Table of contents for 266 in Dirt Action

DA: Kyle, that's two in a row, mate! You must be floating right now! Kyle: Yeah, it's unreal. To have the same team and a familiar crew again this year was really nice. The whole environment was just awesome. DA: You came in injury-free this time, too. That must've helped. Kyle: Yeah, heaps. I had a lot more time on the bike beforehand, so I felt properly ready. And being in America already made things easier — less travel, less chaos. DA: We heard you jumped on Chance Hymas's bike and barely touched a thing. True? Kyle: Pretty much. I didn't change anything apart from fitting a different bend clutch lever and a slightly heavier shock spring. Otherwise, everything was the same. We're both pretty neutral riders, which made it…

2026 YAMAHA TÉNÉRÉ 700 WORLD RAID For 2026, Yamaha has raised the adventure benchmark once again. The latest Ténéré 700 World Raid is built to travel longer, ride harder, and keep its rider more comfortable no matter how far off the grid the journey goes. At the heart of the update is a new dual aluminium fuel tank system. The two connected side-mounted tanks hold the same 23 litres as before — around 500km of range — but save 1.5kg and improve balance by reducing fuel slosh. With the fuel pump now positioned low on the left side, the result is sharper handling and better weight centralisation. The tanks also flow neatly into a new one-piece rally-style seat, which sits flatter and narrows at the front to make transitions between…

DA: Sam, I read your story — it's great. You started out just as lovers of camping and riding, doing what most of us do here in Australia. You weren't happy with the caravans on the market so you went and built your own. Let's start there. You're obviously into bikes too? Sam: Yeah, I only started riding about four years ago. It was actually after we'd started the business. I jumped on a bike, fell in love with it almost instantly, and very quickly wanted to bring bikes into everything we were doing. I wanted to take one on every trip, so it just made sense to start incorporating that into our products. DA: Are you finding a lot of your customers are into bikes as well, and liking…

It was a spectacular event in every sense of the word, and with another four years locked in, it will become a fixture on the world and Australian racing calendar — and one worthy of attending. The racing was amazing, the track one of the best on the tour, the venue was easy to access and viewing was great. And those were just some of the things to like about Darwin 2025. But let's look at things behind the scenes so you have an understanding of how it came about and why Darwin got it right. 1. WHY HAS IT TAKEN SO LONG FOR AN MXGP TO RETURN TO AUSTRALIA? The cost of hosting a GP isn't cheap, and it must be a profitable and sustainable event for any promoter…

As I drove closer to the venue on an early Sunday morning in October for the long-awaited return of Thumper Nats, I started getting flashbacks to my days racing the event, which began for me back in 1993 at Dargle on a 1990 Honda XR600 and ended in 2003 on a Yamaha WR250F. Some of my fondest memories are from that decade of racing — the road trips with mates, the friendships built. Racing Thumper Nats was like a religion. It started out as a grassroots series founded by enduro legend Geoff “GB” Ballard, the late, great Geoff Eldridge (ADB magazine founder), and Husqvarna importer Hans Appelgren. It was an event where riders from all walks of life rolled up with their modified four-stroke trail bikes and rode their hearts…

The poster in the local bike shop made all sorts of promises: a free ride on a fresh track carved into the bush, with an optional hill climb. Plus free camping, free entry and free bands. There were also rumours floating around from locals claiming to be in the know about free beer and food. The old “if it sounds too good to be true” line had me wondering. With nothing to lose, I followed the directions to the end of the road to find out. There was no one at the gate — the first promise was true. On the side of the entry road, a loamy track bunted off, which certainly looked premium. The campground was a hive of activity, tents and campers dotted across lush green grass.…

Thor's new Fleet Forge red kids helmet delivers modern style and proper protection for the next generation of motocross riders. Built with the same design DNA as Thor's adult race lids, it combines sleek looks, clever engineering, and all the right safety credentials at a family-friendly price. The ABS shell feels solid and well finished, with sharp lines that give it a fast, race-bred look. Ventilation is excellent thanks to nine intake and exhaust ports that keep young riders cool on long track days. The dual-density EPS liner and ERT (Energy Reduction Technology) insert add genuine substance — designed to absorb both linear and rotational impacts, while still offering a soft, comfortable feel against the head. Other thoughtful touches include a flexible polyamide visor that's easy to replace, a washable…

