Table of contents for 254 in Dirt Action

MOTOR MOUTH NEWS Damien: My five good mates and I finally got to head over to New Zealand after a long Covid delay. The boys booked this trip well before the pandemic, but unfortunately it's been years of setbacks and delays. I can confirm this was 100 per cent worth the drama and wait. A short three-hour plane ride to Auckland and a three-hour drive to Rotorua kicked off the trip. During this time, we had Ben Townley himself sending us a few sneaky videos of him preparing our first track, and by this time the excitement and anticipation were killing us! We arrived at the first track, Ben's private facility of DirtWorld Pukemara. Green rolling hills as far as you can see, Yamaha tents and trailers, a cool old-school…

MOTOR MOUTH NEWS Husqvarna Motorcycles has expanded its range of e-powered mini bikes for 2024 with the introduction of the allnew EE 2 model. Crafted with attention to detail, this bike offers adjustment options, ensuring riders of various sizes and skill levels can experience the thrill of riding a machine tailored to their needs. With quick recharging capabilities and constructed with quality components, the EE 2 is engineered to equip young riders with the skills required for off-road competence. As the smallest member of Husqvarna Motorcycles’ electric minicycle lineup, the EE 2 joins the ranks of the proven EE 3 and EE 5 machines. What sets it apart is its innovative motor housed within the rear-wheel hub, delivering a peak power output of 1.8kW. The motor boasts dust- and water-proof…

Honda Australia has announced the release of the ‘23 CRF450RL model dual-sport motorcycle in the Australian market. You might remember the CRF450L dual-sport, which was discontinued back in 2020 due to its high price tag at the time. However, with the reintroduction of the more competitively priced 450RL, there's every reason to believe this new model will prove more popular among trail/adventure riders as it offers excellent value for money. Based on the proven CRF450R and X platform, the RL model utilises the same powerful 449cc Unicam® engine with a six-speed gearbox. This engine produces strong low-end torque and a smooth, controllable power delivery. With its twin-spar aluminium frame and premium long-travel suspension, it is a lightweight motorcycle suitable for comfortable rides on both the road and your favourite dirt…

MX Farm, Gympie, Queensland, was the venue for the launch of the 2024 YZ250F, and Yamaha pulled out all stops to ensure our ride on this allnew weapon was a positive one from the get-go. They assigned one of their leading mechanics, Darren Thompson, to personally set up the bike from rider sag to comfortable lever, bar, and rearbrake positions before we even fired it up. Manufacturers’ engineers never halt in the pursuit of the perfect motorcycle. Most times they get it right, but sometimes, when they try to improve a bike that's considered already near perfect, it's a big ask and history tells us that making big changes sometimes backfires and they have to go back to the drawing board. But this time they got it right. When looking…

FEATURE: ITALIAN FLAIR PHOTOS WWW.BUSTAPHOTO.COM.AU 2023 was a big year for Beta, with the Italian manufacturer winning the Enduro GP, E2 and E3 World Championships with star riders Steve Holcombe and Brad Freeman. On Australian shores, Beta tasted success with Ruben Chadwick winning the Australian Hard Enduro Championship, and offroad racers Fraser Higlett and Ebony Nielson winning their classes in the Queensland Offroad Championship and landing on the podium in AORC rounds. Rewind a few years and the name Beta was more known for quality trials bikes than enduro, but now, as each year passes, we're seeing more and more riders migrate to the brand. Beta's popularity is also rising thanks to its wide range of affordable and competitive offroad motorcycles you can buy straight off the showroom floor. Since…

SUSPENSION The suspension received a significant upgrade with an Ozminis suspension kit, increasing the ride height and enhancing stiffness to accommodate a heavier rider. This comprehensive kit includes a rear shock, heftier fork springs and extended damping rods, making it a breeze to install while substantially improving the bike's handling and ground clearance. Perfect for those bigger jumps and larger-than-life riders. PERFORMANCE Given that 110s aren't known for their powerhouse performance, the MXstore bike-build team threw an arsenal of parts at this bike to unlock some extra horses. Staying true to the Josh Hansen theme, they opted for a Pro Circuit exhaust to enhance power output, while a FunnelWeb air filter promotes improved airflow. Additionally, a BBR rev box was incorporated to boost the bike's revving capabilities and expand its…

