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MXA'S USED MOTOCROSS BIKE GUIDE: HOW TO SETUP YOUR 2010 YAMAHA YZ250F: This is the 2010 Yamaha YZ250F the way the MXA test crew raced it. As a rule, we don’t go for exotic or expensive mods, but if push comes to shove, we will seek competent help (no matter how much it costs). Use MXA ’s mods as a guide. Gearing: In stock trim, the 2010 YZ250F powerband is blessed with a ferocious bottom-end hit , but once the engine reaches the midrange, the power falls off harder than a sorority girl on a mechanical bull, then it tries rto go again when you can't use it. Some test rider ...
MOTOCROSS ACTION TEST RIDER CHRONICLES: COLE SEELY GETS ON THE JOB FACTORY TRAINING HOW DID YOU BECOME AN MXA TEST RIDER? MXA Managing Editor, John Basher, was out at Wyvern Ranch shooting photos with my friend, freestyle rider Lance Coury. I was hitting jumps and hanging out with Lance. John called me up a few days later and asked if I was interested in doing photos. At the time I was an amateur rider and didn’t have any contract obligations. The first bike I rode for MXA was Tommy Hahn’s KX250F when he was riding for MotoSport Outlet, which appeared in the June 2008 issue. WHAT IS YO...
MOTOCROSS ACTION PHOTO OF THE DAY: THIS MAN ROCKETED OUT OF NOWHERE ON A BIKE THAT WOULD BECOME ICONIC Definitely not a nobody, especially to the MXA wrecking crew where he helped us with testing in the late 1970s, Johnny O'Mara wasn't well know outside of SoCal until he got the deal to ride the Mugen Honda. What most people don't know is that the Mugen U .S. importer, Al Baker, was also Johnny's business manager. Mugen owner, Hiro Honda, was the son of Honda founder Soichiro, and he was willing to take the advice of Al Baker on who to hire. When O'Mara won the 1980 125 USGP — everybody was happy. This p...
THIS MUCH WE KNOW: HOW TO TELL IF YOUR SHOCK SPRING IS TOO SOFT? WITHOUT REMOVING IT FROM THE BIKE Do you weigh less than 175 pounds? More? Don’t know? Well, if you aren’t average (weight-wise, speed-wise or height-wise), then it is possible that the spring on your box-stock motocross bike is not right for you. How can this be? That’s simple. Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, KTM, Kawasaki and Husqvarna didn’t build the bike for you; they built it for a mythical person. That person is what they call the “target audience.” At Suzuki, that target audience is much lighter than the one that Yamaha aims for, so it i...
SIDI’S SPECIAL BOOTS FOR SPECIAL PEOPLE All-orange for Tony Cairoli, to match his KTM steel steed. Kiara Fontanesi got green, white and red graphics enhanced with the championship rainbow colors and the number 8 that distinguishes her yamaha. For Ken De Dycker, it is was grey/orange graphics with splashes of the Belgian flag.
THE TOP TEN FROM AROUND THE WORLD: WHO'S WHO IN THE MOTOCROSS ZOO RACE RESUL TS CALGARY RESULTS: CANADIAN 450 CLASS 1. Brett Metcalfe...........1-1 2. Bobby Kiniry..............3-2 3. Jeremy Medaglia......2-4 4. Morgan Burger..........4-5 5. Tyler Medaglia.........5-6 6. Brock Hoyer..............8-7 7. Josh Allen................11-8 8. Teddy Maier.............DNF-3 9. Ryan Millar...............12-10 10. Eric Jeffery..............10-12 CALGARY RESULTS: CA...
GAUTIER PAULINS & JEFFREY HERLINGS WIN ITALIAN MOTOCROSS GRAND PRIX Kawasaki's Gautier Paulin is winning races, but he isn't gaining any points because Cairoli answers back the next week. Clement Desalle won the first 450 moto, but failed to finish moto two with a mechanical issue. Photo: Ray Archer The historic Maggiora track was brought back to life this weekend to host round nine of the FIM 450 and 250 World Championships where Gautier Paulin and Jeffrey Herlings add yet another overall GP victory to their 2013 seasons. While the sun shone brightly, Gautier Paulin sh...
