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The TE makes more horsepower than the WRR; it should, it's a full 300cc and the WRR is only 250cc. But I have the Athena 290 kit for the WRR that I will install next month, and that should help the WRR catch up somewhat, but the TE will still have the edge on power.

The WRR has a wider gearbox than the TE, so it's more versatile. I can ride trails and the highway on the WRR and be comfortable. When I do the same with the TE, I either get buzzing on the highway (geared too low) or can't go slow enough on the trails (geared too high).

The WRR (55.9") has a shorter wheelbase than the TE (58.86"), so it is easier for me to ride on trails. I'm 5'5" with a 28" inseam, so the smaller bike suits me better. Note - I lowered both bikes to about the same seat height (WRR 35.5", TE 35.75").

The WRR weighed 280 and the TE weighed 257, ready to ride, no gas. After mods, the WRR weighs about 265 and the TE weighs about 255. The WRR carries it's weight lower; the TE feels a bit top heavy.

Forgot about suspension :foul:
Stock, the TE has mediocre suspension but it is still much better than the WRR's boingers. Changing fork fluid in each helps some as well as changing front and rear springs to suit your weight and riding style, but best results are obtained from the experts. Les at LT Racing works wonders on the TE suspension, front and rear. For the WRR, Travis at Go-Race can rework both ends to make the WRR work great, on and off road.

Both bikes are great and bring a smile to your face when ridden; the WRR suits me better.

This summer, a WRR rider passed through Salida while riding the TAT. He lives in Maryland. He had no problems riding that distance on the WRR. I wouldn't ride the TE to Colorado Springs (100 miles) unless it had real tall gearing, and then I couldn't ride it on trails. The valve service interval on the WRR is 26,600 miles. That's right, I don't even have to check the valves for 26,600 miles! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

ramz said:

Rick, I always enjoyed reading your post on the bike mods. The CR250X was great reading as was your TE250 project. Great source of info and an interesting perspective as always... good luck with the WR250R and it's a shame to loose you to the Blue machines.

BlipBlip/HuskyRips

SlapDrum, I was waiting until after my looong engine break-in before judging or posting my update. BUT I have had it out twice to the desert now, for 65 miles combined, so I can share a few observations...

First I'll say how my TE is currently set up. As I've mentioned, it was turned from 250 to 310 out of the crate. Throttle stop is still there so I only have ~1/3 throttle, which blows, so you have to consider this a 1/3 ride report. The lambda sensor is gone and the canister is present (until it's registered) but disconnected. Added an up-tite skid plate after chunking the frame (slightly) on rocks during 1st ride. Other than that, bone stock.

In its current state, the power difference is noticeable but I won't call it drastic. What I (and others) noticed right away, was the throttle response. Predictably, it hits faster and harder than my KLX with its stock non-pumper CV carb. The power is good and controllable and I'm looking forward to a lot more of it, post exhaust mods and other power-ups.

The suspension was fine for me and I really blasted some long hard whoops to loosen her up some. That's still work in progress so more later...

The e-start (FINALLY a magic button), ergos, shifting, braking, instruments and everything else were great. The seat does feel taller than my KLX...but that's because it is. I am 165 lbs w/o gear, 5'10" and 32" inseam and the TE did not feel too tall for me to manage, rolling or not. I'm already used to it. When the suspension's broken in and tuned, it will be better and maybe slightly lower.

After the 1st ride, I took it back to George as he suggested. He gave me the tools and I changed the oil and added his skid plate as he continued answering my Husky newb questions.

On my 2nd ride, last Wed, I had a chance to drag race a friend on his KLX set up very much like mine. On El Mirage dry lake bed (hadn't been there in years but good break-in place), he blew me away off the line because of my throttle. Then I caught up and blew him away on the other end. The KLX was still geared down from our last Moab run so he maxed out at 59 mph. My 310 topped out at 69, which I was not expecting and was impressed considering the throttle stop. Must have had a slight tail wind - could only reach 60 coming back the other direction.

Glad we got most of our riding, including the drag race, done early during that 2nd ride because my buddy (considering the same bike upgrade), ended up breaking his ankle after 2 miles of his test ride on my Husky. He was already its 2nd victim! He was enjoying the TE...until then. It wasn't anything spectacular, and he took it well considering it was a TIP-OVER where his ankle just twisted awkwardly. Had Tech 8s on and everything, but now he's in a cast for 6 weeks! Here's where I will have to temper my quad-rider opinions from now on :) because a couple of them saved the day, trading my friend's KLX for one of their quads, to give him an easier 5-mile ride back to the truck after the accident. Guess who had to tend to the cripple after that, including ice pack, plus loading/unloading 2 bikes + gear into the truck solo and driving home!

