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THERE WILL BE A NEW SUZUKI IN 2018: FIRST PHOTO

This is Kevin Strijbos’ 2017 MXGP race bike for thr 2017 450 World Championship, but according to Suzuki it will also be the 2018 Suzuki production bike — minus the works suspension, Akrapovic pipe, Hinson clutch and carbon fiber bits.

MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: 2017 KX250F BILLET IGNITION COVER

Pro Circuit’s  2017 KX250F ignition cover is CNC-machined from aircraft-grade aluminum for strength and durability, then anodized for surface hardness and reduced wear. Give your bike a great new look with the Pro Circuit ignition cover. It is stronger than the stock cover, uses stock mounting hardware and looks great. The retail price is $359.95 (the Pro Circuit cover requires Pro Circuit’s engine plug kit, sold separately for $69.95). For more info go to www.procircuit.com

2017 WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIP COMING ON APRIL 15, 2017

For more info go to www.glenhelen.com

DETAILS ON THE 2017 MTA WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIP

MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: ZETA CASE SAVER WITH COVER

Zeta’s new case saver is made of durable, CNC-machined, 6061 aluminum, while the cover is constructed of A6061 laser-cut aluminum with a sand-blasted black anodized finish. Available in blue and red case saver colors, application available for all Japanese models. The retail price is $41.95. For more info click here.

HOW TO INSTALL AN ELECTRIC STARTER ON YOUR 2017 CRF450

WHAT’S LEFT OF THE 2017 SUPERCROSS SEASON: 13 RACES TO GO

2017 AMA SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Jan. 7…………………………Anaheim, CA
Jan. 14………………………San Diego, CA
Jan. 21………………………Anaheim, CA
Jan. 28………………………Glendale, AZ
Feb. 4……………………….Oakland, CA
Feb. 11………………………Arlington, TX
Feb. 18………………………Minneapolis, MN
Feb. 25………………………Atlanta, GA
Mar. 4………………………Toronto, ON
Mar. 11………………………Daytona, FL
Mar. 18………………………Indianapolis, IN
Mar. 25………………………Detroit, MI
Apr. 1…………………………St. Louis, MO
Apr. 8………………………..Seattle, WA
Apr 22……………………….Salt Lake City, UT

MARK MARCH 10-12 ON YOUR CALENDAR: WORCS WILL BE IN LAKE HAVASU

For more info go to www.worcsracing.com

MXA TEST DAY: THURSDAY AT GLEN HELEN WITH THE FACTORY EDITIONS

MXA has had to wait through SoCal’s rainy weather to get a nice calm day to start testing the 2017-1/2 KTM Factory Edition. This is the 250SXF-FE. Photo: Jon Ortner

KTM’s David O’Connor waits patiently to set the sag for MXA’s Dennis Stapleton. Photo: Jon Ortner

Once Dennis climbs on board, David O’Connor (left) mans the sag scale, while Tom Moen (right) steadies the bike to keep it from crashing in the pits. We saved the crashing for the track, where we broke a lever, twisted the bar mounts and ripped the grip. Photo: Jon Ortner

MXA’s Jody Weisel and KTM’s Tom Moen reminisce about the good old days when they spent every weekend at an AMA National or Supercrosses. Now, other people go in their place and they get to stay home and ride. Photo: Jon Ortner

While the KTM mechanics worked on the Factory Editions between test sessions, the riders sat quietly waiting their turn. Randel Fout, Justin Muscutt and Dennis Stapleton span the age gaps. Photo: Jon Ortner

Tom White (left) and Jim O’Neal (right) don’t notice that Jody (center) is measuring their sag. Photo: Jon Ortner

Jim O’Neal (127) and Tom White (80) renew a life-long battle. Tom won his World Vet Championship back in 1990 in the Over-40 class, while Jim won his in 2016 in the Over-70 class. Photo: Jon Ortner

MXA was running several tests at the same time on Thursday, while Dennis Stapleton, Justin Muscutt, Daryl Ecklund and Jon Ortner were dialing in the 2017-1/2 KTM Factory Editions, a second set of test riders were doing two-stroke testing on a KTM 150SX (shown here with Randel Fout in the saddle), a KTM 250SX with a special carb and a Husqvarna TX300 turned into a TC300 motocross bike. Photo: Jon Ortner

Tom White has had a storied career. He was an AMA Grad National dirt track who raced against Kenny Roberts and Mert Lawwill. He started the successful White Brother firm. He won the 1990 World Vet Motocross Championship. He was inducted into the AMA Hall of Fame in 2014. But, it all pales in comparison to his “Classic Iron” gig as MXA’s vintage editor. Photo: Jon Ortner

No photo is complete without someone photo bombing it. Here, Randel Fout poses serenely, while Dennis Stapleton jumps out of the back of his van. Photo: Jon Ortner

OAKLAND SUPERCROSS IS THREE HOURS EARLIER THIS WEEK

Check your local listing for times in your region because Oaland is essentially a day race. Additionally, be forewarned that Oakland will be on Fox Sports 2 on February 4. The only other Fox Sports 2 race is Daytona on March 11.

