TE/TC 2015 TE 250 review. The good the bad and the ugly with video

[troy deck]

the big question is how'd that big 6.4 hemi do on gas?

 

[robertaccio]

I got really excited about this post as I've desperately been trying to find a review on the TE250 which I have ordered ('16 model). I had struggled for some time to decide on a 250 or 300 and there was even a point I was looking at the KTM 200. I'm about 165 and 5'11". Was worried the 300 would be too much for me - I'm intermediate rider, fit 50yo and ride semi-aggressively. After reading 100's of opinions on each, it seems the 250 is the best fit. I want to invest in a good bike that will last me - thoughts about installing rekluse, LHRB, and steering stablizer.. and whether this will be worth it. Cheers and love the vidoes and riding location in the videos..!

all about opinion and can open a can of worms......

thoughts about installing rekluse, LHRB, and steering stablizer.. and whether this will be worth it.

No , No to the enth degree and No

 

[troy deck]

damn did i just jack your thread.. sorry

 

[findlay70]

I have been dragging the pedal

HI Guys - what is "dragging the pedal..?"

 

[troy deck]

he rides the rear brake

 

[findlay70]

he rides the rear brake

That's what I thought, but is this intentional because of the angle of the boot when standing; which is what I seem to do, hence considering LHRB

 

[robertaccio]

that whole LHRB thing is an internet cowboy sales phenomenon (the only pro level riders I've seen use it are guys with permanent injuries)..........see, I used the internet cowboy name. can of worms opened again....
Just set your bike up correctly and even a customization like a shorter brake pedal push rod for example.

Back to the thread now..

 

[ptkatoomer]

I've ridden with Robertaccio in some pretty technical terrain and I'd have to say, without having ridden one, that having the recluse could be a big help in that kind of stuff (especially if you're 5, 8"). I think my 250 xc doesn't have the same torque as the 300 and this actually makes it more mellow off the bottom-that helps someone like me.

 

[robertaccio]

I will add a plus thumbs up for Rekluse that the no stall recluse deal is cool especially when your hammered after hours of racing and still have more ugly terrain to get through (ex Tecate Enduro type thing). but for the money my fingers work great as well, plus my fingers work both ways slip power for smooth acceleration and like a reverse torque slipper for smooth decel too.

 

[Motosportz]

Lots of peeps in the high country technical terrain use the LHRB as you get great feel and modulation, Still have use of the rear brake when turning right and foot off the brake peddle, and on steep mountain switchbacks. I have several very good riding friends that love them. I can't make the switch and have a kit here for years. In the end it is a mod and tool to do something, if it works great for those people I'm 100% fine with that. Maybe pros don't use them but most of us are not pros and I'm not going to call people out for using something they feel is useful to them. Same with Rekluse and you sure can say thats a fad or "cowboy sales" as Rekluse is doing stellar biz and lots of people love them. Run what works for you.

 

[fletchman45]

the big question is how'd that big 6.4 hemi do on gas?

Ha Ha The 6.4 ltr motor rocks! Detuned SRT engine! 410 horsepower love it! Mileage empty driving 60 is 16-17 mileage driving 75mph or so with two bikes trailer three adults one child 8 foot box full 12.5 mpg fair I would say for a gas 2500. Engine has MDS so it shuts down to 4 cylinders been getting 13 running to the riding areas!

 

[fletchman45]

he rides the rear brake

In checking out my riding some of the blame has to go to my style. I am going to drill one hole in the top of the rear brake caliper app 1/2 inch to remove heat. Relocate the unboltable pedal portion to the bottom of the pedal and change to Motul brake fluid. Should be fine. I am guilty of being a bad brake dragger

 

[troy deck]

well could be worse

 

[fletchman45]

Thanks fletchman..! Can you advise what rubber submount you installed, please.
I will install a skid plate, rad guards, brake disk guards and pipe guard - still researching whether to use Husky brand or other.
Thanks once again..!

I have the scotts dampner along with the scotts rubber submount kit. Which if I remember correctly comes with different rubber bushings for whatever your taste is. I have the blue Husky rear disc guard looks trick and I think will work well. Not sure on my radiator guards but they look nice and have a rubber strap that will allow the shroud to brake away I believe in and effort to save your radiator and parts. Very nice. I have a factory KTM/Husky skid plate I just have not installed it yet. It is plastic and quick and easy removal (around $125.00)

 

[fletchman45]

Fletch I've never machined or messed with calipers, I know many top tier teams have in the past removed metal for lightening and actually for changing flex characteristics of the caliper as well, along with allowing air flow through it, at my skill level demands it has never been an issue. Consider a race quality caliper, brembo gold, or one of the Braking calipers and disc kits??? Braking has some super nice set ups (I know one of the testers)
As Jay said the extender does come close to the pipe, I thought about putting on wrap of exhaust insulation around the pipe there, but it seems OK without a lot of heat transfer.

