Mazda North American Operations has adjusted vacation spot and dealing with (D&H) expenses for all 2024 and 2025 Mazda autos, efficient April 3, 2024. The newly adjusted D&H worth is elevated $20 for vehicles, $45 for compact crossover SUVs and $80 for midsize SUV fashions. These expenses have an effect on autos being launched from port after the efficient date. Vehicles in Alaska proceed to be topic to a further $45 supply cost.
Model
D&H Charge
MX-5 Miata
$1,185
Mazda3
$1,185
CX-30
$1,420
CX-5
$1,420
CX-50
$1,420
CX-70
$1,455
CX-90
$1,455
Proudly based in Hiroshima, Japan, Mazda has a historical past of refined craftsmanship and innovation, and a function to complement life-in-motion for these it serves. By placing people on the middle of the whole lot it does, Mazda aspires to create uplifting experiences with our autos and for individuals. Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the gross sales, advertising, elements and customer support help of Mazda autos within the United States, Canada, Mexico and Colombia by means of roughly 795 sellers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada Inc. in Richmond Hill, Ontario; operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City; and operations in Colombia are managed by Mazda de Colombia in Bogota, Colombia. For extra info on Mazda autos, together with images and B-roll, please go to the web Mazda media middle at information.mazdausa.com.
In the bike biz, there are many methods to measure success. If you might be speaking models offered, income and inventory worth, it’s one factor. If you’re speaking desires, ardour and efficiency, it’s fairly one thing else. Right now, KTM is on prime of the dual-sport phrase for real-world fanatics. For a protracted, very long time, the KTM 500EXC has been capable of set the bar for each efficiency and worth in that section. This 12 months the KTM 500EXC has undergone a big change. The body is new, the suspension is new and far of the motor is new. Now, the rank and file of the dual-sport world has to reconvene and determine whether or not or to not elect a brand new chief. The votes are nonetheless being tallied.
KTM hasn’t been shy about pushing dual-sport bike costs greater than ever. The 2024 500EXC sells for $12,949.
WHY CHANGE?
Unlike most different bike corporations, the wall between the racing division and the manufacturing division is paper skinny. In normal, the bikes that the corporate races on the professional degree are carefully associated to the bikes which are offered in each KTM dealership. That’s not solely true for the motocross bikes, however there’s a trickle-down impact for path and dual-sport bikes as properly. So, in KTM’s long-term plan, the adjustments that had been applied for the 2022 Factory Edition motocross bikes had been to unfold to the usual motocross bikes in 2023 and to the dual-sport/path bike in 2024. Thus, the brand new 500EXC has adjustments that had been impressed by Supercross bikes.
To be honest, that’s a little bit of simplification. The 500EXC doesn’t have the identical body because the motocross bike. The most evident distinction is that it makes use of PDS rear suspension with out linkage. But, the body design from the shock ahead could be very very similar to that of the SX-F. Likewise, the adjustments to the engine, bodywork and general format are just like the present motocross line. Additionally, the EXC has a really important suspension change. The fork is now a premium-level WP Xact fork slightly than the extra budget-driven Xplor unit. The new fork is similar to what comes on the present motocross/cross-country fashions, however makes use of metal coil springs slightly than air.
The EXC stays a real dual-sport bike that’s blessed by the EPA, DOT, CARB and the authorities in all 50 states. That means it’s quiet and clear. It additionally implies that the top person just isn’t supposed to switch the motor, airbox or gasoline system. Thankfully, there’s no method this may be policed aside from fix-it tickets issued by native authorities. For aftermarket corporations it’s a unique story; they’ll and have been fined for providing non-compliant equipment. The California Air Resources Board hasn’t been shy about utilizing this tactic, however more and more, the EPA has been getting in on the act on a nationwide foundation. The backside line is that getting extra efficiency out of a professional dual-sport is a shady enterprise. That’s one motive why KTM sport bikes are so extremely desired. The EXC line has a historical past of first rate efficiency regardless of the assorted bureaucratic obstacles.
For 2024, the EXC has stiffer suspension, however nonetheless loves its trails tight and nasty.
