125-200cc WB165 performance comparison

Hi everyone, at the moment I'm between bikes and really like the good reports I've read about the WB165 kit for the WR125 however coming from a big bore background, last bike was a 570 Husaberg, and wanting to come back to a two stroke and buying a Husky, I'm curious about where you would place the performance of the 165 compared to a four stroke. Is it comparable to a solid 250 or would a 310 be closer. I get the ease of use and lower energy output required to pilot a small two stroke hence the interest but cant help wondering if I should go for a WR250/300. The areas I ride in are mixed ie tight singletrack and open fire roads where I used to run the 570 up to 140-150 kmh, these speeds wont be possible with the smaller bike of course but I'm getting old and should slow down anyway, any informative opinions would be appreciated regards Jason

Hi, I have been all over the place with different engine sizes and would like to share. Hopefully it can help.
All sizes have good and bad parts. I haven't yet ridden the 165, but I guess it with the Lectron carb is the best tool at the moment for 1st to 4th gear riding. Silly light feeling with torquey, linear power with afterburner.
The 570 has no equal in its power to weight-feel, and thanks to the heavy crank can crawl around in 1st or powerslide without effort in tall gears at lethal speeds. No bike can replace it and it will be missed by many.
I would like to refer to the latest issue of Motocross Action magazine were they describe realities of diff engine sizes that I think applies irrespective of type of riding.
Good luck w your choice,
Fred

If you are looking to compare it to a 4T, I would compare it to the 310. Very similar peak torque and hp but obviously gets there in different fashions. You will want to gear up the 165 from the 125 gearing but you still aren't going to want to cruise it at over 100kmh.

I haven't had the pleasue of riding a 310 Husky but can tell you my WB165 will easily out run my 2010 TC250. The WB 165 will lug or scream and anything in between. Sunday was the first day I had my WB165 with SmartCarb, re-valved suspension, new tires, and EXP out on our MX track. All I can say is WOW! I really need to pay attention now as things come up quick! I ended up riding a grear high just to save myself ; got old myself . It would be different no doubt than your 570, so you have to ask yoursel.... do you want a light weight 165 with plenty of usable power or a heavier 250/300 bike with more power than most can use in in most places. I had a 2009 TXC 510 still have my 08 WB165. My answer was easy. Do I miss the big tq of the 510? Sometimes when playing around in my back pasture . Good luck and let us know what you decide .

I've a 2009 WB165/Lectron and a 2013 Husaberg 350fe. Jumping from bike-to-bike the 350 has a smooth yet a bit more torque then the 165. I've still got the 125 gearing, but only because i've just sold my 449. The 165 will flick-flak darting around tree's like nothing else. Both the 350 and 165 are dangerously quick due to there stability and confidence inspiring feel. If your like me and get a little carried away with speed in woodlands the 165 will have you kissing trees with the wheels as you throw the bike into corners. Its unreal my 165 with dated technology can be as good as the lastest Husaberg. The Berg will have a EXP soon and a mapping switch with three settings, one having a setting saying 'Wild'.....I hope i don't have an accident......The 165 is trying to kill me aswell.

I have owned a 2010 tc250 stock and a 2008 cr165 with 200 sx fmf pipe and now lectron carb. For the fun factor go with a cr-wr165 for price very fun. I found the tc250 almost boring and starting,lugging power,reliability is way better on 165 and 2 strokes are just more fun to work on and ride. For off-road the 165 bike is better than my 2012 ktm 250 sx but on the track the 250 sx is way better, it all depends on what you are using them for. The tc250 was not better at off-road than cr165 and not better on track than 250 sx.

Hello everybody,,anyone heard of reliability issues with the maxpower 144 kit? I installed one on my sons 2010 wr 125 last summer,,ran awesome until a short time ago,,it seems to have lost compression...

any diagnosis done? obv not a reliability issue if it made it almost a year. i beat my 09 wr125 like nothing short of pro mx could on rides that regulary exceeded 10-12,000 feet of gained elevation in 90* heat. it never so much as sneezed. bout the most bomb proof thing out there. pull pipe and have a look. if all is well it's proly a worn out ring. for max reliability keep a fresh ring in it. piston and such last twice as long that way.

Thats what im thinking but i just didn't think the rings need to be replaced that soon,,his yz 85 went forever before needing piston and rings.. He did say (son) he heard a ticking noise on right side of engine before it lost all power.. Maybe something with the mechanical powervalve.. I've kept it impeckably maintained..

PM me what u find pics and stuff so we dont derail this topic any further...sorry boys. braap!

OK I will post this AGAIN I have more miles and more races from wide open desert to single track in the trees to motocross and even King of the moto on a 2008 Walt Smith CR 165 Then anyone I know botton line it can beat the open class at the expert level if you want it to.It will go over 1500 miles on a piston It will not break. period
Need more proff watch any of the many videos I have posted
Thank you once again Walt for a nice motor John

I was hoping you would join the discussion and yes I have been enjoying your videos. Keep them coming
The 165 is my all time favorite bike.

Thanks guy's for the advice so far. I really am leaning towards the 165 I think there would be a lot of satisfaction in hosing my mates on there 300's and 450's in the tighter terrain we ride in I will just have to see what the availability of WR125's and the full kit of WB165,FMF 200 pipe and Lectron carb will be in two or three months when I can front up with the cash

Do not just look at wr a cr will also make a great off road bike. When I do buy another bike after my 2008 cr wears out I will buy another cr for off road set-up just like my 08 is now just with a newer frame.

Yep the CR would be a good option but I prefer to have my bikes road registered beacause alot of the places we ride in arent designated offroad areas so being registered I have access to government provided accident cover which Ive needed before for injuries and the plan was to buy a new 2013 bike anyway so the WR is it for me

Good choice . You can always convert it to a cr and keep it registered as 8 have done.
I am now getting the 165 done . If you do that first. you may not need the cr ignition . When I get my 165 I may try the wr ignition again to see if its better for the trails

MY CR has the Stock CR rewounded and now it puts out 35 watts of power enought to run lights

The stock CR thas 6 plugs on the stator of which only 3 are used to run the bike The other 3 are there just for the ride they do nothing So hook up the other 3 and now you have power to run lights

You know what WR stands for it stands for Wont Run like a cr

hahahaha....good one!

hmmmm. gona place a call to the dood that bought Trigger see if i can get him back for a day. id just LOVE to show ya how slow my WR125 was....mreeeeeeeep!