Husqvarna enduro test... IN FULL

It's no secret that there are certain synergies between the Husqvarna and KTM brands and so when the 2016 orange off-roaders were launched with new engines and frames we wondered if the new Huskies would follow suit. 

That's not the case though and next year's FE and TE bikes are simply refined and refreshed which isn't always a bad thing.

Some of the changes are across all models so we'll talk about those first before moving on to the modifications that are model specific.

Each and every bike receives new triple clamps with 22mm offset and a lighter 22mm front axle. 

The aim here is to balance out the front of the bike while allowing for a certain amount of flex which should improve rider comfort and handling. 

New fork guards – that can be removed and replaced with the wheel in place – finish off the ‘what's new up front' list.

New brake discs are said to improve braking power and control while both wheels feature lighter spokes.

A bi-metal rear sprocket from Supersprox is a real nice touch and is even anodised blue to match the bike. Blingy. 

An all-new tackier – in feel not look – seat cover is also fitted to help the rider stay planted. 

We'll have to wait to get out on the trails before we find out if that added traction plays havoc with my peachy Craven buns – let's hope not!

New suspension settings should also ease rider comfort and help get the power to the ground. 

The 250 and 350 four-strokes get updated gearboxes with a new bearing on the input shaft with the end aim being cleaner shifting. 

A modified lubrication system – to combat the extreme angles these bikes are used at – should help with longevity and performance also. 

The bigger bore four-strokes – that's the FE450 and 501 – get lighter clutches and an updated pressure plate. 

This should make them work better and be more durable. 

And finally the 250 and 300 two-strokes now have handlebar-mounted ignition map switches allowing the user to toggle between two different map settings...

There's no such luxury on the TE125 but that doesn't stop the baby of the bunch from being an absolute blast to ride.

The TE125 has a seriously nimble chassis in which the small but beautiful – and ridiculously powerful – two-stroke engine is packaged. And as a whole it really delivers top level performance.

It's really important to point out that the TE125 is optimised for enduro use and while a TC125 – that's the MX model – might light up and spin the back tyre the TE is treated to a heavier crank and heavier flywheel which not only allows more traction to be found but also offers a much steadier feel in slow turns. 

When I got used to the power I really enjoyed riding the 125 and flicking it around the Wheeldon test loop and trails of Devon was a stack of fun even if I did have to use the clutch more than I'm used to. 

If I've got one gripe it's that even with the refined front end I reckon a steering damper would help massively – especially to calm down the front end and stop it pinging off roots and rocks. 

Overall though, the TE125 is a sweet handling bike with a surprising amount of power that's ideal for younger riders or simply smaller guys who like a nice light bike. 

While I might be considered a little large for the 125 the TE250 and TE300 are right up my street and I'd happily race either in hare and hounds or extreme style races. 

Even after riding both back-to-back it's tough to pick a favourite.

Both bikes love being ridden in third gear and have ample power spread through the range so they're happy either chugging along with the chain slap making more noise than the motor or revving hard. 

It's fair to say that the 250 is probably a bit livelier than the 300 although they both pull through the range smoothly and predictably. 

Yes, the 300 pulls stronger from the bottom and requires less clutch work in slow going but the 250 benefits from having a lighter feel and with a little less vibration. 

Power

Clutch performance on all bikes is mega and you really get a feel for how good it is these powerful two-strokes – feed in the power and slowly release the clutch and traction and climbing ability is right there from the off.

If you do stall the motor it's no problem either thanks to the super reliable electric starting system that I find fills me with confidence and encourages me to push my limits knowing full well that if things do go wrong I won't be struggling to kickstart a 100kg bike on a slippery slope! 

The extra weight of the 250 and 300 seemed to allow the suspension to feel more planted and felt less likely to ping off things unexpectedly.

At the end of the day there is very little between these two bikes, neither struggled on anything I pointed them at and they're definitely race ready. 

On to the four-strokes now and let's start things off with the FE250. 

It always amazes me how good these 250cc four-strokes are and if you're looking for a lightish bike that does everything fairly well without beating you up too much then this could be the bike for you.

I remember thinking that the FE250 was my favourite bike of the bunch at the 2015 MY launch in Sweden. 

Lighter

The going there was sandy and dry with the rock gardens offering plenty of traction. 

That's not always the case here in the UK so it was good to give this bike a good testing in proper UK conditions. 

My opinion hasn't changed though and this is still a favourite. 

The FE250 gives you so much confidence and is proof that you don't always need lots of power to go fast. 

With it being a wee bit lighter than its bigger brothers it's much easier to ride in tighter going but is equally as potent out in the open where it will go plenty fast enough for most folk. 

All enduro riding is fun but this bike somehow makes it even more so and is guaranteed to deliver you miles of smiles every time you get onboard. 

The FE350 is a real handy tool and has the ability to be ridden hard like its quarter-litre kid brother or to lug along like the 450 and 501 models.

 It really is an everyman bike and by that I mean that everyone could get on this and get great performance from it no matter how they choose to ride it. 

While it's highly usable I'd say the 350 power is more likely to fatigue you than the 250 or else this would probably be my pick of the bunch. 

The WP suspension worked well on small bumps but handled big hits okay too. 

The balance of the bike was good but the additional weight over the FE250 was noticeable when changing direction or slowing down.

After spending an hour or so onboard, the FE450 seems like the ideal bike for serious racers. It delivers awesome amounts of usable power out on the trails and delivers excellent traction in the tight going too but I feel it's perhaps too much for a full day in the saddle for the more average guy – especially in a high intensity race setting. 

The motor will handle absolutely anything you can throw at it and handle it well while the suspension works well in all scenarios too although it's at its best when pushed hard.

The speed at which the FE450 propels you towards technical sections is sometimes astonishing and it's on this bike that you realise just how good the Brembo brakes are – progressive and powerful are the key words here.

If you think that the 450 gets you places quickly then you'll be in for a real shock with the 501 because that's an absolute beast although it probably doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that a 510cc fuel-injected dirt bike was going to be a handful off-road – especially when there's a distinct lack of grip. 

I found the easiest way to ride the FE501 was to lug it in third while constantly keeping my fingers ready on the clutch lever to give it a flick and pick up the revs if need be. 

By riding the bike in this way it fed the power to the rear wheel as smoothly as possible ensuring grip was kept for the most part. 

In my mind a bike this powerful would really benefit from the use of a Rekluse clutch as they help deliver ultra smooth power delivery even in the most extreme conditions.

In tight going this bike feels quite heavy but get it out on open trails or fast moorland and it's a whole lot of fun and crosses the terrain quickly and efficiently, handling fairly well at all speeds. 

The FE450 a lot of bike but if you're a lot of man or fancy a challenge then this might just be the one for you. 

I'd say it's more suited to trail riding than out and out enduro racing unless you're a man-mountain like David Knight.

So all in all it's a pretty solid range with the FE250 being my favourite of the bunch. 

Oh, and in case you're wondering about that new seat – my buns are just as peachy as ever! Good work Husqvarna.