On page 116 of this issue you'll read the Kincrome Tech Tip about fitting a new chain and sprockets, and this innovative Ballard's Chain Link Press Tool is something everyone should have in their tool kit to help get those tricky press-on side plates fitted. Engineered for speed and efficiency, this tool will revolutionise your chain installation process. With a single quick-clamp action, you'll be able to effortlessly install the clip and get back on track in no time. Designed to fit chains from 428 to the common 520 sizes, this tool features a high-leverage pivot point and an offset design that allows you to work on your chain while it's still on your bike. FEATURES » Fast and efficient press tool for hassle-free installation of press-on side plates » Designed…

MOTO MANUAL TECH TIPS In this step-by-step guide, CDR's Brad McAlpine will take you through the process of how to tell when your chain and sprockets need replacing, and how to replace them for a new set. STEP 1: MAINTENANCE After you wash your dirtbike, it's always good to pop it up on a stand and thoroughly check it over for wear and tear. As the chain and sprockets are responsible for delivering the engine's power to the rear wheel, these components are a good place to start. First, inspect the teeth of the sprockets to check if they are starting to hook over at the top, or if the radius at the base of the teeth is elongating from the pressure of the chain driving the rear wheel. If…

Hard Enduro is one seriously tough discipline. The obstacles are gnarly, the terrain is sketchy, the bikes take a beating and, above all, the riders are an extremely talented and committed bunch of characters. In recent years, the crew at Grassroots Hard Enduro has established a five-round Australian Championship series, which has proven to be very popular and well attended. The crew at Sherco Australia is a significant supporter of Hard Enduro and one of the few OEMs with a full-blown factory-backed effort. For this issue's factory bike build, we caught up with Sherco Australia's Marketing Manager, Matt Reilly, to get the lowdown on the 2022 Australian Hard Enduro Championship-winning machine of Anthony Solar. PRE-MIXED Unlike most other disciplines, the Hard Enduro scene is dominated by two-stroke machinery, so it's…

On a recent photoshoot with Jeremy Carpentier and his partner Jess Gardiner, they were telling us that they always like to have fun riding their dirtbikes and don't always take things too seriously. Jeremy talked about the time he did a stoppie, a nose wheelie, and timed it so that when he was at the tipping point, Jess was right there to meet him for a helmet peck. So we asked him to try it again and captured him doing just that. Here, Jeremy gives us his tips on how to do it without causing a breakup in the relationship. Jeremy: Number one is trust; you have to trust her and she has to trust you, big time! But first you need to learn how to do a stoppie to…

MOTOR MOUTH NEWS Ex-factory American Honda rider turned Honda HRC test rider Trey Canard had the honour of racing the new Honda CR Electric Proto at round eight of the Japan Motocross Championships and showed that he and the bike had front-running speed. This was Honda's first participation in an official race with an electric motorcycle, so there was a lot of pressure on Canard, who hadn't had a gate drop for several years. Going up against the series points leader and undefeated Aussie rider Jay Wilson going into that event, it was always going to be a big ask to put the yet-to-be-raced CR Electric Proto out front. But that is exactly what Canard did in the opening moto by holeshotting and leading until Wilson passed him to take…

MOTOR MOUTH NEWS Yamaha's Jess Gardiner and Danielle McDonald showcased their grit on the global stage at the recently concluded International Six Day Enduro (ISDE) in Argentina, securing a commendable team second place despite their teammate, Tayla Jones, being unable to finish due to injury. On a personal level, the Yamaha duo delivered standout performances, with the newly turned 16-year-old Danielle McDonald claiming second place in the Women's division, just ahead of her teammate Jess Gardiner in third. It took McDonald a couple of days to adjust to the hot, dry and challenging conditions, but she came alive in the second half of the week. She not only managed to secure a day victory on day five, but also finished second in the final motocross test, leading the race at…

MOTOR MOUTH NEWS Jay Wilson ended his 2023 Japanese Motocross Championship season on a high at the ninth and final round of the series in Sugo. Having already secured the 2023 A1 (450cc) championship at the penultimate round, where he lost his winning streak after colliding with American Trey Canard, Wilson aimed to finish the season on a good note and he did precisely that in the cool yet ideal conditions at the Sugo circuit. In the first race, he comfortably claimed victory. However, the second race presented a different challenge as a poor start left him struggling towards the back of the pack in the initial laps. Undeterred, with the longer 25-minute race ahead, he systematically worked his way through the field, taking the lead with five minutes to…

FEATURE: NOT DEAD YET Dean, first up, congratulations on the 2023 Australian ProMX Championship. It must be a great feeling to once again hold that numberone plate, right? Yeah, thanks, it was significant! It's been five years since my last championship in 2018. I had a bit of a rough journey during that time – I retired a couple of times and had a tough time when I returned to racing in 2022. This year, I had a solid season, not my absolute best, but in the end I came through with race wins when it mattered most. I knew I could do it all along, always believed in myself, and assembled a strong support system with excellent people around me. We got it done and I'm ecstatic about it.…

