Table of contents for 260 in Dirt Action

Husqvarna Motorcycles has expanded its electric lineup with the new Pioneer, a versatile, street-legal bike designed for offroad adventures. Equipped with a 5.5kWh Li-ion battery, the Pioneer offers a range of up to 137km and up to three hours of runtime. Its 11kW motor delivers a peak output of 19.2kW and 37.6Nm of torque, supported by a specially engineered chassis to deliver a balanced, highperformance ride. The Pioneer’s construction centres on a durable chromium-molybdenum frame, integrating the motor and battery as load-bearing components. This design minimises weight and optimises the geometry and flex for a superior ride feel. Riders can adjust power delivery through three ride modes tailored for different skills and terrains, with the option of traction control and three levels of energy recuperation, all controlled via a handlebar…

Beta first launched its RR Enduro range in 2005. Since then, the company has also released a Factory edition (2011-12), which turned into the Race edition in 2013 and that we more recently have known as the RR Racing model. Beta also introduced the X-Trainer model around 2014; this bike is aimed at the entry-level rider. For 2025 Beta has renamed the Racing model to Race, and the standard RR range has been replaced with an updated X-Pro range. The X-Trainer remains the same. Sound confusing? Looking in from the outside, we can see how the Beta range model name changes might be confusing, but after talking to Tom Mendey, Beta Australia’s marketing guy, it makes more sense. “The RR range was starting to get overshadowed by the Race models,”…

Forty years ago in Varberg, Sweden, Australia made its debut at the Motocross of Nations. The team was led by Stephen Gall, who was joined by Trevor Williams, Vaughan Style and David Armstrong. That was 1984. Since then, we’ve had both unforgettable moments and those we’d rather forget — it’s part of the sport. Over the years we’ve shone, with standouts like Craig Dack at Maggiora in ’86 securing fourth overall in the 250 class, Jeff Leisk in 1988 in Villars-sous-Écot, France, finishing second in the 500 class, and then Chad Reed, who truly put Australia on the motocross map as the first Australian to win a race at MXoN in 2001 at Namur, to name just a few. In recent years, Australia has been a strong contender — Matterley…

In 2024, the Bunbury Motorcycle Club in Western Australia hosted the Australian Junior Motocross Championships (AJMX), which attracted more than 300 riders to the loamy, sand-based circuit about two hours south of Perth. The week-long event is gruelling, with 12 championships up for grabs across the different age groups. Most classes feature a five-race format, with the overall winner being the highest point scorer across the five finals. In cases where over 40 entrants line up, heat races determine a top-40-rider line-up for a three-race finals format. Weather also played a major factor in the event, with rain soaking the track during a mid-week deluge. A podium result would be acceptable for some, but the goal is always to win. In their eyes, coming home without a trophy is not…

The 2024 Sunraysia Safari rolled around again for its fifth year in Wentworth (farwest NSW). As the teams and crews set up and settled in at the start of the week, ready for the show ‘n’ shine, it was a good time for everyone to mingle, get some banter in and show off their desert machines. Coming into the event, Toby Hederics (KTM), last year’s winner, was the favourite, using this as his Road to Dakar preparation. He was followed by last year’s second-place finisher, Matt Gillespie, along with Brad Greenfield, a Finke Desert Race top 10 finisher, who was an unknown as this was his first navigational race. The event also saw some international flair, with participants like Chiang Han Yeh from Taiwan, Billy Magee from Ireland and Stefan…

NITRO MX710 YOUTH The Nitro MX710 Youth Helmet is designed with young riders in mind, offering race-inspired graphics and high-level safety features at an affordable price. Built with an ECE 22.06 certified MPT shell, this helmet provides optimised protection through its advanced Multi-Poly Tech construction and EPS liner. Key features include a dual-vented shell to keep airflow consistent, a double D-ring buckle for secure adjustment, and an ultra-comfort fit lining with fully removable soft-touch liner and cheek pads. Additional safety is offered by a reinforced chin bar with an integrated mouthguard, dust filter and rear exhaust ports. The Nitro MX710 is an affordable choice for style and protection and is available in a range of vibrant colours. RRP: $129 www.nitrorider.com.au LEATT 5.0 3DF EVO KNEE GUARD FASTFIT Elevate your knee…

