Husqvarna recently announced its 2020 enduro and dual sport motorcycles. The TE and FE models enter a new generation in MY20 with a small-bore fuel-injected two-stroke, two additional four-stroke models in the lineup, and a multitude of changes to the engine, suspension, and chassis of the existing bikes.
In the two-stroke enduro range, the TE 150i is now fuel injected, utilizing the same Transfer Port Injection (TPI) technology as the two larger-displacement two-stroke models. Those bikes, the TE 250i and TE 300i, have updated cylinders with the exhaust port window now being fully machined, while a new water-pump casing optimizes coolant flow. The engines are also mounted one degree lower for improved front end traction and feel. The header pipes are 1 inch (25mm) narrower and offer more ground clearance, making them less susceptible to damage, and a new corrugated surface helps make the header pipe more durable as well. The two-stroke mufflers feature a new aluminum mounting bracket with different internals and less dense packaging material for more efficient noise damping and a claimed weight savings of 7.1 ounces (200 grams).
The four-stroke enduro lineup’s two new models adopted the names of prior-generation street-legal machines—the FE 350 and FE 501—but not the street nature and are off-road-only motorcycles. They are similar to the FE 350s and FE 501s, which are the new monikers for Husqvarna’s 350cc and 511cc dual sport bikes. Being that they are not designated for street riding, the FE 350 and FE 501 have more aggressive mapping and a less restrictive power pack, both of which are intended to give them more power than the street-legal versions. Being that they don’t have mirrors or turn signals, the FE 350 and FE 501 are said to be lighter as well.
The FE 350 and FE 350s have a revised cylinder head that Husqvarna claims is 7.1 ounces lighter, new camshafts with revised timing, and a new head gasket that increases the compression ratio from 12.3:1 to 13.5:1. The cylinder head features revised cooling architecture, while a new valve cover, spark plug, and spark plug connector round out the changes to the 350cc engines for 2020.
The FE 501 and FE 501s feature a new cylinder head that is more 0.6 inch (15mm) lower and 17.6 ounces (500 grams) lighter, a new camshaft with new rocker arms and a different surface material, and shorter valves. The compression ratio has been increased from 11.7:1 to 12.75:1 and the piston pin is 10 percent lighter as well. Also, the crankcases have been revised and, according to Husqvarna, weigh 10.6 ounces (300 grams) less than the prior year models.
All of the bikes in the FE lineup have new header pipes that feature a different joining position that allow them to be removed without taking the shock off. The muffler is also new with a shorter and more compact design, and is finished in a special coating. The Engine Management System (EMS) features new map settings adapted to the new engine characteristics, and revised exhaust and airbox design. The bikes also have a different throttle cable routing for easier accessibility and maintenance, while an optimized wiring harness concentrates all needed electrical components in a common area for easier accessibility.
All of the TE and FE models feature a stiffer blue frame that has increased longitudinal and torsional rigidity. The carbon composite subframe is now a two-piece unit, which according to Husqvarna weighs 8.8 ounces (250 grams) less than the three-piece unit that came on the prior generation model, and it’s also 2 inches (50mm) longer. Also, all of the bikes now have forged aluminum cylinder head mountings. The cooling system has been refined with new radiators that are mounted 0.5 inch (12mm) lower and a 0.2 inch (4mm) larger center tube that runs through the frame.
With 2020 being a new generation for the enduro and dual sport models, all of the bikes receive new bodywork with slimmed-down contact points, a new seat profile that reduces the total seat height by 0.4 inch (10mm), and a new seat cover. Revisions to the fuel tank area include a new internal line routing directly from the fuel pump to the flange for improved fuel flow. Additionally, the external fuel line has moved inward to make it less exposed and susceptible to damage.
The entire lineup of two-stroke and four-strokes also share suspension changes as well. The WP Xplor fork has an updated mid-valve piston that is designed to provide more consistent damping, while an updated setting is intended to allow the fork to ride higher in the stroke for improved rider feedback and bottoming resistance. Also, the preload adjusters are refined and allow for three-way preload adjustment without the use of tools.
The WP Xact shock on all of the bikes has a new main piston and updated settings to match with the revised fork and increased frame rigidity. The shock linkage features a new dimension that is the same as Husqvarna’s motocross models, which according to Husqvarna enables the rear end to sit lower for improved control and comfort. Additionally, by using a softer spring rate and stiffening the damping, the shock is designed to maintain comfort while increasing sensitivity and feel.
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Post time: Jun-24-2019