Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2016 i Transworld Motocross

“I BELEIVE THAT CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE.” —WHITNEY HOUSTON This month, the TWMX Race Series held a really cool event, the inaugural TWMX Mini Major, which was a three-day national-caliber event just for kids on mini bikes. The small-bike classes at our race series have always been among the most popular, and I always get a kick out of watching the parents work with their kids on the starting line, then sprint to the infield of the track the moment the gate drops. While there will always be some out-of-line mini parents who take things way too seriously, it’s usually really pleasant to watch families interact at the races. I never had a mini bike growing up because my parents didn’t want me to get hurt on a dirt bike…

When it comes to a brand dedicated to American craftsmanship, Intense Cycles is a perfect example. Based in Temecula, California, they are builders of high-end mountain bikes with roots in competitive downhill racing. That doesn’t mean they don’t build exactly what you’re looking for— they offer models perfect for all types of mountain bike riding and racing. Their Spider 275A model, tested in their Expert Build trim, is a 27.5-inch wheelbase bike with the linkage and suspension setup all aiming toward a shorter wheelbase for a quick and responsive experience. Intense certainly achieved their goal, and upon the first ride we noticed how easy the bike was to navigate through the tight single-track trails we’re used to carving at our local riding spot. What’s great about the geometry is the…

In SoCal racing circles, Shock Therapy Racing has gained a strong following amongst the vet crowd, as owner Steve Piattoni, a pro racer in the ’90s and early 2000s, is quite active in the local racing scene. And as one might expect, because many vet-class racers tend to have—ahem— “seasoned” waistlines, Shock Therapy has also gained a reputation as the place to go if you weigh over 200 pounds. Our advertising sales guru Dominic Gaytan recently purchased a 2015 Suzuki RM-Z450, but at six feet, three inches and 255 pounds, he knew it was pretty evident that stiffer suspension settings were in order, especially because the big guy is also quite speedy. After an initial break-in ride, we removed the Showa suspension components and dropped them off at STR for…

OSET 20.0 RACING Price: $2,899 What It Is Oset is an American-born, UK-based company that produces electric trials motorcycles for kids. A few years ago we tested a tiny version that was equipped with 12.5-inch wheels, but we have been longing to get our hands on the company’s largest model, the 20.0 Racing bike. Equipped with 20-inch wheels and a 48-volt motor that cranks out 1,200 watts of energy, the 20.0 Racing bike is ideally produced for kids ages eight to 12 years old, but it’s realistically large enough to be ridden by adults. Why an electric trials bike, you ask? Because it’s silent, so it can be ridden virtually anywhere! Any time spent on two wheels can be considered cross-training, and we’ve been able to entertain ourselves for hours…

WHAT’S NEW Completely redesigned engine All-new chassis Steeper steering angle (0.4 mm) and shorter wheelbase (10 mm) New swingarm New foot pegs Rubber-dampened handlebar clamp Revised WP 4CS fork settings New WP shock and linkage New bodywork Reworked Keihin 44-mm throttle body Launch control system Dual map switch Compact lithium-ion starter batteries WHY More power, better mass centralization Lighter weight, better handling Quicker handling Better flex character Wider platform, no-clog design Less vibration transferred to rider’s hands Improved performance Improved performance Sleek and narrow design Better throttle response Better starts, more holeshots Standard and aggressive power curves Lighter weight A 350cc motocross bike is a wonderful thing. More powerful and responsive than a 250 but lighter and easier to control than a full-sized 450, a middleweight four-stroke is the perfect…

What’s a racer to do in the months between the final flag of the Nationals and the first gate drop of Supercross? Keep racing, obviously. A chosen few will earn the distinct honor of representing their homelands at the Motocross of Nations, while others will travel to compete at one-off events all over the world. In recent years, Australia has become a warm-weather retreat with its own small championship series, but Europe remains “the place” for those looking to keep their skill set sharp and their cash flow steady. For privateers, taking an offer from a small series in Germany or Italy could result in more money than they could come by all year in America. Top-tier riders, meanwhile, will hit the prestigious stand-alone races in iconic cities that are…

Hometown: West Hills, CA Years Wrenching: 9 Rider: Adam Cianciarulo Past Riders: Daniel Hendrix, Zac Commans Clocking in at the world-renowned Pro Circuit race shop is a job that many moto mechanics could only dream of, and Adam Cianciarulo’s mechanic, Brett Mountain, found himself there after taking an uncommon path. The California native graduated high school after growing up racing at an amateur level, and rather than pursuing a job as a professional mechanic, he went straight to college where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business finance. Along the way, Brett enjoyed the motocross scene and working on bikes for fun, and he remained connected by helping riders like Daniel Hendrix and longtime family friend Zac Commans when he could at select amateur Nationals. Enter Adam Cianciarulo, who was…