The workers at Dirt Bike has had a really busy week. Among different issues, the 125 two-stroke shootout is in course of. The one new bike within the group this 12 months is the GasGas MC125. We had Special Guest Test Rider Carson Brown down from the Northwest to do some testing.
NEW PRODUCTS
KTM / HUSQVARNA / GASGAS SX-E 2, EE 2, MC-E 2 HANDLEBAR MOUNT RISERS
The crew at Nihilo Concepts may also help you increase your handlebars in your KTM, Husqvarna, GASGAS E 2, EE 2, or MC-E 2 by 5-10mm. Uses the inventory {hardware}. Easy to put in. Retail Price : $ 29.99 click on the picture above for extra info.
Maptuner Nano: Unleashing new Performance and Tuning Possibilities
WMR Racing Development, a number one innovator in grime bike efficiency optimization, is thrilled to announce the launch of the Maptuner Nano, a revolutionary machine developed by Maptun of Sweden that redefines the boundaries of grime bike tuning and management.
Born from the potent collaboration between WMR Racing Development’s deep understanding of grime bike optimization and Maptun’s famend engine tuning mastery, the Maptuner Nano is a compact powerhouse that unlocks a world of potentialities for grime bike racing of all ranges. Applications embrace KTM, Husqvarna and GASGAS off-road bikes.
Effortless Tuning at Your Fingertips
The Maptuner Nano seamlessly integrates together with your bike and smartphone by means of an intuitive app. Powerful options embrace:
Monitor & log vital engine knowledge
Read & clear error codes
Easy reflash of ECU for racing use.
All inventory security methods are nonetheless intact.
Advanced Technology for Unwavering Performance
The Maptuner Nano isn’t just about tweaking settings; it’s about unlocking your machine’s true potential. Its superior {hardware} and software program work in unison to ship:
Lightning-fast knowledge processing and response occasions
Seamless integration with trendy smartphones for a handy and intuitive tuning expertise
The Ultimate Weapon for Dirt Bike Racing Dominance
Whether you’re knowledgeable or newbie racer, the Maptuner Nano is your final weapon. It empowers you to:
Boost energy and torque for exhilarating acceleration
Sharpen dealing with and agility for precision management
Optimize gas effectivity for longer rides and fewer downtime
Personalize your trip to match your using type and monitor situations
Embrace the Future of Dirt Bike Tuning
The Maptuner Nano represents a quantum leap in grime bike tuning know-how. It’s greater than only a machine; it’s a gateway to a world of efficiency, management, and countless potentialities.
We bought our first probability to trip the brand new KTM Factory Edition 450 mannequin that’s the foundation for what Aaron Plessinger used to win the San Diego Supercross on. Click the picture to take a look at the video or HERE for the writeup.
One of essentially the most attention-grabbing facets of the KTM Factory Edition is that the KTM Connect smartphone app is lastly prepared for prime time. We already knew in regards to the “engine tuning for dummies” side of the tech, which lets you superb tune throttle response, engine braking and traction management. But, we have been shocked by the combination of LitPro telemetry. We rode the bike on the Glen Helen spherical of the 2024 WORCS sequence and got here away with extra info than we knew what to do with. Beyond lap occasions, it gave us information about how far we have been opening the throttle, how a lot time we spent in every gear and even how far we jumped. It’s going to be a sport changer for teaching.
1995 HONDA CR250R PROJECT
The mad scientist Jay Clark is at it once more! Clark met up with editor Mark Tilley to shoot his not too long ago completed 1995 Honda CR250R within the Dirt Bike Magazine studio. In this video he walks us by means of his construct and provides us a RAW behind the scenes have a look at a few of the points he confronted.
2-STROKE TUESDAY YZ250 BUILD
Two-Stroke trustworthy you don’t need to miss our newest 2-Stroke Tuesday that includes this Yamaha YZ250 constructed by Team Solitaire for take a look at rider Robbie Wageman. Click the picture above to see extra now.
2024 WORCS ROUND 2 PRO RESULTS
Round 2 of the 2024 WORCS sequence invaded Glen Helen this previous weekend and the SLR crew took wins within the Open Pro and Women’s Pro divisions. Click the picture for extra outcomes.
