MXA: HUSQVARNA FOCUSES ON THE TWO-STROKE

Edited Date/Time 12/23/2012 2:02pm


"I just got word that Husqvarna is going to have ten identically prepped Husqvarna CR125 two-strokes at the World Two-Stroke Championship at Glen Helen in April. Husky is sponsoring a 125 Pro class to complement the current unlimited Pro class of the race. Plus, with their ten CR125s, they want to allow pro level riders from the media, current Husky team riders, or other pro riders to race the bikes. This is their way of showing how much fun can be found on a 125. The 125 Pro race is open to all brands of bikes and any rider who wants to race, but Husky hopes that its effort to field a ten-man team will encourage more participation.
In the words of Husqvarna’s National Marketing Manager, Corey Eastman, “Our goal is simply to showcase the fun and value that racing a 125 offers. As you know, the expense of our sport is killing it. Riders going from 85cc to a 250F face a huge challenge from a riding and monetary stand point and we thought putting some very capable riders on a few of these machines would be a great way of showing the value and performance 125s offer.”
I applaud Husqvarna for taking a step towards adding new life to the two-stroke. Remember, Husqvarna, along with KTM, Yamaha and TM, are the only major motorcycle manufacturers to still sell two-stroke motocross bikes in the U.S. "
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WORCSRacer
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12/18/2012 10:02pm
Thats outstanding!! Good for Husqvarna. I applaud their efforts to bring back the gateway drug to MX, the 125!!
wow123
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12/19/2012 4:43am
I've raced every class possible and still without doubt 125 2st is the most fun, you can slam into people and you both stay up!

Good stuff and yes agree with WORCSdude

450s are for pros and lazy vets

250f are for the wealthy

125s 2st are for everybody.
ga_pike
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12/19/2012 4:47am
This is cool. Sure would be nice if this day goes over extremely well and the rest of the industry stands up and takes notice.

The Shop

EastFlorida
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12/19/2012 5:24am
ga_pike wrote:
This is cool. Sure would be nice if this day goes over extremely well and the rest of the industry stands up and takes notice.
+1,000,000,000
newmann
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12/19/2012 6:22am
It's nice to see at least a small portion of the motocross industry regain their senses. KTM brought back the 125, TM has made an effort to reestablish a better distributor, Yamaha continues to trickle out and sell a bike that is 8 years old and Husqvarna sells their drop dead gorgeous redhead and throws in a free 144cc top end kit with it. Looks to me like we have ourselves "The Big 4" of the 125cc class. Now, how about that national championship?

Seeing the beginnings of the 125 comeback, FMF's brilliant 2 stroke marketing campaign, UFO Plastics update kits and Scalvini cone pipes with carbon silencers.....well it just warms the heart.Wink

Twelve years ago Mitch Payton said that the 250F being allowed to compete in the 125 class was an unfortunate thing and that it would leave a huge hole in the sport. Too bad nobody in power listened. Just let 30 plus years of 125 history rot on the vine. Some people ought to be ashamed.
user760a
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12/19/2012 7:20am Edited Date/Time 12/19/2012 7:20am
I rode a 12 model CR125 with the 144 kit the other day, otherwise all stock. It was kind of amazing how much more powerful the bike is with that small bump in displacement. Granted, I have not ridden the bike at 125cc but it was obvious from the moment I took off that the 144 would walk all over any 125
user760a
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12/19/2012 7:23am
and another thing. have we all looked at the Husky contingency here lately? if you actually race a dirtbike, be sure to go and have a peek at the contingency they are offering. It is amazing the starting lines at every off road race are not a sea of husky's. If the current contingency levels hold, they WILL b e a sea of husky's very soon. Not sure how good the moto contingency is but I think it is comparable
nytsmaC
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12/19/2012 8:17am
In before BIG. Can't wait to hear how riding a Husky would be certain suicide.
luckyguy19
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12/19/2012 8:54am Edited Date/Time 12/19/2012 8:55am
I rode a CR144 on Sunday, that thing had power. I had no problem pulling past a 250f in a sand wash. I can't wait to send my 125 to Eric Gorr to get the 144 treatment.

