It was a unique feeling to be riding Nathan Woods’ specially equipped and prepped ISDE Suzuki RM-Z450 in the dry and dusty California desert at the same time that Woods himself was blitzing dry and dusty special tests in Greece. Naturally, for that simultaneous timing to work, it meant that Suzuki had built two identical [...]
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No doubt there are riders all who don’t see the point of in-depth testing of 250cc four-stroke off-road machines. After all, they’re suitable only for lightweight wimps and chicks, right? Not even close!Sure, machines such as the $6199 Honda CRF250X work great for lighter riders, and we are including an opinion from a female rider [...]
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We’re starting a new department to describe what it takes to keep a particular bike running for an entire year. As we discover how to make it suit our riding style and areas, we’ll let you in on what we did to dial it in. Plus, if it needs any extraordinary maintenance, you’ll be the [...]
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It isn’t easy to make a bike quiet, but it is next to impossible to make a bike run cleanly and quietly and produce big power. Honda did it. The CRF450X is one quiet riot. Next task, the DR 24-Hour, to see how the new X stacks up against the established 450 trail masters!What’s Hot!Engine [...]
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If you’re one of those riders who believes the slogans on motorcycle T-shirts (or, better yet, thinks they are talking about you) or if you find four-strokes boringly civilized, then Service Honda built its CR500AF for you. Many riders in their 20s have never experienced a 500cc two-stroke, and most have never turned a wheel [...]
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Dicks Racing’s suspension mods are the biggest change to my ’05 KTM 525 MXC. I chose modifications that would make it possible to motocross yet still work better than stock off-road. Dicks Racing’s APS fork mods are unique. Now only one rebound adjuster remains atop the right-hand fork leg. The other adjuster was converted to [...]
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I began racing motocross on small-bore four-strokes, and lately I find myself drawn to those roots. These new-generation 250cc four-stroke motocrossers are ridiculously fun, despite not being targeted at guys my size. I ride on track days more than I actually race, so the fact that I’d get killed on a start against 450s in [...]
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It all started as I readied the KTM 525 MXC for another trip to Baja. Publisher Sean Finley was borrowing it, and I naturally wanted the big Katoom to make a good impression. I adjusted the valves, put on Maxxis Desert IT tires, changed the oil and filters, and checked the bike over. Since the [...]
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Yamaha’s then-new 2006 aluminum-framed YZ450F was a fine machine, and a worthy heir to the historic YZ-F line. The return to a five-speed and power that was domesticated but not de-clawed were highlights of the machine as were the solid feel of the light alloy chassis. It missed the target in turning and steering accuracy, [...]
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Lately our staff has been intrigued with Honda CRF450Xs that have smaller-than-stock engines, so what motivated us to try a bigger one? Partially, it was the other Thumper bike we’ve ridden recently: the KTM 570 XC. If there ever was a bike accused of too much power, the KTM 525 would be it, but a [...]
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Off-road legend Malcolm Smith has come full circle when it comes to motorcycles. He started riding and racing on a four-stroke, but after switching to two-strokes in the mid-’60s, Smith thought he would never switch back. He has, though. Most of his rides these days are on KTM’s 400 EXC. MS has his own bike, [...]
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Never underestimate the power of small changes. Modern motocross race bikes are refined to the point where a little flex here, a touch of stiffness there, a millimeter at one end or the other and a few tiny valving shims can remake how a bike feels. It doesn’t seem to matter how long the list [...]
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It all started as I readied the KTM 525 MXC for another trip to Baja. Publisher Sean Finley was borrowing it, and I naturally wanted the big Katoom to make a good impression. I adjusted the valves, put on Maxxis Desert IT tires, changed the oil and filters, and checked the bike over. Since the [...]
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There are times when it is great to be a big guy. Like when you get a toe down and save a big high-side down a hill-one of those deals where you would have plummeted if you were 1 inch shorter. But then there are theater and airplane seats, compact cars and most modern dirt [...]
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Chris Dvoracek Opinions After spending all last year on the ’06 KX-F, I have a split decision on the new one. I was instantly struck by the plushness of the new suspension; the black coating on the fork does more than just look good. So I was stoked there. The handling didn’t seem to change [...]
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If I could ride naked I would.
Lately I’ve been riding the super mini
The Lead Law is finally out of
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association
