Table of contents for 264 in Dirt Action

The 2025 Penrite ProMX Championship presented by AMX Superstores wrapped up at Queensland Moto Park (QMP), with five riders locking in national titles. Kyle Webster, Brodie Connolly, Kayd Kingsford and Charli Cannon gave Honda Racing Australia four back-to-back titles in a season that delivered intense battles, breakthroughs, heartache and big moments across every class. At the same time, Archie Black stood tall at the end of a hardfought season in the KTM MX65 Futures class. KYLE WEBSTER: MX1 KING AGAIN Kyle Webster (Boost Mobile Honda) has gone backto-back in the Kawasaki MX1 class, clinching his second straight title with trademark consistency. After championship leader Jed Beaton went out with an injury with two rounds remaining, the title chase came down to the final moto between KTM Racing Team's Nathan Crawford…

As both owner and lead rider of the DM31 KTM Racing Team, Daniel Milner has taken rising star Korey McMahon under his wing. And at the 2025 Hattah Desert Race, it all came together. We caught up with Milner after the race to get his take on Korey's breakthrough win and what it means for the team. DA: Daniel, you've been putting a lot of work into the team and have taken Korey under your wing this season. How did it feel watching him win Hattah? DM: You know, as a team leader and owner, seeing one of your guys come through with a win — it's awesome, to be honest. Last year was my first back in Australia, starting the team, and I had my eye on Korey early…

In the world of motocross, tyres can make or break a race weekend. With traction, braking stability and consistency all riding on that narrow contact patch, tyre choice is one of the most significant performance factors a rider has to get right. That's why all eyes have been on Pirelli's latest drop — the next-gen SCORPION™ MX32 Mid Soft — officially launched in Australia and already turning heads at the 2025 ProMX Championship. Backed by more than 40 years of championship-winning heritage and an impressive 82 world titles, Pirelli has never been shy about pushing boundaries. Its latest evolution of the popular MX32 Mid Soft range has been quietly doing the rounds in the paddock this season — and now it's officially here. After the Pirelli test session at none…

DA: Ryder, do you do your own work on your practice bikes? Ryder: Yeah, just the general maintenance, like oil changes, filters, chain, all that stuff we do on our own. But when it gets to a big job, like if something breaks motor-wise or on the electronic side, then no, I don't do that stuff because I don't know what I'm doing. But yeah, just the general maintenance on a practice bike to keep them ticking over. That's pretty much all we do. DA: So we're not at the practice mechanic level yet? Ryder: No, not here, unfortunately. It's just… yeah, it's a bit too hard. There's no one who really wants to do it, let alone me having the spare money to pay someone. It's at that level…

ENGINE & PERFORMANCE » 449.6cc single-cylinder engine featuring Ducati's race-proven Desmodromic valve actuation, eliminating traditional valve springs for precise high-rev control. » Peak output of 63.5hp @ 9400rpm and 53.5Nm of torque @ 7500rpm with a category-leading rev ceiling of 11,900 rpm. » Unique power delivery: 70 per cent of max torque available as early as 4200 rpm, offering exceptional low-end grunt and smoother rideability. » Bore x stroke: 96 x 62.1mm, optimised for over-rev and responsiveness. » Oversized 40mm titanium intake valves and 33mm sodium-filled steel exhaust valves improve flow and thermal management. CHASSIS & FRAME » Aluminium perimeter frame, weighing just 8.96kg, with reduced weld points for maximum rigidity and durability. » Composed of only 11 structural elements, integrating casting, forging and extrusion — borrowed from Ducati's Superbike…

1. THE LAWRENCES RETURN FROM INJURY Let's face it, the 2025 supercross series just wasn't as interesting without Jett and Hunter, was it? Now that the motocross season has come around, the boys are healed up and ready to go. In some ways, it looks like Jett was never off the bike at all, putting on an absolute clinic, grabbing moto wins and overall victories almost as easily as he did back in his 2023 perfect season. It's hard to comprehend at times that Jett is still only 21 years old and still has a long career in the sport. Hunter has again been nipping at the heels of Jett and Tomac, chalking up a few well-earned podiums early in the season. Off-track, things seem to have calmed down a…