2014 SUZUKI RM-Z250 & RM-Z450: MODEST, VERY MODEST, CHANGES HIGHLIGHT THE 2014 ZOOKS 2014 Suzuki RM-Z450. For 2014, the Suzuki RM-Z450 and RM-Z250 feature updated ECM ignition programs that improve starting, as well as race-inspired Champion Yellow-and-black graphics to best fit each bike’s high-performance character. 2014 Suzuki RM-Z450. “By delivering these refinements for 2014, the Suzuki RM-Z450 and RM-Z250 will continue to lead their classes,” said Derek Schoeberle, Product Media Relations Manager for SMAI. “These products are proof that manufacturing and selling cate...
2014 YAMAHA YZ250F: BELIEVE IT OR NOT THE TRUSTY BUT RUSTY YZ250F ENGINE HAS JOINED THE NEW GENERATION The all-new layout of the seat, fuel tank, air box, and wrap-around exhaust system moves the bike’s mass towards the center for exceptional handling. And, in addition to an all-new appearance, the front intake layout with larger air filter element adds the benefit of reduced air filter maintenance due to its positioning away from dirt roost from the rear wheel. For 2014, the YZ250F is all-new, with Yamaha engineers taking everything they've learned along the way to create an all-new engine, chassis, suspen...
2014 HUSABERGS: SEE THE LAST OF THE BREED... BECAUSE IN THE FUTURE WE WON'T HAVE HUSABERG TO KICK AROUND Husaberg’s 2014 models are the result of 25 years of commitment, innovation, and passion for enduro sport. They also signify the final chapter in the companies celebrated history. As Husaberg’s state-of-the-art technology joins together with Husqvarna’s rich heritage, under the Husqvarna brand, the 2014 model range represents a unique opportunity to own a pure Husaberg for the very last time. Given that the majority of Husaberg parts are interchangeable with KTM parts—this bike will have a long life in ...
2014 HONDA CRF250 & CRF450 TWIN PIPERS...YES, EVEN THE CRF250 GETS TWICE PIPES 2014 HONDA CRF250 Like the new-generation CRF450R that debuted last year, this 2014 CRF250R launches 250-class motocross design up to the next level. Featuring an all-new engine and rolling chassis, this newest CRF250R has been designed specifically for Generation Scrub, with all the technological advancements that Honda engineering can bring to bear. The all-new frame is designed to lower the bike's center of gravity and it also incorporates a dual-muffler exhaust system to further s...
2014 KTM MOTOCROSS MODELS – 85SX,125SX, 150SX, 250SXF, 350SXF, 450SXF 2014 450SXF The KTM 450 SX-F has new engine case to reduce weight. The piston has been mod i fied for more durability, the DDS clutch get a 280 Nm clutch spring and a new three-layer cylinder head gasket to increase durability. The 450 SXF also features a lightened camshaft with a strengthened auto-decompression mechanism. 2014 350SXF All 2014 KTM models get a revised chain guide for more reliability and less weight. There is a new front brake lever, actuator and reservoir. The saddles have new fo...
2014 YAMAHA YZ450F: NEW FRAME, NEW EXHAUST, NEW ENGINE, NEW OUTLOOK ON LIFE The all-new layout of the seat, fuel tank, air box, and wrap-around exhaust system moves the bike’s mass towards the center for exceptional handling. And, in addition to an all-new appearance, the front intake layout with larger air filter element adds the benefit of reduced air filter maintenance due to its positioning away from dirt roost from the rear wheel. Yamaha has led the modern motocross bike movement, beginning with the YZ400F in 1998 and continuing in 2001 with the YZ250F. Not content with that,...
