125-200cc WR125: You Guys Weren't Kidding!

Woodschick,

If you follow Kelly's advice we may never hear from you again because you won't be willing to stop riding long enough to post. The lowered 144 will take you anywhere anyone else goes and faster.

Walt

If Husky comes out with another new model next year everyone is in trouble...because half the people on this forum will HAVE to buy it.

Then we will spend months tuning out the quirks.

Then we will spend months convincing others to buy the bike.

It is 2 months into 2010....are the 2011 bikes out yet?

Nothing better than this sport!

JS

Controlled obsolesence,...I believe is the word the marketing depts. use!

Back in the old days, before some of you were out of diapers, I rode, raced, and won on 125's. They are still my first love. Despite that, I haven't given them any consideration due to many factors, primarily that you can't get a license plate without going thru extreme measures here in NC.

Alas, my interest is piqued. I have questions about the WR125:

1) How 'ready' is it in stock form? i.e. do you have to replace a whole bunch of stuff to make it run well?

2) How many miles can you get on a stock tank?

3) Is a big tank available? Expense?

4) Is the 144 kit simply a cylinder and piston? Cost? Availability?

5) Any reliability issues?

6) Other than remaining with the Husky faithful, is there any reason not to go with an Orange 150? (I loathe those "K" things, I'll just call it orange.

Here ya go.......new 2009 WR125 for sale
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HUSQ...ewItemQQptZUS_motorcycles?hash=item45f10d3313

Even though I would prefer any brand of bike over a KTM I must admit I find the 150XC very tempting. I would be so excited if Husky was making this bike! Having the extra displacement and a clear 3 gallon tank makes it a nice package. There is one on ebay right now with free shipping.

There are many reports of the 144/150 failing though. I think the ignition was too hot on the early ones and detonation would hammer the ring land. I am not sure if the newer ones have the problem. I am also not sure if race gas would solve the problem. Either way I doubt the top end can go even half as long as a Husky 125. I think the top end is not nearly as cheap as the Husky either.

Except for the small tank the new WR125 seems like a very nice package for a lot less money then the KTM. Before long I have to decide if I want to get one, upgrade my 06 WR, or try something different.

I have 49.5 hours on our WR125 as verified by the hour meter put on at about 2 hours of ride time. It is still running strong. Not one issue. Change the oil, clean the filter (probably not as often as I should), and greased all the bearings once. I am going to pull the cylinder this weekend and check everything out. I will post pics of what I find.

JS

I've always been told the same thing, that one of these bikes will make you a better rider. It definitely seems from the fun factor, reliability, and progressiveness of rider skills, you just can't go wrong with one of these little guys!

After posting my questions about the 150 KTM, I did in fact look 'em up on KTMtalk. Ohh boy, you weren't kidding. I found several threads about "Why did my bike blow up?" etc., or variations of that theme. After a half-hour of research, what Orange leanings I might have had went right back into the "never" catagory. I'm at least 20 years too old for that kind of maintenance problems.

Like NWRider sez, it's such a tempting bike, at least on the surface. But I can't get over the parallels to Harley-Davidson.

Expensive to purchase.
Expensive parts.
High maintenance.
Questionable reliability.
Both corporations are infatuated with orange and black.

The only difference between the two is that the KTM actually handles.

My local dealer has one looks sweet he had a killer price on it and is a nice small dealer, I would buy but my size hinders me 6' 195 , check him out Butchs Powersports barnesville MN

I've made the decision...as soon as my bike sells im buying one. Gotta give it a go!