Husqvarna TE250/ TE310/ TE450 and TE510 - 2009 models
By TMX Archives on 14th Aug 08
Husqvarna has a mighty range of Enduro models for 2009. Jonty Edmunds was invited to the Italian factorys official European launch last week and here he gives his thoughts on the four four-strokes: TE250/ TE310/ TE450 and TE510.
IT'S all about the number three as far as Husqvarna's 2009 enduro line-up is concerned as the Italian manufacturer offers not just one but two new 300cc woods machines.
Joining KTM and Gas Gas in now building a 300cc two-stroke for Enduro 3 class competition, Husqvarna have also added a fourth four-stroke machine to their enduro range - the TE310. A bike aimed at those geared more towards occasional rather than serious competition use, it is essentially a half-way-house between a 250 and 450 four-stroke. It's a capacity that no other manufacturer offers and is the bike T+MX put through its paces at the recent '09 Husqvarna enduro launch.
Exactly why Husqvarna opted to build a 310cc machine and not, like KTM, a 400 isn't clear. But what is obvious from the minute you start riding the bike is the fact that if you're looking for a little less bang for your buck, and want something tamer than a 450 yet a little easier to use than a 250, the 310 is an altogether easier and more enjoyable bike to ride.
Bearing in mind that like all of Husqvarna's '09 TE models the TE310 features largely existing, rather than new technology and hasn't been built for high-end competitive use, the new arrival really needs to be viewed as something different rather than something new. When Husqvarna say the bike is aimed more at 'hobby' riders, rather than more serious competitors they're right, as the bike quickly reveals itself to be anything but an out-and-out racer, but is still a competent woods machine.
Visually, like each of Husqvarna's TE models, the 310 is striking. With its clean lines and fresh white, red and black colour scheme the bike looks good. But while the chassis tubes are narrow, the lines of the bodywork clean, the engine is still notably bigger than several of its competition's offerings. For a 310cc bike the engine, as it does on the 250, makes the bike look a little 'beefy'.
Initially the performance of the motor feels a little disappointing. I'll be honest, I was expecting the bike to feel similar to KTM's 400 EXC - the other new-for-2009 bike that isn't a 250 and isn't a 450, but it doesn't. With the TE310 essentially a big-bore 250, it basically offers the same slower revving feeling performance with a little extra strength.
Expecting the additional power to make the TE310 noticeable livelier than the TE250 and feel possibly more like the 450, the long and the short of it is that it doesn't. Retaining many of the power characteristics of the 250 the way in which the new bike builds its power is all but identical to the 250. Anything but a fast revving motor, the 310 needs to be wound up to get it to perform at its best just as the 250 does. But once it is wound-up, there is a noticeable, but not overwhelming, increase in performance.
The initial lack of liveliness makes the bike feel little different to the 250 at first, but the extra power, which is best described as subtle, does make the bike easier to ride than the 250. Because the bike doesn't build revs fast you do need to work it quite hard to really get it to perform. Like on the 250 it can take a while for the cams to really get spinning, but when they do the power is, well, it's enough for most, a little bit more than the 250, manageable, and fun to use. The bike certainly doesn't hit like a 450, and as such can be ridden as hard as desired. For the type of riders it's aimed at when it comes to the motor's performance it ticks more boxes than not.
What the 310's extra power does is join the bottom-end and top-end performance together a little more easily than on the 250. The size and design of the motor still dictates that you can't allow the revs to fall too low and then expect them to be raised by simply massaging the clutch - the crank isn't light enough and the cams aggressive enough for that. But on the 310 you're given more confidence to let revs drop lower as the motor is more willing to respond to the turn of the throttle. You can't overly labour the motor, like you can on the 450 and 510, but you can get away with more than on the 250.
The ease of use of the bottom-end power makes the bike incredibly easy to ride, and will likely make it popular with Clubman riders. With stalling the engine all but impossible, the 310, like the 250, is happier than most bikes to idle its way across slower more technical terrain. The gentle, fuel injected, bottom-end power also ensures that the bike drives impressively at slow speed. Deceptively smooth, while the slow-revving nature of the motor can make the bike seem a little too docile at times when on faster going, when ridden at a more relaxed pace the bike is incredibly manageable and also extremely competent.