FEATURE: BARCY RED You don't need rego. Just roll up with a tank full of gas and head off on a choice of five different trail loops, from beginner to more advanced, and ride till your hands bleed. Then to cool down, a stone's throw from the parking area is a 1.1km recreation water park where you can swim, water ski, jet ski, paddle a canoe, whatever, before heading back to camp for a cold one. So where is this joint, you ask? Barcaldine is approximately a six-hour drive west from Rockhampton, seven hours south-west from Townsville, and 12 hours north-west from Brisbane. It's a small town of around 1500 people, with two pubs, an IGA, a servo, three caravan parks, several motels, a bakery — all the creature comforts…

FEATURE: SILENCE IS GOLDEN The urban sprawl is expanding, and the trails and pockets of land we once explored on our dirtbikes are now off-limits. Nowadays, to ride, you have to escape the hustle and bustle of built-up areas where people don't appreciate the sound of motorcycles disrupting their weekend vibe. It's understandable, but it also means less time twisting the throttle and more time behind the steering wheel, driving to your favourite riding location. We've witnessed the surge in popularity of electric-assisted MTBs lately and how they're attracting more people to the sport. Trails are cropping up near urban areas, giving MTB enthusiasts easy access to riding spots. They can get their riding fix and still have plenty of time to spare for the rest of their weekend. This…

FEATURE: UNDERCOVER AT THE AORC “How the hell did Jess Gardiner change tyres at the 2017 French ISDE event with a dislocated finger and with a time limit of only 15 minutes?” These are the words going through my mind on the eve of rounds nine and 10 of the Australian Off-Road Championships as I fumble my way through changing the tyres on my loaned Beta RR430 racing machine. It's been 40 minutes and my hands are in perfect condition, like WTF! I'm about to ride my first ever AORC event and I'm already struggling to get my act together before I even throw a leg over the bike. Am I up for this, I question myself? I've still got air filters to clean, bags to pack, goggles to clean;…

KINCROME TOOL OF THE ISSUE When I'm tightening nuts like the sprocket nuts in this article, the last thing I need is spanners failing as my hands are the first things that cop the abuse and I rely on them 24/7. The Kincrome gear spanner ratcheting ring end has a Peripheral Drive, which has been engineered to eliminate rounding-off of fasteners, which gives me confidence under force. The gear spanners are offered in both metric and imperial measurements and also as single-way and reversed sets. They are manufactured from chrome vanadium steel, are built to last and won't quit! Check them out online at www.kincrome.com.au…

MOTO MANUAL TRAINING TIPS We all want to elevate our game and gain that competitive edge on the track, and one of the most common questions I receive from riders is whether they should hit the gym with heavy weights and low reps or go for lighter weights with high reps. The truth is, it's not an either-or scenario; it's all about understanding your goals and how each type of training can benefit your performance. So, let's delve into the details of these training approaches. LOW REPS WITH HEAVY WEIGHTS: STRENGTH & POWER Let's start with the heavyweight champions — low reps with heavy weights. This style of training focuses on raw power and strength. You might be wondering, “Why do motocross riders need raw strength and power in the…

MOTOR MOUTH NEWS Garry, what's your role at KTM? I'm the cook. Head of Hospitality is my official role, and I help set up the truck's canopy, kitchen floors, walls, etc., and then tear it down once the event is over. You've had a few roles with KTM over the years but they've mainly involved cheffing? Yeah, mostly, but my role with the off-road racing team, and the desert team for 20-odd years, has been more varied. I'd be massaging riders one minute, then checking out the track during a cross-country race and radioing back to the team about what I was seeing the next. It's more hands-on, but now with the motocross team, I'm just the chef and hired muscle when needed, which is fine as I love what…

As you read this, Beta's first four-stroke motocross machine, the RX 450, will have landed on our shores and will be available at Beta dealers across the country. It will have also debuted at the 2024 American Monster Energy Supercross series in the hands of Benny Bloss and Colt Nichols, which is exciting news for the Italian brand. The RX 450 prototypes first made their debut on the MXGP circuit in the hands of Ben Watson a few years ago, and this provided the feedback to develop the RX 450 that can only come from top-level racing. The technical design of the RX 450 is totally new and features an all-new frame that is specifically designed and dedicated for motocross use; a new aluminium rear sub-frame provides rigidity to the…