With so many epic entries in the DIRT ACTION Built To Ride comp, picking just five winners was seriously tough! At this year's Conondale Classic Weekend, the paddock was packed with immaculate vintage and custom bikes, each with its own backstory — some lovingly restored to original spec, others completely reimagined. In the middle of all this goodness, we hosted DIRT ACTION's first “Built To Ride” comp and we were more than stoked when around 50 crew with their machines rolled up to show off their bike and tell their story. After a few hours of drooling over every bike, we had to pick out three winners, which was bloody impossible, so we made it the top five. To be honest, every person and their bike deserved to be in…

FIRST TIME, BEST TIME “It was actually my first Classic Weekend,” says David. “Full on. It was the best weekend I've had in a long time.” The atmosphere blew him away — not just the laid-back vibe but the bikes. So many bikes. “I couldn't believe the amount of money just sitting around. I was camped about 80 yards from the control tower, down near the creek. Just over the hill, there were four or five setups and honestly, there would've been $150,000 worth of bikes there.” But despite the high-dollar builds and immaculate restos, the culture at Conondale stood out. “On the grass track, nobody cared what you were riding. There were DTs, old trail bikes, guys and gals just out having a ball. No egos, just people riding…

01 Big Helmet Energy (Just Smaller) This isn't a watered-down kids’ lid. The Youth Fleet shares the same tech and silhouette as the adult version, just scaled for smaller heads. From the aggressive shell lines to the sleek Splat Black finish, it looks fast standing still — and it's ready for race day. 02 Built Tough, Breathes Well The strong ABS shell is made to take knocks, with nine intake and exhaust ports to keep young riders cool when the pace picks up. Whether they're pinning it through moto heat or chasing siblings on the trail, ventilation and protection are spot on. 03 ERT: A Smart Move Tucked inside the helmet is THOR's patented Energy Reduction Technology (ERT) — an added layer between the EPS and rider's head that may…

There are certain periods of time in our sport that leave a lasting impression on almost everyone who was present to see or experience them. The early ‘90s in Australian motocross was one of those times, with riders like Craig Dack, Glen Bell, Kim Ashkenazi, Lee Hogan, Peter Melton and Anthony Gobert, to name a few. It was a time of bold gear designs and the early development of what you'd now call super evo bikes. One of the most iconic bikes from that era is Craig Dack's 1992 PJ YZ250. This is a bike of pure art. It comes from a time when teams and manufacturers had in-house, handmade parts to solve problems or tailor the bike to the rider's preferences. Looking over this remarkable piece of motocross history,…

KTM has unveiled its 2026 SX and XC range, offering a host of updates across both the motocross and cross-country line-ups. From 50cc juniors through to the race-proven 450 SX-F and XC-F models, the range continues to focus on performance, adjustability and durability, backed by real-world race results and years of development. On the motocross side, the full-size SX and SX-F bikes stay true to their winning formula. The six-bike range — 125 SX, 250 SX, 300 SX, 250 SX-F, 350 SX-F and 450 SX-F — features minor but worthwhile refinements for 2026. Key updates include a revised radiator closure for better access, a new fuel-injection connector cap for easier servicing and improved sealing, and a cleaner wiring layout on the two-strokes to help with long-term durability. Visually, the 2026…

Sherco's all-new 2026 125 SE two-stroke has landed — and while it may be the smallest in the enduro line-up, it's anything but basic. Designed for new riders, up-and-comers or anyone chasing a featherweight enduro experience, the MY26 model gets a raft of key updates aimed at improving ride feel, performance and reliability. Visually, the new blue plastics and updated 2026 graphics give the SE a sharper, more modern presence. But the biggest improvements are beneath the surface. Sherco has focused on refining the user experience across the board, from faster start-ups to smoother shifting and improved stopping power. A revised chassis setup gives the front end more feel, while a new Nilos seal at the base of the steering column cuts down friction and keeps the muck out. The…

DA: Stefan, you've both been racing the 250 MX model in the AEC this year. What were your first impressions of the enduro bike? Stefan: Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect. The UK engineers said the chassis was essentially the same, just a different swingarm length, fork length, engine brackets and a few other bits. I wasn't convinced it'd feel that different. But once I got on it, it was completely transformed. Over rocky, technical terrain, it's so much more compliant. We've spent the last six months trying to get our MX bikes smoother and more forgiving, and while we've made progress, we've never got close to what this enduro model offers straight out of the box. That really blew me away. DA: How different does the engine feel…

