New 125 motor verses the "old" 07 and later motor...

[Motosportz]

I'm trying really hard (I lie) to not talk my self into a 09 125. I am freaking LOVING the 04 I have been flogging. Every time i let someone ride it they are freaked out how much they like it and it just adds fuel to the fire. Not only that but it is ridiculously fun to ride. To swing this i would have to part with my beloved TXC450 that is pimped to the moon. I'm really struggling with if I could live with a 125 as my only bike.

So...

those of you that have ridden both the older motor and the new 08 and newer motor is the new one really that much more motor? I have heard things like it is similar to the difference between a 250f and one with the 300 kit on it. Noticeably more power on the bottom and mid. Is this true?

god help me.

As much as I LOVE the 125 i am having such a heard time wrapping my head around it being the only dirtbike in my shop.

I'm so confused

 

[ScottyR]

Sorry, but the 08/09 actually has a bit LESS on the bottom than the older one. The new jug makes quite a lot more in the mid-top end though.

 

[Motosportz]

Sorry, but the 08/09 actually has a bit LESS on the bottom than the older one. The new jug makes quite a lot more in the mid-top end though.

Have you ridden one? Several people told me it made more bottom end after riding it.

 

[ScottyR]

I owned an 07 WR125 and an 08 CR125. I preferred the 08, but you had to keep it spinning a bit more than the 07.

When I was at the Husky Tech School last week, the guy from the Factory also said that they 09 WR125 makes slightly less low end power on the dyno, but lots more in the middle and top end.

 

[NWRider]

You can't really compare a WR and a CR though can you? When I rode Kellys bike I noticed that compared to my WR it didn't have much on the bottom but a really strong midrange. Even though my bike was running really lean that day it still pulled a lot better off the pipe. I kind of liked the CR hit though, at least when it was slick and easy to get it spooled up. If I was getting a 09 it would be a hard choice between the CR and WR.

 

[Motosportz]

If I was getting a 09 it would be a hard choice between the CR and WR.

Been doing some research, looks like the CR has the nice twin chamber forks and the Wr does not. Makes the CR look better for me as I like really good suspension.

Mark, I agree, yours had more bottom but i wonder if a flywheel weight would be the ticket on the 08-09 CR. Overall for me my CR is the better setup and i like the snappy / more power. Maybe even if the 08-09 motor does not have more bottom i would prefer it because on a 125 more power is more. Your bike will lug better but at that point your not really going very fast. I geared my CR down and learned to fan the clutch just right and feel really good on it.

 

[surfer1100]

By most accounts the WR 125 also gets the twin chamber forks, the other WR's don't though.

 

[HuskyDude]

but i wonder if a flywheel weight would be the ticket on the 08-09 CR.

I thought it wasn't a good Ides to go with a flywheel weight.

http://www.cafehusky.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1876

If the CR flywheel is lighter then the WR. Could you not just use a WR flywheel on a CR?

 

[Wetdog]

144 kit and some weights. woohoooo!!!

 

[ScottyR]

Bottom line is that the the new cylinder has been designed for more mid-top end power than the old cylinder. This is right from a factory rep.

The 09 WR125 has twin chamber forks, just like your TXC.

I always ran a 52T rear on my 125s and had no problems with the bottom end on either.

 

[Motosportz]

Bottom line is that the the new cylinder has been designed for more mid-top end power than the old cylinder. This is right from a factory rep.

The 09 WR125 has twin chamber forks, just like your TXC.

I always ran a 52T rear on my 125s and had no problems with the bottom end on either.

Thanks for the info on the WR125 and the forks. The web site shows the non twin chamber forks on the WR but the twin chambers on the CR. I thought I had read Norms WR has the T/C forks. Guess the web site is wrong again.

I run a 12/52 on my 04 and it is a good setup, seems to scratch it's way up everything.

thanks guys.

 

[Norman Foley]

Here's my 2 pence......

My '09 WR125 is not broken in yet, but seems to have more bottom end than my '02 WR125 (which has a fairly new top end) which has been my primary bike for the last three years. Riding it around at slow speeds breaking the engine in, I can trials ride over and around things on my friend's little endurocross track. I can practically come to a complete stop and open the throtttle and pull away without clutching. Granted I have an auto clutch, but my '02 might need a little fan of the clutch in the same situation. The '02 had Dynoport pipe and Power Now. I did install the Power Now in the '09. I'll report more when it's broken in fully. This is just seat of the pants, I'm not a factory engineer.

CR's and WR's are slightly different animals. They have completely different ignition systems for different jobs. The flywheels are not interchangable from CR to WR. Fast guys who spend more time in mid-top prefer a CR, more average guys like the WR. The combination of flywheel weight, heavier 18" tire and milder ignition make it more tractable in the tougher stuff. I think a simple way to give a CR more flywheel is to put a JT steel sprocket on the rear.

Huskydude.... in the post on flywheel weights, I was speaking about too much weight on the 1990 enduro model. Adding a flywheel weight to an MX model is a good thing, adding more to an enduro model can kill a 125.

Kelly.... I think you should give an '09 WR125 a go. The price with the rebate and maybe something more from the dealer is very low. Every year the 125 motor just gets better. If you want more go for a 144 kit. In real world technical riding I think the WR gets the nod and fills in the CR gaps. If you're really a guy who can keep a 125 pinned and adjust the speed with the clutch, go for a CR.

