I just joined the site for some help and insight on the Huskys. I`ve owned a bunch of KTMs, Yamahas and a Kawi. I`m looking to get back into riding and racing hare scrambles, a GNCC or two, trail riding in tight, rocky, hilly, rooty woods with some occasional sand races and some mx. I`m 39 yrs old, 5'11" and weigh 205 lbs and a Vet B level racer. I was looking at a getting an 08/09 TXC 250 then read about the WR125 and WR250. I have never ridden a 125. Would I be too heavy for a 125? I`ve read you have to ride the 125 on the pipe and not very forgiving on hills if you are not on the pipe. Where as the WR250 will have enough power and low end. I have always ridden my 2 strokes a gear high and lug the motor. The idea of the light weight and flickability of the 125 sounds good. But I would like to be able to lug the motor. I have always ridden the 250 4 strokes well but like the idea of less weight and easier maintenance of the 2 stroke. Any help and advice greatly appreciated.
I have similar requirements as you and race the 50+ class. I personally think you are too heavy for the 125 and you will have to ride it aggressively. I've got a WR250 and 250X. I can ride both of these bikes a gear high, when it's greasy out. They are good lazy man bikes.
I don't have enough time on a 125 to speak with real authority .. but ... A 125 will make you a better rider .... I got back into riding back in 2000 .. at age 38. A short tenure on an xr 400 and then a 2001 drz 400 that I rode for 3 years ... I got an 08 cr 125 hold over for $3200 on lark at age 47. If i was going to do it again I would have bagged the xr drz period and started back in with an 01 wr 125. If I did that I would be a much better rider right now. Right now on a good day I'm a fast c rider, I would easily be a netra B rider .. maybe even pushing senior A rider. How long have you been off the bike?? If your already a vet B rider though some of that learning curve may already be in your muscle memory. The 250 2t would have the most get up an go of the three. If you've been off the bike for 20 years though ... a 125 and a trials bike is the way to go!!!
The 125 is amazing but requires constant attention, the 250 has heaps of go and is a delight to handle. None have the e leg as yet. I think you should consider them but also include into the mix a TE 310. its a very tractable machine, easy on the body and goes well everywhere. A least give it a consideration.
Don't forget the WR 300. If you like to lug the motor, you'll almost be able to count the piston strokes before you stall a 300. With your size, I'd think the 300 would be a good fit.
DC, Looks like I have 2 out of the 3. The 125 will not have one bit of problems pulling you around. It is one of the best 125's I've ridden. I will say it is a fun bike. You will need to do some tuning though! The WR 250, Do the suspenders/jet and hang on! Great bike. Can't speak for the 4ST 250 but my friends really like the new TC250. Don't rule out the WR 300 if you want a stump puller. Typpyt
can't speak for the 125's as i haven't had one for a few years, but my 250 is a kick in the pants. i'm a bigger boy at about 250 decked out in gear with tools and it can lug me out of the hole very nicely. i'll probably upgrade to the 300 at some point, but i'm in no hurry as of yet.
210 pounds 45 years old A/B class rider. I have 9 bikes in the garage including the amazing 2010 TXC250 (and WR250) and my 09 WR125 gets ridden the most. The fun factor is higher than all of them, super fun to flick around, motor is VERY willing to accommodate, handles like nothing else, and keeps you sharp. Not hard to ride at all once you figure it out which only takes a ride or two. Makes amazing bottom end for a 125 and after over a year still impresses. Can pull up hills off the pipe. They are all good bikes these days. Try something different that will improve your skills, make you sharper and reward you with high levels of fun.
The last full season I road was 2 yrs ago. I rode very little the last 2 yrs. The only thing that I`m concerned with in getting another 2st is the kicker. I ruptured my ACL 7 yrs ago and just had some torn cartilage taken out about a week ago. I think it would be fun trying a 125 since I never had one and I can get a killer deal on a leftover 09. What type of tuning would I need to do? I know the suspension will have to be done and I`d have to buy a spark arrestor to be able to race. By the way thank you for the quick and informative replies.
