Tag Archives: shootout

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125 2-STROKES ON THE DYNO: THE WRAP

We simply accomplished our 2024 125 two-stroke shootout and it was a head scratcher. Two years in the past we in contrast the then-new 2022 Yamaha YZ125 with the GasGas MC125. The GasGas was sooner, lighter and dealt with virtually in addition to the Yamaha. They had been the very same value on the time, so the GasGas was a straightforward winner. In the 2 mannequin years which have passed by since then, the KTM 125SX, Husqvarna TC125 and the GasGas have all been up to date with electrical begin, throttle-body gas injection and digital powervalves. Now, the Yamaha is the one which’s unchanged. 

The very last thing we do in every shootout is take the bikes to the dyno. We don’t need check riders to know the numbers earlier than they supply their opinions. Usually, the dyno merely helps their seat-of-the-pants impression. But, that’s not precisely what occurred this time. Virtually all of the check riders felt the brand new variations of the Austrian bikes had misplaced energy–which was true. They additionally felt the Yamaha was the brand new horsepower champ on high–which wasn’t true.

PEAK POWER
Husqvarna TC125: 37.02 hp @11,430 rpm
GasGas MC125: 36.51 hp @11,530 rpm
KTM 125SX: 35.94 hp @11,430 rpm
Yamaha YZ125: 35.78 hp @11,670 rpm

PEAK TORQUE
Husqvarna TC125: 17.18 lb-ft @10,950 rpm
GasGas MC125: 16.91 lb-ft @11,060 rpm
KTM 125SX: 16.88 lb-ft @10,960 rpm
Yamaha YZ125: 16.47 lb-ft @10,940 rpm

As you may see from the Pro Circuit dyno, the height horsepower of all 4 bikes is comparable. There’s solely a 1 ¼ hp distinction between the strongest and the weakest on high. Before the height, nevertheless, the Yamaha lags behind the others. Sean Lipanovich, Mark Tilley, Carson Brown and Jared Hicks all felt the Yamaha was the strongest within the center. The Yamaha feels that means as a result of it has the least flywheel impact and essentially the most free-revving engine. The new Austrian motors with their throttle physique gas injection have a extra enduro-bike really feel and don’t reply effectively to clutch work. We contemplate the dyno an attention-grabbing instrument, however not the ultimate decide on something. How did all of them stack up on the monitor? The full check will seem within the April, 2024 print version of Dirt Bike.

GET PAID TO RACE!

Photo: Align Media

More producers have introduced contingency applications for 2024. Last month Kawasaki introduced a program that’s a giant step up from the previous. A Loretta Lynn’s Amateur nationwide Championship is price $2000 in lots of lessons. For a GNCC XC1 Pro win, the payout is $10,000. A 450 Pro win in NGPC will earn $6000. Most of the bigger A lessons pays $1000 to the winner in main off-road collection, with $300 going to the winner in smaller lessons.

Honda’s program pays $1500  for a win on the Loretta Lynn’s Amateur nationals. On the off-road facet, it’s price $7500 for a GNCC Pro win and $400 to many A category winners..

This week, KTM joined the listing with 7 million in choices. Loretta Lynn’s Amateur National Championship pays out $1000for a win in lots of lessons. In off highway racing, a GNCC XC-1 Pro class win pays $5000. Most of the opposite excessive profile off-road races (NH&H, NGPC, NEPG) pays $2500 for a professional win. The particular person lessons pay round $300 for a win. Husqvarna has additionally introduced a $7 million contingency program with comparable payouts to KTM’s. Pros will get a debit card whereas the amateurs will get a vendor debit card.

GLENDALE SUPERCROSS

See you there!

–Ron Lawson
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DIRT BIKE VLOG #4: 450 SHOOTOUT UNCENSORED, DUAL-SPORT & DORITO PRIZE!

Dirt Bike Magazine takes you on a behind the scenes have a look at our 2024 450 Motocross Shootout, a twin sport experience on a few of our native trails, the 2024 KTM/Husqvarna Supercross staff launch, and extra! This is your probability to hold with the editorial workers of Dirt Bike Magazine and see what we’re as much as as one other journal is shipped out the door.

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2024 450 SHOOTOUT NOTES: THE WRAP

The 2024 450 Shootout is wrapping up. This year, the main challenge was to see where the new Kawasaki KX450 and GasGas MC450F fit in–all the other bikes are unchanged since our 2023 450 Shootout. We even knew what to expect with the GasGas because it was similar to the 2023 GasGas MC450F Factory Edition. That meant the Kawasaki was the only real mystery. Here are the bullet points for each bike:

GasGas MC450F

  • It now has the same frame and motor that the KTM and Husqvarna got last year.
  • The bodywork is exclusive to GasGas and so are a number of components.
  • GasGas has softer suspension settings than the other Austrian bikes.
  • It has forged triple clamps and Braktec brakes and hydraulics. It features Maxxis tires and different bars and rims. The bike lacks a map switch or a resonance chamber in the headpipe and sells for $10,399 which is a little less than the other Austrian bikes.

STRONG POINTS

  • Great motor with excellent low-end and still very controllable. It’s the lightest bike in the whole shootout at 228 pounds without fuel. It turns with very little effort and has no real issues in the stability department. The suspension is cushy and more in line with intermediate-level riders. The controls are all excellent, including the brakes.

WEAK POINTS

  • More advanced riders will use up the suspension fairly quickly. The frame is very rigid. The Maxxis tires can be a handicap on hard terrain. The air fork requires attention between motos and you’ll need to buy the map switch for traction control, launch assist, and Quickshift for $135.

Honda CRF450R.

  • This bike is unchanged for 2024. It got a new frame and a very different personality last year. Most of the changes in 2023 were aimed at making it more controllable. You can still buy the earlier version of the Honda–it’s called the CRF450R-S and it sells for $8899. The newer version is $9699. There are three maps available through a handlebar switch as well as traction control. The suspension is Showa and the brakes and hydraulic clutch are both Nissin.