On my 12 heavy Gasser I kept boiling over the rear brake bad so at the advice of Mark at Gofasters drilled a hole in the rear caliper directly on top down (5/8) I believe for heat dissipation and after doing that it was great! I was leary about compromising the strength of the caliper but the gas Gas race team does it......Thanks for the advice. I'll try these other solutions and I think they will work. I did discover I am riding my brake a tish lol

 

[fletchman45]

In five days of riding I'll do a fairly quick summary which of course is my opinion and some may disagree!! The engine works nicely. It has good rev out. With a 50 tooth rear sprocket and 9 oz bolt on flywheel weight idles down to nothing. I stalled it one time but I was moving easily fast enough that it bump started long before i came to a stop. Power is impressive. A good running 250. Lights easily and kicks easily. The Husky factory lower seat with true gripper seat cover works very well and shaves off a 1/2 inch or so from seat height. Very noticeable. At least for these riding conditions the suspension works AWESOME! Just a standard revalve front and rear with stock spring rates ( I weigh 167.5) I am able to bottom the fork under real hard riding but it stays up in the stroke and does not dive. Deflection is kept to a minimum and small rocks feel like butter as it glides across them. The rear feels very good as well with no signs of anything abnormal. I did not touch my clicker once!!! I like the fact you can use a wrench on the bolts but you can also use a torx on any of the bolts. Nice. The plastic subframe and steel chassis equal great feeling and not so rigid of a bike. All quality components and the stock tires worked well in these conditions. Snivals would be a front brake that gets the job done with less stopping power then my red 144's and a rear brake that seems to just fall short of a red 144 as well. (just as good as a Gas Gas) Less in front then a TM. At high speed in my opinion the bike is not nervous it seems fine. I trust this chassis and if I can not win on this platform it is my fault. Things KTM could do first off would be get rid of anything on the bike that says KTM. I am fine with platform sharing but get off the powertrip........you killed a cub cause you were scared of the future...let it go and make the brand grow...On a plus side I learned if you bring your bike in from the garage and it is negative 20 degrees below 0 and put the bike in your house the little KTM stickers will almost fall off and leave no residue even! Not a single loose bolt. Silky non fading clutch. No overheating....I really like it. Ergos modern feeling..weird that you cant grab the rear fender or it will snap off (I have read) but it does have handholds to grab at least! front fender incorporates holes to hold the number plate in place hence light weight!! Components seem to be good quality and should be for what these bikes costs.....Only strange failure in five days riding was on my buds 2011 low hour six day 300 Gasser. The kickstart lever broke off right at the top on the part you kick! Luckily the stub left on there worked to kick start the bike. Not sure why he had this failure...if anyone gets to Minnesota this summer PM me and we will do some riding. I'm fifteen minutes from Huntersville state forest and 20 or so from Paul Bunyan state forest ( they have had nationals there) great camping with electric and showers and nice bar there as well! Stompin Grounds.

 

[fletchman45]

last day of riding (5 days) so I am going a little slower as I still have a mortgage payment and responsibility's (god I hate when I have to act grown up even thou I am 50 Oh yea a few beers were drank on this vacation.....

 

[ray_ray]

Just going by that opening post, you guys are alot more in-tune with your bikes than I am ... My bikes bounce straight is about my tuning level ... I should add I boil my brakes also ... My fix was to learn how to ride a bike without riding the brake. Not a 100% fix but I do go a little faster I think.

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That last video looked really out there and like moon-riding with those walls so close and steep and jagged looking. One thing about that riding is nothing is hidden from sight ...

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Age 50? Been there and it was ok and was just starting to quit all my self-generated responsibilities ... Age 57 seems a little better in a few ways ... Body and mind are a little slower (as expected) and retirement monies are on the cusp of releasing ... Never actually thought the latter would actually happen. Had to quit responsibility. I did my share. The oh-so responsible ones can run and have the show.

 

[LandofMotards]

..Only strange failure in five days riding was on my buds 2011 low hour six day 300 Gasser. The kickstart lever broke off right at the top on the part you kick! Luckily the stub left on there worked to kick start the bike. Not sure why he had this failure.

Thats why I don't trust kick starters. I'm going to take it off now to save weight

 

[Motosportz]

Awesome, sounds like you foound a good fit for you. Got to love that. Utah has some really fun riding. Heading back down in fall myself.