Answer Racing
Ion Retro gear
www.answerracing.com
951.736.5369
This cool retro gear that you may have seen Ryan Dungey running this year is available to anyone with $119.95 for the pant, $39.95 for the jersey, and $24.95 for the glove.

Leo Vince
X3 94db MX Full-Ti System with Carbon End Cap
www.LeoVinceUSA.com
888.610.4242
This quiet MX exhaust is tested at 94db. Maybe if your bike is quiet the guy in second won't be so motivated to get past you. $899.00.

Called Out By a Gamer!
One day I was bored. I decided to look through my massive pile of DR Mags (dating back to 2005) when I stumbled across the May 2008 issue of Mini Rider. As I flipped through the pages, I found an MX vs. ATV Untamed review by Chris Denison. I was shocked to find that he didn't like it! He said (quote): "upon completion of the last (and most frustrating) challenge, I was surprised to see... nothing." Two things. First, just because after the finishing the game it doesn't say "Good Job!" doesn't make it a bad game. Remember, riding is about riding, not the reward. I happen to love the game. It has some new vehicles. The new, more realistic tricks (including barhop, side saddle, and no footer landers) go great with the super realistic graphics. The new race mode (Endurocross) is awesome, especially with up to 12 riders in a race! You can also scrub/whip now. And to tie it all together, there are awesome realistic crashes.

If you're a motorcycle rider, then more than likely you work on your ride. Some guys do it out of a rusty, old two-drawer toolbox inherited from Dad, a mismatch of metric and SAE sockets with a rusty crescent wrench to the rescue in the tough times all in a tin can of a dirt-floored outdoor shed to match. But there's nothing sweeter than having the right tools, the right space and the proper setup to make an official zone for bike chores, the man corner in your moto world.

From The Editor
There are two questions I get asked a lot, both the same question asked by totally different groups of people.

Bench Rider
I was reading my new Dirt Rider mag last night and was very interested in the Dream Shop section. One of your guys had a "Bike Bench" in his garage that he built with some plans submitted by a reader. Where could I find those plans?
Dave Kopczynski
Ellensburg, WA

Team San Manuel Yamaha adds AMA Supercross, AMA Motocross National, and World Supercross GP Champion James Stewart to the championship winning private team.

Fox Racing
V-3 SE Print Helmet
www.foxracing.com
This cool helmet from Fox will set you back $375.00, but set you ahead of your riding buddies in style.

In the November issue we basically had a national caliber MX race bike built with some trick, yet readily available equipment. The motor is explained mostly in the magazine but here is a deeper explanation of the MX Tech Suspension and the polishing process of a lot of the motor internals.

The Fitness Guru speaks!

Thor
Illusion Force Protector
www.thormx.com
This new $189.95 chest protector had us hypnotized with its wild, psychedelic graphics. We couldn't stop staring at it!

T.M. Designworks
Rear Disc Protector
www.tmdesignworks.com
541.535.1612
This simple $79.95 item looks like a great idea. All the protection without the fear of hving your disc protector tear the tabs off your swingarm. Look for us to start DR Testing this as soon as our weekly meeting is over.

Long-Winded, Dual Purpose

2009 Honda
Just when you start to think that the "other guys" have Honda in their sights, the Red guys drop a bomb. Now that every player in the 450cc class has a new four-stroke model at least a second generation model, they should be getting closer. The problem, as we have said before, is that when the shots started hitting to close for comfort, Honda moves the target. Of course, we haven't ridden the bike yet, but on the strength of the specs and obvious changes as well as accounts we've heard from those who have ridden the bike, the target the competition was shooting at is gone. The 2009 Honda CRF450R definitely looks like the new measuring stick. Like the Suzuki and the Kawasaki 450s, the Honda is fuel-injected, but the induction system is only a small percentage of the changes to a bike that resembles none of the preceding models. Enormous effort has been expended to lighten the bike and centralize mass, and it just looks plain radical. We can't wait to ride it!

Screwed?
Help me, please! I am 17 years old and was ranked 8th in District 25's C class in Colorado. I was going to move up to the B class until I had a bad crash: I broke my right leg in three places, spent two weeks in the hospital, had a four hour surgery and now have 23 screws in my leg. Now, I need advice on how to stay in racing condition and to not to end up like a couch blimp. I am non-weight bearing on my leg for 12 to 16 weeks. Is there anything that I can do to prepare for next season?
Jonathan Mosher
Fairplay, Co

