In the suspension department, the WR wasn't nearly as modified, and it showed. The stock off-road valving was quickly taxed, then bullied by the faster pace the motor wanted to go. This is simply because the bike is going faster than it does when stock. In the world of compromises, leaving out a piece of the motor mod and improving the suspension would make more sense as a complete package. In this trim, the bike blows through the stroke quickly, making it less reactive when pushed on the trail. It wanted more damping everywhere and could probably go with stiffer valving and springs all around if it's going to be going this fast.
Protection on the Yamie came from Works Connection's and Pro Moto Billet's brake system armor and Cycra Racing's Composite Probend hand guards. These additions were not over the top and are considered worthy additions to a serious off-road bike.
The lighting setup for night riding was provided by Baja Designs' popular Diablo HID kit. Along with a rewound stator and a rectifier/regulator kit, the Diablo upgrades the bike's already-good stock headlight and makes it great for events that are run more than half the time in the dark.
When ridden on the trail back to back with a stock Yamaha WR250F, the motor on this modified bike really stands out. It shows how strong the blue powerplant can be and, for the right terrain, how much faster than the competition it can go. However, the suspension is the same as stock and worsens when you go this fast. Throw some aggressive suspension valving in this new chassis and knock one step out of the motor and you have yourself a class killer.
Left to right:Bob Bell Johnny Campbell T.J. Jones Robby Bell Trevor Insley Kendall Norman Eric Siraton Quinn Cody
Next up via the modified factor is the Precision Concepts-built Honda CRF250X. This bike brings a whole bunch of Baja experience, some serious off-road attitude and a pile of modifications to the testing table. With a mostly stock motor, the X maintained its middle-of-the-road greatness but saw just enough improvements to give it an aggressive streak. The mods were simple and were all part of the Precision Concepts Closed-Course 250X package. Take a stock 250X, install a Precision Concepts air-injection block-off kit and a Pro Circuit 496 muffler, remove a bit more than the snorkel out of the airbox and jet it to perfection. That's it. With this setup, your 250X should run identically to our test bike. And that will make you smile from ear to ear. While maintaining the excellent tractability of the stock X, this modified version enhanced all of its strong points without giving much, if anything, up. The nice, strong midpull was boosted, and the bike revved out reasonably well into the next gear. When ridden in tight, loose or gnarly terrain, the bike stays mellow but strong enough to power out if need be and is the only bike to pull strongly through initial throttle roll-on without clutching.
Johnny Campbell introduced us to the modified Honda.
The money Honda saved in motor mods it invested wisely in suspension and chassis setup. And as we reported last month in our stock bike comparison, the setup of the suspension was the weakest link in a very strong stock CRF-X. The bike's Precision Concepts suspenders were more than capable of tackling the gamut of off-road obstacles. The bike wasn't the fastest, but thanks to its great handling, you could easily go the fastest on it. Improving upon the confidence-inspiring suspension was a great control layout, featuring a BRP top triple clamp and bar mount setup complete with a Scotts stabilizer and a Renthal Twinwall bar. The ergonomics and geometry of this array took the stock, heavy-steering feel out of the CRF-X and replaced it with a precise, agile and planted feel. It's perfect.
Battling the rocks and sticks of the off-road world is a skid plate's job, and this Honda had a great one. It's a new unit built by Hyde Racing, and we think we'll be seeing a lot of it in the future. It's composite, so it won't affect the flex of the bike's frame and it's definitely tough. Also, a BRP chain-guide block, SealSavers and Acerbis Uniko hand guards were on board to keep other nasties from ruining our riding day (and night).