It looks like it has been awhile because the 2022 Two-Stroke World Championship held at Glen Helen Raceway in Southern California and it was simply delivered to our consideration that we forgot to point out everybody studio pictures of Team Solitaire Yamaha rider Robbie Wageman’s YZ250. Enjoy all of the totally different angles of Wageman’s race machine constructed by the crew that includes some trade main firms like ODI, FMF, Dunlop, Race Tech, Throttle Syndicate, Ride Engineering, Flo Motorsports, Motul and Acerbis Plastics. We maintain the white Yamaha retro theme moving into our 2-Stroke Behind The Build characteristic this with one other YZ250 challenge from the crew at mXrevival . You don’t wish to miss this!
2-STROKE BEHIND THE BUILD
We first launched you to Charles Lytle from mXrevival a few years in the past when he began constructing our “T1000” CR250 and “Ping-King” CR500 machines. Well, he’s again with the “Thndrcrakr” YZ250. This bike was one among his frequent giveaways, which was awarded on April 1, 2022. It was NOT an April Fools gag; it actually was given away. Austin Buell of Idaho was the fortunate winner.
The new-generation KTM TBI (Throttle-Body Injection) two-stroke motors have been a sizzling matter since they have been launched in 2023 on the XC and SX two-stroke competitors machines. Knowing that the XC-W fashions would comply with go well with, we have been anxious to get seat time on the brand new bike and study the place it ranked compared with the 300s that we all know so effectively. To date, we’ve got a bit over 40 hours on the 2024 KTM 300XC-W and located it’s very totally different from its predecessors.
First issues first, the brand new XC-W is way smoother and trail-oriented than we anticipated. It seems to have the identical motor because the 2023 300XC, however the cylinder, the top and most significantly, the map-ping are fully totally different. The new XC-W is way mellower. There are professionals and cons to this. In the woods, we completely love this package deal. It’s calm, easy, predictable and makes traction. On the opposite finish of the spectrum, once we experience our high-desert loop the place it’s sandy and the hills are vertical, the machine struggles to get to the tops of the climbs.
Even on the earlier technology 300XC-W with Transfer Port Injection, we might hill-climb and make the most of third gear endlessly with a fast stab of the clutch. The new TBI 300XC-W simply lacks the mus-cle to tug third and keep up on the pipe in steep terrain. Internally, the gearbox ratios are an identical, however the really feel all through the power-band just isn’t. Stock gearing on the XC-W is 13/45. We have tried a 48-tooth sprocket; this tightens up the gaps however makes first and second gear very low.
One different word within the engine division is the temperature. This scoot runs heat—sizzling, even. We rode final yr’s 300 TPI machine for an unbelievable period of time and by no means felt it essential to in-stall a fan. The 2024 300XC-W, nevertheless, can barely deal with a couple of minutes of technical work and gradual circumstances with out turning right into a tea kettle. Part of the temperature might come from the thermostat, however we aren’t completely positive. Because the bike overheats typically, we should take away the new-style radiator cap, which is painful. Some-times it comes off simply, whereas different instances it gained’t budge.
The 2024 300XC-W has a brand new body. It’s loosely primarily based on that of the 2023 SX motocross bikes, nevertheless it has PDS rear suspension in-stead of linkage, in addition to a brand new coil-spring model of the Xact fork. The ergonomics are spectacular, and we do just like the slim and smooth bodywork, which makes the bike simple to maneuver round on. Under your caboose the saddle is a bit on the agency facet, however makes use of a pleasant flat base, making the bike simple to nook and transfer round on. You may need heard some criticism of the brand new KTM moto-cross body. The chassis is stiff even for motocross, and that’s al-so true right here. At low pace, each ends of the suspension lack plushness. The previous-generation bike would gobble up rocks the place the 2024 mannequin is considerably unsettled and deflects extra typically. It’s significantly better at pace–it’s as if the motor improvement workforce and the chassis improvement workforce had totally different targets.
