Table of contents for 263 in Dirt Action

The Inglewood State School P&C Trail Ride went off with a bang over the May Labour Day long weekend, attracting 537 riders to the Greenup Meeting Place, about 20km outside of Inglewood, Qld. With perfect weather and a stacked riding loop on offer, this year’s event was one of the biggest yet, setting the stage for an even larger celebration in 2026, which will mark the ride’s 20th anniversary. “This year, we had 537 riders out on the track. Everybody had a great time. Minimal injuries. It was so great to see so many smiling, happy faces coming down out of those hills and out of the creek,” said Inglewood trail boss Ben Hammond. “I’d like to thank all of our landholders for allowing us to use their land. Without…

WHAT IS AJP? Antonio and Jose Pinto are brothers — hence the name AJP. They started the company in 1985. Antonio comes from an enduro background, having been a seven-time national champion, and he wanted to produce his own motorcycles. In Australia, the AJP brand turned heads with the introduction of the PR7 650cc six-speed model, which is billed as a big-bore trail bike. But in our eyes it’s a rally-ready race machine, suitable for events like the Sunraysia Rally or Condo 750 straight off the showroom floor. It comes complete with a rally tower and digital tablet, and it’s a seriously impressive machine packed with quality components. Apparently, these bikes sell as soon as the shipping container lands. They’re that popular. AJP SPR 310 & 510R AJP Australia is…

The Condo 750 began in 1988 and is one of the few outback navigational rally events still remaining on the Australian racing calendar. A Prologue stage sets the scene for the event, with two action-packed days to follow. Bikes, buggies and cars navigate their way through the outback scrub chasing victory in this iconic cross-country event. In 2025, 46 bike entrants made their way out to the Central West of NSW to have a crack at the rally, with local trailblazer Todd Ridley taking out his first-ever victory. Following the rally we caught up with five standout competitors — from seasoned rally legends to first-timers — to hear their stories. From last-minute builds to all-out podium pushes, here’s how it went down. TODD RIDLEY — 1ST PLACE OVERALL DA: Tell…

01 Serious power for serious fun The EB20 packs a 36V 750W brushless motor with three selectable speed settings — topping out at 35km/h in high mode. That’s plenty of zip for backyard blitzes or off-road exploring, and it’s enough performance to keep more experienced young riders stoked. With up to 75 minutes of run time and a fast 2–3 hour recharge, it’s ready to go when the kids are. 02 Easy controls, smart safety The twist-and-go throttle is intuitive for young riders, and the battery level indicator helps keep track of ride time. The EB20 also comes with a safety lanyard and kill switch, adding peace of mind for parents and letting kids ride with confidence knowing that they’re in control. 03 Built to handle the hard stuff This…

DA: Kogan, what age did you start riding? KL: I was about three. I had a little electric bike my mum and dad got me, and then I progressed through the ranks riding a Peewee 50, 65 and the rest. DA: With racing, what came first — motocross or enduro? What was your pathway like? KL: I raced a bit of motocross on a KTM 50 SX at the Vic state titles, which was really good. Then Mum and Dad were getting more into the enduro and hard enduro scene, so we slowed up on motocross and started racing between the trees. As soon as I got onto an 85 at age 12, I raced the J1 class at the VORC in 2018. I just had an old secondhand YZ85…

Slippery conditions can mess with your head. I get it — the second you hit wet rocks or greasy clay, you’re thinking about how you’re going to lose the front or spin the rear. But honestly, for me, it all comes back to basics. It’s the same stuff I was taught as a kid, especially by blokes like Lyndon Heffernan. Good technique carries through to all conditions, and it really matters when things get slick. KEEP IT ROLLING The first thing I always focus on is letting the bike roll. Keep your finger on the clutch and stay ready for something to go wrong — if the back wheel steps out, you can grab the clutch and recover. But the moment you touch the brakes, you’re in trouble. You’ll lose…

The 2025 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship has come to a close, with Cooper Webb, Haiden Deegan and Tom Vialle crowned champions after a hard-fought season that went right down to the wire. WEBB SEALS 450SX CHAMPIONSHIP Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb clinched his third 450SX title with a fourth-place finish at the final round in Salt Lake City, Utah. Carrying a nine-point lead into the decider, Webb needed a calm and calculated ride to bring it home — and that’s exactly what he delivered. He qualified third and looked sharp in his heat, taking the holeshot and leading early before finishing second. In the main event, Webb grabbed another strong start and led the opening laps. He held second for most of the race but was pushed…

Beta’s RR X-PRO range made a strong first impression when it launched last year, offering a practical blend of race-ready performance and rider-friendly design. Now, the MY26 models are here — and Beta’s refined the formula with a mix of smart updates, sharper looks and technical improvements that aim to deliver an even more versatile ride across all eight models. Whether you’re a seasoned enduro rider or stepping up from smaller-capacity bikes, there’s something in the X-PRO range to suit. Built around the idea of confidence-inspiring control, the latest models are designed to feel predictable and balanced without sacrificing capability when the terrain turns rough. WHAT’S NEW FOR MY26? The big focus for 2026 is refinement. Beta hasn’t reinvented the X-PRO, but it has made targeted improvements to the frame,…

