1st Ride, WR125: We Have A Winner, Folks!

We'll be meeting up at Baumgartner this time around



WoodsChick

Hi, fastinmymind! Welcome to CafeHusky My first dirtbike was a CR80 and I rode the wheels off of it for a few years. When I moved up to a 125 with 18/21 wheels I couldn't believe how much easier it was to ride. The bigger wheels definitely smooth out the trails and make ruts and trail junk much less of an issue. Simply having a longer wheelbase will make things less dramatic and frantic. If you can ride an 80 in the woods you can ride anything.

I know this is probably tantamount to blasphemy, especially coming from a moderator of a Husky site, but I really have no brand loyalty. I buy what works for me, whether it's Spanish, Japanese, Austrian or Italian/German/Swedish. My sig line illustrates this well, I think. Before I test-rode the WR125 I really was hoping it would work out for me, and that it would be the best bike for my needs. I love the way it looks and I wanted to own another Husky, but I wasn't willing to pull the trigger on it just because of that, or because I am so heavily invested here at CafeHusky. I was quite pleased after my test ride because I knew I wouldn't have to somehow justify buying another Husky. It was the right bike for me, and it worked

I chose the WR125 over the KTM200 because it handles about 1000% better. I've not ridden a KTM200 that was newer than an `05 (or was it an `06?) but the WR feels a lot lighter, too, even though it probably isn't. I've ridden more than my fair share of KTM200's and while I love the motors I just can't come to terms with the handling. One of them was lowered and revalved for someone my size/weight by the great Les Tinius of LT-Racing fame and the suspension worked great, but they turn like Mack trucks. I own a KTM450 and it, too, has a very limited turning radius. They are more expensive to purchase initially, and they tend to nickle and dime you when it comes to buying parts. Some things are fairly priced, but other things tend to be more expensive than they should be. Just my take after having 3 KTMs in my garage, I'm sure others have had different experiences... and I'm sure I would get burned alive if I were to say this over on KTMTalk I very briefly looked at the 150, but it, too, was expensive and I wasn't all that pleased with the reliability of the 144 that preceded it...which incidentally has the exact same number of cc's as the "150." I took one ride on the WR125 and it was all over but the buyin' I am supremely happy with my purchase, even though I don't have the bike tuned to my satisfaction just yet. Be aware that it will take some tweaking to get it to run the way you want it. It is also alarmingly tall, the tallest dirtbike I've ever ridden. At 5'2" and 105lbs you might want to factor in a professional revalve/respring/lowering job, but that's just my opinion.
My suspension will be getting shipped off in about 2 weeks for this very thing


For me, at 5'1", I think the WR125 will give me what I need...a lightweight machine that handles almost instinctively and has a rockin' motor that makes me smile when I'm riding it. The 125's aren't for everyone, that's for sure, but I can't imagine a better bike for someone that's coming off a mini that wants an easier bike to ride. Husky really did get it right with this bike, it is magically fun to ride


I should have mine finely tuned and lowered by the end of April if you're interested in a test ride. The first hit is free :devil:


I hope this is what you were looking for!


..."great oracle"... That's funny...



WoodsChick

I've ridden 2 GG200's (and several other 300's that weren't mine) and there are 3 GG's in my garage. I was very interested in a new EC250/300 since the 2010's are a bit lighter now (although not enough for my taste) but I couldn't swallow spending $8k for a new 2-stroke... especially one that will be worth half that (or less) in 2 years. They do seem to be comfortable ergonomically for shorter people, and their motors and handling are sublime, but they've always been a little heavier than their Japanese/Austrian counterparts. This might not mean much for someone that is the size that the bikes are meant for, but for us shorties it really does make a difference. And for someone coming off of a YZ85, it might be a bit much. The re-sale does make them attractive, though



WoodsChick

Oh, I was wondering about that.

I here ya Norm. Maybe we should start a poll and see how many spare Spectacles everyone has lay'n around...
I buy them from the dollar store a bunch at a time.

Woodsie are you thinking of sending your Front end to Les?
I got mine (EC300) back two weeks ago from Les and the difference is shocking.
Money very well spent. Les is a God when it come to suspension.

I thought I was the only one who did that.

Gee, I dunno, Norman...that sounds like a pretty airtight explanation to me

We've taken to carrying a magnifying glass in the van when we go riding. In fact, we have one stationed in the garage, too. I need to have my glasses with me in order to read a map, and that's the only thing I don't like about glasses.

Speaking of riding my WR...()...I'll be riding it tomorrow with the JD-kitted PWK on it. I'm pretty excited about it, regardless of the rainy forecast



WoodsChick

Well, you can just box that rainy weather up and send it directly to me. Rainy weather is ALWAYS riding weather down here.



While your at it, box up the bike with it, K?

Well, I don't know about "boxing" it up and sending it down there, but I wouldn't mind throwing it on a trailer and hauling it down there sometime soon How far away are you from Oakland? Is there any decent riding to be had that's halfway between you and me?

That would be sooper-dooper fun



WoodsChick

It is GPNF, bottom of 263 dark meadows. Went up there a few weeks later and did a one man work party and fits a bunch of stuff on that trail before it became impassable.