Dirt Loco

2009 AMA Supercross

2009-01-13T02:19:00.000-08:00

I can't justify shelling out money for Foxtel (they can package it anyway they want but it's still to bloody expensive) so i was mighty pleased to find some generous soul has been uploading the new series of the 2009 AMA Supercross series as it unfolds. So far the Anaheim 1 and Phoenix stages have been extremely entertaining and it still amazes me at the amount skill these riders possess.

The only problem i have now is deciding who i want to win the championship more, James Stewart or fellow countryman Chad Reed. Stewart has always been an amazing rider, a little ragged at times but no doubt a serious talent. But i've never been totally convinced Reed was of the same calibre of Stewart or Carmichael, until i saw him ride at last years Australian Super X series, a series he envisioned and created. Reed seems to be riding better than ever and i'll be shocked if he doesn't win the series again this year.

Scott 80 Series NoSweat Xi googles are the business!

2008-08-18T16:54:00.000-07:00

I recently purchased a pair of the Scott 80 Series NoSweat Xi googles and i wished i got a pair sooner. The ventilation is brilliant! the foam that sits on you face is far superior than most, discouraging sweat to build up under it, which in turn eliminates that funky smell that gets engrain in most standard google foam.

Marmont crowned MX Champion!

2008-08-17T16:22:00.000-07:00

More info

Electric Dirt Bike

2008-08-14T16:05:00.001-07:00

This is a bit freaky, i can see the point of developing electric dirt bikes with all the doomsday predictions on dwindling fuel supplies and this is a pretty decent first go at electric dirt bike. But it just seems odd to see a dude doing burn outs on something that sounds like cutlery being shredded. Although the horsepower and weight is impressive. I wonder as the power runs out, does it get slower and slower like remote control cars do.

Chad Reed signs on with Rockstar Makita Suzuki

2008-08-14T15:51:00.000-07:00

There were rumours it was going to happen and now it's final. Chad Reed has signed on to ride a Suzuki. I've never been to big on the Suzuki's, but they sees to be impressing the dirt bike world with the new EFI RMZ-450. He's got big boots to fill as far as riding for the team Ricky Carmichael dominated in, but i have faith he'll give James Stewart a run for his money.

Apparently he'll be racing the Suzuki in the upcoming Australian 2008 supercross series, which will be great to see.

Josh Coppins continues his career with Yamaha Monster Motocross Team

2008-07-21T15:38:00.000-07:00

Josh Coppins has signed on for another year with Yamaha Monster Motocross Team. Despite his bad luck and having to coming back from a big accident at the end of last year, he's been kicking it with the Yamaha team.

Official Aussie SuperX site is up!

2008-07-21T01:50:00.000-07:00

I've got alot of faith in Chad Reed and his plans to pump up the profile of Superx in Australia. I just hope people get behind it. I already have my tickets to the Sydney gig and the formats sound like they are going to bring alot of excitement for the spectators. Check it out.

Ronnie Renner Sets World Record

2008-07-15T15:50:00.001-07:00

Marmont Rockstars it at the lakes

2008-07-06T15:32:00.000-07:00

Jay Marmont is looking good for the Rockstar Pro Opens Championship, with a comfortable lead of 42pts from Daryl Hurley in 2nd place. It would be a nice change if this form of motorsport would get more, if any air time on free-to-air TV. I think truck racing gets more coverage, exciting stuff.

Results

Pro Opens Championship Standings
1: Jay Marmont (Yamaha) 302 points
2: Daryl Hurley (Suzuki) 260
3: Craig Anderson (Honda) 243
4: Cheyne Boyd (Yamaha) 226
5: Daniel McCoy (Honda) 207

Pro Lites Championship Standings
1: Luke George (Kawasaki) 271
2: Adam Monea (Kawasaki) 261
3: Kade Mosig (Honda) 259
4: Ryan Marmont (KTM) 182
5: Dean Ferris (Honda) 179

2009 KTM 450 EXC

2008-07-06T01:40:00.000-07:00

If i ever considered selling my YZ450 and getting more involved in trail riding, i could almost overlook my Yamaha loyalty and take the KTM 450 EXC over the Yamaha WR450. I only hear and read great things about them, and KTM have the best looking bikes around.

