Quick Ride
Quick Ride
HUSQVARNA TE310 Middle sibling syndrome
DUAL-SPORTING'S modern reincarnation has presented a plethora of interesting bikes. Recently acquired by BMW, a newly healthier Husqvarna continues to be a leader in the segment it helped save. Most noteworthy in its wide range of 2009 machines is the street-legal competition-spec TE310.
We traveled to Northern Italy to ride Husky’s entire range of ’09 bikes, including the motocross, enduro and cross-country models.
In 2006, Husqvarna was the first company to make its enduro bikes 50-state streetlegal. Last year, it added fuel-injection to the TE line and now has trumped the competition by building a midsize four-stroke. That’s great news for riders who don’t like the weight of a big-bore, preferring a lighter and more agile chassis with an engine that fits somewhere in between a 250 and 450.
Based on the TE250, the 310 is virtually identical
except for its larger 83mm bore (up from 76) and $400-higher price tag. No surprise, the 310 feels more compact than a 450 when you're settled in the 37.5inch-high saddle. The
hydraulic clutch’s pull is light, with ultra-smooth engagement.
It’s at this point in the experience that the rider discovers the real advantage
of the liquid-cooled, fuelinjected, catalyzer-equipped 298cc four-stroke engine. The additional horsepower is apparent across the rev range with quicker acceleration, more midrange punch
and stronger top-end. The dohc, four-valve head receives new steel exhaust valves (replacing titanium) for increased longevity while a more-efficient oil filter and a new timingchain tensioner improve reliability.
Chassis updates include a 2.2-pound-lighter frame with increased rigidity, which, in conjunction with new suspension settings, is more responsive to rider input. Handling characteristics are above average for trail riding and even worked quite well on a motocross track-very impressive for a bike that can also be ridden on the street. The TE310 also performed well on a special-test grass course. It handled better than the TE450 and 510 we sampled the same day and was much quicker between the corners than the 250-a terrific combination of handling and speed.
If you’re looking for the best of both worlds-near weightless turn-in combined with enough power to compete with the big leaguers-the 2009 TE310 hits the mark. -Ryan Dudek
