• 4 Stroke Husqvarna Motorcycles Made In Italy - About 1989 to 2014
     TE = 4st Enduro & TC = 4st Cross

  • Hi everyone,

    As you all know, Coffee (Dean) passed away a couple of years ago. I am Dean's ex-wife's husband and happen to have spent my career in tech. Over the years, I occasionally helped Dean with various tech issues.

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Could an '11 TE 250 suite me?

JasonfromMN

JasonfromMN

Husqvarna
AA Class
Hi, just like to get some feed back. I'm currently on a 08 TE 450 which has been a great bike. I'm thinking it might be time to up grade, and could get a '11 250 for a pretty good price.

The reason I'd go to the newer platform and a 250 is for weight savings, especially in tight woods. I do know I'd miss the 450 on fire roads and the occasional roads on the very rare D/S rides I do.

So, would the 11 250 be a significant and noticeable difference in weight over my 08 450?
Any known issues with the 11 250?
Think going from 450 to 250 would be regrettable? At least the 310 kit is a common reliable upgrade right?

The bike I had before my TE 450 was a 07 yamaha WR250F. It was a fantastic bike! Thought the motor great, except for any extended riding on roads over 45 or so MPH. I thought since the TE 250 would do mostly tight trail riding, and the occasional D/S ride I could have 2 different chain and sprocket set ups unlike my 450 which does both. Is this unrealistic?

Thanks, Jason.
 
First thing I must mention is I have no idea how anyone rides a 450 anywhere but the desert...

I think the 250f is the best do it all bike around for riders under 220# or so.

I have not ridden my TC250 off road yet but it is TONS lighter than my 08 TXC250, I would think the weight difference from your 450 to the TE250 would be very noticeable.

One thing I have noticed is that as my bikes have gotten smaller and lighter my speed stays more consistent as the day goes on. I raced a 120 mile ISDE in June on my 125, in a very technical, steep, high elevation riding area. Out of 33 riders in my class I finished the five special tests in 7th, 9th, 5th, 3rd, and 1st.

One of my other bikes is a 03 WR250f it is still my favorite "trail" bike ever, it still gets chainsaw duty on the high country rides. For racing and anything high speed one of the Husky's gets the nod.

The 310 kit is not available for the X-light 250f engine as far as I have seen. I think because the 310 x-light is bored and stroked. The old 310 kit was just a big bore only.

Later,
 
jmetteer,

The 2011 Te 250 rips, low end gearing needs some work for tight stuff. I had a little miss on throtle at 2700 rpms PCV 5 and auto-tune are sorting this out. Running the full LEO Kit, race ECU. Sucks to spend the money to make the 250 run like it should. in CA. It is the most legal fun You will ever have!!!IMGP0006.JPG
 
I do find that I miss the power - well torque actually of the 450 . If you ride on more open trails a 300 2t or 450 will make you feel a bit underpowered
 
Dual chains sounds OK to me ... I'm setup like that currently on my 08 TXC250 ... Just costs more to have 2 sets ... Its way to gnarly \ hilly here to have a 450 out in the ST ... With dry weather every day, a 450 might be ~reasonable for some but get caught once here in the mud, you'd never bring it out again ... Unless the TE are closer to the TC models today and you need the plate , I'd check on the TXC model
 
Thanks for the feed back. The news on the 310 kit just might be the deal breaker. That was my fall back plan if I wasnt happy with the 250. I should mention though that it seems like 80-90 % of the time the 450 is more than I Need and I feel like it's wearing me out on the single track rides, but also kinda think the 250 will come up short on the D/S ride I do- which aren't often.

I know if I put down on paper how often I would need the 250 vs the 450 the 250 would win. Just would hate to regret that unessesary throbs of power. BTW, how's the suspension with the KYB compared to the open bath Zokes for those who have had both?

Rockdancer, have you came from the older 450 to the xlite platform? If so how's the weight difference? That's probably my biggest concern.
 
Is there any way to keep your old bike and get the new one? They have some really good financing and that way if the 250 fills the shoes then you could sell the 450. If the 250 does not work, well you got two bikes going for ya.

I came from a '08 TE 450 to the '10 TXC 250. I love the 250's lack of weight, handling, suspension. I miss the 450's grunt coming out of a turn into a straight. There was something about that bike as it was just the right amount of power for a 450.

The best bang for the buck I did to wake up the 250 was dropped to a 12 tooth front sprocket. It still likes to be revved a little higher compared to a TE 450. When you have the 250 dialed in and in tight single track it is a pretty incredible how it handles.

Another option you probably should consider is just go ahead and get a 310.
 
The weight difference is huge!
I'm 200# and I race a 144 so I am convinced that the lightest bike is the best bike.

