Innehållsförteckning för December 2018 från Dirt Action

THE MADMAN He’s surfed barrels in Pipe Dream and ripped around Sydney Harbour, and now Robbie Maddison has carved his way through the canals in The Hague, The Netherlands. EARTHMOVER The Sherco 500 is the perfect play bike for Deputy Editor Matt Bernard. With big balls off the bottom and a massive top end, it would be an awesome weapon for the DIRT ACTION Amcross series. The bike has been made just for Australia and we’d like to take this moment to thank the French for both this and chocolate soufflé. Vive la France, Oi Oi Oi.…

A consistent 2018 rally season has earned Toby Price the prestigious title of World Champion. Finishing the year with an overall victory at the Rally Du Maroc, Toby launched to the top of the standings. “What an amazing season — I can’t believe it,” he said. “It’s been a tough one and I didn’t expect to be at the top of the list at the end of it. I had some bad luck back in Abu Dhabi at the beginning of the year, but after that every rally has gone well and I’ve finished on the podium at every round. To win the world championship with a win here in Morocco makes it all that little bit sweeter. If I am honest, I was nervous out there on the final…

Yamaha has developed the WR250F far beyond any bike that I can think of right now. Mind you, I’m writing this before I’ve had any caffeine so my brain is stuck in second. But if you think back to what this bike was a few years ago — a soft and mild but dependable trail-based 250F — and compare that to the current model, it’s hard to believe it’s even related, let alone the same bike. And it’s a gamble to evolve a bike to this degree. The WR450F is evolving along parallel lines but it hasn’t hit its mark yet, with the 2018 model carrying difficult standard mapping and a far bulkier feel than the competition. So now the WR250F has been with us for a while, can we…

WHAT’S NEW FOR ‘19 All-new plastics and bodywork Redesigned and lighter SOHC cylinder head Redesigned exhaust Updated swingarm Blue-coated frame New 250g lighter two-piece subframe design WP AER48 forks include updated settings WP DCC shock with updated settings and new piston Triple clamp protector integrated into front number plate Traction and launch control with new settings SPECS ENGINE: 449.9 cm³ 1-cylinder, 4-stroke engine BORE & STROKE: 95mm x 63.4mm CARBURETION: Keihin EMS STARTER: Electric TRANSMISSION: 5-speed SEAT HEIGHT: 950mm FUEL CAPACITY: 7.1 litres FORK: WP-USD, AER 48, Ø 48 mm SHOCK: WP shock absorber with linkage FRONT BRAKE: Disc brake REAR BRAKE: Disc brake DANNY HAM With a bike that is built so close and similar to the KTM, you would think it would be the same bike. In the…

WHAT’S NEW FOR ‘19 The Suzuki RM-Z450 had a major update in 2018 New rear shock spring New damping shock settings Revised graphics SPECS ENGINE: 449cc, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, DOHC CARBURETION: EFI STARTER: Kick TRANSMISSION: 5-speed SEAT HEIGHT: 960mm FUEL CAPACITY: 6.3 litres FORK: 49mm Showa inverted telescopic SHOCK: BFRC link-type FRONT BRAKE: Nissin twin-piston caliper, 270mm wave disc REAR BRAKE: Nissin single-piston caliper, 240mm wave disc DANNY HAM The bike looks good, nobody questions this. I’ve only heard good reports from previous models and I was looking forward to getting on the bike — after all, I have spent most of my career on Suzukis and straight up I felt comfortable. This feel is ingrained into my riding style. It is narrow and feels like home, even to the…

A hell of a lot goes into planning a shootout, so a big thanks to all involved. Big thanks to the team at Dunlop for coming on board as our control tyre. To all the manufacturers for being a part of our test day — thank you. Adam Spence for swinging off his video camera for the day. The riders for sweating it out and pounding out a multitude of laps. The mechanics for all their help, including a big shout out to Christian Horwood and his family for making the big trip from northern Queensland. Mel for her social media work and Marcus for not only the support with our ideas but for delivering some ice-cold beers! What’s next? We will soon find out……

