2017 Husqvarna TC 125 First Ride Review | 10 Fast Facts

June 13, 2016

2017 Husqvarna TC 125 First Ride

2017 Husqvarna TC 125 seat height — 2017 Husqvarna TC 125

Ultimate MotorCycling Associate Online Editor Andrew Oldar took the new 2017 Husqvarna TC 125 out on the main track at Cahuilla Creek Motocross in Anza, Calif., for some hot laps.

Here is Andrew’s first impression of Husky’s smallest adult two-stroke for 2017. Few things are more fun than keeping a 125cc two-stroke motocross bike pinned around the track, and Andrew did just that! Following are Oldar’s 10 Fast Facts.— Online Editor Ron Lieback

1. The 2017 Husqvarna TC 125 receives a few fine-tuned improvements over the previous year model. The biggest change is the new WP AER 48 forks.

2. The new WP AER 48 forks are a 48mm split air fork, with preload settings on the left hand side and damping on the right. The AER forks replace the 4CS units used on last year’s model. Replacing springs with air means the AER forks weigh 3.6 pounds less than the 4CS units. While adjusting the air pressure requires a gauge (and you must check it before each ride) the damping can still be adjusted by hand.

Read more Ultimate MotorCycling Off-Road Reviews.

3. The stock settings on the WP AER fork and rear shock worked well for me. The front forks and rear shock are noticeably softer than some of the other 2017 Huskys because Husqvarna assumes a younger, lighter rider will be riding a 125cc two stroke. I fit that profile, and the 2017 Husqvarna TC 125 absorbed breaking bumps and other obstacles very well, thanks to the softer settings. Impressively, the forks and shock soaked up the bigger impacts as well. The forks and rear shock work in unison together and comply very well with the lightweight engine and chassis.

4. In addition to the great suspension, the TC 125 is as nimble as they come. The bike feels like a play toy when throwing it into a deep, sandy berm with the throttle wide open, which is incredibly fun!

5. The engine makes an impressive amount of power for a 125cc two-stroke. Making the bike easy to ride, the TC 125’s powerband is more linear than most 125s I have ridden. Experienced riders and/or those who want a fast 125 will love the engine.

6. The TC 125 weighs in at a mere 193 pounds without fuel. The weight savings is approximately nearly four pounds compared to last year’s model, with almost off of the savings coming from the change to the WP AER fork.

7. A new upper triple clamp and handlebar support allow for a more rigid feel, as the triple clamp has more material than the previous model year in order to combat flex. The front of the bike feels very stable and less twitchy as a result of this change.

8. Dunlop Geomax MX3S tires are mounted on the front and rear D.I.D. Dirt Star rims. The MX3S tires are Dunlop’s soft to intermediate terrain tire, and are what most of the professional riders who run Dunlop use. The tires replace the MX52 intermediate-to-hard terrain rubber found on the previous year model. The MX3S tires hooked up great in the deep, loamy main track of Cahuilla Creek MX.

9. The rear brake lever has been lengthened by 10mm. I didn’t really notice this, but those with bigger feet than my size 10 may consider it to be a bigger deal. Nonetheless, the lever was easy to modulate with my Alpinestars boot and does its job.

10. The bike is 125 cubic centimeters of two-stroke fun! On top of being incredibly easy to ride and throw around, the TC makes great power for a 125. It left me with an ear-to-ear grin from the moment I threw your leg over it until I handed it back to Husqvarna. Watch for a full test soon at UltimateMotorCycling.com.

Photography by Don Williams

Riding Style

Helmet: 6D ATR-1 FLO Red/Yellow
Goggles: Oakley Airbrake MX
Neck Brace: Alpinestars BNS Tech Carbon
Jersey, pants + gloves: Moose Racing Sahara Racewear
Boots: Alpinestars Tech 10 A1 Special Edition

Andrew Oldar is sponsored by Moose Racing

2017 Husqvarna TC 125 Specs

ENGINE

Design: Power-valve two-stroke
Displacement: 124.8cc
Bore x stroke: 54 x 54.4mm
Starting: Kick
Transmission: 6-speed
Primary drive23:73
Clutch: Wet, multi-disc clutch w/ Magura hydraulics
EMS: Kokusan

CHASSIS

Frame: Chromoly steel central-tube frame
Front suspension: Fully adjustable WP-USD, AER 48 air forks, w/ 12.2 inches of travel
Rear suspension: Fully adjustable Linkage-assisted shock, w/ 11.8 inches of travel
Front brake: Brembo four-piston floating caliper w/ 260mm disc
Rear brake: Brembo twin-piston floating caliper, w/ 220 mm disc

DIMENSIONS