Adecade after launching its original Freeride E concept, KTM is reinvigorating its electric lineup with the 2025 KTM Freeride E, an offroad-focused e-mobility option that bridges advanced performance with practical usability. Showcased by enduro rider Manuel Lettenbichler, this model is built to handle intense terrain, underscoring KTM’s commitment to electric-driven dirtbikes for all levels of riders. The Freeride E’s 2025 iteration boasts environmental perks — reduced noise and zero emissions — making it viable for urban environments and eco-sensitive trails. Known for its ease of maintenance, the new model suits both beginner and experienced riders. KTM has designed it with handlebar-mounted brakes, eliminating clutch and gearbox complexities and featuring torque for immediate power delivery. First introduced in 2014 as a platform for both enduro and motocross, the Freeride E has…

Todd Reed’s recent test of the 2025 Honda CRF250R painted a promising picture for riders familiar with Honda’s 250cc models and those new to the brand. If it’s been a while since you’ve been on a Honda 250, expect a light, nimble and playful machine. With an updated chassis and refined suspension, the CRF250R feels more planted than ever, balancing stability and cornering prowess. He also observed that the standard CRF250R’s engine doesn’t overwhelm but produces a steady, usable power spread that’s easy to keep in the “sweet spot” of its power curve. For the average rider, it balances the low-end pull of Yamaha with the high-revving nature of KTM, creating an accessible power profile suited to various track demands. While testing the CRF250R, Reed was teased about the introduction…

Australia has enjoyed considerable success at the International SixDay Enduro (ISDE) over the years. In 1995, the Men’s Junior Trophy Team claimed victory in Poland, and from 2013 to 2018, the Women’s Trophy Team dominated with six consecutive wins, thanks to outstanding performances by Jessica Gardiner, Jemma Wilson and Tayla Jones (with Mackenzie Tricker replacing Wilson in 2018). The Aussies achieved a clean sweep in 2015, taking top honours in all three categories — Men’s Junior, Senior, and Women’s Trophy Teams. In 2018, Daniel Milner triumphed in the E3 class at the Chile ISDE and took outright honours. The following year, Daniel “Chucky” Sanders continued Australia’s success by winning outright in Portugal, helping the Senior Men’s Trophy Team secure second place. The 2024 ISDE was seen as a building year…

Does the name Luke Styke ring a bell? Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past decade or two, you’d certainly know Luke from his glory days of motocross and enduro racing. The multi-time champ is the first Australian to win national titles in motocross, supercross and enduro, he’s raced for Australia at the MXoN and ISDE events, plus he’s competed on the world MXGP stage for factory teams. When Luke retired from professional racing in 2022, he didn’t stop riding. He rode for fun and enjoyed getting away with his mates on the local trails near his home in Nowra on the South Coast of NSW. “I enjoy riding bikes, getting a crew together and having a good day riding,” he told us when we recently joined…

01 Lightweight carbon shell with enhanced safety The Aviator ACE 2’s dual-size composite carbon shell is lightweight yet highly durable, meeting ECE 2206 standards for top-notch protection. With the ASN (AIROH Sliding Net) and AEFR (Emergency Fast Release) systems, it’s designed for maximum safety, giving riders peace of mind in challenging conditions. 02 Supreme ventilation for all conditions Engineered for adventure, the ACE 2 features an innovative and highly efficient ventilation system, keeping you cool even on the hottest rides. Combined with breathable, hypoallergenic fabrics, this helmet is comfortable for both intense off-road adventures and long rides. 03 Communication System Ready The ACE 2’s Communication System Ready feature makes it easy to stay connected on the go, perfect for riders who need GPS navigation, music or to stay in touch…