“SMOKE BOMBS, MASSIVE FLAGS, FLARES, SCREAMING FANS, AND A SEA OF RED AND BLUE. THIS IS A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EXPERIENCE, AND I HAVEN'T EVEN THROWN A LEG OVER THE BIKE YET!” When I boarded the plane around 40 hours ago, I was itching to land in Bologna, Italy — the home of Ducati. Now I'm here. I toured the Ducati factory back in 2013 when I raced the ISDE in Sardinia, and seeing all that history up close left a lasting impression. Ducati has always been a big deal in my family. My dad, Dean, started collecting them when I was a kid, so I'll do my best to stay unbiased when I finally throw a leg over the Desmo450 MX. SETTLING INTO BOLOGNA Jet-lagged but excited, the Aussie journos —…

Sorry, ladies, but history has shown that you do need a huge set of balls to win the Manjimup 15000. From the very first race back in 1980, won by the Pom Roger Harvey, there have been many standout rides from the likes of WA locals Jeff Leisk, Jason Marshall, Dale Britton, Paul “Broomy” Broomfield and the youngest to ever win it, Regan Duffy. Then there's the east coast contingent, who have been making the trek west for decades. Craig Dack became the first three-time winner of the event after his 1990 victory. Over 45 years, only four other riders have achieved a three-peat — Jeff Leisk, Jay Marmont, Kirk Gibbs and Todd Waters. Research tells me the Manjimup 15000 was derived from the original value of the prize money,…

I've been riding dirtbikes for more than 40 years, and while my daughters — Matilda, 10, and Lucy, 7 — have occasionally watched me ride, my trips have mostly been with the boys. Matilda has tried electric bikes and a Pee Wee but never begged to ride, and I've never pushed her or Lucy. My approach is to let them explore dirtbiking at their own pace, ready to support them if they want to dive in. When the chance came to take my family to the Husqvarna Women's Trail Ride, I was all in. I'd heard it was the perfect setting to spark young girls’ interest in the sport. When Rosie LaLonde, KTM marketing manager, offered a KTM SX-E 5 and a Husqvarna EE3 for the girls to ride, it…

His latest creation, crafted for the Conondale Classic Weekend, is a tribute to old-school Honda soul with the kind of modern engineering precision only a seasoned tradesman could deliver. A boilermaker by trade and a lifelong tinkerer by choice, Andrew had always dreamed of building a bike from the ground up — and not just a bolt-on special, but a true hand-made machine where every single part, gusset and bend was shaped by hand. That dream came to life in the form of this stunning twin-shock small-bore weapon with classic Honda DNA and a twist of custom ingenuity. “I wanted to build a vintage-style Honda that would rip around Conondale and look like something straight out of the factory in the early ‘80s, but with the kind of detail you…

“I originally bought an ‘82 model sometime last year,” Jake explains. “But it needed heaps of parts, so I was on Marketplace and this ‘83 popped up — literally 20 minutes away. I just went to check it out for spares. But when I saw it, it was way better than the ‘82, so I decided to ditch that and build the ‘83 instead.” He picked up the ‘83 for $1500 and had it running that same night, just not well. “It started but ran really, really badly, so I ripped it down to see what was going on. The frame needed painting and there was a little hole in the bottom of the engine cases. My mate at Stevo's Chop Shop welded it for me and also fixed a…

DA: Corey, you're the new King of Finke. Your first win — congrats. CH: Thanks! That's my first win after five attempts. I did my first one in 2021 on a 250, and I've been back every year since. DA: You're a privateer taking on factory teams. How did that feel? CH: It felt good. We put in a lot of time and effort, and I've got a small team around me, but they're the right people. As a privateer, I get to choose which brands I run and who's in my corner. It's all good people. DA: You came in off a fourth-place finish last year. How were you feeling? CH: I felt really good. We did a week of testing at Easter, then another three weeks before the…

Why mess with a good thing? The 2026 Beta XTrainer sticks to what works — lightweight, low seat height and unbeatable rideability for technical trails, hard enduro or first-timers finding their groove. For 2026, the XTrainer lineup holds its course with practical refinements that enhance the riding experience without losing the model's approachable DNA. The signature Total Grey look is carried over with fresh plastics, bold new graphics and white trim, giving both models a cleaner, more modern edge. A new LED taillight and an upgraded, easier-to-read speedo improve visibility and function — simple touches that make a real difference on the trail. The big news is under the hood of the 250 2T. While the 300 remains unchanged, the smallercapacity model scores a full internal overhaul, drawing heavily from…

