Husqvarna TE 510

Husqvarna created it so it would make a point in the highly acclaimed 250cc off-road category and considering the TE 250s versatile character and impressive four-stroke power, we reckon they did a damn good job and the bike finds its honorable place among the best in the business.

In order to keep that place, it receives completely new frame, rear suspension, rear frame, ergonomics and plastics, but what comes as both an innovation and a pure factor of performance is the brand new electronic fuel injection system that not only makes sure to keep the bike were it belongs in the customers eyes, but directs it even further.
 

History

Husqvarna first introduces the TE 250 in 2002 model year as an Enduro / off-road model participating in the race to celebrity and being powered by a 249.5cc four-stroke single-cylinder engine featuring four valves per cylinder and a bore and stroke of 76 x 55 mm. So apart from the carburetor, there isnt much difference compared to the model reviewed today. There was also an E-starter fitted on the bike from the first day of production and that gets it even closer to what we are facing today.

But what doesnt do that is the five-speed gearbox, the 220mm rear brakes diameter and the 2.11 gallons tank that saw their way on the bike for 2002 model year.

In its first years of production, the color combination was Blue and Yellow.

After launching the TE 250, Husqvarna had planned the first important revision for 2005 when the bike received a Mikuni TMR 36 mm carburetor, digital ignition and dry sump with two oil pump rotor and cartridge filter to improve the engines performance while the clutch was now wet, multiplate type, hydraulic.

Chassis improvements also made out of the TE 250 a top notch product. The bumps were by now absorbed by an upside-down telescopic hydraulic adjustable fork and progressive soft dump with hydraulic adjustable single shock absorber. Fuel tank got a bit smaller (2.03 gallons).

For 2006, the Husky TE 250 became brighter, smarter and a bit faster and smoother. The colors werent so dark, but whats most important are the mechanics. Even though the engine remained the same, it was now mated to a six-speed gearbox. Front suspension was provided by Marzocchi and rear suspension by Sachs. This is also the year when the rear disc brake diameter increased to 240mm.

By 2007, the year when BMW bought Husqvarna, the TE 250 was approaching the Red/White color scheme and the manufacturer tried to improve the bikes previous additions with new features such as the new automatic decompression system added to the kick starter. The suspensions were recalibrated and the brakes were now supplied by Brembo.
 

Competition

Comparing the Husky with the Japanese off-road motorcycles is no mistake as this bike was created to compete with such machines and it does it proudly.

 

One of its competitors, if not the strongest is the Honda CRF250X. Marketed for $6,599, the red dirt bike makes a damn good impression thanks to the way it handles and the actual power that has at its disposal. Its creation was based on the CRF250R engine which received electric start, wide-ratio gearing. What comes new on the 2008 Honda CRF250X is the ignition timing, the brake rotors and the slimmed-down fuel tank.

A cheaper alternative ($6,399) is offered by Yamaha and it is known as the WR250F, a bike characterized by brute force and its great off-road abilities. Relying on a carbureted 250cc liquid-cooled DOHC four-stroke with five titanium valves which was mated to a five-speed gearbox, the Yammie is truly suitable for the battle.

The Suzuki DR-Z250 also stands as a combination of power and lightweight handling which guarantees an easy pass through all of the tricky situations. The engine is a four-stroke unit displacing 249cc which gets cooled by air and oil, not with liquid, like all the others competitors in this class. MSRP for the Suzuki is $4,399.

It is easy to find the winner as neither these bikes feature a fuel-injected engine or a six-speed transmission.
 

Exterior

Decisive for an Enduro bike is definitely the way it looks as the visual factor and the finishing touches have a significant impact on the sales charts and on how a bike is either appreciated or unappreciated.

Thank Husqvarna that the TE 250 completes with all the requirements and ends up being a beautiful trail machine. It not only attracts due to its slender and yet aggressive look, but thanks to the color combination which comes on all Husqvarna models.

The Red and White color scheme makes the Husky easy to identify and sets this maker apart from the strident colors used before the introduction of Red and White last year.

Its designers intended on making everything look like its made from one piece and they did succeed as the seat blends perfectly in with the fuel tank and the side panels, the side number plates and the rear fender.

Up front, the fender is white with a little bit of black on it, in the area where it comes close to the black fairing surrounding the stylish headlight.

Also black are the fork, mudguards, handguards and the seat.