Husqvarna Seriously Upgrades the Junior Motocross Championship-Winning Small-Capacity Bike

4 months, 2 weeks ago - 5 July 2024, autoevolution
Husqvarna TC 85
Husqvarna TC 85
Bike maker Husqvarna is on a serious revision spree, having announced over the past couple of months or so a wealth of improved motorcycles ready to take on the 2025 model year sales. The latest bike to benefit from upgrades is one that, in 2023, helped riders win the FIM Junior Motocross World Championship.

In case you missed that, the ride I'm talking about is called the TC 85. Technically a minicycle, the vehicle has been around for some time now, making the rounds of tracks all over the world. Just like it happened with some of the other motorcycles Husqvarna revamped for the new model year, this one, too, is at the receiving end of some serious modifications that target everything from chassis and brakes to engine and suspension system.

I'll start with the frame and tell you it has been modified to provide significant improvements to handling and stability. The bike maker achieved that by altering the geometry of the chassis in undisclosed ways.

The engine held by the frame was altered as well, but this time we know a bit more about what was done to it. First up, we get new components, including the cylinder head, spark plug, ignition, and exhaust.

The Keihin carburetor of the 85cc two-stroke powerplant was adjusted as well to be able to cope with the increased bottom to mid-range power. Two maps for the powerplant are available in the revised engine.

The position of the engine in the frame has changed as well, and it now sits three degrees rotated upwards at the front. This, together with pivoting the mounting point at the swingarm, should more effectively distribute weight, which in turn should translate into better cornering and jumping.

Speaking of swingarm, this component has been manufactured through a better casting process that resulted in a piece that is 300 grams lighter than before.

The suspensions system is centered around the same WP XACT shock which is now mounted on the upper frame tube and is 16 mm shorter than before. The changes should help the bike perform even better on rough tracks and during big jumps.

At the front the steering angle is now cut by half a degree, and it's located six mm closer to the center of the frame in a bid to improve cornering ability.

The bodywork of the motorcycle has been upgraded as well. Its component parts, but also the graphics, have been designed in such a way as to imitate the ones of the full-size Husqvarna bikes used in competitions.

For the 2025 model year, the TC 85 also comes with an improved riding position, thanks to the fitting of new footrests, handlebars, and lower seat. The bike is also less tall than before, but we're not told how much the bike's height was reduced.

The bike rides on multi-spoke wire wheels that are shod in Maxxis Maxxcross MX-ST tires. Their spinning motion is kept in check by a set of Formula brakes running Galfer discs.

Husqvarna says the 2025 TC 85 is available worldwide starting this month, but if you want to know how much one of them costs in your area, you should contact your local dealer.