125-200cc First Ride Impressions

Agreed, it's more important than engine IMO.

I've also added more to post #1.

If you're shifting while on the throttle hard, try waiting just a second or two longer before shifting up. Others had noted this as a requirement for the CR 125 to get the most out of it so I tried it with my 144 and it helped---just took getting used to after coming off of a 250 2T. It will SOUND like it's ready for the next gear but it just need a second or two more.

It is

I've ridden the bike quite a few times since my first post - here's what I've changed and what I have to say now:

1) 144 kit is a huge difference. The engine itself makes way more mid-range power, and power is boosted across the entire range. No loss in over-rev. The power difference is noticable, but it isn't TOO drastic - but definitely well received. The advantage of the 144 kit isn't so much in the extra power, but that now it can bridge the gap between 2nd and 3rd gear, which is a big jump for this transmission for some reason. The 144 kit makes that jump managable.

2) I also did the power valve mod to give it more mid-range. I did this at the same time as the 144 kit, so I can't really compare with/without the mod because the PV was in the stock position as a 125, it is now modded position as a 144.

3) Backed off the compression damping in the forks, I think I'm 18 clicks out now (which is something like 7 clicks from stock, or something - i'd have to double check). Big difference on square edge bumps - a revalve would still be a big improvement, but with this setting I can do both MX and trails pretty comfortably.

4) Replaced the stock 5.0 spring with a titanium KYB 5.5 kg/mm spring. Set sag at 105/33mm. This is huge since it keeps the shock higher in the stroke, puts more weight on the front end, thus both the front and rear feel more plush. My sag was at about 103/25 before swapping springs. The difference in handling is noticable - it feels way more planted around turns, though turns with roots could still improve as I still feel like the front end might wash out from under me when I'm at a decent speed, could just be psychological since it was way worse before I adjusted the suspension. I'm 5'-10", 160 lbs.

I'm enjoying the bike a lot more now - I am not in such a huge rush to do a revalve or a 165 kit as I had once been. It's still on my list though!

I have ridden on a MX track in which it felt great, as well as slow crawl speed trails with big rocks and tight turns, and higher speed trails with big puddles and small jumps, and hillclimbs, all of which i felt in control and felt as though the bike had no problem being applied to any application. I feel at home on this bike now.

I recommended this in another thread (because it's really the proper way to do things) and got beat up pretty bad over it. Hopefully those suspension "experts" aren't reading this one

Before you do anything, put some lighter oil in those forks. You should at least change it to get a reliable baseline, and since you're finding them harsh, and already backing out the adjustment, the reduced damping (everywhere) will probably help. PM me if you want some more info.

Going lighter on fork oil won't hurt anything, and will probably help. It's very unlikely to be the ultimate solution, though. That's all!

JRod,

We need to meet up and compare bikes now that I have mine back together. I'm going to try to head up to Five Star Cycles in Saegertown for their incentive run next Saturday. I went last year and it was a pretty fun event with some nice trail riding and an mx track too. The Five Star guys are pretty cool despite being a ktm dealer.

If your interested you can register here for free:

http://www.fivestarcycle.com/IR13.htm

I'll be out of town next Saturday unfortunately - but I'd like to get together and do that sometime. I love the looks people give me because Husky's are so rare - I'm sure if people see 2 of them they'll wonder if hell has frozen over!

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