125-200cc First Ride On My 2013 WR125

I lowered another bike a while back. At first, I loved being able to get my feet down and dab in difficult situations, but after a while the novelty wore off, and I didn't like the way the suspension blew through the stroke, and needed a different spring or revalving to compensate. I also didn't like the way the bike behaved in high speed terrain, or knicked the case and frame rails in the rocks. I switched it back after less than a year.

My 125 seems nice and small compared to my 300, and I wouldn't even ever lower the 300. Falling off the 300 in low speed terrain feels like falling off the roof. Kick starting has been awkward, but is more manageable since its rejet. The 125 kicks so easily, that it isn't much of a burden except in an off camber situation.

The suspension on the little WR has been pulled and has an appointment for boinger tuning on Thursday, when the springs come in.

I have ridden a few lowered bikes that were done right and I really like them. Handling was better and they just hold a line. You do give up some compliance for big whoops and stuff. Everything is a tradeoff. I really think 10 quality inches is about perfect for off road.

I have all my bikes revalved. High speed shim stacks are made to respond faster to rocks and square edged ruts, so that there is more "float" and way less deflection. I did the revalving myself with a Gold Valve kit on two Kawasakis, and they turned out very nicely, but I settled on having Bob Bell do my Husqvarnas. He's fairly close by. I set an appointment for a day, take the shock and forks up and drop them off, go over and spend some time in Bass Pro Shop, the phone rings in about two or three hours, the suspension is done, I drive back, pick up the stuff, head home and install the fresh ride.

He's actually up in Riverside, 58 miles from my house. All I have to do to get the job done quick is schedule it far enough in advance, so that they can plan accordingly. I consider Bob and Diane to be friends, and they are very good people. I once started working on my forks (taking them apart) in their suspension "lab", while waiting for Bob to show up. The place has stainless steel counter tops, special holders for forks and cordless impact tools, and every surface in the work area is about clean enough to eat off of. It is impressively neat and organized.

Once I have the bike out in the field, I report back to Bob. If there is a problem, we discuss it by cell phone, then I e-mail the changes that I made to the final tuning back to Precision Concepts, so they know how the final settings are for future reference.