A NEW DEAL
So, how properly does a inventory KTM 500EXC motor carry out? It’s fairly darn good. To put a quantity on it, a box-stock 500EXC produces greater than 40 horsepower. That’s about the identical as a present 250F motocross bike. The distinction is that the EXC will get to that degree with torque slightly than revs. The 500 begins making energy at 4,000 rpm and stops revving at 9,000 rpm, whereas a 250’s prime zone is from 8,000 to 12,000 rpm. So, once you’re on the path and also you come to a giant, ugly hill, you don’t should downshift or abuse the clutch. You open the throttle, it goes up the hill. End of story. In fact, the one motive anybody ever needs extra energy is once they take the EXC out of its major surroundings. This is a path bike first and a avenue bike second. It’s not a race bike. The truth that folks race them is inappropriate. KTM really makes different variations of the identical bike which are extra acceptable for that. The 500XC-W is mainly an EXC with out the DOT lighting and emission stuff. The 500XW-F is one other model with out DOT lighting, however it nonetheless has many of the emission stuff in order that it’s eligible for a California inexperienced sticker.
KTM’s dual-sport bikes nonetheless use Brembo brakes at each ends.
The motor adjustments for 2024 end in a barely extra responsive energy supply and maybe slightly extra meat on prime, however it’s not important sufficient to warrant a trade-in. The chassis adjustments are extra dramatic. If you’ve been paying consideration, you in all probability know that the brand new frames for the SX fashions have drawn criticism for being too inflexible. If it was too inflexible for Supercross, that appears like it will be a horrible transfer for a dual-sport bike, proper? Actually, the suspension is so utterly totally different for the EXC that the body rigidity isn’t a big issue. Hard-core PDS followers will like it as a lot as ever, however any body change has been misplaced within the transfer from a progressive 63/69 N/mm spring to a straight 72 N/mm spring. In entrance, the brand new fork nonetheless has a 4.6 N/mm spring set, however the damping traits are utterly totally different—and stiffer.
The PDS no-link rear shock obtained a straight-rate spring this 12 months.
When you set all that collectively, it’s inevitable that the EXC is stiffer general, however solely in a great way. Suspension motion was a limiting issue with the earlier mannequin. It was nice in rocks and tight, twisty chaos, however it will dive and wallow in whoops. At excessive pace, even reasonable braking would end in fork dive in entrance and shock unloading within the rear. The new bike is way more secure at pace. In slow-speed sections, it’s nonetheless extra compliant than most bikes. You nonetheless have wonderful floor clearance because of the lack of linkage, and you continue to have all of the traits which have made PDS suspension so common within the off-road world. Now, nonetheless, the bike works in a broader vary of terrain and situations.
KTM is as quiet and clear as they arrive, however has efficiency that has grow to be the first affect within the dual-sport world.
NEW AND OLD
We anticipated the brand new bike to be slightly heavier this 12 months, as a result of that’s what occurred to all the opposite KTMs that obtained the brand new body. On our scale, it’s 246 kilos with out gasoline, which is 2 kilos greater than final 12 months. No huge deal. We had been hoping that KTM may equip the bike with new rubber for 2024, however no such luck. We left the inventory Continental TKC80s on the bike so long as we might, however the darn issues by no means appeared to wear down. Eventually, we put in full knobbies and life obtained significantly better. When you do this, it’s a must to set up rim locks as properly. KTM is aware of that and offers you a set within the toolkit. If you intend on using lengthy pavement stretches, you’ll in all probability wish to stability the wheels as properly. Other issues on the we’re-not-fans listing embrace the truth that you possibly can’t regulate the lever place very far as a result of the handlebar switches take up an excessive amount of house, the infernal push-button fuel cap is as onerous to open as ever, and the mirrors are all the time in the way in which and onerous to regulate. On the opposite aspect of the ledger, the headlight is far brighter, the license-plate bracket is extra sturdy, and {the electrical} switches are improved.
