Coming from a 450 the 310 is a little less of a jump. Its proven technology with a bullit proof motor. Sounds like the 250's might be a wee bit underdone in the bottom end department.
Are you planning on using it for competition enduros or are you just looking to enjoy the great outdoors? How much do you weigh? What type of trails/tracks are you going to be riding on?
I am riding a 250 its a 2007 model i got new in 2008 and its been bulletproof for me. I changed the piston and cam chain 2 weeks ago after 120hours of only racing and they probably didnt need it at all. I had thought the chain was slightly rattly but it turned out to be fine. it makes more power i think than the ktm 250 i think, having ridden both except its a bit revvier. its a taller bike than the ktm especially handle bars so if you like the fit of the yz 250 f then it will suit you. it will feel night and day different to the wr450 which i think is way too heavy and powerful, especially if you are going to do enduros on it. i ride pretty much all of the enduros and hare and hounds, so if you are in tinahealy this sunday you can take mine for a spin, plus also there is one other guy on a 310 husky (eddie steenson) and i am sure he'd tell you about how that works for him. Tadgh
well i am not sure but i am probably going to change mine for the 2010 one in january, i only tend to keep the bikes 2 years at most so it falls within the two year warranty, for any major problems you are covered. obviously there is a bit of a step into the unknown on the new model but i think with a warranty you cant go too far wrong really. once you change the oil regularly there is no major maintence schedule, plus they are pretty easy to work on. i should be a sales man really talk to dave in tas performance in the north, he has offered me a few test rides on the 2010 which i havent had a chance to do yet. but with sterling at its low rate (plus if you can miss the VAT) then its a particularly good deal at the moment. where are you based?
The 310 is one " Sweet " motor for offroading. It is superior to the 250 and does not feel any heavier. I installed the Athena kit in my 08 TE 250 about a yr ago and couldn't be happier. This bike will crawl and climb the nastiest terrain like a billy goat with velcro on its hooves and run with all the bigger bikes in the open. I went from a 510 to the 450 and most of my riding buddies have 450's or 250 and 300 two strokes and I have no problem keeping up in the open. 09 was the first year Husky made the 310 and it was their biggest seller. Everybody is ga ga about the light wt of the 2010. Looks to me it is going to be about 10lbs lighter that the 09 TE. The better motor of the 310 will more than offset the wt and weaker motor of the 10,especially for offroading. Another thing to think about is. A article that came out ealier this year said that the new motor design is also capable of 300 cc's. It would make sense to me that a 300 will be the next bike to have the new generation motor. I think that you would be very impressed with a 09 or 2010 310. Russ
I have the 09 te310 and love it.I ride in the north east and have no problem riding with450s. I heard the 2010 te250s is a little like a light switch if you like that kind of bike.
310 - Definintely. I love mine. It reminds me of why I loved my 1994 WXE 350 so much! but even better. The motor and chasis are awesome. I also have an APrilia RXV450 and that little 310 pound for pound just never lets me down on everything from sandy pine forest single track, whooped out fire cuts and New ENgland rock gardens it just works. However there is a dealer on Ebay that blows out left over 250 TXCs which are not street legal for like $4500, it strreet legality is not important that and an Atena kit could really be a sweet deal.
Just ask yourself How do I ride? From what I've heard so far, the new 250 motor is more on par with the current generation 250F's from the big 5. The old motor is bulletproof and super easy to work on but it does not make the same amount of power as it's competition. I'm sure the new 250 motor will be just as reliable as any other 4 stroke and if you're not a revver it will go a while between rebuilds.
I dont think the new 250 lite is going to be a good trail bike. A great race bike it will be! If you want something to trail ride on then probably the 310 is the better bike. The 250 is incredibly light though but 250 means more maintenance and a strict regime at that. The 310 is a great bike in both situations. I have used one in a 12hr race with some gnarly loose hills tight singletrack and fast fire roads. It was a dream. I bought a TE510 off the back of that ride and that is awesome in the same conditions, but I am a big bloke and I love the big bore bikes. Alec UK
