Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126287
; l1li • ~ E t" t" (j') .-I lAbove) The 390 CR and lbelowl the 390AMX. <..0 .-I I-< Q) IAbove) The 125 CR and (below! the 250 CR. ..0 e > 0 z Q) Sl , 6J 1978 Husqvarnas CARLSBAD, CA . NOV. 1 Husqvarna unveiled most of the 1978 model line at a press day held near their SanDiego headquarters. Included in the lineup were four motocrossers and two new desert/off road bikes. Dealers will have five of the six machines no later than midDecember, according to Husky. The five are: the 390 and 250 CR and 390 Automatic motocrossers and the 250 and 390 OR desert bikes. The 125 CR motocrosser is al ready available. There were no big changes on the latest Huskys , but lots of detail improvements. Rear suspension is one example: The 390 CR has the Ohlin shocks found on many European factory motocrossers. while the 125 , 250 and Automatic feature new Girlings. The ORs have American made Curnutt shocks (of desert fame) . All the new Huskys have 10" of rear travel , 9 \.2 " up front . Rid ing impressi ons: 125 CR The baby of the Husky family feels very comfortable and stable. Its big bike chassis and low weight inspire confidence in the comers. The power just doesn't happen as quickly or radically as the Japanese bikes. but it will rev fine. It is easier to ride . but it will require tuning and modification for the expert. Price: $1450. 250 CR The 250 is a tractable yet potent machine. The beginner can have a lot of fun riding it , yet it'll take an advanced rider to do the machine justice. The brakes on this Husky (and the others) were exceptionally smooth and progressive. $1815. 250 OR If there was ever a deuceand-a -half designed by John Deere, this would be it. Lots and lots of torque at the bottom end. It will blubber its way up any cliff of your choice . The top end power was unavailable because of rich jetting. Suspension was plush , but will probably have to be stiffened for the faster desert rider. The double walled exhaust keeps the noise down to the 86 dbA level, making the bike greenstickie legal. $1840. 390 OR Swedes call it "the black devil with the golden slippers." It is the best looking dirt bike on the market. The new kickstarter makes it a snap to start (the new 38mm Mikuni carburetor helps, too). Power is so smooth and abundant that it feels like it is always on the pipe. The Cu rnutts and plush leading-axle forks give a Cadillac ride over the lumpiest rocks and trails. Our play-toy was overjetted, SO it signed off at around 4500 rp m , b ut there is enough oomph in low and midrange to lift the front wheel whenever you feel like it. Overall handling feels as good as anything, or better. For $2 ,025 you can't go wrong. Things in common Husky is using a larger diameter swingarm for mo re strength. Made of 40mm tubing, it weighs exactly as much as last year's version due to the absence of one of the cross bars. The chain adjuster has been moved to the rear of the arm to eliminate a weld from the curved stress area . In the steering head . sealed, tapered Timken bearings are now in use .. The 250 and 390 CRs and the 390 OR have IT' rear wheels and new , gold -pa in ted rims . The 17 " rear wheel , according to Nils Arne Nilsson , allows for a taller tire which aids the suspension. The- gold - painted rims (made in Norway for HUSky) feature a deep center ridge for easier tire changes. All engines except the 125 have 38mm Mikuni carburetors. Jetting variations from one identical Bing to another led to the change. All bikes except the Automatic have a new kicksrarrer designed by Gunnar Lindstrom to prevent sudden toe-peg meetings. Bikes not shown at the press conference were the WRs . They will be available in May everywhere. They will have shorter suspension for lower seat height. • . 29 -