2017 HUSQVARNA TE 250/300
QUICKSPIN
P90
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 Husqvar-
nas.
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 a 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
gravitated 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% reduc-
tion 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 produc-
tion of carbs, which is unfortu-
nate; 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 TX 300.
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 compres-
sion adjustment on the left and
rebound adjustment on the right.
They also feature an easy-to-ad-
just preload adjuster at the top of
the fork. Internally there is a new
hydro stop for improved bottom-
ing 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
