Scootskipper
Husqvarna
AA Class
I had been asked in another thread for a ride report so here it is. I rode the bike for the second time ever in a hare scramble today. I should start by pointing out that I am a novice off road rider and that this is my second ever hare scramble. My impressions of the new Husky are mostly very good,
but I have some sorting to do. The course was very technical. Several riders who have been running this series for a while (VXCS) said that this course was one of the toughest that they run. Lots of roots, ruts and rocks. Also a number of "oh my God" hills. I was slow, but that is me. I'm a middle aged beginner. That's my excuse for now.
My suspension feels very stiff. How much is the fact that it is a new bike with only three hours or so on it, and how much should be adjusted out, I can't say.
I rode mostly standing, trying to stay as loose as I could and using my legs for secondary suspension, but my wheels were bouncing like basketballs off the roots!
It was pretty disconcerting at times. It was getting me out of shape at moments and on the steep hills I was afraid to carry the kind of momentum that I needed. However, I found that by keeping the revs up slipping the clutch that I had all the power that I needed and then some. I really love how light the bike is and how flickable it is.
The course opened out in to fields in a couple of sections and I found that I seemed to have as much acceleration as any of the other bikes and I was the only 125 as far as I know. Since I am new to two strokes I don't have any basis for comparison. It seems to me that the engine pulls very strongly at higher rpms, but hits a point where it falls off abruptly. Maybe this is normal. It isn't a problem, just grab another gear. I don't think that I hit the rev limiter but perhaps I did without realizing it. I like the power. It is plenty without being overwhelming. I spent a lot time threading my way along off the pipe and I like the way that it felt. Gentle power, but just slip the clutch a little and there was all the squirt I could use. I will absolutely have to have a larger fuel tank if I am to complete a two hour race without refueling. I suppose that this has been more riding impressions than a ride report but I would appreciate feedback from those who are still with me.




