Indholdsfortegnelse for May 2016 i Dirt Action

Long-time supporters step up to the main name game Just before the start of the 2016 MX Nats season, confirmation came through that, via Link International, Motul oils will be the series title sponsor, which is the culmination of decades of support of Aussie motocross. Link International general manager Brenden Stoeckert said in a press release: “I’ve been lucky enough to be involved with Link International for well over 20 years now and, in terms of Kevin [Williams] and his series, we came on board in the very early stages and here we are now celebrating its 20th anniversary this year with Motul as the new title sponsor. “It’s amazing, really, especially when you think about who has come and gone within the industry during the last 20 years. In…

I will always remember my first trail ride in the Victorian High Country. It was a Honda media junket at the very start of 1997 following the release of the then brand-new Honda XR400R and XR250R. Our tour guide for a multi-day lap of the mountains on the shiny new red thumpers was a local named — rather appropriately — “Trail Boss”. Talk about a character. Trail Boss was one of a kind and what he might have lacked in social skills and a dirtbike-riding wardrobe — let’s just say he was a good ol’ bushman — he certainly made up for with his knowledge of the myriad little-used fire trails and tracks that criss-cross the High Country. Trail Boss gave us day after day of endless mountain riding that…

Enduro-X is to off-road and enduro racing what supercross is to motocross, taking some of the most technical aspects from the long-standing traditional format of racing and bringing it to a much smaller, crowd-friendly arena. Much like supercross in Australia, Enduro-X has struggled somewhat to find a strong, consistent foothold on the domestic front. Despite some very strong crowd numbers and industry support brought in by the now-defunct Australian Enduro-X Nationals, the cost of setting up and pulling down a man-made track ultimately outweighs the total income needed to continue running a successful series. With no national series to speak of in 2016, things were looking bleak on the Enduro-X front until we caught wind of an event that was taking place alongside the Clipsal 500 V8 Supercar race in…

Take us back to the start. How did you get involved in dirtbikes and what led to staging the 2016 Clipsal 500 Enduro-X event? Originally I raced motocross as a kid and went through to race the Gold Cup MR Motocross series many years ago, travelling the country with Jimmy Deakin and racing quite a bit in the Glenn Bell/Craig Dack era. I had a bit of fun during my motocross life and met a lot of people but unfortunately I injured myself a fair bit, including a neck injury, so I started riding jetskis for a bit of fun which led to winning a few national and international titles. I ended up heading to the US for a year to compete then returned to Australia and got involved with…

SCOTT MX GOGGLES PEEWEE AGENT • Features a clear Lexan anti-fog (AFC) lens• ET200 hydrophilic face foam• The perfect goggle for kids 3–4 years old• Strap graphics with no-slip silicone bead TRAIL TECH TTO TACHHOUR METER (742-A00) • Works on all petrol engines• Be aware of upcoming service requirements• Large, easy-to-read digits• Bolt-on or peel ’n’ stick mounting options• Non-resettable• 5-year battery life• Lightweight at 39.3g• $79.95 GREGORY BALTORO 75 BACKPACK • 75L capacity• Integrated with Goal Zero Nomad 7 Plus solar panels• Ability to recharge your gadgets while on the go SKINS A200 KIDS’ SHORTS • Gradient compression to improve circulation and deliver more oxygen to working muscles• Better circulation means SKINS speed up the turnaround of metabolic waste & improve the recirculation of blood lactate• Compression reduces muscle vibration• Quicker recovery time and less risk of injury• SKINS draw moisture away from the body, keeping you cool THOR…

1: FLY 2016.5 MESH GEAR JERSEY • Multi-panel construction• Comfort stretch collar• Shorty cuffs with elastic sleeves• Mesh ventilation panels to help dissipate heat• Sublimated graphics• Extended tail helps keep jersey tucked in• Standard fit• $59.95 PANTS • Ultra-durable multi-panel 900D construction• Leather heat shield panels with Kevlar® stitching• Ergonomically pre-shaped and fully vented knee• Ratcheting fly closure allows for adjustability and positive closure• Adjustable waist belt• “Soft-Flex” protective rubber badging ventilated for increased airflow• Stretch-rib panels for flexibility• Customisable leg cuff design• Internal pocket located inside waistband• $179.95 2: PROGRIP 788 TRIPLE DENSITY MX GRIPS • Triple-compound competition grips• Hard-compound slip-resistant base material• Comfortable soft gel compound exterior• Durable medium-compound ends• Slim design, diamond pattern for improved grip $29.95 3: THOR SENTRY XP BLACK • Lightly padded collar for comfort• Reinforced and articulated back panels• Reinforced chest, shoulder and elbow guards with ventilation• Micro-mesh chassis with external seams for maximum comfort• Strategically placed tension straps• Adjustable elbow flex…

