1. 2 Stroke Husqvarna Motorcycles Made In Italy - About 1989 to 2014
    WR = 2st Enduro & CR = 2st Cross

125-200cc CR/WR 125 Getting Acquainted

Discussion in '2 Stroke' started by Hendricus, Jan 3, 2017.

  1. Hendricus Husqvarna
    A Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    none
    I'm considering a 2006 CR125 or a 2013 WR125. Both of these available now. That's why I've stated it this way.

    (1) In terms of pull off the bottom end (such as when slow climbing a rugged hill), how does a Husky 125 compare to a YZ125? For all intensive purposes, is a 125 2-stroke a 125 2-stroke? Or is there something slightly more enduro-esque about the Husky? (I'm hoping....)

    (2) In general, are parts still available for the CR/WR 125's in this year range?

    (3) I know I'm in a Husky forum, but I'm curious if anybody has experience with both Honda CR125's, Yamaha YZ125's, and Husky CR/WR 125's? If you were 5' 6'' 110 lb intermediate enduro rider, what bike/brand would you build/ride? This rider has outgrown Yamaha TTR-125, and is about to move away from Honda CR85 (good suspension, but horrible hill climber under 25 mph).
  2. shawbagga Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Eaton, Western Australia
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    None
    Other Motorcycles:
    2018 Gasgas XC250
    Little husky 125 motor lugs surprisingly well for a 125. Think the wr has heavier flywheel n ignition than the cr so better for offroad. Plus the wr u mention has the newer frame(smaller)/hubs/swingarm/linkage/forks etc.

    The only yz125 I've ridden was a brand new 2015 n it was good fun on a moto track but like a light switch-nothing.....then hold on. Could adapt to offroad with exhaust/gearing/carb/engine mods

    Parts still available sum may take a few weeks to get in but on the whole readily available. Plus can 144 or 165 or 177 the husky
  3. Zomby woof Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Ontario, Canada
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2011 CR 150
    My experiences with a late model YZ125 was that it made superior low end power to the stock Husky. They're fairly well known for having good bottom end. If it's a choice between the late model YZ (06+) or one of those Husky's, the YZ will be the easier bike to live with, based mostly on support and parts availability. My choice would be the Husky every time - I think it's a better bike, but they all make good woods bikes.
    Hendricus and lankydoug like this.
  4. shawbagga Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Eaton, Western Australia
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    None
    Other Motorcycles:
    2018 Gasgas XC250
    Yeah I should have stated I was riding that yz125 back to back with my 165 so that may hav sumthn to do with it! ;)
    wallybean and Hendricus like this.
  5. Chef Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Ontario, Canada
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    08 Cr165, 09 Wr165
    Other Motorcycles:
    01 Husaberg FE650, 07 BMW 650 Dakar
    I have an 08 cr125... now a 165 and a 09 wr125...now a 165. These are both woods bikes for me, here are my impressions. The cr125 is a great bike, suspension is ok. The bike comes on the pipe hard and fast and it really takes off when you are on it. It is harder to control in slippery gnarly conditions but, when you have all kinds of grip, it is my choice of the two.

    The wr seems to have more bottom but it has a heavier stock flywheel than the cr. it doesn't come on the pipe near as hard and has far more Controllable power. The suspension on the 09 is better for the woods.

    I think the 13 would have the kyb suspension which would be far superior to the 45mm zokes so for me,I would take the wr As an all rounder.

    The small huskies have a good following and most parts are available but you might have to wait to get parts or order from a larger dealer online.

    I've never riden a yz so I can't comment but I rarely see them at offroad races.
    wallybean and Hendricus like this.
  6. Dirtdame Administrator

    Location:
    Rock Springs Wy
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    11 WR300,13 WR125,18 FE501
    Other Motorcycles:
    17 Beta Xtrainer
    The 2013 WR 125 is the bike I have. It is the most forgiving, broad powered 125 I have ever ridden. I installed a 53 tooth rear sprocket on the back in place of the stock 50, and now the little bike can crawl up some pretty nasty stuff. It feels like it has a pretty long and useful, albeit unimpressive powerband.....until you get almost to the top of the RPM range, and then the usual 125 rush kicks in, and away the bike goes! Best small bike for singletrack, feels more like a slightly underpowered 200 than the usual breathless 125. In fact, I replaced a KDX 220 with it....leaps and bounds better!
    wallybean, Hendricus and lankydoug like this.
  7. Hendricus Husqvarna
    A Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    none
    Great input! Thank you! I think I'm onto something good. My daughter is growing into a pretty capable rider, and her interest level remains high. Who knows she might end up a lifer like her pops - and all of you too. I'm committed to getting her on the right weapon, just like I would for myself. I tell all the young riders that it becomes even more fun as your skills increase. This has been my experience anyway.
  8. Hendricus Husqvarna
    A Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    none
    So what will throw me over the top would be to hear from someone with both Honda CR85 experience, compared to Husky 125 experience (or other 85's or other 125's), used for enduro riding. I'd love to hear that there is a definite difference between between the 85's and 125's. Although, I think I can infer this already.

