New 2013 Husqvarna TE 310 R: Yea or Nay for Dual Sport?

Hello everyone. I am looking to purchase a dirt-biased dual sport motorcycle. I'm 52, 6'0/180lbs. I started riding off-road at 10 and have had my street license since 15. Most of my off-road bikes have been MXers but I'm afraid that I've reached the point where negotiating a technical trail has more appeal than coming up short on a triple or charging the whoops at 40MPH (anybody see James Stewart's wipeout last weekend?).

On the other hand I have no intention of putting off into the sunset on a Trail 70. Hence my consideration of the TE 310 R... I'm aware of the whole BMW/KTM thing and realize that the TE and other Italian built bikes are now somewhat orphans. That in itself doesn't bother me - nor the close-ratio tranny. However, parts availability, warranty service, etc is a concern. Unfortunately the nearest Husky dealer is over 200 miles away and while I live close to several KTM and BMW dealers I don't think any will have much interest (or ability) when it comes to servicing this particular model. While I can perform all the basic repairs and maintenance I obviously can't re-flash an ECU or perform the same diagnostics as factory-supported dealer with good techs.

Long story short I can purchase a new 310 for about $5400. Not much more than a 2014 Honda CRF250L OTD. Needless to say, even if dropped another 3K into the Honda it would never achieve to weight, power or handling of the Husky. And while the KTM 350 EXC-F is unquestionably a brilliant bike its maintenance requirements are more than I want to undertake. And, to me, Suzuki, Yamaha and Kawasaki's offering in this class are a bit stale and need some overdue updates. The larger Terra could easily be a contender if I wanted a more street oriented bike but it has too much weight and not enough suspension for serious off-road antics (I own other street bikes).

Though I've yet to thrown a leg over a TE 310 R or even see one in the flesh it seems to offer the greatest bang for the buck while also being a bike I could enjoy for many years (assuming I can get parts and service when needed).

To those who have owned or rode one: Any knowledge, wisdom, or recommendations you'd care to pass along will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Can you get a TE449/511?

The 310 is a dirt race bike that happens to come with a plate. It is not a bike to relax and tool around on forest service roads and definitely not for a majority of street use. I actually do not like riding mine slow. But for what it is, it is fantastic.

The CRF250L will be more comfortable and useable on the road, but hopelessly outclassed by the 310 off road. I've ridden 2 310's and both had bad vibration around 6000rpm - so I just go faster! The 310 is more comfortable on and off road than the CRF250X, as well as being a little more user friendly. With standard gearing, I'm happy to cruise on the road at 55 or even 60mph, something I wouldn't have done on the CRF250X.

Mike

I own a 2012 Te310 and really like the bike. I am 58, 6'1" weighing 195lbs. Not ready to give up laying some knobbies in the dirt and after almost throwing in the towel owning a Suzuki DR 400 this bike was a restoration of faith that I can still do it in the dirt. I am happy with my decision to buy it and for the price you said you woul;d pay you can't go wrong.

Nick

Great bike and for that amount of money you can't go wrong. I dual sport mine a few times a year during the ADV Central rally and it does just fine. Most of the riding during the dual sport rally is fast open single and 2 track snowmobile trails though. Some single track up in the UP of Michigan too. The rest of the year my 310 is reserved for Enduro tight single track events here in the mid west. The Honda is a heavy pig lacking any type of true character IMO. The 310 is also very forgiving for us seasoned folks.

