Norman Foley
Husqvarna
Pro Class
Clay has loaned me a 125 Six Days to evaluate. I will be writing a couple of articles on it for Trail Rider Magazine. I'm a long time small bore enduro rider, riding the Masters class. I've ridden mostly Italian built Huskys... 125, 144 and 165. The last few years have been on Austrian Huskys 125 and 150 bore and stroke conversion, and a KTM 200. My present bike is an '18 Husky TE150 electric start. I try to beg a ride on any woods 125/144, I come across at a ride or enduro. I ride trials on an '18 Scorpa 125 Factory.
When I took the bike out of the crate, the first thing I noticed is how striking the Six Days graphics are, and second was that... This will be easy get out of the crate, as they are shipped front wheel on! While it was still on the skid, I mounted the handlebars. I noticed the bar clamp bolts had a small amount of copper anti-seize on them. This kind of attention to detail in the assembly, would just continue to be apparent as I put it together. Next was putting the battery in after adding the acid and bringing it up to charge. The Dzus fastener on the rear of the seat, makes for easy air box access. I also removed the side number plates, as I wanted a good look at everything the first time. Once again the bolts had some copper anti-seize on them. Nice that the battery is at the bottom of the airbox, to keep the weight low on the bike. You have to pull the air filter to install the battery. It has a nice knurled aluminum knob on the retainer bolt and a "D" shape filter for simple alignment. I adjusted the steering stops all the way in and still had no contact with the radiators.
All together and checked over, so I put fuel in, rolled it outside, turned on the petcock, pulled the choke and she fired right up. I did two heat cycles, adjusted the idle and did a short ride around the yard. Once warmed up, bike ran well. It's 35-45F here and Clay said the bikes come a little fat, so about perfect until warmer temps arrive.
Next day I had other commitments, but at the end day I got out on friend's grass track for about an hour. It was very wet, as we are having an early thaw and 6" of wet snow had just melted.... Sort of sloppy!
The bike is just awesome.... Very good power for a 125 and in the slop, you can feel the difference with the map switch. Even with the Michelin FIM tires, it just hooks up and stays planted. It is so stable and turns really well. Super confidence inspiring! I'm 5'6" so the bike is a little tall stock for me. I always have Drew Smith at WER lower my bikes 1.5". Stock handle bar is a little wide for me too, but it's not about getting through tight stuff. I run 30" wide, even on my trials bike, as wider bars put a lot of pressure on my thumbs. Nothing odd or quirky in the handling or ergonomics to get used to, just ride and smile!
I'm going to be taking it into the woods next, into some tight and steep, to evaluate how this 125's power compares to my 150. They all feel good when it's open and flows, but my gut reaction so far is that it will be very good. I've had two Scorpa 125 trials bikes, which have a Sherco trials engine. Sherco knows how to build a really good 125.
Thanks again to Clay, for the chance to do this.
When I took the bike out of the crate, the first thing I noticed is how striking the Six Days graphics are, and second was that... This will be easy get out of the crate, as they are shipped front wheel on! While it was still on the skid, I mounted the handlebars. I noticed the bar clamp bolts had a small amount of copper anti-seize on them. This kind of attention to detail in the assembly, would just continue to be apparent as I put it together. Next was putting the battery in after adding the acid and bringing it up to charge. The Dzus fastener on the rear of the seat, makes for easy air box access. I also removed the side number plates, as I wanted a good look at everything the first time. Once again the bolts had some copper anti-seize on them. Nice that the battery is at the bottom of the airbox, to keep the weight low on the bike. You have to pull the air filter to install the battery. It has a nice knurled aluminum knob on the retainer bolt and a "D" shape filter for simple alignment. I adjusted the steering stops all the way in and still had no contact with the radiators.
All together and checked over, so I put fuel in, rolled it outside, turned on the petcock, pulled the choke and she fired right up. I did two heat cycles, adjusted the idle and did a short ride around the yard. Once warmed up, bike ran well. It's 35-45F here and Clay said the bikes come a little fat, so about perfect until warmer temps arrive.
Next day I had other commitments, but at the end day I got out on friend's grass track for about an hour. It was very wet, as we are having an early thaw and 6" of wet snow had just melted.... Sort of sloppy!
The bike is just awesome.... Very good power for a 125 and in the slop, you can feel the difference with the map switch. Even with the Michelin FIM tires, it just hooks up and stays planted. It is so stable and turns really well. Super confidence inspiring! I'm 5'6" so the bike is a little tall stock for me. I always have Drew Smith at WER lower my bikes 1.5". Stock handle bar is a little wide for me too, but it's not about getting through tight stuff. I run 30" wide, even on my trials bike, as wider bars put a lot of pressure on my thumbs. Nothing odd or quirky in the handling or ergonomics to get used to, just ride and smile!
I'm going to be taking it into the woods next, into some tight and steep, to evaluate how this 125's power compares to my 150. They all feel good when it's open and flows, but my gut reaction so far is that it will be very good. I've had two Scorpa 125 trials bikes, which have a Sherco trials engine. Sherco knows how to build a really good 125.
Thanks again to Clay, for the chance to do this.
