Husqvarna WR250 thoughts

[Paulus]

With all the cheap 07 Gas Gas machines sold there now seem to be a few new 07 and 08 Husky WR250s kicking round in dealers and being offered up cheap. I assume from the magazine advertising campaigns that the distruibutor is the same (Triumph also).

What are peoples experiences with Huskies, in particular with getting parts (factory and aftermarket) and also with getting rid of them a couple of years down the track. Will dealers trade them or people buy them? I know that the Gas Gas can be difficult to move and several dealers down here have stated outright that they won't trade them.

Just window shopping at the moment (thought I had decided to get a KTM 250 or 300EXC but I can get a new Husky for the price of a 2nd hand KTM). Seems to be a damned fine bike if all the magazine reviews are to be believed.

Thanks.

[vazza]

I have heard a lot of talk about them. Supposed to be amazing to ride, possibly on to par with KTM for quality etc

Cant really say though as I've never ridden one.

[takitimu]

Top of the pile for my next bike, they chew something to do with the kickstart, but that part is cheap, it's got the same clutch as the TE450 ( bullet proof ), rest is just as bullet proof & comes with Cross brace for handlebars & oversize bars.
The kickstart is a bit forward, but I had a go Sunday again ( 2nd ride on one ) and was sweet as to start, it turns on a dime.
I like it because it's all bottom->mid power with enough go to do MX, the top is not going to compete with a MX 250/2, but the bottom will walk all over a 250/4 & is more usable power than the bottom on my KLX, hard to explain but does not feel like a 2/, but something between a 2 & 4 /.
Resale is an issue, but my read is with BMW behind them now they are on the way back & support for me is second to none with the Nield boys just down the road.
The real man to talk to is chop mind you :).

[LittleJohn]

I know the local dealers around the corner from us. They have been a huge success up here, including some of them using them now. As far as I know they are solid machines and you can get parts readily available. The dealership up here is a very trust-worthy place who only deal with them and Kawasaki's.

[Brainflex]

Big bonus is the two year warranty, no one else offers that. I have a te250 and have no problems with parts, a friend has a wr250, no problem with parts, not that we have needed anything in the last 18 months, I put rad guards on mine, he put a differant expansion pipe on, cant remember make. I say go for it, you wont be disappointed.

[4stroke]

go the husky you wont be unhappy with it, im bloody wrpaed with mine.

[barty5]

go the husky you wont be unhappy with it, im bloody wrpaed with mine.

So impressed he wraped himself round a toy-toy bush (how ever its spelt)

[Paulus]

They certainly seem confident in their product. A full 2 year parts and labour warranty when most manufacturers are only offering 3 months parts only.

[4stroke]

They certainly seem confident in their product. A full 2 year parts and labour warranty when most manufacturers are only offering 3 months parts only.

and if you buy a mxer its 30 days parts only, well it was on my crf450

[pete.ktm]

speaking of husqvarnas, anyone got or had a play on a TE310? Good for an average rider for trailrides?

just thinking/dreaming about what to buy next, cheers.

[Brainflex]

speaking of husqvarnas, anyone got or had a play on a TE310? Good for an average rider for trailrides?

just thinking/dreaming about what to buy next, cheers.

Reading on thumper talk, folks that have put the athena 300 kit on their 250s love it. Seems to me a good idea, not everyone wants a race bike. The reviews taht I have read really rate it.

[ArcherWC]

Yeah I was looking REAL close at the 310 today, VERY VERY nice

[Paulus]

Has anyone seen any 09 Huskys yet? For that matter has anyone seen any 09 Gas-Gas bikes either?

Are they still coming in?

The 09 WR300 sounds like a weapon but I fancy the cheaper deal on a 250.

[takitimu]

Has anyone seen any 09 Huskys yet? For that matter has anyone seen any 09 Gas-Gas bikes either?

Are they still coming in?

The shipment arrived just before xmas I believe for the Huskies, dunno about Gas-Gas, I almost pulled the trigger on the WR250, but short on coin at the moment.


The 09 WR300 sounds like a weapon but I fancy the cheaper deal on a 250.
From what I heard minimal difference between 08/09 WR250, making the 08 a sweet deal, the WR300 sounds the modern day Maico 490 !!, a bit like a CR450F injected I reckon, to much bike for me.

