You know you have to do a ride report now beaner.
Yes he does
Well, it's an abbreviated one because the rain is keeping me off the bike, but from my first ride, I have some good first impressions.
I've been riding the same track for the last 6 years on the 04 RM 125, and KDX 220, so it's easy to do a direct comparison. I've put thousands of laps on this track, so I know exactly what to expect, and when and where to expect it.
This is where I ride, if you care.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=pTXmwmg_31A&list=ULpTXmwmg_31AFirst of all, this is a high end bike. You know they look nice, but until you have a real good look, you don't realize just how nice and well put together they are. This one has had the suspension revalved for woods, and .40 springs put in the front. They are notorious for soft rear suspension, and I was thrilled when I heard that because I like my bikes soft. Really soft.
The bike is tall, but with a cut down seat, I don't have any problems with it. I'm 5'7 150 lbs. The clutch is super easy. When I first looked at it, I was looking for the master cylinder, but it's not hydraulic. Makes for some easy clutching if you get lazy or find yourself in the wrong gear.
This thing is fast. Bottom end power is not very good, but probably what should be expected from a 125. I kind of expected more, being a 150, but maybe it was me, and I'll find more next time out. On top this thing motors. It's so smooth through the powerband, though, that it's deceiving. I found that it handled so well, I didn't always realize just how fast I was going until it was almost too late. That's when I realized that the brakes are incredible. The second time I noticed that was when I landed a jump, and accidentally got on the back brake real hard. I almost went over the bars. I have since adjusted the brake lever down by about 20 mm.
After only a few laps I found that I was going through whole sections faster than I ever had. Much faster. At the back of the track there's a long sweeping right hand turn (they're running it backwards in the video) on the side of a hill. You go up hard at speed, then try to turn, then start to come down. There are natural rolling whoops that make it very difficult to maintain speed and corner at the same time. I've been fighting it for 6 years. I went through it on this bike faster, and easier than I ever have, by a lot. It was almost completely effortless. In another section, where I normally have to get down on the bike, put my foot out and get off the gas for stability, I was going through standing and on the throttle. The guy who lays out the track is very good at putting in an obstacle, then making it difficult to do. There's a small table (look for number 3) when you run the other way, it's hard to get enough speed up to clear. I've never been able to do it on the RM, and spent many laps trying. I cleared it on lap 3 with the Husky. It's not only faster, but handles so well, that I can stay on the gas where I had to back off before.
I would summarize that,
The power is very smooth and it's deceivingly fast because of it.
The handling is incredible.
The seat is hard, and I'll have to make a few adjustments in my riding style. After the last ride, I thought it was a good thing I've already had my kids
This bike is beautiful. Even more so up close.
The clutch is super easy and the brakes are the best I've ever seen.
It makes the KDX feel like an old tractor, and not in a good way.
I don't think I could be happier with it. I think if you're looking for a new bike, you owe it to yourself to have a look at a Husky. I've been looking at them since 08. If I knew it would be like this, I would have jumped a long time ago.
One question, I think it needs a pipe. I can get a good used Scalvini for $250, or an FMF Fatty for $225 new. I don't have experience with either, so if anybody does, give me some guidance.
This is an good review. I agree with him on just about everything
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTYZ4VcRpBUHope that's not too long winded.