Innehållsförteckning för Sep/Oct 2020 från Dirt Action

» NEW More powerful engine » NEW Electric start » NEW Coned disc-spring hydraulic clutch » NEW Lightweight aluminium perimeter frame » NEW Fine-tuned race-ready suspension and brake components » NEW Slim, ergonomic bodywork » NEW Engine with increased peak power » NEW Processing for intake and exhaust ports » NEW Exhaust cam timing » NEW Stiffer valve springs » NEW Combustion chamber design and flatter piston crown » NEW Longer connecting rod » NEW Lighter crankshaft design » NEW Revised pressure balance inside the crankcase » NEW Coned disc-spring hydraulic clutch » NEW Electric start via the push of a button » NEW Lightweight, compact Li-ion battery » NEW KX 450-based slim aluminium perimeter frame » NEW Engine is used as a stressed member » NEW Steering head area…

Renthal has employed its 50-plus years of experience in handlebar design, testing and racing to develop the R-Works Fatbar 36, the ultimate in lightweight motocross handlebars. Utilising Renthal’s 36Tech handlebar standard and proprietary Zarilium material to give a high-strength handlebar at the lowest possible weight. The R-Works Fatbar 36 is 36 per cent lighter than our standard 28mm-diameter Fatbar, previously the lightest motocross handlebar. What is Zarilium? Zarilium is a new aluminium alloy exclusive to Renthal. This new alloy has 20 per cent greater ultimate tensile strength than our class-winning 7010T6 aluminium alloy while maintaining the same elongation properties. This additional strength has allowed Renthal to achieve the maximum weight reduction. How does the strength of the R-Works Fatbar 36 compare with the existing 28mm Fatbar? The strength is the…

You can buy a CB500 in either the road-specific F or R models, or as you see here, the adventure-ised CB500X. The X doesn’t look much like its cousins and certainly has the classic adventure appearance with the beak, one-piece seat, 19-inch front wheel and high bar bend. But it retains some of that road pedigree via the cast wheels and low-slung pipes. The engine is a 471cc parallel twin that saw some refinements in 2019 aimed at squeezing some extra ponies (up to 4 per cent more torque from 3,000 to 7,000 rpm), smoothing the delivery and improving fuel efficiency. New valve timing, reshaped air intake and revised injector nozzle sizing coupled with a new pipe, new slipper clutch and an improved gearbox feel all aim to steer a…

Taddy Blazusiak is the quintessential KTM rider. It’s damn near impossible to imagine him on anything else but a KTM. His list of achievements puts him at certified legend status and the fact that he’s still winning at the highest level is testament to what a freak he is on a bike. And just as a reminder, that list of achievemnets includes six-time FIM SuperEnduro world champion, a five-time AMA EnduroCross champion, a five-time Red Bull Erzbergrodeo winner, winner of four X-Games gold medals and a Red Bull Last Man Standing victory. He’s a machine. When KTM bought GasGas, racing was going to go one of two ways: there would be new GasGas teams, or there would be a shift of KTM/ Husky riders onto GasGas. It appears the shift…

Here at DA, we like to put our project bikes through their paces. So when the opportunity came to welcome a Yamaha YZ450F to the fleet, we introduced Mat McEntee to the project bike test-riding family. He’s a pro-level racer and has more skill in his left pinky than many do in their whole body. Injuries and sickness have hampered him making a career out of racing but he has found himself right at home as a test rider for us. We will let Mat take it from here as we introduce the YZ… Man, the world’s been a crazy place — but you’ve gotta look at the positive! My biggest positive is that I just got my hands on a 2020 Yamaha YZ450F as a project bike with DIRT…

CAMBOX POV CAMERA Not being allowed to use a GoPro-style helmet camera sucks. That is where the Cambox comes in. It Velcros under the helmet and sits in a nice position between the goggles and helmet. It is a slick product and something we are really excited to use. The camera is an impressive product with some really cool features. We fitted it to Mat McEntee’s helmet for some laps around The Appin motocross track and the footage that came out of it was high quality but also a different point of view. Stay tuned to the next issue for a full rundown of the product. FEATURES: » POSITIONING: A unique positioning under the visor of the helmet or inside the helmet. The Cambox knows how to get adapted to…

