Moto test: Husaberg FE 250 in TE 300 2014

Text: Petr Kavčič, photo: Saša Kapetanovič

The shock of the news that Stefan Pierer, owner of the off-road giant KTM, will merge Husaberg and Husqvarna, was overwhelming for the specialist public. Husqvarna is moving to Austria after 25 years in Italy, and Thomas Gustavsson, who created Husaberg with a handful of like-minded people when he sold the Husqvarna Cagivi a quarter century ago, will be the driving force behind the development and ideas. Innovation, bold ideas, foresight and an insistence on making only the best good enough are part of this tradition today. So we definitely didn't think twice about accepting the invitation to test two special enduro races in the 2013/2014 season.

Each of the Husabergs TE 300 and FE 250 we tested during testing is something special. The four-stroke FE 250 is powered by an all-new engine sourced from KTM and is the biggest new addition to the lineup this year. The TE 300 is also powered by the KTM two-stroke engine, which is currently one of the most popular enduro motorcycles. After all, Graham Jarvis recently won the infamous Erzberg with him, the craziest and most extreme enduro race ever.

We also attracted a handful of guests with completely different levels of knowledge to the test, from professionals to absolute beginners with a great desire to experience the delights of off-road driving.

You can read their personal opinion in the "face to face" section, and summarized test impressions in the following lines.

The Husaberg FE 250 simply amazes with its new engine. Enough power for enduro riding. In third gear, you carry and lift almost everything, and the long and surprisingly strong first gear inspires you to climb. For higher speeds, there is also a sixth gear which propels the bike to 130 km / h, which is more than enough for enduro. All this time, the question arose whether we needed more power at all. There is some truth in the fact that power is never too much, which is why Husaberg also offers 350, 450 and 500 cbm engines. But a lot of knowledge is already needed for these engines and their skill. The FE 250 is great for both beginners and professionals.

The best proof of this was our Urosh, who got on a hard-enduro motorcycle for the first time and, of course, enjoyed it, and the former professional motocross Roman Jelen, who for the longest period drove it on the highway in Brnik. tables and double jumps also liked. An engine that runs surprisingly well and consistently throughout the rev range works great with the driver. The Keihin fuel injection unit works great and the engine starts immediately, cold or hot, with a single push of the starter button. The only time we missed a horse was on some really steep slopes that are already on the verge of extreme enduro, but Husaberg has at least five other more suitable models with two or four strokes.

The frame and suspension are also new to the FE 250. The USD closed-back (cartridge) forks are definitely one of the new items to look out for. With 300 millimeters of travel, they are outstanding and excellent at preventing "collision" when landing. So far they are some of the best we have tested and they work on both motocross and enduro trails. Best of all, they can be easily adjusted by simply turning the knobs at the top of the fork. On the one hand for damping, on the other - for rebound.

The frame, made from thin-walled chromium-molybdenum steel tubes, is lighter and stiffer, and with excellent suspension, makes for a bike that you can precisely control and trust. One of the main advantages is also the ease of driving – also thanks to innovations. And if we talked about it in the introduction, here is the most beautiful example under the seat. The entire "sub-frame" or, in our opinion, the rear bracket where the seat and rear fender clamps, as well as the place for the air filter, are made of durable glass-fibre reinforced plastic. It's not new for this year's model year, but it's definitely a noteworthy feature.

Husaberg says this plastic frame piece is indestructible. We inadvertently, looking for boundaries (especially our own), put the bike on the ground a little rougher, but nothing really happened, and we also don't know of a case of anyone ever breaking this part. Last but not least, with extreme enduro riders running through such rugged terrain and tormenting equipment, they will have to stick to their demands. You can't make a rear end bike fly over the finish line, let alone a winning podium.

But for emergencies, the two-stroke TE 250 is even better than the four-stroke FE 300. At 102,6kg (without fuel), it's an ultralight bike. And when used, each pound weighs at least 10 pounds! In such conditions, any built-in top component is taken into account. It has also been lightened (by 250 grams) with an all-new compact and reliable clutch. Among the novelties are even more minor repairs to the engine (combustion chamber, fuel supply), all for improved performance and faster response to the addition of gas.

No twists and turns, this is the hottest action for extremists at the moment! He will never run out of power, never! We pushed it to 150 km / h on a knocked-out cart, but about three hundred still picked up speed. It was a small shock, and for the sake of health, the mind said with the wrist of his right hand that this was enough. For example, motocross rider Jan Oskar Catanetz was also impressed with the TE 300, which couldn't and couldn't stop playing on a motocross track - big power and light weight are a winning combination for someone who knows what he's doing on a track like this. Motorbike.

As with the FE 250, the brakes impressed us here, they can be too aggressive at the rear, but the reason could also be due to the brand new bike and the still boring discs and brake pads. To what extent this motorcycle for specialists already shows that if you ride it lazily, it does not work smoothly, it hums a little, knocks when you open the gas more specifically, it rumbles and in summer it is a joy. Therefore, we recommend this beast only to those who have extensive experience in this field.

For many, the TE 300 will be the first choice, but for most it is too much to swallow.

Well, the price may be too high for many. While the standard equipment is of the highest standard, the Husabergs also have the highest price tag, two of the prestigious dirt bike class.

Face to face

Roman Ellen

The impressions are very positive, the components are very good, I also like the look and, above all, the fact that they are light. For "pleasure" 250 is ideal. The TE 300 is rich in torque, great for climbing, it has enough power in all areas. I got used to it very quickly, even though I haven't ridden a two-stroke in a long time.

Oscar Katanec

Three hundred impressed me, I like it because it has a lot of power, but at the same time it is very light, a real toy. At the 250th minute, I lacked the power for motocross.

I confess I have no experience in enduro riding.

Uros Jakopic

This is my first experience with enduro motorcycles. The FE 250 is great, well controlled, with an even supply of power. I immediately felt good and also began to ride better from meter to meter. However, TE 300 was too strong and cruel for me.

Primoж Plesko

The 250 is a "cute", useful bike that you can also "sport a little" and enjoy, even if you're not the best rider. 300 is for “professionals”, here you can’t go below 3.000 rpm, you need strength and knowledge.

Husaberg TE 300

• Basic data

  Test model cost: 8.990 €

• Technical information

  engine: two-stroke liquid cooling, 293,2 cm3, carburetor.

  Energy transfer: Transmission 6-speed, chain.

  Frame: steel tubular, plastic subframe.

  brakes: front disc Ø 260 mm, double-piston caliper, rear disc Ø 220 mm, single-piston caliper.

  Suspension: USB inverted front, fully adjustable Ø 48mm telescopic fork, closed cartridge, 300mm travel, rear adjustable PDS single shock, 335mm travel.

  Tires: front 90-R21, rear 140/80-R18.

  Growth: 960 mm.

  Fuel tank: 10,7 l.

  Wheelbase: 1.482 mm

  Weight: 102,6 kg.

Husaberg FE

• Basic data

  Test model cost: 9.290 €

• Technical information

  engine: single-cylinder, four-stroke, liquid-cooled, 249,91 cm3, fuel injection.

  Torque: Transmission 6-speed, chain.

  Frame: steel tubular, plastic subframe.

  brakes: front disc Ø 260 mm, double-piston caliper, rear disc Ø 220 mm, single-piston caliper.

  Suspension: USB inverted front, fully adjustable Ø 48mm telescopic fork, closed cartridge, 300mm travel, rear adjustable PDS single shock, 335mm travel.

  Tires: front 90-R21, rear 120/90-R18.

  Growth: 970 mm.

  Fuel tank: 9,5 l.

  Wheelbase: 1.482 mm

  Weight: 105 kg.