By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Enduro
Husqvarna FE 250 (MY2014) vs FE 250 (MY2017)
2014 Husqvarna FE 250 vs 2017 Husqvarna FE 250: which one belongs in your truck bed?
Tip the 2014 Husqvarna FE 250 into a tight trail turn and it's already pointing where you looked. The 2017 Husqvarna FE 250 feels small and flicks right over.
So which one do you buy?
The 2017 FE 250 has the edge if…
Real off-road capability
Slight edge: 2017 FE 250
For dirt roads and trails, the 2017 FE 250 makes slightly more sense. The difference is modest at best.
What makes each one tick
2014 FE 250
There's almost nothing to the 2014 FE 250 once you're up on the pegs. A ledge or a root in technical terrain barely registers through the WP suspension, and the chromoly frame doesn't wander off the line you picked. Its DOHC single answers every blip.
Nils rode the 2014 FE 250 in Hungary in 2015 (NastyNils Testride).
2017 FE 250
The 2017 FE 250's fuel-injected single doesn't stumble off the bottom, and it keeps pulling across a broad spread of revs. At the brake lever, there's little mass to haul down. Clutch fade and a spongy lever can creep in after hard use, particularly on earlier bikes. Its chassis stays level over the rock steps.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 2017 FE 250 makes more peak power: 38 hp (28 kW) vs 30 hp (22 kW).
- The 2017 FE 250 makes more peak torque: 20 lb-ft (27 Nm) vs 17 lb-ft (23 Nm).
- The 2014 FE 250 has the larger fuel tank: 2.5 US gal (9.5 L) vs 2.2 US gal (8.5 L).
Which one for the way you ride
Call it even on twisty roads, running costs, and a first bike. Choose on fit, price and the one that makes you grin.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
2014 FE 250
What owners say
Strengths
- Outstanding lightweight agility
2017 FE 250
What owners say
Strengths
- Exceptionally light and nimble handling
- Smooth and responsive fuel-injected engine
Trade-offs
- Inconsistent clutch feel and possible seal leakage
Known problems to check before you buy
2014 FE 250
- Electrical/starting issues Some owners report intermittent starting failures, weak batteries, or electrical gremlins, often linked to corroded connections or a failing starter relay.
2017 FE 250
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
What they share
- Displacement
- 250 cc
- Engine
- Single-cylinder
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Wheelbase
- 58.3 in (1482 mm)
- Front travel
- 11.8 in (300 mm)
- Rear travel
- 13.0 in (330 mm)
Where the spec sheets split
| 2014 FE 250 | 2017 FE 250 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 38.2 in (970 mm) | 37.8 in (960 mm) |
| 2014 FE 250 | 2017 FE 250 | |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 30 hp (22 kW) | 38 hp (28 kW) |
| Torque | 17 lb-ft (23 Nm) | 20 lb-ft (27 Nm) |
| 2014 FE 250 | 2017 FE 250 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 2.5 US gal (9.5 L) | 2.2 US gal (8.5 L) |
| 2014 FE 250 | 2017 FE 250 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front tire | 80/100-21 | 90/90-21 |
| Rear tire | 110/100-18 | 140/80-18 |
| Ground clearance | 13.6 in (345 mm) | 14.0 in (355 mm) |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