REM RETURNS TO ACTION IN THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY

For more info go to www.remsatmx.com.

CURRENT AMA SUPERCROSS POINTS STANDINGS HEADING TO OAKLAND

We won’t be confusing Dean Wilson (15) with Doug Dubach anymore. Good things come to those would wait —and Dean has been picked up the Rockstar Husqvarna factory team (and will be on a white brike from her eon out). Photo: Brian Converse

2017 AMA 450 SUPERCROSS POINTS STANDING
(After 4 if 17 events)
1. Ryan Dungey (KTM)…89
2. Marvin Musquin (KTM)…74
3. Cole Seely (Hon)…69
4. Eli Tomac (Kaw)…69
5. Davi Millsaps (KTM)…55
6. Ken Roczen (Hon)…51
7. Chad Reed (Yam)…49
8. Jason Anderson (Hus)…47
9. Josh Grant (Kaw)…46
10. Cooper Webb (Yam)…44

Jeremy Martin will sit out Oakland to recover from being hit by Tyler Bowers’ bike in Phoenix. Bowers will miss Oakland and the rest of the season with a broken leg. Photo: Brian Converse 

2017 AMA 250 WEST POINTS STANDINGS
1. Shane McElrath (KTM)…92
2. Justin Hill (Kaw)…88
3. Aaron Plessinger (Yam)…82
4. Martin Davalos (Hus)…70
5. Austin Forkner (Kaw)…67
6. Jimmy Decotis (Hon)…55
7. Dan Reardon (Yam)…47
8. Jeremy Martin (Hon)…40
9. Phil Nicoletti (Suz)…38
10. Josh Hansen (Hus)…37

SATURDAY NIGHT’S OAKLAND SUPERCROSS TRACK MAP

MXA HIT PARADE: SIDI CROSSFIRE 3 SR BOOT

“Sidi’ s Crossfire 3 SR has an all-new ankle pivot system with a ‘hard limit’ of foot/ankle hyperextension. The all-new dovetail sole has an innovative design and a new replacement system utilizing only four screws per boot compared to the previous 16. The sole design allows the rider’ s foot to rest deeper into the sole system, providing more protection where the boot meets the sole. Other features include a tighter seal with any knee brace, a removable arch support, a shock-resistant heel cup, and replaceable cam lock buckles. There are far too many other features to list.”— Motonation’s Jamie Lilly.
$595.00 — www.motonation.com or your local dealer.

MXA HIT PARADE: O’NEAL RACING HARDWEAR JAG GEAR

“The O’Neal Hardwear jersey has undergone a complete redesign for 2017. It’s the lightest and most technical Hardwear jersey ever. Utilizing our new ‘Pro-Lite’ performance fabric, we were able to drop the weight a remarkable 6 ounces! Additionally, all-over venting is a standard feature for those hot days. Larger hole, closed-cell venting on the cuffs and underarms allows air in and keeps dirt out. O’Neal’s Hardwear pant is lightweight without sacrificing unsurpassed durability.¬†With its 360-degree belt, accordion-style knees and leather heat shields, the Hardwear pant is loaded with features. Our new Jag graphic uses one pant color that matches four different jersey colorways. It’s a great way to stay looking fresh.—O’Neal Racing’s Marina Peters.
$169.99 (pant), $54.99 (jersey)—www.oneal.com or (800) 326-6325.

HOW IS YOUR TWITTER GAME GOING? UP IT BY FOLLOWING MXA

Follow us to see fresh content every day at www.twitter.com/MXAction or on twitter at “MXAction”

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE & GET MXA FOR FREE: WE ACTUALLY PAY YOU $9.00

Interested in getting a new bike this year? The January 2017 issue of MXA is on the news stands now and includes the long-awaited 2017 MXA 250 Shootout. You should be reading MXA, and if you subscribe now you get a $25 gift certificate from Rocky Mountain ATV/MC which more than pays for your subscription.

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. Better yet get the Digital desktop version at https://hi-torque.com/product/motocross-action-digital-edition/ for $9.99 a year.

The MXA test riders prefer the print version and not just because it is delivered by a uniformed employee of the U.S. Government, but because right now you can get 12 issues for $15.95 and a free $25 Gift Card from Rocky Mountain ATV/MC. That means that there is a profit to be made in this deal for you. For the Print magazine go to: https://hi-torque.com/product/motocross-action/

MXA HIT PARADE: BOYESEN KAWASAKI KX450F SUPERCOOLER

“Boyesen is proud to announce the availability of its Supercooler for the new Kawasaki KX450F. Boyesen’s Supercooler water pump cover and impeller kits are specifically designed to enhance the performance of your motorcycle engine’s cooling system. The Boyesen Supercooler has bigger inlets, no casting seams, less restrictive corners, and a more efficient impeller. These features result in a reduction of engine temperatures by as much as 10 degrees. The Boyesen Supercooler is currently available in black and magnesium, as well as the ever-popular Spectra series race blue color.”—Boyesen’ s Jason McCune.
$189.95 (black and magnesium); $195.95 (Spectra blue) — www.boyesen.com or (800) 441-1177.