Normally when we test a dirtbike, we already know what we’re riding before we even throw a leg over it. We know the brand, the capacity, probably the suspension settings and maybe even what tyres are fitted before the thing leaves the ute. Half our opinions are formed before the engine even starts.
So we wanted to strip all that away. No standing around talking suspension valving with engineers while sipping coffee under a marquee. We wanted the test to feel raw and instinctive, the way normal riders actually experience bikes when things get sketchy.
So we tested this 2024 Husqvarna TE 250 in the dark. You might be asking why not a 2026? Well, we couldn’t get one, but we could get this 2024 model and not a huge amount has changed anyway. Sadly, bikes like this are becoming a dying breed in Australia, with Husqvarna Australia no longer importing the TE 250 and instead focusing solely on the ever-popular 300cc model range. But, we believe therer are still some MY25 models from GASGAS, KTM and Husqvarna in dealers so go looking! Or buy a second hand one.
Our test conditions were a pine forest with proper dark bush. Blair Witch Project dark, where your headlight becomes your entire world and every shadow looks like a rock ledge waiting to cartwheel you into a tree. If we couldn’t see what was coming, we needed a bike that was predictable, balanced and forgiving. A nervous or aggressive motorcycle in those conditions becomes properly dangerous.
The tester, ADB Editor Mitch Lees’ brother Alex Lees, also had no idea what he was riding. No capacity. No model. Nothing. Imagine reviewing a bike with a blindfold on. That was basically the idea.
Well… almost. Because within about 10 seconds of hopping on the thing, Alex immediately said, “It’s a Husky.”
That didn’t take long. To be fair, modern Huskies are pretty easy to pick once you’ve ridden enough of them. The ergonomics are unique, the seat foam feels different to the KTM stuff, the handguards and switchblocks are a giveaway, and the overall feel between your knees instantly screams Husqvarna. Even in complete darkness, it was obvious.
What wasn’t obvious was the engine size. That took much longer.
250 OR 300? GOOD LUCK PICKING
The funny thing about modern injected two-strokes is how close together they feel now. Especially these new-generation Austrian bikes. Gone are the days where a 250 felt angry and frantic while the 300 lugged around like a tractor. The gap has narrowed massively.
For the first part of the ride, Alex was convinced he was on a 300. It had that same smooth roll-on power, the same ability to carry a tall gear and the same planted feel through rough terrain. Only after a fair bit of riding did the truth start to emerge.
“It’s got to be a 250,” Alex eventually called out. “It revs a bit freer and doesn’t have quite that same lazy torque.”
The new-generation Husqvarna TE 250 is unbelievably close to the 300 in overall feel. Unless we are really riding aggressively or specifically looking for the differences, the smaller bike disguises itself remarkably well. And in the dark, that became a good thing.
BALANCE MATTERS
This test ended up teaching us something pretty interesting about riding in the bush. When visibility disappears, outright horsepower suddenly becomes way less important than chassis balance and suspension feel. Imagine riding something like a motocross-focused Husqvarna FC450 through tight bush trails at night. Firm suspension, instant throttle response, aggressive handling—it would be terrifying. Hit one hidden rock or square edge at the wrong angle and we’d be in orbit before our brains processed what happened.
But not the TE250. Straight away, the bike felt calm. Even though the new-generation Husky suspension is firmer than previous years, it still has enough plushness to absorb ugly surprises without deflecting violently. When Alex hit things late, and in the dark he did that a lot, the bike didn’t punish him.
That became the entire point of the test. Alex wasn’t riding sections perfectly because he physically couldn’t see enough to be precise. Instead, he was reacting constantly, adjusting lines at the last second and smashing into stuff he only spotted metres beforehand. A twitchy chassis would have been horrible in those conditions. The Husky never felt like that.
THE HEADLIGHT IS MASSIVE… IN SIZE AND LIGHT
Nobody talks enough about headlights on enduro bikes because most bike tests happen during the day. But the moment we ride at night, it becomes one of the most important parts of the motorcycle.
Some enduro headlights are basically candles zip-tied to the front guard. The TE 250’s setup is actually pretty impressive. It throws enough usable light to properly attack trails and feel confident riding at night. Sure, there are LED options out there that throw more light, but for a leisurely night cruise this thing is perfectly fine.
The stronger the light spread, the less panic we get riding into corners or rough sections because we’ve got a better chance of spotting square edges, ruts and washouts before they become a problem. The Husky’s light isn’t rally-bike good obviously, but for a stock enduro bike it’s genuinely decent.
THE ENGINE FEELS CLEANER NOW
The new TBI setup has already been a huge talking point since Husqvarna moved away from the old TPI system and honestly, this test reinforced what we already suspected. The new bikes are simply cleaner and easier to ride.