[chop]

WR250 is good... good strong power and manages to pull its best from near stalling.. Got some good bits on there from factory. More aggresive power than most 250 enduro bikes. good bike motor is a bit old world but stong.. go the Husqvarna over the gas gas.

[vazza]

How would you compare, say a KTM 250EXC 09 to the WR250 09?

[chop]

i havnt ridden the 09 of either bike but as far as the 08 goes the husky has a much more aggressive power

[vazza]

What about in terms of quality etc?

Parts very expensive? WR's are electric start correct?

[Rupe]

Has anyone seen any 09 Huskys yet? For that matter has anyone seen any 09 Gas-Gas bikes either?
.


There was a new gasgas at the gncc not sure if it was 08, or 09 though.

[4stroke]

What about in terms of quality etc?

Parts very expensive? WR's are electric start correct?

no i dont think the wr's are elecy start, still kick. the parts arent to bad at all really, much on par with everyone else, they all have expensive and cheap parts. it was the warenty that sold me.

[Ktmboy]

Yeah I was looking REAL close at the 310 today, VERY VERY nice

Ah, long time no hear. Thinking of coming back to the light side again are we?

[Paulus]

The shipment arrived just before xmas I believe for the Huskies,



09s hitting the shops now:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-197504988.htm

Wonder if we'll see sharper discounting on the 08s now?

[pete.ktm]

cool, hopefully we'll get a local review before too long.

still looks very nice but quite pricey and didn't really get much of a rave in a couple of mini reviews in motocross digital but i'm targeting a 2010 model of something between 300-400cc so plenty of time yet (a rumored 390 husaberg would do me :)

[Rupe]

09s hitting the shops now:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-197504988.htm

Wonder if we'll see sharper discounting on the 08s now?

Looks like these are too http://www.trademe.co.nz/a.asp?id=196448269

[Paulus]

Bought one. $7995 for a brand new 07 WR250 with 2 year warranty. Pick it up next week.

[Rupe]

Bought one. $7995 for a brand new 07 WR250 with 2 year warranty. Pick it up next week.

Shit thats cheap, lucky boy. Let us all know what you think.

[ArcherWC]

Ah, long time no hear. Thinking of coming back to the light side again are we?
Looking that way mate, superbike racing costs too much

[Wellyman]

If I didnt buy a gasser a few years ago, I would have looked at a husky. have had a sit on a few. go see Sarge from on here, and he will sort you with a husky.
WM

[Paulus]

There is one more new 07 WR250 at $7995 that I know of. Maidstone Yamaha in Upper Hutt have it. Mine is from Pit Lane (Cycletreads) in Chch.

[SARGE]

If I didnt buy a gasser a few years ago, I would have looked at a husky. have had a sit on a few. go see Sarge from on here, and he will sort you with a husky.
WM

not anymore dude.. been out of that game for 3 years or more now ..

[Paulus]

Adam Riemann from ADB on the WR.

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[Tardrider]

I thought long and hard about that WR250 at Maidstone but instead bought a Gas Gas 300 (mainly cuz it was a 300) for $8990 from Triple X in Auckland. There was one 2007 left there about a month ago

[laserracer]

:eek5:Wow that thing hauls arse

[Paulus]

:eek5:Wow that thing hauls arse

I love the sound of a 2 stroke dirt bike on the pipe like that. To me a 4 stroke sounds like a long burp. I think Adam finished 31st in the 2008 Erzberg Rodeo so he can sure ride.

[laserracer]

We have both in the family 1x burp and 1x ringting
im surpized at how fast that bike was in the vid seemed to start instantly too.. how do they compare to say a yz 250
thats set up for single track.. our one has a fmf fatty and shorty rear muffler and flywheel weight ??
im just curious as im thinking of going back to a 2 stroke i like my sons yz 250 but if i can get something that goes as well off the showroom floor .. i may look at that option

[warewolf]

Adam Riemann from ADB on the WR.Awwwwwesome!

Must admit I too like the sound of 2T.

[Tardrider]

That WR start, sounds and goes about the same as my Gas Gas. I just wish I could ride like that lol. You got to remember that only the Euro's (KTM Gas GAs, Huskavarna etc) produce Enduro style 2T bikes (i.e some sort of bottom end).

