Husqvarna has focused on producing a race-worthy, production 450cc supermoto, and for the 2019 model year it further improves the breed. The 2019 FS 450 features a new frame, revised engine (which makes a claimed 63 horsepower!), revised suspension, body work and ergonomics. Here are some photos and the announcement from Husqvarna:
HUSQVARNA MOTORCYCLES UNVEILS NEW FS 450 SUPERMOTO
TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION FOR UNMATCHED CLOSED-CIRCUIT SUPERMOTO PERFORMANCE
Husqvarna Motorcycles is pleased to introduce the 2019 Husqvarna FS 450 – a new supermoto offering both professional and amateur competitors a machine that features the highest levels of technology available in the supermoto segment today.
Sharing the innovative technological evolutions featured in the 2019 FC 450 motocross model, the all-new FS 450 is a motorcycle built from the ground up to offer unmatched closed-circuit supermoto performance.
With a redesigned chassis and engine platform aimed at improving handling and usability of power, the MY19 FS 450 is a lightweight and agile supermoto machine that is extremely enjoyable to ride and the most capable race winning supermoto available on the showroom floor.
A LEAP AHEAD
A leading developmental force within the supermoto segment, for model year 2019 Husqvarna Motorcycles introduces a wide series of considered upgrades to the FS 450. Standing out is the all-new, blue coated frame with increased rigidity for improved rider feedback and optimum straight-line stability. Unique to Husqvarna Motorcycles, the composite carbon fiber subframe design gets an additional weight reduction of 0.6 lb for 2019.
Featuring the latest in suspension technology, the new FS 450 is equipped with WP’s 48mm AER air fork that matches perfectly with the WP DCC rear shock. Receiving new settings to perfectly match the updated frame characteristics, the WP suspension further improves energy absorption and stability. The 16 mm offset CNC machined triple clamps are specifically designed to work in harmony with the front forks.
With a redesigned cylinder head reducing the engine’s weight by over 1 lb, the trademark single-cylinder SOHC powerplant is more compact than ever. At an overall weight of just 60.2 lb and offering a peak power output of 63 hp, the new FS 450 engine design brings notable improvements in handling and usability.
Using top-level supermoto competition as a base for development, the FS 450 is equipped with black 16.5” (front) and 17” (rear) Alpina spoked wheels. The high-quality wheels are matched with Bridgestone 125/80 R420 and 165/65 R420 slick tires for maximum grip, traction and agility.
Showcasing Husqvarna Motorcycles’ pioneering development direction, fresh and distinctive new bodywork matches advanced ergonomics with a pure yet effective Swedish-inspired design.
MY19 FS 450 HIGHLIGHTS
- Redesigned bodywork
- Redesigned SOHC cylinder head (1.1 lb lighter)
- Blue coated frame featuring increased rigidity
- New 2-piece subframe design (0.6 lb lighter)
- Chain adjustment slot length increased by 5 mm
- Updated setting on the WP AER 48 forks
- WP DCC shock featuring new piston & updated setting
- 1.85 gal polythene fuel tank with new fuel line routing
- Alpina spoked wheels with Bridgestone slick tires
- ProTaper handlebar with new bend
- Traction & launch control with updated settings
- New throttle cable routing for easier maintenance
- Flow-designed resonance chamber & more compact silencer
- Updated cooling system with new center tube
- Magura hydraulic clutch with SUTER anti-hoping system
- High performance Brembo brakes
Husqvarna Motorcycles also offers a revamped line-up of clothing and accessories, which meet the highest standards of quality and include functional garments and dedicated technical parts designed to further enhance the performance of the new supermoto machine.
The new Husqvarna MY19 FS 450 machine will be available at an authorized Husqvarna Motorcycles dealer this coming September.
See more of MD’s great photography:
Front 16.5″ and rear 17″.
But both use R420 tires?
Husky should ditch the white plastics and go back to blue and yellow. The white plastic is way too understated/dull for a cutting edge race bike IMO. I’m not even a form before function type of person at all, but I just feel like the Italian Huskies with blue and yellow plastics looked a lot more exciting.
Agreed … the last version of the bike was really good looking. The paint and graphics were one change this bike didn’t need. Understated/dull is spot on. Still the coolest SM ever regardless.
Husky should go back to full-on yellow and blue, with yellow and blue plastics. The white plastics create a dull/unexciting look IMO. Shoot, even the Suzukis that are also-ran in the performance category offroad, look more exciting than the cutting-edge Huskies.
Damn, that looks fun!
Why not offer a flat track model with 19″ rims?
I have often wondered about how rare 19 inch wheels are.
Woah! And wow!
How much difference does that .5 inch smaller front wheel diameter make on this bike? I seem to remember reading about 16.5 inch wheels a few decades earlier.