The model changes presented on the new Gas Gas’s are all about refinement rather than reinvention or redesign. New for 2019 are a high-power lithium battery, a new wiring loom, improved starter (which still sits awkwardly on the side), mapping switch on the bars, Neken bars and grips, new plastics and graphics, new cylinder head and stiffer bar clamps. Although the engine change isn’t entirely insignificant on paper, I didn’t really feel it in any meaningful way. I’d have to back-to-back the two models to get a confident gauge, but given the original engine was a cracker then we won’t be complaining that the 2019 version feels pretty much the same. The new, wider Neken bars do make a positive difference to the ergos and aren’t spoiled by the stiffer…

01 HYDRATION Hydration is extremely important when you go trailriding in summer. The day and night before you hit the trails, keep your hydration levels high. Starting the day pre-hydrated will ensure you kick things off with correct fluid levels, a healthy mind and a body that's ready to be put through the stress of riding in extreme temperatures. Wear a hydration pack when you ride and if you have the ability to do so, freeze or refrigerate your bladder the night before. It will keep your fluid cooler for longer. 02 KEEP COOL Wear a set of vented riding gear. It will make a big difference in keeping your body temperature down and your comfort levels high, especially if you need to push your bike up a snotty hill.…

At the time of printing, Chad Reed did not have a ride for the 2019 AMA Supercross season. He had expressed his commitment to race but didn’t want to be forced into funding another year of competition. JGR stepped up and supplied a factory RM-Z450 for Reed to race at the final round of the AMA Motocross Championship, the Monster Cup, Aus-X Open and the SX-Open in New Zealand. There isn't much not to like about this zook with matte-black graphics, titanium Yoshimura exhaust, factory Showa forks and shock, Hinson clutch, Pro Taper handlebars, gold Excel rims — the list goes on. Chad has been on the phone to his original TwoTwo Motorsports sponsors to try and arrange the funds to help JGR bring Reed onboard for the 2019 season.…

Last year we stated that 2018 was the tightest fight yet. Well, 2019 takes the cake. The range of 450 motocross machines available in your local dealership is nothing short of impressive. Each bike we have to choose from is an excellent piece of machiner — a fact that makes our shootouts tighter and tighter to judge. To organise a shootout, we have an array of responsibilities to ensure a fair and just comparison for the readers and manufacturers alike. Someone reading this may well use our opinion to lay down over $10,000 on a brand-new motocross machine. We take these tests seriously and a lot of consideration is given to where we test, who we choose as testers and whether we offer a control tyre. Read on to learn…

WHAT’S NEW FOR ‘19 Completely redeveloped bike Factory-inspired 449cc single-cylinder four-stroke with 2.5kW more than the previous model. Electric start with lightweight lithium-ion battery Hydraulic clutch Coil-spring fork with Kashima coating Finger follower valve actuation Larger rear brake disc Updated slim and ergonomic bodywork SPECS ENGINE: 449cm³ 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder CARBURETION: 44mm EFI STARTER: Electric TRANSMISSION: 5-speed SEAT HEIGHT: 955mm FUEL CAPACITY: 6.2 litres FORK: 49mm diameter inverted telescopic fork SHOCK: New Uni-Trak FRONT BRAKE: Single 270mm semi-floating petal disc with dual-piston caliper REAR BRAKE: Single 250mm petal disc with single-piston caliper DANNY HAM Initial feel whilst seated on the bike was similar to the Honda; high in the bar feel but sleek and streamlined through the rest of the bike. The power of the Kawasaki was punchy, especially through…

WHAT’S NEW FOR 2019 Updated suspension settings for improved feeling of traction Redesigned front fork lugs for improved rigidity and front-end feel New front- and rear-wheel collars to provide improved traction Updated starter system to reduce drag and horsepower loss Increased seat-foam density Blue valvetrain cover SPECS ENGINE: 449cm³ 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder CARBURETION: Mikuni 44mm STARTER: Electric TRANSMISSION: 5-speed SEAT HEIGHT: 965mm FUEL CAPACITY: 6.2 litres FORK: Kayaba SSS forks SHOCK: Kayaba single shock FRONT BRAKE: 270mm disc REAR BRAKE: 245mm disc DANNY HAM To say one bike is better than another bike is pretty hard these days. The brands are so close and in the end it could simply come down to a personal preference of the rider. In saying that, if you want ultimate power you don’t need…

