MOTOCROSS ACTION MID-WEEK REPORT

#WHIPITWEDNESDAY Marvin Musquin 2019 Las Vegas Supercross-0512

Rider: Marvin Musquin
Bike: 2019 Factory KTM 450SXF
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Supercross
Photographer: Brian Converse
Lens: 300mm
F Stop: 4
ISO: 5600
Sutter speed: 1250

TWO-STROKE SPOTLIGHT: SCOTT BEARD’S 2007 HONDA CR250

2016-11-26-01-50-43Often it’s not about taking out a second mortgage to pay for your dream ride. Making smart decisions based off research makes sense. That’s exactly what Scott Beard did when building his 2007 Honda CR250. It has the creature comforts that Beard needs to get the job done, plus a bit of panache to stop looky-loos in their tracks. Scott’s bike build should be inspiring for any rider, regardless if they’re a two- or four-stroke nut.

“I picked this bike up four years ago after riding a buddy’s mint 2007 Honda CR250 he had just bought. I grew up a Suzuki guy and had just got done completely rebuilding a 2006 RM250. After riding his bike, the search began. I was much more comfortable on the Honda compared to the twitchy feel of the late-model Suzuki RM two-strokes. It took a year for me to find a low hour CR250 that hadn’t been abused. Through a friend I found one that had been sitting in a garage since 2007 and had maybe 20 hour on it. It was armored out for woods racing. I took it home and tore it down to the frame. I cleaned it, removed the braces and cages, and rebuilt it as best I could. The radiators were a little bent, so I sent them to ICW to have Brett work his magic. 

“The previous owner had already installed blue CV4 hoses, so I didn’t have to buy those. I took the Mikuni carburetor off and replaced it with a Keihin off of a 2004 Yamaha YZ250. I had read that the Mikuni could be finicky and the Keihin was easier to tune.  I’ve had no problems with the switch and have the jetting perfect for where I ride. I run VP T2 fuel. The bars were replaced with Renthal 997 Twinwalls, and they were fitted with Renthal Kevlar grips. I got rid of the cheap looking stock killswitch and replaced it with a Fly Racing killswitch. Twin Air is my air filter of choice. Once the stock drivetrain was worn out I replaced it with a Sunstar chain and sprockets, which I have been very impressed with. 

2016-11-26-01-52-41

“For power, I installed a Wiseco GP top-end kit and added a Pro Circuit Shorty silencer to help boost the low end a little. I’ve read that the stock pipe is really good, so I decided to keep it on. I replaced the stock rear brake rotor with one off of a 2010 CRF250.  I think the Wave rotor looks better. The front rotor was replaced with a Galfer 270mm oversize kit. I’ve always liked white bikes, so I switched out all of the red plastic. I used all Cycra plastic, except for the shrouds and side plates. For those areas I used UFO. The front fender and Stadium plate for the 2013 and newer CRF450 are from Cycra. I like the updated look it gives the bike. I designed the graphics and the carbon fiber fork wraps. I loved the team Peak Honda’s, which is why I always go towards a blue and black color way. Cal Northrop at FTI Suspension handled the suspension revalve. He has always done great work for me. I had the stock hubs powder coated black. I bought the gold Excel rims from Privateer Connection in South Carolina and had them laced at Carolina Cycle Service in North Carolina. BUR Seat Covers, also out of North Carolina, made the awesome gripper seat cover in the color way I requested. 

“Even though this bike didn’t get good reviews when it was released, I’ve been very happy with it. I’ve kept the engine stock, because I like where the power is at. I have no other plans for the bike, except for some pretty parts. As my fitness fades with my youth, I’ve grown to appreciate a solid and planted feeling bike.”

Editors Note: Please keep those submissions coming. If you would like your bike to be featured in the “Two-Stroke Spotlight,” please email me at [email protected]. All I ask is that you give a breakdown of your bike and a detailed description of the build. Please also send a few photos of your steed. By submitting your bike for the “Two-Stroke Spotlight,” you agree to release all ownership rights to the images and copy to MXA.