Suzuki 2-Strokes to be discontinued

2008-07-04T21:29:00.000-07:00

Aside from the RM85, Suzuki have followed Honda's lead and decided to discontinue their 250, 125 & 85L 2-stroke models from 2009. I can't say this is a sign that 2-stroke dirt bikes are a dying breed. They make up at least 1/3 or more of the bikes cutting laps out at Appin (although rarely are they Suzuki models) and i know KTM's 2-stroke enduro range dominate alot of big enduro events. And there is no denying that 2 banger aroma.

Transworld Motocross - Test ride 2009 YZ450F

2008-07-03T02:48:00.000-07:00

So they didn't add EFI to the 2009 YZ450/250F's, but Yamaha appear to have done alot work on the chassis and handling of the bike. The YZ450 hasn't always been the best at turning corners, and even a novice like myself can vouch for that. So it good to hear they seemed to have fixed that problem, it's just a shame i'm not in the market to upgrade my beloved 2006 model for the 2009 YZ.

Check out what Tim Olson had to say about the new YZ450F

Everyone is eating James Stewart's Dust

2008-07-01T02:56:00.000-07:00

Even my mum knows without Ricky & Chad about, James Stewart might as well be given the AMA Toyota Motocross Championship now.

But why are the AMA websites so shit? with Supercross/Motocross being so big in the states, you'd think they'd spend some money on their websites.

Josh Coppins is back!

2008-06-29T16:28:00.000-07:00

Joshua Coppins came back to victory by finishing first in both heats at Teutschenthal and is now second in the Championship from Yamaha team mate David Philippaerts. With 7 rounds to go, i think he's a shoe-in for the championship.

MX1 World championship standings:
1 Philippaerts, D. ITA 266
2 Coppins, J. NZL 262
3 Ramon, Steve BEL 250
4 de Dycker, Ken BEL 240
5 Pourcel, S. FRA 231
6 Barragan, J. ESP 192
7 Leok, Tanel EST 186
8 Nagl, M. GER 179
9 Mackenzie, B. GBR 176
10 de Reuver, M. NED 156
11 Desalle, C. BEL 134
12 Priem, Manuel BEL 129
13 Brown, Mike USA 107
14 Bill, J. SUI 106
15 Nemeth, Kornel HUN 106
16 Leok, Aigar EST 85

Josh Coppins is on the move

2008-06-17T16:55:00.000-07:00

Josh Coppins had an impressive weekend at the French GP, coming in 2nd in both motos. He is now only 19 pts behind team-mate and overall leader Philippaerts. With some sand circuits coming up, Josh looks to be in with a chance to take the 2008 championship.

Check out the highlights

2009 Kawasaki KX's

2008-06-17T16:54:00.001-07:00

Kawasaki is forging ahead with dramatic changes to its KX450F and KX250F for the 2009 model year.

The 450F gets Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) operating without the weight of a battery. The 43mm throttle body springs to life with the electricity generated through the kick starter. Kawasaki claims single-kick starting, because the ECU is powered at the initial movement of the kickstarter.

The engine is essentially all-new in the 450F. It is smaller and lighter, with revised intake and exhaust ports. The compression ratio has gone from 12.0 to 12.5:1, and exhaust exits through a new titanium pipe.

The frame is also new, 1.8 pounds lighter, slimmer and with a new rigidity balance intended to improve handling. A new swingarm has a new pivot point 3mm higher this year. Suspension changes include friction-reducing coatings on fork tubes and the inside surface of the shock reservoir. Fork offset is reduced 1mm to improve front wheel traction. The 2009 KX450F is pictured above, and here are its specifications (look below for a photo and specs of the 2009 KX250F):

Jay Marmont Wins Sixth Round

2008-06-08T14:23:00.000-07:00

Jay Marmont has won the sixth round of the 2008 Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals in the Pro Opens class, with Adam Monea victorious on the Murray Bridge track in the Pro Lites. I've witnessed Jay Marmont practicing at Appin, and he is blindingly quick, ridiculous to be honest. So it makes perfect sense that he is currently on top of the points.

