Other standout features include insanely good brakes, a very decent exhaust tone and a cool, Euro look that will be tricky for installing sidepanel numbers. And the X-light factor truly pays off-even though I mock it often. This bike is a lot lighter than it looks or feels in the pits. In the air, it's easily as flickable as every other bike in the class. The mass centralization is working, and the chassis lends itself to comfortable movements throughout the rider compartment. I actually got a little bit sideways a couple of times-like, the bike's seat sort of stayed with my butt in my butt whip-which is cool.
The transmission felt stiff at first and reluctant to shift but loosened up as the hours added up. Likewise, the motor seemed to benefit from a good couple of break-in days with a little boost in power everywhere.
There are a few sticky points with the new TC that I hope work themselves out as production starts rolling (we rode preproduction bikes). The starting procedure is archaic. Take, for instance, the fact that the carburetor (which is installed where I was sure an EFI doohickey would be) has a big red knob on it for hot-starting. Handlebar-mounted hot-start levers never sounded so good.
The 2009 TC 250 feels at home...
The 2009 TC 250 feels at home in the air.
Also, the bike must have a 13,000:1 compression piston in it. My first clue came when I tried to kick it and the bike bit back with a return kick to the bottom of my boot. I sought out Bartolini again for guidance, and he gave me a procedure: Find top dead center, go just past it, kickstarter up to the top and kick it all the way through. The fact that there is a procedure-one that's iffy at best in its effectiveness-makes me hope the production versions of these bikes have a hot-start lever and easier starting built in. Oh, the kickstarter sticks between the footpeg and the frame sometimes. I hope that's fixed in production, too.
In the end, my quick visit with the newest Husqvarna was a grand one. I can't wait to get a bike back in the States to ride on some real bumps and to put it heads-up against some traditional class contenders.
Specifications
MSRP: $6699
Claimed dry weight: 214 lb
Fuel capacity: 1.85 gal.
What's Hot!
Light and flickable in the air
Good top-end power
Still very stable at speed
Excellent brakes
What's Not!
Hard starting
Soft bottom-to-mid power
Carburetion is not perfect
2009 Husky TC 250 WEB Impression