sprocket. What did that achieve? It lessened rear-end squat under acceleration by reducing chain torque. The pioneers of anti-chain torque systems were ATK’s Horst Leitner and Boyesen Engineering’s Eyvind Boyesen. Their testing and engineering proved that rear-end squat (the tendency of the rear suspension to drop under acceleration) was a byproduct of the bike’s chain line; as determined by the angle, the chain follows from the rear sprocket to the countershaft sprocket. Changing the chain line by either raising the swingarm pivot on the frame or lowering the countershaft sprocket on the engine greatly reduces squat. The Austrian test riders felt that squat exhibited its worst traits in consecutive whoops, which made it most noticeable on a Supercross track for pro riders and in acceleration bumps coming out of a rutted corner for local racers.

New for 2025, the swingarm and buffer pad have both been massaged to stop the chain from eating through the buffer pad at the point where the chain angles down towards the countershaft sprocket. For 2025 the buffer pad has been raised up, while the top of the aluminum swingarm has been shaved down. When combined, these two mods increase durability in the high-wear area where the chain circles around the swingarm pivot. The stock all-white Husqvarna FC350 retails for $11,199, while the limited-edition  2025 FC350 Heritage model hits the showroom at $11,299. The extra $100 buys blue radiator shrouds, Swedish-style graphics on the radiator wings, blue seat cover, white powdercoated frame and blue winglets below the front number plate.

Q: WHAT’S NEW ON THE 2025 LINKAGE?

A:The rising-rate ratio of the shock linkage remains the same for 2025, but the linkage was made lighter by downsizing the thickness and height of the link arms. To help enhance plushness at the rear of the bike, the 17mm shock bolt that attaches to the linkage’s bell crank was downsized to a 15mm bolt, while the bolt on the other end was changed from 17mm to 14mm. Smaller bolts and slimmer arms provide more feedback from the rear wheel to increase comfort.

The smaller linkage bolts and slimmer linkage arms not only reduce friction but work in conjunction with the previously updated smaller rear axle. The link arms are longer to help lower the FC450 by 1 inch.

WP made the shock valving slightly stiffer to work with the new linkage and create the optimal stock suspension setting. Unfortunately, if you have an aftermarket linkage on your 2023–2024 model, it won’t fit on the 2025 bike due to the smaller bolts. 

Q: HOW DOES THE 2025 HUSQVARNA FC350 HERITAGE HANDLE?

A:The previously unpopular rigid frame and long 10-hour break-in period were mainly a problem on the 450s and, to a lesser extent, the 350s with almost no discernible negative effects on the 250s. But, if the 450 frames were getting updates for 2025 that the factory test riders felt were solid improvements, KTM, Husky, and GasGas would have been foolish not to make the same changes on their 250 and 350 models. Plus, it would go against the grain of their platform-sharing strategy in which every bike between the three brands shares as many parts as possible.

Even though MXA didn’t think that the FC350 needed a new frame as much as the FC450, the 350 did get better with the updated chassis. The most noticeable improvement is most easily recognizable in harsh acceleration bumps. The ’24 model would often deflect in braking bump chop, while the 2025 bike soaks up that negative energy more readily. Overall, the 2025 Husqvarna FC350 Heritage has been a very easy bike for our test riders to adapt to. We set the sag at 105mm, the air pressure in the forks for our weight and speed, and we were good to go. The FC350 is a confidence-inspiring machine that’s well balanced and offers great traction.

Our test riders have years of experience with setting up the WP XACT air forks and we like them. We have tested lots of coil spring conversion, along with Ohlins, MX-Tech and Kayaba forks, and loved them as well. The coil spring forks offer improved hand comfort, follow the ground better and save time at the track since they don’t need to have the air pressure checked several times throughout the day. The kicker is that with proper setup, the WP XACT air forks can do some things that the spring cartridge kits can’t do, are 3.5 pounds lighter, and they come stock on the bike. There is no need to spend $2000 to $7000 on aftermarket fork kits—if you learn the ins and outs of air fork setup.

Q: WHAT’S NEW ON THE 2025 HUSQVARNA SUSPENSION?

A:Husqvarna was the first manufacturer to come to the realization that with each passing year its bikes were getting taller and taller, but the riders weren’t. Riders who could previously touch the ground with their feet were now swinging their toes in thin air. The increased height wreaked havoc on rider equilibrium. It took more energy to get the taller bikes to turn. So, in 2021, Husqvarna decided to shorten its suspension travel and bring the chassis down approximately 1 inch.

Forks: The WP XACT forks have been made 10mm shorter over the last four years. To achieve this, Husqvarna shortened the cartridge rods by 10mm and made a corresponding 10mm reduction in the length of the WP stanchion tubes. Depending on where you set the fork tube height, this could account for 3/4-inch less fork travel.

