125-200cc WB177 Ride Report (short one)

So I've been pestering Walt for almost 2 years now about the possibilities of stretching the boundaries a little more on the legendary 165 that we all love. He's taken the time to answer every crazy question/idea I've had in the search for more. About two months ago the stars finally aligned (or he got tired of me asking him about it) and Walt found the time to build a 177 using 4mm stroker crank on his already proven 165. He was building the motor for me but he liked it so much he ended up keeping it!!! Can't say I blame him after the ride I took on mine this evening..........

So here is my setup: Bike: 2012 CR177 set for 100 octane, 13/50 gearing, Husky badged PC pipe with PC296 silencer, Kiehin 36mm as2. Rider: A-Vet enduro/ hare scramble, 240 pounds 6'6" (big), Northern California but I love the tightest/technical stuff around.

So the motor RIPS ! I'd love to see what the HP readings are on a dyno with this bitch but I can tell you that it's more than any 250f and probably most 250 2-strokes from the 90's. On the trail I had a bit of difficulty, this thing is violent. I think the PC pipe is the culprit and I'm looking forward to trying my FMF200 pipe for the next ride. Out in the desert or on a Moto track it would be fine but out in the single track it's just to explosive to ride, and I kind of like explosive!

177 vs 165: I can ride the 165 wide open (with the PC pipe) in a ton of places, not the case with the 177. It's really a almost identical power band just has more everywhere. I feel like the gearing needs to be taller but at my size I need a low first for the slow, steep stuff. A normal size rider could easily get away with one up on the counter sprocket. The free revving nature of the 165 is even better on the 177. Similar motor vibration. It wanted a fatter Main jet and leaner pilot.

This review is based on a short jetting session and then about 1 hour out on the trail. I know there is more to be had out of this motor. My pipe choice sucked, I've got FMF200, stock, Scalvini and PC to chose from and I went with the most top-end oriented option I had. So I made a mistake on the pipe and I was not a fan of the FMF200 on the 165 because it was too flat on top for me but I expect it to be better suited to the 177 so I will try it next. Walt has a DEP pipe that I would like to check out...........

Choices: If your fast, get the 177. If your big, get the 177. If your under 200 pounds the decision gets tougher and would be largely dependent on ability, the 165 probably has enough to make you as fast or faster than you would be on anything else and the 177 might be just a bit too much. If your motor needs the bottom end rebuilt anyways you might want to consider the extra stroke. If your a top A rider or PRO, you probably should look at a different platform.

So there you go boys! Short assessment but gives you an idea. I'll keep you updated with my performance and durability testing. Thanks Walt for what you have done to make this bike everything Husky could have.

Ride hard,
Nate Tucker

Just sleeve a 250 down to 200.
I can understand the 144 and 165 mod but really
Dont get why you increase the cc so little.
Imo i would of just got a 200 ktm engine and been done with it
It cant be that dissimilar in power and handling, well tuned
200 and suspension set up im sure would stick with the 177 club.

That said Mr wallybean fair play you seem to be able to
Keep pulling those wabbits outta that there hat!

So whos the first one to get a 200 husky is this the real goal?

200 husky are 125/200 KTM cases the ? how abuot one of those KTM 188s

Spoken like a man with a 360 and 250! I loved my '00 WR250, but wouldn't want to ride a sleeved down version. I've ridden the sleeved down GG200 and it's okay. As a WB165 rider, the 177 is the icing on the cake for the 125 big bore family. KTM 188 is crazy money compared to even the 177. I'm on the 177 list!

I have a Beta 300 for when I want/need to ride a big bike. I always have more fun on the little Husky.

Juicy Pips, I think there are more gains being made than the 12cc gain in displacement. The 4 mm of extra stroke really helps the over square motor scavenge better both intake and exhaust. Certainly more efficiently.

The question still comes down to return for the investment. I love the 165 because the return for investment is so high. This is certainly less with the 177 as costs are going to be ~ double. I still think it comes down to if you need the bottom end worked on too. If you do then certainly the extra expense isn't that much more but if your motor is in good condition it makes the gains more difficult to justify for the expense.

I think Nate has done a pretty good job of summing up the 177 in his review. I have been using the 177 with the Doma 200 SX pipe that came stock on the 03-04 SX200. It is a really good combination. Too bad Doma wants $300+ before converting it to fit the Husky. We have probably about exhausted the upside of the Husky 125 motor platform. It still does feel and handle just like the 125 except it has way more.

I see where your coming from with doing the work in one hit
And my hats off to you for accomplishing the conversions.

Took my 360 out with 38lectron std exhaust new rear cst tyre
My mate with honda cr250 was pulling away untill i slotted
4th an over took him off idle, have also cut 4 inches
Off handle bars and my partners cant touch me in nadgery woods.

Suppose its what your used too tho, an it seems once the 125 is mastered
A series of progressional upgrades ensue you can keep your bike freash
Untill you master the next size up etc 124, 144 , 165, 177.
I would love to ride any of those just to see how much quicker
I would be.
But i will stick with my dead horse 250/ 350 dont struggle throwing either
Bike around the woods.

Just out of curiosity how much are the 165 and 177 conversions?

I haven't been a fan of the Lectron on these little bikes although I know plenty of people are. I do like the Lectron on my Beta for the added smoothness and increased fuel economy. I would love to try a Doma pipe but sounds like they are extremely hard to source.

I am in the "season" now. Who knows when I will get another actual day off. But it is the job that pays the bills so I can do the other stuff I like.

I just got back from trying the DEP 200 SX pipe on the 177. I am still shaking. Crazy explosive upper mid to top end. Top speed was several mph more than the Dep with the 165(almost 80mph). Still pulled well on the bottom/mid but then just explodes and was reving to 12K. I doubt that I can ride that bike set up like that in the tight gnarly stuff. But I am fat and slow.

Sounds like a nice build, and one of the reasons I bought a 125 to upgrade it to a 165. I'm also now fat slow and out of shape but love the small bores.

Where does one buy a DEP?

They make one for the older framed husky 125's but it will take some tweaking to make it work on the newer frames. Dep USA has them. There are minor differences between the 125 and the 200 pipes. The 125 pipe will work well with your 144.

A 125(177) that causes trembling and shaking. I want one. The only two bikes ive ridden that caused that were a 2003 ktm 250sx, known to be the most violent and powerful 250 2 stroke from the showroon ever, and a. Cbr954rr set up for the track. Bike was an animal, just looking at the throttle had it ripping to the rev limiter and front tire pointed to the sky. It broke loose a full racing slick with ease in the firsr 3 gears, scary.

It was a 177 that caused the trembling pmsl

I meant 125 based my bad!