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2002 HUSQVARNA TE 250 - First Test
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Posted by: the Eel---------------------

http://www.husky.com.au/html/bikete...te250/te250.htm

Know what the "TE" stands for ? The Eel.

... and it's gonna be CA green sticker legal !

YEAAAAHHHHHHHHH !!!!!!!!

Posted by: Danman---------------------

TE = Trail enduro?

Looks very nice. Anyone want to sponser me on a new husky?

Posted by: markdxx---------------------

Twin exhaust I believe, not for sure. But I would love to ride one. I hope it's not just hype.

Posted by: CPT Jack---------------------

Quote:

it grips the track like a leech on a horse's *****

Whoa, bad visual!

(thought I'd edit this for the kids)

Posted by: BadgerMan---------------------

Man, I'm not sure that's how I want to "grip the track"! I think I'll keep my Yamaha.

Posted by: the Eel---------------------

NOOOOOOOOO

Posted by: LoriKTM---------------------

A Husky that shifts? Smoothly? No way! And doesn't vibrate?? Did they test the right bike?

That test report just about seals it. We've been watching this bike veeerrry closely. If KTM doesn't get their act together soon, I'm moving to a Husky. Never mind that Husky also offers contingency money for our enduro and HS series out here!

Damn. I don't want to have to change my screen name. AGAIN!

Posted by: One Dollar---------------------

I've been wanting a TE450 the first time I read about them about 4 months ago.

Only problem is my budget :mad:

I keep hearing that line from the Who's Magic Bus song...

"I waaant it, I waaant it, I waaant it, .....

...can't have it! ":think

Posted by: the Eel---------------------

I'm definitely considering the 250. It's pricey but it sure sounds good from the initial test. Maybe it's just me but I also love how they look.

Posted by: CPT Jack---------------------

Quote:

Maybe it's just me but I also love how they look.

Yeah it's just you....

Sounds like winner on paper though.

Posted by: bud---------------------

I'm sure the TE250 will be the best 250 4 stroke available when it's released, and for around the same cost as a yamaha thumper, a good deal too

250 4 strokes are not for everyone though, despite the marketing hype, and I will most likely be going for the 450.

Posted by: Ramski---------------------

I'm with you. Living out west, I would definately go for the 450. Lot's of people like those 250 4 strokes, but I would steer clear of those high reving 250s.

Posted by: bud---------------------

Most of the stuff I ride and prefer to ride is tight 1st and 2nd gear stuff, but I have trouble going fast in tight stuff on a bike that feels relatively heavy and fairly weak off the bottom. I find 4 stroke 250's much more effective on more open trails, but not too open. Ie, they are not that verstile imo. Maybe the TE250 will change my mind though

.

I have ridden a TE570 on very tight trails and found it surprisingly flickable with very very smooth power. Except for the vibration, an awesome bike, and just about the exact opposite of a 426. That is the main reason I'm leaning toward the 450.

Posted by: teton---------------------

This may be the bike, I sold my YZ250F mainly because of its hot starting problems after a stall, plus the bike is just to tall for tight off road riding.(atleast for me)
I would have needed to sink some major cash it in too to make it the way that I like a bike set up. So far the article sounds good, I didnt read all of it yet but will later tonight. Someone mentioned that it is CA green sticker legal, is that a fact as of now or just a dream?
The KTM really sounded promising, but so far no word, test or anything concrete, the mafor problem that I saw was the weight. Even if it is down a bit on reving or total power compared to the Yamaha 250 I think they will sell do to the starting issue, ever try to kick and kick and kick for 20 minutes on an off camber hill? I have and it aint fun!:whiner:

Posted by: the Eel---------------------

A local So Cal dealer told me the enduro 250 and 450 would both be green sticker. Woooo hoooooo !

Posted by: jly51---------------------

Just think,you can be` HUSKYLORI. Just kidding,its a fine looking bike though.

Posted by: teton---------------------

GOD BLESS THE EURO'S, if these bikes get the green stickie, and KTM has atleast a 400 that is legal...........whats up the the big 4 from Japan, all they will offer is over weight under developed bikes that are legal in CA. But yet the smaller lesser capital european makers see that there is a need here and that there is some money to be made from new and converted fans.