    I would call our riding "desert enduro." My daughter is not quite ready for the Piutes or the southern Sequoia's, but maybe someday. The desert is not all fast whoops, although there is plenty off that. We find rocky climbs where only a pro can go fast. The Honda CR85 just cannot do this stuff - no way no how!
    lankydoug likes this.
  9. Hendricus Husqvarna
    A Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    none
    Dirtdame, how tall are you? Do you have a lowered seat on your WR? And/or a lowered suspension?
  10. lankydoug Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    MO
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    WR
    Other Motorcycles:
    TM 300en
    I have a YZ125 that's set up for the woods and the only changes to the engine are a FMF Fatty pipe and V-Force 3 reeds. I'm 6'6" tall and 210 lbs and even though it's not the ideal bike for my build it is the most fun to ride. I haven't liked the 144s that I've ridden, they do have more in the mid-range but don't over-rev like the 125. I've got to sell my YZ but I'm pretty sure I'll own another 125 in the next few years. There are a bunch of threads here on the Cafe that address the Husky jetting and improving the mid-range power on the WR and CR 125. I believe a Suzuki needle is the trick ticket to remove the low bog followed by the hard hit. Twice before I almost pulled the trigger on a Husky 125 when BMW and KTM were clearing them out... probably the best bang for the buck ever on a new bike. You really can't go wrong with the WR, CR or YZ.
    wallybean and Hendricus like this.
  11. Dirtdame Administrator

    Location:
    Rock Springs Wy
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    11 WR300,13 WR125,18 FE501
    Other Motorcycles:
    17 Beta Xtrainer
    I had a CR85 Big Wheel. I bought it for a hoot and thought it might be fun to ride on trails. It is NOT a trail bike, unless you want to ride some pretty untechnical trails with it. I put a flywheel weight and an SST pipe on mine, and that smoothed out the powerband on it, but it still had absolutely nothing for getting over obstacles or up steep sudden inclines. Also, I am 5 ft 5 in. tall and the bike made my knees bend too far for much sitting to standing transitioning. The bike weighed 145 pounds and had a very short wheelbase, so I felt like I didn't want to move around on it very much, especially over jumps where I almost managed to loop it a couple of times. Technical trails found me burning up the little clutch. It is a track bike, and it's one for a skilled mini racer that weighs less 140 pounds. I hated the bike. It sat in my livingroom for several years, then I sold it to a lady who wanted to do a little bit of racing and some easy trail riding.
    wallybean and Hendricus like this.
  12. lankydoug Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    MO
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    WR
    Other Motorcycles:
    TM 300en
    The guy I bought my YZ125 from was a 5'6" "A" rider, he won an Oklahoma hare scramble series on the YZ against all other bikes in the open A class.
    wallybean and Hendricus like this.
  13. Hendricus Husqvarna
    A Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    none
    Dirtdame, I love your input. Thanks so much! How about the lowered seat and suspension? Have you done these mods to your WR125?
  14. Hendricus Husqvarna
    A Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    none
    Here she is on CR85. Looking at this pic, and considering the WR125 frame size, I think my daughter is plenty large enough for a 125. What do you think?
    CR85_01.JPG
  15. Dirtdame Administrator

    Location:
    Rock Springs Wy
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    11 WR300,13 WR125,18 FE501
    Other Motorcycles:
    17 Beta Xtrainer
    I don't lower any of my machines. I tried it once on a KDX220, but didn't like the results all that well, especially the part where I lost ground clearance.
    Probably so. I don't look very tall when standing next to mine, but it is the proper size for me to be comfortable while riding, and for that matter, so is my 300.
    [IMG]
    wallybean likes this.
  16. Hendricus Husqvarna
    A Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    none
    Nice pic Dirt Diva! I see the GoPro. So... how about a YouTube link of you get'n technical? :)
  17. Zomby woof Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Ontario, Canada
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2011 CR 150
    I'm (barely) 5'6"/145. My CR has a cut down seat, but the suspension is not lowered. It's a tall bike, but it's fine for my height. There are easy ways to make more/better power. That motor has a lot of potential and is very stout.
    wallybean and Hendricus like this.
  18. Dirtdame Administrator

    Location:
    Rock Springs Wy
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    11 WR300,13 WR125,18 FE501
    Other Motorcycles:
    17 Beta Xtrainer
    Hendricus likes this.
  19. Dirtdame Administrator

    Location:
    Rock Springs Wy
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    11 WR300,13 WR125,18 FE501
    Other Motorcycles:
    17 Beta Xtrainer
    Hendricus likes this.
  20. ripnriding Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Location:
    Kingston, Ontario Canada
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    2017 TX 300 and 2010 CR 144
    Other Motorcycles:
    2007 husqvarna TE 450(sold)
    I'm 5'6" with a 28" inseam. Have a 2010 CR 144 and a 2017 TX300(just got it). The seat height on the TX seems lower....anyways...yeah, I had a rekluse on my prior TE 450 which helped me out a lot in some technical riding but I think us shorties become better riders because we CAN'T dab that foot on a technical hill climb or through a super deep mud/water hole which just makes us COMMIT ;) The 144 is a SUPER forgiving bike to ride...anticipate your daughter will love the 125 platform.