When you tally up the rating card, the 2024 KTM 500EXC is measurably improved over final 12 months’s mannequin. Considering that the bike was already probably the most desired and talked-about dual-sport bike, that implies that KTM will proceed to name the pictures within the dual-sport world. The EXC has earned its place on prime.
Electrification continues to revolutionize the powersports world. We’ve seen numerous new electric dirtbikes hit the market, all offering instantaneous energy, silent operation, and elevated service intervals.
Apart from new gamers like Stark Future, established gamers are dabbling in electrification as nicely. Case in level: GasGas and its TXE electrical trials prototype. The Spanish firm is fielding its TXE electrical motorbike within the Spanish Trials Championship in a bid to “collect data” for future battery-powered off-roaders. It’ll be piloted by GasGas Factory Racing’s former Trial2 World Champion Sondre Haga.
It’s price noting that the TXE isn’t precisely a brand new idea. Back earlier than Pierer Mobility acquired the corporate, GasGas used the TXE within the FIM Trial E World Championship, the place it gained 4 instances between 2017 and 2021. When Pierer acquired GasGas in 2019, it was believed that the TXE venture was shelved. As it will prove, the venture continued, albeit behind closed doorways.
What makes the GasGas TXE so fascinating is the truth that it makes use of a gearbox and a hydraulic clutch for much more management. The advantages promised by this setup transcend efficiency, too, protecting a broader vary of lovers. Electric motors don’t really want a gearbox and clutch to function effectively, as evidenced by standard fashions like these from Zero and Energica. However, lovers seeking to protect the analog really feel of gas-powered bikes would possibly simply discover what they’re on the lookout for within the tech offered by the GasGas TXE.
Perhaps a fair larger factor to sit up for is the impact bikes just like the GasGas TXE may have on off-road motorcycling as an entire. Given the truth that that is, in any case, an initiative by the Pierer Mobility Group, it’s greater than seemingly that an electrical motorbike with a handbook gearbox and clutch bearing the KTM and Husqvarna logos is nicely and actually on the horizon.
I’m an enormous fan of electrification, particularly in the case of off-road purposes. We’ve seen quite a lot of motocross and journey parks face the risk of closing down all around the globe as a consequence of ever-tightening noise laws. Electric bikes definitely take the noise subject out of the equation, or no less than make it a a lot smaller a part of the problem. On prime of that, electrical bikes have for much longer service intervals, and don’t pose as a lot of a fireplace danger as gasoline-powered bikes.
A giant a part of the way forward for two-wheeled mobility is electrical, and electrical off-road bikes just like the GasGas TXE may very nicely be the game’s saving grace.
There are a number of causes to seek out the Dakar Rally and rally raids usually fascinating. Pitting riders and their machines in opposition to really grueling programs, handing them roadbooks, and seeing how rapidly they’re in a position to traverse the terrain to get the place they are going is just a part of it.
Skills and camaraderie are additionally a serious a part of it. Call it the Dakar Spirit, or name it what you’ll, however it’s at all times heartening to see rivals in a self-discipline look out for one another.
Sure, they wish to win, they usually wish to be the most effective, however in addition they know that you aren’t getting good within the first place or proceed enhancing if there is not any one working on the identical degree. They wish to beat the remainder of the sphere, however they concurrently need the remainder of the sphere to do properly; simply not in addition to they do. It is sensible, proper?
While that spirit is a reasonably frequent factor to see within the bivouac and on the levels, one thing that is much less frequent is what Kove Moto head Zhang Xue has been sharing with the world. Remember how we talked about that Mason Klein had been having some technical difficulties with his bike on Stage Two and Stage Three of the 2024 Dakar Rally?
Not plenty of producers or group house owners would hop on social media and take full accountability for a machine that is not performing in addition to they really feel that it ought to. Yet that is precisely what Mr. Zhang did after the Kove’s engine broke on Stage Two.
He provided each a transparent clarification for what went unsuitable, in addition to a heartfelt apology. It’s precisely this type of spirit that makes Dakar particular.
