2022 Husqvarna TE 300i Review

Two-strokes. You might know them as the cranky and cantankerous devices with light switch-like powerbands. A playground for the experienced, a danger zone for the unwary.

If that’s the initial impression, think again, because it’s clear the two-smoker has been thoroughly modernised.

The new 2022 Husqvarna TE 300i serves as something of an exclamation mark on a formidable two-stroke renaissance in Australia and abroad in recent years. Fuel-injected, oil-injected and replete with traction control and switchable maps, the TE 300i sits atop Husqvarna’s enduro line-up and has cemented itself as a go-to machine in competition and on gnarly single-trail alike.

Priced from $18,025 ride-away in Australia, the Husqvarna TE 300i also challenges the thinking that two-strokes are the more affordable forebears of the modern four-stroke. At that price, it bristles in quality equipment and accessories, however, and makes a hell of a statement in its desired setting.

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Changes across Husqvarna’s three-model two-stroke enduro range for 2022 are headlined by suspension updates, a new Braktec hydraulic clutch and Braktec brakes, which we’ll get to further below.

The new model is physically differentiated via a clean new colourway comprising white plastics with ‘rugged grey’ highlights and ‘electric yellow’ accenting. It’s a minimalist design that pays tribute to Husqvarna’s Swedish heritage, even though the marque is now owned by Austria’s KTM Group.

In that vein, the Husky TE 300i also adopts equipment from its related Gas Gas and KTM siblings, which fall under the same Group umbrella. New Braktec brakes front and rear as well as a Braktec hydraulic clutch have virtually been lifted from Gas machines (since Gas Gas produces the parts in-house, it provides the KTM Group a way to sure up their production schedules). They essentially replaced Magura componentry. New GSK wave disc rotors measuring 260mm/220mm are another change.

The suspension upgrades are heralded by a new oil bypass system in the 48mm outer fork tubes, plus new shock seals that purportedly improve feedback and damping consistency.

The WP XPLOR forks feature 30-way adjustable clickers, with compression in the left leg and rebound in the right. Meanwhile, the WP XACT-Monoshock uses a linkage system as opposed to the PDS employed on related KTM enduro machines.

CNC-machined triple clamps finished in anodised black with a 22mm offset are just one of the points of difference between the Husky and more affordable Gas Gas and KTM spin-offs, not to mention ProTaper ’bars, ODI grips, D.I.D alloy rims, CNC-machined hubs and quality Michelin Enduro rubber.

As before, the engine is cradled in a chrome-moly steel frame mounted to a composite carbon-fibre subframe and hollow, cast aluminium swingarm.

What is shared between all three marques (fundamentally) is a 293.2cc liquid-cooled two-stroke engine, matched to a six-speed transmission. The two-stroker features an 8.5-litre petrol tank and a 700mm two-stroke reservoir located nearby – fuel injection and oil injection means no more premix, and no more on-the-go jetting!

You can ride in confidence knowing the reservoir will provide between 600-700km in range, and the engine will automatically cut out before it runs the oil reservoir dry.

A 39mm throttle body regulates the amount of air entering the engine via a butterfly operated by dual throttle cables connected to the handlebar throttle assembly. It’s from this point that two-stroke oil is mixed with the air – not fuel, as opposed to modern four-strokes – to lubricate the crankshaft, cylinder and piston.

An engine management system (EMS) intervenes with traction control if it registers RPM increasing too quickly, reducing the amount of power to the rear wheel. Naturally, you can turn traction control on and off, in addition to selecting two ignition curves based on conditions or rider preference.

In terms of jetting, the EMS supersedes old-school carburettors by determining ignition timing and the amount of fuel and oil injected – based on throttle position sensor, ambient air and intake pressures, crankcase pressure and water temperature.

In the bigger scheme of things, the technology also ensures Husqvarna’s two-stroke line-up complies with the latest Euro5 emissions regulations – future-proofing the two-banger for a while longer.

The you-beaut engine tech is bolstered by standard electric start courtesy of a light-weight battery, high-strength aluminium radiators and frame-integrated cooling.

Tool-less access to the Twin Air filter and filter cage means via the left-hand side cover means quick changes are a cinch, too.

Husqvarna recommends changing the piston and checking the cylinder every 80 hours when not riding in ‘motorsport’ conditions.

The Husqvarna TE 300i’s premium positioning (relative to Gas Gas and KTM spin-offs) is tangibly evident in person.

Our test bike bristles with its white plastics, quality components and exposed composite subframe, with plastic guards protecting all the obvious exposed areas. We suspect the clean white façade won’t last long, however – even our two days’ worth of testing leaves considerable rub marks from knee braces around the airbox and shrouds.

Elsewhere, the two-stroke header pipe sits high off the ground and features reinforced corrugations at its most exposed sections, successfully fending off about 200 kilometres’ worth of rocks and debris on test.

The TE’s open cockpit is considered, with a soft seat and easy reach of all the key controls. At 175cm, your correspondent has no qualms getting comfortable in low speed single trails, or open fire trails alike. The bike’s key controls are effective and well-modulated with their responses, too.

The one exception to the high-end sensation is the digital speedo, which is comparatively Spartan with its presentation and quite basic with the level of information provided. You can appreciate everything is built with robustness in mind, but a low fuel light and more detailed trip information should really be standard fitment.

If you want to be picky, a halogen headlight is another small cost-cutting sign; Husqvarna offers a genuine LED version, but you’ll need to delve into the accessories catalogue to fit one.

