We recently got to see the Husky team riders Joshua Mlimi and Michael Docherty put the new 2023 Husqvarna MX bikes through their paces at Terra Topia. Motocross requires a very particular skill set, especially if the purpose of the ride is to evaluate the nuances of these new bikes. So, with the notebook in hand and a watchful eye set on both riders, we got to see how the bikes should be ridden, after which we got to hear their feedback.
The latest crop of motocross motorcycles is a real technological tour-de-force as we covered in detail at the 2023 Husqvarna SA MX Launch in July. More power, more features, lighter, better handling….the list goes on and on. Staying ahead in this field needs constant revision and improvement. Husqvarna are dominant in this sector and judging by what we learnt about the new bikes, they plan to stay up with, or ahead of the best of them.
A summary of what’s new for 2023
The 2023 Huskies are not just tweaked versions of the previous models. They are totally new bikes. Bodywork has been revised for better rider ergonomics, making it easier for riders to move around on the bikes. Watching the guys put the bikes through their paces you become acutely aware of the ‘body language’ which goes into riding a motocrosser fast.
The sub-frame is totally new. Designed for more durability and side impact resistance it is a 60/40 combination of aluminium and an injection moulded polyamide material. Frames are hydro-formed for strength and rigidity, weighing in at a mere 1,8 kg’s. The frames retain the identical geometry despite a new shock mount making the seat height 15 mm lower. Lateral stiffness is enhanced and footpegs are 8 mm lower and 5 mm wider.
The 2-stroke motors now feature fuel injection at the throttle body as opposed to TPI, as well as an electronic exhaust valve. Electric start is a welcome addition too. The engines are rotated by a couple of degrees in the frame. My mind boggles at the subtleties of the upgrades. The radiators are now common across the range for both 4 and 2-strokes.
4-strokes now run optional quick-shifters from 2nd gear up. Cylinder heads, cranks and gearboxes are all new. Revisions are aimed at more power and durability. All this power is tapped into by engine maps where map 1 is pretty much the same as the 2022 bikes and map 2 gives you even more top-end hit. Clutches are now from Brembo with a great feel.
Suspension is WP XACT and fully hand adjustable, with 48 mm front forks and a revised linkage on the rear shock. The die-cast swingarm is also new. The hand adjustability of the suspension is a good thing, as with more frame rigidity it requires more subtle suspension tweaking to set up on hard-pack tracks.
Feedback from the riders
After chatting the pros, here is the feedback given with regards to riding characteristic improvements over the predecessors:
- All of the 2023 models share the same body and chassis which makes it easy to quickly adapt to the different models.
- They have improved the low-down torque throughout the range, making it easier to accelerate out of corners (and not having to hunt for gears). This is a big improvement!
- The traction control also helps keep the back wheel planted when accelerating hard out of the corners, which gave the riders more confidence especially when on the 450, which translates to better lap times.
- The new bikes feel super comfortable to ride, and the new footpegs feel like the perfect size and are in the perfect position to feel stable on the bike.
- With the usable power comes a complement of lightness on the bike, making it feel very agile when changing direction and when in the air.
- The engine maps come in handy when on different parts of the track where it’s more loose or rutted, allowing riders to make changes like putting the bike into map 2, especially in the deeper-rutted parts of the track.
- The quick-shifter on the 4-strokes are a great asset when doing race starts.
The new Husqvarna’s, with the myriads of subtle yet meaningful upgrades, are a brilliant example of the lengths that Husqvarna are prepared to go to in order to stay at the top of the motocross tree. The bikes bristle with top-of-the-range components like Pro Taper bars and DID rims. In the hands of riders who have the skill to extract their full potential, they will be formidable weapons.
2023 Husqvarna MX Range
For more information on the bikes featured in this article, click on the links below…
