Husqvarna TC 85 vs KTM 85 & Yamaha YZ85 — 85cc Motocross

Q: Is the Husqvarna TC 85 17/14 a good choice?

A premium, race-bred 85 for the developing rider u2014 the best components in the class, in the smaller-wheel step-up size. WP XACT suspension and a hydraulic clutch u2014 a genuine factory-level 85 for the young racer.

Shopping the Husqvarna TC 85 17/14 and want to know how it really compares to the KTM 85 SX 17/14, GasGas MC 85, Yamaha YZ85 and Kawasaki KX85? Here’s an honest, sourced side-by-side — specs, price and the places the competition wins — from Empire Cycle & Powersports in Spokane Valley, WA. A premium 85cc two-stroke motocrosser for the growing rider — WP XACT suspension, a hydraulic clutch and a 6-speed box, in the smaller-wheel 17/14 size for the step up from minis. Here’s the honest look — platform truth and all.

Honest, sourced comparisons — we even tell you where the competition wins. The same no-games promise as our Up Front Pricing.

2027 Husqvarna TC 85 17/14 vs. the 85 motocross class

A premium 85cc two-stroke motocrosser for the growing rider — WP XACT suspension, a hydraulic clutch and a 6-speed box, in the smaller-wheel 17/14 size for the step up from minis. Here’s the honest look — platform truth and all.

	HusqvarnaTC 85 17/14 Our pick	KTM85 SX 17/14	GasGasMC 85	YamahaYZ85	KawasakiKX85
Engine	85cc 2-stroke	85cc 2-stroke	85cc 2-stroke	85cc 2-stroke	85cc 2-stroke
WP suspension	✓	✓	✓	KYB	Showa / KYB
Hydraulic clutch	✓	✓	✓	cable	cable
Seat height approx.	33.3 in	33.3 in	33.3 in	33.1 in	33.9 in
Suspension travel front / rear	10.9″ / 11.4″ WP XACT	10.9″ / 11.4″	10.9″ / 11.4″	10.8″ / 11.1″ KYB, fully adj.	10.8″ / 10.8″
Brake discs front / rear	240 / 220 mm	Sizes not published	240 / 220 mm	220 / 190 mm	240 / 220 mm
Gearbox · carburetor	6-speed · Keihin PWK 28	6-speed · Keihin PWK 28	6-speed · Keihin PWK 28	6-speed · Keihin PWK 28	6-speed · Keihin 28mm
Wheelbase	50.5″	Not published	50.5″	49.4″	49.8″
Ground clearance	12.1″	12.1″	12.1″	12.6″	11.6″
Fuel capacity	1.43 gal	1.43 gal	1.43 gal 5.4 L	1.3 gal	1.32 gal
Weight without fuel	150 lb	150 lb	150 lb	161 lb curb, fueled	160.3 lb
Spec sheet model year	2027	2027	2027	2027	2027
Price starting MSRP	~$7,149	~$6,949	~$6,499	~$5,499	~$5,199

Why buy the TC 85 from Empire

A premium, race-bred 85 for the developing rider — the best components in the class, in the smaller-wheel step-up size.

✓
Premium spec for the class. WP XACT suspension and a hydraulic clutch — a genuine factory-level 85 for the young racer.
✓
Championship two-stroke. 85cc of proven MX two-stroke power with a 6-speed gearbox, built to grow the rider’s skills.
✓
Smaller-wheel step-up size. The 17/14 wheels bridge the gap from a 65 to a full big-wheel 85.
●
Straight talk. The TC 85 shares its engine and chassis with the KTM 85 SX and GasGas MC 85 — essentially the same bike; the GasGas is the value cousin and KTM has the biggest aftermarket. The Yamaha YZ85 and Kawasaki KX85 cost far less and are famously durable. You pay for Husqvarna’s premium components, styling and finish.

A serious first race bike. Premium suspension that’s easy to ride fast at the local motocross track — with Empire right here for setup, jetting and parts.

And the price is the price. Our advertised number already includes freight, setup and our documentation fee — only sales tax and title/registration are added.

Read the full Husqvarna TC 85 17/14 comparison →

Frequently asked questions

Is the Husqvarna TC 85 17/14 a good choice?

A premium, race-bred 85 for the developing rider — the best components in the class, in the smaller-wheel step-up size. WP XACT suspension and a hydraulic clutch — a genuine factory-level 85 for the young racer.

How does the Husqvarna TC 85 17/14 compare to the competition?

The TC 85 shares its engine and chassis with the KTM 85 SX and GasGas MC 85 — essentially the same bike; the GasGas is the value cousin and KTM has the biggest aftermarket. The Yamaha YZ85 and Kawasaki KX85 cost far less and are famously durable. You pay for Husqvarna’s premium components, styling and finish.

Where can I see the Husqvarna TC 85 17/14 near Spokane?

Empire Cycle & Powersports in Spokane Valley, WA stocks the Husqvarna TC 85 17/14 with Up Front Pricing — freight, setup and our documentation fee are already in the advertised price. Text us at 509-498-3541 or browse the inventory online.

Detailed spec rows were taken from each manufacturer’s official 2027 US spec page on September 10, 2026: Husqvarna TC 85 17/14, KTM 85 SX 17/14 (KTM publishes no wheelbase and no brake-disc sizes for this model), GasGas MC 85 17/14 (metric figures only — conversions shown are approximate), Yamaha YZ85, and Kawasaki KX85. Weight is shown on the without-fuel basis each maker publishes, except Yamaha, which publishes only a fueled curb weight. Other figures are from manufacturer and published sources; competitor specs and prices are approximate, vary by trim and market, and should be verified before purchase. MSRPs exclude tax and title/registration. Video links are independent third-party YouTube reviews for research; Empire Cycle & Powersports is not affiliated with the creators. Comparison by Empire Cycle & Powersports, Spokane Valley, WA.

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New to the category? Read our buying guides, see how Up Front Research works, or browse the inventory. Prefer to talk it through? Text us at 509-498-3541.

Reviewed & updated September 11, 2026 by the team at Empire Cycle & Powersports, Spokane Valley.

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Husqvarna TC 85 17/14 vs. KTM & More — 2026 Comparison

2027 Husqvarna TC 85 17/14 vs. the 85 motocross class

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