Josh: I took the time to personalise my Stark Future Varg bike, and while I was happy with it straight out of the box, there’s nothing like truly making it your own. Especially when you’re among the first in the world to customise one to this extent. The bike finally arrived earlier this year after placing my order in December 2021. I managed to get some seat time to work out what I liked and what I wanted to tweak or enhance. Since there was no need to increase horsepower (the bikes come stock with 80hp at the press of a button!), the obvious place to start was the suspension. So, the bike went straight to JR Factory Services on the Sunshine Coast for a custom KYB suspension setup tailored…

After the thrilling victory at Matterley Basin, the Australian Motocross of Nations (MXoN) team is already gearing up for the 2025 event. As part of the preparations, the team is launching fundraising efforts and is calling on the motocross community to help support the cause. The team is asking for donations of signed or unsigned jerseys from famous riders of the past to be auctioned at each round of the 2025 Australian ProMX Championship. Whether you have jerseys from iconic riders or memorabilia that’s collecting dust, your contribution can help raise vital funds to send Team Australia to the 2025 MXoN. These jerseys will be auctioned throughout the season, so there's plenty of opportunity to contribute and score some unique memorabilia while supporting the Aussie riders as they aim for…

DA: Robbie, great to see you out here keeping the young pups honest. You must be close to hanging up the boots, yeah? RM: Definitely for motocross at a national level, and most likely supercross too. But I’ve got my property now with a supercross track, so never say never. With how I’ve been feeling this season and things out of your control — like incidents on the track -plus having a family and other commitments, this will most likely be my last full season. Next year, I’ll keep riding and racing locally. DA: Because you love it? RM: Yeah, and I’ve got two boys now. One is only four, so he can’t race properly yet, but the other is eight and enjoys it. We’ll do local Queensland events next…

When we tested the 2024-model Beta RX 450, it was fresh off the production line and the first motocross model for the Italian manufacturer. That ’24 model showed huge potential with its user-friendly platform and rideability, a word Beta uses when describing its core values for its range of off-road machines. The mapping wasn’t quite right when the RX450 first came out, which affected the riding experience on the track. But 12 months later, Beta’s engineers, with feedback from their factory teams, have dialled it in. There are no complaints about the 2025 edition, which hasn’t received major updates, but the changes made make it one beautiful bike to ride. The RX 300 two-stroke motocrosser, however, is a new beast. The 2024 model was based on the RR Racing enduro…

There’s no denying the success of Jett and Hunter Lawrence. Watching them rise to the top of the motocross world is nothing short of inspiring, but if I’m completely honest, it also triggers me. Watching them rise has been a mirror of where I fell short in my career. Like most, I can’t stop watching because what they’re doing is incredible, but their success brings up one undeniable truth: it took me too long to learn what it takes to reach the top. Their journey starkly contrasts my own, and it’s in these differences that I see the lessons I wish I’d learned earlier. If I had the chance to do it all again, I’d make some very different decisions, and maybe this reflection can help the next generation accelerate…

If you’ve been riding for a while, you’ve probably experienced it — that moment when your hands seem to betray you. Your grip on the bars loosens, your fingers struggle to reach the levers and you feel like you’re just a couple of turns away from losing control entirely. This dreaded phenomenon is what we call arm pump. But what exactly is arm pump and, more importantly, how can you prevent it? Arm pump occurs when your forearm muscles swell due to a lactic acid build-up during intense physical activity. As the muscles swell, the increased pressure makes it difficult for fresh, oxygen-rich blood to flow into them while trapping the blood already there. The result is reduced strength, poor control and often a whiteknuckle grip on the bars that…

In motocross, practice makes perfect — but not just any practice. If you’re just heading out to the track, riding laps and hoping that more time on the bike will make you better, you might be missing the bigger picture. While seat time is important, riding without a plan is like lifting weights without a workout routine — you might get stronger, but your progress will be slow and unfocused. Here’s why having a set plan when you head to the track can make all the difference in improving your riding skills and performance. 1. FOCUSED IMPROVEMENT ON SPECIFIC SKILLS: Motocross requires a wide range of skills -cornering, braking, throttle control, jumps, line selection and more. If you don’t have a plan, it’s easy to fall into the habit of…