During Stage Three, when Klein spent hours fixing his bike after which nursing it throughout the end line of the stage, Mr. Zhang could not consider his eyes. He took to the group’s Instagram account once more to share his enthusiasm for what he lauded as Klein’s genius in fixing the engine properly sufficient to get the bike throughout the end line in any respect as an alternative of merely retiring.
Humans make errors and are fallible, however it’s what we do and the way we be taught from these errors that reveals who we actually are. At its greatest, that is what any good motorsport brings out in folks, and it is notably true with rally raids (and Dakar chief amongst them).
Thanks to Klein’s expertise in getting the Kove again house after Stage Three, the group was in a position to go on and full Stage Four. He’s at present operating in 99th place, however overcoming such lengthy odds and obstacles is its personal form of profitable.
Dakar Rally 2024: Stage Four Results
Stage Four ran from Al Salamiya to Al-Hofuf on January 9, 2024. At the beginning, the temps had been hovering on the 5 diploma Celsius mark (that is about 41 levels Fahrenheit). Ross Branch fell twice and was okay each instances, however these falls put a dent in each his stage and general time rankings.
In the top, it was Nacho Cornejo’s faultless navigation and pace that noticed him take each the stage win and the general lead after Stage Four. Ricky Brabec completed in second, and birthday boy Kevin Benavides rounded out third place for the stage.
Here’s the complete high 10 outcomes for Stage Four:
Rider
Team
Time
José Ignacio Cornejo Florimo (Chile)
Monster Energy Honda Team
2 hours, 51 minutes, 11 seconds
Ricky Brabec (USA)
Monster Energy Honda Team
2 hours, 54 minutes, 10 seconds
Kevin Benavides (Argentina)
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
2 hours, 54 minutes, 29 seconds
Ross Branch (Botswana)
Hero Motosports Team Rally
2 hours, 55 minutes, 37 seconds
Adrien Van Beveren (France)
Monster Energy Honda Team
2 hours, 56 minutes, 36 seconds
Luciano Benavides (Argentina)
Husqvarna Factory Racing
2 hours, 58 minutes, 33 seconds
Joan Barreda Bort (Spain)
Hero Motosports Team Rally
2 hours, 59 minutes, 26 seconds
Rui Gonçalves (Portugal)
Sherco Rally Factory
3 hours, 1 minute, 2 seconds
Skyler Howes (USA)
Monster Energy Honda Team
3 hours, 1 minute, 16 seconds
Romain Dumontier (France)
Team Dumontier Racing
3 hours, 3 minutes, 5 seconds
2024 Dakar Rally Overall Leaderboard After Stage Four
By taking his eighth-ever Dakar Rally stage win, Nacho Cornejo has now taken the lead for the primary time on the 2024 Dakar Rally. With a number of levels left to go, it is unattainable to foretell what is going to occur between every now and then. For the second, although, the lead is his to get pleasure from.
Here are the general rider standings after Stage Four of the 2024 Dakar Rally.
Rider
Team
Time
José Ignacio Cornejo Florimo (Chile)
Monster Energy Honda Team
17 hours, 27 minutes, 13 seconds
Ross Branch (Botswana)
Hero Motorsports Team Rally
17 hours, 28 minutes, 28 seconds
Ricky Brabec (USA)
Monster Energy Honda Team
17 hours, 32 minutes, 9 seconds
Kevin Benavides (Argentina)
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
17 hours, 47 minutes, 52 seconds
Adrien Van Beveren (France)
Monster Energy Honda Team
17 hours, 49 minutes, 43 seconds
Luciano Benavides (Argentina)
Husqvarna Factory Racing
17 hours, 58 minutes, 24 seconds
Pablo Quintanilla (Chile)
Monster Energy Honda Team
17 hours, 58 minutes, 57 seconds
Toby Price (Australia)
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
18 hours, 2 minutes, 7 seconds
Martin Michek (Czech Republic)
Orion Moto Racing Group
18 hours, 5 minutes, 24 seconds
Romain Dumontier (France)
Team Dumontier Racing
18 hours, 5 minutes, 27 seconds
What will occur subsequent? Your guess is nearly as good as ours. Feel free to speak about it within the feedback.
