Innehållsförteckning för 256 från Dirt Action

MOTOR MOUTH NEWS In a spectacle of adrenaline-fuelled racing, the inaugural FIM Oceania Women’s Motocross Cup roared to life in New Zealand, significantly impacting the famous Woodville International Motocross Grand Prix. The picturesque setting of the Manawatu-Orion Motorcycle Club offered an ideal backdrop to highlight the emerging talents of the region’s leading female motocross racers. In 2023, the newly formed FIM Oceania Motocross Commission, comprising representatives from the Australian and New Zealand Federations, took the helm to drive sports development initiatives under the FIM Oceania banner. This commission was tasked with redefining the long-standing FIM Oceania Cup, traditionally encompassing various motorcycle disciplines, focusing instead on the expanding women’s class in motocross. Australia and New Zealand united to promote women in the sport and each selected six riders to compete in…

MOTOR MOUTH NEWS D A: Tyson, let’s start with your job description. Tyson: I am the managing director of Empire Kawasaki. DA: What do your day-to-day duties involve with that role? Tyson: It’s pretty much everything: flights, accommodation, sponsorship, general parts ordering, communicating with the team, and making sure we are getting paid. A lot of time is spent on the computer and phone, handling all the back-end stuff like truck repairs, sponsors and uniforms — the things people often overlook. DA: So you built the team, secured Kawasaki’s support and found the financing yourself? Tyson: Yes. Kawasaki is one of our major sponsors. We’re contracted to run the green bikes, and then there’s the support from all our external sponsors. It’s a collective effort that makes the team work. DA:…

The action has been heating up in the Australian Motocross Championship and Australian Off Road Championship series so far, and if you haven’t had the chance to watch the action live, it’s not too late. There’s nothing like standing trackside cheering on your heroes, whether it's Dean Ferris, Jed Beaton, Luke Clout and Kirk Gibbs in motocross, or the likes of Daniel Milner, Kyron Bacon and Jonte Reynders in the offroad events. The sounds, the smell, the dirt, the atmosphere, and getting up close to the riders for a chat and an autograph, there’s just no beating the experience of being there in person to absorb all the action. Check out the dates and venues to the right, pick one to mark in your calendar, take the family or round…

Luke, big changes for you in 2024 with the move to Empire Kawasaki. Tell us about how the deal came about? The Kawasaki deal came up about halfway through the 2023 season. There were a few options opening up then and I was in a position where I knew it was time for a change of team. Brad McAlpine, who was one of the technicians at CDR Yamaha, had moved across to Empire Kawasaki. Brad knew that I was coming out of my contract and had put my name forward as someone who would be a good fit for the team, and things kicked off from there. Initially, I signed a one-year deal to race MX and SX here in Australia, but things are off to a great start and…

FEATURE: HAYDON’S ODYSSEY In snowbound Europe, the 1979 Paris to Dakar proved phenomenally newsworthy as an eclectic bunch of motorcyclists and other looneys blasted across the sunny deserts of Morocco, Mauritania and Mali. Suffering endless summers of test cricket commentary, few Australians were aware of any cross-country rallying until the 1985 Wynn’s Sydney to Darwin Safari proved outstandingly successful. “Then we all wanted a shot at Dakar,” says six-time Australian Safari GOAT John Hederics, “but taking two weeks off work to ride to Darwin was all we could afford.” Singapore- and London-based Aussie Andrew Coaker managed the wherewithal to compete in the Dakar, winning a podium in the Malle Moto (unassisted) Division, but his achievement went largely unacknowledged. For Australian-based riders, the expense and logistics of participating proved insurmountable. BREAKTHROUGH…

FEATURE: THE TOWN BIKE If you’ve been lucky enough to attend the Conondale Classic Weekend and ride it, you know just how bloody good it is. If you don’t come away grinning from ear to ear, there’s something wrong with you. The vibe of the event is all-time; the crew that attend are awesome, the yarns epic, and the riding is the icing on the cake. And we haven’t even mentioned the bikes you’ll come across at this event yet, which range from an old ag bike that’s been pulled out of a farmer’s shed, dusted off and flogged to death, to the most pristine restored Jeremy McGrath replica Honda CR250 you’ve ever seen, and everything in between. The money guys and gals spend on restoring bikes for this event…

CFMOTO 450MT WATERPROOF SIDE BAG SET The CFMOTO 450MT waterproof side bag set offers premium storage solutions for riders. Constructed from waterproof, tear-resistant sandwich fabric, these bags are durable, easy to clean and resist wear. Their high-temperature resistant material can withstand temperatures up to 160°C. The unique 3D honeycomb design provides effective cushioning, while the roll-top design and adjustable straps allow for compression of unused space. Carry handles ensure portability and convenience for users on the move. www.cfmoto.com.au/ Price: $349.95 NEW BARKBUSTERS EGO HANDGUARD The Ego handguard by Barkbusters, a leader in motorcycle protection for over 30 years, introduces its latest upgrade. This compact, full wrap-around aluminium handguard, made in Australia for over 20 years, now features a streamlined design with improved durability in hardware and plastic. Designed to endure…

