YOU could say there’s been much anticipation for Husqvarna’s new TE310. Not only will the most ardent quarter-litre lover enjoy the extra mumbo, but bigger bike riders will not be disappointed by the 310, with its 250cc weight but increased capacity and power, the average rider would find it quicker in the bush anyway.

As expected, the TE310 takes up the ground between the 250 and 450 and will certainly suit the rider who seeks that bit more grunt than a 250 offers but doesn’t want the sometimes overwhelming power offered by a 450. Although the bike is designated a TE310, it actually has a displacement of 297.6cc. This number, depending on your state of residence, is quite significant, especially if living in New South Wales, where motorcycle registration and green slips take an almighty hike once the over 300cc barrier is reached. That softens the blow of the $12,195 sticker price; combined with a 24-month warranty and it’s good value for the latest and greatest from Italy.

On the stand

New for 2009 doesn’t just start with a new motor in the old frame and chassis, as a completely new design frame reaches across the entire Husqvarna four-stroke bike range. These changes were made to lighten the bike, while still keeping its rigidity, and improve the handling. Overall the weight saving is a mere one kilogram from the 2008 models, but every bit helps in a field of tough competition, with TE310 hitting the scales with a kerb weight (oil and no fuel) of 107kg, which is identical to the TE250.

A host of other items have also had the 2009 update including newly designed wave type disc brakes, new graphics, headlight unit, black anodised Excel rims, plastic engine guards and a new stand, which is a bit quirky in its operation, as it needs to be placed well forward to keep the bike in the upright position.

Throwing a leg over for the first time reveals a very comfortable riding position which comes from the very flat seat and the high bend Axis ’bars. Switches and controls are all nicely situated with the compact display nestled behind the headlight cowl. Another Husqvarna trait is the key ignition start, as opposed to most enduro bikes which only require the press of a button. With the clutch pulled in and the starter pressed, the 310 winds over easily and fires into life. A modest sound resonates from the standard exhaust, without being over powering, while the throttle response is great from the Mikuni electronic fuel injection system. Shifting into gear is light work due to the Magura hydraulic clutch and as you accelerate away the bike feels akin to a 250, but with a bit more punch. Although the TE310 is electric start, it still has the kick starter as a back up. I put this to the test, and had the motor ticking over on the second kick.

The battery is well concealed within the airbox, which keeps it well protected from the elements. It does however make air filter removal and installation a bit more difficult. On the plus side however, both of these items can be easily accessed by simply turning the Dzus fastener and removing the seat. Top marks Husqvarna for that one, but you lose a couple of marks for not making the rear hand grip areas larger.

On the dirt

Taking the TE310 out onto a local enduro sprint loop revealed a lot about this bike, as it was road ridden for a few kilometres prior to hitting the dirt. It has nice road manners for an enduro bike, with gearing suitable for short commuting or that trip to your nearest off road location as we did. Hitting the dirt the bike immediately feels at home, being comfortable and suited to trail riding. It is easy to ride and will certainly accommodate the trail rider hands down, where straight out of the box it felt well balanced across a variety of terrain ridden prior to hitting the enduro loop.

Time for a sighting lap and then to knuckle down into a loop section that was made up of single trail, rocky sections, washed out creek beds and some fast flowing open sections. The motor responds well to plenty of input and the more throttle added, the more you realise what the extra 50cc or so does for this bike over a 250. It also responded well to plenty of clutch input as the DOHC four-valve engine really loved to rev and the fuel injection could not be faulted. Even when an effort to bog the motor down was tried, it just pulled away without hesitation. Snotty and rutted hill sections were also easily dispatched thanks to the engine manners of the TE310. The drive given from the torquey motor is great once again showing what an extra 50cc produces. In the top end of the rev range the bike really hikes along in true Husqvarna style not uncommon to some of its larger siblings. Keeping the TE310 on the pipe was easy thanks to the-six speed gearbox, which felt spot-on for the dry conditions ridden, and with a very compliant suspension package front and rear, no obstacle felt out of reach on the test loop. It’s also worth mentioning the exhaust, which although it does a great job, does generate a fair amount of heat, which is quite noticeable against your left leg.

Suspension and brakes

Up front the 50mm Marzocchi USD forks offer 300mm of travel and really do a great job of keeping the front end in check and tracking in the right direction. A number of rocky sections were encountered on the loop with the bike pointing right where you wanted with no unexpected deflections. On the rear, the Sachs shock did the job fine straight out of the box, soaking up everything delivered. Compression and rebound settings felt fine from the get-go allowing the best to be gained from the Progressive Soft Damp shock which delivered 296mm of travel.

When it comes to handling, this bike felt very good. It’s easy to turn in the tight stuff where you can get your body over the front and tip it into sharp corners and then when things open up the TE310 is very stable at speed. Being light, narrow and nimble, change of direction is easy and you never felt as though you were fighting the bike when cornering. It’s not the sharpest turner we have ridden but it certainly is one of the best. In the braking department, it’s more quality components, with Brembo handling the duties both front and rear. Husqvarna has a new wave type discs for 2009, which deliver great feel and stopping power at both ends. During the course of testing, we found the rear brake to stick a little, with some brake fade encountered, which we felt was possible due to the hot weather and hard use boiling the fluid. It didn’t happen constantly but it did happen on more than one occasion. It’s something that’s not generally encountered, so we are putting it down to a fluid issue

Conclusion

Whether you’re after a great trail bike or a mid sized enduro bike, the Husqvarna TE310 fits the bill. It is an ideal sized bike for trail riding, and with its ease of riding and great spread of power it’s far from intimidating. For the rider looking to rip between the trees at race pace, this bike will do it in spades. There is very little to fault with the bike, as it’s a really good compromise for the rider after more than a 250 and a less than a 450, which promotes the old saying of “less is more.”