I've spent more time on my 07 YZ125 than my 10 YZ450 in the last three months. Dirt bike riding is all about fun, and 2 strokes are the definition of fun.
I wish every track would bring back a 2 stroke class.
newmann
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12/19/2012 9:21am
2 STROKES ARE DEAD!

2STROKES ARE DEAD!

2STROKES ARE DEAD!

THEY'RE NEVER COMING BACK!

THEY'RE NEVER COMING BACK!

THEY'RE NEVER COMING BACK!

signed,
The Vital Faithful.....

LMAO!

LMAO!

LMAO!
minidad
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12/19/2012 10:20am
I got to tell you guys I went and bought a used 125 and it has brought back all the fun of riding and racing again. I have been riding 4 strokes for the last 6 years and was thinking of giving up riding because it was no longer fun for me.
LONG LIVE THE 2 SMOKE!!!!
Lightning78
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12/19/2012 10:38am
minidad wrote:
I got to tell you guys I went and bought a used 125 and it has brought back all the fun of riding and racing again...
I got to tell you guys I went and bought a used 125 and it has brought back all the fun of riding and racing again. I have been riding 4 strokes for the last 6 years and was thinking of giving up riding because it was no longer fun for me.
LONG LIVE THE 2 SMOKE!!!!
See ..... And this is what's its about to me summed up perfectly. Once I got on an rm250 after 6 years myself I was having fun like a kid again. That's what these pro 4 strokers don't get, if you rode back in the golden age of the 2 strokes then you'll understand what some of us are saying as to why we switched back.......they are simply more fun to ride, maybe not for all but it seems there are a lot of us
125
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12/19/2012 10:45am
newmann wrote:
2 STROKES ARE DEAD! 2STROKES ARE DEAD! 2STROKES ARE DEAD! THEY'RE NEVER COMING BACK! THEY'RE NEVER COMING BACK! THEY'RE NEVER COMING BACK! signed, The Vital Faithful...
2 STROKES ARE DEAD!

2STROKES ARE DEAD!

2STROKES ARE DEAD!

THEY'RE NEVER COMING BACK!

THEY'RE NEVER COMING BACK!

THEY'RE NEVER COMING BACK!

signed,
The Vital Faithful.....

LMAO!

LMAO!

LMAO!
Don't go full-retard baby, i'm right here.

We got this.

You have to remember, Vitalites forget they do not race professionally (or at all) and liken everything bike-related to professional racing.
tns
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12/19/2012 10:53am
i reckon if the original big 4 started producing their spares again the ressurgence of old 2stroke racing in the uk would give them more profit than the new bikes, we have loads of championships springing up for evo bikes upto 1989 in all capacities and even a dedicated pre83 125 championship http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcupgi0Jvxc
headache
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12/19/2012 12:16pm
That Husky CR125 is an awesome looking bike. If i was gonna buy a bike new thats what i'd buy!
loftyair
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12/19/2012 12:51pm
I have an '06 yz125 now 144cc. My son has a '11 ktm 150sx. THe ktm laughs at the yz, even though the ktm is stock, and the yz144 is heavily modded, even requiring race gas.
DrSweden
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12/19/2012 1:14pm
Smart choice from our previous glory company in Sweden. It's pure speculation on my behalf, but I figure these four strokes are not only complex for pro-racers and weekend warriors to maintain and keep competitive, considering Husqvarnas 250F has been close to junk from day one, it's easier for them like other small companies to focus on less complex solutions where there's also a huge void/demand. If they keep focusing where they might have find the upper hand, they could clinch a pretty big chunk of a growing market (it seems smokers are coming back for in the pits, and within our hearts while means shit for Dungey and Cairoli, which I don't give a shit about anyway as in guidance in bike buy).

Sometimes better doesn't necessarily means faster. I feel tempted to post a meanwhile in Japan pic, but we all get the message.

I willing to bet the big four are going to step up when they see the cash flow change direction. Smile
Roostarvo
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12/19/2012 1:21pm
wow123 you hit it right on the head
DrSweden
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12/19/2012 1:30pm
WORCSRacer wrote:
Thats outstanding!! Good for Husqvarna. I applaud their efforts to bring back the gateway drug to MX, the 125!!
I just want to point out, they are all here to make money, from KTM to Honda, I figure Husky smell blood here and it happens to appeal our wishes.