WHEN MANUFACTURERS OFFER UP THE FULL BAG OF LOLLIES You can never waste enough time staring at the goodness that is a special edition. The Euros are masters at putting these things together and given they don’t last long on the dealer’s floor, we thought we’d bring a few together right here so we can all just drool and dream for a minute or two. KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION • New WP AER 48 front fork with a sophisticated air spring design and separate damping for easy adjustment to any track condition, rider weight or skill level. The fork is now 3.1 pounds lighter than the 4CS unit it replaces • New orange anodised CNC-machined triple clamps feature a rubber damping system, Neken handlebar and ODI lock-on grips •…

At 36 years of age, Troy Mattson has been riding the Victorian High Country since he started carving up the forests on a Honda Z50 at the age of six. Born and bred in Sale, Victoria, Troy is one of those guys who knows the Vicco High Country like the back of his hand and that only comes from years spent exploring each and every nook and cranny of the place, be it on a dirtbike, in a 4WD or on foot decked out head to toe in hunting gear. With his intimate knowledge of the Victorian bush, and the fact he’s served time as a search and rescue volunteer, Troy’s been able to combine his wealth of bush skills with his passion for riding dirtbikes by leading and sweeping…

A posse of about 40 Tragics headed out into the desert for some pre-ride ADV skills training with Aussie MX legend Stephen Gall (who is a proud Ténéré Tragic) and SA MX gun Shane Metcalfe Standing there under the awning of the massive Yamaha 60th Anniversary Roadshow display at Mildura Motorcycles on the eve of the start of this year’s Ténéré Tragics River to Ranges Run, I’d have loved a dollar every time a Tragic rumbled into the car park and said, “Jeez, Captain, it’s a bit hot ... And how bloody crap is that road down from Mungo?” Yes, it was hot — like mid-40s hot. And yes, the road from Mungo had turned to crap since my last pre-run four weeks earlier. Given the extreme heat predicted to…

Some 64 Ténéré Tragics lined up for this year’s River to Ranges Run as well as another 11 crew and sponsor representatives, making for a total of 75 bikes on the ride. And yes, every single one of them is a Ténéré or Super Ténéré, be they current models or the old classics. Seven first-model 1983 XT600ZLs fronted for this year’s run, along with six 750 Super Ténérés. All of these Tragics paid fabulous homage to the true Ténéré spirit. Youngest Tragic this year was 20-year-old Josh Halpin from St George, Queensland, who rode with his brother Matt and Yamaha dealer father Phil. The oldest rider was 64-year-old David “Beak” Murray from Victoria, who also happened to be riding the oldest bike, the ’83 ZL with the lowest VIN. Riders…

ELECTRIC BIKES ARE ALMOST AT THE POINT OF DEMONSTRATING A VALUE THAT WE WON’T WANT TO LIVE WITHOUT Alta Motors started life in San Francisco in 2007. The current brief is pretty simple: “Our goal is to create motorcycles that are easier to ride fast than anything else out there.” But, of course, it’s never that easy. Electric bikes have come a long way in the past decade in particular but it seems that as consumers we’ve only just arrived at the point where we accept that they even exist and have a valid place. All new technology goes through this — there’s no exception — but it’s a little different when it’s a different approach to a current product instead of something completely new. Plasma TVs were seen this…

If Kearney calls this bike one of the best he’s ridden you know it must be special. “In terms of setup I run the bike low with lowered shock and forks, fairly soft but with the factory components it can absorb big hits. “Other parts are all for comfort and personal preference. Pivot Pegz help with my bad ankle. The high brake pedal is also to suit my fused ankle. I run the front brake so it pulls right into my fingers with a soft, spongy feel but heaps of power with the oversize rotor. “The engine is a beast; it’s the fastest 250 I’ve ridden with a tonne of torque. Hats off to Christian on this bike — it’s one of my all-time favourites.”…

YCF 50A • Lightest in class at 42kg• Quiet electric start, 50cc 4-stroke fully automatic• Low 550mm seat height for kids• Disc brakes front and rear• USD front forks with CNC triple clamps• New seat cover, discs and choke lever on h/bars• Training wheels and remote kill switch available• Available in Orange/White, Pink/White, Green/ White or Red/White• $1,699 YCF START F88SE • Quiet electric start, 88cc 4-stroke semi-automatic• Low 665mm seat height• Disc brakes front and rear• USD front forks with CNC triple clamps• Rear shock with adjustable pre-load• New seat cover, discs and front brake system• New shorter frame (-20mm) and shorter swing arm• Optional rear shock height adjustment kit available• Available in Pink/White, Orange/White or Green/White• $1,999 YCF START F125SE • Quiet electric start, 125cc 4-stroke semi-automatic• 720mm seat height• Disc brakes front and rear• USD front forks with CNC triple clamps• Rear shock with adjustable pre-load• New seat cover, discs and frame-mounted…

