125-200cc My second 165 kitted bike and it's the frankenbike...

Go see Loyal... pick it up

OK Kelly, I am wondering about something, but don't want to get flamed, so I thought I would ask here on your thread. I totally understand the movement to smaller cc bikes and after riding 250/300 2-strokes for the past several years I started riding my sons Gasgas ec200 and realized the advantages that the smaller bikes have. I picked up a well equipped older KTM 200 a couple of months ago and am totally sold on a smaller 2-stroke! It does everything my bigger bikes did, but is less tiring and more fun.

I do have interest in the Huskies, but since KTM already has a 200 that is on a 125 frame, wouldn't that be the go to bike? I know many don't like KTM's for a variety of reasons, but I don't have any brand bias, so am looking for the best small cc bike out there.

I also understand the fun of tinkering and having a hybrid or custom type ride. But, I am someone who isn't that adventurous and prefer a bike that is more right out of the box rather than custom fitted. I do have a lot of interest in the Husky WR150, but wouldn't be all the comfortable spending the money on the 165 kit. Just not a forward thinker I guess.

So, is a WR150 better than a KTM 200? I mean they both are on a 125 frame, are light and easy to flick around. The 200 has a motor that can lug all day or rip , you decide.

I guess I just need to hear the clear advantages of the smaller Husky over the KTM. It seems like building the Husky into a 165 is a lot to go through when the KTM 200 is already out there ready to go out of the box. I am totally not trying to rip the Husky or anyone doing the 165 mod. In fact, I am fascinated by it. I just know myself and know I probably would not do a 165 kit. But, I would go buy a WR150 tomorrow if I was convinced it had major advantages over the KTM.

As you know I have been on the fence for a long time about a smaller bike and after riding that little KTM all Fall I am sold! The KTM was simply a good buy, was local and had tons of extras , so I pulled the trigger and it will go to my 14 year old next year. I also like the KTM over the Gasgas 200 . The Gasgas is not as lively and feels heavier. Good little bike though and my 16 year old loves it.

You always have great input and have ridden a wide variety of bikes, so I respect your opinion.

No doubt in my mind that is a wombat in there. Spent enough time on the venerable Hodaka in my early years.....mostly working on them. Always had a Husky since 1972 but plenty of friends on the Hodaka's.

I agree wth everything kelly has said. i tried an 09 200 for a while and it was very twitchy at the front . I didn't like the power delivery - hard to judge power . Actually preferred the 250 power delivery . The husky is much easier to control on steep down hills - feels like a trials bike. Husky revs harder.
Not sure if I'd like the 165 but love the 125 and the 144 needs a bit of work with port tuning.

I rode my buddy's 200 and my 165 back-to-back and the 200 felt like a dragster in comparison. It felt like it had a much longer wheel base, didin't want to turn in as easy, and I really had to mind the throttle. My 165 has never tried to spit me off the back, even after an 80 mile enduro.

I've ridden a 2011 KTM200 and it was about the twitchiest bike I've ever been on. It was fast as hell though and I was shocked at how much power it had for a woods model. Certainly more like a 250 than a 125.

I rode my buddies 2011 250XCW recently and loved it. Perfect amount of usable power and it handled great. It felt WAY more stable than the 200.

That is exactly the input I am looking for. Having never ridden a Husky, I have only heard of the outstanding handling and that alone is a huge factor for me with the terrain I ride here in the NW.

My KTM200 might not be the best example as it is a '98 with 45mm conventionals that have been worked over with KYB internals with anti-bottoming. The actually work very well in the rocks and roots. And yes, the 200 motor is more 250-like than 125. It is a lot of motor for cc's and does't give up much to my old Gasgas EC250.

I think Kelly brings up a huge point which I completely agee with and I think makes a massive difference, and that is: "more power = worse turning and usually control". Having followed the trends in the off-road market, I like many others, went with the 250/300 2-stroke as the best all-around bike for the woods. And yes, my KTM's and Gasgas 250/300's have been amazing woods bikes and I've been riding them for the past several years, but that amount of power in the tight woods may not be the most effective. There are a ton of guys who can ride them fast for sure, but I am always looking to make life easier with long hard rides and it seems a smaller cc bike would make life easier. I always hesitated with the smaller bike for two reasons. 1) I weigh 225 lbs and 2) we have very difficult hill climbs here in the NW. These 2 factors led me to the larger cc bikes. But, reading and watching the abundant information on this site regarding the 125-165 bikes, it is obvious that neither of those issues is a factor.

Again, my interest would predominately be in the WR150 and I probably need to get a ride on one before I make a change.

And, yes Kelly, I would love to hook up for a ride on the "Frankenbike"! I probably should have asked you for a little rip when we bumped into each other at HR! Duh!

After we went out seperate ways, I thought to myself, I should of offered that dude a ride on my bike... Sorry I didn't offer!