Just saying...
WORCSRacer
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12/19/2012 1:52pm
WORCSRacer wrote:
Thats outstanding!! Good for Husqvarna. I applaud their efforts to bring back the gateway drug to MX, the 125!!
DrSweden wrote:
I just want to point out, they are all here to make money, from KTM to Honda, I figure Husky smell blood here and it happens...
I just want to point out, they are all here to make money, from KTM to Honda, I figure Husky smell blood here and it happens to appeal our wishes.

Just saying...
Good I hope they bleed the stupid right out of the product managers who are oblivious to the market and why it's suffering.

Husky was a premium brand in the US market once before, they can be again. It's not like they don't have the financing via BMW to make it happen. If they can remember to make them simple, durable and with common sense in mind they will do just fine. In other words, everything they've done with the big four stroke abortions they are currently selling, shit can it. Then build off the simple two stroke lines. Here's an idea Copy a KTM, TM, Yamaha or older KX, CR or RM. geez it's not that hard to succeed.
burn1986
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Fantasy
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12/19/2012 2:02pm Edited Date/Time 12/20/2012 5:22am
Totally cool! I wish MXA would do a current 125 shootout of the Husky, TM, YZ, KTM. And then do the 144 versions.
kijen
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12/19/2012 3:39pm Edited Date/Time 12/19/2012 3:41pm
hum...wonder if Renner will show up display his skills on the one two five....either that or some school boy kids show everyone on how to really ride itSmile
125
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12/19/2012 3:50pm
burn1986 wrote:
Totally cool! I wish MXA would do a current 125 shootout of the Husky, TM, YZ, KTM. And then do the 144 versions.
Dirtrider did this summer. One of the "Dirts" Dirtrider, Dirtbike, Dirtscooter, DirtMcGirt
dcg141
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12/19/2012 3:55pm
Still would love to see a 125 "devolopment" class added to the outdoors. No Homolgation needed and a 21 yo age limit. It would open up rides and allow a company like TM to get into the mix. New bikes, new riders, more mfgs involved...how can that be a bad thing?
SwapperMX
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12/19/2012 3:57pm
Sounds great. I would definitely go back and race a 125 if everyone else was also on 125's. Riding a 125 against 250F's, I would rather just join em. I hope this 125 class racing really kicks off.
125
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12/19/2012 4:05pm
dcg141 wrote:
Still would love to see a 125 "devolopment" class added to the outdoors. No Homolgation needed and a 21 yo age limit. It would open up...
Still would love to see a 125 "devolopment" class added to the outdoors. No Homolgation needed and a 21 yo age limit. It would open up rides and allow a company like TM to get into the mix. New bikes, new riders, more mfgs involved...how can that be a bad thing?
I think it's a great idea. Personally I would love to see a disc valve, EFI, 14,000rpm 45+ hp 125 absolutely wailing over LaRocco's leap with a kid like Ciancurulo on it.

The whole place would go apeshit. Pandemonium. Riots.

and heaven forbid the technology transfer over to production models, and you start seeing them on the line against the fumpers.

There would have to be a claiming rule though, so when Ciancurulo loses to a guy on a YZ125 with an FMF Frederick Mac Factory pipe, drama will ensue.
Frodad78
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12/19/2012 4:57pm
125 wrote:
I think it's a great idea. Personally I would love to see a disc valve, EFI, 14,000rpm 45+ hp 125 absolutely wailing over LaRocco's leap with...
I think it's a great idea. Personally I would love to see a disc valve, EFI, 14,000rpm 45+ hp 125 absolutely wailing over LaRocco's leap with a kid like Ciancurulo on it.

The whole place would go apeshit. Pandemonium. Riots.

and heaven forbid the technology transfer over to production models, and you start seeing them on the line against the fumpers.

There would have to be a claiming rule though, so when Ciancurulo loses to a guy on a YZ125 with an FMF Frederick Mac Factory pipe, drama will ensue.
hahahah...Apeshit is right. I would be spraying Premix oil all over everyone and give out bong hits from Pro Circuit Works Pipe off of a CR500...or something like that.

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