Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 240 i Dirt Action

Not much to report in the way of updates from the 2022 Husky range, with all bikes getting the BNG treatment and not much more. We expect to see major changes in 2023 in line with the KTM development cycle, but for now it’s just stickers. HUSKY 2022 MODEL LINE-UP: FC450 FC350 FC250 TC250 TC125 TC85L TC85 TC65 TC50 HUSKY ENDURO RANGE UPDATED FOR 2022 The navy blue is out the window and replaced with an all-new grey and yellow colour scheme for the 2022 models, but that’s only the beginning for the refined Husqvarna range. It’s been a year of updates rather than ground-breaking redevelopment for the Husqvarna, much like its orange brothers. 2022 HUSQVARNA ENDURO MODEL UPDATES: » New graphics with rugged grey and electric yellow accents are…

Australian legend Toby Price has announced that his autobiography, Endurance, is in the works. The Dakar champion has penned the book that will be landing on shelves and online stores in February 2022, with Price’s autobiography to be published internationally by Penguin Random House. “I’ve had some spare time on my hands while I’ve been home to put into something different, so I’m stoked to be able to share that my autobiography, Endurance, is coming out in 2022,” Price said. Toby’s story is one for the ages and will be a must-have for all moto and sport fans.…

Each year, rumours start to fly regarding a new Husky TC250 with an ultra-powerful engine and a cutting-edge design, but those rumours never translate into reality. Sure, there have been plenty of changes made to the little Husky, but the reality was that the bike, while light and compact, was slow and not competitive enough in the balls-and-all Pro Lites category. There has been some disappointment when testing Husqvarna’s new bike every year. A slow 250cc is torturous to ride, so when Husky called the press for the new 2012 model and distributed info on the new bike, it was pretty hard to get excited given the history. After a day of testing, however, I’m man enough to say I was pleasantly surprised by the new model and came away…

One of the main questions I get asked when talking to people about racing is how I got into it and, more importantly, how they could get into it. There’s no doubt motocross is expensive and trying to get into the sport has more steps than you may think, but we’re here to try and give you the ins and outs to make it that bit easier. It is a bit more straightforward as an adult than as a kid, but there are also less avenues for help. As a young tacker, head to your local Minikhana club and you’ll find that it will be bursting with members just itching to help. As an adult, however, it can seem a little more daunting and less simple. One of the best…

“That was my first proper Fourth of July RedBud experience, so it was pretty cool. I also checked something else off my bucket list; I really wanted to scream ‘RedBuuuuud’ into the microphone. I hadn’t been able to do that until today, so that was cool.” — Hunter Lawrence “I came from 37th to sixth, so I think that’s pretty good. I definitely made a lot of passes, maybe the most passes of the day. I think if you look at the result it sucks because I lost three points, but you have to look at the positives; it was a strong ride, and I felt like there’s not many other people in this class that could do that.” — Jett Lawrence “I honestly don’t know what to say. We…

My Black Dog ride started 40 years ago with my own battle with mental health. I contacted the on-road Black Dog Ride in 2019 to let them know I’d like to start an off-road version in association with DirtriderZ.com. It was meant to go ahead in October last year, but 2020 was obviously a write-off and the ride was postponed until March this year, which coincided with the on-road event. There were 70 of us from all walks of life, from mechanics to dentists. I’ve been with DirtriderZ for five years now, ridden all over Victoria and met so many awesome people. And I’ve discovered just how many of us suffered from some kind of mental illness. Depression, trauma, anxiety – every one of us with our own story. DirtriderZ…

“Mum, Dad, I want to ride a motorbike!” Those words can spell absolute elation for some parents out there — or horror. If you do come to the party, you want your child to have fun, learn and be safe when starting out in this great sport. So where do you head after your little tacker gets sick of sitting on their new bike in the garage? Minikhana could be the perfect option to get the ball rolling. WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT Perhaps you’ve heard of Minikhana but aren’t quite sure whats it’s all about. It’s basically a smooth entry into motorcycling for riders on 50-85cc bikes (and fun bikes). The idea of Minikhana is to train and teach children how to handle a bike in a safe manner, in…