The SHOT Race 4 boots are a versatile unisex option designed for riders who demand both protection and comfort without bulk. Built to exceed EN13634 standards, the boots feature an anatomically pre-curved chassis in premium synthetic leather, giving a lightweight but durable base that flexes naturally with your foot. Flexibility is enhanced with front and back instep panels, while injection-moulded, laser-cut shin and heel guards provide solid protection against impacts. The boots use three replaceable double-lock buckles with micrometric straps for a secure, adjustable fit, and a reinforced vamp adds extra durability in high-wear areas. Grip and control are top of mind: the rubber medial panel improves abrasion resistance and enhances feel on the footpegs, while the cemented outsole delivers shock absorption and confident traction. Inside, a breathable, cushioned liner…

Electric minis have come a long way in a short time, and the 2025 39kg Surron Hyperbee shows just how far the tech has come. It's not just a novelty or a backyard toy — it's a properly engineered, high-quality little dirtbike that offers performance, control and fun in equal measure. We recently put the new Hyperbee to the test with six-year-old Billy, who was admittedly a touch on the small side for the bike. That didn't slow him down for long. From the moment he twisted the throttle, Billy was hooked. He rode until the battery went flat, grinning the whole time. And that pretty much sums up what makes the Hyperbee so impressive. It captures the same excitement and sense of freedom that traditional mini bikes have always…

Max's WR250F is a 2025 model that AJ Roberts at Shop Yamaha Off Road built for him to race at the Kyogle AEC round, and it's as close to a factory enduro bike as you can get. AJ had fitted a GYTR head and cams, the GYTR airbox with the mesh opened up, an Akrapovic exhaust, advanced ECU mapping, a 49-tooth rear sprocket, and fully reworked suspension with Kashima and DLC coatings. The suspension was valved for Max's riding style and 65kg weight, and he fitted a steering head bearing kit, which changed the chassis geometry slightly to improve stability while still keeping it agile. We were really keen to ride it side-by-side with our DA project bike because, let's be honest, our WR is a step up from standard.…

Chainsaws, beer bongs and trophies… Fumbling around trying to find my ripcord as I freefall into an Indianapolis skyline, I look across to see parachutes opening one after the other. This was the front line of the MXoN Aussie Assault Support Team, all dropping into a very ripped and watered Ironman Raceway, proudly led by General Gally and Sgt Major Leisky. “We all know what to do, ladies and gentlemen. Just stick to the plan, wave those flags and swing off the fences,” hailed Gally. Thinking I was going to bounce on impact, my chute — which I got for a great price off Temu — finally opened, but resembling the size of a bloody chewing gum wrapper, I sure as shit thought I was burnt toast. But this is…

Western Australia is quietly brewing an exciting generation of motocross talent in the shadows of the national motocross scene. In a state with no senior ProMX rounds, few junior clubs and no locally based factory team, young riders often master their craft in the few MX clubs and private circuits the state has to offer, away from the eyes of the national scene. Yet against the odds, Western Australia continues to produce some of the finest motocross talent in the nation. Current back-to-back MX1 champion Kyle Webster was born in Perth and came through the Wanneroo Junior Motocross Club. Seventeen-year-old AMA Pro Motocross prodigy Kayden Minear followed the same path through WJMC, as did Cully's Motorcycles' Sonny Pellicano. At the same time, five-time national champion Regan Duffy rose from his…

The one and only Ballard's Fit All gear bag has all the features you need in a gear bag. These gear bags have been a staple of the Ballard's range for quite some time, proving you don't need all the bells and whistles to do something well. Featuring an assortment of separate compartments for all your riding essentials, the Fit All lives up to its name with its ability to hold everything you need for a day at the track. Features » Boot compartment » Top goggle compartment » Lens pocket » Lots of mesh ventilation » Pull-out change mat » Dimensions: 85 x 48 x 36cm $139.95 (Gear not included) www.mxstore.com.au…

The biggest thing with these restorations is deciding how far you're going to take it. Everyone draws that line somewhere different. For me, I've only ever gone overboard once — built a bike so nice I couldn't bring myself to ride it. It was a fire-breathing 500 from the '80s, and the temptation to see what it was like to ride was eating at me. In the end, I sold it to someone who wanted to keep it spotless rather than ruin it. That's really what this whole debate comes down to: balancing passion with preservation. On one hand, you've got the practical side: some of older bikes just weren't built for endless laps. Take a Maico, for example — strong as they were, things like gearboxes and hubs can…