Throttle response is smoother and more predictable, and the engine doesn’t feel as fluffy or vague off the bottom as the older bikes sometimes did. The power delivery is incredibly linear.
If we ride it lazily in a taller gear, it lugs remarkably well and stays smooth off the bottom without stalling like the old TPI bikes sometimes did or bogging unexpectedly. We could almost trick ourselves into believing we were on the 300 because of how manageable it felt. It’s only when we really start revving it out that the smaller capacity starts to show itself.
LESS CAN ACTUALLY BE MORE
There’s this weird obsession now where everyone thinks they need a 300 two-stroke. Bigger number equals better bike apparently. But riding the TE 250 in these conditions actually reminded us why 250s still make so much sense.
The smaller engine feels lighter and freer underneath us. There’s less rotating mass, less overall inertia and less tendency for the bike to stand up or push wide unexpectedly.
That becomes really noticeable when our reactions are delayed by darkness. If we suddenly spot a rut, rock or washout halfway through a corner, the 250 changes direction easier and reacts faster to rider input. It doesn’t require as much effort to save mistakes. The 300 still has that monster torque and incredible hill-climbing ability, but the 250 feels more playful and forgiving overall.
FIRMER BUT STILL FRIENDLY
One of the biggest improvements on the modern Husqvarna range is the suspension package. The WP XACT closed-cartridge fork finally gives these bikes the hold-up they always should have had. Previous-generation bikes could dive and wallow a little too much once the pace increased, especially in rougher terrain. The new bike sits higher in the stroke and feels more controlled without becoming harsh.
Because we were riding at night, we were constantly clipping rocks, roots and square edges later than intended. Sometimes we didn’t even see them until the front wheel hit them. On a stiff motocross-style setup, that would punish our wrists and throw the chassis off line. The Husky absorbed those impacts remarkably well.
It never felt nervous or twitchy. Even when we came into rough sections too quickly because we physically couldn’t see them properly, the bike stayed balanced underneath us. That’s probably the biggest compliment we can give an enduro bike.
THE WEIRD PART ABOUT THIS TEST
The funny thing is, the darkness actually removed a lot of rider bias. Normally during a bike launch or test, we subconsciously ride according to what we think the bike should feel like. We know it’s a 250, so we ride it aggressively expecting it to rev. We know it’s a 300, so we lug it more. This test removed all that.
Alex simply reacted naturally to what the motorcycle was doing underneath him. And what the TE 250 kept doing was making life easy.
That’s probably why it took so long to realise it wasn’t the 300. The bike never demanded aggressive riding. It happily cruised around smoothly and predictably, carrying tall gears and soaking up mistakes.
FINAL THOUGHT
Testing a bike in complete darkness probably isn’t the smartest thing we’ve ever done, but it ended up revealing a lot about the Husqvarna TE 250. The TE 250 never felt intimidating. Even when we were hitting things late, changing lines suddenly or riding sections almost entirely on instinct, it stayed calm and predictable underneath us. That’s exactly what we want from an enduro bike.
Sure, the 300 still has that big-bike grunt everyone loves, but this test proved the 250 has become incredibly close overall. So close that in complete darkness it genuinely took us a long time to tell them apart. We reckon it’s a shame the TE250 isn’t being brought in as a 2026 model. The night ride proved just how good this little 250 package actually is. So like we said earlier, riders chasing one are probably going to have to start hunting through dealer floors for leftover 2025 models or keeping a close eye on the second-hand market before they disappear completely.
2024 HUSQVARNA TE 250 TBI
ENGINE
Type Single-cylinder two-stroke, electric start
Displacement 249cc
Bore & Stroke 72mm x 66.4mm
Cooling Liquid-cooled
Compression ratio NA
Fuel metering Keihin EFI, 39 mm throttle body
Tank capacity 8.5L
Transmission Six speed
Clutch DDS wet multi-disc clutch, Braktec hydraulics
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase NA
Seat height 952mm
Ground clearance 354mm
Claimed Weight 107kg (dry)
SUSPENSION
FRONT 48mm WP XACT cartridge, 300mm travel
REAR WP XACT Monoshock with linkage, 300mm travel
BRAKES
Front 260 mm disc brake
Rear 220mm disc brake
RUNNING GEAR
Handlebar Pro Taper, Aluminium 28/22 mm dia
Front tyre Michelin 90/90-21
Rear tyre Michelin 140/80 – 18
PRICE & CONTACTS
RRP: $17,555.00 ride away (back then)
BROWSER: husqvarna-motorcycles.com
WARRANTY: Six months