2014 YAMAHA TWO-STROKES: WANT THE GOOD NEWS FIRST? 2014 YAMAHA YZ250 The 249cc, liquid-cooled 2-stroke engine comes with reed-valve induction, 66.4 x 72.0mm bore and stroke and a Keihin PWK38 carb. The 48mm Kayaba SSS forks feature the Speed-Sensitive System that uses piston speed to control damping force for super-precise handling and a smooth ride. Although essentially unchanged from the 2013 model, the 2014 still offers all the best that Yamaha’s two-stroke heritage has to offer. 2014 YAMAHA YZ125 The 124cc, liquid-cooled 2-stroke engine comes with r...
DREAM JOBS: HOW TO MAKE A LIVING DOING WHAT YOU LOVE STARTING POINT: “My history in the industry has been entirely with Maxima. I’ve been here 23 years. When I was in high school, I started here as an after-school job because they were basically in my backyard, and I had ridden since I was a kid. I started working for Dick Lechien and have worked in all the different departments. I took over management from Ronnie’s dad about six years ago.” THE JOB: “I have a lot of really good people beneath me, but have my hands in every facet of the company. I really ...
CLASSIC MOTOCROSS IRON: 1969 CZ 360 TYPE 969/01 By Tom White East German Paul Friedrichs won three consecutive 500cc World Motocross Championships (1966-1968) on a CZ 360. With a record like that, any serious American motocrosser of the era would have been drawn to the Type 969/01 like a moth to a flame. In almost every way, the CZ production bike resembled the factory machine, and that included problem areas like the dual-plug ignition (that jumped timing easily), Jikov carb (that flooded easily) and propensity towards heavy vibration. Even wi...
THIS MUCH WE KNOW! MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR 2012 HONDA CRF450 —NOT EVERYONE CAN AFFORD NEW BIKES We forgive Honda for not liking MXA very much. We understand their frustration with us over our 2009–2012 CRF450 bike tests. They weren’t exactly rave reviews. Honda takes no comfort in knowing that MXA has had issues with every production motocross bike ever made. The fact is, expressing our honest opinion can and does lead to hard feelings, which is why most other bike-test sources never say anything negative. It is no secret that, in the past, the MXA wrecking crew has been banned by Honda, Yamaha, C...
FRENCH 250/450 GRAND PRIX RESULTS: HERLINGS & CAIROLI CONSOLIDATE THEIR POINTS LEADS IN ERNEE Jeffrey Herlings in France. Jeffrey has only lost a single moto out of 16 this season...and that was a SuperFinal moto where he had trouble getting through the 450s on the narrow Brazilian track. He has 397 points out of a possible 400 . Photo: Ray Archer FRENCH GRAND PRIX RESULTS: 250 CLASS 1. Jeffrey Herlings..........1-1 2. Dylan Ferrandis..........2-2 3. Christophe Charlier....9-3 4. Alexander Tonkov.......8-4 5. Jake Nicholls..............6-5 6. Jordi Tixier..................4-9 7. Jose Butron........
AMA NATIONAL MOTOCROSS RESULTS: VILLOPOTO IS BACK IN THE 450 DRIVER’S SEAT, WHILE MOVIN’ MARV TAKES THE DEUCE AND A HALF CLASS MT. MORRIS RESULTS: 450 CLASS 1. Ryan Villopoto ........1-1 2. Ryan Dungey ..........2-2 3. Tyla Rattray .............4-4 4. Justin Barcia ............3-7 5. Mike Alessi ............10-3 6. Trey Canard ............7-5 7. Ryan Sipes ..............6-6 8. Josh Grant ...............5-8 9. Jake Weimer ...........8-9 10. Broc Tickle ............11-11 11. Phil Nicoletti ...........9-14 12. Malcolm Stewart ...12-12 13. Justin Brayton ........15-10 14. Chad Reed ............14-13 15. Vince Friese .........17-15 ...
