125-200cc a year in review on my 125

After spending a full season of riding the 04 cr125 I wanted to update everyone, just talk bikes etc. So I did a couple rides to see where I was at on the 125. Suspension was far too soft, I'm 200lbs riding b level moto so that's expected on a 125. The braking, clutch action, and handling was all superb. Controls are extremely light and responsive. Eh except for the shifter, Italians must have an extra joint in their ankles or extremely tiny feet as that shifter is nowhere near acceptable and I'm a size 9.5 shoe. A hammerhead extended shifter for a 05 yz250 fixed that up. Loctite the bolt!!

Once the Suspension came back I also bolted up a lectron. Besides the lectron, suspension work by Evo Industries,fresh set of tires, shifter, and softer set of grips the bike is Bone stock. Took a spill bent the bars and lever, so put on a standard sized pro taper set and asvs.

Brake lever a ktm asv lever drops right in. The easiest way to get a asv on the clutch side as far as I can tell involves buying a msr clutch lever and perch combo for 30$, and then ordering a asv for a Honda cr125 05 or so. The msr perch is designed for a cr lever. So a direct fit asv clutcu lever for a Honda cr will then drop in.

I learned this after the fact, I ordered a Honda lever just taking a gamble, managed to mate it up to the husky perch but honestly was more effort than it was worth. Lots of filing, fiddling, tinkering and messing around.

With all that out of the way, I have had zero mechanical issues, besides blowing a crank seal out. I'm chalking that up to it sat quite a while before I picked it up.

I have been wringing its neck, and hard, all season long pushing it and pulling it around sand tracks, difficult technical tracks like budds creek, ncmp, and more. In dirt it is very usable and the handling and power is matched amazingly. I can just put the hammer down and make great time and choose my lines effortlessly.

In the sand, with my weight and it being a 125 while it performs great it can get frustrating as there are sections I will outright struggle with even though as a rider I am capable of them, sometimes it is difficult to drag the 125 through them and over the jumps. When I do everything perfectly, hit every mark, every shift every obstacle is still possible even at my weight. But I am no a rider and being totally perfect and carrying obscene amounts of speed into and out of turns and through all obstacles is obviously difficult. I am learning and this bike has been the most willing and helpful partner I could ask for.

I may do some engine work this winter and make it the most well rounded engine/ chassis I could ask for. Retain the flickable nature, the awesome brakes, and it's much less tiring to ride than any other size physically. Mentally it is straining at times and requires serious precision and concentration.


A 165 kit and dep 200sx pipe from Walt could be the most potent bike for my riding and my preferences anywhere.

Excited to see what next year brings.

Oh yes, and I parted with a yz250f I bought new after a few rides on the husky. I loved that bike, it was well set up, and was still like new. The husky gave me enough confidence that I could trust it I was able to sell the yz, free up some money and begin a bit of a side business. Buying restoring, fixing and selling bikes. It has been successful so far, very busy and crazy year so far!

time to change your user name!

Lol no doubt. I'm loyal to Yamaha and husky. Both brands always treated me well. They are both the most dependable and durable bikes made in my opinion for race bikes.

ive always liked yamahammers and kaws for jap stuff. been around a few yam sleds and they were always strong runners and capable handlers. my first streetbike was a yx600 that was very solid.

Heres a couple pics from last year and when i brought the cr home, theres the yz i sold to cover school last year too. Was sad about that as it was fully set up, rg3 22.5 mm clamps, exhaust, carb dialed in, suspension it was perfect for me.

I just ordered steering head bearings for the husky, wiseco piston, and plastics to save the oem plastics,

I was hoping to do a wb 165 but i just cant swing that kind of money. Ill be faster if i was 20-30lbs less fat and in shape and that's free so thats the plan!!

husky's fly higher

Let's see the Rickman. Do you ride it?

yup depending on the area of origin
i prefer Husky and Yamaha, had the best service and longetivity

same here! BUT i have to admit the "older" /pre BMW Huskys are better than my 2013 WR, my 1993WR is way better in quality.

Little update, pictures to follow soon. Threw a fresh piston in her, sold the lectron, stock carb back on ordered jd jetting kit. And it is running great. The lectron for whatever reason was giving me a really laggy bottom end, coupled with severe bog going through whoops and jump landings, i fiddled with it plenty and couldnt clear it up.