Shock: The biggest 2025 rear suspension changes revolve around the shock linkage. The rising-rate curve remained the same, but the linkage arms were made longer and thinner, while smaller bolts were used on the link to reduce friction and work with the previously updated smaller rear axle to provide more feedback from the rear wheel. The linkage geometry results in the rear of the FC350 Heritage being 1 inch lower.

Great brakes, awesome clutch, perfectly linear high-rpm engine, cool looks and the best airbox design in the sport make the 2025 Husqvarna FC350 Heritage a front runner.

Q: HOW DOES THE 2025 HUSQVARNA FC350 HERITAGE RUN ON THE TRACK?

A: The 2025 Husqvarna FC350 Heritage engine is responsive and quick-revving, but it’s not as hard-hitting as the KTM 350SXF. They both offer almost perfect linear powerbands. Both the FC350 and 350SXF build more and more power as they are revved, and they both soar up to 14,000 rpm and do its best work above 11,000 rpm. The power and torque are there, but it often requires nerves of steel to keep pouring the coal to get to it. If you put the vented airbox cover on and add a tooth to the rear sprocket, you will get more aggressive throttle response.

As for mapping, KTM didn’t publicly announce any updates on their 2025 spec sheet, but they did improve traction control on the new 2025 models. Traction control is beneficial if you’re racing on wet, muddy or rock-hard tracks, or if you’re 130 pounds and looking for an easy way to tame the FC350 power.

Believe it or not, Husqvarna ‘s shock can have its compression and rebound damping adjusted by hand. However, whoever designed the radiator shrouds, didn’t want anyone to be able to get to the clickers. Poor planning. 

Q: WHAT DID WE HATE?

A:The hate list:

(1) Start/stop buttons.  If you want to go back to the traditional-style on/off buttons on the clutch side, Nihilo Concepts and Ride Engineering both have kits that move the kill button to its traditional left-side location.

(2) Faux pas. While it is nice that Husqvarna gets youy shock clickers that don’t require tools to adjust, but it would be a lot better if the radiator win plastic didn’t block access to the  clickers.

(3) Chain slack. The 2023-and-newer KTM models require 70mm of chain slack. It’s about four fingers under the chain at the back of the buffer pad. If it looks too loose, it’s just right.

(4) Radiator cap. The plastic radiator cap has been known to leak coolant, plus it’s hard to take on and off. The factory teams run the old-style metal cap. Nihilo Concepts makes a removal tool that helps.

(5) Spokes. Check the spokes closest to the rear rim lock; if those spokes are loose, you need to tighten them all.

We love that it comes with a Twin Air filter stock, and that it’s fool-proof to install.

Q: WHAT DID WE LIKE?

A: The like list:

(1) Electronics. The 2025 Husky FC350 Heritage comes equipped with a multi-functional map select switch that offers two engine maps (mellow and aggressive), plus QuickShift, traction control and launch control buttons. The highly touted LitPro GPS and Connectivity Unit Off-road (CUO) transponder doesn’t come stock on the 2025 models, but the CUO can be purchased for $249.99, while access to the LitPro GPS system requires a $70 subscription to get a whole range of GPS-monitored features.

(2) Brakes. Brembo brakes are the best. They inspire confidence when the need-to-bleed speed is paramount.

(3) Brake pedal. The tip on the rear brake pedal was prone to bending or breaking. That’s been fixed for 2025.

(4) Shock collar. It’s more durable and easier to use than Showa and Kayaba collars.

(5) Vented airbox cover. We appreciate that Husqvarna gives you two optional airbox covers (vented and stock).

(6) No-tools clickers. It’s nice to adjust everything (except the shock rebound clicker) by hand.

(7) Clutch. The Belleville washer spring and one-piece steel clutch basket/primary gear ensure the Austrians have the most durable clutches in the class.

(8) Handling. The lowered suspension pays big dividends in ruts, off-camber turns and overall handling. 

(9) Looks. You wouldn’t expect a blue seat cover and radiator wings to change the looks of the FC350 so dramatically. 

(10) Heritage.  The FC350 is the only 2025 four-stroke motocross model to get the Heritage treatment. It is not available for the FC250 or FC450. You could have DeCal Works duplicate the blue radiator graphics if you wanted a one-off Heritage edition.  

The 2025 Husqvarna FC350 Heritage is the only motocross four-stroke to get the blue and white treatment.

Q: WHAT DO WE REALLY THINK?

A:The 2025 Husqvarna FC350 Heritage is just a stock 2025 Husqvarna FC350 with different colored plastic, but we have to admit that it is very attractive, especially in contrast to the all-white 2025 stocker.

As an added bonus, the FC350 Heritage is durable, fast and nimble. You’ll fall in love with the 2025 Husqvarna FC350 Heritage. It is the best all-around motocross bike for a Vet rider, 250 rider wishing to make the move to 450-style power or a short rider who can’t touch the ground on all the other skyscraper tall options. The factory-applied white frame makes the Heritage Edition standout.

The post MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2025 HUSQVARNA FC350 HERITAGE appeared first on Motocross Action Magazine.