The new kickstand is way improved over the previous bike, eliminating the previous bracket and self-tapping screw that launched on cue. New handguards on the controls are improved and mount to the clutch and brake perch. If you’re into night time driving, you’ll love the brand new LED headlight. There is not any comparability with how a lot bright-er it’s over the previous bike. We have been having points with the brand new push-button mild swap, because it gained’t keep engaged and shuts the sunshine off. On the stomach of the bike, the brand new skid plate provides correct safety to the body and engine. Air-filter entry is improved with extra room and extra visibility to make sure you totally seat your filter accurately. At 40 hours the motor hasn’t proven any signal of weak point. We skilled persistent issues with varied sensors on the TPI bikes. Those haven’t arisen right here. We do suppose the TPI bikes had higher fuel-range. We’re engaged on suspension updates and efficiency mods that gained’t offend the path worthiness, in addition to soothing a few of the gripes which have surfaced. Overall, it’s a se-rious wagon and completely totally different than the TPI mannequin.
NEW BIKES AND NOT SO NEW BIKES
Many of the producers are actually releasing their 2024 dual-sport bikes, road bikes and unchanged fashions. In the combo is one Kawasaki road bike that caught our consideration. The Ninja 7 Hybrid has some attention-grabbing know-how that we’ll most likely see on dual-sport bikes quickly. The electrical part of the hybrid energy unit features a liquid-cooled traction motor powered by a 48V lithium-ion battery pack beneath the seat, enabling all-electric driving for brief distances at low speeds. The battery is charged whereas driving, eliminating the necessity for exterior charging. Heat administration is addressed with two radiators, a liquid-cooled oil cooler, and a system directing sizzling air away from the rider. Ducts within the decrease cowl present cooling for the hybrid energy unit’s parts. The regenerative system recycles deceleration vitality again to the battery, contributing to an prolonged cruising vary.
Here are another bikes that have been simply launched and re-released.
KAWASAKI KLX230 SM
Kawasaki KLX®230 S Color: Lime Green, Battle Gray MSRP: $4,999 Availability: Now
Kawasaki KLX®230 S ABS Color: Lime Green, Battle Gray MSRP: $5,299 Availability: Now Kawasaki KLX®230SM ABS Color: Battle Gray MSRP: $5,599 Availability: Now
HONDA SCL500 “SCRAMBLER
Colors Candy Orange Matte Laurel Green Metallic Matte Black Metallic MSRP: $6,799 Available: April
HONDA CRF300L
Colors CRF300L ABS: Red CRF300L: Red CRF300LS: Swift Gray MSRP CRF300L ABS: $5,749 CRF300L: $5,449 CRF300LS: $5,749 Available: April
HONDA CRF300L Rally
Color: Red MSRP CRF300L Rally ABS: $6,499 CRF300L Rally: $6,199 Available: April
HONDA XR650L
A bike of legendary standing, the XR650L continues to face the check of time, thanks partly to its easy, no-frills design and relentless dependability. Backed by an unbelievable document of success in Baja, this dual-sport icon has amassed a loyal following of lovers across the globe since its introduction in 1993. Not solely is it impressively succesful within the grime, it will probably additionally function an reasonably priced technique of transportation round city. The XR650L’s highly effective mixture of rugged versatility, rock-solid reliability and memorable worth have established it as a mainstay of Honda’s dual-sport lineup.
Color: White MSRP: $6,999 Available: March
HONDA XR150L
Value-focused, but impressively versatile, the XR150L makes the dual-sport motorcycling expertise extra accessible than ever. With a budget-friendly price ticket, environment friendly gasoline economic system and approachable experience traits, this do-all machine is a succesful around-town commuter or campground companion. The XR150L is outfitted with handy options like a rear cargo rack and electrical starter, nevertheless it maintains the rugged simplicity for which the XR household of bikes is understood. Plus, with a variety of Honda Accessories out there, it may be simply tailored for varied driving experiences.
