MXA’S WEEKEND NEWS ROUND-UP: THE BLACKEST DAY OF THE YEAR COULD BE GOOD NEWS

MXA PHOTO OF THE WEEK: HOW GOOD WAS THE RM500E?

The coolest thing about this photo isn’t the 1984 Suzuki RM500E, it is the monochromatic gear that test rider Lance Moorewood is wearing. Yellow helmet, jersey, gloves, goggles, pants and boots were the look back then (fueled by Johnny O’Mara’s all-white look). As for the RM500E, it was an improved version of the 1983-84 model. What did MXA say about it? “There is no joy in Mudville for the 1984 Suzuki RM500 because a blind man could fix this bike, even if his white can got stuck in the forkss. Suzuki chose not to put the 500 engine in the new 1984 frame, breathe on the engine a touch or toss in an extra gear. It’s a shame, but Mighty Suzuki has struck out with a bike that has all the makings of a great bike.”

MOTOOLS BLACK FRIDAY & CYBER MONDAY SALE

Mototool, maker of the Slacker V2 Digital Sag Scale, is offering 20% off from Friday through Monday. For more info go to www.motool.co.

WORKS CONNECTION BLACK FRIDAY SALE

Works Connection is offering 30% off. Discount applies to online orders only. Use the code “BLACKFRIDAY18.” Works Connections Black Friday sale is on Friday, Nov 23 only (from 12:00 a.m. – 11:59 p.m. Pacific time). For more info go to www.worksconnection.com.

WORKS CONNECTION BLACK FRIDAY SALE TODAY

Troy Lee Designs is offering 20% off on all bicycle and motorcycle spring 2018 gear. For more info go to www.troyleedesigns.com.

RIDE ENGINEERING BLACK FRIDAY & CYBER MONDAY SALE

Ride Engineering is offer 30% off on all items in stock from Wednesday, Nov 21 at 5:00 p.m. to Midnight on Monday, Nov. 26. Use coupon code BLACK-30. For more info go to www.ride-engineering.com

PRO CIRCUIT BLACK FRIDAY SALE

For more information on their 25% off offers for Friday Nov, 23 (from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pacific time) to go to www.procircuit.com.

6D HELMETS BLACK FRIDAY SALE

6D is offering a wide range of helmets at very large discounts. For more info go to www.6dhelmets.com

THIS WEEK’S BIRTHDAY BOYS: STEFAN, GARETH & RC

Nov. 23…Joel Robert 1943
Nov. 23…Mike Katin
Nov. 24…Joel Albrecht 1972

Nov. 24…Gareth Swanepoel 1984
Nov. 25…Michael LaPaglia

Nov. 25…Stefan Everts 1972
Nov. 25…Zach Bell 1994
Nov. 26…Travis Hodges 1971

Nov. 26…Steve Boniface 1982
Nov. 26…Kyle Partridge 1986

Nov. 26…Marty Smith 1956
Nov. 26…Travis Hodges 1971
Nov. 27…Karsten Butler

Nov. 27…Ricky Carmichael 1979
Nov. 27…Casey Lytle 1978
Nov. 27…Brent Brown

Nov. 28…Andrew Short 1982

Nov. 28…Jeremy van Horebeek 1989

Nov. 28…John Rice 1935
Nov. 29…Brandon Butler
Nov. 30…Jacob Saylor

MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: ENZO/DRC HIGH-SPEED COMPRESSION ADJUSTER

This simple tool makes adjusting your high-speed compression clicker easier. It slips onto the 17mm nut and allow for quick adjustments without having to squeeze an open-end wrench in the tight confines. It is available for both 14mm and 17mm adjuster size.

The retail price is $52.95 at www.enzoracing.com or www.drcproducts.com.

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS VAL TAMIETTI?

Val hanging out with his new best friend — the TV remote control.

