Hey all, the opportunity has arisen where it is possible to sell my TE510 2010 and purchase a new 2011 TE310. I really only bought the 510 as the price was hard to refuse, and got it brand new. Since then i have put 1500kms on the clock (80%) on the road due to getting back into riding slowly after an injury. I really wanted the 310 to start with but the price was just a tad out of reach. I really like to 510 as its got great power, and its really nice to ride around on. But however I do really want the 310. I will be test riding a 310 at a Husqvarna ride day in 2 weeks, so will have more of an insight on if im keen on it or not. I dont really ride on the highway much, I do putt around town and to get to certain tracks but dont "really" need that 100km/h capability on the road. Could anyone possible share some insights between the 310 and the 510 and their respective good/bad points? (other than the obvious ) Thank you everyone in advance.
If you don't ride tight trails, woods, racing (enduro/hard enduro), I wouldn't go from 510 to 310. 310 is IMO one of the best hard enduro bikes since it has just the right amount of power and light handeling. On top speed/power it is not "top of the top", which is completly normal, due to the engine size. But it take less power from rider! All this points counts on "off road" riding. While if you are riding majority open roads (on and off road), I would stick to 510. You have bigger engine, more power, higher top end, engine better conceptemd for constant speed. When you drive on streight road, you don't "damage" the engine so much with constant high speed. 310 is race off road bike. 510 also, but still for open roads, 510 is much more addapted. I had KTM 530 before, now I have TE 310. Love the 310, but you can see, that the engine works hard after 60-70 km/h. With 530 the story is a little different. At the end you can solve a lot also with gearing in front and rear. 530 was heavier in the woods, but had more power (which I didn't really need in the woods). On open trails, yes! So the question at the end is, where will you spend the majority of your riding. If it is more open trails, roads,.. than I would keep 510 (or buy a new 510), if you will do more technical stuff, enduro riding, racing,.... than 310 mybe the best choice you can make!
Stuff i like doing is adventure riding and mucking round with mates on little tight tracks on their properties etc. Also the person who owns the husky shop here has a tight tech track and motorcross setup on his block, so i used to ride those before the husky came along. I honestly dont do that much road riding and if im on long open roads even in the bush im not going 1 million k's and hour, im a bit more reserved now since the accident, so big speed is not really a factor. I do like the tech little tight tracks and used to love technical hillclimbs. I think a more reserved 310 would possibly be better for me as i can keep the speed down a touch and also the 310 will be more forgiving when you get tired etc... Counting down the days till the ride day! - hope my toe heals in time enough for me to at least get my boot on.
310 is a great bike. I never regreted the decision. You just have to know, that you drive it more like 2T (you have to push it a little more on hillclimbs for example). Something that you get the 3th ride! Good luck!
On a mates track with lots of hillclimbs up creek etc the 510 had brutal torque - its absolutely fantastic! Was just tractoring up in 3rd/2nd with ease, never looked like booging down. Hmmm....
Rode a few diff bikes on the weekend. 2012 TE310, WR300 (holy balls!) and the TC250. Decided im gunna stay with the big dog i think. You just cannot get over that torque and power that thing makes. But apart from that the TC250 is an absolute weapon. God it was fast around corners. Unbeleivable amounts of grip. So was really informative to do that ride day, and I did like the 310, but for now I might just get used to the 510 of mine
I miss that fat low end of the 510 in some ways. I don't miss fighting it in tight stuff or picking it up. You have to mind the clutch a lot more with the smaller bikes to keep them in the powerband for sure.
Yeap! Exactly what I am experiencing. The best thing would be to have both of them at home. The big bore for more open roads and when it is completly dry and the 310 for technical stuff and wet conditions. On the other hand big bore is not bad when you are realy in mud, since it has a lot more power. What Neesmo31 is commenting on WR300 is also a good choice or more or less quite the same as 510 in terms of power delivery, but much lighter, when you have to pick it up. I was considering 2T 300 when I was in proces to buy a new bike. The only cons is that on wet tecnical&rocks sections, the bike is not ridable (for recreational rider). For dry stuff, it is a rocket