Electric bikes clearly characterize the way forward for our two-wheeled ardour. While there are many utility-focused e-motos and scooters available on the market, I’m positive I’m not the one one who will get further excited when producers launch electric motorcycles designed for fans. We’ve seen numerous these from producers everywhere in the world, and now Chinese model Niu is ready to launch its RQi electrical motorbike in Europe.
The Niu RQi is under no circumstances a brand new idea. In truth, it has been round for almost 4 years now. First unveiled at CES 2020 in Las Vegas, the RQi appeared promising, with its spectacular 40-horsepower output and 100-mile-per-hour high velocity. Unfortunately, a slew of delays triggered Niu to be unable to launch the bike, and finally, the RQi was revised to be extra beginner-friendly. In 2022, the RQi was showcased with a decrease energy output, much like that of a 125cc motorbike – a transfer clearly meant to cater to Europe’s newbie riders with A1 licenses.
With that being mentioned, it appears that evidently Niu is now lastly able to launch the RQi, at the very least in Europe. Like the revision made in 2022, the RQi, sadly, retains its beginner-friendly efficiency figures with a 7,500-watt electrical motor outputting the equal of about 11 horsepower. The motor boasts tons of torque, with a claimed 450 Nm (330 pound-feet) positive to boost just a few eyebrows. Niu says that the RQi has a high velocity of 110 kilometers per hour (about 68 miles an hour), and may rocket from a cease to 50 kilometers per hour (31 miles per hour) in a swift 2.9 seconds.
As for the battery, it is powered by not one, however two 72-volt, 36-ampere-hour models with a mixed vary of about 200 kilometers (125 miles) per cost. Complementing the spectacular powertrain is a slew of premium parts resembling Pirelli tires, a Brembo radial caliper up entrance, and dual-channel ABS. Niu says that the RQi has plenty of torque, and the inclusion of a traction management system retains all this torque at bay. There’s additionally full-LED lighting, keyless begin, and nifty entrance and rear-mounted cameras for added security. Lastly, like many electrical motorbikes with a concentrate on tech, the RQi presents GPS monitoring.
As for pricing and availability, Niu says that the RQi will begin making its solution to European showrooms within the first quarter of 2024. It’ll be bought in 4 colours consisting of Gray, Green, Red, and Blue, for a sticker value of seven,999 euros, or the equal of about $8,778 USD on the time of writing.
Lots of motorbike producers are eyeing 2024 to be an enormous yr. Chinese motorbike model Zontes is clearly certainly one of them, as in EICMA 2023, the corporate showcased numerous new fashions. Apart from its ambitions of getting into the premium, high-performance section, Zontes can also be increasing its entry-level choices.
Cruisers have at all times been thought-about preferrred beginner-friendly bikes because of their low seat peak, pleasant efficiency, and general accessibility. Small-engined cruisers like Zontes’ new 125 C take accessibility to an entire new stage, making them among the many best bikes to experience. From a styling perspective, the Zontes 125 C detracts barely from what we’ve come to affiliate with the model. Gone are the aggressive, angular traces in favor of a extra retro-inspired strategy, much like what we discover in Honda’s Rebel lineup of cruisers. It will get a muscular tank, a spherical LED headlight, fork gaiters, and a laid-back, low-slung stance.
On the efficiency facet of the equation, the Zontes 125 C follows the method for all beginner-friendly A1 two-wheelers. It’s powered by a 125cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, single-cylinder engine with an influence output not exceeding 15 horsepower. The engine is housed in a compact metal tubular body, which options commonplace telescopic entrance forks with fork gaiters for a extra retro look. Meanwhile, the rear suspension consists of dual shocks and a metal swingarm.
As for the opposite options, the Zontes 125 C rolls on 16-inch alloy wheels (much like these of the Honda Rebel 300 and 500). Tires measure at 120/80 up entrance and 140/70 on the rear, including to the cruiser’s muscular look. The 125 C involves a cease with entrance and rear disc brakes full with dual-channel ABS.
Speaking of muscular look, the 125 C appears to be like a lot larger than its engine measurement would recommend. It has a wheelbase of 1,485 mm (about 58 inches) and size of two,100 mm (83 inches). Its seat peak is an accessible 700 mm (27 inches), and it ideas the scales at a beginner-friendly 153 kilos (337 kilos) dry. Factor in about 12 liters of gas, and also you’re taking a look at a moist weight of about 365 kilos.
Zontes is predicted to launch the brand new 125 C within the European market early in 2024, though as of this writing, official pricing and availability have but to be confirmed. Sources recommend, nonetheless, that the cruiser will carry a price ticket of about 3,500 to 4,000 euros, or roughly $3,863 USD to $4,415 USD.
There are numerous electric motorcycle producers seeking to make it large on the earth of racing. One of them is Italian producer Tacita. This firm has been round for fairly a while now, and we’ve talked concerning the model’s improvements at nice size up to now. That stated, 2024 might current Tacita with its largest problem but.
Nearly all main racing sequence have launched a class that focuses solely on future-facing know-how akin to electrical motors, hybrid automobiles, and various fuels. The iconic Dakar Rally is not any exception, and Tacita is ready to strive its hand on the grueling problem in 2024 with the Tacita Formula Corsa racing staff. Specifically, Tacita will competing below the Dakar Future – Mission 1000 class, a section centered on selling decarbonizing tech akin to hydrogen engines, in addition to electrical and hybrid automobiles.
To tackle the problem, Tacita shall be fielding two Discanto electrical bikes that may traverse the arid desert panorama from January 5 to 19, 2024. The staff, in addition to the bikes for use in competitors, have been present process rigorous testing since December 2022, and Pierpaolo Rigo, the person answerable for main the staff, is assured in Tacita’s strong and potent know-how.
Speaking of technology, the Tacita Discanto is chock filled with it. Designed particularly to resist the pains of the Dakar Rally, the bike is supplied with a cutting-edge motor and battery combo that retains the load down low at simply 180 kilograms (397 kilos). It’s stated to be able to reaching an electronically restricted prime pace of 150 kilometers per hour (94 miles per hour) which is lots quick on sandy, desert terrain. As for the interior workings of the bikes, they function liquid-cooled motors and controllers for elevated reliability, in addition to a five-speed gearbox for optimum high-speed operation. There’s additionally a complicated battery administration system to maintain tabs on battery effectivity and efficiency.
To guarantee a fast and environment friendly run, the bikes include battery swapping tech that permits for battery adjustments in a matter of seconds. Finally, the bikes shall be accompanied by a full staff of mechanics and electronics specialists. The staff shall be housed in Tacita’s T-Station racing space that’s strictly “No Noise and No CO2,” making use of photo voltaic panels, wind turbines, and hydrogen vitality to energy their operations. Interestingly, Tacita says that it’ll make use of the identical grid to cost the batteries of its race bikes, and shall be fully unbiased from exterior gas sources.
Luca Oddo, the CEO of Tacita, expressed his pleasure in the direction of the monumental problem of conquering the Dakar Rally with such new and modern know-how. In an article by The PACK, he said, “Tacita’s is an exciting adventure, and not only for the participation in the most difficult competition in the world such as the Dakar, but for the technological challenges that see us as protagonists. Like us, our investors had the courage, the spirit and the foresight to believe in a project that comes from far and that sees the values of sustainability and a better future merged into our brand.”
Are you someone who primarily rides on paved streets but is interested in off-road riding? If so, seasoned adventure riding instructor Bret Tkacs has some valuable advice for you. Tkacs, who is comfortable and familiar with riding on paved roads, shares a video where he provides guidance for first-time adventure riders like us.
One of the first things Tkacs mentions is that off-road riding often involves gravel roads. These roads may have tracks left by four-wheeled vehicles, making the surface more solid and packed compared to the loose stuff in the middle. However, regardless of the surface, it will still feel different from riding on a smooth, paved road. Therefore, it’s essential for street riders like us to get accustomed to how the bike feels on such surfaces.
