There’s a saying: Better late than never. And we say: Better watch out for the late ones because they get to see what they’re up against. Honda did it to Yamaha in the four-stroke MX wars, and now Suzuki is
On the track and in the showroom, 450cc four-stroke motocrossers are the biggest and baddest roost-throwing holeshot magnets you can run. That distinction once belonged to 500cc two-strokes, but there are good reasons why those bikes are extinct, except for
We need to answer the 125 question. Dirt Rider has seen signs that the class is drowning in the tidal wave of 250cc four-strokes, but are 125s really dead? Or dying? There are plenty of reasons we don’t think so.
The AMA has been breathing down KTM’s neck, ready to take serious action and remove points earned in the 125cc Supercross Series if these 250 SXFs weren’t in dealers showroom’s real soon. And now they’re here. At least the press
What would happen if we pitted the winners of each of Dirt Rider’s four 2005 motocross comparisons in a winner-take-all grudge match? If your riding buddy asked that question, it would be a benchracing pipe dream, but DR has the
What’s new on Big Red’s menu for ’06? Check out the first of Honda’s 2006 models to trickle in including the CRF450R, the CRF250X, and CR two-strokes. See what’s new, what’s not and how much it’s all going to cost.CRF250X
One of the first things a rider does to his or her new scoot is bolt on a new exhaust system. The stock exhaust systems on most of the new four-strokes are quite good since the manufacturers try endless variations
We’ve heard the same story from the Honda guys at two-stroke CR introductions for the past few years: “The new CRs have motor this year; look at all of these changes!” This was generally accompanied by: “Especially the 125! You
What’s the big news from Yamaha for 2006? An all-new YZ450F, limited edition 50th Anniversary graphics, S³ suspension and Yamaha’s continuing commitment to two-stroke development.The YZ450F received a complete overhaul this year with emphasis on improving its weight-feel and maneuverability.
At long last, the KX450F, along with an all-new KX250F, are in the green line up for next year. Kawasaki’s KX250 received a handful of valuable refinements, but sadly, its smaller KX sibling is missing—the KX125. It’s down to the
Could you just re-release the most dominant motocross bike of last year and have it stay ahead of the competition? By Honda’s decision to continue to improve the CRF450R, the answer is no. But how can you make such a
We didn’t expect to see so many changes on the 2006 RM250, but one look into the press kit showed it was more than just bold new graphics. Suzuki gave nearly everything a little tweaking, and not surprisingly, it was
Kawasaki supplied the 2005 KX250 with an extreme makeover, so 2006 is more like a return trip to the experts for maintenance. Kawasaki tuned up the makeover with a brighter look that includes blue accents. But the change-up is more
We’re not giving up on 125cc two-strokes and neither is Yamaha. For sure the 250cc four-stroke may have abolished the 125cc two-stroke at the highest levels of competition— not aided one bit by an AMA fuel rule—but for growing riders
When Jesse Ziegler and Joe Mckimmy returned back to the office after the KXF intro, they were babbling fools. No they hadn’t been out drinking after a lavish moto intro with Kawasaki at the secluded Castillo Ranch; they were punch-drunk
HILLSDALE, Mich., (Jan. 17, 2011) – Call
Dear Dirt Rider, I just finished the
Morgantown, W.Va. (January 10, 2010) – Swedish
HILLSDALE, Mich., (Dec. 21, 2010) – While
