This month we’ve been accumulating all the present dual-sport bikes to arrange for the March print version of Dirt Bike Magazine, which can be devoted completely to dual-sport and journey bikes. Of all of them, the 2024 Husqvarna FE350S is considered one of my favorites. I don’t even consider it as a dual-sport bike. When I need to go on a legit off-road journey, that is going to be one of many first bikes I attain for.
In 2022, Husqvarna set the wheels in movement for an entire makeover of each mannequin in its line-up. That began with the 2022 Rockstar Editions and now the 2024 FE350S is on the identical web page. The 350 truly bought a extra intensive record of latest elements than a lot of the others, beginning with a extra compact motor. The new body is just about similar to what the motocross bikes bought final 12 months. Unlike KTM’s dual-sport bikes, which use PDS no-link suspension, the Husky makes use of a linkage-driven design which is, once more, similar to the motocross bikes. Even the fork comes from the motocross world. This is a coil-spring model of the WP Xact fork.
In the motor division, Husqvarna needed to leap via all types of bureaucratic hoops to get via the varied assessments for emissions and noise. There’s a reed valve within the consumption boot and the exhaust system may be very restrictive. The mapping is tremendous lean and there’s no map change on the handlebar. Even the tires had been chosen with sound degree in thoughts. The Continental TKC80s have little or no rolling noise. To be trustworthy, I didn’t journey 10 ft with the inventory tires. I’ve loads of expertise with the Contis, so I put in full knobbies with rim locks instantly.
The most putting side of the Husky 350 is how mild it feels. On our scale, it’s 248 kilos with out gasoline. It truly gained 3 kilos since final 12 months, however you’ll by no means understand it. You can toss it round and usually manhandle it at any pace. This is additional proof that horsepower is the sworn enemy of dealing with. Half the explanation the FE350S handles so nicely is as a result of it’s not particularly quick. We all know why that’s. Between the sound restrictions and the emission gear, the FE is fairly stuffed up. But that’s truly high quality. It’s what makes the 350 so good as an off-road bike. It’s preposterously simple to journey. And it truly does make extra energy than it did final 12 months. The new motor has just a bit extra within the center and on high.
Like some other dual-sport bike, it’s tough to search around for extra energy. Changes to the airbox or exhaust will throw that delicate fuel-mapping out of whack. Flame-outs, stalls and hesitations will turn into the norm. There are a number of methods to handle this, however all will make the bike a closed-course competitors bike within the eyes of the federal government. JD Jetting has the simplest and most reasonably priced answer with its piggyback gasoline injection tuners. They promote for about $250 and can help you make adjustments to the combination. Coober, Athena/GET and Vortex all have extra subtle techniques that enable adjustments to the combination and ignition mapping–largely within the $800 vary. The guys at Slavens Racing, Twisted Development and Taco Moto all have some experience on this matter and can be pleased to supply recommendation.
Husqvarna has a philosophy of constructing one body with only a few alterations for just about all its grime bikes. This era of the common Husky body was thought-about to be a bit of stiff when it was launched on the 2024 Rockstar Edition. But the problems that motocross guys face are utterly totally different from these skilled by dual-sport riders. The suspension for the FE350S is a lot softer that body flex performs a far lesser position. Having mentioned that, the FE’s suspension is stiffer than it was final 12 months. The rear shock went up from a 42 N/mm spring charge to 45. In entrance, the springs are unchanged, however the fork is now a closed-cartridge system with way more exact valving. It rides increased in its journey and has much less dive. Overall, the brand new suspension set-up repositions the bike as a extra critical off-road machine. Rainy season is simply beginning right here in SoCal and that’s prime dual-sport climate. We all can be using the FE350S so much in coming weeks. You can learn extra about it within the March, 2024 Buyer’s Guide version of Dirt Bike.
WHAT’S A HUSKY FE350W?
There’s a brand new bike in Husky’s 2024 mannequin line that the majority riders don’t know of. It’s known as the FE350W, and it’s mainly a 350 dual-sport bike with out all of the lights, horns and street-legal stuff. It nonetheless has sure emission gear and it’s nonetheless very quiet, but it surely provides a bit of extra efficiency than the road model. The motive it exists is for California sellers who have to have green-sticker eligible bikes. So, if you need a inexperienced sticker however don’t need all the road stuff and and crummy tires, this bike is for you. It sells for $12,249.
