2012 Husqvarna Te310 Review

I'm getting the itch to replace my '09 TE310 with something new. My 310 has been a really great bike but... I'm constantly cursing the tight gear box. The bike I really want is a KTM 350.
For me, this review says it all --- http://www.cycleworld.com/2012/04/0...rna-te310-vs-ktm-350-exc-f-comparison-test/4/

The only thing that's stopping me from buying a KTM is the high price. I can pick-up a brand new 2012 TE511 right now for about Three Grand less than a KTM. So now I'm thinking about buying a 511.

I've got a few concerns about the TE511 that I'm hoping someone can address:

1. Gearing. How differently is the 511 geared compared to my 310? Will it give me something close to a tractor gear in first and still allow me to easily cruise the highway at 60 MPH?

2. Engine Braking. I Really Like my 310's engine braking on steep downhill trail sections. I've read that the 511 doesn't have much in the way of engine braking. Is that true? If so, I can't imagine liking it.

3. Old Man Bike. I'm approaching 50 years old. The general consensus is that smaller displacement bikes are less tiring. Would the 511 wear me out a lot faster than my 310?

Thanks.

(BTW... If only Husky could grasp the "wide ratio" concept, I would never even consider going Orange.)
I too am getting close to 50, I have been on my 2009 TE 450 for 3 years now and have never got use to it. It's a great bike, but; to be honest, it's a heavy Pig. With that said it, depends on how you like to ride. I still like to wheelie and do small jumps and hit the whoops. Also most of the time I dive through the water holes instead of wheelie across. The bike just takes a lot more body work to make it do what you want; I really injoyed my old 86 WR400 more.
So I have just picked up a 2013 GAS-GAS XC300. Man, this thing is GREAT. Comes with all the great parts right out of the box, feels right inbetween a simple dirt bike and the Husky. No more computer garb lifts the front end with no effort.
I'm not sure if any of this helps, but going bigger I feel is not the answer, lots of guys are leaning for the 200-300 these days.
Good luck with your choice, Steve.
I'm a long time Husky Loyalist and went Husaberg, because i wanted a 250 2 stroke with... a big tank, wide ratio 6 speed gearbox and electric start. Husky just isn't doing it, but I couldn't bring myself to buy Orange. I imagine in Cali, you need a street legal DS bike, but if you don't consider a Husaberg FE350.
Check out the Beta 350 RS if you can.
More than a Husky TE310 but less than a KTM 350. Very smooth engine, carbed. Wide ratio 6 speed so a bit of freeway is doable with engine revs no issue. That article said 40 miles on the 2.2 gal tank but I'm a littl suspicious as it seems right in the ballpark with my 2012 TE310. These guys must have been riding very slow, tight courses to get that poor of mileage from the Beta. Typical fire road jaunt is 40-50 mpg for me on the Beta, stock, and about the same with the 40 tooth rear on the TE310.(powered up).
jerbear610 Husqvarna
Pro Class

Location:

Sacramento,CA

Husqvarna Motorcycle:

14' WR300, 11' TE511, 06'TE610 sold

Other Motorcycles:

11' Husaberg FE570, 15' Beta 300RR

I love my 511 and I think it would be a great choice. It handles singletrack trails surprisingly well for a big-bore DS bike. The brakes work so well on
steep downhills that it makes up for any lack of engine brake which I wouldn't say is totally true. I don't ever ride on the freeway and I will say that in
stock form the 511 isn't ideal for long freeway trips. I'm just a trail rider and the 511 works great for me. Here's a taste...

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBcRTwiVCRE&list=UULTcPir9hLIM0LjjKMQ8qdw&index=14&feature=plcp
Planepower Husqvarna
AA Class

Location:

Edmonton, Alberta

Husqvarna Motorcycle:

2007 TC 250/ 450 6spd, 2007 SMR 530

Other Motorcycles:

Ducat 1198S, SV1000, CBR125, DRZ125

Subscribed.
I too am pondering selling the 07 TC250. The tall first gear and super close tranny, it seems a bit off for just trail riding and a few fire roads. Im considering selling it and perhaps moving to a new TE 449. Not at that point yet (winter is soon on its way).
You seem to have to already answered your own question and now need someone to agree with you ... Yes, you need a new brand of bike and a new cafe to go along with your new ride ...
Next, Huskies are dirt bikes ... Dirt bikes ... They run 1st - 5th (or 6th) gears very quickly ... I doubt most here can even shift them quick enough to get ( or even need ) all the acceleration the bike has to offer ...

Thanks for the link and I'm sure there are others that need help in this area and need someone to tell them to spend their money on the motorcycle brand of the day ... Or whoever they are sponsored by ..
Thanks for the feedback everyone.
When I get to the trails, I love the 310. But I live in the high desert and the mountains are 15 miles away. I never trailer the bike. So, I need a license plate and a tall sixth gear for both desert riding and getting to the mountains. I know the TE630 is not the bike I'm looking for. (I have an SM630.) Other than that, I don't know if a TE511 would fit my needs. A 511 would be a disappointment for me if the gearbox is similar to my 310. Still considering my options...
henson802 Husqvarna
AA Class

Location:

Cali

Husqvarna Motorcycle:

450

Just curious, are you running the 50 rear on the TE310? Have you tried changing the rear to 40 or 45? Are you planning to ride Highway speeds of 65, or just cruise around 50mph on main roads?
I'm not sure what I want for next bike, but I'm in the same boat as you. I ride road from trail to trail - I really enjoy ease of ride on the 250 in the trails. I'm literally on the cusp of 50 / 50 from trails to fire roads to main roads. I never go on highway for obvious reasons. I think TE 310 would be right with around 45 rear for sprocket, I could cruise at 50 mph (I'm pretty light 135lbs). Or I may just bite the bullet and go TE 449 so I have something to grow into decisions!
At first I ran 14/50 sprockets so I could cruise along up to about 55MPH. It seemed like the best compromise between low-end and high-end. But I still cursed the top-end since I'd like to go 60MPH *AND* I cursed the bottom-end since it wasn't low enough in some situations.
Now I'm back to 13/50 since it's WAY more fun in the tight, step, twisty stuff. But it completely sucks on the asphalt and on long flat stretches of desert since the motor gets buzzy over 50MPH. Almost every time I go riding I do all three... Asphalt, Desert, and Mountains. At least now with the 13/50 combo the mountains and the hilly desert single track are super fun.
henson802 Husqvarna
AA Class

Location:

Cali

Husqvarna Motorcycle:

450

Thanks for the info - I will try out the 310 next year. I have 2010 TE250. I'm not sure what factory front sprocket is? But I put 50 on rear and it revs a little too high for comfort to be doing long distances (15-25 miles) at 50mph - I can get to around 45mph at a consistent 6200rpms. I think 310 will be good since all I'm looking for max cruise speed is around 50mph to get around to trails and to friends that maybe further ride. I'm with you on the 350, that sounds perfect. But it Kosts Too Much. And Husky's are very fun, great handling bikes.
I am 57 and chose am TE511. 5'9"and 155. Not strong at all. I think the TE is light, and all that torque makes it
Easy to ride, as well as the plush suspension. I am old school and 250 lbs, is light as a WR250 Yamaha, so my perspective
is I have a 250 weight class bike with open power. With the central mounted tank, seems lighter yet.
2 lane roads at 50, 55 are decent with stock gearing. I would do what I always do, what suits ME!
I am the only one of my riding buddy's with a husky, and I love it.
dratharr Husqvarna
AA Class

Location:

NE

Husqvarna Motorcycle:

TE310

I was getting the itch for a new bike this week as well, I went and rode some, left my TE310 at home. Then came home rode the TE and decided it was as good or better than everything I test rode. So I bought some new boots instead, way cheaper alternative. I fall into this trap all the time, I want a new bike to play with in the spring. Typically I want what I don't have at the time, so if I am riding a 2 stroke I decide I should try at 4-stroke, and if I happen to have a big bore 4-stroke I decide I want a more nimble 2-stroke. I usually end up going to one extreme or the other and always wish I had the other half way though the summer. The beauty of in the TE310 is it sits right in the middle. I would rather have a taller 6th gear and a lower 1st, but overall the TE is great, I had a 50T on it last year, I picked up a 45T this year for around $50 from Motorsportz. Everything is a compromise and I think I will just keep mine for a while. It is just such a sweet bike on tight trails, and it is by far the best street legal dirt bike out there if you like to ride it on the moto-x track once in a while.
I realize this is an older thread, but as far as I know, but according to this link the top/bottom ratio of the TE511 seems exactly like the TE310 - 2.5 - (if I am wrong, someone please correct me).
http://www.husqvarna-motorcycles.com/en/motorcycles/product/TE511#!/specifications
Considering the change of ownership to... I would personally wait 6 months before doing anything.
Tinken Husqvarna
Pro Class

Location:

Hesperia, CA

Husqvarna Motorcycle:

MY12 WR511

Other Motorcycles:

Multiple KTMs

I too like the KTM 350 and I own several KTMs. I have been riding for 38 years and I find the TE511 is an amazing motorcycle, I love it more than any KTM I have ever ridden or owned. It is nearly the same height and length of the TE310 and only 3 pounds heavier. The 511 can easily be made 10-15 pounds lighter. It is always argued that you can do that with both the 310 and the 511, but the 310 will never have the same low end power of the 511 to pull slightly taller street gears through the thickest and deepest sand/mud. A simple rear tire change to a 120 allows the 449/511 to turn much quicker and power slide easily. The 449/511 has CTS which is amazing and if ever coupled with electronic traction control, will be unstoppable.
http://heroesridehuskys.com/pages/13promo.html
ghte Husqvarna
Pro Class

Location:

Bright, Victoria Australia

Husqvarna Motorcycle:

2 x 310's, 2016 Beta 480, SWM RS650

Other Motorcycles:

2016 Multi ,Griso1100, Monster695

It really depends on what you ride. I am now at the stage where the best bike for me is the one that suits most of my riding needs not the most powerful etc. For me the 310 is brilliant in the tight technical ST I love. The gear box is perfect for this. In the open it is not as accommodating. That said it will rev pretty hard and hold 60 mph on link roads/trails between the ST stuff.
I am sure the KTM/Berg/Beta 350's will do a top job too, but you know they just dont appeal for a host of readons namely price, reliability, in Beta's case lack of network. In Australia the 310 won the outright best Enduro bike for 2012 and the 250 best in the quater liter class. This is from a highly regarded dirt bike mag.
The only adjustment I have made is going up one tooth on the rear cog.