There's a lot to get right when releasing a new model to market, especially in the competitive world of enduro. You release a dud and it takes a long time to regain the consumer's trust. Triumph has left no stone unturned to ensure its first enduro models are competitive and rider-friendly from the get-go. Seeing them in the flesh for the first time recently at the Australian launch, held at Star Glen Lodge, Bonnie Doon, I spent a good while — a schooner's worth — gazing over every detail. It was a smart move to display the TF 250-E next to the fireplace and close to the bar in the hangout area. Like the motocross models, the black shrouds, black front and rear guards, white plates, yellow and white trim…

Recognising the growing demand for a bigbore machine that can tackle high-speed desert events while retaining its motocross DNA, Beta equipped the RC with a ninelitre transparent fuel tank, an 18-inch rear wheel, handguards, a formed plastic skid plate, an O-ring chain and a lightweight lithium battery. Priced at $12,795 (currently $2500 off its RRP), it's a purpose-built rig for riders who race in the bush but also like to hit the motocross track for fun. We had DA tester John “JB” Baker test it on a cross-country track blending fast, open straights with tight, rutted turns in soft loam to see how it stacks up. We also spoke to Andy Wilksch, Beta Australia's factory pilot, who is racing one in the Australian Enduro Championship cross-country rounds and Hattah, to…

DA: Okay, Roscoe, let's go back to 1982 when you won the Manjimup 15000. What do you remember from that event? Roscoe: I remember riding a Suzuki RM250, and I believe Graeme Smyth finished second. I also recall finishing second behind Neville Cutts the previous year, and Jeff Leisk — he was only 16 — finished fourth. DA: What did you do with your prize money afterwards? Roscoe: Chucked it on the clubroom bar so we could all drink piss. Everyone went hard after that. Neil Dunne here, my mechanic at the time, probably remembers what happened better than I do. Neil: Yeah, well, Roscoe's team manager at Suzuki Mortlocks, John Thompson, wasn't a drinker — but he was that night. He had a nice hotel room in Manjimup but…

REBECCA KNIGHT Rides: KTM 350 DA: How many of these events have you been to? Bec: This is my first one. DA: How's it going? You had a bit of a stack yesterday. Bec: Yeah, I ate shit hard. Cliff-dived onto my back and ended up fracturing it — plus ligament and muscle damage. But other than that, I'm having the best time ever. DA: Run us through your crash. What happened? Bec: I ran into the back of Hayley. My fault — I was too close. Hayley tipped over and it sent me backwards, straight onto a rock. Probably a 2m tumble into the lantana. I cleared some bush for the crew, so that was sick. I'm going to send Jemma my bill for trail-clearing later. RACHEL SPINELLI Rides:…

“I thought, fuck it, I've got to build a bike for this event. I said to the boys, ‘As soon as I get home, I'm building one.’” True to his word, Gary hunted down a clapped-out old XR600 and got to work. And we mean clapped — chewed-out cams, flogged tappets, roached plastics — the lot. But where most would've walked away, Gary saw potential. “Now she's looking great. A lot of people were stoked with it at the Classic. I even let a few people ride it — a couple of flat-track guys had a spin and reckoned it was pretty damn good. Reckon it still needs a few tweaks, but it's not far off.” THE PLAN? Build a low-slung, old-school flat-tracker with a bit of attitude and a…

SHINGLEBACK MOTO RACK SYSTEM Smart, Secure and Seriously Practical Whether you're heading out for a weekend ride or loading up for an epic road trip, the Shingleback Moto Rack is a game-changer in bike transport and storage. Built tough and designed with user-friendly features, this Aussie-designed system makes loading, hauling and maintaining your bike easier than ever. At the heart of the Moto Rack is the patent-pending Lock Chock, which securely clamps your front wheel in place while you strap the bike down. It's tool-free, easily adjustable and holds your bike rock-solid. Once loaded, the neat alloy ramp slides underneath the bike channel for rattle-free storage on the move. The rack's 190kg total carrying capacity means you can bring more than just your moto. With the optional 2B90 MTB rack…