Innehållsförteckning för April 2016 från Dirt Action

Yamaha is throwing models at the market like it’s a snowball fight and it’s in it to win it. The last couple of years have seen a heap of new bikes on and off road and there’s still more to come. Still, you have to be impressed with what the company has been able to do with the YZ450F. Not only did Yamaha produce a brilliant motocross bike but from that base design we also get the WR450F and the YZ450FX. The WR450F we’re fairly familiar with but until now we’d only seen the FX as a 250F, which was a brilliant little bike with more spunk than its WR-F cousin. The YZ450FX is aimed at racers and those lucky few in Australia with access to rec rego, a much…

The MX Nationals has proved to be Australia’s most prestigious dirtbike series. With the stability of a single promoter for nearly 20 years, riders and teams know they have a quality championship that’s worth investing money in and certainly worth winning, year in, year out. With each passing year, the level of professionalism from both the teams and the event itself goes up another rung. If you haven’t been to an MX Nationals event in the past five years, you’re in for a shock. The presentation of the venue and the running of the event is sharp. The tracks have been marked and bunted the full way around and their appearance rivals anything in the US or Europe. The pits have also changed over recent seasons as the professionalism of…

As most of you would know, motocross is a dangerous sport. Bikes are getting faster, jumps are getting bigger and our athletes are living closer to the edge. With each passing moment comes the inherent risk of injury — a mistimed jump, a collision with another rider or even just a simple fall from the bike. Most injuries in motocross are easy to see: a broken bone, dislocated joint or a large gash. But it's the unseen injuries that can often be the biggest issue. Without a doubt, concussion is the silent assassin and it’s extremely prevalent in our sport. The Sports Concussion Institute describes a concussion as “a complex pathophysiological process that affects the brain, typically induced by trauma to the brain. It can be caused either by a…

M2R 2016 X2.6 LINEAR HI-VIS HELMET • Carbon, Kevlar & fibreglass shell• Lightweight design• Dual vortex exhaust• 3 piece EPS liner for protection• Multiple Inclusion Technology• Australian Standard approved QUIKSHADE • Size range: 1.5m–7.2m• Customisable prints to make your shade stand out• Set up in 60 seconds• Two models available: Lite Weight system & Pro Elite system• Industrial-grade heavy-duty nylon brackets• Lightweight for easy portability• 20-year limited lifetime warranty CLICK’N’RIDE Quick-release indicators that fit virtually any bike provide peace of mind with a release system that allows you to take your lights off when heading to the trails. Meets all legal requirements and you can get a single set for just $44. READY RAMP • Ute extender and loading ramp• Encloses horizontal tailgate increasing tray space by up to 35%• Ramp includes super-strong beam cross-sections with four-degree arching joints• 270kg single-point working load• Can be rotated and used…

Last month we covered the cleaning of the head, cutting of the valve seats and checking valve guides. Now it’s time to reassemble the valves in the head, along with a few new parts. BLUE STEEL The valve on the right is a new titanium inlet valve, shown with the worn valve for reference. While a race bike will always opt for the lighter titanium valve, many trail riders choose to replace the inlet valves with stainless-steel valves for longevity. Titanium is actually relatively soft and has a hard nitride coating on the surface. Once the nitride coating is worn off, valve wear increases exponentially. BLUE RING It’s not advisable to “lap in” titanium valves as that can prematurely wear the nitride coating. It is, however, a good idea to…

It’s easy to think of Craig Dack as the head of CDR Racing and leave it at that. And why not? Under his name the team has won more than any other team in Australia. But to anyone over 35 years old, Craig is also and will always be the “Dack Attack”, a rider who defined an era by taking four Mr Motocross titles in a row as well as two Supercross Masters titles. Given they raced most weekends of the year, his list of titles runs on and on and on. This sport has developed a short memory and Dack doesn’t much like to discuss the past. But the record of wins this guy has amassed throughout the two phases of his career is mind blowing and you’d be…

Unfortunately for us in the Sunny State, Kirk Gibbs isn’t actually a Queenslander — but you’d never know that. His Bunnings gardening hat, thongs and a super-relaxed attitude might fool everyone but the locals. The young and extremely modest guy sits across from me, having learned more than his fair share of life lessons in the past 10 years both in and outside of motorcycles. Having proved his worth to the manufacturer beyond a doubt in 2015 by winning the coveted Australian Motocross Championship, the South Australian native is KTM Racing Australia’s numero uno when it comes to their primary form of racing: motocross. However, he didn’t start the supercross championship in the same dominant form and sadly, just as he began to gain his SX mojo, he took himself…

WHAT SORT OF PROCESS IS INVOLVED IN MAKING THE DECISION TO RIDE A NEW BIKE? The decision was made pretty early in last year, but the biggest reason for the change is I thought I had more potential to win on this bike and that’s what I was looking for. I felt like I’d earned enough seconds and I wanted to win — that was the biggest factor in the decision. The biggest reason for the change is I thought I had more potential to win on this bike AVOIDING INJURY IS THE TOUGHEST PART OF ANY WAS IT PERSONALLY A DIFFICULT DECISION TO LEAVE HONDA AND GET ON A KAWASAKI? I was at the point where my goal was just to win. It’s not just to hang out around…

The Ryan Dungey we saw in 2015 was very different from the one we saw in all the years before. How did this come together? In 2015 we added some new things to the puzzle. The new bike especially makes a big difference. After three years of collecting all the data from our testing, that new bike is the result. I really like the bike; the chassis got much better and is more nimble. I also changed my training. Getting together with Aldon Baker took a lot off my planning and training stress so I could now focus on riding and training alone — no second guessing and trying out things. Was your input important for the development of the new bike? Well, I didn’t really tell them what needed…

