Am I the only one that overlooks 250cc two-stroke enduro bikes these days? When I think of riding two-stroke weapons in amongst the trees, I think of one of the big, torquey 300cc two-strokes that is going to just eat big hills and flowing single trail for breakfast. Because of the popularity of the 300s, the smaller, nimbler 250 has seemingly been cast into the shadows waiting for the opportunity to best their bigger brothers. My mind has now changed after testing the 2024 Husqvarna TE250.
After riding the new 2024 Husqvarna TE250, my spark for the smaller bore smokers was relit because I forgot how much fun the 250’s are in the bush. It’s quite amazing when riding the 250 and 300 back-to-back just how different the two almost identical bikes can feel just because one features a motor that is only 50cc smaller.
As with all the Husky two-stroke range for 2024, the new TE250 features the new TBI (Throttle body injection) replacing the TPI system. I’ve been vocal in the past about my discomfort on the TPI bikes and from what I’ve ridden of the new bikes, the TBI is much better. They run cleaner, have more get up and go and the TBI system is simpler to run and maintain. Basically, it’s a win win against every feature of the previous generation of injection bikes.
The entire Husqvarna range received a major overhaul for 2024 with new chassis, motor and suspension. The new bikes are lighter, faster, more forgiving for the rider and honestly, just better.
The new frame has been refined with thicker walls in the higher stress areas combined with a new shock mounting point said to offer better anti-squat behaviour and also improve the flex of the frame. Simply put, the new frame works better under acceleration and the ride is more defined and comfortable. The new subframe is still a hybrid alloy/poly unit that is lighter than before however, it has been made stronger to offer better reliability.
The 2024 Husqvarna TE250 motor specifically features the TBI injection as mentioned but the engineers have really focused in making the engine more compact with better mass centralization. The TBI system features a 39mm throttle body with dual injectors and it works alongside the new electronic power valve to deliver the perfect mix of oil and fuel at every part of the rev range. The new engine is around 1.2kg lighter overall and thanks to the new 3D designed exhaust tailored specifically for the TE250, the days of crushing pipes are closer to being over as the new system is mounted higher and further out of harm’s way than ever before. Great news for someone like me who enjoys tipping into a rut or two.
Finally and most importantly, the new suspension on the 2024 Husky range has been upgraded to the all-new WP XACT Closed Chamber forks. These 48mm units are just what the doctor ordered and I’m sure they have been on every Austrian bike owners’ wish list for years and their wishes have come true in 2024. The new XACT rear shock is lighter and a tad shorter than previous years but thanks to the new frame, the shock travel remains the same.
Braktec brakes and clutch are back for 2024 and they too have been overhauled featuring new calipers, discs, pads and brake lines.
HOW DOES IT RIDE?
Firing up the TE 250 is simple and easy with the new bikes receiving the most refined version of the electric start system and the two-strokes don’t even have the capability for a kickstarter anymore. The new motor seems quieter than previous models and I found myself feeling comfortable right away with the new ergos. The bike feels slim between the legs yet feels roomy enough to move around on and going from sitting to standing is effortless.
The trails were a mix of rock slabs and ledges with plenty of loose rocks thrown in too, so you had to be on your toes. Thankfully, the TE 250 was up for the job, and I managed to get around my first lap with little hassle.
It was noticeable during the first lap that the TBI motor is super linear and easy to manage. I believe it is stronger and has more torque than the older TPI system and that makes me happy. I found that the power delivery was smooth and quite confidence inspiring when it came to some of the trickier sections that kind of snuck up. Come around the corner and surprise, there is a rock ledge, and the TE 250 seemed to just get up it, almost like autopilot.
The new suspension package is awesome and a massive improvement over years past. The WP XACT CC fork sits high in the stroke, and you can rely on it to hold up on bigger impacts without worrying about your wrists getting sore. It also manages the smaller stuff nicely as well and provides good feel when moving along at a slower trail pace.
The new shock works really well in conjunction with the fork and produces great traction. I could definitely notice the new anti-squat behaviour that the engineers kept mentioning in their presentation and the bike feels way more balanced now because it isn’t wallowing through the stroke.
A few other small details that are worth mentioning for the TE 250 is that Husky have cleaned up the wiring harness and simplified it with the new EMS (engine management system) which has a rollover sensor which is great if you ever get into trouble. There is a small dashboard under the seat that has five green lights which shows the circuits throughout the harness and if you strike trouble, the light will turn red and that helps you get to the bottom of the issue.
The new look is pretty sweet, and the colour scheme works well and really pops in person. It’s evident that they really have focused on getting these bikes cleaner, tighter, more compact and easier to work on. Everything seems to flow nicely with plastics clipping into each other to create a sleek surface and as with all Austrian bikes, things like air filter access is super simple.
I also want to mention that the new Braktec brakes felt pretty awesome too and while we’ve all come to love the Brembo’s, the updated Braktec units are very close this time around.
250 vs 300
I was fortunate enough to be able to ride the 250 and 300 back-to-back for few laps and when comparing the 250 up against its big bro on the same sections, I was quite surprised to find a few small differences that I actually really liked. Number one for me was that the 250 felt lighter and nimbler. I didn’t really expect to notice this as much as I did, but thanks to less rotational mass, the 250 felt better and more playful on most sections of the loop. I could pick lines easier and move around on the track more and especially on the downhills I found that I could see a line and go there with ease and also stop quicker at the bottom.
The 300 took more effort to do the same thing. Picking lines on the 250 was the big thing I noticed with the handling side of it, compared to the 300. I could still get on the throttle hard and brake late and I would still be able to tip into the ruts smoothly whereas on the 300, I would have to be a bit precise. I also put that down to the additional power of the bigger bike that I had to account for.
Speaking of power, the motors do feel quite different as the 250 is revvier and requires a little more rider input to be kept in the meat of the power. It still seems to be a little more manageable than the 300 especially if you are freshly starting off your moto career. When you give the 250 a handful of throttle, there is plenty of power at your disposal, however, it’s so smooth and it seems to be the perfect amount of power if that makes sense and I very rarely found myself getting out of shape.
I also had way less arm pump on the 2024 Husqvarna TE250 throughout my laps on each bike and I feel because of that, I was quicker overall on the smaller bike. The 300 is a strong, grunty machine that climbs up everything with ease and is epic to ride, however, for some people, it could be too much. I actually preferred the 250 in some sections over the 300 and I found as the day went on and I started to fatigue a little that I started to favour the 250. Both bikes are epic, but I reckon if you’re looking for a bike that is a little easier to ride, the 250 could be just what you’re chasing.
FINAL THOUGHT
I really like this new 250 two-stroke package. The 2024 Husqvarna TE250 offers all the same qualities as its ever-popular 300cc big brother with strong power and great handling but if you’re after a two-stroke weapon that is a bit easier on the hands and body, I think the 2024 Husqvarna TE250 is perfect. The power is super smooth and easy to manage and will happily carry you around all day.
The new WP suspension package changes the way these bikes feel entirely and I have nothing but praise for the Austrian engineers for finally bringing this fork and shock back into our lives. It’s the first time I’ve ridden these bikes in stock trim and not wanted to change anything. That’s all I want to do right now, hop on a bike and have fun and I certainly had a good time on this bike.
2024 HUSQVARNA TE 250
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
BROWSER: husqvarna-motorcycles.com
WARRANTY: Six months
WORDS GEOFF BRAICO
PHOTOS SEBAS ROMERO
