Yoshimura's 2013 Honda CRF450 bike test is significant for several reasons. Let us count the ways. (1) The 450 four-stroke with the most updates for 2013, the Honda CRF450 has received considerable attention from consumers and, in turn,… Read More...
When it comes to building or rebuilding a Honda CRF450 , the MXA wrecking crew has several options. First, we could go with OEM-spec engine parts for a freshly rebuilt 450cc engine. This is the most common rebuild, and it breathes new life… Read More...
Would you be surprised if we told you that aside from the top-tier racers on the professional circuit, the most tricked-out bikes on the planet can be found on the starting line of the Over-40 and Over-50 Intermediate classes? It shouldn?t.… Read More...
The MXA wrecking crew has a unique relationship with Ricky Carmichael. We have tested more of Carmichael's race bikes than anyone, except for Ricky himself. It was 17 years ago that we began riding Ricky's race bikes, starting with his… Read More...
It's easy to think that Cylinder Works is pandering to cheaters with their line of big-bore engine kits. There is no doubt that cheaters are drawn to what Cylinder Works has to offer, but, in truth, most big-bore engine kits go to riders… Read More...
The last 250 Nationals of 2012 marked the end of a chapter in motocross lore. Justin Barcia, the wild child known for his long blonde locks and aggressive riding style, moved up to the 450 class full-time following the outdoor series… Read More...
WHAT IS IT? The Shorai battery is 33 ounces lighter than the stock KTM Yuasa YTX battery. It uses lithium iron phosphate technology, instead of the traditional lead-acid construction. The recommended Shorai battery for a KTM motocross… Read More...
FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2013 SUZUKI RM-Z450 BETTER THAN THE 2012 RM-Z450? A: Yes and no. First of all, it would be hard not to be, given that the 2012 Suzuki RM-Z450 was really the 2011 RM-Z450 with a red stripe on the seat cover. So,… Read More...
There were times in the 2011 AMA Motocross National Championship series when fans had to scratch their heads and wonder if Pro Circuit team manager Mitch Payton possessed some kind of motocross clairvoyance. His riders swept every step of… Read More...
FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2013 RM-Z250 BETTER THAN THE 2012 RM-Z250? A: To be precise, a better question would be ?Is the 2013 RM-Z250 better than the 2011 RM-Z250.? Why? Suzuki didn?t make any major changes to the RM-Z250 in 2012. Aside… Read More...
FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2013 HONDA CRF250 BETTER THAN THE 2012 CRF250? A: Yes. There is, however, a caveat. It is by no means the best CRF250 ever built (we still have fond memories of the carbureted 2009 model), but it's the most… Read More...
Q: IS THE BETTER THAN THE 2012 MODEL? A: Yes, but we?re splitting hairs here. It's nearly identical to last year's bike. If our feet were held to the fire and we were forced to say yea or nay, then Husqvarna did enough miniscule… Read More...
IS THE 2013 YZ250F BETTER THAN THE 2012 YZ250F? A: No! Is it worse? No. The 2013 Yamaha YZ250F is the same bike as last year, aside from the graphics, black handlebars and a white rear fender. It is, much like Dolly the sheep, a clone of… Read More...
FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2013 KX250F BETTER THAN THE 2012 KAWASAKI KX250F? A: Yes! Last year the KX250F romped the competition in the MXA 250 four-stroke shootout. To say that the 2013 model is superior doesn?t bode well for other… Read More...
Q: FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2013 KTM 250SXF BETTER THAN THE 2012 KTM 250SXF? A: It would be hard-pressed not to be, because the 2012 KTM 250SXF was the slowest and heaviest 250 four-stroke made in 2012. Q: WHAT HAPPENED BETWEEN THE… Read More...
The 2013 model-year season is in full bloom. Everyone has been talking about the 2013 Honda CRF450, but the 2013 CRF250 has been low-key (even though it is joined by the street-legal CRF250L and the electric-start, automatic-clutch CRF110F… Read More...
When wanted to ride Ryan Dungey's KTM 450SXF works bike we had a plan. It was a simple plan. We called KTM team manager Roger DeCoster and asked if he would give us Dungey's bike. Roger asked, ?When would you like it? What track do you want… Read More...
By John Basher With age comes wisdom, and clarity is not far behind. Not to sound dour, but the race of life will be over for all of us sooner rather than later?which is why, at the ripe old age of 30, I wanted to expand my horizons in… Read More...
It is often said that the only difference between funding a race team and throwing money in a bonfire is that you?ll actually stay warm if you burn the money. That comparison isn?t far off. Fielding a professional motocross race team is a… Read More...
From the new frame and the second generation of the polyamide subframe to the new bodywork and new WP closed-cartridge fork with patented four-chamber technology, no stone remains unturned when it comes to the chassis. The new double-cradle… Read More...
Daryl Ecklund (left) and Kurt Caselli go front end high in tandem fashion. By John Basher When it comes to working at MXA there are good days, and then there are great days. Yesterday fell into the latter category. Why?… Read More...
The big three of the hop-up world are pipes, cams and pistons?this trinity of parts compromises a major portion of every serious race program. The question is, what does does each piece of the hop-up puzzle bring to the overall picture? The… Read More...
The 2013 Honda CRF450. FLYING INTO THE UNKNOWN By John Basher In my tenure at Motocross Action magazine, I?ve never been a part of such a secret operation as what Honda planned last week. I felt like I was told the… Read More...
This story is much more about an engine than about the bike itself. More specifically, it is about the trend that this engine represents. KTM's 2012 250SXF engine is an advanced, 248.6cc, water-cooled and fuel-injected mechanical marvel. It… Read More...
We wouldn?t be telling tales out of school to say that Suzuki has pressed the pause button as of late when it comes to motocross development. Maybe it's just us, but we can?t help but feel that Suzuki is coasting because of poor sales for… Read More...
Unless you have been living in a bomb shelter awaiting nuclear destruction, you know that MXA doesn?t see eye to eye with the AMA. Perhaps that's an understatement. In fact, MXA finds the AMA bureaucracy to be devoid of structure or… Read More...
2013 SUZUKI RM-Z450 For 2013, the RM-Z450 is also redesigned to give riders an even greater edge. Its powerful, four-stroke liquid-cooled four-valve engine features updates including a new lighter piston, revised piston pin and… Read More...
2013 KX250F AT A GLANCE? Upgraded Showa Separate Function Fork (SFF) provides more progressive damping force and features larger-diameter 48mm inner fork tubes for improved rigidity and less stiction.… Read More...
2013 Yamaha YZ250F: If you were expecting an all-new fuel-injected 250cc four-stroke engine, join the club. One thing we do know, the 39mm Keihin-carbureted YZ250F runs better than several EFI 250's from the other brands. 2013 Yamaha… Read More...