It's a dirty job, and we get to do it. It's hard to believe that we are working on the 300th issue of Dirt Rider. That makes this the Silver Anniversary for the title. We only just barely made 1982, since there was only a December issue, but at least half of the year was used in preparation for that first edition. Having the magazine start in '82 is significant, since that year saw technical innovations in dirt riding that began the modern era of motocross. Yamaha offered the first power valve-equipped two-stroke, Kawasaki and KTM had disc front brakes and Honda won the Baja 1000 with a prototype of the four-valve XR500R. Perhaps most important, HRC developed the magnesium 43mm cartridge fork as icing on the cake that was its amazing '82 works RC250 motocrosser. With that single works bike Honda introduced low-sided tanks, modern fork technology and heralded the future importance of ergonomics. By the release of our first issue, that Honda had been a significant factor in Donnie Hansen winning the supercross and 250cc National motocross titles. With the Baja win on a modified production four-stroke, '82 signaled the return of four-strokes to mainstream racing.
Dirt Rider's beginnings also dovetail with the first American World MX champions: Brad Lackey and Danny LaPorte, and the initial national MX successes of Jeff Ward, David Bailey, Johnny O'Mara and Rick Johnson. It was a great time to enter this great sport.
Even longer than 25 years ago, Dirt Rider's first editor Charlie Morey and then publisher Dick Lague discussed the need for a new type of off-road motorcycle magazine: A magazine dedicated to journalistic integrity and strong on technical information to help riders keep up with the rapidly changing technology of that era. To test the market, Petersen Publishing signed off on a special issue under another name, and the success of that one-shot motivated the launch of Dirt Rider in December of 1982. The mag was an immediate hit with the readers, and it remains the largest off-road motorcycle magazine in the world. The look and, to a lesser extent, the content have changed over 25 years as the sport and our machinery have evolved, but DR remains dedicated to quality testing and strong technical content. During that time the staff has had surprisingly low turnover with only four editors at the helm. This 25-year milestone provides a perfect opportunity to look back and remember the significant events that have shaped DR and our sport.
1983
This is the first full year of Dirt Rider magazine. Karel Kramer joins Charlie Morey, Mark Kariya and Bob Carpenter on the staff. (Jimmy Lewis was racing 80cc motocross, Pete Peterson had just quit riding family enduros, JR50 rider Jesse Ziegler was about to begin grade school and Chris Denison wouldn't be expected for two more years. Dirt Rider Publisher Sean Finley was racing pro at ATV races.) Honda reveals the most significant bikes of the year. The '83 CR models displayed the first efforts at smooth and slim ergonomics that the company would continue to pioneer. Plus, the bikes were very good. Also, the production four-valve Honda XR500R is released, and it gains immediate racing success. Honda introduces the XR350R as well, but it doesn't enjoy as happy a reputation. Looking back with our modern perspective, and knowing how significant four-stroke technology would become, the most important motorcycle of the year is the Husqvarna 510 four-stroke. The bike was definitely flawed, but it is the evolutionary starting point for modern four-strokes.