If you're anything like me, you can't stand people who make things look easy. By the end of the 2008 EnduroCross series, I knew firsthand just how challenging EX can be, but I still watched in absolute awe as the top racers flowed effortlessly around the track. Heroes like Damon Huffman and eventual EX champion Ricky Dietrich make riding the impossible look as painless as sauntering out to the mailbox. The Monster Energy Kawasaki EnduroCross boys could tackle the most difficult tracks on Earth with ease, and I've always wondered what it is that makes them so good. Since these riders have two arms and two legs (the same as me), I decided that it's got to be the bikes they ride that work most of the magic.
At the 2008 Las Vegas EnduroCross final, I got the rare chance to test one of the magic green steeds. Kawasaki honcho Jason Smigel offered me the team's backup bike to race in the four-stroke class, and I immediately said yes. These machines are bad to the bone, and the abundance of trick goodies is enough to make one's head spin. However, the cat's finest meow is the alteration listed only as "motor modifications." In Kawi-speak this means, "We don't want to tell the other guys what's in our bikes," but in truth this refers to 280cc of power that the Team Green EnduroCross squad uses to dominate rocks. And guess what? It works.
On the track, Kawasaki's "motor modifications" are strong off idle with loads of steady torque. A quick throttle blip produces enough grunt to wheelie over logs, muscle out of a rock-hole or get the jump onto and over a large tractor tire. An outstanding mid powers into a solid top-end, although I didn't use much overrev on the tight Vegas course. Given my inherently slower-than-Dietrich qualities, I rode the bike in the midrange and felt perfectly comfortable. Both first- and second-gear starts were possible, and the gearing was perfect for the tight course. Perhaps most noticeable of all the engine's traits was the fact that it started very easily when hot. I didn't have the easiest time getting it lit cold, but one smooth kick could fire the KX-F up from a stall on the track.
The handling and overall feel of factory bikes is typically nice and tight, and this machine is no exception. Perfect controls and strong, predictable brakes lead to an immediate feeling of comfort, and I felt right at home with everything from the GPR stabilizer to the quick-adjust clutch. And, of course, this bike comes armored to the hilt in order to survive the rigors of EX. Suspensionwise, the fork took hard hits and big drops like a champ, and Team Green hero Destry Abbott was kind enough to help me dial in the shock to an effective rebound speed (thanks, big guy). Overall, the Team Green bike felt balanced and stable and even with the abundance of armor the handling remained 250F-nimble. In the end, my results were unimpressive and my lap times were mediocre at best. All me. The bike, however, was awesome, and was clearly purpose-built for these insanely tough races. I left the track truly impressed with the KX-F's hush-hush motor mods and even more pleased with how Team Green was able to turn a solid motocross bike into an outstanding off-road weapon. Did the bike make my EnduroCross experience look easy? Hardly. It certainly gave me an advantage, but this stuff is a lot harder than it looks!
Hungry for some EnduroCross race action? The 2009 season spans six rounds all over the U.S., so there is no reason not to get in on the action! Whether you want to attend as a spectator or as a participant, tickets and entries are available online, along with a wealth of information regarding the series. For more, log on to www.endurocross.com.
2009 AMA/ Geico EnduroCross Presented by E3 Spark Plugs Schedule:
Las Vegas, NV - July 25
Guthrie, OK - August 15
Florence, SC - September 12
Columbus, OH - October 3
Denver, CO - October 24
Las Vegas, NV - November 21