I came from a very similar background. I'm 45, 210lbs, and rode YZ250s both MX and off-road for the last 20 yrs. My last YZ was completely setup for the woods with revalve, flywheel, rekluse, all the goodies. I had been lusting over the 310 for a few years and when my son graduated from college this year, my plan was to get a new dirtbike(finally had the income for it!). I live in Lower Alabama(the "other" LA) and ride mostly tight single-track. I wanted a dirtbike with a plate as Alabama requires a plate to ride any forest service roads. Narrowed my search down to the KTM 350EXC and the TE310R. I went with the Husky for 3 reasons. 1) I loved the looks of the bike, I can't walk through the garage without touching it, 2) price was about $3K less, even more for you now, 3) I am not part of the orange tide. I have nothing against KTMS, have ridden a couple of them and they are great bikes. But whenever I unload, I always have someone come and talk to me about the Husky.
As far as performance, I was immediately faster in the woods on the TE over my YZ. It is smoother, more controllable, and IMO just as flickable as my YZ. I haven't felt the need to add a Rekluse as my riding style on the little thumper has evolved to a different style. I tended to brake-slide more on the YZ and with the Husky, I steer more with the front wheel. Hope that makes sense.
I also do not have a dealer nearby. The main thing is to get the dealer to reflash the ECU before you even take delivery. Then, there are several threads out on this forum you can follow for the rest of the uncorking process. Not hard at all. I went with an FMF Powercore slip-on and a JD Tuner and this added even more bottom end power. Next step is to get my suspension dialed. I have played with the clickers some and cannot get rid of the harshness in the front. I'm on the verge of pulling it and sending to ZipTy. Just need to find the time.

Short road rides its fun and not bad. Running on the street for extended periods above 40, like my 30min 15 mile commute sucks. The seat sucks and the vibration suck and the wobbling sucks above 50. This is my favorite bike ever so far and belongs in the dirt like no other. Linking spots on black top is ok...if my commute was whoops and or tech trail it would be awesome.

We own Ride Open Tours and we give tours from Big Bear Mountain to Vegas and everywhere in between. Five of our desert tour bikes are dual sport TE310s. They are basically factory race bikes, many as powerful as 449/511s and one is faster than Ty's 630. They work great off road and are pretty good on the street. I feel that the 310 is a capable dual sport bike, but not off the showroom floor. I've had my share of close calls with traffic and I don't feel comfortable on a 310 in a crowd like I do on the 511.

Tinken, what is the maintenance (valve adjustments, top ends... and so on) like on the TE310? I've been looking at these as well and was curious about how long before rebuilds are necessary.

I own a new 14 it rips I'm in my mid 50's love it I ride tarmac and dirt stock gearing

Stock gearing as in 13/40?

That depends on how you ride it, where and which model. The R heads were built with poor quality valves, springs and seats, so valve maintenance is pretty often unless you had us put a valve kit in. All my machines use low viscosity synthetic oil with SS filters and are changed every 300 miles. I'd re-ring it every few thousand miles, other than that, ride it tell it blows up.

I have to ride mine on the pavement to get too and connect the trails. I have a MY12 310 and so far it has been great. I have installed a Dirt Tricks 48T sprocket, and run an trials tire out back. I tried a 40,46,50 and 48 sprockets, 50 hands down was the best of the bunch off road, but the 48 with the Rekluse clutch will comfortably run 50 on the HWY, and has ok bottom end not explosive, but with the Rekluse it is adequate and will seldom stall. I can still pop the front end up and do a pivot turn no problem and clutch the front end up over obstacles no problem. I have also balanced the front wheel, and run opposed dual rim locks on the back. I have close to 100hrs on mine not sure on the milage, maybe somewhere around 1000, and it has been great. The thing about it is the bike is so much fun in the Gnar I am not ready to give it up for one that will be better on the road. It handles like a 250F MX bike off road, and it has a plate, perfect bike for me. The only thing that sucks is if you want to ride dual sport with a bunch of riders on big RFS bikes they will leave you in their dust on the gravel/paved roads with their wide ratio transmissions.

That's a pretty damning blanket statement, sure hope it's not indicative of the '13 TC250r I purchased for my aspiring mx'er!

Tinken, You stated: They work great off road and are pretty good on the street. I feel that the 310 is a capable dual sport bike, but not off the showroom floor.

What would be required to achieve this?

We didn't know until we tested Nantista's 310R valves which were literally being stretched longer and folding over. BMW used soft steel valves instead of SS or Ti. So we came up with a solution, like we always do.

I would suggest a full power up with LeoVince mapping and either after market exhaust or remove the mid baffle in the stock silencer.