2014 Husqvarna line

[Motosportz]

Take this for what's it worth but I have a 2014 KTM 350EXC-F that I bought a couple of months ago & it's anything but top heavy or needs to be muscled. I had a 2012 Husky TE310 which was a really nice bike so I have some time on both & the KTM feels lighter & more nimble. I've bought & owned a lot of dirt bikes thru out the years & imho the 350EXC-F is the best off road bike I've ever ridden so I think all your worries about the new Huskies are unfounded but hey what fits me may not necessarily fit the other guy but if I was you guys I'd grab a Husky 350 asap.

Two of my buddies who I ride with a lot have KTM 350's, another buddy has a 310. They are both very good bikes. To me the 310 feels lighter, turns better an has more bottom (surprisingly). The 350 does not feel top heavy or heavy at all to me, feels very refined, works great and is fast but you have to rev it good to get to the meat of the power. Oh, one (350) is a XC and one is a W (or whatever I always get confused), one has a linkage one does not. The one with the linkage is MUCH faster than the other one and handles better too. they are VERY different bikes which really surprised me. The KTMs have a much better transmission spread and more useful. All three are great bikes. The 310 seems like more fun in the tighter woods and I feel quicker on it. The 350's feel a lot more versatile and finished. Just my random thoughts on the matter having ridden all three a lot and sometimes back to back.

 

[john01]

So how much better is the 2013 TXC310 over the 2012 TE310? Just wondering how the 2013 TXC310 stacks up to the better KTM 350.... I did read the ride report on the other site about the new Huskabergs being hard to turn and feeling top heavy not that I take much stock in rag reports. Much rather hear from real buyers/riders thanks vntgmx and K.

 

[mxr515]

Would be interesting to compare the 2013-014 KTM 350 and 2013-014 Husqvarna 310 as both had significant changes in power delivery in 2013. I'm on the fence between the two as well but there is also about a $2,000 swing in price with the current incentives.

Two of my buddies who I ride with a lot have KTM 350's, another buddy has a 310. They are both very good bikes. Tome the 310 feels lighter, turns better an has more bottom (surprisingly). The 350 does not feel top heavy or heavy at all to me, feels very refined, works great and is fast but you have to rev it good to get to the meat of the power. Oh, one (350) is a XC and one is a W (or whatever I always get confused), one has a linkage one does not. The one with the linkage is MUCH faster than the other one and handles better too. they are VERY different bikes which really surprised me. The KTMs have a much better transmission spread and more useful. All three are great bikes. The 310 seems like more fun int he tighter woods and I feel quicker on it. The 350's feel a lot more versatile and finished. Just my random thoughts on the matter having ridden all three a lot and sometimes back to back.

 

[Motosportz]

I rode a 2013 310 with the new head. The motor feels very good, I loved that bike. It did not seem night and day more powerful than the older model but sure seemed smoother and more controlled with the head mods and new EFI. this was a demo ride and honestly I think the 2013 TC250 was my favorite of all the x-light configurations. Light and fast. As many of you know I ride a 165 and not a big power guy. I like fast small displacement bikes that are flickable these days. I love my 511 but the 165 get 90% of my woods riding duties.

 

[john01]

I rode a 2013 310 with the new head. The motor feels very good, I loved that bike. It did not seem night and day more powerful than the older model but sure seemed smoother and more controlled with the head mods and new EFI. this was a demo ride and honestly I think the 2013 TC250 was my favorite of all the x-light configurations. Light and fast. As many of you know I ride a 165 and not a big power guy. I like fast small displacement bikes that are flickable these days. I love my 511 but the 165 get 90% of my woods riding duties.

Kelly how much more power does the 2013 TC250 have over a 2010 TC250? The 13 TC250 is the bike my son thinks I should get but man I want e-start .

 

[LandofMotards]

Kelly how much more power does the 2013 TC250 have over a 2010 TC250? The 13 TC250 is the bike my son thinks I should get but man I want e-start .

Why not just a txc, the 13's are red heads and BMP ships

 

[john01]

Why not just a txc, the 13's are red heads and BMP ships

Are the starter issues completely worked out? How is the FI stock or do you need to upgrade/re-flash things? How's the weight? They are the big questions I have on the 2013/14 TXC310's. I know it would turn good (it's a Husky ) and have enough power. Oh btw I've written down Bill's prices on a piece of paper that I carry with me so I can think about that too.