Colors Black White MSRP: $3,099 Available: February
HONDA Trail 125
Colors: Turmeric Yellow MSRP: $4,099 Available: March
MONTESA
Colors Montesa Cota 4RT300RR: White; Red Montesa Cota 4RT260R: Red MSRP Montesa Cota 4RT300RR: $11,899 Montesa Cota 4RT260R: $9,299 Available: February
LARS LARSON HONORED
Legends and Heroes, together with our spokesman Broc Glover, is proud to announce that we’ll honor Lars Larsson at spherical 2 of the Anaheim Supercross on January twenty seventh., 2024. Lars Larsson is a pioneering motocross and off-road racer from Sweden who helped introduce motocross racing to America within the late Sixties. He was a number one International Six Day Trials/Enduro (ISDT/ISDE) rider in the course of the Sixties and Seventies. He earned a number of gold medals driving for the United States, Mexico and his native Sweden. Lars was additionally instrumental in organising the unique Husqvarna dealership community throughout America within the late 1960’s, And helped launch Torsten Hallman Original Racewear (THOR).
Lars was born in on July 5, 1941 in Stockholm, Sweden. His first race was in 1959 in a Swedish enduro, driving a Husqvarna 175. “The Husqvarna 175s were street bikes,” Lars recalled. “But we might convert them to off-road bikes by stripping them down and making them as mild as doable. Lars had develop into a number one rider when the AMA instituted the Inter-AM motocross collection. In 1971, he gained 4 of the 5 Inter-AM 500cc non-national races on a particular Husqvarna racer constructed with a titanium body. His true forte grew to become off-road racing. He was a number one nationwide enduro rider by means of the Seventies and earned gold on the 1971 International Six Days Trials (later referred to as the International Six Day Enduro) in Czechoslovakia driving for the usA. Trophy squad. By the late Seventies, Lars retired from racing professionally. During his profession he was a manufacturing unit rider for Husqvarna, Can-Am, Maico and Kawasaki. He continued to race on the novice degree and earned a World Vet Motocross Championship in 2001 on the age of 60. Now in 2024, Lars is 83 and nonetheless racing. Lars was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2002.
On this week’s Two-Stroke Tuesday delivered to you by Decal Works we have a look again at Josh Grant’s 2003 Honda CR250R venture that he raced on the Wiseco 2-Stroke World Championship introduced by Fasthouse. 2-Stroke History is all in regards to the mighty Honda CR250R and the way it continues to alter motocross historical past. Don’t miss the total story on our 2002 CR250R venture with Wrench Rabbit within the Behind The Build part.
Josh purchased this machine off eBay a few month in the past and inside hours had it utterly dismantled in his storage. “I can take it apart but I am not the best at putting it all back together, I leave that to the professionals!” In this case the individual that dealt with the reassembly was Cody Leighton. He did an incredible job.
Ryan at Rockstar Coating in SoCal dealt with all of the Cerkote wants on this construct.
The engine and carburetor was shipped to Tom Morgan to work his magic. We haven’t been capable of get the entire specs out of anybody on the modifications but however we’ve got heard whispers that it’s not 250cc. After listening to it run we must agree with the whispers.
Mitch Payton has been aside of Grant’s program all through his profession and jumped on the alternative to be on this construct.
Some extra components used on Grant’s construct embody Raptor titanium pegs, Hinson Clutch, Work Connection elements, Pro Circuit exhaust and Backyard Designs graphics.
High-End Showa suspension elements are used on Grant’s bike in the way in which of an A-Kit front-end off a brand new Honda four-stroke and an insanely trick two-stroke shock that solely a handful of riders have had the chance to make use of. Don’t fear we may have extra protection of this construct through a Travis Fant produced video and full story in our printed journal. STAY TUNED FOR MORE!
2-STROKE HISTORY
Even although it’s been out of manufacturing within the U.S. since 2007, the CR in all probability gained extra mixed newbie {and professional} races than every other bike within the grime world. And they’re nonetheless on the market profitable. The CR is a scorching commodity on the used-bike market, and on begin strains throughout America, they nonetheless outnumber many present fashions. Click the picture beneath for extra!
2-STROKE BEHIND THE BUILD
The Honda CR250R has received to be one of the in style early-to-mid-2000s two-stroke machines to rebuild in historical past. One motive is that Honda bought a ton, and the opposite motive is the bikes all appear to be growing old very effectively. We discovered what seemed like a really clear machine on the used-bike market, slapped down some money, and threw it into the again of the cell command unit earlier than the accounting division might inform us no. CLICK TE IMAGE BELOW FOR MORE!
