For the privateer motocrosser chasing the dream of a factory ride, the relatively new phenomenon of “privateer teams” has completely changed the pro pits. These teams are now giving no fewer than 30 riders the chance to ride top-notch bikes and to focus on training and racing instead of driving and chasing down parts. Based on the results of several of these privateers, it could be argued that the gap between the factory bikes and privateer bikes has never been narrower thanks to the help of the aftermarket companies backing these teams. To see firsthand just how good these bikes are, we coaxed eight of the riders and their teams to let us test-ride their bikes. They agreed to hand over the bikes in the condition they came off the Southwick track-no refreshing. We rode the bikes on Monday morning on the same track (untouched by any tractors) where these riders challenged RC and Andrew Short less than 24 hours before.
