TE/TC Trail Rider Magazine TE250 Test

I just got my print copy, but there is a digital one too....


http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/294885

Thanks for the posting ... Just started reading it and I have to say, so far, so good!

And dog-gone... this bike has the dog-gone wide ratio I've read so much about here since 2008 .. Dog-gone, low and behold, that WR tranny is here ..,Then what does the dog-gone Air Group Radiant Racing team do to their dog-gone racing bike? They replace that dog-gone WR tranny with a dog-gone CR tranny. Dog-gone world. Maybe I do need to purchase one of AGRR used racing bike some day..

Seems the letters ktm keep coming up often ...

What about this DDS clutching system? I'm 100% clueless on any ktm but I'm guessing this is a tried and proven system?

On to the article comparing the bikes and it sounds pretty good also so far on all the bikes ...

Ray the only difference between the TE(XC-W) and XC trans, are 1st and 2nd gears with 3-6 being the same. TE 1st and 2nd are lower and there is a bit of a gap to 3rd. The XC 1st and 2nd are taller and bring them closer to 3rd. The TE and XC-W are designed for more slow, technical riding, so low 1st and 2nd are nice. Racers like it a little faster 1st and second from the XC. On my '12 Husaberg TE250, I went down to 13/52 from stock 13/50 gearing to make 2nd and 3rd work in the tighter woods. 1st is my "Hail Mary" gear for crazy climbs! The bike will still go 80 mph in 6th and have more to spare.

DDS clutch uses 1 Bellville spring(cupped washer), as opposed to 6 coil springs. This makes the clutch slimmer and action is smoother.

Thanks on explaining the gearing saga and does the clutch feeling, can you get it to feather easier than a 6-coil type?

The HYDOs clutches on the ITL 4t bikes are pretty easy to control to me ...

I haven't ridden one and I'm also an auto clutch guy. Racers who like a really snappy clutch action, say the are too smooth. Stiffer spring is available....

http://slavensracing.com/shop/280-p...er-for-ktm-husaberg-250-501by-ktm-powerparts/

I'd guess that as long as it did not ever break, as like my previous bikes, I'd be OK with its action ... (I can see how easily is would be to be an auto-clutch guy)

I would say that review is pretty spot on with my opinion of my own TE 250 . I have a head on the way and will be changing to the optional red (included) spring . I don't know about the CDI yet , I will see what I think with these mods. I think the linkage is also a little different . I ended up with a 6.0 rear spring to get sag right @ 210 rider weight . I really like the clutch , butter smooth .

Since I'm on a '12 Husaberg TE250, I can only compare the engine... I run the red spring, one turn in from flush; XC head, modified by Mike Soudas at Cycle Playground in PA (MikeS on KTM Talk) and should have my XC CDI box today. I figure it's worth a try, with the XC CDI. If it doesn't do anything, I won't have any trouble selling it on KTM Talk. Engine is good stock, but these little tweaks just make it better.

I can feel the ITL Huskies slip sliding away

Some guys use a SX head, but a XC head, or XC head with mods is popular. MikeS at Cycle Playground usually has XC heads in stock. http://www.cycleplayground.com/wordpress/?p=122

Don't worry Ray. A group of us will always love and ride them. Look how vibrant the Swedish Huskys are on CH. Italian Huskys aren't going away. On the other hand... the Austrian Huskys are here and we're going to buy and ride them. There is a huge amount of resources, to get the most out of these new bikes and the info is going to flow into CH.

More like a really tweaked KTM XC than a TC or SX. If Husky sales are good enough, we'll eventually see an TX model between the TE and TC.

I bought this:

Those changeable chamber heads are very cool.
The new bellville clutch....is another thing that I'm in love with on the TE300- smooth like butter.
Ive all ready used the hell out of it on 2 tough one type trail rides as well as normal use locally. The oil came out very black from the cushion bushings perhaps or maybe just the friction material they use now? Anyway I'll see when I next change the oil....when ever the heck I can ride again.
PS I went with OEM factory team sponsor BelRay gear oil with a bit of MaxiLube added in for good measure.