While packing tools is the obvious one when it comes to packing your tank bag, how about those pesky extras that may not be essential but that can make life so much easier on a trail or adventure ride? ITS AN INVESTMENT Let’s just pause and touch on tank bags for a moment. While some riders don’t see them as a necessity, they’re a must-have for me. If you’re on the hunt for a tank bag, find one that really suits your bike. There are many brands out there, so do some research. You want a bag that fits snugly out of the way enough to not impede your riding position standing, or for that matter seated. The bag should fit securely so that it doesn’t move around too much…

FORMA BOOTS Forma boots fly under the radar a little bit but are used by some of Australia’s best, including Todd Waters. When I first started wearing them I did miss the odd gear, but they soon started to loosen up while still maintaining a firm feeling and support around the ankles. Due to having some screws in my ankle, one thing I tend to struggle with when buying boots is comfort. I’ve only found one or two that I can actually bear to have my feet in for longer than 10 minutes, but it’s good to be able to say that I can now add the Forma Predator 2.0 boots to the pain-free list. The buckle system on these is unreal and they have the old-style metal cap on…

The new 2022 motocross models have been steadily revealed over the past few weeks, with each manufacturer announcing their latest and greatest efforts in the motocross world. Yes, it does seem like next year’s bikes get a little earlier every year and this season is no different, with plenty of 2022 model machines already off the showroom floor and onto the dirt. While we believe Covid has had an effect on several new models that would have been due for an update and slowed development, there is still a smattering of newly updated machines to keep punters interested. And to the surprise of many, a Japanese manufacturer even updated a two stroke. Yes, that’s right, folks — an old rice burner got a makeover and set the Internet on fire…

CRF450R » Revised engine mapping » Updated suspension settings Honda did a major revamp on the CRF450 for the 2021 model as part of their development cycle. As a result, the 2022 machine gets some tweaks and revisions as the race teams around the world provide feedback on the new platform. The CRF250 is rumoured to be a significantly updated machine and although not released at the time of writing this, we hear Honda does have a reveal / launch planned. This all points to something new coming from the red camp with regards to the 250cc. 2022 HONDA MODEL LINE-UP: CRF450R CRF250R CRF150R The KTM takeover of GASGAS only saw light on the track for 2021. For 2022, no notable changes have been made to the existing bikes, but…

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JUMPING ON THE WR I FELT PRETTY AT HOME, LIKE REUNITING WITH AN OLD FRIEND YOU HAVEN’T SEEN IN A WHILE BUT YOU PICK THINGS UP RIGHT FROM WHERE YOU LEFT OFF. INITIAL THOUGHTS Enduro bikes are in a stage of rapid evolution that has not been seen for a few decades now, with major changes coming out every year or two from just about every marque. Yamaha have been doing their homework, taking pages from some enduro models and completely re-writing others. And it has worked. They have essentially copied the YZ450 MX monster and thrown a headlight, blinkers and mirrors (which we removed for the shoot), slightly different engine and suspension packages at it. In the process they’ve created a strong contender for the coveted ‘one bike to…

HIS BURGEONING SUCCESS IS NO ACCIDENT EITHER. THIS GUY PUTS IN THE WORK WITH A PASSION AND INTENSITY THAT CANNOT BE MATCHED BY MANY. Even if you haven’t heard of him just yet, Regan Duffy has been on a bit of a tear these past couple of years. Hailing from our western-most state, the 18-year-old raised a lot of eyebrows earlier this year when, on debut in the ProMX Championship, he won the first championship round in MX1 on his KTM 450. Impressive as it was, Wonthaggi was hardly Regan’s first rodeo. He’s been racing most of his life thanks to his dad, an ex-racer himself, and he’s not what you’d call a stranger to the podium. Entering dual classes back in 2019, he not only competed in the MX1…