BASE SETUP In Australia, Dylan rides for the Honda Genuine Ride Red Program, a Privateer Support Program backed by Honda Australia. On the mechanical side of things, Dylan works with well-known Hunter Valley-based mechanic and tuner Chris Woods, of CWP Performance, to get his supercross bikes set up and ready to race. In the lead-up to the 2023 Australian Supercross Championship, Dylan put his CRF450R through its paces and compiled a shortlist of small but important changes to make his machine supercross-ready. Beginning with engine tuning, Dylan bolts on a Pro Circuit Ti6 Exhaust and Vortex ECU to refine the power curve and ensure his CRF is responsive enough for the SX track. Beyond that, Dylan uses a Hinson clutch for improved durability and clutch feel, along with a larger…

MOTOR MOUTH NEWS D A: Daniel, it’s great to have you back and winning the first two rounds must feel good. DM: Yeah, it’s exciting to be back. The weekend went well, and the tracks were better than expected. Normally they’re wide-open and fast in Queensland, but this time they were technical and had double bunting all the way, which was great. The club did well; it was worth the long drive. I enjoyed it, and winning both days felt good. DA: It seems like your time overseas racing was challenging at times. How does it feel to be back racing in Australia? DM: Really good. The last couple of years overseas were tough because I felt the teams I rode for weren’t matching my effort, which was disappointing, especially after…

MOTOR MOUTH NEWS D A: Joel, how did the deal come about to race over in America earlier this year? Joel: It was something I always wanted to do again because I rode the first six rounds back in 2020, and then with Covid and an injury it took me four years to get back over there. I also needed to work at my job with Pro Moto Suspension and save up enough money to put the trip together again. So, yeah, I managed to get back over and ride the first six rounds, which was great. DA: It must be a big effort to do it as a privateer from Australia. Joel: Yeah, it truly is. The first trip was a little harder because I didn’t know anyone. I didn’t…

REVIEW: YAMAHA WR450F The WR450F has always been a popular enduro motorcycle in Australia. The fact that Yamaha sells more of this model on our shores than in any other country, by a long way, is testament to this. For this reason, we get a big say in how this bike is developed. And when we say ‘we’, we mean the guys on the front line racing and riding week in, week out, like current and former AORC 450 champs Josh Green and AJ Roberts. These two guys have won Yamaha a lot of enduro races and championships over the years and they know these bikes like the backs of their hands. So it was fitting that the launch of the all-new 2024 WR450F was at Greeny’s epic Stroud property…

FEATURE: BROTHERS IN ARMS When you look back at the careers of many successful dirtbike racers, there’s usually one thing in common: they started off riding a Yamaha PeeWee 50 not too long after they learned to walk. For Gus and Will, their first days of riding started at three and four years old, respectively, around their parents’ property in Gol Gol, NSW, on the northern side of the Murray River and on the outskirts of Mildura. They had access to bushland and endless trails from their neighbour’s property, and up until the age of 12, they burned through motorcycles, riding with their mates, enjoying the thrill and freedom that comes with life on two wheels. They entered motocross and enduro races when they could and dreamed of one day…

FEATURE: LOST IN THE HIMALAYAS Three of them were extremely ugly and carried old injuries about which they complained daily, but no one listened. The fourth had not yet turned 60. They rented the mighty 411cc fuel-injected Royal Enfield Himalayans for their 40-day adventure ride. They looked forward to clean mountain air, incredible scenery, ancient buildings, unusual food, strange cultural and religious customs, and roads and tracks ranging from the best to the worst on the planet, many with no straight sections and severe drops where even a minor mistake could mean plunging to your death. Add the countless diabolical local drivers, temperatures ranging from zero to 40°C, the conquering of high mountain passes above 5,000m, landslides, eight per cent beers, and possibly altitude sickness and definitely diarrhoea. With Google…

01 You know when you purchase a QuikShade pop-up shelter you’re buying quality. They are still made in Australia and dirtbike racers have been using them for decades. They are definitely built to last! 02 The canopy is made from waterproof 500 Denier polyester material with a urethane coating and has a UV rating of 98 per cent. It has reinforced corners and peak section. 03 The frame is made from extruded 6106 T5 superior commercialgrade aluminium, which means it is rust free and super strong. The frame brackets are a combination of premium-grade aluminium and industrial heavy-duty nylon. 04 The pegs that are provided are made from high-tensile steel with an MPA (MegaPascals) rating from 550-850. Standard steel is rated at 200-300 MPA. It also comes with quality guy…

