WORDS // BEN GRABHAM PHOTOS // HUSQVARNA MEDIA – Husqvarna TE 300i Review
Only a few years ago it was kind of strange and new talking about enduro two-strokes with fuel injection as we had grown up associating them with carbies. Fast forward to now and talking about a Husqvarna TE 300i fitted with a bunch of sensors and an EFI throttle body is old news.
I was not a fan when Husqvarna first introduced injection on its smokers at the end of 2017. I felt they had lost a huge amount of grunt as well as the broad powerband they were known for. As the years ticked over, I was lucky enough to jump on each model and experience the changes and can now comfortably say that Husqvarna is heading in the right direction.
The 2020 TE 300i is easily my favourite of the injected models and, for the first time, I can say it’s even better than the last Mikuni TMX38-fed one. Yes there is a huge list of new parts for the MY20, but the majority of my praise goes to just a handful of them.
From what I learnt at Husqvarna’s technical presentation, the addition of the new ambient air pressure sensor has the TE 300i running perfectly at all revs and altitudes, which is why it feels much more alive in the engine department. The cylinder has seen plenty of attention, as the exhaust port timing has been improved with the addition of an adjustable power valve drive. Cosmetically, the new exhaust pipe, looks trick with its corrugated surface that is claimed to improve resistance to impacts. The new frame and plastics now resemble those of Husqvarna’s motocross range introduced for 2019.
I only had to ride this 300i for a few minutes to know Husqvarna got this one really right. I’ve had the chance to learn this not only from spending a decent amount of time riding one but quite a few of the riders I have coached over the last six months are riding them too.
The biggest thing I notice from coaching is that riders don’t know what adjustments they have at their fingertips, or the difference in feel that can be achieved in a matter of seconds.
The Husqvarna TE 300i comes standard with a power-map switch, so don’t be afraid of switching back and forth between maps until you understand what you like in different conditions, as some riders don’t really know what is faster. So don’t be afraid to use a stopwatch for your testing as they don’t lie.
My preference is map two, the mellower option, and the only time I found myself running the more aggressive map was on open, fast terrain. I am sure the majority of riders would be very surprised at how much time the likes of Factory Husqvarna rider Daniel Sanders spends riding on map two.
The next thing I like to play with is the power-valve spring preload screw. Yes, I know Husqvarna says you should never ever ever ever adjust it, as it comes pre-set after dyno testing by the factory. Well… I’m not saying to go grab your screwdriver and start twisting away, turn after turn, but what I often do, with great results, is the following: First up, find the gold-coloured screw on the right-hand side of the engine, just below the water pump. It doesn’t take any tool that I carry around as it is square, so what I do is find a flat-blade screwdriver that is a snug fit and, before I even dream of screwing it either way, I use a black felt pen to mark the standard factory position.
CHANGES
This way if I make any changes and aren’t really sure of what I have done, I can just go back to standard. The other suggestion I have is to not go turning this adjuster much more than half a turn either way. That way you can’t get lost with your position and, because this adjustment is quite sensitive, you don’t really need to change it much to change the power delivery.
What I have found with this spring adjuster is that it responds quite differently to how it did on the carburettor TE. A general rule with it was that if you turned the screw clockwise, adding more tension to the power valve spring, you got a more controlled delivery with added torque. Then if you wound it anti-clockwise, giving the power valve spring less tension, you got a snappier delivery that was better in the higher rev range.
But on this new Husqvarna TE 300i just about all of them have responded quite differently, as I have found not only does this adjustment change the way the 300i power valve works but it also has a small effect on the way the fuel mapping feels. To give you an idea, the TE 300i I tested for ADB had a sweet spot about a quarter of a turn clockwise from standard, as it really came to life and ran super smooth.
The next Husqvarna TE 300i I tried this on, a customers, didn’t like this mark at all. It had a sweet spot half a turn anti-clockwise from standard. So what I am saying is don’t be afraid to play with the adjustments. As long as you know the standard setting you will be fine and the fact that a bike set up exactly how you like it can have you absolutely carving up the trails like a boss is the perfect reason to play around.
Husqvarna TE 300i Specs
Engine
Type Piston port, reed-valve
Displacement 293cc
Bore & stroke 72 x 72mm
Cooling Liquid
Compression ratio N/A
Fuel metering Dellorto 39mm EFI
Tank capacity 8.5L
Transmission Six-speed, constant-mesh
Clutch Magura hydraulic, wet multiplate
Dimensions
Wheelbase 1487mm
Seat height 950mm
Ground clearance 360mm
Weight 105.4kg without fuel
Suspension
Front WP 48mm Xplor, 300m travel
Rear WP Xact monoshock, 300mm travel
Brakes
Front Magura twin-piston, 260mm wave
Rear Magura single-piston, 220mm wave
Running Gear
Handlebar ProTaper tapered alloy
Front Metzeler Six-Days Extreme, 80/100-21
Rear Metzeler Six-Days Extreme, 140/80-18
Price & Contacts
RRP $15,395
Web husqvarna-motorcycles.com
Phone 1800 644 771
Warranty Six months parts and labour