Current Standings:

Rockstar Pro Open Championship Standings 1: Jay Marmont (Yamaha) 259 points 2: Craig Anderson (Honda) 243 3: Daryl Hurley (Suzuki) 220 4: Cheyne Boyd (Yamaha) 184 5: Daniel McCoy (Honda) 165

Leatt Brace Pro Lites Championship Standings 1: Luke George (Kawasaki) 238 2: Adam Monea (Kawasaki) 223 3: Kade Mosig (Honda) 221 4: Dean Ferris (Honda) 159 5: Ryan Marmont (KTM) 153

Custom Spring Calculation

2008-06-08T09:53:00.000-07:00

Hop on over to RaceTech to calculate what springs you need. Enter in your bike and weight and then click on the Custom Fork and Rear Shock Spring Calculation and Available Rates link.

New 2009 YZ450F & YZ250F

2008-06-06T13:54:00.000-07:00

The 2009 off road motorcycle range has be unveiled. No EFI system on the YZ's for this year, but i suspect it will be a different story the following year. There doesn't seem to be any drastic engine mods but a fair few in the chassis and suspension department.

Unfortunately the 450 model is sporting the same stubby baffle first seen on the 2008 model, which was the main reason reviewers believed the bottom end was so timid. Well timid compared to the other 450 brands, the 250 seems to be sporting a more reasonable baffle. But looks aren't everything.

VitalMX.com have a good in depth article on the the mods.

Here's a list of a few new additions to the bikes.

- Top triple clamp has two sets of mounting holes, providing 4 handlebar positions to suit a wide variety of riders: standard, 10mm back, or 10mm or 20mm forward.

- Newly designed swingarm is lighter and helps to achieve excellent rigidity balance for superb cornering and rear wheel traction.

- Lightweight suspension linkage is redesigned to match the new swingarm.

- New axle blocks make chain adjustment a cinch.

- New clutch lever is shorter, stronger, and lighter, with a lever position adjuster to accommodate different riders. Quick adjuster makes maintenance easy.

- Premium drive chain has gold colored plates for outstanding looks.

New KTM 2010?

2008-06-03T05:20:00.000-07:00

Check out the awesome illustration work of freelance bike designer Oberdan Bezzi.

BMW G 450X coming very soon

2008-06-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

The 450X Beemer will be on sale in the next few months for around $12k. Some are already on the floors. Designed for enduro sport by the same guy who did the HP2 .

Dry it's 120kg. It's got a liquid cooled, four stroke, single cylinder, DOHC, 4 valve engine. Suspension is a fully-adjustable, Marzocchi upside-down fork with 300 millimeters of travel and a fully-adjustable Öhlins rear monoshock.

Unique tech-spec is the rear swingarm. Its pivot shares an axle line with the drive sprocket, this apparently helps isolate the drive chain and transmission from the affect of compression and rebound. The longer swing arm should also help with traction.

2009 YZ250F Sneak Peek

2008-06-03T04:23:00.000-07:00

Apparently the 2009 4-stroke YZ duo are soon to be unveiled, but here is a little sneak peak at the 250. Aside from the new decals, the only noticeable difference is the swing arm.

Seems Josh Coppins and David Phillipaerts 450's have been running this new set-up in the current 2008 FIM MX1 GP.

Dan Reardon's new site

2008-06-02T20:47:00.000-07:00

Dan Reardon has launched a new site and i would have say it was one of the better ones i've seen for MX riders.

MXTV

2008-06-02T16:27:00.000-07:00

I'm a little slow on the uptake and had no idea that MXTV existed till today. Be great if it was broadcast on free to air TV.

One Industries have great bikes kits

2008-06-02T01:39:00.000-07:00

If i had the skills enough to justify it, I wouldn't hesitate to treat my YZ to one of the bike kits at One Industries. Maybe in a year i could pull it off without getting the 'all gear and no idea' tag.