Learn how to work a clutch and the lack of bottom power won't matter. the 250 rips on top.

My TE 250 '10 is the best handling bike I've ever ridden...period.

I don't race it becaue the eletrical components are just too unreliable for a season of 80 mile Enduros.
 
Thanks for all the feed back! I do need the plate so the TXC is out. The 310 is out because of the price.(no good deals to be had).

What kinda mileage will the '11 250 do with the larger tank?

I don't really do almost any pavement, but will it be a disappointment if re geared to be able to do 50 or so on dirt roads?
 
I just came off a 2007 KTM 525 EXC and I love the 2009 TE 250. I am 250lbs and with 13 50 gearing it has plenty in the tight stuff.
 
If price is an isse Id get the '10 250 - should be some good deals around on a set up one - thats what i did.
Mine has a larger 46mm throttle body, all the gear and a Leo Vince and goes quite hard . To me it feels as strong as a 310 ive ridden - top end anyway.
I think the weight isnt that much of an issue. You get used to what you have .. The 250 still feels quite heavy compared to the wr 125.
The 250 is in the middle and a very quick bike on S/T. Its great but a bit boring IMO .
(If you want to beat your mates its great but once they are left way behind the fun goes out of it )
The 250 doesnt have as good traction as a 450 obviously - but you may need to tame the 450 s power
The 250 is quite a good all rounder but id prefer to have 2 bikes - 125/150 or a TC250 for the track and a 450 or 300/360 for trail riding . (There are already some good deals on s/hand 449s around and '10 Te 450s are also really well priced.
 
Does the 11 TE 250 need to have a power up kit purchased?

Been reading, seems the 10 and 11 xlite motors aren't so hot in the tight stuff due to low end issues?
 
The X lite motor has more hit in the middle and top but a fraction less bottom than an 08 /09 250
X lite is a much better motor though IMO The '11 must have a slightly better CDI - my '10 has one fitted by a previous racing team
 
JasonfromMN said:
Does the 11 TE 250 need to have a power up kit purchased?

Been reading, seems the 10 and 11 xlite motors aren't so hot in the tight stuff due to low end issues?
Click to expand...

I think that they all shipped with the power up kit? mine did. If you are talking about a tuner (Power Commander or JD ) ? Yes you will have to pay for that.

Yes to not so hot in the tight stuff without playing with gearing. That is my next project and will report. But I have my 2011 Te 250 running like a banchee on the fire roads, almost scares me. I have a 510 that I ride on the same roads. The 250 I can flick around, big fun !!!
 
I have a 09 te250 and love the bike, we usually switch bikes when riding and everyone that has come off their 450 (Yamaha yzf, husky 450) say that they really like the feel of the 250, seems lighter and easier for them to ride. Power is down compared to the bikes listed, but in s/t riding its more technique than power. I ran the ride for reasearch in wabeno 13/50 and bike was maxed out at 9-10k @ 61mph. At the end of our longer s/t rides i'm not as gassed as the guys on the larger bikes. If your good on a 450 and use the power of it, you will miss that on the 250. The little 250 likes to be reved and this takes a little getting used to, and may feel different coming off a 450.
 
I had a ride on my '10 TE250 today and gotta say it performed well and I am back in love with it. Swapped rides with an 08 250 and the difference is quite big . '10 has heaps more mid range power and if you think the '09 feels like you should try the '10 it is a lot lighter and less tiring on arms - which I notice on the first hill. I am not used to his bike but to me you can mono and flick around the '10 so much more.
 
Well I decided to buy one to try one. Even all corked up with street gearing(which is nice to have in the box) it felt like it will be quite a nice bike.(with throttle stop removed). Can't wait to get a tank of gas or two through it to give it a good test.
 
JasonfromMN said:
Well I decided to buy one to try one. Even all corked up with street gearing(which is nice to have in the box) it felt like it will be quite a nice bike.(with throttle stop removed). Can't wait to get a tank of gas or two through it to give it a good test.
Click to expand...

Sweet! And I think you will like it very much if you realize you can't count on a tiny twist of the throttle for torque at low speeds and low RPMs like the 450 provides and you might have to feather the clutch slightly in these cases ... This action is called riding skills :) ...If you start pinning this 250 in the woods and want more, go ahead and quit your day job and be a PRO rider ;) ...

My 08 TXC250 does a very good job each day ... woods, roads, trails, hardtop ... It just keeps giving ...
 
Thanks. Yeah I'm pretty sure the 250 will be faster than me in the woods. I'm hoping it'll be ok for my few D/S rides I do a year. So far it feels good. Very easy to change direction. It doesn't seem to Have that invisible magnet pulling against me when I want to turn like the 450 does.
 
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