Back to the oem carb and im very pleased runs great bottom to top jd really makes a good product, improved every bike ive put it on.

Have to tear the chassis down, grease everything, thorough cleaning and polishing, new steering stem bearing, and changing the look up just a bit to keep it interesting.

Decided against the 165 kit, too many other priorities sadly. Itll come though.

A freshen up will also help with the bottom end
I was amaized when I went from an older style cylinder to a fresh 125 newer style cylinder and fresh piston/ring

No way is it that. Not in my opinion anyway. Either way its running well. No more bogs on rough landings, no more shutting off and refusing to restart for no reason once in a blue moon. I think i had a reject lectron honestly.

I believe you .. I run a 39mm divider plated and modded Mikuni and am very happy with it
My standard mikuni s have work well too - when jetted right and motor fresh

I like your style zRider ... And good luck with your riding this yr; maybe do a QRTY report? ... 2t bikes response to pipes very well and the cost is not too big ... You might could get with the 165 kit developer (Walt) and maybe use his pipe or something and add the cylinder later ... Just an idea, may not work out ... Probably mess up your current jetting ... But if you like the bike now, just ride it, lots!

My entire riding skill set can be, and has, improved with more seat time and practice and proper technique ... Adding new parts is not the ticket for me till I actually learn to ride better ... I'm gonna post a recent small sx-type race I joined and its very apparent to me what I need to do to run with the front guys in my old-man age class...

There was another rider\racer guy on this site and he changed from a stock CARB to another brand it smoothed the power delivery too much for his racing ... I have 4t bikes for smooth power ... I like it when someone gets off my 2t bike and just shakes their head at what you gotta deal with to ride it ...

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Power will gradually leave a bike and its hard to tell that until you put new rings\piston in it ... And you can quote me on this ' a 250 4t bike is a glorified 125 2t ' ... I'm 250cc 4t heavy now but my 250cc 2t bike will be the last to leave my corral. 2t are just too bad a$$, too light, too cool, to too 2 everything to ever leave.

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One more thing...I have a power-now CARB divider in my bike also it ~helps my bike at the lower end up to the MID ... Not sure what is happening on the top as its screaming and its shifting-up time ...

Absolutely agree with you ray ray. I improve the most when im in shape! When im not in riding shape two laps in my tongue is dragging in the spokes and im struggling. Being in shape and being able to attack is the priority number one! Ive been hitting it hard for about 5 weeks now, i know i know big deal but its a start. Going to do everything i can to keep with this and maintain it as a lifestyle.

I will try to update more and with more photos!

Having some juice left towards the last lap or 2 of a race and you can run down a rider in front of you ... Its safer also ... Hard to go fast if you can't grip the bar any more ... And hard to think anything if you have no oxygen in your brain ...

Good luck on your training ... I like track riding the most when it's not a race ... I'll do the same sections over and over till I like it and move to another section and at the end of the day, tie them all together maybe for a few hot laps ...

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These guys here really protect the inside line once in front ... That's OK with me because my Huskies will carve a line anywhere if I have enough juice to the apply some technique .. I may not win but style counts here with the locals ...

Absolutely, i love railing the outside line, making a pass by coming around the outside is one of the best feelings there is. Can't wait for the season to start!

note to self... I should have NEVER sold my 2004 CR 167.... I should have kept it for at least a buddy bike...

I agree kevin, i can't ever see selling the husky. A solid good shape 125-(165) is always a good thing to have around. Sometimes you just need that ego boost that only holding a 125 wide open around the course can provide.

I was starting to put money aside for a car project and picking up a clean 250 next winter.

I think my plan is going to be finish dialing in the husky instead of a new bike. Already have the suspension nearly perfect for my level, asv levers, hammerhead shifter, yz bend bars, all little stuff but completely changed the handling and feel to me.

To finish it off i want bigger wider foot pegs, and some more juice under the hood. Start saving for the dep 200sx pipe and wb165 kit.

Im down 15 pounds on myself so far, and my strength is through the roof from working out and dieting. Hoping to lose another 15 over the next two months and be under 200lbs and thatll help huge on the bike.

Just rambling but im excited for this year, might build the engine half way thru this season honestly we'll see!