125-200cc 144 kit first impressions...

In case you missed it my install post is here...

http://www.cafehusky.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11555

Now to the post install and first ride...

My 125 has run very good since I replaced the faulty power valves with the factory replacements not long after i bought it. Then I replaced the carb with the PWK and have been very happy with the bike and it has fast become my favorite tight woods bike. Motor was basically stock other than a Doma pipe, PC muffler and the PWK. Great 125 motor, climbs hills well, rip on top, very good flexible little chain saw.

So the 144 kits start to show up and I think I need one. Finally arrive and I am swamped and it takes me almost 2 weeks to get it installed. Install goes EZ, a few things to do and the pin missing for the PV rod. No big deal get it all installed and fire it up a few days ago. Leave my already rich jetting for a safe run in. Current settings at that point were...

Year & Bike Model = 2009 WR125
Carb = Keihin PWK 38
Pipe & Silencer = 04 Doma pipe and PC SA
40:1 Amsoil
Temperature range (deg F) = 55-65f
Elevation (feet) = 50-2500
Main jet = 178
Pilot jet = 45
Needle = JD blue in the middle
Clip position = #3
Air screw setting = 1.5 - 2
Slide = 7

It starts second kick, interesting, has a bit of a different tone and bark to it. Ride it around the hood slowly to warm it up. Does not feel much more powerful than stock. then again I am just blipping around warming it up. Let it warm up good, give it a little throttle a few times. Feels OK, not impressed so far. Let it cool down, check all the bolts and stuff. Do 3 more heat cycles like this over the next 2 days. It's Friday afternoon, I see some end to my mountain of work and the rain has finally stopped. Here is my chance. Toss the bike and my case of jets / needles in the truck and head the 20 minutes to a local ride area.

Get to the ride area get the bike warmed up and take off. Being EZ on the bike and feeling it out. Yep, it is a little more zippy and more roll on power for sure but not real impressive. About 3 miles in it really starts to run nice, for sure pulls nicer everywhere and feels good. Nice smooth increase and pulls great much EZer. Still not hammering it at this point but getting on it some. Feels good, was hoping for a little more gain. So I ride it a couple laps, say 10 miles, runs good, seems to start 1st kick real EZ, runs nice and has smooth power with what feels like a 1-2 HP increase across the board with a nice boost right off the bottom that makes it crawl up hills real nice. Nice but i want more.

Knowing the bike was rich with the 125 stuff and will be even richer with the 144 kit I head back to the truck to install the JD red needle, middle clip (same as i was running the blue needle) which is the summer / lean needle. Head out for round two. instantly the bike is much more responsive and has a bark and rip it never had. OK, were getting somewhere now. For sure has more power and snap, especially in the mid range. This is the power gains i was looking for but seems to have lost the smooth very low end pull. I think it is lean now on the bottom. Adjust the air screw the this helps some. Ride another 5-7 miles and am really liking it. Go back to the truck and put the clip down one to the 4th position raising the needle and making the bottom end richer.

This turns out to be the ticket. The bottom end is strong and pulls very good clawing up anything, the mid flat freaking RIPS, not just a nice increase but powerful hard acceleration. As I am not hammering the bike yet the top end feels good but is for sure rich. At this point I could care less if there was a top end at all!!! this bike has become a mid range monster. Pulls very nice off the bottom, goes into a mid range, very hard pulling rip and continues into a very strong top end. I am so happy I am literally laughing my ass off in my helmet. I freaking love this motor. The 144 kit took a nice and very good 125 and made it a forceful woods tool far better than I had hoped. I could not stop riding the bike and rode until dark. The power is intoxicating. Throttle response is WAY better than when it was a 125, snappy as all get out and jumps forward instead of moves forward like 125 style. This bike is seriously FAST now. Keep it on the boil and WOW those corners come up fast and effortlessly. Feels like you could stick it in 3rd and never shift again. Pulls nice and strong from the first rev, huge mid range hit that flows into a strong top end. Motor even seems to run better overall (jetting?) and starts 1st EZ kick, idles low and smooth and very quick throttle response. It has been raining here a lot and this is already a slick area. With the 144 you really have to watch out like on a 250 not to accidentally light up the rear tire and go sideways when riding. When you do find traction the acceleration is nearing brutal and actually needs minded now where before you were always coxing it now you are backing off. The throttle response is awesome and pulls instantly and with authority, especially in that amazing mid range. it is still running rich on top and I bet this motor is one 170-172 main jet away from being a ripper on top too.

Let me say right now i could not be more happy with this setup. With my current jetting I got a good bit more than i hoped for. It was a mild day with nice dense air, a fresh motor and high expectations. I know it is the honey moon and i tend to go on and on about how much i love my little huskys but WOW this bike has transformed into a whole new level. Those WR150's are going to sell VERY well. All of a sudden a WR200 is not as important at is once was to me. I seriously do not know if I need more. The mid range on this bike will already get you in trouble and I was spending a lot more time metering the throttle than i was hammering it for more power. I simply LOVE this 144 kit. It is nearly perfect for the type of riding i do. I will say it took it from a mild mannered and sweet little trail bike to a ripping race bike. The way it is setup now barks and leaps when asked. It lost some of it nice civil mild mannered temperament and replaced it with rip a new hole / get out of my way power. Not KTM 200 like but not real far off. It really feels like a less powerful WR250 with the smooth clawing bottom end power on the slight soft side, followed buy a mid range hit and then a nice top rush. Obviously not WR250 power but 250 power like.

yes I sell these kits, yes it is a bit self serving to go and tout how good this is but in all honesty it is a very noticeable increase and the throttle response / acceleration is much improved. The results are much more than I had hoped for and the motor is amazing. I do not know how much the Doma and PWK add to the package and the gains you might see with your configuration but if you install one and jet it right I bet large gains are the norm here. Fells like more difference than the TXC250 to 300 kit IMHO. A substantial difference in power from top to bottom. Also takes a semi problematic mid range soft spot and turns it into a mid range power surge making the overall powerband much more linier and consistent.

Here is what my ass dyno tells me (blue stock red 144 obviously)...



Some random pix for the ride, did not take a lot as i was having far to much fun.







I'm guessing this will be the view most see but with a steady stream of trail flying off the tire....

Fine, you don't get to ride it tomorrow.

I'm not in any way saying it has near the power of the 250, that bike has a lot more but this mimics the powerband and has a good amount of go itself. Personally I feel for the type of riding I do the 144 is actually better and more manageable. I still have the WR250 around here i ride some so i know what they feel like.

at full on race pace doubtful but maybe. The 144 with leaner jetting and not needing to hammer it so hard might do it. We will see.

I'm sure Fran and your 125 group have these dialed. I had a new 04 CR125 but I am late to this party compared to you guys. Must crack you up to read some of this stuff you have realized for years.

I saw an IMS ad in Cycle News that said "Coming Soon IMS Husqvarna 2010 250cc 4-stroke tank, also fits 09 WR/CR125 2-strokes"

I like the Clarke tanks better, as I've had several of each, but it's nice to know IMS is taking Husqvarna seriously now.



WoodsChick

Spoke with Clarke the other day and need to take them my TXC. Seems were still a month or so out.