Since Kawasaki built a Lites class four-stroke in 2004, only one bike has beat it for a national motocross championship: a Kawasaki KX125 with James Stewart in the saddle. In addition, the KX250F has won the lion's share of Lites SX championships as well. But Kawasaki didn't take that success as an excuse to rest on laurels. Instead Kawasaki engineers came up with an all-new KX250F for 2009. Starting with a new frame and swingarm, supported by enhanced suspension and powered by a new engine, the KX250F is a technical tour de force. For those who can't get enough of the nitty gritty of the technical side of MX, here is the detailed information that Kawasaki supplied to the press. It outlines every millimeter of change found in the '09 KX250F. Included in the KX250F Showa fork upgrades is a Lites-class first: titanium coated inner tubes.
This dark navy blue coating not only decreases stiction, but also provides a super-hard
surface to help prevent scratches and damage to the tubes.
The chassis is also major news, and is responsible for the KX250F's slimmer feel. A blend of forged, extruded and cast parts, the new frame uses fewer parts and gussets, is 2.2 lbs lighter than the 2008 model and is designed to provide enhanced stability with a better rigidity balance and improved drive from the rear tire. The main frame spars were reshaped and provide a 6mm narrower overall profile at the rider's knees. A new manufacturing process and downtube design shed weight, and work in harmony with relocated engine mounts to improve rigidity balance.
Working in conjunction with the frame revisions is a new aluminum swingarm now pivoting from a higher position on the frame for improved traction. It is a lighter, more tapered design with a "D" profile and a new cross bracket. A longer rear suspension stroke, and thus more precise rear suspension tuning, was achieved by mounting the suspension arm of the Uni-Trak(r) rear suspension system below the swingarm.
In addition to giving the KX250F a stunning new look; the completely revised bodywork was designed with rider comfort and ergonomics in mind. Offering the rider an even slimmer interface with natural positioning makes it easier for racers to stay relaxed and in control. Ergonomic enhancements include improved feel from the wider 50mm footpegs, a slimmer new seat design with firmer urethane foam, a non-slip top surface and smooth sides provides good seated grip and excellent rider mobility.

Fox Racing
Main and Main Pro goggle
www.foxracing.com
Fox showed off it's new $40.00 to $65.00 Main and Main Pro goggle. One has the crowbar style strap fitment, the other is more traditional, and both feel soft and comfy on your face.

Thor
Force SuperLight Helmet
www.thormx.com
Thor's found a way to save shipping costs on their helmets - make a superlight one. Just $374.95 to get the weight of the world (or at least a heavy helmet) off your shoulders.

During last year I got the opportunity to read the buck twenty-five article.

Scott
Voltage ProAir goggle
www.scottusa.com
800.292.5874
We just got a hold of these all-new $64.95 to $69.95 Scott goggles and they look cool.
Watch for a DR Tested on these new peeper protectors.

As I reflect back on this past weekend, the deep sand of Belgium delivered all the expected drama that began for me 27 years ago. Lommel was the third and final round of the Veterans World MX Cup for 2008. April rains in Spain created a quagmire mud fest to begin the series giving way to the realization that I had lost some of the mud skills honed from countless laps in the liquid sunshine of Oregon. Mallory Park in the UK provided an all-new track to challenge my rusty jumping skills for race 2 in early June.

A Kinder, Gentler Letter

Keeping it Stock
Jimmy, in last year's BOTY issue (June 2007) you had a section titled 'Staff Picks'. I could not believe it when I read that your 'Favorite bike ever' was your '97 XR400R. I have a XR400R also and would like to know what mods you have tried. (Just like yours, mine has not lost a drop of water either - no matter how hard I biff it.)
Daniel A
Prosser WA

I wanted to take a minute and give you guys props on a fine mag. Most of the other publications are as thick as the old school World Book Encyclopedia but are nothing more than catalogs of advertisements from companies I have little or no interest in. I am usually disappointed to find there is little to no useful information contained therein. Not so with Dirt Rider, you guys feature what I, the consumer, feel is the most import unbiased bit of information you can arm yourself with when going to purchase your latest and greatest 2 wheel dirt slinging $7000 wonder - the Long Haul report. I have included a pic of my bike that I purchased after following your long haul report, an 06 KXF450 that I bought new in January 07. I paid about what people were asking on a used 450 for a brand new bike. I would have normally never considered a first year all-new bike, but after reading the long haul report I was sold. It has been a great bike for me. I have made every modification you guys recommended, from the Leo Vince full Ti system, K&N filter, pro circuit link and the Fasst Company bars. I even tightened up the handling after reading the New Bike for $1500 article with the '08 motor mount, and man did that make a difference. So thanks guys and keep up the good work. Oh and by the way that sweet Thor Pro Circuit gear (Letter Rip prize May 2008) would just happen to be a perfect match.
pant size 38, jersey xl, gloves xl
Johnny Walker
Houston TX 77076