When it comes to hard enduro, this is one of the best bikes on the market. But before I get into the nuts and bolts of the new KTM 300 EXC Champion Edition, let me rewind a bit… It was 2016, and I was driving home from my last AORC round. The last race of the season means one thing — hitting the first hotbox, cracking a beer and reflecting on the year. I felt like I’d earned it. Then, on the drive home, I got a call from Jon Hafey, the national brand manager of Husqvarna at the time, offering me the chance to race the Wildwood Rock Extreme Enduro. I’d always wanted to give hard enduro a go. I used to watch Erzberg every year and thought it…

Fresh off the Arenacross World Tour, Dean found himself back in the US with a chance few riders ever get: a factory Honda contract. Even more surprising was how the deal came about — not just through his proven skills, but also with a little help from “Grandpa Earl”, Dean’s hilarious alter ego who’s become a social media favourite. We caught up with Dean halfway through his five-race deal to talk about how the ride came together, the feeling of finally throwing a leg over the factory Honda, silencing the critics, and why Australia still holds a special place in his heart. DA: Deano, it’s obvious you’re pretty stoked with this factory ride opportunity. But let’s be honest — without Grandpa Earl, would you have got the ride? Dean: I…

DA: Kane, where did the Garage 11 journey begin? Kane: My dad had bikes through the ‘80s but never raced. As a kid in the ‘90s, I became obsessed with motocross, especially freestyle. My first bike restoration with him was an ‘84 YZ 100 L, and that’s when I developed a love for mechanics. Dad advised me to stay away from being a mechanic, and school suggested I leave early to get a trade, so at 14, I worked at Peter Stevens in Adelaide in accessories, but I always wanted to work in the workshop. I later worked for Toyota in car servicing, but eventually got into race car mechanics and supercars. My philosophy is to go to 11, not just stop at 10, which shaped my approach to mechanics.…

01 Solid steel construction Built tough with powder-coated steel, this stand is made to survive the rigours of Aussie workshops and race-day prep. No flex, no fuss — just solid support every time you lift with a load capacity of 160kg. 02 Hydraulic precision Forget the awkward lift-and-balance act — the hydraulic mechanism does the heavy lifting for you. It’s smooth, controlled and takes the grunt work out of getting your bike off the ground. 03 Safety first We’re big fans of the added safety hook and locking bar. Once your bike’s up, it stays up. No slipping, sagging or sketchy moments — just peace of mind while you wrench. 04 Adjustable height The lift also offers a bit of height flexibility to suit different dirtbikes — perfect for those…

Sherco has pulled the covers off its 2026 four-stroke enduro line-up, and while it’s not a full-blown overhaul like we saw in 2025, there are a handful of smart refinements aimed at performance, reliability and looks. The entire range — 250 SEF, 300 SEF, 450 SEF and 500 SEF — gets a fresh makeover with a new blue plastics kit and updated graphics. The look’s sharper, cleaner and unmistakably Sherco. Braking performance also gets a tweak with a new Galfer rear disc that helps shave off weight while boosting stopping power. At the front end, Sherco has added a new Nilos seal at the bottom of the steering column. It’s a small change but a smart one, cutting down friction while keeping out mud and moisture. That means smoother steering…

All it took was one phone call to ShopYamaha Off Road Racing Team head honcho AJ Roberts. “Yeah, bring it up for the day, boys, and we’ll sort it out!” We’ve put in a bunch of hours riding the 2025 WR250F, and while it’s an impressive package — perfect for most riders trail riding in stock trim — we knew we could get more out of it for race conditions. As you might have read in the previous issue, the main thing we were chasing was more punch off the bottom at lower revs, and a plusher feel from the KYB fork over sharp-edged bumps. After spending the day with AJ, we learned a lot about how to maximise the performance of this machine. POWER With the 2024 WR450F project…

To gain insight into just how good it was, we spoke with riders Elyse Armstrong and Mark Scott about their experience. We also spoke to KTM Australia’s marketing manager, Rosie Lalonde, who not only rode the Rallye but is also responsible for making it happen. ELYSE ARMSTRONG WAS ONE OF ONLY A FEW WOMEN TACKLING THE 2025 KTM NZ RALLYE. SHE HAD A FEW BIG STACKS ALONG THE WAY BUT SURVIVED TO TELL HER TALE. DA: Elyse, have you always been a KTM fan? Elyse: I’ve only been riding for just over two years. My first bike was a Royal Enfield Himalayan. I loved the old-school look, but I quickly outgrew it, especially with the terrain we ride. So I jumped on a KTM 390 Adventure, then upgraded to a…

DA: Robbie, good to see you, mate. I remember the first time I read about you was almost 25 years ago, as a 13-year-old on a CR85 in FreeRider MX magazine. Tell us all about that — what it was like growing up in what a lot of people consider the golden era of freestyle motocross. RA: Yeah, it all started when I was around 10 years old and my cousin came out and watched me ride. I was doing little tricks just to show off — you know, one-footers and one-handers, and he said to me, “Oh, you ride like a Crusty Demon!” He told me about the video at the video store, so I went and got it, and honestly, that’s what changed my life. I remember doing…

We all know that riding dirtbikes isn’t just a hobby — it’s a full-body sport that demands strength, skill and endurance. You spend hours perfecting your technique, tuning your bike and training off the bike. But how much time do you spend thinking about what fuels all that effort? Nutrition is often the missing piece in the performance puzzle for many riders. You wouldn’t run your bike on low-quality fuel and expect peak performance — so why do it to your body? Let’s break it down in a way that makes sense for riders like us. BURNING FUEL — LITERALLY A 30-minute moto can torch anywhere between 500 to 800 calories. That’s serious energy being used up in a short window. If you’re not eating enough — or eating the…