THE BEST MOTOCROSS BIKES OF THE PAST 33 YEARS: DID YOU OWN ONE OF THESE? No one on the planet has tested as many motorcycles as the MXA wrecking crew. Motocross Action is a motorcycle magazine—plain and simple. We aren't a fan magazine or aimed at the teenybopper crowd. We are about machinery and how to make them better. We have ridden every machine made, and some that shouldn’t have been made. Nothing engenders as much interest and controversy as the “ MXA Bike of the Year ” awards. We have been handing them out for 33 years ( MXA has actually been testing bikes for 40 year...
THIS MUCH WE KNOW! HOW MUCH HORSEPOWER DOES YOUR BIKE MAKE? ALL THE 2013 HORSEPOWER NUMBERS The 2013 KTM 450SXF is the king of production horsepower. MXA dynos every bike we test. However, before you read the numbers, you need to understand some basic facts about dyno runs. First, we use the same dyno for every bike (and have used the same dyno for years), which means that all the numbers are comparable and accurate (but not to any other dyno). This is important, because no two dynos are alike—and you can’t compare dyno runs on bikes that are done on different dynos. Our slavish devotion to th...
WE RIDE CYLINDER WORKS’ BIG-BORE KAWASAKI KX269F It’s easy to think that Cylinder Works is pandering to cheaters with their line of big-bore engine kits. There is no doubt that cheaters are drawn to what Cylinder Works has to offer, but, in truth, most big-bore engine kits go to riders who are not bound by displacement rules (Vets, play riders and offroad racers). However, there could be just a hint of pandering to cheaters in that you can’t tell a 269cc Cylinder Works cylinder from a stock-bore OEM cylinder. (They even put the same casting numbers on...
THE BEST SPEED SECRET EVER: IT IS FREE, EASY TO DO AND READILY AVAILABLE! STAND UP IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT IT IS What if we told you that there is a riding trick that will make you faster overnight—and it is free, cheap and readily available? It’s your legs. Four-time AMA 250 National Champion Gary Jones used to practice with the seat off his bike. Why? Because the proper way to ride a motocross bike is standing up. Without a seat on his bike, Gary was forced to stand up all the time. And, standing is the best way to ride a motocross bike. Most riders position their well-padded derrieres on the saddle and l...
10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FACTORY CONTRACTS Ernst Degner (2) didn't just break his MZ contract, but he took all their blueprints with him to Suzuki when he defected from the Iron Curtain. (1) If you think that a factory rider goes to the starting line with little more than a handshake deal between him and his sponsors, you are sorely mistaken. The modern factory contract is full of clauses, codicils, stipulations, provisions and lawyer handiwork—not the least of which is that when the rider signs his contract, he agrees to allow the team to use h...
MXA WRENCH TECH: HOW TO REPROGRAM YOUR 2010 THRU 2013 YAMAHA YZ450F EFI MAPS: MXA has provided four maps (in the tables included in this article) that we liked during our testing (and we still make changes on a daily basis for different test riders). These maps don’t come with the GYTR Power Tuner. As it comes out of the box, all the fields in the GYTR Power Tuner are set at 0, 0, 0, 0, 0; which are the stock ignition and fuel settings. When you move the cursor to a specific field within the fuel injection grid, you can change the value to whole numbers between negative seven and...
CLASSIC MOTOCROSS IRON: 1973 COOPER 250 ENDURO By Tom White Cooper was the brainchild of Frank Cooper, owner of Apache Limited, the U.S. Maico distributor in Burbank, California. Cooper saw a gap in the marketplace between the inexpensive Japanese dirt bikes and the expensive and often quirky European brands. He approached Moto Islo, a high-volume Mexian commuter bike manufacturer, to build a dirt bike that would fill this gap. Moto Islo is named for the initials of its creator, Isidro Lopez. The Mexican-built Cooper would hopefully handle like a Ma...