PICK YA MARKER Choosing a braking point is an integral part to charging into a turn at speed. Once you have chosen a braking marker you can slowly creep it closer towards the turn and continue to drop your lap time. When choosing your marker and the line in which you will be braking, ensure that you are setting yourself up for a solid entry to the corner. In most cases, get out wide to open up the turn. If you can wash off less speed, in turn being able to make a wide and smooth turn over a sharp and tight turn, you will drop those lap times. GET IN POSITION Before you jump on the brakes, get yourself into the correct body position. You need to be in…

Our last adventure saw our lucky KLX family of four head to Pacific Park, not far from home on Sydney’s outskirts, and thanks to Kawasaki proved how much fun you can have with a trailer load of fun bikes. This issue they decided to head north, a little way up the M1 freeway, to ride a park that has been in the making for a while and promises to provide a much-needed step-up for our riders — The Island Action Sports Complex. The Island Action Sports Complex had been somewhat of an enigma for over 10 years. You would drive up the M1 heading north just past Karuah and spot the tower that sat high above a front gate with an alluring motif and wonder, what’s going on in there?…

HUSQVARNA MOTOCROSS » New Technical Accessory Husqvarna Motorcycles app allows to adjust engine mappings and gives suspension setup recommendations on all FC models » New mid-valve damping system to the WP XACT forks with AER technology » New 10 mm shorter fork cartridges and outer tubes » The WP XACT shock features new low-friction linkage seals » New seat cover texture » Striking new electric yellow and dark blue graphics » Progressive bodywork for optimal ergonomics » Chromium-molybdenum steel frame featuring precisely engineered flex characteristics » Innovative two-piece composite subframe design » Interchangeable airbox cover on FC models for optimised airflow » CNC machined triple clamps » MAGURA hydraulic clutch system offering perfect action in every condition » Brembo brake callipers and high-performance discs combining superior stopping power with great…

BALLARDS KTM/HUSQVARNA BREMBO BLUE FLEX FRONT BRAKE LEVER $49.95 www.mxstore.com.au OGIO RIG 9800 DARK STATIC GEAR BAG $389.95 www.cassons.com.au BALLARDS NARROW T-BAR SET $14.95 www.mxstore.com.au ALPINESTARS 2020 TECH 10 RED/WHITE BOOTS $699.95 www.monzaimports.com.au LEATT DBX 3.5 FUEL BLUE/ RED BMX/MTB NECK BRACE $369.95 www.cassons.com.au TROY LEE DESIGNS 2021 SE4 POLY BETA ORANGE/NAVY KIDS HELMET $424.95 www.lustyindustries.com LEATT VELOCITY 5.5 IRIZ BLACK BRONZE GOGGLES $134.95 www.cassons.com.au FOX 2021 AIRLINE PILR BLUE/RED JERSEY AND PANTS $309.90 www.foxhead.com.au…

EUFY WIRE-FREE HD SECURITY CAM WITH HOME BASE KIT » 100% wire-free » 365-day battery life » 100dB siren anti-theft protection JURA GIGA 6 FULLY AUTOMATIC COFFEE MACHINE » Automatic grinder adjustment » 28 different specialties » Two heating systems and two pumps enable coffee and milk to be prepared at the same time RYOBI 18V ONE+ HEAT GUN » Compact and lightweight for easy use and transportation » LED worklight increases visibility » TPR grip also slows warming and drying, so the compound remains usable for longer RYOBI 18V ONE+ HYBRID LED WORK LIGHT Hybrid technology allows use via mains power for continuous use, freeing your battery for other tasks Compatible with all Ryobi ONE+ batteries Adjustable panel rotation up to 360° 2100 lumens, CCT: 5700K Beam angle: 120°…

