Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2016 i Transworld Motocross

“ THE WORLD IS A BOOK AND THOSE WHO DO NOT TRAVEL RE AD ONLY ONE PAGE.” — ST. AUGUSTINE Thanks to my obsession with dirt bikes, I’ve been lucky to see much more of the world than I ever would have dreamed as a kid. Though travel is far less exciting to me after a quarter decade of doing it, I wouldn’t trade the memories I’ve got and the friends I’ve made for, well, the world. As I write this, I’m on a subway deep beneath the streets of Tokyo, traveling to have dinner with a friend I made while he was going to college in Southern California to learn how to run his family’s business back here in Japan. As the stations flash by and passengers funnel in…

DUCATI INVITES US TO RIDE THEIR ALL-NEW HYPERMOTARD 939 Price: Starting at $12,695 Since TransWorld Motocross first opened its doors back in 2000, we’ve had the opportunity to ride a countless number of bikes, but it’s very rare to receive an invite from brands like the Italy-based manufacturer Ducati, which is best known for its highperformance motorcycles with largecapacity V-twin engines. Yeah, they don’t produce a line of dirt bikes, but most motocross riders are two-wheeled enthusiasts to the bone, and a passion for riding usually translates to all bikes, no matter the terrain. The bike they invited us to ride, however—their all-new Hypermotard 939—caught our interest immediately with its minimalist image and dirt bike–inspired look, but with the same innovative technology that’s led Ducati to a massive amount of…

When it comes to the little dudes, the choices for legit mountain bikes are pretty limited, but Specialized just launched the Riprock line of scaled-down trail bikes, compete with front suspension, disc brakes, 1x8 gearing, and fat tires that make ripping up and down trails a breeze. Available in two sizes—with 20- or 24-inch wheels— the Riprock really is a miniature mountain bike and not simply a cute kids’ toy bike with knobby tires. Our pint-sized tester, Gavin McCune, loves the Riprock and has been able to keep up with his dad on some pretty technical single-tracks, all while having a huge grin on his face. The 2.8-inch tires really hook up and make rolling over rocks and roots a cinch, and their fat diameter also offers some forgiveness in…

Application: All bikes (tested here on 2016 Honda CRF450R) Price: $216.90 (revalve, parts, oil, labor), $253.75 (revalve, parts, oil, labor), $119.95 shock spring In theory, air forks are an amazing innovation in motocross suspension as they allow the end user to fine-tune the spring component in their fork with a quick adjustment of air pressure. In reality, though, the cost-cutting design places too much responsibility in the hands of the average user, and for many, performance of the new-age forks leaves plenty to be desired. The 2016 Honda CRF450R is one of our favorite bikes in the garage, but the Kayaba suspension— and PSF2 fork in particular—lacks control in highspeed, rough conditions. Both ends are on the soft side for all but the lightest riders, and the bike suffers from…

Now in its fifth year, the TWMX Race Series continues to help grow the sport of motocross racing throughout the West Coast. With a smooth-running program, a two-track format, and the best racing experience around, it’s no wonder that ours has become the fastest-growing and best-attended motocross series in our locale. The El Dorado Nationals kicked off with a single round in late 2015 and reached completion with three additional rounds in the winter months of 2016. Sadly, adverse weather conditions forced the cancellation of the Glen Helen round of the series, but the events at Competitive Edge MX Park, Milestone MX Park, Los Angeles County Raceway, and Perris Raceway all enjoyed great turnouts and amazing action on the track. THE CHAMPS Pee Wee Beginner A – Blake Klebowski Pee…

LEATT GPX 4.5 LITE GLOVES Price: $54.99 Sizes: XS–XXL Price: $54.99 Sizes: XS–XXL What It Is Leatt is best known for its trend-setting neck brace, but the company has expanded into numerous areas of off-road protection. One of four different gloves designed specifically for off-road motorcycle use, the Leatt GPX 4.5 Lite glove’s most distinguishing feature are the Armourgel impact protection pads that are positioned over the knuckle area. The glove itself has an ultra-thin palm area with no padding for maximum feel, a vented mesh upper for excellent airflow, and a pre-curved design for comfort and immediate break-in. Hits • The glove is super comfortable right out of the bag and requires no break-in whatsoever. • We love the non-padded palm because it doesn’t bunch up, and we had…