Nick, give us a rundown of how the YZ65 Cup came about? Yamaha had been absent from the 65cc motocross market for such a long time, it was so important that we hit the ground running when the model arrived. We knew Japan had produced a bike that would be competitive out of the crate with great reliability. However, we wanted to make the YZ65 more than just a bike; for Yamaha, it was about creating a community of likeminded riders and their families. The YZ65 Cup provided an opportunity for YZ65 owners of all abilities to come together and establish the next generation of Yamaha bLU cRU. You would have to be looking at the concept as quite the success, mate. Am I right that you personally were recognised…

03 Lightweight carbon composite shell construction ensures that this is one of the lightest helmets on the market. 04 Ventilation is top shelf with Velocity Flow Ventilation, fully adjustable Flying Bridge Visor™ with air intake vents, fully ventilated EPS-lined chin bar and integrated vented roost guard. 05 The Bell Moto-9 has extra safety features such as the exclusive Magnefusion™ Emergency Removal System (MERS) cheek pads and being Eject® system ready. 01 While safety is paramount in a motocross helmet, how can you not drool over this paint job? The Jeremy McGrath replica paint job is incredible and we rate it highly. 02 Bell Flex Energy Management interior liner is designed to keep you safe in the event of a heavy crash.…

SHIFT IT UP Look the part in this new Shift get-up SHIFT WHIT3 LABEL RACEWEAR JERSEY » Durable, moisture-wicking main body fabric » Mesh side panels for massive airflow » Athletic, low-profile collar for increased comfort » Fade-resistant sublimated graphics for long-lasting colourfastness » Dyed main body fabric Drop tail keeps jersey tucked in » Relaxed fit for added comfort PANTS » Unique minimalistic design reduces weight while increasing flexibility, ventilation and durability » 600D main body polyester for enhanced durability » Multiple stretch panels ensure mobility and a contoured fit » Articulated knee and hip design to conform to the rider » Padded knee construction to increase comfort and durability » Fade-resistant sublimated graphics for long-lasting colour » Minimal seams and mesh panelling on lower leg for extra comfort…

01 RELAX Try to start at a pace that allows you to be relatively relaxed. If you go into single trail and try and ride fast instantly, you’ll struggle to keep up and start making mistakes. This then turns into riding tight, using more energy and so on. Slow your speed down a little and let it come to you — you will be more relaxed and then things will become easier. 02 LOOK AHEAD Keep your vision up and try to look to the next turn as early as possible. When it gets real tight and is switching back on itself a lot, the more you can try to look ahead the easier it will be. Any chance you get to try and scan through the trees and get…

With Kawasaki giving the KX250 and KX450 major makeovers in recent years — 2020 for the KX450 and 2021 saw the KX250 get plenty of loving — 2022 appears to be a consolidation year for the green gurus with no significant updates for the season. Both bikes get some updated graphics and that’s about it. The KX85 did get a couple of changes, however, including a stronger transmission, MX33 tyres and some styling updates. 2022 KAWASAKI MODEL LINE-UP KX450 KX250 KX85 KX65 X-CITING KX ENDURO WEAPONS The Kawasaki KX250X and KX450X are race-ready enduro beasts. Heavily based on the motocross models, the Xs feature 18-inch rear wheels, five-speed gearboxes with shorter gear ratios, bushready mapping, enduro-specific suspension settings and brake pads. A kickstand and electric start add to the enduro-ready…

FEATURES » Medial and lateral double-pivot system for improved levels of flexibility and precision control. » Engineered front flexion control dampens and absorbs impact energies. » Co-injected for strength and structure, exclusive TPU and rubber compound panels provide superb levels of grip contact, durability and heat resistance. » Innovative material construction ensures panels are lighter, anatomically profiled and reduced in thickness. » The contoured calf protector ergonomically wraps around rear leg and is constructed from a dual-density compound rear-blade system to offer progressive dampening of excessive torsional forces. » TPU protection and shock-absorbing padding on the heel and ankles and an ultra-thin and flexible forefoot area for increased sensitivity and control. » Dual-compound removable anatomic footbed includes EVA for comfort and support and aids even weight distribution. » Innovative, lightweight…