Speed Up
Tkacs points out that riding too slow due to fear and unfamiliarity with the terrain can actually be detrimental to the bike’s stability. He suggests that dual sport bikes are happier and more stable when ridden within the 25-to-35 mile per hour speed range, rather than at speeds between five to 15 miles per hour. While slow speeds may seem tempting for beginners, they don’t contribute to a better riding experience. Tkacs reminds himself and us that going too slow won’t help improve our off-road skills.
During my experience riding Honda’s XR150L dual sport bike earlier in 2023, another journalist advised me with a simple yet effective phrase: “when in doubt, throttle out.” This advice may sound straightforward, but it proved to be helpful on multiple occasions. It’s important to find the right balance and avoid both excessive speed and excessive slowness.
Body Positioning and Attitude Count
While body positioning and attitude are important both on and off road, they differ slightly in off-road riding. Tkacs indicates that during your first off-road experience, it’s perfectly fine to sit down on the bike. Standing up on the foot pegs can be helpful in controlling the bike, but it’s not necessary if you’re still learning. The initial focus should be on adapting to how the bike moves and feels beneath you.
Body positioning becomes crucial in off-road riding. Unlike street riding where you lean and counterbalance in a specific way, off-road riding requires you to move the bike beneath you while keeping your body perpendicular to the ground. It may feel strange initially to push the bike away from you, but with practice, it will become more natural.
It’s completely normal to feel frustrated and angry while trying to learn something new. However, just like in street riding, having a negative mindset during off-road riding can lead to unfavorable outcomes. If you’re not in the right mindset, it’s best to take a break, relax, and refuel. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself; remember that off-road riding is meant to be enjoyable.
Other Important Notes
Tkacs also provides information on appropriate gear for off-road riding and highlights the most common injuries. Collarbone, rib, and foot/ankle injuries are among the most frequent. To avoid rib injuries, Tkacs advises adjusting body positioning and avoiding the habit of holding your arms as you would on a street bike.
When it comes to protecting your feet and ankles, choosing boots with good ankle protection and stiff soles is crucial. While motocross boots offer the highest level of protection, a solid pair of adventure touring boots is the minimum requirement. Speaking from personal experience, spraining an ankle due to insufficient ankle protection in street boots is something I strongly discourage.
The brakes of the 2024 Porsche Macan prototype deserve high praise. They provide a great deal of feel for an electric vehicle (EV), effectively incorporating recuperation functions without the need to disconnect the drive to the front axle, as some EVs do. According to Meier, a representative from Porsche, they prefer to refer to it as “one-pedal braking” rather than “one-pedal driving,” distinguishing it from the heavy use of regenerative braking in many other EVs.
As we spend more time driving the Macan prototype, it becomes evident that it offers a different driving experience compared to its Audi counterpart. The Macan has a sportier character, although it may not be as luxurious.
It’s important to note that our impressions are based on pre-production models, and we will need to test the final production versions and consider pricing details before making a final judgment. However, our initial impressions are highly favorable, and Porsche believes that customers will share this sentiment. They predict that the Macan will account for the majority of the brand’s EV sales in the second half of the decade.
Porsche Macan turbo Prototype
Price: £90,000 (estimated), Motors: Two permanent magnet synchronous motors, Power: Over 603bhp, Torque: Over 738lb ft, Gearbox: 1-speed reduction gear, 4WD, Kerbweight: 2200kg (estimated), 0-62mph: 4.4 seconds, Top speed: 155mph, Battery: Lithium-ion, 100kWh (total), Economy, Range: 3.2mpkWh (estimated), 311 miles, Rivals:Audi SQ6 E-tron, BMW iX3
A new spy video provides an up-close look at the refreshed Kia Carnival minivan. While the test vehicle is heavily camouflaged, some of its important features are still visible. The redesigned minivan draws inspiration from recent model launches, incorporating new design details.
The refreshed Carnival boasts a completely updated front end, featuring vertical headlights, restyled daytime running lights, and a new grille. The vertical design continues at the rear with new taillights that incorporate an integrated turn signal. The C-pillar garnish remains unchanged, while the van is equipped with newly designed square wheels.
Unlock Your Automotive Passion and Explore the Road Ahead
