Husky For '94: Small Changes, Big Difference
HUSKY FOR '94: SMALL CHANGES, BIG DIFFERENCE
DON'T WORRY THAT Husqvarna's 1994 twostroke dirtbikes, available in WXC cross-country and WXE enduro forms, show minor technical improvements over the 1993 line. Those changes yield substantial gains.
Foremost is in the 45mm Showa fork, which got a valving change that results in a much plusher ride this fixed the biggest problem detracting from the otherwise excellent package presented by the Husky 360. The 125 and 250 share the same improvement.
Husky’s frames are unchanged, but swingarms get a cast central yoke and stronger reinforcements. Changes to the motors include a new alloy for the cases, a new reed valve, and, on the 250 and 360, a new gearbox shifter for smoother operation.
The 125 ($3950 for the WXC, $4050 for the WXE) is back after a year’s layoff. This year the bike has headand tailights and a double-walled pipe and a spark arrestor. So do its two bigger brothers. The 125 is especially fun to ride. It is light and nimble, and its power delivery is linear, without the peaky feeling of older Husky 125s. This year’s bike will compete with the KTM 125 as the only 125cc enduro mounts available.
The 250 ($4795/$4895) is the racebike of the bunch, benefiting from this year’s suspension updates while maintaining its competitive edge in the horsepower wars. The 360 ($5050/$5150) is the Cadillac of the fleet. Though its engine works best when it’s short-shifted, it will rev, too, and will torque down to what seems like zero rpm to pull through the ugliest of situations.
On the styling front, there’s not many changes-just new fluorescent-yellow shrouds and sidepanels. Also, the following legend, on the numberplate backgrounds, tops off the ’94 Husqvarna package: “Racing Quality Leader,” it proclaims. Only time, and a whole bunch of racing, will tell whether that’s fact or fiction.
—Jimmy Lewis