Anyone know what happened to our dear Norm?
Pro, In my experience, the .5 allows a bit more sidewall that can increase compliance with the track without creating a mushy feeling high profile tire. OD of the tire remains close to the same as seventeens. My limited experience pushing SMs into turns tells me getting the front exactly right is a big part of fast turn entry, as the rear is generally wagging around a bit.
Where I live, the state will issue a temp plate for these, good for 30 days, insurance is cheap. Cancel insurance end of the month. The trick is to stay out of jail with such a bike on the road. Done this twice with my 250 2-smoke. No jail yet.
Norm probably met a woman, lost all common sense, forgot his old buddies and became a slobbering bowl of emotions for her. I’ve witnessed it happen. It’s not good nor pretty.
This is a beautiful bike but due to a lack of dealers (Dakota), it’s unobtanium.
Man, me wants.
It’s cool for what it is. Unfortunately, what it is, is useless for anything but a track. Anyone that buys one and plates it for the street is just doing so for bragging rights. Maintenance schedule will be frequent and associated costs high.
If you race and don’t mind the total cost or you do your own maintenance, go for it and enjoy it on the track!
That’s silly. It wasn’t long ago when people were spending crazy money on choppers that were barely rideable and broke down every single day.
This bike is totally rideable and would easily stand up to street use. If I didn’t already have a supermoto for the street, I would buy one in a heartbeat. And I am 56 years old.
What’s so “silly” about my observations? As for your comparing them to those ridiculous choppers? Those things were and still are, stoopid. 😉
Go ahead. Buy one. It won’t bother me in the least and if it makes you fappy, do it!
I have been riding a supermoto as my personal street bike since I sold my 916 Ducati to build one 18 years ago. Before that had a 610 Husqvarna for a dual sport bike. It was the reason I sold the 916. It was a much better all around motorcycle.
So throwing a supermoto under the bus is bound to sound silly to me. They are my go to street bike.
I have an old Ducati Multistrada for two up use. It is kind of a bloated supermoto with way too much plastic tacked on all over the place. Supermotos are the perfect street bike in my universe.
I’m an old dirt biker. I can’t even imagine people thinking that they are uncomfortable. If you have been riding dirt bikes for 50 years. Nobody is going to sell you on the idea that they are uncomfortable.
I am taking delivery of an electric dirt bike today.
i had a KTM 525 dedicated Supermoto for several years. i was uncomfortable for sure, but what a fantastic motorcycle. i had more fun on that thing and wish i had kept it, sigh.
Nobody is under any illusion that outside of a competitive super Moto racer, this is a toy. Just like an mx or woods bike, just like a sport bike, just like a cruiser, or anything that’s more fun than a practical scooter.
You sure you’re not just salty because the market continues to create products that aren’t targeted at your “get off my lawn!” generation?
The exhaust looks like a mild 2-stroke expansion chamber.
I have no use for this whatsoever- but I love it.
Makes me wish I owned a parking lot.
Anyone have any idea why they have an expansion chamber on a 4-stroke?
I’d really like to read in depth tech articles about an engine such as this.
It’s a resonance chamber. It allows them to use a more open muffler without failing sound tests.
And they intentionally designed the resonance chamber to look like a two stroke expansion chamber. Because it looks cool.
Hmmm, wouldn’t think there would be a whole lot of demand for a super moto versus other competition models. I don’t think there is any place around me that one could make use of this except on the highway, and for that, this model is not road legal. Probably a Trials bike would be more in demand than this I would think. Maybe I’m full of ship! 🙂
There is quite a bit of local supermoto racing going on around the US in addition to the AMA championship series. And there are always track days at kart racing facilities.
Guess I’m in a bubble living here in the Appalachian mountain region.
Just when I thought the Vitpilen was the least practical motorcycle in the world, along comes this.
Well, it IS an actual racebike. It’s supposed to be fast, not practical.
Race bikes are practical for racing – but not much else.
Cool. I wonder if they are going to do a open class model also. Toss on a mirror, some lights and a plate. Vit-what?
Husky makes a 701 supermoto with an engine based on the VITPILEN power-plant. Otherwise there largest motor is in the FE 501 enduro model.
As a targeted SM, would the maintenance intervals be longer than current dirt offerings? Something like this would be cool to revisit the F450 concept road racer.
A 450 single that makes 63hp? Stock!?! If they figured out how to extend intervals too, they have achieved magic.
I really had high hopes for that F450 class. Considering what people go through just to convert street bikes and the huge inventory of lightly used, cheap MXer’s out there, I figured it’d be an overnight success. It could’ve breathed new life into lots of smaller tracks out there, too.
According to Husky’s website the 2018 models of the FC 450 and FS 450 required the same maintenance schedule.
Sweet Lord