MOTO | TRIVIA

Bob HANNAHName the rider. Answer at the bottom of the page.

ASK THE MXPERTS | THE VILLAGE IDIOT INCIDENT

MXPERTSvillageidiotThese are Travis Pastrana’s famous “Village Idiot” pants.

Dear MXA,
I’m always amazed by the things that MXA says about the AMA Supercross stars. I know sports reporting is a cruel business, but don’t the riders get mad when they are criticized? In the very first issue of MXA that I ever read back in 2002, MXA said that, “Travis Pastrana has finally managed to promote himself from factory rider to village idiot.” I knew then that being a motocross star was a tough gig.

We admit that the village idiot sobriquet was a little extreme, but there are two things you probably don’t remember: (1) MXA didn’t say it. It was in a letter to the editor criticizing Travis for jumping back and forth between motocross and freestyle. (2) Travis wasn’t insulted. He took the “village idiot” comment and played it up. He even had it printed on the back of his pants, raced in them and gave them to Jody as a present.

If you have a technical, political, emotion or historical question you want answered, send it to [email protected]

 

STRONG AND DURABLE ALUMINUM SKID PLATE FOR STACYC 12E & 16E BIKES

Stop the damage from your rider casing it or coming up short on the doubles! All kidding aside curbs, ditches and obstacles can do lots of damage to expensive batteries frame and bodywork. Hardline Products Skid Plate protects your STACYC bike’s Battery, frame and bodywork from curbs, punctures, scrapes and dents. It easily mounts with included hardware to stock bike floorboard or bikes with foot-pegs.

• Lasercut for precise fitment.
• CNC machined from 6061 T-6 Billet Aluminum.
• Fits any 12e or 16e STACYC® electric bike.
• CNC brake pressed for precision bends for that tailored fit.
• Protects battery but still allows for quick changes.
• Easy install – just remove two screws.
• Fits standard or large battery.
• Silver Finish
• Made in the USA.

Retail $34.99 ea.
Available Now! at your local dealer, e-commerce or hardlineproducts.com Contact Kevin Schulte
[email protected], 888-413-8315 phone.

2021 INSIDE THE PRO BIKES SERIES | TRY NOT TO DROOL









FORGOTTEN BIKES: 1998 YAMAHA YZ400F

1998 Yamaha YZ400

HAVE YOU SEEN THE OCTOBER 2021 ISSUE OF MXA? IT IS THE BEST DEAL IN THE SPORT!

The October 2021 issue of MXA is awesome—it includes a complete breakdown of every piece of the 2022 Honda CRF250 that has been changed, reconfigured or update to turn the Honda CRF250 around—thanks to a totally new engine, new injector angle, 44mm throttle body, dual spring intake valves, upside-down air filter and the long-awaited single-sided exhaust system. We did a full test of the bike we considered to be the best all-around motocross bike on the planet—even though it doesn’t really have its own class.

The 2022 Husqvarna FC350 is a thing of beauty to ride or race. Inside you will also find a fascinating interview with former 500 World Champion Graham Noyce, a provocative interview with Donnie Emler on the current state of the aftermarket and a quick spin on Damon Bradshaw’s 1990 Yamaha YZ250 works bike. Then, we know a guy, who knows a guy, who has the greatest collection of Italian TM Motorcycles in the world—and he agreed to not only tell us about them but to let us fondle, sit on and photograph every significant TM from 1977 to 2021. These bikes were raced by Alex Puzar, Trampas Parket, Tim Gajser, Jordi Tixier, Mattia Guadagnini and Pauls Jonass. All that and much much more. Subscribe today at Hi-Torque.com.

2022 SUPERCROSS SCHEDULE: YOU KNOW IT’S REAL BECAUSE THERE ARE 3 ANAHEIMS

CLASSIC PHOTO

Jody Weisel Lance Smail
MXA‘s Jody Weisel and Lance Smail back in the late 1990s.

Moto Trivia answer: Bob Hannah.
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