Beta Motorcycles Australia has introduced the 2024 Beta E-Kinder range. These bikes are designed to be lightweight, user-friendly and operate quietly, making them an excellent choice for introducing kids to the world of motorcycles and riding around in your backyard without annoying your neighbours. These bikes feature robust brushless motors, a spare battery, centre stand and six-month warranty. If you think your kids are not quite ready for a powered bike, the Beta E-Kinder models can also be used as traditional balance bikes, allowing children to learn to push, coast and balance on two wheels before utilising the powered functions. The Beta E-Kinder 12 Pro, the smallest in the range, comes with a durable yet lightweight aluminium frame, 12-inch wheels, a 200W brushless motor and two 2.6AH removable batteries for…

FEATURE: VIVE LA FRANCE VIVE LA FRANCE It's been a couple of days since the event and I still don't know where to start. I am still beside myself over what I witnessed. The European fans would have to be the most passionate in MX; there were times when you couldn't hear the sound of the bikes over the roar and cheers from the French crowd. 102,000 motocross fans gathered in the small town of Ernée in the north of France to watch the 76th running of the Motocross of Nations and see which nation would be taking home the Chamberlain Trophy. With them they brought the flags of their countries, smoke flares in the colours of their nations, chainsaws with no bar, and air horns hooked up to compressed…

INTERVIEW: MASON SEMMENS When COVID hit the shores of Australia in 2020, Victorian off-road ace Mason Semmens had just signed on with the Factory KTM Enduro team, a seat vacated by his long-time friend Lyndon Snodgrass, and alongside his friend and mentor Daniel Milner. It was a deal that would give the former junior motocross champion his best shot at making it at the top level of the sport. But as it turned out, COVID put a halt to everything, including off-road racing, so even though Mason had the factory ride, he didn't really get to show his true potential. In 2021, it was much the same deal when he moved to the GasGas off-road team. It wasn't a great time to be a professional sportsperson, so when an opportunity…

Greeny, looking back at the 2023 Kyogle AORC round, how was the track? Kyogle is always an epic property; it has some big uphills and big downhills and heaps of technical terrain. The folks there really know how to set up a course. It's really good; it's a great event. No complaints. Not only do they set up a really good course, they also run the event well. There are not usually any big mishaps. Everything seems to run smoothly. The tracks are all well marked, well bunted. And it really challenges the riders due to the technical nature of the tracks with a lot of off-camber sections that catch out many riders. It's not a full-throttle-type setup; you have to ride smart and you can't rush it. If you…

MOTO MANUAL GEAR CHECK As a key addition to Leatt's latest adventure collection, the FlowTour 7.5 Jacket stands out as a well-ventilated riding jacket offering both impact protection and a waterproof feature — an ideal choice for warmer climates with unpredictable weather. This jacket proves to be remarkably versatile, providing three layering options that you can adapt to suit the weather conditions. You have the option to use the removable waterproof HydraDri liner on the inside (just in case), on the outside (for anticipated rain), or leave it behind when the forecast predicts dry conditions. A notable bonus is the ability to wear the 30,000mm/30,000g/m² waterproof/breathable HydraDri liner independently as a chic and functional casual jacket. Backed by an impressive five-year warranty, the 7.5 Jacket boasts a Leatt ripstop main…

For a few years, COVID played havoc with the racing scene, and like many other aspiring young racers, Ky unfortunately never got to spend a whole lot of time behind the start gate. Thankfully, junior racing returned as strong as ever and Ky went on to win the East Coast MX Championship in 2022. Ky began his 2023 campaign with a bang, grabbing the MX3 overall win in his ProMX debut. Ky continued on to represent Australia at the World Junior Motocross Championships in Romania, and returned home to grab the 15 years 125cc Aussie Championship and 2nd place in the 15 years 250cc class. We caught up with Ky to get the lowdown on his 2023 racing season. Ky, tell us about your 2023 Australian ProMX season. 2023 was…

ROUGH CORNERS The first thing that comes to mind here is during rough terrain. We have braking bumps leading into most corners and generally acceleration bumps on the exit. Sometimes, this leaves very little time in between to transition to a seated position before encountering more bumps. Sitting for this short period can be time-consuming and a waste of energy. It would be far more beneficial to remain standing throughout the entire corner. DEEP RUTS The same applies if it's a deep rut. How many times have you found the perfect rut, only to get to the exit and get jolted from the seat due to the acceleration bumps? It's no fun at all. Standing throughout the entire rut can make it a smoother experience and more energy-efficient. The second…