Looks like a new Husky rider here (anyone seen anything on the new GG)

Posted by: LoriKTM---------------------

Quote:

Originally posted by jly51
Just think,you can be` HUSKYLORI. Just kidding,its a fine looking bike though.

Wrong! I realized that same thing. Ain't gonna happen. That's what I get for picking a brand-related name. :o

I still have hopes for a KTM 250RFS, but they're going to be playing catch-up with everyone now.

Posted by: pw455---------------------

I sent an e-mail to Husky a couple days ago about the green sticker. The reply I got back stated that the 2002 TE250, 450 and 570 will all be green sticker legal. Now KTM's got some competition in CA. I wonder when the other manufacturers will step up to the plate.

Posted by: mgorman---------------------

They are stepping up to the plate, but it is a large step. Honda had a stranglehold on the 250 market untill Yamaha's new steed. KTM & Husky have been racing them in europe for a while now. I guess because they did it in public and not under secrecy like the japs, we expect it to get here sooner. I doubt that either company wants to release a lemon and after Yamaha released theirs, I'm sure they both went back to the drawing board and asked for more ponies.

Posted by: fmfkx125372---------------------

Quote:

It will come with yet another of those black tanks that are sooo easy to see into

They're kidding, right?!?

Posted by: teton---------------------

You must have it backwards, Honda doesnt have a racing worthy 250 four stroke, unless you are real fast on a XR

Nothing that Yamaha offers (for racing anyway) is CA legal (green sticker), I think that what pw455 is reffering to is a green sticker bike that can win some race's! Like a WR250 that is green sticker approved. Husky is claiming and KTM allready has some CA versions in there line up. The big four from Japan probably just dont care what happens here in CA, they are only out for the big bucks. Thats why I will not buy there products anymore, Kawasaki is the only manufacture that has any real bikes to offer and they are boarder line, designed to be trail bikes but can modified for racing.

Honda's only decent new bike is there 450, but as of yet it is only a closed course bike, sure you can ride it in the winter out in the desert, but that will change soon anyway and all red sticker bikes will be stuck on the private mx tracks.The YZ/WR lineup from Yamaha is in the same boat, can you imagine racing and riding your WR only on a mx track, unless Yamaha gets with the program, Husky and KTM are gonna steel all the Yamaha WR customers.

Posted by: mgorman---------------------

For the price difference between the XR & WR 250's you can hop up the XR and be competative here in the N.E. and still be able to start it when it stalls. Something to think about is we can only go so fast between the trees. If they had quads at enduros, they'd have to up the average speed. A lot of courses now have gotten too easy because of quads making everything two track. Enduros are the last hold out for the XR. That and an excellent beginner bike for that dad who has to follow jr as he learns to ride.

And yes, I did race XR 250's for 4 years and had a blast. Time to try something new. My bike has been passed on to BenPQ.

Posted by: smb_katoomer---------------------

you know the only reason why i am researching HUsky for my future ride? two reasons: 1.)WR125; 2.)TE250. I am not a big guy and contrary to KTM's beliefs there are people who like 125 enduros. I rode my buddies 2002 ktm 200 and IMO i wouldn't trade my 98 125 exc for it . Go husky! Two questions, did they state what type of clutch is used on the bike? Where my eyes decieving me when they said hydralic Magura? and 83 decibals? seriously? that thing would make a kdx look loud. Man i gotta get one

Posted by: mgorman---------------------

My friend just bought a wr125 and he is 5'4" max @ 105 lbs @ 15 yrs old. He wanted to move to the big bike class. He loves the bike.

Posted by: Brianc---------------------

We have a dealer here in phoenix that actually lets you try the Husabergs at their track before you lay out any cash. You call the day before and they take the bike to the track and you get to play on it for a couple of hours. I met a guy with a new 470 (?) that he rode before buying, I was impressed the shop would do that. I talked to the shop today, they said yeah, do it all the time, just need to be serious and over 18 (insurance rules) . I will definitely try one because my DRZ250 weighs too much and the Husaberg will be 50 lbs lighter.

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2002 HUSQVARNA TE 250 - First Test

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