 

[LandofMotards]

Are the starter issues completely worked out? How is the FI stock or do you need to upgrade/re-flash things? How's the weight? They are the big questions I have on the 2013/14 TXC310's. I know it would turn good (it's a Husky ) and have enough power. Oh btw I've written down Bill's prices on a piece of paper that I carry with me so I can think about that too.

I never noticed FI issues but have only ridden the 12 txc. I don't think TXC's ad a real concern and even the 13 TE's don't seem to need as much as the 12 TE's did.

As far as the starter gears it seems they narrowed it down and updated them for 14 and I'm sure BMP would take care of It on a 13 if necessary.

 

[dartyppyt]

Are the starter issues completely worked out? How is the FI stock or do you need to upgrade/re-flash things? How's the weight? They are the big questions I have on the 2013/14 TXC310's. I know it would turn good (it's a Husky ) and have enough power. Oh btw I've written down Bill's prices on a piece of paper that I carry with me so I can think about that too.

John, my txc 13 310 is perfect! Starter no issue after recall. Rips, wheelies all gears, powered up,go 2 + on rear sprocket.

You'd love that bike!

Bart Hayes did boinkers and you can fly across a frozen plowed field and it is plush.

 

[john01]

Thanks guys; much appreciated . hj off

 

[fredd]

Ok now I'm really liking that bike. SP needs to hire you

ugly.

 

[oregonsage]

So how much better is the 2013 TXC310 over the 2012 TE310? Just wondering how the 2013 TXC310 stacks up to the better KTM 350.... I did read the ride report on the other site about the new Huskabergs being hard to turn and feeling top heavy not that I take much stock in rag reports. Much rather hear from real buyers/riders thanks vntgmx and K.

The guys we race with seem to be all over the map on the 350's, some think they are great, others think they are weak 450s (hard to turn, not enough low end). Our 310R is perfectly competitive with all the 2 strokes in our class, but we dont race directly with anyone on a KTM350 so Im not sure about a direct matchup. Often this is down to what makes the rider comfortable and fast.

 

[vntgmx]

We come in all shapes & sizes & what fits one of us may not fit another but my personal feedback on my 2012 TE310 & my 2014 KTM 350EXC-F is that the KTM is lighter feeling & plusher yet holds up well to bottoming for woods riding. The KTM Is geared to be a whole lot more versatile then the 310 could ever hope to be regardless of the sprocket combo. As far as engines go they are both a little soft down low not in a bad way mind you. A flick of the clutch gets either up & moving if you're just lugging along. The KTM has more mid & just rips on the top end & is a willing revver. The FI on the KTM is spot on for me & runs flawlessly where as my TE310 suffered from the unexpected flame-out here & there even after I put the TXC style injector in & had it remapped etc.
The 310 is a very good platform & bike but imo the KTM 350 takes the whole mid-size thumper thingy to another level but your experience may be different.
All I can say is that the new direction Husky is embarking on is a positive step imo though I'm sure some will disagree or be unable to get their heads around it.
Happy shopping whichever you choose.

 

[john01]

Thanks guys your feedback means more to me than any mag review . hj off

 

[Motosportz]

The TXC310 with new head and new EFI would be a very good bike for you John. Sweet machines.

 

[Huskyrider577]

Thoughts from Europe…

Just been thinking about the 200+ guys and girls who were sacked from the factory in Varese, let’s hope that they and their families are ok and not suffering any hardship after being tossed out like rubbish.
I did like the Husabergs, but never wanted one. I think it’s fair to say Husqvarna as we've known and grown to love it has been killed off, and a small piece of us has died with it.

The realities are less romantic, BMWs time with husky was a massive financial disaster, and in the last 3-4 years they lost over a quarter of a BILLION US dollars.
You can’t fault them for trying, they took the brand on, kept it going, invested heavily and bought out some models, unfortunately through bad luck and some inexcusable bad judgement it wasn’t enough, BMW were always going to be up against it in the true off-road world.

It’s now a weird situation where Husqvarna have been killed and saved at the same time.

Admit it we’ve all had sneaky looks at the new bikes, and they are very nice looking machines, not going to buy one any time soon. In fact the more I look at one the more I love my 511. Hopefully we’ll see Graham Jarvis etc. on the 300 stroker, after he’s destroyed that low hanging fruit linkage within minutes.

Looking forward I’m glad Huskies got a new future, like the idea of the Husaberg reunion, just hope they give us some diversity, and I think they will, 2-3 years we’ll all be on them, and in 20 years time when the kids are zipping around on superlight lightning fast electric dirt bikes no ones' going to give a shit about Italian made husky’s.

