125-200cc New WR125 ride report w/ questions

I had been asked in another thread for a ride report so here it is. I rode the bike for the second time ever in a hare scramble today. I should start by pointing out that I am a novice off road rider and that this is my second ever hare scramble. My impressions of the new Husky are mostly very good, but I have some sorting to do. The course was very technical. Several riders who have been running this series for a while (VXCS) said that this course was one of the toughest that they run. Lots of roots, ruts and rocks. Also a number of "oh my God" hills. I was slow, but that is me. I'm a middle aged beginner. That's my excuse for now. My suspension feels very stiff. How much is the fact that it is a new bike with only three hours or so on it, and how much should be adjusted out, I can't say. I rode mostly standing, trying to stay as loose as I could and using my legs for secondary suspension, but my wheels were bouncing like basketballs off the roots! It was pretty disconcerting at times. It was getting me out of shape at moments and on the steep hills I was afraid to carry the kind of momentum that I needed. However, I found that by keeping the revs up slipping the clutch that I had all the power that I needed and then some. I really love how light the bike is and how flickable it is. The course opened out in to fields in a couple of sections and I found that I seemed to have as much acceleration as any of the other bikes and I was the only 125 as far as I know. Since I am new to two strokes I don't have any basis for comparison. It seems to me that the engine pulls very strongly at higher rpms, but hits a point where it falls off abruptly. Maybe this is normal. It isn't a problem, just grab another gear. I don't think that I hit the rev limiter but perhaps I did without realizing it. I like the power. It is plenty without being overwhelming. I spent a lot time threading my way along off the pipe and I like the way that it felt. Gentle power, but just slip the clutch a little and there was all the squirt I could use. I will absolutely have to have a larger fuel tank if I am to complete a two hour race without refueling. I suppose that this has been more riding impressions than a ride report but I would appreciate feedback from those who are still with me.

Good for you! The suspension is pretty stiff with CR valving. Watch a video of a WEC race and you'll understand why! The suspension will break in, but for East Coast conditions, you're looking at a re-valve.

No rev limiter other than basic 125 design! You just rev it out of the meat of the powerband and it drops off. Grab the next gear sooner and keep grabbing gears! It works well off the pipe and clutch it when you need it!

It has to feel amazing coming off a DRZ-400, just get your suspension sorted.

Wouldn't my WR be valved a bit differently? I'm wondering if I should back off of my compression damping.

Nope.... When Harvey from A.C.E. did my '09 WR125 suspension, he said the valving was pure CR. As I alluded to in my last post Euro off road has more MX in it, than US East Coast off road.

David losen it up a few clicks until it breaks in. That what I did on my CR and my TXC 510. It will be ridable but in the long run I think you will need to send it out for your woods riding. My CR feels softer than your WR at this time. Well did it wear you out as much as your DRz or just beat up up with the stiffer suspension?

Hi John, No, it didn't wear me out anywhere near like the DRZ. It didn't really beat me, but the forks in particular were really stiff. It got me in trouble where there were roots and rocks in a turn and especially on steep hills. On the hills that weren't as steep, I had the nerve to gas it and keep the front real light. There were a couple of long, steep "oh my God!" hills that had huge exposed roots that I was afraid would bounce my front wheel back over my head! I lost my momentum and struggled to make the hill at all. However, I never killed the engine and was able to keep it going. In those instances, the soft, plush suspension of the DRZ would have just swallowed up the bumps and I would have just kept chugging along. This course was about the tightest and toughest place that I have ever ridden and I don't know how I would have survived on the heavier bike.

for now just turn a few clicks out on compression....I would just keep going a few at a time until you like it...after a while you should be turning it back in as it breaks in

Thanx to all for the input. I'm really enjoying this bike. I've never had a two stroke or a pure dirt bike before. I'm loving how simple it is and how easy to clean and work on.

Thanx. I'll try that. I have a lot to learn about this suspension stuff. Come to think of it, I just have a lot to learn!

Very good David, glad you are liking the WR. I think simple is sometime better and I know lighter is better.

David,

Good bike, good choice. My Wr was really stiff until broken in and I had the same issue.

I was bottoming in the rear and was bouncing off everything. I think my weight is actually making the fronts work.

Then play with the clickers/springs rates.

I am #210 with gear and front (stock) is not bad with compression adjusted. I may have to go .44/.46 front spring. Rear I am at 5.4 spring and may need a 5.6. Eventually, I will revalve after 144/carb conversion. This was a good start for me so I don't become bike poor.

Typpyt