The former CMC number one from Saddleback Park was involved in a crash at REM when he came up on a couple lappers who moved over on him. Val broke his tib/fib—the same ones that he broke years ago and had plated. He spend a couple days in the hospital while his doctors tried to decided whether to rod it, replate it or just cast it. In the end, the Doc decided that metal was out of the question and Val ended up with a full leg cast. The good news? He found the TV remote control.

3PALMS MOTO GAMES ON NOV. 24-25 IN CONROE, TEXAS

For more information (although they seemed to have squeezed everything short of “War and Peace” into their poster) go to www.3palmsasp.com

JOIN MXA’S FLIPBOARD PAGE

If you use Flipboard make sure to subscribe to the Motocross Action page for all the updates on our website. Click HERE to check out the page.

6TH ANNUAL KURT CASELLI RIDE DAY ON DEC. 1 AT PALA

For more information go to www.kurtcasell.com

MXA TEAM TESTED: NEKEN SFH HANDLEBARS & SPECIAL ULTRA-THICK GRIPS

Neken first showed MXA its air-suspended SFS (Smooth Feeling Suspension) triple clamp and a prototype of the Neken SFH (Smooth Feeling Handlebar) handlebar way back in 2013; however, the SFH handlebar was back-burnered as Neken focused on marketing the air-suspended triple clamp. Now, five years later, Neken is releasing its innovative handlebar idea. It is similar to the minicycle-focused Pro Taper Micro-Bar, but in reverse. Since both bars were developed at the same time, neither party seems to have borrowed the idea from the other, as evidenced by their different approaches. Unlike the Mirco-Bar, which allows the grips to be smaller, Neken wants to make the grips bigger—or, more accurately, “thicker without changing the outer dimensions.” The Neken SFH handlebars are standard 1-1/8-inch (25.4mm) oversize handlebars that taper gradually down to 22mm (7/8-inch) and then, in the last 6 inches, to 18mm (5/8-inch). In effect, the SFH bars are 5mm smaller in the clutch and throttle sections than on a normal handlebar. But, rather than use the extra 5mm to downsize the grips for small hands, Neken makes its full-size adult grip 4mm thicker. That is double the thickness of a normal grip.

Doubling the thickness means the extra cushion of Kraton rubber offers a grippier surface and softer feel while reducing vibration from the engine and suspension. Every MXA test rider was skeptical of the tapered handlebar ends and cushy grips, but once on the track their doubts went away. Although double in thickness, the Neken half-waffle grips have the exact same outer diameter as a normal grip. The grips themselves were ultra-soft and plush. Test riders reported a reduction in vibration, more comfort and less hand fatigue. Additionally, the strength of the handlebar was not compromised by the smaller ends, because the load on a handlebar is closer to the bar mounts, not the bar ends.If you own a bike with a bolt-on grip, you should understand that the plastic sleeve that slips on your handlebars takes up grip space. Thus, the thinnest and hardest grips will always be found with a bolt-on grip. The grip’s rubber can be as thin as 1mm. A regular-size glue-on grip could be as much as twice the thickness of a bolt-on grip (because it doesn’t have the plastic sleeve on the clutch side–there’s no way to get around the plastic sleeve on the throttle side). Thus, glue-on grips are thicker and softer on your hands (without either one of them changing their outside diameters).DIGITS: $108.95 (bars), $21.95 (grips)—www.nekenusa.com or your local dealer.

MXA RATING: It is easy to think of the SFH handlebar as a handlebar design, but it is really all about the grips. If your hands suffer from blisters, fatigue, vibration or comfort issues, the Neken SFH bars are for you. They smooth out the rough spots.