The ease of use is what shines through the most about the bike. Husqvarna's TE310 isn't radically new, and isn't massively more powerful that the existing or new for '09 TE250, but the little extra it does have makes a notable difference. And for all the right reasons. Strengthening the motor from top-to-bottom, the 310 engine produces useable, tractable power that riders, rather than racers, will enjoy. With one of the most user-friendly bottom ends of any small capacity enduro four-stroke, the 310 engine also has a just that little bit extra power over the 250 to be easier, and more enjoyable, to use. With the revised and lightened chassis showing that Husqvarna aren't just offering a bored out '08 TE250, for riders wanting a manageable, easy to use enduro four-stroke the TE310 looks as good as it performs.
With no mention of when, or even if, their 'new' 250cc four-stroke will be put into production Husqvarna's '09 four-stroke line-up features existing technology and three familiar models as well as the new TE310.
The four '09 four-stroke models have all seen significant frame modifications. Concentrating on the chassis to make the twin-cam machines easier to handle, all frames are a completely new design with new levels of rigidity and settings to optimise handling and give the rider a much better feel for the bike. The frames on all the 2009 four-stroke Enduro models have been lightened by 1kg compared to '08.
Although engine changes are limited, all the '09 TE models feature a fuel injection system that was developed in collaboration with Mikuni. They have both electric and kick starting systems fitted as standard. One change that is applied to all TE four-stroke models is the fitting of steel valves - previously titanium, to increase their lifespan. A new timing chain tensioner has been fitted along with new block gasket to all TE models.
THE little 250cc twin-cam machine has a new exhaust system with a race-ready aluminium silencer that meets the noise emission levels set by the FIM. The engine has had an oil circuit pressure relief valve fitted to the oil pump circuit to regulate oil pressure in line with engine rpm. This new valve prevents pressure peaks under cold conditions, limits power losses and reduces operating temperatures.
A new, more efficient oil filter is also installed. The gearbox has been updated to provide faster, more accurate changes with improvements made to the gear change shaft, gearbox lever and selector mechanism.
The TE310 is the machine that sees Husqvarna's TE four-stroke range expand from three to four for '09. Created to 'meet the demands of a particular section of the market that wants a motorcycle that is mid way between a 250 and a 450cc four-stroke', the bike isn't designed to high-end competition use.
Essentially the same motor as the TE250 but with an increased bore that's increased from 76mm to 83mm, the TE310 also features the new frame that is 1Kg lighter than those used in '08. The TE310, like the TE250, has a new higher performance exhaust system and forged aluminium side stand while it received the suspension settings that have been modified to improve rider comfort.
The TE 310 also has the new compact digital display that, though smaller, is easily readable and blends well with the new headlamp unit that houses it.
The new TE450 is, Husqvarna claim, an exact replica of the machine used by Antoine Meo to compete in the '08 World Enduro Championship. Fitted with a lighter, more manageable frame, the 450 has had the same technical modifications as all the '09 TE models - wave type brake discs, new swing arm calibration, new Sachs shock absorber and a new look with colour coded graphics and now a more compact, lighter headlamp unit.
The engine has a new oil pressure relief valve in the lubrication circuit, new lubrication roller bearings and a new oil filter. The exhaust valves are made of steel to ensure longer life and reliability. The gearbox has been updated to offer improved gear change speed and accuracy. The 450 engine has also benefited from a new timing gear chain tensioner that was introduced to improve chain tension and reduce contact pressure.
Although the most powerful of Husqvarna's TE range, thanks to a new frame, Husqvarna claim riders can fully exploit its handling and stability characteristics that blend perfectly with the smooth power delivery of the fuel injected engine. The main changes involve the frame with newly calibrated Marzocchi forks, an entirely revised Sachs shock absorber and changes to appearance in common with all the four-stroke '09 TE range.
The exhaust system is pre-prepared to accept the racing system and meets the new noise emission levels set by the FIM. The gearbox has been updated to offer improved gear change speed and accuracy. Like all TE models the 510 also has a new timing chain tensioner, a new oil pressure relief valve on the oil circuit and a new oil filter.
What's new for 2009:
Enduro FOUR-stroke models
Wave type disc brakes
Left and right side engine protectors
Aluminium side stand
Headlight grille
Digital display
Front suspension settings
Sachs shock absorber
Black anodised wheels
Graphics and colour coding
Exhaust system
Oil circuit pressure relief valve
Lubrication system for roller bearings
Gear change linkage
Gear drive shaft with steel forks
Oil filter
Steel exhaust valves
Timing gear chain tensioner
Block gasket
310 cc capacity
Specification:
