Adam Booth | August 2, 2016
Cycle News recently made the quick jump over the Atlantic ocean to spend a day—yes, a day (but it was well worth it)—riding the 2017 Husqvarna enduro off-road bikes, the TE 250 and TE 300, in Sweden, where the Husky brand was born.
Riding the 2017 Husqvarna TE 300 and TE 250
The TE (two-stroke) and FE (four-stroke) enduro line is all new and is based heavily on the completely re-done motocross machines. While we spent a majority of our time in Sweden riding the TE 250 and TE 300 two-strokes—bikes we will soon see here in the U.S.—it should be noted that Husky will also import the new TE 150 two-stroke, which also features electric starting. The European FE line that was also on hand for us to ride in Sweden is very similar to what is coming to the U.S., but before these bikes make it to our shores they will be fitted with all the equipment to make them street legal. The TEs, in case you’re wondering, will be certified California red sticker legal, so there won’t be any “green-sticker” Husqvarnas anymore, just plated and red sticker.
To read this in Cycle News Digital Edition Magazine, click HERE.
What’s New?
The Husqvarna TE 250/300 is 90% new for 2017, sharing almost all the updates the 2017 TC (motocross)/TX (cross country) two-strokes received. The “E” in TE represents enduro in the Husky lineup so the all-new engine uses a six-speed, instead of five, transmission. Like the TC and TX, the clutch is 4mm higher (up higher out of the oil for less drag) and the crankshaft is 19.5mm higher, moving mass closer to the center of gravity.
The cylinder has new transfer and exhaust ports, a reworked exhaust-valve system and an optimized water-jacket.
One of the coolest additions to the new 2017 two-stroke engine is a counter-balancer, which Husqvarna claims reduces vibration by more than 50%.
Feeding the new engine is Mikuni TX 38 carburetor.
The electric starter is now below the engine cases, cleaning up the look and centralizing mass further.
Compression and engine tuning is more mellow on the TE engines when compared to the TC and TX for improved ridability off road.
Integrated bolt-holes on the cradle of the frame hold a protective skid plate on the TE 250/300, a feature that would be cool on all the new Husqvarnas.
The TE 250/300 comes standard with a map switch on the right side of the handlebars. Setting “one” is standard while setting “two” is less aggressive for slippery conditions.
Time To Ride
The terrain for testing was mix of flowing sandy trails, a bit of single track, a motocross track and a ribbon-marked grass track. After a full day aboard both the 250 and 300 we gravitate toward the 300 for the abundance of torque and roll on power. It doesn’t rev out as cleanly or as far as the TE 250, instead rewarding the rider who likes to short shift and stay midrange.
On the sandy motocross track the TE 250 was nice thanks to its ability to rev far and carry each gear a bit further. For lighter riders the 250 has plenty down low to pull smoothly, and many riders prefer a 250 over a 300 because of this. Some of that preference in the past was probably based on vibration but with the new counter-balancer, neither the 250 nor the 300 vibrate much at all and easily live up to Husky’s 50% reduction claim. In fact the vibes are now on par with four-strokes. This lack of vibration from the new two-stroke makes them feel even smoother when it comes to power delivery. Detuned a little for off-road riding, the TE 300 still offers plenty of power for every type of rider.
We were told the switch from Keihin to Mikuni carburetors was because Keihin halted production of carbs, which is unfortunate; we liked the Keihin better. The Mikuni is more finicky and the bikes we rode in Sweden were a little rich right above idle. We’ve been wrestling with the jetting on our 2017 Husqvarna TX 300 here in the States, finding that the Mikuni is more sensitive to altitude changes. Look for updates with better settings as we figure them out. Again, this was a one-day impression and changes to the jetting wasn’t really an option. Click HERE to read our test of the 2017 Husqvarna TX300.
The Husqvarna TE enduro bikes, while they share almost everything with the motocross models, use then new WP Xplor spring fork, not the AER 48 WP fork. The WP Xplor fork utilizes a split system, with compression adjustment on the left and rebound adjustment on the right. They also feature an easy to adjust preload adjuster at the top of the fork. Internally there is a new hydro stop for improved bottoming resistance.
The WP shock is the same as what was standard on the 2016 Husky motocross models, but now with off-road valving and a softer spring rate. The shock linkage is enduro specific.
Overall, the TE line is quite plush, especially for the higher speed sand terrain. In the single track and out on the grass track the WP suspension worked great, soaking up the trail hack and keeping the bike planted. We cranked up the preload on the forks all the way and opened up the rebound to keep the front end a little higher in the stroke due to the soft sand.
For true off-road riding and navigating technical terrain the plushness is great and that is what the TE line is designed for. Like the TC/TX models, the overall stability of the Husqvarna TEs is excellent thanks to the new chassis, which has increased torsional rigidity, while longitudinal stiffness has been decreased. The bikes we rode had different tires than the TE’s that are coming to the U.S., those will come stock with Dunlop AT 81s.
The Magura clutch is smooth and doesn’t fade, the Brembo brakes work wonderfully, the air filter is easy to change, the footpegs are excellent, electric start is brilliant and overall they are greatly improved for 2017.
Unfortunately, one day on two bikes is certainly not enough time to conduct a full test, but we really like what we have seen and felt so far. We will be able to give a complete review when we get the bikes here in the U.S. and take them to all our favorite off-road spots.
Off the show room floor the Husky TE 250 and TE 300s are ready to ride or race, fast or slow, and we predict that it’s going to be hard to find a nick in the armor that is the Husqvarna off-road two-stroke. The biggest problem you’ll probably have with Husky’s new dirt line is whether you want a motocross TC 250, closed course off-road racer like the TX 300, or the full enduro machine like the TE 250/300 we just got off of. It’s going to be a great problem to have.CN
GEAR ID’D
GEAR SET: MSR Legend 71
HELMET: Leatt GPX 5.5 Composite
GOGGLES: Klim
BOOTS: TCX Comp EVO Michelin
To read this in Cycle News Digital Edition Magazine, click HERE.
For more Cycle News Off-Road motorcycle reviews, click HERE.
For more Cycle News Husqvarna motorcycle reviews, click HERE.