Dick’s Racing Stage 1 Carb Mod for 2018 Husqvarna TC250

What it is

• Stage 1 Carburetor Mod

Dick’s Racing offers a series of modification options for the Mikuni TMX carburetors found on the new KTM and Husqvarna two-strokes. They offer three stages, each designed to deliver a different result. We tested the Stage 1 modification. It consists of a horizontal and vertical wing pressed into the intake side of the carburetor that is claimed to improve air flow by reducing turbulence, a modification to the slide, and a different needle. The Stage 2 for $345, and Stage 3 for $595 add the taperboring of the carburetor and an externally adjustable Intelajet, respectively.

How it works

• Subtle yet noticeable improvement.
• Easier to ride.
• Smoother powerband.

In 2017, KTM and Husqvarna made a carburetor change and swapped out the Keihin PWK for a Mikuni TMX, a move that drew some criticism. The new Mikuni seems more sensitive and takes a little fiddling to get it set up. We’ve been spending considerable time on a 2018 Husqvarna TC 250 and while the carburation hasn’t been a huge complaint, we did feel that there was opportunity to improve. After trying some jetting changes and still looking for more, we decided to contact Dick’s Racing. We discussed our options and  decided to go with their Stage 1 modification. We weren’t really trying to change or improve power output, we just wanted to clean up the flat spot we were feeling at around 1/8th throttle, just as the bike begins to come into the powerband. The results were subtle, but noticeable. The hesitation we felt was gone and each of our riders agreed that it was easier to keep in the meat of the power and with less clutch. The cleaned up jetting also had a positive effect in the power delivery. It makes a little more power just before the midrange hit and that ultimately made it feel a little smoother and in some cases allowed the rider to come out of a corner a gear higher.

For less than the cost of an aftermarket pipe, the Stage 1 modification from Dick’s Racing delivers. It’s not a night and day change that turns the motorcycle into a totally different machine, instead it’s a tweak that makes an already good platform a little better. And with the perfection of fuel injection realized in four-strokes for a while now and being here real soon in two-strokes, little jetting issues are now noticeable. For riders looking to get the most out of their  Mikuni equipped Husqvarna or KTM two-stroke, this is a cost effective improvement worth considering. Now we’re just wondering what the Stage 2 or 3 would do for us. Hmmm…….