Husqvarna TE250 4 Stroke

Husqvarna TE2504 Stroke
Manufacturer	Husqvarna
Production	2002 - 03
Engine	Four stroke, single cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves
Compression ratio	12.0;1
Ignition	Electronic
Transmission	6 Speed
Frame	Steel single tube cradle (round tubes); rear frame in light alloy
Suspension	Front: Marzocchi "Upside-Down" telescopic hydraulic fork with advanced axle; compression and rebound stroke adjustment Rear: Sachs progressive "Soft Damp" type with single hydraulic shock absorber; spring preload adjustment, compression and rebound adjustment
Brakes	Front: Single 260mm disc Rear: Single 220mm disc
Front Tire	90/90-21
Rear Tire	120/80-18
Wheelbase	1485 mm / 58.5 in
Seat Height	890 mm / 35.0 in
Weight	108 kg / 238.1 lbs (dry),
Fuel Capacity	8 Liters / 2.1 US gal
Manuals	Service Manual

Engine

The engine was a Liquid cooled cooled Four stroke, single cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves. The engine featured a 12.0;1 compression ratio.

Drive

Power was moderated via the Wet / Multiplate.

Chassis

It came with a 90/90-21 front tire and a 120/80-18 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via Single 260mm disc in the front and a Single 220mm disc in the rear. The front suspension was a Marzocchi "Upside-Down" telescopic hydraulic fork with advanced axle; compression and rebound stroke adjustment while the rear was equipped with a Sachs progressive "Soft Damp" type with single hydraulic shock absorber; spring preload adjustment, compression and rebound adjustment. The TE2504 Stroke was fitted with a 8 Liters / 2.1 US gal fuel tank. The bike weighed just 108 kg / 238.1 lbs. The wheelbase was 1485 mm / 58.5 in long.

Photos

Overview

Husqvarna TE 250

Review

As a young boy in the ’70s, I became enthralled with the Husqvarna name after my dad took me to my first pro motocross race. Watching factory racer Kent Howerton wheelying out of corners at the head of the pack made an impression that stuck in my mind for many years.

Those images faded as Japanese brands came to dominate the racetrack. But they returned in more recent years, when Jacky Martens and Alessio Chiodi won World Motocross Championships on Huskys, and Travis Preston took a victory in the 125 class of the 2001 Houston Supercross. Meanwhile, Husqvarna was racking up World Enduro Championships with consistency against its mostly European competitors.

So I was intrigued when I got a chance to test one of the company’s 2004 models, the TE250.

Like all the new Huskys, the TE comes with a 100th anniversary graphics package. The celebration is actually a year late, since Husky was founded in Sweden in 1903. But it appeared it might not happen at all, since the brand, now built in Italy as part of the MV Agusta family, nearly collapsed in a failed merger, then survived a flood that heavily damaged the factory in 2003.

However, Husqvarna persevered to introduce an impressive 2004 lineup of four motocrossers and five off-road models. The TE250 is the smallest four-stroke in the enduro/hare scrambles/GNCC line, which also includes the TE450 and TE510, plus the two-stroke WR125 and WR250.

Walking up to the TE250, I immediately noticed the classic Husqvarna looks and the top-grade componentry: hydraulic clutch, titanium exhaust pipe, aluminum handlebars, wide footpegs, magnesium engine, etc. The biggest surprise, though, is the red button on the right handgrip—yes, this bike, like all the new Husky four-strokes, comes with an electric starter.

Once riding, I quickly noticed the responsiveness of the engine, which pulls well from down low all the way to the rev limiter. Add in the hydraulic clutch and slick-shifting six-speed gearbox, and you’ve got a very controllable powerplant.

Of course, the best engine in the world can’t make up for poor handling, and here again, the Husqvarna didn’t disappoint. Other than a hard seat, the ergonomics were stellar for me as is, but with adjustable handlebar clamps and tunable suspension, the bike can be made to fit anyone.

I rode the TE with stock suspension settings on everything from a motocross track filled with double jumps through a whooped-out sandy hare scrambles track to extremely tight woods sections. And the verdict? The TE handled it all with flying colors. Sure, it bottomed the suspension a few times when landing off big jumps, but that’s what suspension adjustments are for.

Having spent some time on a Yamaha YZ250F, I can say that while the YZ felt a little lighter and quicker on the track, the Husky was considerably easier to ride. Thanks to its broad, forgiving powerband and natural seating position, I actually felt I could ride faster on the Husky, even though it’s not a true motocrosser. And on the trail, you can really see how this tiny brand has earned all those world championships.

With an MSRP of $6,299, the Husqvarna is competitively priced between the Yamaha WR250F, which retails for $5,799, and the KTM 250 EXC four-stroke, at $6,548.

As far as maintenance is concerned, the TE was trouble-free throughout the test. This was a bike I just put gas in and rode. It always started quickly and ran great.

My only suggestion: Make the seat a bit softer. —Jim Kimball

Make Model	Husqvarna TE 250
Year	2002 - 03
Engine Type	Four stroke, single cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves
Displacement	249 cc / 15.2 cu-in
Bore X Stroke	76 x 55 mm
Cooling System	Liquid cooled
Compression	12.0;1
Induction	38mm Keihin MX carburetor
Ignition	Electronic
Starting	Electric & kick
Max Power
Max Torque
Clutch	Wet / Multiplate
Transmission	6 Speed
Final Drive	Chain
Frame	Steel single tube cradle (round tubes); rear frame in light alloy
Front Suspension	Marzocchi "Upside-Down" telescopic hydraulic fork with advanced axle; compression and rebound stroke adjustment
Rear Suspension	Sachs progressive "Soft Damp" type with single hydraulic shock absorber; spring preload adjustment, compression and rebound adjustment
Front Brakes	Single 260mm disc
Rear Brakes	Single 220mm disc
Front Tire	90/90-21
Rear Tire	120/80-18
Wheelbase	1485 mm / 58.5 in
Seat Height	890 mm / 35.0 in
Dry Weight	108 kg / 238.1 lbs
Fuel Capacity	8 Liters / 2.1 US gal