First real ride report
The bike is all broken in, so went for a real ride today......
Nice, sunny day, about 40F and about 1200' elevation. Conditions were pretty good for this time of year, but I avoided the worst muddy areas. I rode first on our little "MX" section, no real jumps, but some bermed turns and lots of acceleration and braking bumps. It's on a slight side hill, so everything is uphill, downhill or off camber. Then it was on to some of my tighter off camber woods trails. Finally a tapped out run down the farm road back to the truck.
The bike has a Power Now installed on airbox side of carb and has been gear down to 13/52 with stock chain and switch from MX chain guide to enduro one. Jetting is reccomended factory Power Up spec.
I still have stock FIM Michelin tires. It does have an EFM autoclutch.
The power is great.... Good low end and a good jump to mid and an eye tearing top end that reminds me more of the last CR125 I rode than my '02 WR125. I don't think I'll need a 144 kit for this bike. I have some really big hills to try before I make a final decision, but so far it's pretty impressive. I know a few more hours on the engine will make it even better power wise.
Handling is excellent..... Even with the Eco tires and riding in still fairly slick conditions the bike sticks to the ground. I even got too aggresive with the throttle on a flat turn and did a 270 degree loop out, but didn't lose the front end! I was ready to be flat on the ground. Since I blew my knee 3 years ago, I'll go down before I stick a leg out to save it. I just kept my feet on the pegs and rode it out. The bike is a little tall, but I think I'm going to try to keep it stock height, as it will settle a bit. It is a little lower and thinner than '06-08 125's. It will take a little bit of adapting for the tight off camber trails, but think it will be worth it not to lose travel. I put OFG rad guards on, so had to run the steering stops out a little, but bike still turns well in the tight stuff.
Suspension is stiff...... I know it will break in, but I think I'll re-valve. Harvey Smith of Bottone's/A.C.E. Suspension, just did his first '09 WR125 and said valving is pure CR125. In the softer conditions I'm riding right now it tracks pretty straight but feels stiff. Rebound is stock and compression is all the way out, as Harvey said this is the best way to break it in. My first enduro is down in South Jersey sand, so suspension will work well there. Forks a presently flush and I'll leave them for sand run, but will try running them on first line at home after that.
I'm really happy with the bike so far. When I rode the pre-production '08 TXC250 at the '07 North East Husky Gathering (Thanks again to Rob Keith!), my first thought was.... A 125 2t in this frame would be the cat's @$$. Husky did it and it is! There is no I wish I bought a TE310 from this guy! I am one happy guy!