ROBBY GORDON’S OFF-ROAD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ON NOV.30-DEC. 1

$20,000 to the winner of the 450 class and $7500 to the winner of the 250 class. For more info go to www.stadiumsupertrucks.com

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VINTAGE 125 “MASTERS OF MOMENTUM “CHALLENGE SERIES

The “Masters of Momentum” is a vintage 125cc Challenge Series that will start in 2019. The classes are Vintage (1975 and older) and Post Vintage (1976 to 1983). The bikes must be air-cooled with drum brakes only. It’s about time that you bought that 1976 CR125 you always wanted. For more information about Old School Scrambles Racing Group 125 class go to www.OldSchoolScramblesRacing.com

MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: REX SPEC DOG GOGGLES

Whether your dog has an eye condition, is a hunting dog who runs through brambles or you just want to take him for a ride on your street bike, Rex Specs will protect your pup’s eyes so he can focus on the road. They have fully adjustable dynamic straps that keep the goggles in place and secure, while the spherical single lens design provides a comfortable fit and unobstructed field of view.

Rex Specs provide reliable eye protection from debris, road hazards and harmful UVA/UVB rays. They are available in multiple sizes to fit a wide range of dogs, from feisty bulldogs to adventurous danes. The retail price is $79.95 at www.rexspecs.com

TALK MOTO WITH ON MXA’S FACEBOOK GROUP CHAT

We love everything moto and want to bring all moto junkies together into one place to share their two cents, ideas, photos, bike fixes, bike problems and much more. To check it out first you must need to or already have a Facebook account. If you don’t, it isn’t much work and you could even have an alias so nobody knows it is you. To join click HERE. After you request to join we will accept your request shortly after.

KYLE YARNELL MEMORIAL TEAM RACE AT GLEN HELEN ON DEC. 16

In memeory of Kyle Yarnell a special Team Race will be held at 2:00 p.m. on December 16, 2018, to benefit the recovery of a rider injured at Glen Helen this summer. For more info go to www.glenhelen.com.

MXA’S FIRST RIDE: 2019 TM 300MX TWO-STROKE

SUBSCRIBE TO MXA & GET A $25 CHAPARRAL GIFT CARD—YOU MAKE A PROFIT BY READING MXA

If you had subscribed to Motocross Action, the December 2018 issue of MXA have been in your mailbox, computer or iPhone for quite some time already. This is the 2019 MXA 450 Shootout issue. It is jam-packed with facts and data that will allow you to choose which bike is best for you — and if your confused, we tell you which bike was the best for us. Plus, we test the 2019 Kawasaki KX250, 2019 KTM 250SX two-stroke and fly to Japan to ride the 2019 Suzuki RM-Z250. Plus much, much more.

Do you subscribe to MXA? You should. We know that you think that print magazines are dead and that the internet will fill the void, but most of the stuff in the current issue of MXA won’t appear on the web for several months, if at all. Luckily, you can get all of MXA on your iPhone, iPad, Kindle or Android by going to the Apple Store, Amazon or Google Play or in a digital version. Even better you can subscribe to Motocross Action and get a $25 Chaparral gift card to spend on whatever motorcycle parts or products you need. You can call (800) 767-0345 or go to www.hi-torque.com/product/motocross-action or click on the box at the bottom of this page.

MXA AD OF THE WEEK: THE BILLBOARD 1981 KWACKERS

Do you remember the1981 Kawasakis? How could you forget the giant front number plate. Don’t blame Kawasaki, the AMA decided to mandate larger front number plates in 1981 and the manufacturers responded. Later the rule was changed because riders were getting hurt on the sharp corners of the jumbo-size plates.

SRA SPARKS OF LOVE CHARITY RACE AND TOY DRIVE ON DEC. 16 AT GLEN HELEN

For more info go www.sragp.com

2019 MOTOCROSS ACTION 450 SHOOTOUT VIDEO

2019 RACE SCHEDULE: FOR THOSE WHO CAN’T WAIT UNTIL JANUARY

Jason Anderson will be at Anaheim Stadium on January 5, 2019, to start his Supercross title defense.