So the 1/3rd verdict is in... GO FOR IT if you are considering replacing the KLX250 with the TE310. But I will have more and better input after the break-in...

Good comparision - thanks. My bike is the KLX250S, ands you were comparing this to a KLX300. So I'm guessing the Husky TE310 is gonna kick butt all over my KLX250S.
I have opened the exhuast, Air Box, Jet, etc. But I think the KLX250S is 18hp stk so I my have 22hp (if I am lucky). I think I heard that the TE250 has 34hp fomr somewhere. Even if the TE310 has 34hp that would be a huge jump up for me.

Anybody have any TE310 Hp/Torque fgraph or data?

Sorry to hear about your buddy.
A "get well soon" to him.
Thanks...

Do tell more when you get all the throttle ;)

These types of thread are always so interesting...:) Always full of interesting comparisions of the bikes...Get off that rice burner and get on a real bike with real history and a passion for making very cool, un-breakable, fast off road motorcycles. You will not look back most likely as you will suddenly be a much fast rider ;0)

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This has been eating at me. I'll need to do a little math here but there is no substitute for first hand experience.

A six speed bike that is geared too high in first for off road and too low is sixth for highway sounds like a pretty big engineering blunder. My KLX was geared kinda high so I swapped the front sproker from 14 to 13 and then the back from 42 to 47. I admit this is a pretty big gear down, but now it will crawl in first and I can go 60 if I really rev it up. But I can cruise 55 all day long.

If I have to gear down the TE310 and it is already not highway worthy. I am about to cross it off the list...

I did hear from a friend "yea, TE310 is a great bike - it's a shame about the gear box though...."

hmmmm anybody have any suggestions or comments...

Thanks

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Let me clarify. My original statement was misleading.

I could gear it for trail riding OR I could gear it for highway, but there was no one gear setting that would work for both at the same time.

I started off with stock gearing and it ran on the highway and dirt roads just fine. It would make my hair stand on end, it was so fast. But I needed to gear it down so I could start riding some serious single-track. As I added more teeth to the rear and put a smaller front sprocket on so I could ride trails, it got better and better on the trails. But back on the highway, it was buzzing and screaming to do 60, just to keep up with a couple of KLRs. :banghead:

Slow OR fast, but not both.

I believe what he is saying is that in order for him to make it geared for the highway, he needs to go up a tooth or two in the front, which makes the bike geared too tall for crawling in the dirt, but as is, the bike is perfectly geared for the dirt, but not the best for the highway. Listen, it's a dirt bike (race bike) that happens to have a plate. I wouldn't call it a true dual sport by any stretch of the imagination. You might consider a KTM EXC 530 because it has a wider tranny and is geared very tall (stock - 15/42?), but the bike can pull it because it's a 530. That being said, it's dirt bike (race bike) that has a plate just like the Husky and I wouldn't be putting serious highway miles on it because it's not comfortable for extremely long road rides. I did 400 miles in Baja on my 2008 TE 450...my @$$ took a beating and my hands were buzzed to hell by the end of the trip. A TE 610 would have been perfect for that kind of riding.

OK. That's cool. I have a F800GS for my 80/20 Road/Dirt adventures, heck that is my road bike. So I like the TE310, it is back on "the list".

Thanks...

I looked at the TE510 breifly, but I have a big bike already... Not looking to crowd the Beemer out of the garage, but if the KLX gets squeezed out... then so be it.

Now I just have to decide if the 310 is enough more than the KLX250S to make it worth it... It sounds like it will be 2X the power in a slightly ligher bike. If that is the case that is better than I expected to find.

Everyone has been helpful - thanks!
I seek the logic and rational as much as the "Dude... I have X and Y... Get the Y... Live it up!!!"
All good. Thanks!

I can say my 08 TE250 is geared perfectly for tight singletrack, I can crawl through some very very tight singletrack(bar banging). Also, the klx250s is a completely different bike and you won't be disappointed. I have ridden both. One is a dual sport/trail bike and the other is a race bike. Also, while the TE250 is only slightly lighter, it rides like it is a lot lighter. Swing by and I'll let you take it for a ride;-)

Thaigan:
I read swing by and I'll let you take it for a ride...
I yelled out "Hoooo Whooo"... Glanced up to see NJ.. and smiled ;)

I'll ride the KLX over to your place... Ha!

Thanks for the info. I like the idea of a Race Bike with a plate :D

Was 08 injected or carb'd?
Thanks

LOVE your website, great info, great detail on BOTH (or all 3 bikes). Good on ya!

