Beyond the Line: Husqvarna FE 450 Baja Racer

For Sale: Husky 450 “Paloma” Desert Racer by Deus USA…

Until 2019, the Husqvarna FE 450 was a high-performance dual-sport bike — basically a 450 dirt bike that was street-legal. For model year 2023, Husky brought back the FE 450 as a “closed-course competition enduro” with no emissions or sound restrictions, meaning it isn’t legal on the road nor even as an EPA-legal trail bike…but it’s one hell of an enduro racer.

As compared to Husky’s previous 450 cross-country machines, the new FE 450 boasts a six-speed gearbox, revised engine mapping, radiator fan, Braktec brakes and hydraulic clutch, and a WP Xplor 48mm open-cartridge coil-spring fork.

The “Heritage Edition” eschews the modern blue Husqvarna frame in favor of a white frame in keeping with traditional machines from the Swedish brand.

“It’s very much a high-level play, trail, and enduro bike. If you want to build a desert racebike, the foundation of this proven 450 engine with a six-speed gearbox, and chassis with linkage rear suspension is the best starting point possible.” –Dirt Rider

That was exactly the route taken by multi-time Baja champion Ciaran Naran of Venice, California’s Deus Ex Machina, who built this 2023 FE450 Heritage Edition to race in the 2023 Baja 1000. While the FE 450 might be a serious machine in production trim, nearly every last component of this machine has replaced, modified, and battle-tested.

The full price list for hard parts alone totaled nearly $49,000…but there’s much more to this machine than an assemblage of high-performance parts:

“The true value is the countless hours and days spent in the workshop, dyno rooms and most importantly out in the desert. This is where testing different parts, combinations of suspension, gearing, transmissions, ECU settings, brake caliper diameters, chassis materials, 1 of 1 custom fabricated components, and more culminates into a race proven package capable of withstanding the longest, nonstop, point to point, off road race in the world — The Baja 1000.” –Iconic Motorbikes

“Paloma” — as she’s been named — also looks amazing thanks to the hand-painted designs of British artist Nicolai Sclater aka Ornamental Conifer — the artist-in-residence at LA’s Race Service.

The proof is in the pudding, and this Husky 450 placed second in the Pro Moto Unlimited Class of the 2023 SCORE Baja 1000, and second overall in the Pro Moto Unlimited Class of the 2023 World Desert Championship.

The team of riders that built and raced “Paloma” is just as impressive as the bike itself:

Ciaran Naran – Huntington Beach, California – Builder & Rider of Record
- 2021 SCORE Series Champion – Pro Moto Limited
- 2021 Baja 1000 Winner – Pro Moto Limited
- 2x Baja 1000 Vice Champion – Pro Moto Unlimited
Forrest Minchinton – Huntington Beach, California – Supporting Rider
- 2x Baja 1000 Vice Champion – Pro Moto Unlimited
Nick Lapaglia – Murrieta, California – Supporting Rider
- 2x Baja 1000 Vice Champion – Pro Moto Unlimited
Tucker Hopkins – Venice Beach, California – Supporting Rider
- 2018 SCORE Series Champion – Pro Moto Limited
Derek Ausserbauer – Venice Beach, California – Supporting Rider
- 2021 SCORE World Desert Champion
- 2021 San Felipe 250 Winner – Pro Moto Unlimited
- 1 of 4 people in history to win San Felipe 250 as a solo rider.
Clayton Roberts – Hesperia, California – Supporting Rider
- 2023 National Hare and Hound Champion
- 2023 Baja 500 Winner – Pro Moto Unlimited
- 2022 SCORE Series Pro Moto Unlimited Champion

Deus has even released a film about their 2023 Baja 1000 campaign called Beyond the Line:

Husky FE450 Baja Racer: Build Sheet

Brembo 28mm Front Brake Caliper
Brembo Rear Brake Caliper
Brembo Factory Front & Rear Brake Master Cylinder
Brembo Factory Clutch Master Cylinder
Rekluse Clutch cover / Rekluse Clutch Actuator
Factory Billet CNC machined thin clutch and brake levers
Stock Mask with MotoMinded housing and XL80 Headlight
Deus Racing Custom Dual XL Headlight
WP Factory 24mm offset Triple Clamps
KTM 450 SX-F Swingarm
AHM Factory Services Suspension (3x Baja setting)
FMF Factory Slip-on pipe
IMS 3 Gal tank
Modified Machine Works Dry Break Cap
Hand Painted Livery by Ornamental Conifer
Acerbis Frame Guards
Factory Akropovic Skidplate
Dirt Tricks Sprockets
D.I.D Dirtstar Rims
Custom Quick Change Wheel and Non-slip Wheel Spacers
Custom Honda rear axle, pinned for quick pit stop application
New Dunlop AT81 Tires
Nitromouse Bibs
IMS Factory race sharp footpegs
Hunt racing products shark fin
Ohlins Steering Damper
Vortex ignition W/ R&D (DYNO) racing map
Deus custom 3D-printed front brake hose, Skidplate, and Stella Mount
Xtrac Polish and Heat treated 6 speed transmission
Guts Racing tall seat foam
White Suede Thrill Seekers seat cover
Renthal 999 Twinwall Handlebars
Motion Pro Throttle Tube
ODI White Full Waffle Grips
KTM Brembo Perch Handguards
Keihin 44mm Throttle Body
Factory Carbon Fiber Air Filter Intake boot
Factory Carbon Reinforced Seat pan
D.I.D VX3 Gold Chain

The bike is currently for sale via Iconic Motorbikes, and includes one of Ciaran Naran’s jerseys as worn in the race and the Baja 1000 finisher medal!