What would you say if someone offered you a test day of back to back Evolution Husqvarnas? Naturally you would say COOL, and pack your gear. I had the honor of heading out to Yakima Washington for such a day with Vintage Motocrosser Lyndell Raphael. So to cut to the chase I rode five bikes- (the 6th is destined to be Lyndell's show bike) starting with the smallest and oldest, the '77 GP250. The two I was most struck by from this test day were that first one, and the 430, which was fantastic in every way. Each bike was very different of course, and so here are notes on each one. - siege click any image to see up close

1977 Husqvarna GP250
ML frame, Fox Air shocks, 35mm forks, double sealed with stiffer top springs- tires:S12, Bing carb
what's cool about this bike? Lyndell: the Handling. The way the bike is so precise- the front goes right where you point it. Siege: this was the most satisfying to ride- precise is the word I wrote down- the least power off all the bikes I rode, but it didn't matter.
click any image to see up close
1977 Husqvarna WR360
ML frame, Curnutt Shocks, 35 double sealed forks, stiffer top springs. tires: Dunlop rear, Michelin S12 front 390 up-pipe carb: 38mm Mikuni
what's cool about this bike? Lyndell: the ease of riding- it is very comfortable and an all around great bike. Siege: this bike had loads of juice- everything was easy- not as cat-like as the older 250- but easy to ride. Very cool.
1981 Husqvarna CR250
MN frame, Works shocks, Factory Fox Works 43mm Forks, ProTaper Bars, ported jug, milled head (15 th.) IRC tires, 390 clutch springs, ceramic coatng on piston, 38mm Mikuni Carb
Lyndell: this is the best bike for a technical track- Siege: this bike I wrote a few weeks ago was staggeringly good- but on the test day, after the older 250 it felt a lot squishier- of I wasn't riding in a race situation- and a lot rougher track-
1978 Husqvarna CR390
MM frame, Curnutt shocks, 35 long forks, double sealed, IRC tires 38mm Mikuni
what's cool about this bike? Lyndell: it is so quick & nimble, lots of power. Siege: this bike was the scary fast to me- and the back jumped around over rough ground- the power comes on like mad- and not in a fun way- of course in a race situation I might decoide I needed that power....
1982 Husqvarna CR430
CN frame, Ohlins shocks, double sealed 40 mm forks, IRC tires, 38mm Mikuni, ProTaper Bars, valving redone in in forks & shocks

what's cool about this bike? Lyndell: everything is there- Siege: this was the best bike of all- phenomenal power- but easygoing and relaxed feeling- I kept thinking of the word "butter" as I did laps on the test track. The easiest bike to ride of all

click any image to see up close

1982 Husqvarna CR250
shocks Ohlins 40 mm forks double sealed IRC tires 38mm Mikuni

whatl about this bike? Lyndell: this is going to be a show bike- right now it is a lot stiffer than the other bikes.

We did not ride this bike.

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