2006 Dirt Rider 24-Hour Off-Road Dirt Bike Test

Race-replica entries were the Team Green Nathan Woods WORCS-replica KX450F, a Precision Concepts Johnny Campbell-replica Honda CRF450X and an FMF Racing Suzuki RM-Z450.

Remaining entries full of aftermarket goodness were a Team Green Kawasaki KX100 (for our little brother publication, Mini Rider), a BBR Motorsports Honda CRF230, a White Brothers Yamaha WR450, a Dick's Racing KTM 300 XC, a Leo Vince Honda CRF302X, an Akrapovic/Hard Parts KTM 450 XC, a Team Green/Two Brothers KX250F, an L.A. Sleeve Honda CRF430X (that's a debored 450X), a Thumper Racing KTM 570 XC and an Enduro Engineering KTM 335 XC-W. How's that for an off-road lineup?

Each team supplied their own riders, fuel and equipment-whatever it took to get the test done. Although a few teams got off to a rocky start, the pit crews and riders worked hard to keep all the bikes in the test and running throughout the night. There was some crash damage repaired, and Kawasaki had some early ignition failures related to one-off flywheels intended to supply lights for the KX250F and KX450F.

To take full advantage of the test, we threw in a couple of our Long Haul bikes. Jimmy Lewis and Karel Kramer rounded up groups of trusted friends to pilot their long-term bikes for 24 more hours. Lewis's '05 CRF450X passed the magic 200-hour mark during the test and is preparing for teardown as its long-term stint is complete. The venerable X is on the original piston and valves, but since Lewis has fast friends, the bike was right up with the best teams in terms of mileage. Kramer has older and more pedestrian friends, but they sheparded the 525 MXC through with minimal drama as well. Look for updates on both machines soon.

The Event

As with anything in this business, the bikes are only half the story. The Dirt Rider 24-Hour is a social function almost as much as it is a riding event, and as one of the largest off-road (nonrace) events in the country, it sees riders, teams and industry coming from around the world to showcase their best for the torture test. Some of the biggest names in off-road racing are always present, and this year was no exception.