In 2023 you were crowned the CR22 85cc Cup Champion. It’s so cool to see the 85cc class back in Australian supercross. How was your first supercross experience? It was great getting to race in the big stadiums with the big crowds. It was certainly a lot different compared to all the motocross races I normally do. I was a little bit nervous before Adelaide, being my first supercross race and also the first time I had hit big supercross whoops like that. I felt like 4th was ok for my first ever supercross. I feel pretty confident hitting the big jumps, so Newcastle was a bit better for me and I got the win. The final round at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne was definitely my biggest highlight. It started…

MOTOR MOUTH NEWS DA: Kyron, at the end of the 2023 season, you were close to taking the outright, and there were rumours of you going overseas to ride in 2024. Is that right? KB: Yes, that’s right. I went over last year during a break in the AORC calendar and did the last two rounds of the EnduroGP in Portugal, which was pretty cool. It’s something I’m kind of looking into, and I would like to have a crack at it in the next few years. It was just a bit of an eye-opener. I like that type of racing, and I managed to do pretty well, which was awesome. I’ve still got a lot to learn about racing and living over there, but, yeah, I’d like to go…

MOTOR MOUTH NEWS If you’re into classic vintage dirtbikes, then the Conondale Classic Weekend is an event you can’t miss. We had such a good time last year that we decided to come on board as a media partner this year. We also teamed up with the MXstore and Ballard’s crew to restore a ‘91-model Yamaha TT250 to ride at the event. You can read more about this in our feature called ‘The Town Bike’ on page 106. The Classic Weekend is a non-competitive (pre-1995) dirtbike riding event across a series of tracks, including two MX tracks (Evo and Open Pre95), a vinduro loop, a trials area, and the popular grass track for riding on Saturday and Sunday. A popular feature of the CCW is the Vintage Bike Show N…

REVIEW KAWASAKI KX450 Kawasaki boasts an impressive race-winning record overseas; however, it’s been some time since the green machine dominated on our shores. In 2024, Kawasaki aims to reverse this trend with the introduction of an all-new KX450 equipped with significant technical upgrades that promise a tangible difference on the track. To gauge the impact of these advancements, we attended the official 2024 KX450 media introduction at CityMX, Melbourne, eager to discover how these updates translate for riders of all levels. Media introductions are a very big deal for the manufacturer. Not only is it all about their shiny new bike and the social media reels that go with it, but it’s their best chance to tell the story about how and why their new model came to be. Attention…

FEATURE: THE FLYING KIWI New Zealand couldn’t be further from the pinnacle of motocross racing in Europe. To get there and succeed in the world championship series, you have to really want it. There have only been a handful of Kiwi riders who have tasted success in Europe over the years, with the King brothers Daryl and Shayne, the Lizard Josh Coppins, and Ben Townley being a few of the more well-known to succeed, not forgetting in more recent times the female sensation Courtney Duncan, who has won four World Championships in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023. Back in 1991, Daryl paved the way for Shayne in Europe, and while he finished runner-up twice in the 500cc World Championship in ‘97 and ‘98, it was Shayne who became the first…

INTERVIEW: COREY CREED DA: Let’s start off at the beginning. Tell us a little bit about where you grew up and what got you into riding. CC: So I grew up here on the Gold Coast. I pretty much started riding at the Reedy Creek motocross track, racing there on 60s and 80s and going to the night-time practices they used to do every week. They were the big thing back then, practice Tuesday nights and the Urquhart Thursday afternoon training schools. I was forever just riding there every week and racing the club days on the weekends. Eventually, I worked my way through to the Shell Series and into the intermediate class. DA: Were your plans as a kid to grow up and be a racer? CC: Well, yeah.…

At the start of 2023, Jack Miller and his good mate and mechanic Franko put their heads together to build a new, factory-spec flat-track bike for Jack’s personal collection and to ride when he’s in town taking a break from his gruelling MotoGP season. When Franko started the bike build for Jack, they both decided to also build another very similar racing spec for Billy van Eerde to race the 2023 season and to compete in the AFTN series under their team, Thriller Motorsport. The Thriller Motorsport 2023 KTM 450 SX-F is running only a slightly modified power plant, with the focus directed at transferring the power to the ground through the 19-inch wheel combination used in the series. The standard forks are mounted in factory KTM adjustable offset triple…

MOTO MANUAL ENDURO RIDING TIPS Lachy: The first thing I think about is how fast I can roll into the rut. I scan the ground for braking bumps to see how smooth the entry is, and if there are bumps, I’ll try to jump them like a rhythm section and time it so the bike doesn’t become unsettled as I’m entering the rut. The less reaction from the bike, the better. If that’s not possible, I’ll use the face of the braking bump to slow me down in some cases. You don’t want the bike to be rebounding too much over the bumps, which will unsettle it, so it’s important to make the smoothest entry possible with your wheels firmly planted to the ground before turning into the rut. Once…