2019 AMA SUPERCROSS SERIES
Jan. 5…………………………….Anaheim, CA
Jan. 12………………………….Glendale, AZ
Jan. 19………………………….Anaheim, CA (3-moto race)
Jan. 26………………………….Oakland, CA
Feb. 2……………………………San Diego, CA
Feb. 9…………………………..Minneapolis, MN
Feb. 16………………………….Arlington, TX
Feb. 23………………………….Detroit, MI (3-moto race)
Mar. 2……………………………Atlanta, GA (250 E/W Shootout)
Mar. 9……………………………Daytona Beach, FL
Mar. 16………………………….Indianapolis, IN
Mar. 23………………………….Seattle, WA
Mar. 30………………………….Houston, TX (3-moto race)
Apr. 6……………………………Nashville, TN
Apr. 13………………………….Denver, CO
Apr. 27………………………….East Rutherford, NJ
May 4……………………………Las Vegas, NV (250 E/W Shootout)

2019 AMA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
May 18……………………Hangtown, CA
May 25.…………………..Glen Helen, CA
June 1..………………….Thunder Valley, CO
June 15..…………………Mt. Morris, PA
June 22.………………….Jacksonville. FL
June 29..…………………Southwick, MA
July 6.…………………….Red Bud, MI​
July 20.…………………..Millville, MN​
July 27.…………………..Washougal, WA
Aug. 10..………………….Unadilla, NY​
Aug. 17..………………….​Budds Creek, MD
Aug. 24.…………………..Crawfordsville, IN

2019 FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Mar. 10……………………………TBA
Mar. 24……………………………England
Mar. 31……………………………Holland
Apr. 7……………………………..Italy #1
Apr. 21……………………………Hong Kong
May 1……………………………..Shanghai
May 12……………………………Italy #2
May 26……………………………France
June 9…………………………….Russia
June 16…………………………..Latvia
June 23…………………………..Germany
July 7……………………………..Indonesia #1
July 14……………………………Indonesia #2
July 28……………………………Czech Republic
Aug. 4…………………………….Belgium
Aug. 18…………………………..Switzerland
Aug. 25…………………………..Sweden
Sept. 8……………………………Turkey
Sept. 22………………………….Italy #3

2019 MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS
Sept. 29…………………………….Assen, Holland

2019 AMA NATIONAL AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
July 29-Aug. 3………………….Loretta Lynn, TN

2019 BRITISH ARENACROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Jan. 18-19………………………….Belfast, Irl
Feb. 1-2……………………………..Birmingham, GB
Feb. 15-6…………………………..Sheffield, GB

RYAN VILLOPOTO AMATEUR MOTOCROSS CUP
Aug. 22-25………………………..Grays Harbor, WA

2019 AMA VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE DAYS
July 5-7…………………………….Lexington, Ohio

2019 GERMAN MX MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP
April 14……………………………..Princely Drehna
June 2………………………………Moggers, Austria
June 30…………………………….Molln
July 21……………………………..Tens
Aug. 11…………………………….Gaildorf
Sept. 1……………………………..Biel
Sept. 15……………………………Wood Gerlingen

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SAVE THE DATE! THE LAST RACES OF THE 2018 MOTOCROSS SEASON

REM will hold four straight races in December starting on December 8 and ending on December 29. For more info go to www.remsatmx.com.

2018 ROBBY GORDON OFF-ROAD CHAMPIONSHIP
Dec.1-2………………………..Glen Helen, CA

2018 REM GLEN HELEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Dec. 8……………….……Glen Helen, CA
Dec. 15……………………Glen Helen, CA
Dec. 22……………………Glen Helen, CA
Dec. 29…………..…….…Glen Helen, CA

2018 KYLE YARNELL MEMORIAL TEAM RACE
Dec. 16……………….…Glen Helen, CA

Photos: Debbi Tamietti, Jon Ortner, Ketchup Cox, Brian Converse, Jody Weisel, Travis Fant, Daryl Ecklund, MXA, MXGP