Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
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.... v ,.D. o .... u -0 The 250CR' has an all-new frame. single shock rear suspension. water- cooling and weighs 218 pounds dry. It will cost $2895. By Kit Palmer Husqvarna's 83rd year of motorcycle production is highlighted by the introduction of several models equipped with single-shock rear suspension and water-cooling. All models in the Swedish manufacturer's CR (motocross) and XC (cross-county) lines have the new- frame/suspension, which is yet another adaption of the multiple-link system. The frames on all the CRs are lighter and have a large-diameter, thin-wall backbone tube that connects to the base of the steering head and curves down to the swingarm pivot area. This enables the seat height to be one inch lower, despite having more wheel travel. The rake and trail is also changed on the CRs: The steering head angle is now 27° instead of 31 ° - and the trail is shonened to 4.72 inches, from 5.2 inches. The rear frame sub-section is detachable on the CRs. All CR and XC models are now equipped with front disc brakes; however, the rest of Husqvarna's line have dru'ms. Heading the motocross force is the 500CR with a 48&c liquid-cooled engine and a four-speed transmission. On all the CRs" a single Ohlins rear shock with a piggyback-mounted reservoir is rigidIy mounted on the top to the frame; the bottom of the shock is connected to an extruded aluminum alloy swingarm by linkages. The shock has external compression and rebound damping adj ustments - the compression adj ustment is, located at the bottom of the us "arnas shock, rebound at the top on- -the reservoir. The rebound adjustment can be reached by removing the side panel. Linkages are made out of billet aluminum alloy and pivot on needle bearings. Gone is the old-style dual shock chrome-moly swingarm, and rear wheel ·travel is now 13.8 inches, The front fork is still Husky made, with 40mm diameter stanchion tubes and II.8 inches of travel. The new plastic fuel tanks on the CRs are radically reshaped and drop low on the right side of the bikes. They hold 2.6 gallons of gas. Overall positioning of the tank is lower, as is the seat. This, combined with the forward-mounted low-positioned shock, better centralizes the center of gravity. The all-new, plastic airbox is thin and squarish, and is mounted on the right side. All the CRs come stock with Metzeler tires, new oval aluminum mufflers (last year's models had steel), bluesafety seats and aluminum alloy brake pedals. The 500CR weighs 224 pounds dry, while the 250 and 125 weigh 218 and 202 pounds, respectively. The 125 and 250CRs share the same frame and running gear as the 500CR. Retail prices of the machines are $2195 for the 125, $2895 for the 250 and $3195 for the 500. Expected availability of all three models is middle-to-Iate November. The differences between the CR and XC models are few - the engines, frames and suspensions are the same, but the XCs have heavier flywheels; six-speed, wide ratio transmissions, and quick-change-wh-eels. Because of the quick-change rear wheel, the rear brake is non-floating. All the XCs are water-cooled. The 500XC weighs 224 pounds, while the 250 and 125 weigh 218 and 205 pounds. Cost will be $3245 for the 500, $2845 for the 250' and $2195 for the 125. The WR (enduro) models retain the dual-shock rear suspension system, but the 250WR is now liquidcooled. Detail changes throughout the WR line consist of an O-ring chain; a Husky PrOducts spark arrester/silencer that is U.S. Forestry Department-approved that. won't clog up with oil; a halogen headlight and a new speedometer design. Suggested retail prices for the 125, 250 and 400WR models are $2195, $2995 and $3295. The 500AE (automatic enduro) re: turns to the Husky line-up with minor engine changes, a new 38mm Mikuni carburetor and a new first gear cl u'tch drum. The 248-pound machine retails for $3295. The four-stroke models also retain the dual shock rear suspension, but get updated plastic tanks and side covers, as well as many engine changes. Among the new features are larger exha ust val ves, new valve guides and seals, and a Dell'Orto carburetor withoutan accelerator pump. A K&N air filter and a new cam chain tensioner round out the package. The line-up consists of the $3045 500TC (motocross), the$3195 510TE (enduro) and the $3095 5lOTX (cross-country) models. 125CR Engine Type ..... Liquid-cooled. two-stroke single Bore x Stroke 55x52mm Displacement 124cc Compression Ratio 15.0:1 Carburetion 36mm Mikuni Ignition Motoplat COl Lubrication, Pre-mix Gear Ratios Primary 3.890 Final '•..... 4.000 Rake 27° Trail :4.72 in. Front Suspension Type .. Husqvarna. telescopic fork Fork Tube Diameter 40mm Front Wheel Travel 11.8 in. . Reer Suspension Type Single shock swingarm Rear Wheel Travel 13.8 in. Front Brakes 9.05-in. disc Rear Brakes 6.3-in. drum Front Wheel :. 21-in. 4mm spoke Rear Wheel 18-in. 4.5mmspoke Front Tire 3.00x21 Metzeler Rear Tire 4.00x18 Metzeler Dry Weight 202 Ibs. Wheelbase 59.5 in. Fuel Capacity 2.6 gal. Ground Clearance 15.4 in. Seat Height 38.4 in, Colors. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. White Retail Price .. " $2195 125WR Engine Type ..... Liquid-cooled. two-stroke single Bore x-Stroke '. '. . . .. 55X52min