01. Faster and wiser
Engine
The new FC 350 engine is designed to deliver maximum performance. For 2023, the repositioning of all major engine components and shaft arrangements enhances overall handling with the design improving anti-squat behaviour from the whole chassis. Weighing just 27.2 kg, the 350cc 4-stroke engine is tilted two degrees backwards and is 8 mm shorter in height to further centralise mass.
Cylinder head
Fully redesigned for 2023, the DOHC cylinder head offers improved durability and serviceability, with Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) coated finger followers to guarantee minimal friction and optimal performance. These actuate large titanium valves, 36.3 mm for the intake and 29.1 mm for the exhaust, which optimise gas flow for strong, usable power access the rev-range, all the way up to the 13,400 rpm limit. Revised valve timings work in perfect harmony with the redesigned camshaft which now features a new bearing bridge designed to increase stiffness and improve serviceability.
Cylinder and piston
A large 88 mm bore and 57.5 mm stroke cylinder is professionally engineered from high-strength aluminium for maximum reliability, and houses the high performance forged bridged-box-type piston from CP. For 2023, the compression ratio is increased to 14.6:1 for improved torque and peak power. Engine responsiveness is further improved thanks to optimised valve guides and valve shaft diameters precisely engineered using computational fluid dynamics (CFD).
Crankshaft
At the centre of the high-output, high-revving FC 350 engine is a crankshaft featuring a plain big end bearing rotating on two force-fitted bearing shells, ensuring maximum reliability and durability, guaranteeing long service intervals of 90 hours.
Crankcases
Designed for optimised mass centralisation, the FC 350 crankcases house all internal components in the perfect position to achieve the ideal centre of gravity. Manufactured using a high-pressure die cast production process, the result is a thin, exceptionally strong wall thickness at the lowest possible weight.
DS clutch
The FC 350 features a revised (DS) Diaphragm Steel clutch. Engineered from a single piece of CNC-machined steel, the redesigned clutch basket accommodates the new gearbox and allows the use of thin steel liners, which contribute to the compact design of the engine.
Gearbox
Produced by Pankl Racing Systems, the 5-speed gearbox is designed to be extremely light and durable while featuring optimised and proven motocross-specific gear ratios (24:72). A redesign of the shift shaft reduces the operating forces required for gear changes. Integrated into the shift drum, a new Quickshift sensor can be activated by pressing the QS marked button on the map select switch to further aid seamless upshifting.