 

[Jeff aka BOLT]

I still don't understand how anyone gives BMW a pass and blames KTM for lost machine models and lost jobs.

BMW failed miserably... PERIOD ! Instead of taking the hit for killing the product and those peoples careers BMW dodged the bullet by GIVING the logo to the next guy. Now the new guy is at fault for lost jobs and lost bike models ? Some sound like BMW is a victim for losing money while killing a valued product... and wrecking their employees lives.

KTM got a logo out of the trash pile BMW left beside the road. If you love your BMgiva you may never love the HTM. But JP didn't make this mess. He is simply taking whats left of the brand... a "logo" and making a new business of it. Dumping disappointments at KTMs door is misplaced... They didn't wreck the motorcycle company... BMW did !

IMHO

 

[Norman Foley]

I still don't understand how anyone gives BMW a pass and blames KTM for lost machine models and lost jobs.

BMW failed miserably... PERIOD ! Instead of taking the hit for killing the product and those peoples careers BMW dodged the bullet by GIVING the logo to the next guy. Now the new guy is at fault for lost jobs and lost bike models ? Some sound like BMW is a victim for losing money while killing a valued product... and wrecking their employees lives.

KTM got a logo out of the trash pile BMW left beside the road. If you love your BMgiva you may never love the HTM. But JP didn't make this mess. He is simply taking whats left of the brand... a "logo" and making a new business of it. Dumping disappointments at KTMs door is misplaced... They didn't wreck the motorcycle company... BMW did !

IMHO

Wise words.... I always wondered why people were quick to vilify Cagiva for buying Husqvarna, but never thought to question Electrolux's decision to divest of it? Yes, the situation was different, but it was for the same reason, to concentrate on core business..... Home appliances and forest/garden products for Electrolux and street bikes for BMW.

 

[curly]

i think you hit the nail on the head there jeff aka bolt, BMW had a massive opportunity to show the world what BMW engineering and husqvarna was capable of, and they sat on their hands doing the smallest amount possible and never connected the dots.

the 2 strokes are a prime example, what did BMW contribute? bore the wr250 motor to 300cc, switch from old tech marzocchis to old tech KYB`s and thats about it, they could have said ok, its an old design, lets invest some money and move some units! add a 6speed gearbox, all new engine,update the frame, EFI/DI, latest spec suspension, new plastics etc.

don`t get me wrong,i love the italian bikes and they fall short in very few areas,but sales stall when development stalls. hence why most other brands have hot new features that the world talks about (like berg`s 70degree motors, yamahas reverse head concept, KTM`s PDS the list goes on) instead of offering the same (pretty darn good) product year after year

personally,i think the new husavarna smokers are what BMW SHOULD have been aiming for, and the product we,the customers,should`ve been given about 5years ago. i know i would`ve updated my 06 WR250 a lot sooner than last year if they`d released a bike with specs like the new TE300 5years ago. only major reason i didn`t buy a berg te300 instead of my wr300 was price, down here in australia i could have the WR300 for $8990, or the berg TE300 for $12500 and i simply couldn`t justify the extra money

 

[bearorso]

Latest rumour I have come across, is that Gas Gas will be 'making use' of the 250 / 310 XLight engine.

Here in OZ,the Husky Team were using , reputedly , bikes punched out a 340 / 350cc (?) version of the 310. So, if it was not overly fragile, theres a great thing to go on with.

I very much hope this 'XLight Engine to Gas Gas' rumour is true. It would be sad to see such a nice engine 'disappear'.

But hey, I also like the 449 /511 engine - I've found it to be a Gem, when I've ridden them. Once set up, they've been my favourite 450 and up engine - though I've not owned one. A far better engine than KTMs 450 / 505 engines, and easily equal to the single cam KTM replacements. I Always thought that its use, together with the CST, but using a version of the original 'single tube / beam' Husqvarna Swedish origin chassis, would have been a great chassis, that would have jettison a whole lot of weight. I've never been scared of having an engine as the main Swing Arm pivot hanger. I've a fair few Ducati engines / bikes just within my reach that I've encountered No problems with, using that design application. Made as such from the get go - as they ( the 449 /511 - what are the 511s actually, 473cc?) originally were, and you'd have to be an idiot of an engineer / computer program to not have it sturdy enough. Never heard of a true problem with them at all - well the whole Kymco made 449 / 511 series engines.