One thing that I have really liked about the FE 450 in the years past is just how useable the engine is. It’s so incredibly smooth and easy to ride and with the track conditions at the launch the way they were, smooth and easy to ride was just what the doctor ordered. After hopping off the 350, I right away noticed the extra inertia that the 2024 Husqvarna FE 450 has, especially on the tighter, trickier sections. It took more energy to get it into the shallow ruts but what it lacked in tip weight compared to the 350, it made up in drive and traction out of corners. The power that this motor produces is awesome and I wished we had more of the open sections so I could really enjoy what the motor had to offer.
Unfortunately, the trails at the launch were mostly second and third gear and the terrain was almost nothing like what we ride over here in Australia. As crazy as this next sentence sounds, we ride on trails that are 99% soil and sand that ruts will form in and sure, we have rocks, but Norway was another level. It’s just rock on top of rock and more rock with a big grippy rock shelf thrown in. Despite the “gnarliness” of it all, I found the FE 450 to be a very pleasant ride and thanks to its super smooth motor, it climbed up anything with ease.
It was a little heavy for the tighter stuff but on the small sections of grasstrack that we had access too, the thing was a beast! Wind that throttle on and the motor just produces more and more power throughout the range. If you are someone that loves to ride the faster trails or race the occasional grasstrack day, then the FE 450 could be the perfect bike for you.
Fresh Chassis and Suspension
The biggest update for the 2024 Husqvarna FE 450 is the new frame and suspension. The engineers have gone to great lengths to make the bikes slimmer and more compact and with the addition of the new XACT closed cartridge fork, the new 2024 bikes are probably the most ‘race ready’ versions of themselves ever to be released. The new frame is smaller than the previous models and has been designed with improved anti-squat behaviour and it is really noticeable on the FE 450. The bike feels small between your legs and it’s really easy to move around on.
Obviously, the biggest talking point about the new 2024 bikes is the introduction of the 48mm WP XACT Closed Cartridge fork and XACT rear shock. For years, I felt that the Austrian bikes have been held back by the soft WP XPLOR forks with the super soft nature that they had and now, we don’t have to worry about that! I was so excited to get on these bikes with the new fork and it was so nice to be able to ride the FE 450 with confidence in the front end in stock trim. The whole feel of the bike is now firmer and I never had that small shadow of doubt that the front end would bottom out or tuck.
The 2024 Husqvarna FE 450 is a little on the heavier side compared to the other bikes in the line-up and I noticed that mostly in the tighter stuff with the front end pushing but it was only a handful of times. The action of the new fork is more predictable and it holds up better throughout the entire ride. The bike is now more balanced than ever before and as a result, the ride is so pleasant.
Sure, it’s firmer than what the usual Husqvarna feel has been but for me, I’m about it. The new XACT rear shock works really well in partnership with the fork and the drive the FE 450 gets out of the corners is super impressive. It pulls out of the corners in second, third or fourth gear, no problem at all. I wish we had some more grasstrack to set this bike free!
More Rider Friendly
The 2024 models come with the new OTC (Offroad control unit) under the seat which eliminates all the fuses and relays making it a lot simpler to maintain. There is a panel under the seat with 5 lights for individual circuits that are green when everything is good and if there is ever an issue, the light will turn will turn red so you know where to start searching for the cause of the problem. The OTC really cleans up the whole wiring harness under the seat.
There are some new brakes for 2024 as well with Braktec at the helm of the controls. Over the years, it’s been interesting to see the Austrian brands stepping away from the tried and trusted Brembo units and Braktec have had their moments, that’s for sure. However, for 2024, the engineers have done a great job for the brakes and they now rival the feel of the Brembos. I never had any issues with brake fade or fluids boiling so that was nice.
Final Thoughts
If you in the market for a super fun bike that will rip a Holeshot at the local club grasstrack day, then the FE 450 is the bike for you. The motor is so damn impressive and easy to ride, and the way that the power is delivered makes it fun all day, every day. It’s got fantastic grunt off the bottom to get you up any hill and it’ll win just about any fireroad drag race you could throw at it.
The new chassis is super balanced and the addition of the all-new WP XACT Closed Cartridge fork is such a massive sigh of relief. The missing link on the handling department of the Husqvarna’s has now been resolved and I applaud the engineers for committing to it because it has really changed the whole vibe of the bike out on the track. There really is nothing that I have to complain about with the 2024 Husqvarna FE 450.
For the full feature, check out issue #530 of ADB.
WORDS GEOFF BRAICO || PHOTOS SEBAS ROMERO & FRANCESC MONTERO