I could be wrong, but, based on the fact that you haven't ridden in 2 years and you're a moderately large rider, I think you'll regret the 125. If you're very skilled and enjoy working the bike like a dog to keep it moving in many situations... then the 125 will be "fun". There's no doubt it will be the most flickable bike you've owned. It's incredibly light and handles like nothing else. But, I'm a 180 pound, old fat guy, moderately skilled rider who has tried a Husky CR 125 and a KTM 125 in the woods... and came out wanting MUCH more power and MUCH less effort... despite the light weight.
Krieg offers another good viewpoint so I would see if you can get a ride on one and see if it might be for you or not. Although it does take more than a ride to understand and exploit it. The WR250/300 will not be good if you fear kick starting (ACL) The 125 you can start with your hand, literally. As for must do mods my list is PWK carb, adjust the PV arm, springs for your weight and have someone change the oil and bleed the forks right. The suspension is quit usable stock with the right springs and fork oil done right. Slap some hand guards on and let it rip. I love this bike. I wear heavy boots, over the boot pants, carry a lot of tools and food. I'm not light. The 125 works very well for a tight trail bike and the gnarlier it gets the more I like it. Learn to exploit the good stuff about the bike and learn to overcome the slight instances when power would solve the problem. This bike will do it. It is NOT a lazy mans bike but that said it also does not wear you out as it is and feels so much lighter. If you want to sit in the saddle and run a gear high up everything it's not the right bike. If you want to stand and hone your skills, have a freaking blast and really enjoy spectacular handling get the 125 for sure.
While I am an over weight slug, the 144 I have is simply amazing in what it will do. My last ride I took it up a couple of very steep rocky no run up climbs that have mid-climb re-directions and under tree scrunches that scrub all speed. I have always struggled to get my WR250 to the top of the climbs and my 360 climbs it simply because you can't kill it with a bazooka if you can keep traction. I motored up both of these on my 144 this weekend and was amazed...no stunned. I am sure that I was at least 250#'s in riding gear and the little 144 screamed when asked and lugged when needed and then zipped right back up on top to clear the worst. The fact that the forks were making non issues of all the 8-10" loose rock helped but the motor was perfect at pulling and keeping traction and screaming when needed. I was absolutely giddy afterwards as I have always dreaded trying to tackle these two particular climbs since purchasing the WR125. I was used to always taking the pussout trail around both climbs on my WR 250 simply not to beat the crap out of myself at the beginning of a 3 hour ride. I now know that I don't have to dread it anymore. Walt
Couldn't have said it any better. I had a 09 WR125 found it very very flickable, very responsive but boy you had to work at it to make her perform. I now have a 300 although a different make I am loving every minute on it. You really need to ride booth to appreciate a larger bore machine. Try and get a test ride on a WR300 and a WR125.
I`m picking up a used 08 TXC 250 today. It has everything on it ready to go. I got it for a very good price. Should there be anything specific with this year I should look for? It was well maintained by the dealer. I figured I pick this up to give it a try since I cant find one local to test ride instead of shelling out more for a new one. Any tips or advice on this bike would be greatly appreciated.
What he said. The 310 has been Husky's best seller since being introduced in 09. Great all round bike and easy to sell if you don't like it. Russ
I like my 125 I haven't ridden other huskys, but I own a '09 WR125 and I can say that you can lug the motor. Of course it doesn't have as much torque as a larger bike, you just have to use the clutch and rev it if you want a large burst of power. Unlike my '03 Honda CR125 which ran real crisp, this Husky will lug you up hills without spinning because it does have that amazing torque (for a 125). It may require some "tuning" as some have said-just look up the other threads.
Actually i was told the SM125 is huskys largest seller. Due to Europeans riding them on the street for transportation.
I took out the TXC 250 yesterday for the first time. I had a blast. I was impressed with the motor. It was very tractable and had good throttle response. It was setup with 13/52 gearing and worked great. The trails were tight, slick, rocky and rooty with some sections of riding up small streams. The suspension is stock so that will need some work but it handled well and soaked up the rock sections with very little deflecting. Since this was my first ride since last spring and still nursing my right knee from surgery 2 weeks ago I didnt ride very aggressive. I would like a little more low end but once I get up to speed I probably wont miss it. I made a good choice picking this bike over the WR125.
Cool glad you like it. They do sound like they would be excellent bikes for that type of riding conditions; enjoy.