SlapDrum said:

It was the first year for EFI. Sorry, I should've also said, "it's a short trip:smirk:". It's a shame I'm not nearby because I definitely would let you take it out.

in regards to "rarely breaks traction" wouldnt that mean its under powered? i am also looking at buying a 310 and need more info on the power between a 250 and 310. if the 310 is underpowered a 450 would be in mind but i think the 310 sounds better as long as it isnt sluggish...although coming from a 230 anything would feel like an iron horse :ride:

No, I think the point is the power delivery is smooth.

SlapDrum said:

SlapDrum, truth is there isn't any comparison between the TE310 and the KLX.

The TE310 is a Enduro / Cross Country race bike that Husqvarna manufactured to be barely (And I Mean BARELY) street legal! Only reason it's street legal is that those that bought it could access public land in areas where there isn't any public land available for off-road riding.

No Husqvarna does not advertise it as such, but the TE 310 is nothing more than a Street legal compitition cross country race bike that one can easily convert to full compitition mode by removing a few parts!

If Husqvarna had choose to, they could have just brought the bikes into the country as closed course compitition machines just as the Japanese have chosen to with their KX, CR, YZ and RM line of motocrossers.... but then again you would NOT have access to public roads.... And again that's the reason people are snapping up the Husqvarna TEs... So they can ride them in places where you can't ride a DIRT BIKE!

Husqvarna even makes a Special Parts Catalog http://www.husqvarna...spx?rpstry=200_ so that you can make your machine a full closed course compitition race machine with the addition of a few factory parts... just like Ducati does with their superbike kits.

The KLX on the other hand is a Japanese Dual Sport bike (Read STREET BIKE) that Kawasaki brought into this country so they could fill a hole in their product lineup. The KLX was never designed for dirt riding other than creating a dirt bike look... yes people use them for dirt riding... but to compare the two or to try and ride the KLX like a Race Bike on tight technical trail or on a Closed Course Cross Country track would be crazy!!!!!!!... and the Husqvarna TE310 would eat it a live.

It's like comparing a Honda Goldwing with a Ducati 1198 Superbike... One is for touring... like riding a cross the United States.. the other is a track bike that happens to be street legal.... I wouldn't want to ride the Ducati cross country nor would I want to ride the Goldwing on a race course.

If you're looking for a bike to go street riding on as well as on jeep roads then the KLX is something to consider, but to try and compare the KLX to the TE would be like comparing a Honda Goldwing with a Ducati Superbike. :bonk:

Thanks!

Is there any HP and Torque data for the TE310. I have had a tough time finding anything. I have found HP (18hp) and torque (I forget) for the KLX. You would think that the TE310 would want that to be know, especially if it is impressive.

Thaks fo the info and the analogy. I like it. I am going to try a 350 kit and a pumper carb on my KLX250 and see if that livens it up for me.
I aslo think it is the next logic "step" for me to be introduced to more power. The KLX was my first dirt bike in 20 years. Stock it ws really weak, I have made it come alive several times and the 350 kit and carb will add anothe r5hp and put me at 26hp. From about 21hp, that shoudl be a good jump forward. The pumper carb (while not adding hp) will probably be a much of a performance gain and the 100cc boost.

Then I'll play with that for a few months and then decide if I need the TE310. "Need", that may be a stretch. Ha haha. I definately "want" a TE310. ;)

The suspension and rideablity of the TE310 are going to be night and day to the KLX. The KLX is a 310 pound bike. I weighted it. 145 on the front and 165 on the rear. ;)
My guess is that the TE310 is lighter, more agile and more powerful.

HuskyRips said:

I think the intent for the dual sport nature of the TE was to facilitate trail riding by allowing riders to connect sections of trail via pavement or forest service roads. That is kind of inline with your comment about being able to ride where you can't ride a dirt bike. However, most places you can't ride a dirt bike you can't take anything motorized, street legal or not. Husky has the 250 segment cornered as KTM doesn't even offer a street legal 250.

Greg

GregMatty said:

Greg,

Back east we can't register anything with the "For Off-Highway Use Only" stamp on the certificate of origin.

That means if you own a Yamaha WR45OF, CR450X and even a KTM450EXC with that stamped on it then you are S#IT OUT OF LUCK if you want to get a plate so you can ride enduros... which pretty much means you can't ride your bike on any state managed land or state managed forest.

Back east just about every states DMV is enforcing the Off-Highway Use Only exemption as far as getting plates which means they've been able to lock up the woods for OHV use.

6 years ago Husqvarna decided to make their Enduro models street legal so the owner could have access to public land just like those who own SUVs.

:thumbsup:

That's the same here in Washington state. I haven't seen a TXC with that designation yet...not sure about the 2010's.

David

HuskyRips said: