2017 Husqvarna TX 300 First Ride Review
We test the new 2017 Husqvarna TX 300 cross-country/GNCC racer on the off-road loop and single-track trails at Cahuilla Creek MX in Anza, Calif. The bike features several unique features that make it a light, competitive off road weapon.
Following are our 10 Fast Facts after piloting Husky’s newest racer.
1. The 2017 Husqvarna TX 300 features a 293cc two-stroke engine fed by a Mikuni TMX 38 carburetor. The engine is very versatile. It lugs along in the lower rpm, with some modulation of the effortless hydraulic clutch pull. A quick pop of the clutch and some throttle gets the bike going up and over any obstacle you may encounter on the trail.
2. The WP 4CS forks found on last year’s model are replaced with WP’s new AER 48 forks. The AER forks are a 48mm split air fork, with preload settings on the left hand side and damping on the right hand side. The AER forks weigh 3.6 pounds less than the 4CS forks, and the damping can still be adjusted by hand. Adjusting the air pressure requires the use of WP’s air gauge and should be checked and set before each ride.
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3. The suspension settings work great for off-road. When navigating the tight, tricky single-track trails, the bike is forgiving on sudden impacts and absorbs small obstacles with ease.
4. The bike comes with a six-speed transmission—an extra cog compared to the Husqvarna TC 250 motocross model. First gear works wonders for tracking through the technical sections found in off road while sixth gear is great for hauling down a fire road. Everything in between is spaced well and requires minimal shifting.
6. The rear wheel is 18 inches in diameter—one-inch smaller than the standard 19-incher found on the motocross models—as is traditional with off-road (non-MX) bikes. Mated to the front and rear rims are superb Dunlop Geomax AT81 tires, which hook up wonderfully in all off road conditions from sand to grippy granite rocks.
7. A lithium ion battery powers the electric starter on the TX 300. Having an electric starter on an off-road bike is now a necessity, especially when you are worn out on a highly technical single-track trail towards the end of the day. The last thing you want to do is kickstart your bike.
8. Handguards come stock on the TX 300. It’s nice to have these right off the showroom floor, something that cannot be truly appreciated until you are riding down a trail that hasn’t been ridden or trimmed in several months. The guards prevent your hands from taking abuse from the skin-shredding shrubbery.
9. The gas tank is translucent in order to see the amount of fuel, and holds 2.6 gallons. Despite the high-capacity (relative to MX), the tank stays out of the rider cockpit area and hangs down low by the engine. The extra fuel is unnoticeable, in both weight distribution and getting in the way while changing body positions while riding.
10. The 2017 Husqvarna TX 300 is a blast to ride. The powerband is linear and doesn’t have any suddent bursts of power while pulling through the wide powerband. The lightweight chassis makes it easy to throw around and put it where you want it. Through the ups and downs of off road riding, the TX 300 is a great weapon for anyone looking to be competitive and have a great time doing it.
Photography by Don Williams
Riding Style
- Helmet: 6D ATR-1 FLO Red/Yellow
- Goggles: Oakley Airbrake MX
- Neck Brace: Leatt Brace GPX 5.5
- Pants, jersey, and gloves: Moose Racing Sahara Racewear
- Boots: Sidi Crossfire 2 SR
Andrew Oldar is sponsored by Moose Racing.
2017 Husqvarna TX 300 First Ride Review – Photo Gallery