BILLY MAC’S BEAST Billy has been away. Billy is back… kind of. The Scotsman was one of the most exciting and mind-blowing riders to ever race motocross in Oz. When it all came together for the number 211, nobody was going to stop him from winning. Post-retirement, Billy has been busy building custom motorcycles under the banner of X-Axis. But he has also found a love for the CR500. This is the bike that’s re-fired his love of riding and he throws it around in a way us mere mortals could only dream of.…

Where did you grow up? I grew up at Soldiers Point, which is a small suburb of Port Stephens (NSW). I got my first dirtbike when I was six. Luke George and I went right through school together and he raced from four, I’d say. So I got a Pee Wee 50 off them and I started racing. You weren’t doing the footy or soccer thing, it was just bikes? I think I played basketball and touch footy in school, but I sucked. I’m just terrible at ball sports. At six I started racing motocross and I think in my first race I had a leather jacket and a set of gumboots on. So you were racing straight away? Yeah, I got the bike and I think it was only…

Honda showed significant confidence in its 2020 Africa Twin line-up by allowing us to test them for three days over a wide range of terrain in Australia’s red centre. The information kit gave a hint about what was to come — big kays, bush camping, remote locations. The reality was full-on adventure riding at its best, on bikes that made it easier than it should have been. And the tour was as good as it gets given the launch was planned and led by the Daryl Beattie Adventures crew, who simply run the best show on two wheels when you’re far, far from home. On offer for the launch was a range of the latest models in various configurations of suspension and transmission. All bases were covered, from the base…

There’s never been anyone like him. Australia has produced some truly great riders, like Jeff Leisk and Toby Price for example, but there’s only one Chad Reed. A laser-focused, insanely competitive rider with exceptional skills and balls of steel. Chad stared down the absolute greatest riders of the modern era, including names like McGrath, Vuillemin, LaRocco, Windham, Carmichael, Stewart, Villopoto and Dungey, and never flinched. Before he and Ellie packed their bags for Europe to battle Mickaël Pichon, he did the same in Australia where he seemingly out of nowhere came upon a race pace that the likes of Craig Anderson, Lee Hogan, Danny Ham and Cam Taylor had trouble matching. Absolute belief in himself matched with sublime skills pushed Chad’s career forward. His cornering speed was amazing. His timing…

Twenty-nineteen ended up being a massive year for you and you got the title you’ve fought for so long to win. It must have been an epic feeling to be number one at the close of an impressive season. Twenty-nineteen was definitely a year I will never forget. For a number of years we have been on the right path to win the Australian Motocross Championship but would always come across some unexpected surprises that would keep us in the bridesmaid position. To finally claim the goal I set out to achieve as a very young racer was simply the best feeling I have ever experienced. I have never felt emotion like it before and most likely never will. Can you tell us how you celebrated or was it too…

Rocky terrain can spell disaster for the uninitiated. Rocks, in particular moist rocks, are incredibly slippery, and hitting them at the wrong angle can deflect your motorcycle unexpectedly. Riding on rocks throws up a range of challenges, all of which can be handled with correct technique, line selection and throttle control. BODY POSITION Get out of your seat. Riding rocks sitting down is a quick way to faceplant. Hop up into the standing position and squeeze the bike firmly between your legs. Covering your levers is essential when riding in rocky and technical terrain, particularly if you’re riding at a low speed. Keeping a finger over the clutch will allow you to stop the bike from stalling and the revs to be kept in the optimal range. Keep your vision…

IN 2015, SUZUKI AUSTRALIA TOOK THE SIGNIFICANT STEP OF GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS TO HAVE THE RMX450Z ADR APPROVED The Suzuki RMX450Z has long been the wandering soul of the 450 enduro market. Being unregistrable, the motocrosser turned enduro machine once had a small market niche; the RMX couldn’t be legally trail ridden in most states. In 2015, Suzuki Australia took the significant step of going through the process to have the RMX450Z ADR approved. From that point on, the game changed. The seat is firm but comfortable, the bike is thin and the oversized Renthal Fatbar is a suitable bend for the ergonomics of the bike. The bike is sleek up front. In competition mode, as we tested the bike, the computer and on/off switch tuck neatly in behind…