It’s no secret that we at bikesales love a two-stroke as much as the next person. But our take on these once-fickle beasts has been truly confounded by the Husqvarna TE 300i.

The updated TE 300i offers a huge breadth of capability and ease of use which belies its simple ‘two-stroke’ origins.

Fuel injection brings with it a remarkably smooth and useable power curve. So much so, you could easily be mistaken for thinking the TE 300i is initially running rich, such is the linear delivery.

A strong bottom end segues into a punchy and effective mid-range; and quite often you’re travelling much faster than you realise. Only when you begin to explore the TE 300i’s upper reaches comes the traditional, more unwieldy two-stroke experience – but you can circumvent the entire white-knuckled ride by simply clicking a gear higher and making the most of the natural low-end oomph on tap.

The two-stroke feels at ease on loose, open fire trail, telegraphing its movements succinctly and conspiring with the communicative underpinnings to create a seamless man-machine ‘flow’. There’s a lovely neutral balance between the front and rear that quickly instils confidence, meaning it isn’t long before tipping into corners hard or getting on the gas harder and earlier than you might expect.

Some two-stroke aficionados may prefer the ‘hit’ of an oil-burner when it reaches powerband. However, we find you can still achieve that by adjusting your riding style on the 300i, whereupon it will break traction and move around underneath you.

Grip is excellent across a range of high-speed and no-speed scenarios. No doubt the quality Michelin Enduro rubber plays a part here, but it’s facilitated by the level of feeling and intimacy afforded by the key controls.

Although geared towards enduro settings, there’s a lovely predictability throughout the stroke of the suspension front and rear: soft enough to dispatch smaller imperfections, yet with enough control to absorb bigger hits from spoon drain jumps and drops. At no point do we bottom out on test, and the TE 300i also resists any unwanted head-shake at speed.

We didn’t touch the clickers on our tester, nor set up the sag. Doing so would only exploit even more balance, we suspect.

On first inspection, the new Braktec brakes work well. We’d ultimately need a more thorough test to determine how they operate under big temperature extremes – but they feel of similar bite and consistency to the predecessor Magura set-up.

There’s no doubt a modern four-stroke is probably still the pick for comfort and ease of use where open fire trails are concerned – to that end the TE 300i lacks the low-end immediacy for power wheelies or labouring in a higher gear. It’s not to say the TE 300i isn’t user-friendly, but the lazy option simply isn’t as effective as a modern four-banger.

But then you get to tight single trail and the TE 300i finds another paradigm.

Rock-infested, gnarly climbs is where this big-bore two-stroke really comes into its own. The same neutral ergonomics create excellent low speed balance and predictability, and the engine works remarkably well to provide instant and controllable power when you need it.

The engine is virtually immune to stalling when the going gets tough. Combined with the fact there is no noticeable engine inertia relative to a four-stroke, it means you buy yourself time on pinch points or at the face of obstacles. It’s a strange sensation, but the TE 300i gives you a moment here and there to figure out your line and attack it. It’s amazing.

Lofting a front wheel over obstacles is a cinch, with adequate clearance underneath, and it’s easy to modulate the amount of power required for explosive bursts over tricky terrain.

The light clutch take-up and feel is excellent for tight trails, while the gearbox provides an ample spread of ratios throughout our two-day test.

The suspension is again well-versed in providing maximum traction as well as the right amount of suppleness and feeling in tricky conditions. Add in the sheer lightness of the 300i, and the ability to physically man-handle it through rough scrub, and it’s no wonder such machines are the pick of top-level endure riders around the world.

Although machines like the Husqvarna TE 300i are considered the go-to option for skilled enduro riders and in competition, the truth is Husqvarna’s latest big-bore two-stroke is amenable to a larger cross-section of the motorcycling community than is given credit.

Incredibly accurate and agile in gruelling climbs and trails, yet smooth enough to facilitate less experienced pilots on fun open firetrails and everything in between, the TE 300i represents everything that is great about the humble two-stroke, with the modern convenience of a four-stroke.

Our tester completes its gnarly outing on the trail with an ever-so-light oil residue around the tip of the exhaust silencer; wiped off cleanly with an index finger. Our riding buddy’s carburetted 250 is weeping oil at its silencer by comparison.

It is evidence this two-stroke has clearly evolved, yet the fun-factor remains as strong as ever.

ENGINE
Engine type: Liquid-cooled single cylinder two-stroke
Capacity: 293.2cc
Bore x stroke: 72.0 × 72.0 mm
Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection
Starter/battery: Electric starter / 12V 2.2Ah

TRANSMISSION
Type: 6-speed
Final drive: Chain, 13:50

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame:  Central double-cradle-type 25CrMo4 steel
Front suspension: WP XPLOR-USD, Ø 48 mm
Rear suspension: WP XACT-Monoshock with linkage
Front brake: Braktec disc brake, 260mm
Rear brake: Braktec disc brake, 220 mm
Front tyre: 90/90-21 Michelin Enduro
Rear tyre: 140/80-18 Michelin Enduro

DIMENSIONS
Claimed weight (without fuel): 106.4kg
Seat height: 950mm
Ground Clearance: 360mm
Fuel tank capacity: 8.5 Litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $18,025 ride away ($16,525 plus ORCs)
Colours: Rugged grey and electric yellow graphics (white)
Bike supplied by: Husqvarna Motorcycles Australia