2017 Husqvarna FX and TX Line-Up Preview | GNCC-Ready
For years off-road racers—GNCC, hare scrambles, and others—have been modifying motocross bikes for competition, rather than trying to beef up off-road oriented enduro bikes. For 2017, Husqvarna cuts to the chase with three new “X” models of off-road competition bikes—the Husqvarna FX 450 and FX 350 four-strokes, plus the two-stroke TX 300—that are motocross based, but fully ready for off-road competition.
The three 2017 Husqvarna FX and TX cross-country racers will have a number of common features, as all three fit into the same high-performance category.
Up front, they get the new WP AER 48 forks. This is a split-design air fork with the air preload on the left leg, and the 30-click damping adjusters on the right leg. Nearly four pounds lighter than the spring forks they replace, the 48mm AER forks use a pressurized oil chamber to provide more consistent action that is also progressive in feel. While these are the same forks as on the Husqvarna motocross bikes, the damping is optimized for off-road racing.
The air forks are balanced by a traditional spring shock. The WP DCC unit is fully adjustable, has off-road oriented damping settings, and a linkage system to make the most of the 11.8 inches of travel.
An intriguing new feature on the fuel-injected FX 450 and FX 350 is the traction control, which may prove to be indispensable off-road, where conditions can be extremely challenging. Not the same kind of traction control found on street bikes, which monitors wheel speeds, the Husqvarna off-road traction control keeps tabs on the throttle position and the rate of rpm increase. If the engine speed climbs too quickly for the throttle position, the Keihin Engine Management System steps in and reduces power until balance is restored. Other important electronics features include Launch Control for high-quality starts, plus two power modes to match conditions and rider preference.
There is a new footpeg mount design that is intended to keep debris from preventing the footpeg to return to the normal position if the peg is pushed up. Also, the footpegs for the 2017 enduro bikes can be fitted, which raise the pegs by a quarter-inch.
Husqvarna has lengthened the brake pedal by 10mm, and matched that to less-aggressive pads for the Brembo calipers. This gives the rider more precise control of the rear brake.
ProTaper bars are standard, and Husqvarna has a new clamping system to improve torsional stiffness. Roost-resistant handguards are standard, as is an oversized bar pad.
For off-roading, the Husqvarna FX and TX bikes get a 18-inch rear wheel shod with Dunlop AT81 tires, and a side-stand is standard. All three bikes will be equipped with a 2.2-gallon tank to go race-distance.
While the two-stroke TX 300 doesn’t get the electronics suite, it does have an all-new engine from top to bottom. The cases have been redesigned to improve mass centralization by moving the clutch shaft and crankshaft higher and closer to the motorcycle’s center of gravity, improving handling.
Additionally, the TX 300 gets a new semi-close ratio six-speed transmission, Damped Diaphragm Steel (DDS) clutch, and new debris-resistant shift lever. Magura supplies the hydraulics. The FX 450 has the same clutch, while the FX 350 gets a traditional spring clutch.
Up top, there’s a new cylinder, head, power valve, and piston. There’s also a counterbalancer to reduce vibration, which will increase the rider’s endurance. There is also a new 38mm Mikuni TMX flat slide carburetor on the TX 300.
Along with the FE and TE lines, Husqvarna has given off-road riders the ability to purchase exactly the machine desired for the task at hand, rather than being required to modify their off-road bikes to specific jobs.
2017 Husqvarna FX 450 specs
ENGINE
- Engine type: Single cylinder, SOHC, 4-valve, 4-stroke
- Bore x stroke: 95 x 63.4mm
- Displacement: 450cc
- Fuel induction: 44mm Keihin throttle body
- Ignition / Engine Management: Keihin EFI
- Lubrication: Pressurized w/ two oil pumps
- Silencer: Aluminum
- Starting: Electric
- Transmission: 5-speed
- Clutch: Wet multi-disc DDS-clutch, Magura hydraulics
CHASSIS
- Frame: Central double-cradle-type chromoly steel
- Subframe: Carbon fiber reinforced polyamide
- Handlebar: ProTaper, aluminum
- Front suspension: Fully adjustable WP USD, AER 48
- Rear suspension: Fully adjustable WP shock w/ linkage
- Suspension travel front/rear: 12.2/11.8 inches
- Brakes front/rear: Discs, 260/220mm
- Rims front/rear: DID; 1.60 x 21″ / 2.15 x 18
- Tires front/rear: Dunlop AT81; 80/100-21″ / 110/90-18″
SPECIFICATIONS
- Rake: 26.1 degrees
- Triple clamp offset: 0.87 inches
- Wheelbase: 58.5 inches
- Ground clearance: 14.6 inches
- Seat height: 37.8 inches
- Tank capacity: 2.2 gallons
- Weight, without fuel: 224 pounds
2017 Husqvarna FX 350 Specs
ENGINE
- Engine type: Single cylinder, DOHC, 4-valve, 4-stroke
- Bore x stroke: 88 x 57.5mm
- Displacement: 350cc
- Fuel induction: 44mm Keihin throttle body
- Ignition / Engine Management: Keihin EFI
- Lubrication: Pressurized w/ two oil pumps
- Silencer: Aluminum
- Starting: Electric
- Transmission: 5-speed
- Clutch: Wet multi-disc CCS-clutch, Magura hydraulics
CHASSIS
- Frame: Central double-cradle-type chromoly steel
- Subframe: Carbon fiber reinforced polyamide
- Handlebar: ProTaper, aluminum
- Front suspension: Fully adjustable WP USD, AER 48
- Rear suspension: Fully adjustable WP shock w/ linkage
- Suspension travel front/rear: 12.2/11.8 inches
- Brakes front/rear: Discs, 260/220mm
- Rims front/rear: DID; 1.60 x 21″ / 2.15 x 18
- Tires front/rear: Dunlop AT81; 80/100-21″ / 110/90-18″
SPECIFICATIONS
- Rake: 26.1 degrees
- Triple clamp offset: 0.87 inches
- Wheelbase: 58.5 inches
- Ground clearance: 14.6 inches
- Seat height: 37.8 inches
- Tank capacity: 2.2 gallons
- Weight, without fuel: 222 pounds
2017 Husqvarna TX 300 Specs
ENGINE
- Engine type: Single cylinder, 2-stroke
- Bore x stroke: 72 x 72mm
- Displacement: 293cc
- Fuel induction: Mikuni TMX 38
- Ignition / Engine Management: Kokusan
- Lubrication: Premix, 60:1
- Silencer: Aluminum
- Starting: Electric
- Battery: Lithium ion, 12V, 3.6Ah
- Transmission: 6-speed
- Clutch: Wet multi-disc DDS-clutch, Magura hydraulics
CHASSIS
- Frame: Central double-cradle-type chromoly steel
- Subframe: Carbon fiber reinforced polyamide
- Handlebar: ProTaper, Aluminum
- Front suspension: Fully adjustable WP USD, AER 48
- Rear suspension: Fully adjustable WP shock w/ linkage
- Suspension travel front/rear: 12.2/11.8 inches
- Brakes front/rear: Discs, 260/220mm
- Rims front/rear: DID; 1.60 x 21″ / 2.15 x 18
- Tires front/rear: Dunlop AT81; 80/100-21″ / 110/90-18″
SPECIFICATIONS
- Rake: 26.1 degrees
- Triple clamp offset: 0.87 inches
- Wheelbase: 58.5 inches
- Ground clearance: 14.6 inches
- Seat height: 37.8 inches
- Tank capacity: 2.2 gallons
- Weight, without fuel: 217 pounds
2017 Husqvarna FX and TX Gallery