BETA OFF-ROAD TEAMS
Left to proper: Danny Lewis, Joe Wasson, Dare Demartile and Zane Roberts
Beta’s West Coast crew returns all three riders to the crew. Joe Wasson, who was injured in direction of the tip of the season, returns to the crew aboard a Factory 480 RR. Even together with his shortened season, Wasson nonetheless claimed 4 podium finishes. His teammate Zane Roberts returns as nicely. Roberts stepped onto the rostrum eight instances in 2023. Both riders will compete within the National Hare and Hound Series in addition to the West Hare Scrambles. Rounding out the crew is Dare DeMartile, who returns for his fourth 12 months with the crew. DeMartile competes within the WORCS & NGPC sequence. His season final 12 months was additionally condensed resulting from harm. But out of the races he competed, DeMartile completed on the rostrum in over half. Competing within the US Hard Enduro Series and Enduro X for Beta Motorcycles is Danny Lewis. This can be his second 12 months on the crew and the expertise he gained using a Factory 300 RR final 12 months ought to present a lift going into the Hard Enduro sequence this season. Lewis persistently earned Top Ten finishes final 12 months on among the hardest terrain and most grueling races.
Last 12 months on the East Coast crew, Jonathan Johnson supplied Beta Motorcycles with its first XC2 GNCC win. Johnson returns to the crew and can once more compete within the XC2 class within the GNCC sequence, and in addition race in NE Pro2 class on the National Enduros. Joining Johnson within the XC2 class is Jason Lipscomb. Last 12 months Lipscomb raced in XC3 for Beta the place he received a race and had three different podiums earlier than harm on the finish of the season. Lipscomb may even compete on the National Enduro within the NE Pro2 class. Newcomer Jhak Walker joins the East Coast crew. Walker will race the GNCC XC3 class the place he had success final 12 months. He completed the XC3 sequence in 2nd place within the factors race for 2023.
“On the East Team, Jon Johnson is returning and looking to continue his march toward a championship. With a win last year in XC2 under his belt, he is looking forward to the upcoming season. Jason Lipscomb is moving up to XC2 from the XC3 class and also is looking for a consistent season to come. He will also be competing in PRO 2 NEPG. Our newest addition is Jhak Walker. He will be riding XC 3 GNCC. In all, we are looking forward to 2024, where we will be fighting for championships!” mentioned Andy Brannon, East Coast Team Manager
“Having the same three racers as last year has given us a chance to really get our bike setups dialed in, and I think the whole team is more confident than ever before. We had a tough last year, with a couple of our racers battling injuries. Starting the year everyone is healed up and eager to get back to racing in 2024. I think that this is going to be a great year for Beta USA.” mentioned Brian Marok, West Coast Race Team Manager.
MORE BETA NEWS: COLT NICHOLS INJURED
During a latest apply session, Liqui Moly Factory Beta Supercross rider Colt Nichols sustained a rotator cuff harm, which is able to see him miss a while firstly of the 2024 AMA Supercross season. Nichols, was placing in apply laps in preparation for the upcoming Supercross season when the incident occurred. This setback comes proper earlier than Beta Motorcycle Supercross debut. Nichols and his crew are totally dedicated to a radical rehabilitation course of to make sure a whole and profitable restoration. Nichols expressed his disappointment, saying, “I’m very disheartened to be missing the season opener at Anaheim 1 this weekend and the debut on my new BETA 450 RX. I’m doing everything I can to heal up so I can get back on the gate, hopefully see you guys soon.”
John Short has been tapped to fill in whereas Colt Nichols is recovering. Short has two top-ten 450 motocross finishes in his profession, in addition to eight top-ten finishes in 250SX East championship. Short mentioned, “I’m eager to be a part of Beta’s first Supercross experience and to meet some new people along the way. I’m very thankful for the opportunity and thankful for all of my sponsors who are supporting my 2024 race program and allowing me to jump on with Beta at Anaheim while Colt is healing up.” John Short will be a part of Benny Bloss on the 450 RX as Beta Motorcycles begins its inaugural Supercross marketing campaign in Anaheim this weekend.
ANAHEIM 1 IS NOW!
It’s time for A1! Every 12 months we hear that it’s the deepest area ever, but it surely is likely to be true this time. If you embrace 250 guys who’ve moved up, there are extra previous champions within the 450 class than ever earlier than. Anaheim has had 82 Supercross occasions. That’s much more than some other venue. Here’s a historical past of the winners.
See you there!