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN OWNER OF PARK4MX? I’ve had the business for two years now. FROM YOUR POINT OF VIEW, HOW’S IT ALL GOING? It’s going well [but] it’s definitely a lot more work than I originally expected. I think the demand for perfect conditions is higher than ever, especially in Victoria. There are a few ride parks around now so I guess it’s a competitive business. For me, I’ve had to bring this place up from a fairly low standard so it’s been a lot of work; I’m enjoying it, though. I obviously have a love for the sport, a passion, and racing had to finish sooner or later. So to step into this sort of role and to my own business and for it to be relatively…

Well, it’s been fun but it’s over. A chance ride on a YZ125 some time before this project began got our brains ticking over just how much fun it would be to ride in the bush. We wanted to ride a light bike that could really move and also turn well and there just aren’t many bikes on the planet better for that than the YZ. Our first ride on a project bike, when it’s completely stock, is often just to gauge where we want to go after that, but with the YZ it was just a shitload of fun. We actually rode it stock for a little longer than we usually do because it was just so cool to wring its neck and learn all over again how to…

1: MOTOZ TRACTIONATOR ADVENTURE SERIES FRONT 90/90-21 • Unique centre block design increases stability at high speeds and provides long-life performance• Multi-siped block design increases cornering performance and confidence at high speed• Optimised block layout for a larger contact point to increase cornering stability• 25% stronger carcass construction than other adventure tyres• $139.95 RRP REAR 150/70-18 • 25% stronger carcass construction than other adventure tyres guarantees world-class performance with a high resistance to punctures• Uniquely designed tread blocks self-protect for long life and self-sharpen for better traction through the life of the tyre• Optimised hybrid natural/synthetic compound produces maximum grip in Australia's hot climate• Superior block design creates a larger footprint and contact point providing superior traction• 30% more tread depth than most adventure tyres• $249.95 RRP 2: AFRICA’S ARROW The guys at Link International have a pipe on their hands…

SPECS Engine type: Liquid-cooled, DOHC Displacement: 998cc Ignition system: TCI Starter system: Electric Suspension: Independent double wishbone w/anti-sway bar, fully adjustable FOX 2.5 Podium RC2 shocks Transmission system: 5-speed sequential shift Wet weight: 698kg Cargo capacity: 136kg Fuel tank capacity: 34L Dimensions: 3.119 (L) × 1.625 (W) × 1.834 (H) Price: Yamaha Racing Blue $29,990; 60th Anniversary Edition Yellow $31,999 WORDS HAYDEN GREGORY A few weeks ago I got the chance to attend the launch for Yamaha’s latest four-wheeled weapon. Let me tell you, “weapon” is an understatement. This 100 per cent pure sports vehicle is one of a kind and, boy, am I glad I got the chance to jump inside. With a 998cc three-cylinder engine, five-speed manual transmission, electronic power steering and a cockpit resembling a fighter jet,…

How often a week do you train (off moto)? Depends on the week but I can train off the bike anywhere from once a week to six times a week. How many hours do you train a day (off moto)? Between 30 minutes to three hours a day off bike. How often a week do you ride moto and how many hours? In the pre-season I ride four or five times a week at 1½ to two hours. How many kilometres do you cycle or run a week? Cycling could be nothing to 150km a week. How many times a day do you eat? I’m good at eating. I don’t really stop, only when I’m riding or training [laughs]. How many hours would you sleep a night? Seven to eight…

BUT IT LOOKS THE SAME The 2016 RMZ 250 may look the same from the outside but underneath there are plenty of changes to take note of. The addition of the promotional graphics kit for 2016 does go a long way in making the bike look more appealing and I think Suzuki’s done a great job with it. With over 80 new or updated parts within the engine, a redesigned frame, KYB PSF2 forks and an updated shock, this is a new bike wrapped up in existing plastic. THE ENGINE The changes in mass placement within the engine were aimed at making it rev faster and also to reduce the feel of rotating mass. After a few laps on this bike, I think those goals have well and truly been…

I’m a 125cc fan, there’s no hiding it, and to have the opportunity to ride one around a circuit like Budds Creek is a dream come true. I’ve watched the AMA national on TV every year since I can remember so I was pinching myself all day motoing around this place for the worldwide Husqvarna launch. I saved riding the 125 until last — I wanted to be comfortable around the track and also used it as kind of a dangling carrot to work towards. The Husqvarna range had huge updates for 2016 and the 125 didn’t miss out, so here’s what I thought of it after cutting some laps at Budds Creek. The engine is all new and 2kg lighter than the previous model: that’s a truckload of weight…

01 No more battling with your bike to get the grips onto the handlebars. These things just fit up nicely, a pinch bolt on the clutch side and a replacement throttle tube on the other. 02 You end up with a spare throttle tube for your toolkit. 03 They are designed from a rider’s point of view — Jeff Emig, no less. The compound is great and the half-waffle design is easy on the hands. 04 You can ditch the messy grip glue and no cleaning the gunk off when you need to change grips. 05 They look pretty damn cool and come in a mass of different colours.…

Welcome to the studio, you big, beautiful thing ... said the missus! At that point I wasn’t sure if she was talking to me or the slightly used 2016 Heritage Yellow WR450F that I’d dragged back with me from the model launch held earlier that day at Josh Green’s property in Stroud, NSW. Mind you, it’s kind of rare for my beautiful wife to call me a “big, beautiful thing” but, hey, we’ve been married for 18 years so I guess it’s about time she got romantic — or could it be the trick-looking Yamaha has made her want to learn how to ride? Twenty sixteen will be a big year for the bLU cRU with the introduction of this, their all-new WR450F, extremely similar to their YZ450F motocross bike.…