2017 Husqvarna TE 150 Test Ride

Hey guys Justin here with Rocky Mountain
ATV/MC. And today I’m going to be testing the
2017 Husqvarna TE 150. Alright guys, so the TE 150 is brand-new
and Husky’s lineup for 2017. It replaces the TE 125 of 2016, it got all
the changes the other bikes got, the new bodywork, a new frame and even got the
new Explorer fork. And husky even added electric start this year, which is pretty
cool. So it got all these changes and husky managed to shave about eight
pounds off this bike from the 2016 model, which is pretty impressive.
This thing is featherweight. It weighs in it like 203 pounds or something, so I’m
excited to get on this thing and try it out and see how it performs. So let’s get
to it. All right, well I’ve been right this
thing for a little over an hour now, I feel like I’m pretty used to it. Now, coming
off my 2017 TX 300, which I love, there’s a couple things that really stick out to
me. Obviously this thing doesn’t have the grunt the 300 has, but I mean it chugs
well. You know, this kind of tight rocky stuff
it does just fine in. I don’t have to get it up on the power band or anything, it just
chugs through just fine. Now the one thing I was really curious
in, is the Explorer Fork that’s new for 17. The motocross model and the TX and
FX models got the air fork, which is why I went with the TX. But I gotta say, this Explorer Fork is
great. It soaks up these rocks better than the air fork. So the slower, choppier
stuff, not that this is bad right here, but the rocks I’ve been going through, I like
this fork better. As expected, the shock works awesome on this thing. Now as far as the
motor goes, like I said, this thing chugs good. You can chug up stuff, I think it
will be a great woods bike. That’s the one thing I was concerned about is, you know,
how well is this thing going to chug at the single track, technical stuff? Now, no
doubt it’s not a 300, but it works really well and it feels so light. Feels like
riding a mountain bike or something. Now I will say one thing about the jetting.
You know I struggled with my TX 300 jetting. This thing is even more off. It’s
very rich when I open it up to get into the, you
know, the meat of the top end it coughs and sputters so.
I’m just going to get a JD jet kit for it, call it good. I suspect that’ll fix the
issues. So I’m not too worried about that, but it does make riding it, right now,
not as fun because good jetting is always better than bad jetting. There’s the sputter I was talking about.
But like I say, I’m not real worried about that. With stock jetting this
thing’s gonna run rich. I’m at 4,500 – 5,000 feet. But man, once it cleans up and you get on
top, it’s amazing how fast this little 150 goes. I
mean it’s just like a little rocket. This thing is fun, even at the high speed stuff. All right, so let’s talk about who this
bike is for. Obviously a lighter-weight rider. I think it’s going to be great for
desert racers as well as the woods rider. It’s got great power. The gearing is really
good. It’s definitely geared low, you know, to compensate for that little motor. But you know, that little motor chugs pretty good. I didn’t have any problems on any
hills. I’ve kind of taken the same loops I’ve taken on my 300, and while they feel
different, it’s amazing how much they feel the same
and how much I don’t struggle anymore on this 150 than I do the 300. So you’re looking for a nice, nimble,
light bike that makes decent power down low and screams on top, I mean that thing rips on top, and you just want a bike that’s gonna keep a smile on your face,
this is the bike. I’m having a blast riding this thing. Anyway, awesome bike. When I get it jetted it’s
going to run even better. But you know, other than that, no complaints. I don’t
really want to give this thing back. Let’s hill climb it, shall we? Yeah, nothing gets opened up man, it
rips.Feels like a 250. Alright, let’s wrap this up. So the TE 150, awesome bike.
Suspended awesome, the new air fork is a winner, or I’m sorry, the new Explorer
fork is a winner, just as much as the air fork was. Shock is great. Power is great
for a little 150. Chugs good up the hills. Is explosive on the top end, I can’t
believe how fast that things goes. Needs to be jetted.
Handles good. I mean really, this bike is awesome. Going to be good for you know
anybody, guy, girl, whatever, a little lighter in weight and want something nimble and
light. You know I think you could go all day on the single track trails on this
thing. iI’s just so lightweight and easy to throw around. Great handling, great
breaks, of course with the Brembo stuff. So yeah, I’ve got no complaints about this
thing, except the jetting, which is to be expected at 5,000 feet above sea level.
But, get a JD jet kit in there, and I have no doubt this thing is gonna be perfect.
So, there you have it. Hope that helps you, and I hope to see you guys on the trails. See ya.