Greg Smith has been on a bike all month but it hasn’t been the WR450F. He’s been all over the shop on a Ténéré 1200, riding the Ténéré Tragics and then hucking it all the way home to Queensland on the big blue ADV weapon. So this month there are no updates but we do have cool photos — we’ll run with them instead. Keep a check on our Instagram account for regular updates and rest assured the Ténéré has now been parked and our WR450F will be given a severe workout between now and the next issue.…

Following qualifying at the MXGP of Thailand, Kiwi rider Ben Townley let loose on the condition of the tracks in the opening rounds at Qatar and Thailand. Criticism of the GP tracks is nothing new and some big names have had their say, including Cairoli and Ryan Dungey. The latter stated last year, “Not to disrespect the MXGP guys, but those tracks over there just look terrible.” Conversely, Justin Barcia has claimed on Vital MX that he’d like to give the GPs a crack. Below are Ben’s comments followed by the response from MXGP head honcho Giuseppe Luongo, who claims both Townley and his team boss Stefan Everts have apologised to him in person for the remarks. Luongo also claims he’s tried to bring a GP to both New Zealand…

Good question, one that lovers of the vintage machines could answer easily. The rest of us used Wikipedia. CCM is a British manufacturer that’s been around since 1971. From humble beginnings, the company started by Alan Clews (hence the name Clews Competition Motorcycle) currently produces bikes for military and police forces around the world as well as this 450-based adventure model, the GP450 Adventure. Sadly, the CCM isn’t available in Australia at present but we’re hoping it’ll appear at some point because the 450 adventure model has plenty of merit. CCM GP450 ADVENTURE • Frame type: 6082 T6 forged aluminium, machined finish, lightweight bonded • Displacement: 449.50cm3 (27.43 cubic inches) • Engine type: Single-cylinder 4-stroke • Power: 40.23hp (29.4kw) @ 7000rpm • Weight: 130kg • Power/weight ratio: 0.31hp/kg • Transmission:…

Like the Loch Ness Monster and Bigfoot, a mythical beast has been haunting the Ténéré Tragics in recent seasons. The frightening creature first appeared two years ago on the Tragics’ High Country Run in Victoria, flashing its fleshy white underbelly at riders as they ventured south from the Dargo Hotel. Then last year it was spotted again, cavorting in a river near Nowendoc as the Tragics sought relief from the sun of the Dividing Range Run. This year the woolly mammoth stalked the pack all week long on the River to Ranges Run, with countless sightings by Tragics who feared they were hallucinating in the desert heat. It wasn’t until the final day of the Run, in front of a huge pack of Tragics at the Blinman Hotel at the…

NOW ENTERING ITS 20TH YEAR, THE MX NATIONALS HAS BECOME THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS, CONSISTENT AND RECOGNISABLE DIRTBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP WE HAVE IN AUSTRALIA It was a typical winter’s day in Tasmania. Cold, windy, some rain, some sun, some more rain again and did I mention it was cold as, when what is now known as Williams Event Management (WEM) took the reins of their first national motocross championship round. Now entering its 20th year, the MX Nationals has become the most prestigious, consistent and recognisable dirtbike championship we have in Australia. Back in 1997, it wasn’t the MX Nationals then — there was no series organiser and motocross in general was trying to finds its feet in Australia. Supercross rode a huge wave of popularity in the early to mid 90s…

The 125 class has changed significantly in Australia over recent times. It’s gone from being the bike everyone rode in the MX journey to professional class in national and world championships, then to the brink of extinction when the more powerful 250Fs hit the market, to now a predominately teenage development bike that attracts the 12–15-years market. But regardless of who the pilot is or the generation, every rider looks back at their time on a 125 with fond memories: the sensation of taking a bike to your complete limits, revving it hard, riding it fast, taking a turn like you want to destroy it and just the general feeling of riding a BMX with a motor that the bigger bikes simply can’t replicate. But the last decade has been…

Hats off to Christian on this bike — it’s one of my all-time favourites Glenn Kearney needs little introduction to anyone who’s been following racing for, well, a bloody long time. From motocross to enduro and GNCC, Four Days and Six Days, Kearney has left his mark and continues to smash impressive laps as the head of the Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team as well as an E1 rider. GK has done good things with the Husky team since he took the reins and got 2016 off to a good start with a win for Mitch Harper at the high-profile Clipsal Enduro-X, where Kearney went down hard and broke his shoulder in four places. Even with that injury, he made plans to turn up to round one of the AORC just…