2023 Husqvarna FC 250 vs FC 350

From what I’ve read, the 250f and 350f have the exact same crank. So the 350 should feel very similar to ride as the 250f as it’s the inertia of the crank that gives bikes (450s) their heavy feeling. I’m a vet rider who’s ridden 450s since 2006. But 2 years ago I dropped down to a 250f and I absolutely love it. I’m 100kg and I love that I have to hit corners well to clear the jumps out of corners instead of being lazy on a 450. In saying that my next bike will def be a 350. I’ve been doing a lot of open trail riding lately and I’m wanting a little more power then my 250f but don’t want the 450 feeling anymore. I’ve ridden 250s the new Ktm 300sx and 450s. Next bike will be a 350. 

Oddly enough I rode both on the weekend. About 12-15 minutes on each. Rode the 350 first then the 250. I liked the 350, but preferred the 250. It DID feel lighter. The 350 wore me out a little quicker. 

I'm a slower Vet guy, 170lbs for reference.

I’ve owned both (KTMs) at the same time. The 350 feels heavier but nothing crazy. The 350 is much faster. I found the power difference to be very substantial. I could pretty much just use 2nd and 3rd on the 350. I thought the 250 was more fun as it was more flickable and more engaging as it needed more shifting. I got better starts on the 350 (kept up to 450s pretty well) but was often faster on the 250 - especially later in a moto. I’m on a 144 2 stroke now but if I buy another 4 stroke it will likely be a 250. I’m 52, 215 pounds, and not fast.   

350.  Feels like a 250 with (close to) 450 power.  YMMV

The 350 feels light to me and I spend a lot of time on YZ125 and YZ250 two strokes.

The 350 feels lighter than a YZ250F to me, as do all the KTMs, even the FC450.
The 350 has a whole lot more low end torque than the YZ250F, but it delivers power like all the other Austrian bikes do, in a smoother and more controlled manner.  It's just the superior bike for most guys because you can ride it hard and rev it, or you can lug it a little when you're just cruising.   

The 350F the best engine in the sport of motocross and it's damn shame the Japanese don't make them.

Honestly the biggest thing for me is ease of use, and while the 350 was good, I could be a tad more aggressive with the 250 without feeling like the big was riding me if that makes any sense. 

I did not feel the motor was lacking anywhere, even out of tight corners.

I was talking to a younger racer (in his 20's) who switched from a 350 to a 250 last year for the same reasons, the 250 didn't wear him out as quickly. MPJC above in his post touches on that as well.

The frame stiffness wasn't an issue for me, didn't even think about vibration.

I also rode the KTM versions and being closer to 6 feet tall, I did prefer those ergonomics.

There for sure was a difference between riding the Husqvarna and KTM. I happened to feel more comfortable on the KTM.

My current ride is a 2022 KX250.

I put 30 hours on the FC250 riding off-road. There is some vibration at higher rpms but not quite as bad as the KTM for some reason. If you ride at altitude the extra power from the 350 might be nice to have. 3rd on the 250 isn't geared quite as low as the Yamaha so it is going to feel slower but will leg out quite a bit further or you can play with sprockets to get similar gearing to the YZ.

According to Husqvarna there is a 0.8kg difference between 250 and 350 which is about 1.8lbs. The bike will feel stiff and dead the first 5-10 hours. That will get better the more you ride it. So if you test rode a new one a broken in one will handle a lot better. Check fork air pressure often. Also reset the axle pinch bolts (loosen, push fork down a few times and retighten) if the fork starts to feel bound up. That would always make mine feel nice and free again.

get the 350.  It's like a built 250 without the reliability issues.   I have the KTM and it's a great compromise of everything.   Great bike

How does vibration compare between the two?

6lbs seems like a big difference in what is essentially the exact same bike other than slight changes in the motor.  Is that correct?

Husky website says 1.8 lbs.

Mxa usually says it is a 1 lb difference. The 450 isn’t much heavier either. 6 is probably the difference between an fx350 (has coil springs now) vs an fc250.

I came off a FC450 and did not like the 350.  Still happy with the 250

The 350 definitely feels heavier than a 250 when riding. The 350 has more power and bottom end.  I think at your size the 350 will be a great option.  You can ride it lower RPM, more roll on power which in return makes the bike suspension feel better.

The 250 is great because it's light, but its more rev'd out around the track.  Less power, but more flickable.  It's all a give and take.  

I have rode both, I'm 180, 5,9 39yo.  I'd still get a 350 if I had a choice.

Not really a comparison to be made. The gearing in the 2 bikes is very different. The 250 blows through each gear much quicker so it feels snappy but the 350 feels like it pulls forever. 

I doubt you'd ever get pumped up on a 350 in map 1 with TC turned on unless you were just trying to.
I'm probably a half inch taller and 15 to 20 pounds lighter than you and I race the 40A and 30A classes.

I rode my tight little track today on my YZ250 (as a pallet cleanser for proven fork settings) then switch to my MC350F.

My track is what Southwick and Arenacross might have if they got drunk together one night and made a baby...
(It lasts 30 to 35 seconds, it's soft sand with a harder base and it has some steep jumps with a few big berms).

In map 1 with TC, the 350 comes on softer and with less torque than the YZ250 does (lugging both).
In map 2, with TC, the 350 doesn't need any clutch, even when lugged (the two stroke demands clutch manipulation).
The four stroke goes straight and stays in its line while the two stroke gets a little happy when you twist the throttle.

Today was a map 2 with TC condition.
When I rev the 350 a little more, it works better.  Getting off of my YZ makes me initially lug the 350 for a lap.
I find engine braking offensive.  The 350 (and most of KTM's engines) are pretty light on engine braking, so I like it.

Don't go crazy adding a bunch of mods that turn it into a fire breathing monster.
If the track is getting rough leading up to your last moto of the day, kick her down into map 1 with TC and just cruise in comfort while you enjoy some Vivaldi.

It's a give or take.  Get pumped on the 350 because more power and heavier or get pumped on a 250 because you need to scream it to get the power.   Maybe it depends on the type of rider you are you and where you'd like the power range?

Just felt heavier, might have changed my mind if the power was off the bottom, but it wants to be rev ed out like the 250.  The 250 I can ride it hard and not get tired, vet guy 165 pounds 5ft10.  Hard to beat the nimbleness of the 250, not to mention it corners magnificently

They vibrate more because you have to wring the hell out of them to get into the meat of the power.   I didn't think either vibrated more than the other.....

Congrats on the new ride!!