FX 450 (MY2010)

The FX 450 is Husaberg's cross-country race bike, built around the brand's 70-degree single and a layout that pulls the engine's mass toward the middle of the machine. That packaging is what sets it apart. It gives the front end a planted, trustworthy feel when the ground turns to roots, rocks and ruts, and it helps a 449 cc liquid-cooled single with 53 hp and 31 lb-ft put its power into the dirt instead of spinning it away. Fuel injection, a six-speed gearbox and selectable ride modes sit in a steel trellis frame, with adjustable WP suspension at both ends and a closed-cartridge fork up front. It sits between enduro and motocross, and it holds its own in both.

This is a bike that wants to be ridden hard for hours. The suspension stays composed when the terrain gets ugly, and the power is usable from the bottom, which counts for more in the woods than any peak figure. It will run a cross-country race one weekend and crawl through an extreme enduro section the next. At 262 lb (119 kg) wet it feels heavier than a dedicated motocross bike, and it rewards experienced hands. With proper maintenance the engine lasts well past 200 hours. The honest caveat is that the fuel pump, fuel filter, countershaft splines and cooling all need sorting before you trust it deep in the backcountry.