AT 15 YEAR SOLD and with the encouragement of his parents, Martin Davalos made the decision to move from his native Ecuador and to the United States, all to pursue the dream of becoming a professional motocross racer. It was by all means a risky endeavor, as Davalos went from being recognized as a multi-time Latin American amateur champion to just another rider who hoped to make a mark in the competitive sport. A friendship with the Millsaps family kept the teenager from being completely alone, but still, he was thousands of miles away from everything and everyone he knew. “When I moved here, things really got interesting. We never knew about this amateur deal with the travel—the winter series, the Gold Cup, the Texas races Las Vegas,” he reflects.…

First impressions can be damning, and in Lance Coury’s case that was most certainly true. Back in 2010 when Coury was a relative newcomer on the FMX scene, our friends at Racer X produced a video in which they shadowed Coury throughout a day, including a stop by “his crib”— a multi-million dollar mansion that I learned years later was actually the home of his uncle, Jim Hale of AXO America, Renthal USA, and Mechanix Wear fame. “To this day, I think Matt Francis still has no idea that it wasn’t my house,” says Coury, who’s since won us over and dispelled the spoiled-rich-kid image that the video projected to my staff and me. “I grew up down the hill in Los Angeles, in the same house I bought from…

Ryder DiFrancesco Age: 10 Hometown: Bakersfield, California Sponsors: Kawasaki Team Green, Pro Circuit, Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches, Traxxas, ThorMX, 6D Helmets, Dunlop, Scott, DC Shoes Classes Raced: 65cc (9-11 years old), 85cc (0-11 years old) Ryder DiFrancesco is one of the most popular mini-bike racers in the sport, and thanks to an abundance of talent and some great management— NASCAR champ Kevin Harvick’s Kevin Harvick Incorporated—he’s acquired quite a list of sponsors and enjoys a ton of media exposure both in and outside of the sport. The number-199 racer is always one to watch when he shows up at a TWMX Race Series event, and he’s one of the quickest 65cc pilots we’ve ever seen. Recently DiFrancesco started riding and racing aboard a larger Kawasaki KX85, and he already looks…

ERICA NAGASHIMA THE GIRL Erica Nagashima is a SoCal-born-and-raised model whom you may recognize as one of the current Monster Energy girls. A classically trained singer, Erica has a YouTube channel packed with content, has recorded tracks in Japan (she’s half Japanese), and even sang the National Anthem at this year’s Anaheim I Supercross. “Modeling pays the bills,” says Erica, who this month makes her second appearance in TransWorld Motocross. “But all of my career aspirations lie in music.” You can follow her on Instagram @ericanagashima and on YouTube at youtube.com/user/ELNvoice. THE BIKE The 2016 Husqvarna FC 450 is—in our opinion— the best-looking bike in stock condition, and it also has a ton of untapped performance potential. We outfitted our test bike with a FMF Factory 4.1 Megabomb exhaust and,…

Getting on a dirt bike is dangerous—we all know that—and lining up with 30 to 40 other riders and racing at the top of your skill level is even more dangerous. We’ve all had times when we’ve had to hit the “oh shit!” button, and how you handle those critical moments from when things suddenly go wrong can make the difference in whether you’re continuing your pursuit of the checkered flag or taking a nap in the dirt. Back in January, Jason Anderson and Chad Reed had an insanely close moment during the main event of the Oakland Supercross, but both riders emerged from the situation unscathed thanks to Anderson’s quick reaction: While Anderson was hot on Reed’s heels and looking to make a pass, Reed doubled in a section…

“Now boarding all passengers in zone one. All passengers in zone one may now board.” It’s 7:10 in the evening at LAX airport, and I, along with the other (why so over-eager?) travelers push toward the gate agent. Part of me feels like I’m cheating the system sliding into the zone one boarding session due to the simple fact that I’m a low-level Delta Sky Miles member heading toward the middle seat on a red-eye flight, but I’ll take the holeshot over zones two and three anytime I can get it. Where to this time? Florida, for a week of sunshine, motorcycles, and a little race called the Daytona Supercross by Honda. You know we can’t just go straight to the speedway, though; this was going to be a weeklong…