 

[Motosportz]

Here's my 2 pence......

My '09 WR125 is not broken in yet, but seems to have more bottom end than my '02 WR125 (which has a fairly new top end) which has been my primary bike for the last three years. Riding it around at slow speeds breaking the engine in, I can trials ride over and around things on my friend's little endurocross track. I can practically come to a complete stop and open the throtttle and pull away without clutching. Granted I have an auto clutch, but my '02 might need a little fan of the clutch in the same situation. The '02 had Dynoport pipe and Power Now. I did install the Power Now in the '09. I'll report more when it's broken in fully. This is just seat of the pants, I'm not a factory engineer.

CR's and WR's are slightly different animals. They have completely different ignition systems for different jobs. The flywheels are not interchangable from CR to WR. Fast guys who spend more time in mid-top prefer a CR, more average guys like the WR. The combination of flywheel weight, heavier 18" tire and milder ignition make it more tractable in the tougher stuff. I think a simple way to give a CR more flywheel is to put a JT steel sprocket on the rear.

Huskydude.... in the post on flywheel weights, I was speaking about too much weight on the 1990 enduro model. Adding a flywheel weight to an MX model is a good thing, adding more to an enduro model can kill a 125.

Kelly.... I think you should give an '09 WR125 a go. The price with the rebate and maybe something more from the dealer is very low. Every year the 125 motor just gets better. If you want more go for a 144 kit. In real world technical riding I think the WR gets the nod and fills in the CR gaps. If you're really a guy who can keep a 125 pinned and adjust the speed with the clutch, go for a CR.

Thanks man! Your wr has the T/C forks right? The husky web site shows the non T/C forks and this does make a difference to me. I'm leaning towards the CR anyway as I like the pin it and fan the clutch ride style over the WR125 I rode.

 

[ScottyR]

Only the US WR125s come with the TCs for some reason? The Euro ones have open chamber forks.

 

[ajaxauto]

Side by side my 2006 CR 125 against the 2008 CR 125 are about the same in the motor dept.My 06 CR 125 does seam to have a little more down low but not enought to notice
After racing the Hare Scramble at Ryno land last weeken i think i would would have liked a 13/52 set up better then my stock set up We never got into 4 gear all day most of the time first and second.A simple gear change lower would help ,even in the open desert races i do not get into 6 th that much and when we do it does not pull it for far before i have to go back to 5 th

 

[somdale]

Hey Kelly listen to Norm ( and Dawg). 144, Recluse and all sorts of"quality" aftermarket parts should be real cool.

Don't be concerned if it will be your "only" bike......we all know how long that will last right guys?

I didn't get a chance to ride Norm's 125 or Joe's new one at the 1st gathering but that will change this year.

Dale

 

[Norman Foley]

Thanks man! Your wr has the T/C forks right? The husky web site shows the non T/C forks and this does make a difference to me. I'm leaning towards the CR anyway as I like the pin it and fan the clutch ride style over the WR125 I rode.

Twin chamber 50's on my '09 WR125.

 

[Troy F Collins]

My 06 CR125 has a great low end power spread.....and also a good hit further up....I wouldnt change a thing ....I like it


I havent had my 09 WR125 fully wound out yet to tell the difference...but I can echo what Norm speaks of in that...the throttle is very direct and precise at lower speeds...like a fine rheostat...I am not sure if the engine state of tune is responsible for this or the increased flywheel effect(wr)....it could be the new version Mikuni is working well.....

the twin chamber forks are a blessing.....and a pleasant surprise

if its got more zizz up top like scotty says.....that will be cool:jawdrop:

for me the 125 is the best all rounder.....somehow I feel better knowing that there's no titanium valves...cams..chains etc.... lots to screw up if you get it in the muck and tight stuff and overheat it etc.....if you stall the 125 it always starts first kick

 

[Norman Foley]

My 06 CR125 has a great low end power spread.....and also a good hit further up....I wouldnt change a thing ....I like it


I havent had my 09 WR125 fully wound out yet to tell the difference...but I can echo what Norm speaks of in that...the throttle is very direct and precise at lower speeds...like a fine rheostat...I am not sure if the engine state of tune is responsible for this or the increased flywheel effect(wr)....it could be the new version Mikuni is working well.....

the twin chamber forks are a blessing.....and a pleasant surprise

if its got more zizz up top like scotty says.....that will be cool:jawdrop:

for me the 125 is the best all rounder.....somehow I feel better knowing that there's no titanium valves...cams..chains etc.... lots to screw up if you get it in the muck and tight stuff and overheat it etc.....if you stall the 125 it always starts first kick

WR125 engine has less parts than the carb on a 4 stroke!

 

[Motosportz]

You guys don't have to sell me, I'm loving my 04 so much lately I salivating for a 09 and have asked Taskys to reserve me one. Yesterday I rode a 08 TE510 and a really nicely setup 07 WR250 (LTR suspension, rekluse, motosportz damper, etc.) and I hands down liked the 125 the most. Tighter single track and 1-4 quad width stuff. I was railing on it, and having so much fun. The WR250 owner commented how fun it was and stated he could for sure live with it and always hated 125's before this. The fun factor is ridiculous. Feels half the size of other bikes and makes the trail feel twice as wide.

If you see this, get out of my way, coming through