VOL. 53 ISSUE 30 AUGUST 2, 2016 P93
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 excel-
lent thanks to the new chassis,
which has increased torsional
rigidity, while longitudinal stiff-
ness 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 showroom 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
The TEs also
get more
trail-versatile
six-speed
transmissions.