Small-capacity trailbikes can be a hell of a lot of fun. You can extract the most out of the engines, get aggressive on the throttle and really push hard when ripping through the trees. Husqvarna offers two epic bikes within the small-bore market, the Husqvarna FE250 four-stroke and the Husqvarna TE150i two-stroke. A 150cc fuel-injected two-stroke, you say? Hell yeah, Mumma! TWO-STROKE’S THE CHARM I was so excited to ride the Husqvarna TE150i. I am a fan of two-strokes and although I hadn’t ridden one in the bush for quite a while, I was looking forward to seeing how it stacked up against the FE250 four-stroke. The Husqvarna TE150i features the same fuel-injected technology of the bigger TE 250i and 300i two-strokes. So, not only do you get the excitement…

Suspension is important in motocross. You simply cannot argue that point. Yet many riders choose to add engine performance and cosmetic upgrades before they consider spending any hard-earned on their forks and shock. I believe one of the biggest reasons for this is because if you don’t know, you don’t know. If you have never had the opportunity to ride a bike that is set up well or has upgraded (or even factory) suspension, you just don’t know how good it can be; how much difference it makes to your riding, your speed, your comfort, your confidence and, in the end, your enjoyment. That’s what today was about — the rare opportunity to test three levels of suspension back to back and really compare the difference. We took a Husqvarna…

During the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the KTM SX-E5 was released into the Australian market. This difficult time resulted in the KTM Australia team needing to cancel their media launch and drip feed motorcycles into the media to hear what the youngest of mini groms thought about the all-new machine. We were very fortunate to take home a KTM SX-E5 and our young gun test rider Hendryx Dawson was lucky enough to spend some time with the KTM in his garage. Hendryx is four years old. He has been ripping around on a four-stroke fun bike with training wheels but just couldn’t quite nail riding without them — in my mind, this was due to the weight of the little bike. So we took the KTM SX-E5 to Hendryx’s…

As a grom, Jess Gardiner’s metallic pink Yamaha YZ85 would be wheeled out of her bright pink trailer. Week in, week out, Jess would be there putting in the time and smiling from ear to ear. Fast forward to 2020 and Jess has been crowned a world and Australian Champion, is now managing her own satellite race team and has become one of the most successful Australian racers of the modern era. You’ve conquered the world, you’ve won the ISDE outright. Did you ever think that you’d get to this position when you were travelling around racing your metallic pink YZ85? To be honest it was like a childhood dream. From a young dancer to my coaches always saying keep at it and it can take you places when I…

01 They’ve earned every opportunity they’ve been given and they’ve made the absolute best of it every single time. 02 They did this the hard way. The family packed up and travelled away from Australia to take on the biggest series and the best riders. 03 They take zero shit on the track — as Austin Faulkner is now well aware since Hunter gave him a decent touch-up. 04 The boys are being themselves and aren’t afraid to speak their minds. There is nothing worse than the list of clichés some riders spew forth when a camera appears. The Lawrence brothers never fall into this trap. 05 They are funny bastards. They don’t take themselves too seriously but maintain a total focus on winning when the gate drops.…

To throw a decent whip is every rider’s dream. It gives you confidence, earns respect and blows up your Instagram. The hardest part is giving yourself the opportunity to practise. Make time for it. Spend an entire day throwing “bum whips”, and don’t be afraid to look like a fool when you’re learning. Those who can throw a huge whip had to start small. How many times do you think Justin Barcia has thrown them? A thousand? Tens of thousands? I was lucky enough to get 5th at X Games Sydney Best Whip. So with that experience, I’m going to share every step so that you can get a huge head start. STEP 1: LEFT OR RIGHT Find out which way you prefer to whip. For example, I am personally…

Chad Reed’s retirement from fulltime racing puts a full stop on one of the greatest eras of racing. The last guy standing that fought the battles against RC, JS7, K-Dub and the like has called it a day. It’s unlikely we’ll see an era like that again in our lifetimes. The aggression, the skill and the open and individual personalities made it a time that can’t be forgotten and will be forever revisited. Oh, and the two-strokes. Sweet Jesus, those two-strokes……