Author Archives : "jimmy lewis"

2008 Suzuki RM-Z450 – Riding Impression – Dirt Rider Magazine

Have you been waiting for the latest RM-Z just like us. Curious? We’ll bet! We finally got to ride it today at the heavily revamped Perris Raceway. Weather you’ve been looking to see if fuel injection is going to be the latest craze in motocross, if Suzuki is really going to rewrite the rules with [...]
+ more

2007 Yamaha WR450F – Dirt Rider Magazine

The bikes may be in dealerships already, but Yamaha wanted to make a splash with the re-introduction of the WR450F and its all-new engine and aluminum frame, so they flew the bikes and a herd of journalists down south the jungles of Costa Rica to give the bikes a workout. First things first, the bike [...]
+ more

2005 Honda CRF450X Dirt Bike – Dirt Rider Magazine

Painful. Especially the radiator! And the shock body! Eek, the muffler, too! All totaled (literally), the Glen Helen 24-Hour cost about $1025 in parts. But considering the punishment the bike went through, it was in good shape, especially when I rode it. The bar might not be exactly straight, but there isn’t any new vibration, [...]
+ more

2007 Suzuki RM-Z450 – Dirt Rider Magazine

Since this is the bike that is winning at the highest level, does that make it the best bike out there? Or is Ricky Carmichael’s bike so different and RC so talented that it doesn’t matter? One thing is for sure: With a production rule in place, at least the base has to be good, [...]
+ more

2007 KTM 250 SX Dirt Bike – First Test – Dirt Rider Magazine

KTM identifies and targets niche markets. The company defies rules or class structure and in the process sets trends while speculating forward. But KTM has also found success in redeveloping classes of bikes that may be falling from grace. It updated its large-displacement two-strokes when other companies stagnated, and now two-strokes in general are corporately [...]
+ more

2007 Suzuki RM-Z450 Dirt Bike – First Test – Dirt Rider Magazine

+ more

2006 Kawasaki KX450F Dirt Bike – Dirt Rider Magazine

The KX-F keeps on chugging. The moto machine has taken some victories and a few cartwheels as well during its summer vacation. So after a good crash, the first order of business was to replace the top-clamp bar mounts, which were tweaked. We opted for Kawasaki’s optional oversize ones so we could use a Fasst [...]
+ more

Communicating Suspension with Pro Circuit’s Jim “Bones” Bacon

Communication between rider and suspension tuner can be as tricky as child psychology, so we asked master suspension tuner Jim “Bones” Bacon to break it down for us. On a daily basis he deals with the top racers in both motocross and off-road and at the same time the regular customer guy, so he definitely [...]
+ more

Simple Kickstarter Removal – Pro Wrenching Secrets – Dirt Rider Magazine

Whether it falls off when you really need it or is just stuck on the shaft when you want to take it off, kickstarters can be a hassle. However, most bikes have a built-in, simple and effective way to break loose a stubborn kickstarter-you just didn’t know about it!
+ more

Troy Lee Designs – Dirt Bike Helmet – Pro Equiptment Secrets – Dirt Rider Magazine

Proper fit is the most important requirement in a helmet-as long as the lid is a quality one in the first place. Some heads and helmets just don’t match, while others fit like a glove. For those that come close, the fit can be tailored to near perfection. Troy Lee Designs’ Mike David shows us [...]
+ more

Dirt Bike Suspension Tuning Tips – Dirt Rider Magazine

2006 Honda CR144R Wrap-Up – Dirt Rider Magazine

After a full year of riding my Honda CR144 Long Haul bike, the time has finally come to bid the sweet little ripper good night. This is certainly a bittersweet affair; on the one hand, I am glad to be getting rid of an underpowered little machine that requires a cocktaillike fuel mixture just to [...]
+ more

2008 Kawasaki KLX450 – Long Haul Testing

We’re so impressed with the KLX, we’ve done hardly anything but ride it. And race it, too, just to make sure we really like it as much as we thought. All said and done, 60 hours into this Long Haul, we’re still stoked on this bike.Right after the test, we kept the bike rolling out [...]
+ more

The 2008 YZ450F – First Test – Dirt Rider Magazine

You’d be hard-pressed to see the changes Yamaha made to the 2008 YZ450F. Aside from the obviously shorter muffler it’d take setting a ’07 and ’08 side by side to give up the visual clues that are strikingly inconspicuous. However, it doesn’t take but one lap on the new bike to feel the changes, which [...]
+ more

2008 Husaberg FE550 – First Test – Dirt Rider Magazine

A lot of smaller brands are struggling. They seem to flourish for a time, then suddenly fade with fluctuations in currency exchange rates, changes in company leadership, problems with the suppliers of key parts or the tax laws of their countries. Depending on where a marquee is in this ebb and flow of fortune, going [...]
+ more