No problem Blake. Maybe we'll get a chance to hook up for a ride here this winter.

Just keep in mind It takes more than just a 15 - 20 minute ride to get the whole picture
Most guys get on and dont like it staright away
You need a whole day or two on one

After 6 months on '12 Husaberg TE250 2T I think I can speak to the KTM/Husky handling debate....

The KTM/Husaberg PDS chassis can be made to work, but everything is critical.... sag, triple clamp offset, tires, bar position, rear axle postion, freaking everthing. It took me 4 plus months to figure this out and get the bike handling near as well as my '09 Husky WR165. I think a guy who was weaned on KTM's might have less of a problem. The Husky just works, any which way. I stayed off my '09 WR165 on purpose, while dialing in the TE250, but jumped back on it about a month ago and what a great bike. The power and handling are sublime for sure. My TE250 is only better in a wide open drag race and in it's near infinite power adjustment, with three PV springs easily changed and external preload adjustment. Throw in dual ignition map and you can adjust to any traction condition. The WP CC forks do work well too, but the overall package goes to the Husky for sure.

I never got the KTM 200 thing.... every KTM 200 I ever rode seemed like a weird pipey 250, not a 125 on steroids.

The other thing worth mentioning is that you can buy a 165 from Bills ready to ride. I think he offers them for a very reasonable price.

Maybe the 165 part, but I don't think any sane person could ride a Husky 125/144 any year 2001 up and not be impressed with the precise turning (while still being stable) and excellent overall handling characteristics. There is something magical IMO about the way these bikes handle. I race expert moto primarily, but I went from Honda's all through the 90's to Husky in 2000. 125 and 250 Huskies in 00, 01, 02, 03 best years of my career. Switched to 4stroke Huskies 04-05-06. Back to Honda CRF450 07. Crf250 08-09-10-11. Really getting slower and struggling with the turning and vaguefeedback of the CRF250. I honestly thought it was me and the injuries stacking up and I'd lost my mojo. Finally came home to Husky and 2-strokes with my '12 CR144 and it has been like a miracle for me, my cormer speed is back! I get better everytime I ride it. As my trust improves the bike just keeps on delivering and I am just coming alive. I don't think there is a better handling package out there, for ME. KTM has come a long way and I have only spent limited time on borrowed rides, but I have never tried one that I felt at home on. I know the KTM's are great bikes. But you need to TRY a Husky before you decide, because you may just find the handling is magic for you, too! Good luck with your decision!!

Yea, what he said!

I put over 200 hours on my crf450r in the woods. Was riding one day with PC, and a few others... PC offered to let me try his bike, and I INSTANTLY noticed the precise handeling... I told him I'd be back shortly, and that was a lie... I raped that machine through the woods for over an hour. Granted, I was riding a fat pig, then switched to a nimble, flickable machine, but it made such an impression on me, that I bought one 3 days later...

I hear you Blake...I sold my 07 Honda 450R shortly after I picked up a new 08 CR125 Husky as just a "play" bike. No bike has tickled my handling fancy like the Husky 125/165.

I feel the same as you guys, after riding my wr144 in the woods, my husaberg 450 feels like riding a refrigerator! And I thought my husaberg was light and handled good before I bought my wr!

Firffighter this is kind of a big deal. They are in your State and you won't have to deal with upgrading it, it will have power similar to what you like in the KTM200 with the Husky handling package. I'm not sure but it will probably come with the 144 cylinder and pipe also. A huge value considering it will still cost you less than a new KTM200, will have a spare complete topend and pipe, and you'll have money leftover for new tires. And handgaurds. Did I mention the Husky handles Amazingly?!!

Ditto... went to Loyals in boise to look at a WR 250 , didn't have one so I rode a WR 300... good bike... then decided on a lark to ride a 125... after that I couldn't get it out of my mind and had to have one... found a clean 2004 CR and have been happy ever since...

I bought my 125 off ebay when my TM dropped a valve, I only bought it as I put a bid in just as the listing was ending and won it for next to nothing and was desperate for a bike to ride the next day !!
The plan was use it for one enduro while the TM was down then sell it promtly afterwards. Well what can I say !! I must of laughed and grinned for three hours straight riding this brilliant handling little screamer although it had a flat spot/bog the size of Holland at the time. After some sound advise from all the guys on this site and a Walts 144 top end and the thing became a passion and no matter what bike I ride nothing make me grin like the little Husky
2013 will see another one sat in garage with Walts 165 kit bolted to it and the fun will begin again, definatly not selling the 09 and if the 165 is as good as all say it is it may well end up getting a kit bolted to that as well but as I love the way it works as a 144 so Im not to sure, only time will tell !
Sat here like a child awaiting Christmas for Walt to say my parts are sorted and on there way back as I cant wait for the 165 and then onto a load of exhaust pipe testing