Ryan Nitzen | October 29, 2021
We’re in two-stroke mode and the ’22 Husqvarna TC 250 has been our latest track-day flogger.
Photography by Jesse Ziegler
Husqvarna has been on the two-stroke trip for a long time. And the brand isn’t backing down anytime soon. Its flagship two-stroke motocross model, the TC 250, is back again for 2022 and retains class-leading componentry and ultra-modern, ultra-light performance. We stole the latest pre-mixer for a few weeks of track-day flogging and this is what we think!
Our first break-in ride on the Husqvarna TC 250 was at the Maxima 927 ride day at Fox Raceway (Pala) in Southern California. The track was full of smokers, new and old, and the Husqvarna is always a head-turner in a crowd. While the Husky isn’t “all-new” this year, like most of the bikes coming from Austria, it comes into the 2022 season packed with all the quality and performance you’ve come to expect.
The Husqvarna TC 250 returns with a few refinements for 2022 after getting a boatload of changes last year.
A classic two-stroke powerband quickly makes its presence known on the TC. The engine is strong and provides a hearty pull from bottom to mid. A quick feather of the clutch and the bike really wakes up. Close to the top of the rev range, though, we experienced a touch of premature sign off and were forced to short shift in some sections of the track to stay in the meat of the power. But that was about it as far as any weaknesses from the power department.
The hydraulic clutch has moments of vagueness in comparison to a cable-operated clutch, but the consistent butter-smooth pull made it easy to overlook that.
A chromium-molybdenum steel frame and composite subframe/airbox ride atop WP Xact suspension components. The 48mm AER tech-enabled air fork returns this year and features an air chamber on one side (for spring) and an oil damper on the other (for controlling up-and-down movements). We’re always surprised with the easy adjustability of the air fork to precisely dial in “spring” rate and damping. The oil side even offers a handy tool-free plastic dial for clicker adjustments. Nice. You will need to source a torx bit to bleed air pressure (not the spring kind) before a moto. That’s only annoying when you don’t have the tool.
The TC 250 delivers a ton of vibration-free (by two-stroke standards) power.
We’ve been happier with WP’s AER fork on two-strokes than four-strokes recently, and the TC 250 holds this to be true, yet again. Sharp hits, chatter bumps and slap-down landings—air forks’ longtime struggles—are managed better on this fire-breathing pre-mixer than on its thumping brethren. If anything, the bike is a little on the soft side for advanced, pro-level speed. For vet, intermediate and other weekend warriors, it’s proving nicely comfortable. The TC250 is surprisingly plush for a rocket ship. Also impressive was the rear shock at taking acceleration bumps in stride. In uphill, full-throttle charges, the bike danced through and around the biggest of four-stroke track chop with ease.
Husqvarna gave the TC 250 a little more air to breathe.
The arm-pump monsters certainly reared their ugly little heads on this baby, but it’s not from a comfort standpoint (hint; it’s from hanging on!). Maybe we should all ride two-strokes more often?
The bike is narrow, and the flat seat provides a very neutral riding position that’s easy to move around on. Jumping is effortless and it seems like you can put this bike wherever you want on the track, whenever you want it to be there. Bar position seems lower than others, but the cockpit is ultra-precise at turning and picking lines mid-turn. It feels light and nimble on the track and tips the scales around six pounds less than the FC 250 four-stroke
EFI has yet found its way onto any of Husky’s two-stroke motocrossers, but we’re perfectly happy with the TC 250’s well-tuned 38mm flat-slide Mikuni TMX carburetor.
Overall, riding the TC 250 simply reminds us, again, how fun and competitive two-strokes are. The TC250 is just as competitive as ever and the $8599 price tag reflects a bike chock-full of premium parts like Brembo clutch and brake components as well as D.I.D Dirt Star rims, Dunlop MX33 tires, ProTaper aluminum handlebars and more.
For sure, two stroke die-hards, once again, must consider the Husqvarna when going racing in 2022. CN
Light and powerful has its advantages.
2022 Husqvarna TC 250 Specifications
| MSRP: |
$8,599 |
| Engine Type: |
Single-cylinder, 2-stroke |
| Displacement: |
249cc |
| Bore x Stroke: |
66.4mm x 72mm |
| Fueling: |
38mm flat-slide Mikuni TMX carburetor |
| Lubrication: |
Premix |
| Starting System: |
Kick |
| Transmission: |
5-speed |
| Clutch: |
DDS wet multi-disc, Brembo hydraulics |
| Frame: |
Steel, central double-cradle; carbon fiber subframe |
| Front Suspension: |
WP Xact-USD, 48mm |
| Rear Suspension: |
WP Xact Monoshock, linkage |
| Handlebars: |
Aluminum, ProTaper |
| Front-Wheel Travel: |
11.8 in. |
| Rear-Wheel Travel: |
11.8 in. |
| Front Brake: |
260mm disc, Brembo |
| Rear Brake: |
220mm disc, Brembo |
| Front Tire: |
80/100 x 21 in., Dunlop Geomax MX-33 |
| Rear Tire: |
110/90 x 19 in., Dunlop Geomax MX-33 |
| Seat Height: |
37 in. |
| Ground Clearance: |
14.8 in. |
| Fuel Capacity: |
2.1 gal. |
| Weight (curb, claimed): |
224 lbs. |