FEATURE: HONDA CRF450L Why doesn’t everybody drive a sports car? Because not everyone needs a bloody sports car! So why do dirtbike riders have an infatuation with spending big dollars on bikes that are not built for the riding they do? A Lamborghini handles three kids and a pram about as well as a race bike handles cattle mustering. There is a better machine for the job. When Honda announced they were bringing the CRF450L into the country I was kinda disappointed. Huge muffler, fairly hefty weight and a package aimed at trails — it seemed a missed opportunity to me, a chance to take on the Euros with the US-announced Honda CRF450X floated down the river. That was until I arrived at the Mt. Kembla facility in Wollongong for…

It doesn’t get much better than this event. Two-strokes, supercross and superstars — Red Bull Straight Rhythm had it all. Social media banter in the lead-up, Ryan Villopoto and Ryan Dungey coming out of retirement, two-stroke specialists and current pros, and everyone fighting it out on a technical track specially designed for the smoking machines. Check out some of the amazing images captured from this incredible event.…

Someone at Sherco has every right to be sitting with a smug smile on their face right now. The Australians asked for a 500 and the French thought it was pretty weird given they make a perfectly good 450F, but they made one just for us anyway. We spent two days at the amazing Krusic's Ride Park, near Sale in Victoria, riding a selection of the 2019 Sherco range. But it was the 500 SEF we were most curious about and that we spent the majority of our time punting around dirtbike paradise on. It was hard to share it and finally peel ourselves off it to give it back in the end. The 500 SEF we rode was a Factory model and thus comes with an Akrapovic pipe, Kayaba…

A combination of a GYTR exhaust, Pirelli tyres, mapping and a fresh CFX gripper seat meant that I found myself having to really nip my pants up to stop them from being torn down under acceleration. The CFX seat has made an unbelievable difference to the way I can corner this bike, allowing me to stay right up on top of the tank and relax my forearms to avoid the dreaded arm pump. I'd have to say this would also be a big part of the great starts I have been ripping. RESULTS After missing a round due to an American vacation, I headed into the last round of the DIRT ACTION Amcross with one thing in mind: points. The top eight or so riders were all close and one…

2019 YAMAHA WR450F ALL-NEW YAMAHA READY FOR THE AUSSIE BUSH The Yamaha WR450F is all new from the ground up. So what’s new? Just about everything! The Yamaha WR450F engine shares the same specifications as the YZ450F, although the intake and exhaust systems and EFI and ignition maps are tuned with the enduro rider in mind. The new Yamaha smartphone tuning is now available thanks to the on-board WiFi. The Yamaha Power App also allows for race logging and to monitor your bike's data. The clutch is the same spec as the Yamaha YZ450X for greater reliability and performance in enduro conditions. The WR features a wide-ratio five-speed transmission with the same ratios as the YZ450X. On the bars you’ll find the dual-engine map switch to select one of two…

Check out the best of the Aussie groms! The Junior Aussie Motocross Titles was a massive event held in the picturesque Tassie town of Penguin and it showcased some of the impressive talent we have coming through the ranks. If this was a sign of what the future holds then we’ve got some depth and speed to watch for years to come. Well done to the riders, mums and dads, organisers and track officials for an epic event. POWERED BY…