THIS MUCH WE KNOW! MASTERING THE ART OF LIVING WITH KAYABA PSF AIR FORKS Honda angled the compression clicker, but put the air cap in straight. We’d like them to both be angled. The big news in the suspension world for 2013 is all about Kayaba’s PSF (Pneumatic Spring Fork) forks. They are standard equipment on the 2013 Kawasaki KX450F and Honda CRF450. This isn’t the first time that air springs have been tried on production bikes. As far back as 37 years ago, Yamaha was offering YZ125, YZ250 and YZ400 models with air forks—the so-called “speedo and tach” forks.Kayaba’s goals...
10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SETTING UP YOUR SUSPENSION (1) Dial it in. Dialing in suspension can be very tricky, even for experienced racers, for three reasons. (a) Clicker changes always affect multiple areas of performance. (b) It’s easy to misidentify what’s causing a problem over an obstacle. (c) A change that works well for one type of obstacle may work poorly for another type. The following is a list of common mistakes when it comes to dialing in suspension. If you can avoid all the pitfalls, you’re on the fast track to a great setup. (2) Don’t give u...
THE SOUTHWICK NATIONAL IS KAPUT AFTER THIS YEAR On Saturday, June 29, 2013, Southwick’s Moto-X 338 track will hold its final AMA National. It is currently the fourth longest running round of the AMA National Motocross Championship. “We were ready and prepared to go to the town again for a three-year lease and MX Sports would have given us a three-year lease, but it just wasn’t feasible with the terms of the new agreement,” explains race organizer R alph Pittello. “We understood that it wouldn’t last forever, and we were hoping to maybe pass it on to ...
MXA'S USED MOTOCROSS BIKE GUIDE: HOW TO SETUP YOUR 2010 HONDA CRF250 This is the 2010 Honda CRF250 the way the MXA test crew raced it. As a rule, we don’t go for exotic or expensive mods, but if push comes to shove, we will seek competent help (no matter how much it costs). Use MXA ’s mods as a guide. Clutch: We burned through the CRF250 clutch in six hours. Honda lengthened the 2010 clutch springs and added more coils. These changes provide a better clutch feel but don’t create enough grip. We ran $59.95 Hinson Hi-Temp clutch springs. For more information, call (909) 94...
MXA'S 2013 KTM 250SX TWO-STROKE MOTOCROSS TEST: BEST IN CLASS...YOU BET! Q: FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2013 KTM 250SX BETTER THAN THE 2012 KTM 250SX? A: Yes, wholeheartedly yes. It is hard to keep track of all of the changes that KTM keeps making to the 250SX two-stroke. But, the changes they made for 2013 are all on the good side of the ledger. To understand the changes to the 2013 model, you need to trace the last four years of the 250SX’s development. Q: WHAT WAS NEW ON THE 2010 KTM 250SX TWO-STROKE? A: Equipped with no-link, single-sided rear suspension, the 2010 wasn’t ...
MUDDY CREEK MOTOCROSS: NO MORE PERFECT SEASON TALK AS VILLOPOTO FINALLY LOSES MUDDY CREEK RESULTS: 250 CLASS 1. Marvin Musquin (KTM).....2-2 2. Eli Tomac (Hon)................4-1 3. Ken Roczen (KTM)...........1-4 4. Blake Baggett (Kaw)..........3-3 5. Zach Osborne (Hon)..........6-5 6. Jason Anderson (Suz)......7-7 7. Justin Bogle (Hon).............12-6 8. Kyle Cunningham (Yam)....8-11 9. Blake Wharton (Suz).........11-9 10. Cooper Webb (Yam).......5-15 Other notables: 13. Cole Seeely (9-13); 15. Jeremy Martin (21-10); 17. Darryn Durham (14-17); 21. Nico Izzi (18-40); 22. Kyle Pe...