This week’s Two-Stroke Tuesday is all about 300cc challenge bikes that we now have constructed not too long ago and belief us there’s something right here for everybody. We begin all of it off with a Yamaha YZ300 then transfer to an KTM300 XC earlier than displaying you Cody Webb’s manufacturing facility Sherco 300 after which prime all of it off with a customized KTM380 FE construct that may blow your thoughts! Our 2-Stroke Behind The Build is all about our YZ300 construct with Fasthouse and Twisted Development fro Trevor Stewart. Don’t miss that unique hyperlink on the backside of this publish!
The Yamaha YZ250 is a confirmed commodity within the two-stroke world and hasn’t seen very many adjustments to its powerplant for the reason that early to mid 2000s. This just isn’t as a result of the Yamaha engineers are lazy; it’s simply because the YZ250 is that good. However, as , the Dirt Bike journal workers simply can’t depart well-enough alone. If 250cc is nice, then 300cc has bought to be higher, proper?
CLICK THE IMAGE ABOVE FOR THE COMPLETE STORY!
The final of a dying bread. KTM’s 2019 KTM300 XC was the final off-road bike to return off the meeting line fitted with a carburetor . We love this bike to today. It had some points however we adore it anyhow. On this challenge we labored with corporations like Vertex, FMF, IMS Products, TM Designworks, Dunlop, ODI Handlebars and way more.
CLICK THE IMAGE ABOVE FOR THE COMPLETE STORY!
In the Sherco mannequin line, the Factory model of the 300cc two-stroke is the upscale mannequin. For 2021, the U.S. importer didn’t herald the usual mannequin (known as the “Racing” version), so Cody’s bike has fewer modifications than you would possibly count on. The most vital one is using KYB A-kit suspension, which is ready up by The Ride Shop in Arizona. The body and bodywork are all commonplace situation, and Cody doesn’t use a steering damper.
CLICK THE IMAGE ABOVE FOR THE COMPLETE STORY!
You gotta love a motorbike that makes folks look. Bob Casper’s KTM 380SX Factory Edition is like that. What’s even higher, it makes folks pay attention too. This is a dust bike that confuses onlookers on so many ranges. On preliminary contact it prompts about three questions within the first millisecond: Was that Ryan Dungey? Was {that a} Factory Edition? Hey, was {that a} two-stroke? No, sure, sure. The object is Bob Casper’s KTM 380SX, a customized merging of a extremely fascinating fashionable bike and a considerably forgotten cult bike.
CLICK THE IMAGE ABOVE FOR THE COMPLETE STORY!
2-STROKE BEHIND THE BUILD
We at all times get caught up within the elements that go into making the construct occur, however on this case, Kenny Alexander from Fasthouse and Manual Gasper of Gasper Racing had been huge components. Fasthouse is a neighborhood SoCal attire firm that’s all about having time with family and friends. They present enormous assist to their athletes in many alternative methods, relying on what every particular person wants. Between Fasthouse and Gasper Racing, they’ve a small fleet of Yamaha YZ250 machines that may be known as into motion at any time, and it doesn’t cease there. In the previous, they’ve purchased brand-new four-strokes for our take a look at riders, the Wageman brothers, to race the West Coast Supercross. Not many corporations give again to the game to assist the stoke like these guys do, and we will’t thank them sufficient.
For this week’s Two-Stroke Tuesday we are in Idaho to give you the first look at our 1996 KX250 2-Stroke that we teamed up with Pete Treadwell from WPS/Fly Racing and Moto One Of Boise to build. We gotta thank the entire staff at Western Powersports for making our “Working Man” project come to life. We packed 2-Stroke Theater with 10 must see Kawasaki two-stroke videos from our mad video scientist Travis Fant and there is an exclusive link to the notorious KDX500 we tested.
This project is all about building a bike that the average working man could afford to purchase, build and maintain without going into the poorhouse. We teamed up with Western Powersports for the products and Moto One Of Boise Idaho did most of the heavy lifting when it came to turning wrenches.
Fire Power is the WPS house brand for hard parts, their gold chain was used on this build along with a Stealth SuperSprox hybrid rear sprocket.