I bet you someones gona prove me wrong...

[Reckless]

That WR start, sounds and goes about the same as my Gas Gas. I just wish I could ride like that lol. You got to remember that only the Euro's (KTM Gas GAs, Huskavarna etc) produce Enduro style 2T bikes (i.e some sort of bottom end).

I bet you someones gona prove me wrong...

You can do anything with a 2T! They just can't be bothered! 4strokes are much better revenue for the factory and dealer network for parts and labour etc etc. Makes much better sense for them to push 4 strokes. They get the $1200-00 valve job against you and me changing the piston every 50 hours. We are just bloody lucky the Euro's don't see it that way and they are making very very good 2T enduro bikes now. The jap manufacturers may have shot themselves in the foot yet by leaving 2T's behind!!

BTW: Wish I could ride like that as well even 1/2 as good would be great!!

[Tardrider]

Yeah it's never been a secret that you could take a 4T to it's ragged edge of power but I never would have thought that the average consumer would buy one. But here we are in 2009 and lots of peeps buying vehicles that need servicing measured in single digit hours.

Don't get me wrong if I was a good MX rider with a sponsorship I would be buying a brand new CRF450 (ya gotta love 4k RPM of high end grunt). For a very average rider though like myself, who likes to go out for a fang in the weekends and have a bike with enough grunt to put a smile on my face it's Euro 2T all the way :-)

[theblacksmith]

I had a go on a WR250 on a short loop of one of the epic events and I thought it was the nicest 250 Ive ridden yet.Very light feeling and very smooth suspension - yet plenty of grunt.Well engineered to.

[vazza]

Hopefully gonna be demoing a WR250 this weekend, possibly a TE450 as well. Will let you know how it goes!

[Keithf]

I bought one. Much better bike then the GG300 I had previously but not quite as forgiving. My video is not as good as the DR one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXKj3HRtVng

[4stroke]

nice looks like you were having a bit of blast on it, who'd ya get it from??

[Paulus]

I bought one. Much better bike then the GG300 I had previously but not quite as forgiving. My video is not as good as the DR one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXKj3HRtVng

Did you need to derestrict it? I sure did. The chamber with the secondary air valve (stock fitment) stops the bike making more than about 15-20hp (by the seat of pants dyno). The other chamber has much more punch. By the looks of it they are the same shape so cutting open the restricted chamber and gutting out whatever is in there should yield a good spare chamber. Some have come with a throttle stop in the carb slide also.

The stock jetting was horribly lean but I am missing the replacement jets (60 needle and 35 pilot) from my spares kit so can't do much about it - hopefully they'll turn up soon.

On an unhappy note my swingarm appears to be cracked (top of box section right behind pivot tube on non-drive side running 60mm along the swingarm towards the back of the bike). Looks like maybe it got too hot when it was welded and cracked as it cooled. Back to the dealer we will go.

[humai]

I bought one. Much better bike then the GG300 I had previously but not quite as forgiving. My video is not as good as the DR one.


Nice vid but you wimped out and took the escape route to the right on the little hillclimb rather than taking the roots at the top. Shame on you!

[Crowdog]

Does anybody know where to get parts for a 95 wr 125 husky auckland area

[4stroke]

give tuna at spectrum mcs a bell, he might be able to source some for you4895355,

[Keithf]

I got it from Bikesport in Hellensville.




nice looks like you were having a bit of blast on it, who'd ya get it from??

[Keithf]

Yep, mine has had all the nasty environmental mods removed. I think there is still something not quite right with the jetting as it is difficult to start when warm.

[Keithf]

I was just practicing-it was my first ride on the WR:buggerd:

[Keithf]

I forgot to add he gave me a good deal on the old bike


nice looks like you were having a bit of blast on it, who'd ya get it from??

[4stroke]

I forgot to add he gave me a good deal on the old bike

i didnt think that bikesport were husky dealers any longer?? after the nields txc250 oil filter drama??????

[Keithf]

i didnt think that bikesport were husky dealers any longer?? after the nields txc250 oil filter drama??????

Well Matt had them in the shop and he seemed pretty keen on them.
I have dealt with him for a few years one way or another and he's always been fairly straight up with me.

In fact his after sales service for this bike has been excellent.


