TE/TC 2017 TE150 from Bill's

Picked up my 2017 TE150 from Bill and the guys in Oregon. Bill's is such a great resource and partner in our favorite hobby for all of us in the Northwest. It doesn't get easier than any dealing you have with Bill and the guys!

The TE150 is an absolute ripping gigglefest of fun in a 202# package. My camera wasn't fast enough to catch it in a photo....ok, I didn't have a camera. The powerband is the most linear of any small bore I have ridden, especially one that makes so much power. Some of the linearity can be attributed to the Lectron and Fatty but I think they just enhance what is already there.

I think if I was a 150# rider it might actually be too much, but I will never know. I will be trying to get just a tad more on the bottom(more compression/optimum squish gap, try to improve stock breathing a bit) for my next ride down south. But it seriously doesn't need much even for my large riding weight.

The electric start is a real treasure for riders like me. It never failed to start the bike with ease. I doubt the entire package of starter, wiring, and battery weigh more than 5lbs. The entire package is only 10lbs more than the TC and has kickstand, lights, skid plate, heavier 18" rear tire, spring forks, and the extra flywheel/stator weight of the charging system. The forks alone are 3-4lbs heavier. For an Enduro it is just so stinking light.

I am seriously impressed with the stock suspension. It handled anything thrown at it and worked extremely well. Small clicker changes actually made a difference. I made several flat landings from fairly large heights(for me) and didn't bottom the forks once. I am a pig and the suspension laughed at me. It handled whooped out trails easily with just a few clicks on the rebound and compression.

The handling so far exceeds my abilities that it is humbling. It makes me feel inadequate with my lack of talent to ride the bike to its capability. Of course I am smiling all the way and not really feeling guilty because the bike is so much better than I am. I don't think there is anything that you could want that it isn't capable of delivering. It is very light but it still seems planted for a small bore!

I can't wait to get some more time on the little rocket but until then I will just have to make do with massaging its over achieving little heart.

That's a neat bike Wally, I saw it at Bill's a couple of weeks ago! There was also a 16 TC 125 with a 144 kit - that I think you built? I was at the get-together in Bend and got to ride that one - how do you think it compares with the 150? Just curious,

Jeff

Is it a true 150 or still 144?

Good write up Walt! You couldn't of said it better. Not sure why they only brought x many in cause guys can't get them.
Walt, what are you running for tranny oil? Do you still have stock tires on? Be curious what you will run for a rear?
I'm having a hard time hooking up in the rear and currently running a Battlecross rear. I bites good going straight and in mud but not good on the sides. I do like the 216 AA on the front. Only thing I don't like about it.... In mud it's like a dozer track that has the whole landscape around it, stuck in its tread.
I just can't get bite on rear accelerating while turning. I don't want to pull a larger tire size either to drag engine down.

Oh, If anyone can get their hands on an Xplor fork manual. I'd like to have one!

Moab and Hatfield/Mc Coys on me bucket list. I just drove through West Virgina Sunday and there were tons of Razors, UTV's coming out of there. Those must be the growing trend.

It is a true 144. I didn't mess with jetting the carb for either the 144 kit in the TC150 or the TE150. With the same combination of Lectron and Fatty on both there is very little difference. The TE has slightly more flywheel weight and you can feel it slightly but you would need to ride them back to back to really notice the difference. The wider ratio tranny on the TE is a nice feature for riders not spending most of there time on an MX course. Low first and sixth is good for 75 mph+. It was still pulling slightly when I shut it down. Amazing rev's. You don't feel any gaps in the gearing either. Nice spacing.

I put about 5 miles on the stock tires and quickly removed them. I will give them away to a buddy here who is cash strapped. I don't think I am doing him any favors. I installed Motoz Terrapactor ST front and rear. They worked very well but I don't know if Moab is a good test for tires. Everything hooks on the slick rock areas and the rest is fairly loose hard pack/loose rocks or sand. I will install the GT front when I wear out the Motoz but that was what I had and I do like the ST Terrapactor front. The rear is the 110x100 18, but is a small foot print for that size and is very light.

I did watch a tear down of the Xplor forks on youtube but it wasn't very detailed.

Ugh. We go down to HMT once or twice a year and those things let every inbred redneck inconsiderate drunk get out on the trails and destroy/trash them. Only plus is they will drive 100' stop, drink. Drive 100', stop drink and so on all day. So once you get past a group you pretty much never see them again

Ok, not everybody matches this description, but a lot do.

Another issue is the trails down there can get pretty narrow in places (usually blind turns), then all of a sudden there is a 50"+ wide vehicle with nowhere to go.



The single track is almost all very technical. A few of them are directional and I don't think can be done the reverse direction by mortal men. Would not recommend going in the summer as it gets insanely humid and overgrown. We generally like to hit it up the last week of October or early spring.

Yeah, I bet with the addition of those, it can get kinda crazy.

We have a spot where those are aloud to be on trails and we avoid that.

My fear is to have one nail us.

Just drove through Charleston Sunday.

I had the same feelin on hatfield, alot of idiots out there ripping around corners in 3ft+ wide tanks. Would let others lead... Not sure if it was worth the 10 hr drive for me.

Good to see another happy customer on a 150 (is there even 1 bad review out there yet??). They nailed this bike!

Would like to check out durhamtown in georgia, might make the trip down if I dont hit the keys for tarpon this spring!

Walt,

What have you been in your gear box as gear slicker?

Looks like Husky/KTM are still recommending Belray. If I paid @ $9000 for a new bike with warranty I'd be using the recommended oil or an acceptable equivalent.

I switched after break in to Amsoil's 10-40 Motorcycle oil. Works great, shifts easy, no drag on the clutch or auto tranny in gear. I will be interested to see how it looks after 200+ miles in 3 days at the end.

Thanx Walt,

I'll grab some. Farm store carries it.

Interesting side note. I ordered an engine gasket kit from Bryon at Bill's.....$250?! 24 kt Gold plating?

Ouch! Is that with all seals, orings, etc.....

Prob only $50 plus a $200 Montana environmental tax.

Technically I think it's orange plating that drives the price up.

With all the great reviews on the 150 I'm anxious to see how it does in the tiddler shootouts against the YZ125, the TM and the Sherco.

Walt,

Meant to tell you that it's best to set your rear sag at 105mm instead of 110mm.

Then set your forks on second line down from the top. Makes front end bite good and better cornering.

If not the front end gets twitchy or it turns like a chopper.

They probably just duke out the 125's against each other.

The 150's would prob just be Ktm versus Husky, basically same engine platform. Prob more like a Ktm or Husky 125 versus their 150?

There may well be an enduro shootout.... TM 144EN, Husky TE150, KTM 150 XC-W.

Don't forget Sherco is making a 125 enduro. To add to the conversation the US Sherco importer told me he is pushing for a 175 to be made for the US market.
http://enduro21.com/index.php/40-general/1574-first-look-sherco-s-125-se-r-enduro

The TM, Husky and KTM are know quantities, but the Sherco big bore, is still a question of what and when. Clay told me it will be a 165cc engine, but designated a 175.