Kawasaki has revived one of its most versatile names with the all-new 2026 KLE500, a mid-weight adventure twin that blends daily usability with genuine off-road capability. The up-spec KLE500 SE builds on that dual-purpose DNA, adding extra comfort, tech, and adventure gear for riders who want one bike to do it all. REAL-WORLD ADVENTURE POWER At its core is Kawasaki's 451cc parallel-twin engine, tuned for smooth, responsive performance on both highway and trail. Its linear delivery and strong mid-range make it ideal for newcomers to the adventure class or experienced riders chasing a light, go-anywhere machine. Fuel economy is another strong suit, and with a 16-litre rally-style tank, the KLE500 delivers impressive range for long days in the saddle. DUAL-PURPOSE CHASSIS A high-tensile steel trellis frame provides a balance of…

There's nothing quite like the first round of the supercross season. The energy, the nerves… walking through the pits in the morning, you could feel the anticipation in the air. Redcliffe played host to Rounds One and Two of the 2025 Australian Supercross Championship, and after a long outdoor motocross season, it was easy to sense the excitement about heading back to the stadium tracks. Held at Kayo Stadium, the supercross season lit up with a double-header weekend. Rounds One and Two rolled out back-to-back, giving fans two full nights of racing. It was the perfect venue — big enough for a full-size track, but compact enough that the capacity crowd of 10,000 people could all have a great view of the action. The ProTraxx track crew put together a…

DA: Brownie, let's start at the beginning. How did your journey with helmet painting begin? Brownie: I guess it all started back in primary school. I was always doodling in my books, doing colouring-in competitions, winning chocolates and pencils at assembly — all that stuff. I went on to take art in high school but, funnily enough, failed it every year. I didn't really care about passing though, I just loved the creative side of it. I raced bikes up until I was about 18, when I broke five vertebrae in my neck. That ended my racing career, but I still had a massive love for motorcycles and didn't want to walk away from it. A lot of the guys I'd raced with — blokes like Craig Anderson and that…

01 Something for every rider. From the entry-level 50A to the BIGY 125 SEL MX, the 2025 YCF Limited Edition range covers every age, size and skill level. Whether your kid is just starting out or stepping up to bigger tracks, there's a model that fits perfectly at a cost that won't rip ya wallet apart. 02 Retro-inspired style. These bikes don't just perform — they look the part too. Carefully chosen colours and factory-style graphics give the Limited Edition models a standout, retro vibe that turns heads on the track. 03 Premium features without the premium price. Each model comes with upgrades like Kashima-coated forks, CNC triple clamps, anodised components, and front disc guards (50A excluded). All of this adds real value, yet the Limited Editions cost just $100 more than standard models.…

Back-to-Basics Moto Grip The MXF 4 kids glove keeps things simple — just pure feel, comfort, and control for young riders who want performance without the bulk. Built with a Polymesh upper for breathability and an AX Suede™ synthetic leather palm for durability and grip, the MXF 4 delivers the perfect bar connection. Details like Lycra® finger contours, TPR and Velcro® closure, and a silicone print on the index finger ensure a secure fit and reliable control in all conditions. Reinforced where it counts and styled in the bold new Venice Sunset colourway, the MXF 4 proves that sometimes less really is more. RRP: $39.95 www.motonational.com.au…

Over seven days of racing, fans watched everything from commanding clean sweeps to final-moto deciders that could have gone either way. Australia would ultimately claim 10 of the 12 titles, with New Zealand taking two, but every class produced its own story of grit, heartbreak and glory. In the premier 128cc to 150cc 2T and 200cc to 250cc 4T 15 years division, Quad Lock Honda's Tomi Doble held his nerve in a week-long duel with New Zealand's Hayden Draper. The pair were never more than a breath apart, Doble taking the opening two finals by less than a second before managing his way to third in the last race to secure the crown. Draper's speed kept the pressure on all week, while Jack Burton, representing the BCP Factory Honda Junior…

THE ART OF LINE CHOICE Line choice is one of those skills that often separates a fast lap from a frustrating one. It's what allows top riders to carry flow and momentum, lap after lap, while others fight their bikes through every corner. Yet it's one of the most misunderstood parts of riding technique. A common misconception? The shortest way around the track must be the quickest. But in motocross, the fastest line isn't always the shortest — it's the one that allows you to maintain momentum and keep your throttle rolling. WHY SHORTER ISN'T ALWAYS FASTER Think of a tight inside rut. It looks tempting, a direct route that cuts distance. But if it forces you to brake harder, turn sharper and delay your throttle, you might lose more…