Author Archives : "editorial staff"

2006 Yamaha WR450F Dirt Bike Exhaust – Dirt Rider Magazine

Off-road bikes balance a fine line of durability versus performance and sound versus power output. In order to excel in one area, the other seems to have to suffer. All of the pipes presented here balance these aspects of exhaust differently; whether it’s big power or stealth quiet, there is something here for everyone. The [...]
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Ricky Carmichael Motocross Racing – 4-Closure – Dirt Rider Magazine

No, Ricky Carmichael is not gone, and he’s certainly not forgotten. In fact, he’s fresh off another dominating year in which he captured AMA titles number 14 and 15 (five SX and 10 MX). However, beginning in 2007, he will be downshifting his motocross domination to an abbreviated schedule, both indoors and out. More than [...]
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Dirt Bike Valve Job and Reassembly Part 2 – Dr. Dirt – Dirt Rider Magazine

In DR’s previous look at a CRF450R head, Tokyo Mods’ Ron Wood demonstrated tearing down the top end and prepping it for new valve components. Now we follow Wood’s talented hands and pick his brain as he cuts new angles for the valve seats and assembles the valve train like the pro he is. Wood [...]
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First Test: 2006 KTM 250 SX – Dirt Rider Magazine

For the past few years the KTM factory bikes have been some of the trickest looking in the pits. Sure, they show fine on the track, too, but up close they are awesome. For 2006, KTM is selling most of the look and some of the performance of those factory bikes. The unwritten subtext in [...]
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Shok-SpotR Dirt Bike Helmet Impact Sensor – Dirt Rider Tested – Dirt Rider Magazine

Shok-SpotRHelmet Impact Sensor Did you know that even if a helmet looks fine after a crash, it might be damaged to a point well beyond failure? Shok-SpotR knows, which is why it has created a helmet impact sensor. The calibrated device simply sticks onto the back of your lid, and the sight window activates (turns [...]
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Chris Broome, Bomb Disposal Technician Serving In Iraq – Dirt Rider

The Ultimate SacrificeI was deeply moved when a Stewards of the Sequoia member, Chris Broome, a bomb disposal technician serving in Iraq, informed me he had altered his will to include Stewards (a multiple-use advocacy group) as a beneficiary in the case of his death. He noted, “It is my pleasure to be affiliated with [...]
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Trak Tools Dirt Bike Ready Wrench Kit – Dirt Rider Magazine

Trak ToolsReady Wrench Kit After a zipper on my tool pack burst open leaving me with only empty space where my ride-saving tools should have been, I needed something to fill the emptiness in my bum bag. I threw in the $59.95 Ready Wrench kit along with a few other tools for a nearly complete [...]
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O’Neal Dirt Bike Jerseys and Pants Gear – Dirt Rider Magazine

O’NEALHardwear Jersey And Pant O’Neal’s Hardwear apparel line is its top offering. As such, my expectations were high. MSRP for the pant is $149.99, and the jersey is advertised at $49.99. These prices are right in line with those of other manufacturers, but if I am laying down 200-plus bones on some new riding gear, [...]
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Pro-Action Dirt Bike Suspension Service – Dirt Rider Magazine

Pro-ActionSuspension Service I had Pro-Action revalve and respring the suspension on the 2004 Suzuki RM250 I’ve owned for a year. Since the stock suspension was too stiff for my 150 pounds, I had serious issues with the fork jerking out of my hands and the rear end swapping out. It was getting to the point [...]
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PowerSeal USA Dirt Bike Cylinder Repair – Dirt Rider Tested – Dirt Rider Magazine

PowerSeal USACylinder Repair I got a free bike. Yep, but the 1989 CR125R’s cylinder was thrashed from a broken piston. I chose the repair and replating route with PowerSeal USA. All I had to do was buy a new stock piston and send it in with my cylinder. Turnaround time was two weeks-not bad since [...]
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Race Tech Dirt Bike Graduated Cylinder – Dirt Rider Magazine

Race TechGraduated Cylinder Most of the new sealed-cartridge-type forks don’t have any way to measure the oil level. You must set the outer chamber volume by draining and refilling it with the proper quantity. The volume needs to be precise. The proper tool to measure the correct volume is a graduated cylinder. The problem is [...]
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Powersport Grafx Dirt Bike Number Plate Backgrounds – Dirt Rider Magazine

Powersport GrafxPreprinted Number Plate Backgrounds We go through a lot of number plate backgrounds, and personally, I hate applying them. But my past few experiences with PG backgrounds have been relatively painless. Even on the tricky CRF250R and its dual curved side number plates it was as seamless as could be expected. The stickers are [...]
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Motorex Dirt Bike Power Clean – Dirt Rider Magazine

MotorexPower CleanDude! This stuff cuts grease better than Palmolive on three-day-old lasagna. Spray-spray and voila!-pipe scum wipes away without streaking. Squirt-squirt and baked-on dirt comes off of cases. Old sticker and graphic gum on number plates can’t even stop this $6.95 500ml bottle of cleaning stuff. Seriously though, this stuff works really well. I used [...]
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PC Racing FLO X Air Filter System – Dirt Bike Parts Review – Dirt Rider Magazine

PC RacingFLO X Air Filter System Cleaning air filters is the dirty job we all hate to do. And if a company can make the terrible chore easier, we’re definitely buying. Well, PC Racing has been sort of a pioneer in this game with its ingenious Filterskins. Like a nylon bootie slipped over a standard [...]
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EK Motorsports Power Cat Soft End Dirt Bike Tie Downs – Dirt Rider Magazine

EK MotorsportsPower Cat Soft End Tiedowns “Eastbound and down, loaded up and truckin…” As I barreled down the road, eager to moto, the theme song from Smokey and the Bandit blared from my truck speakers. Meanwhile, a bike that was in the back, floundering due to wimpy tiedowns, got me thinking about what better tiedowns [...]
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