Husaberg Enduro 2009

2008-06-01T15:38:00.000-07:00

The new Husaberg Enduro 2009 looks like a radical leap from the 2008 model, and has already show amazing promise with Factory team rider Joakim Ljunggren taking a win at the Swedish GP on the bikes first outing.

Erzberg 2007 - Official Video Compilation

2008-05-30T01:23:00.001-07:00

Falcon Motorcycles

2008-05-29T20:40:00.000-07:00

Not exactly in keeping with the Dirt bike theme, but Falcon Motorcycles make some wicked rides, not sure how comfy they are though. Apparently this is owned by QOTSA Josh Homme.

Renthal's 'The Intellilever'

2008-05-29T01:33:00.000-07:00

This ingenious lever, which will fit all cable-operated clutch systems, is designed to pivot through a 90° angle upwards, downwards and forwards in the event of a fall, preventing the lever from snapping off. The Intellilever is CNC machined from 6061 billet aluminium and is available with or without an integrated hot-start lever. It also boasts an oversized ‘on the fly’ adjuster.

Should cost about 5 times to cost of a standard clutch lever, but over time this should earn it's money back.

Vintage Dirt Bike'n

2008-05-28T03:49:00.000-07:00

Great collection of vintage dirt bike shots by Lee Sutton.

James Stewart riding for L&M Yamaha in 2009

2008-05-27T16:16:00.000-07:00

I kind of excited and disappointed that James Stewart has signed on to ride for L&M Yamaha next year. I keen to see him on a Yami but it's a shame Chad Reed will no longer be riding for L&M. Would have been great to see them riding for the same team.

Hopefully Chad Reed will be be riding SX next year and for a Yamaha team.

A sneak peak at the 2009 MX bikes

2008-05-27T15:52:00.000-07:00

Great spy photos from Transworld Motocross of the new upcoming 2009 Japanese MX bikes.

No EFI planned for the 2009 YZ's, apparently big things are planned for the 2010 models, but check out the weird looking swing arm.

EFI systems expected for Kawasaki & Honda, both look pretty slick in these images. The tank lid on the Honda could be a sign of things to come for all EFI bikes.

MX GP - Highlights from Round 5 in Mantova

2008-05-26T03:55:00.000-07:00

I love being able to check out the 2008 MX GP highlights courtesy of Freecaster TV every couple of weeks.

I'm hoping Josh Coppins is able to find form soon after a few serious injuries in the last year. For me, he's the best rider out there, not mention he rides a Yami.

Dorrigo Express – Coffs Harbour Detour

2008-04-13T20:46:00.000-07:00

A big thank you to Boris Everson and crew from Yamaha Detour – Guided trail tours. The two-day-tour had a bit of everything, from challenging hill climbs, open hard packed stuff, single trails, river crossings etc. The tour was professionally organised and supported with all inclusive food, accommodation and petrol. Everyone commented that the food was top notch and excellent value for money. Even the rain halfway into the first day couldn't spoil this trip, although there were a few more because of the slippery conditions, it only meant there was more to talk about, especially Mick's spectacular 'lucky not to be hurt' off down a five metre embankment.

Yamaha Academy of Offroad Riding

2008-04-13T16:26:00.000-07:00

I recently spent 2 days at Yamaha's Academy of Offroad Riding down at beautiful Bateman's Bay. I only just back into riding after a 15 years hiatus, my last bike back then was a YZ80K. I'm now on a 2006 YZ450F, so i would be an idiot not to think i could do with some help on how to ride the blue beast correctly. The course was full on and a few times my pride took a few falls along with myself. But it was completely worth it and Lyndon Heffernan & Marty Cooper were brilliant instructors and absolute guns on a dirt bike.

Suzuki - Invade Their Airspace

2008-04-13T16:02:00.000-07:00

You don't often see much thought put into advertising in the world of motocross. So this simple execution and idea for Suzuki's fuel injected RM-Z450 is a refreshing change.