“ALTHOUGH IT’S ADJUSTABLE IN A NUMBER OF WAYS, WE FOUND THE RIGHT FEEL STRAIGHT OUT OF THE BOX AND CAN HONESTLY SAY IT’S THE BEST-FITTING HELMET WE’VE WORN” Every now and then a product stands out amongst the crowd. The Alpinestars SM10 is one of those products. Developed over five years with a focus on zero compromise, the brief for the SM10 was to offer amazing fit and protection as well as class-leading ventilation. The three-layer carbon composite construction was tested within Alpinestars' own Racing Development Centre to exceed all existing standards across the four shell sizes offered. The SM10 also features the clever A-head fitting height and angle adjustment system which allows the interior to be set up precisely to fit the rider’s head. This is complemented by a…

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WHAT’S NEW FOR ‘19 New combustion chamber shape Refined oil-management system Revised frame and swingarm for optimised rigidity and weight saving New lightweight front brake caliper and large piston design New ECU settings HRC launch control Renthal Fatbar handlebars Adjustable handlebar position Black rims Redesigned fork guards SPECS ENGINE: 449cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke single-cylinder uni-cam BORE & STROKE: 96mm x 62.1mm COMPRESSION RATIO: 13.5:1 CARBURETION: PGM-FI STARTER: Electric TRANSMISSION: 5-speed SEAT HEIGHT: 960mm FUEL CAPACITY: 6.3 litres FORK: Fully adjustable leading-axle inverted telescopic Showa coil-spring SHOCK: Pro-Link system; fully adjustable Showa single shock; 314mm travel FRONT BRAKE: 260mm hydraulic wave disc REAR BRAKE: 240mm hydraulic wave disc DANNY HAM For me, the Honda felt a little wider at the radiators and had a higher bar-to-seat feel than the previous three bikes…

WHAT’S NEW FOR ‘19 All-new plastics and bodywork Redesigned and lighter SOHC cylinder head New exhaust New throttle body Black frame with increased stiffness Revised swingarm Neken handlebars WP AER48 forks include updated settings WP DCC shock with updated settings and new piston Traction & launch control with new settings SPECS ENGINE: 449.9cm³ 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder CARBURETION: Keihin EFI STARTER: Electric TRANSMISSION: 5-speed SEAT HEIGHT: 990mm FUEL CAPACITY: 7 litres FORK: WP USD, AER48 SHOCK: WP Monoshock with linkage FRONT BRAKE: Brembo disc brake Ø 260 mm REAR BRAKE: Brembo disc brake 220 mm DANNY HAM The KTM is the all-round package for me with a strong engine and great handling. Something KTM worked on this year was the power delivery to the ground and it was very obvious jumping…

The all-new KX450 has just managed to claw its head above the 450 class to claim the win in 2019. The updated engine, chassis and suspension has created an all-round package that will be winning races around Australia. The inclusion of the electric start and hydraulic clutch for this year model is another box ticked. Again, this was a close fight that came down to the Kawasaki and the Honda, with the Yamaha and Husqvarna vying for attention as well. But across the whole day, most riders felt the most comfortable on the KX and any little changes that needed to be made were all easy right there at the side of the track. AND THE WINNER IS… This is one close fight. It could be the most difficult winner…

SWM — the Italian/Chinese company picking up where the Italian/German company left off after the Swedes left the building and well before the Austrians came and took over. SWM is making steady strides across its range in a patient game of offering value while not over-reaching, and understanding its place before making crazy promises of racing glory. New for the 2019 RS300R and RS500R are the more striking plastics and graphics that really do set the 2019s apart from the previous models. The improvements don’t stop there though, with a new headlight and blinkers fitted, a new and much more comfortable seat, new sub-frame and a Euro 4 specific engine mapping. If they look at all familiar it’s because the bikes are based off the Husqvarna TE models circa 2009–2011.…

Electric bikes may not have reached the heights of performance on a large scale for senior riders, but for juniors they represent the perfect intro to riding. We spent some time on a couple of bikes from Kuberg’s range and the toughest thing about the whole exercise was getting the groms to hold still for a photo. We took two models out for a run — the Start and the Cross Hero. The Start is part of the early rider series and is the perfect choice for the littlest of the crew to jump on. It features a safety cut-off switch attached to a lanyard and three power settings so you can govern the bike’s power output. Our test bike had the trials-specific dip in the seat area but you…