I have come off a ktm 525, I really like the way that when I touch the gas, I don't have 50 hp right there! Where as if I'm putting on the 125 I can run it with very mild useable power, and if I need the juice for whatever reason, feather the clutch a bit, or tap down a gear or to, and BLAM gone! Love it. My first 2t, and I'm soo glad that I went with a 125, I think the 250 would for sure be much more workout in the woods. Well my 525 was thats for sure! I loved that 4 stroke torque, but the only place maby a tad more than my 125 was the open fire roads. But I still even love my cr for the fire roads as it also ripps there too! It's just such a managable bike, and it DOES have power
In a dirt rider test they complain about a big bog in the engine in the mid range. Is this a real problem and is there a fix? And is there a big difference from an 08 cr to the new WR's?
the mag testers messed with the jetting and PV settings and could not get it back to as they got it from HV. it ran fine before that. after HV got it back they put it back to as was and it was fine, again.
My 09 WR125 flat freaking rips bottom to top right now. Love it. Doma pipe, PC muffler, PWK carb. The carb made a big difference. Last 2 rides there were piles of KTM 300's, no issues hanging with and passing them in single track and stays right with them when it opens up. Buddy with a fast TE510 rode it yesterday and was babbling about selling his 510 after 5 minutes on my 125. He was shocked how much power it had and that it would lug his big butt up hills. The bike is amazing.
I'm really trying to wrap my mind around the 125 revolution. I just can't seem to envision a 125 being able to pull my 245# carcass around without keeping constatly "on the boil". Everyone says that they so much easier to ride but then says that they are better for honing you skills (you have to be a better rider to make them work). I don't know, I was pretty set on a new WR300 but all the fuss about 125's has got me thinking that the little tiddler might not be a bad choice.
Just like Kelly said----- You will be amazed at the way these things run and handle. I definately recommend these to all you grown up kids! Typpyt!
OK. Were are some good deals on these bikes. A dealer by me has a leftover 09 for 4,999. Is that a good price? And is there any difference from a mx to enduro model other than the lights?
Dealer, what is that. Are there really places with Huskys on the floor? And parts also? With people who actually ride them and understand what they need? Will Husky introduce this concept to LA, MS, AR??? HUH? Really? Please.
I don't know about those states, but here in CA we are very lucky to have Dan at MotoXotica, as his shop is all those things...and more HappyCustomerChick
Buddy of mine with a TE510 rode my 125 the other day, he is about 250 pounds and loves power. After about a mile he pulled over, giggling like a kid and was trying to figure out how to sell his 510 and get one. Talked about it all the way home (2.5 hours). If you do test ride one get some miles on it. Some people hop right on and love it, others it takes a while to figure it out then they love it.
Back in the mid to late 80's I was at the La. Natl enduro. You know, when enduros were enduros. Was at a reset in the woods and there was a guy from up north on a wr125 or whatever they were called then. He weighd about 260 and I had to ask him about the bike/rider interface. He dwarfed the bike. Turned out he was the current Over50 expert natl champ. He loved the 125. Still amazes me.
Why a 125? It's no problem! I'm 44yrs old, good shape, 5'7" 170lbs in riding gear and just ride for "fun." I've owned all kinds and sizes of bikes but about a year ago traded one of my bikes, a 2006 KX450 for a 2003 Honda CR125R and was "hooked." Hooked on: simple, no need for electric start-so easy to kick; no vibes; quick and easy handling; comfortable-those honda ergonomics and seat were great; the challenge and reward of making it perform (proper gear/throttle/clutch/braking). That challenge and the reward always had me smiling (especially when I made technical sections my riding buddies couldn't make, but I made them look easy). Now, my 2009 WR125 is heads and tails better than my Honda (except maybe the way it "fit" me (the Honda was shorter and the seat was nice). The Husky is way more stable feeling but light, much better low-end torque and is really good at "off-road" as it was designed. When you are on a 125 that is tuned right, you look forward to obstacles and technical sections that used to put a little fear in your mind on bigger, heavier bikes-at the very least just hoping you didn't have to pick one up on the side of a hill-with a 125 it's no problem!
Yep the nastier it gets the better the 125 works and less of a fight. Love it in the mud / snow / nasties. More smiles per miles than any other bike i have owned. rajobigguy - if you ever make it up this way your more than welcome to ride mine.
You know guys have won D 37 races overall on a 125.... for a guy who thinks a 125 is too "small"... how much power do you really need in the woods? 95% of us dont....and most of us that think we do are just lazy riders...I have been riding 125's for a while now...i am 40 and 225 lbs... in 2000 I bought a Honda CR125 to race in the desert(got a killer deal)...my bro at the time was riding a 99 WR250...I was right with him the whole way even the fast stuff...only place he would lose me was when I ran out of gearing(5 speed)... about 3 months in he ask to take it for a spin...he was like man i can haul on this thing....i moved away and my dad, then 70, bought a Husky 125 and loved it... the only time i felt under powered on a 125 was at the Check chase at soggy...a few long uphill sand washes with huge whoops...man...but really by the end I still had energy and guys on kx500's were dying.... plus when you come up behind someone in a race they think you are really flying
I've finally gotten to do some direct comparisons between a 125 and my WR250. The 125 is a healthy Honda CR125 (134cc) that I bought for my wife to ride. The CR125 is fun, but I will keep my 250 !!! While I maybe would have benfitted from learning to ride/race on the 125, now that I am used to the 250 (it was a steep & painful learning curve)the 125 is just too weak in the bottom/midrange. My 250 actually feels lighter to me as I can lift the front and steer with the rear by small blips of the throttle. You can make small blips of the throttle all that you want on the 125, but nothing happens lol. The 125 is perfect for my wife as it doesn't scare her at all while riding in the bottom or midrange, yet still rips when we get out on the open gravel roads etc.. To each their own...
Yep I think capacity is to some extent a head space thing. This discussion will really evolve when they finally start putting efi on 2t dirt bikes. They supposedly give more torque, double the fuel range and are no more polluting than a 4 burner. Assuming the above is true then a 2t will be very compelling giving its handling and maintance advantages. It will be back to the old days for me (just love the smell).
For as long as I'm riding and I hope thats a good long time....there will always be a 125 (or two?) in my fleet....light crank mass..fleet footed...glide over the chop like nothing...and easy to pull out of the muck 144..150..167.. still the spirit of the 125 is the same...just a bit more zizz....
125 over 250 for me.... I never rode 125's, but was always intrigued by them. Shoot, John Penton loved them and wanted Husky to build him one, but they said no at the time (1967). Now we have KTM's up the butt! I bought a new 2000 WR250, my first new dirt bike in years. I really wanted to try a WR125, but everyone told me it would be a mistake. I did love that WR250 though! I finally test rode a 2006 CR125 and liked it, I knew I could make it work in the woods. I also knew a WR125 would be better for me and where I ride. I never liked the ergos on the '06> 2 strokes, so I went with a used 2002 WR125. I kept the 2000 WR250, thinking there would be terrain where I'd like more power.... Wrong, the bike literally had cobwebs on it, as I didn't ride it. The WR125 was everything I needed and prefered. The WR250 was sold and I never missed it. I sold the 2002 WR125 to get the 2009 WR125 and now it's a WR144 and the bike of my dreams!