PAUL CHIODO, MANAGING DIRECTOR TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES AUSTRALIA: “Triumph has a rich heritage in off-road motorcycling that harks right back to its roots. The confirmation that this beloved British brand is entering the off-road market is hugely exciting for Triumph enthusiasts across Australia and, through our network of passionate dealers, we look forward to welcoming them. This is going to be huge.” Expanding on its extensive road and adventure segment, Triumph has stunned with an announcement to enter the motocross and enduro market. The all-new motocross and enduro range will be launched in the coming months. “Today’s announcement marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Triumph brand, which everyone at Triumph is incredibly excited to be part of. We are 100 per cent committed to making a long-lasting impact…

I’ve always loved working on bikes. When I was racing, I built most of my bikes and did most of the work on them between races myself. I had always liked the thought of building a bike up that I spent time racing but had never really had the time or committed to the thought. So, like many, when the world was thrown a curveball last year, all of a sudden time became plentiful and I started looking. I found myself a 2002 YZ125 that cosmetically looked pretty sad, but I could tell from the ad photos that most of it was there and in reasonable condition. I went and had a look at it and come home with a project that was only going to take a month to…

UNDER $300 M2R EXO UNIT CHASER PC-2F MATTE BLUE HELMET $199.95 » Lightweight injection-moulded ABS shell » Four-piece dual-density EPS liner for enhanced impact absorption » Removable brushed nylon/mesh interior liner for easy washing » 3D Pre-curved interior for lasting comfort » Multi-port channelled ventilation system with Venturi exhaust » Hi-flow chin ventilation system with an integrated roost guard » PU padded chin bar for additional impact protection » Neck brace compatible » Created and sized for Australian conditions and riders » Australian Standards AS/ NZS1698 approved OR ECE 22.05 approved JUST1 J39 KINETIC GLOSS GREY CAMO / FLURO ORANGE HELMET $299.95 » High-quality thermoplastic resin external shell » 2 shell sizes » 3 EPS sizes » J.1.E.R. emergency cheek pad removal system » Double D retention system » New…

RYOBI 18V ONE+ 3.8L AIR COMPRESSOR — SKIN ONLY » Inflates up to 11 tyres on a 5.0Ah battery » Metal frame with onboard air hose storage » Locking regulator for varying outlet pressure » Also great for airbrushing applications » Features a durable metal frame, onboard air hose storage, and a locking regulator for varying the outlet pressure » $199.90 CHAR-GRILLER RED CERAMIC KAMADO BBQ WITH COVER » Ceramic bowl retains heat for a longer, more even cook, creating a different cooking experience » Radiused shape produces natural convection heat and cooks from all sides, not just the bottom » 20-25mm wall thickness offers stable heating environment whilst ensuring minimal fuel use » 304-grade stainless-steel cooking grate gives longevity, ease in cleaning » Achieves 430°C — great for searing…

01 The first thing you need to come to grips with is that the bike is going to move around. There are all sorts of loose rocks along with slick, muddy sections that will cause your bike to perform movements you aren’t ready for. The key is being comfortable with those movements so you stay fluid with the bike and remain balanced. If you freak out and tense up, your balance goes out the window and you’ll have both feet down in the drink in no time. 02 Approach the creek in the standing position a nd aim to remain there as long as possible. Staying in the standing position will offer many advantages, starting with your field of vision. When you stand up on the bike you’ll be able…

01 CYCLING If you take your riding seriously, get yourself a cycle bike. It will shock you with how expensive it actually is, but don’t get caught up in the need to have the best stuff — otherwise, before you know it your cycle bike will be worth more than your MX bike and then you’ve got to question what should be your main sport. Any entry-level cycling bike is more than capable of helping you get kays in the legs. Cycling is great for endurance and helps you build a really strong base, plus it’s great for the mind and easy on the joints. 02 MOUNTAIN BIKING Mountain bikes are bloody expensive, just like road bikes, but they offer probably the closest thing to MX you can get. Ebikes…