What was the drama?

[4stroke]

the kiwi rider demo txc250 went in for a service befpre the hawkes bay 6 hour, the 2 neild bros did 1 and a half laps before the engine chenobyled, due to the oil filter being put in back to front. it cost them the race. the importer pulled it down and found the oil filter problem,
and personally i have no time for them, one of them is a arrogant tosser, but thats my opinion,

[Keithf]

Ouch that would wreck your day.



the kiwi rider demo txc250 went in for a service befpre the hawkes bay 6 hour, the 2 neild bros did 1 and a half laps before the engine chenobyled, due to the oil filter being put in back to front. it cost them the race. the importer pulled it down and found the oil filter problem,
and personally i have no time for them, one of them is a arrogant tosser, but thats my opinion,

[vazza]

Anyone else gotten themselves a WR250? The 08's must have run out by now..

(thread dig)

[chop]

yup had mine almost a year... whys that?

[Paulus]

Anyone else gotten themselves a WR250? The 08's must have run out by now..

(thread dig)

There is still an 08 down at MCR in Dunedin for $9995. Nowhere near as good a deal as the 07s at $7995 but still pretty sharp.

This is a really nice bike and seems overlooked by many people in the stampede to their local KTM dealer. Hell, I almost did that myself (came close to buying an 08 KTM250EXC with 80 hours on it for more than the Husky was brand new).

[vazza]

Any problems with yours chop/Paulus?

pros & cons etc?

Found out that there are 2x new WR250 2008's available in auckland, also a 2007. and obviously a few 09's.

Currently using my old mans 200EXC for a couple of races but he'll be back soon so I have to get my own bike :P

There's a 2009 250EXC which has done 20 hours which I could possibly get for the same price as a new WR250 08.

Not sureee what to dooo. Gotta sell my YZ250 first though..

[Paulus]

Any problems with yours chop/Paulus?

pros & cons etc?

Found out that there are 2x new WR250 2008's available in auckland, also a 2007. and obviously a few 09's.

Currently using my old mans 200EXC for a couple of races but he'll be back soon so I have to get my own bike :P

There's a 2009 250EXC which has done 20 hours which I could possibly get for the same price as a new WR250 08.

Not sureee what to dooo. Gotta sell my YZ250 first though..

Much better trail bike than my last bike (Honda CR250R).

Some minor teething problems - to be expected I guess. Seemed to be a crack in the swingarm but we removed it and tested it carefully and it was a deep scratch only (I have access to materials testing labs at work). Would have been warrantied if it was cracked but no problem in the end.

My race pipe had a restrictor welded into it. Once that was removed she flies. Still haven't got the jetting sorted completely - I'm now on a 32.5 pilot and it still feels a little rich. 400 main and 60 needle (3rd clip down) aren't bad and give a tan plug reading.

Worst part of the bike would be the seat height. I'm 1.82m tall and I find it too high. I'm running 110mm sag and have the forks 30mm above the top clamp and this keeps good steering and allows me to get feet down easily.

Bike is light and engine punchy. Suspension seems pretty good, the handling is quick and the brakes are strong. I really like the ergos (except the seat height). Lots of other little things are well thought out (airbox access for instance). Carb and spark plug are super easy to get to. Bike needs a bash plate and rad guards but these are easily sourced from Australia. Mine is road legal (but is a lousy road bike obviously). It looks beautiful in red and white (not that this really matters) - very stylish and gets noticed everywhere it goes. Also the 2 year warranty for a competition bike is almost unheard of.

Pity they didn't fit it with a 6 speed box as it could use a higher top gear. KTM is in the same boat here - only Gas Gas gives you a 6 speed. Apparently the old WR360 6 speed almost falls right in if you have one (which I don't). Few little gremlins in the speedo unit too - the odometer keeps resetting itself. At least the hour meter holds its numbers. Thére'll be a lot of high hour low mileage bikes around!

I like it and given the choice would buy it again. If you can still get an 07 for $7995 then grab it quickly. The 2008 has very little changed but the 2009 has slightly better forks and a vforce 3 reed block. In 09 you also have the choice of the WR300. Can't go wrong with the KTM either though - there's really no wrong choice to make.

[vazza]

Interesting! Thanks heaps for that info Paulus.