TWO-STROKE SPOTLIGHT: STEVEN O’CONNER’S 2006 YAMAHA YZ125

A clean 11 year old Yamaha YZ125. 

I bought this 2006 Yamaha YZ125 bike new in 06′ and its had a couple of birthdays along the way. I still love this bike more than ever! Here are a list of mods that I incorporated inside my smoker:

Many Yamaha GYTR parts were used on this build.

-YZ250F swingarm, wheels, footpegs and brake hose clamp
–GYTR FMF full exhaust system
–GYTR 270mm front brake disk
–Boyesen clutch & ignition cover
-Update plastic & graphics
-GYTR sprockets
-Gold chain
-Re-valved forks & service shock
-Silicone hoses
-Rebuilt engine
-Chassis bearings replaced
–Pro Taper bars
–Sunline Flex levers
–Moto Tassinari Reed Valve
-New rear brake & shift levers

A YZ250F swingarm, wheels, footpegs and brake hose clamp were mounted on the YZ125. 

Love the magazine and keep up the good work (I have been buying the mag for 15 years now and had a letter printed in about 2007 my claim to fame !)

Thanks,

Steven

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. Please don’t email me spam or try selling me Taylor Swift concert tickets or email me spam. I already celebrate T-Swizzle’s entire collective, and there will be “bad blood” if you send me junk mail. See what I did there? Happy submitting your smoker.

2018 HONDA CRF250 UNVEILING, KIND OF

We feel bad. We really do. We got to see the all-new 2018 Honda CRF250 today and we can’t show you. Unfortunately, we have to hold our tongue until July 30th at 6pm to release any information about the bike. Photo by Travis Fant

The intro was at the Geico Honda race shop where all the race team number one bikes were lined up. Photo by Travis Fant

Wall of fame. Photo by Travis Fant

A look from above at a slew of memorable team bikes. Photo by Travis Fant

#WHIPITWEDNESDAY

Rider: Josh Grant
Bike: Jeff Ward KX450F
Date: March 30, 2012
Camera: Canon
Lens: 300mm f/2.8
Focal length: 300mm
Exposure: 1/2000 sec.
F-stop: 6.3
ISO: 640

WHAT THE MXA WRECKING CREW IS UP TO

We started off last week testing the 2018 Honda CRF450 at Racetown 395. For 2018 the CRF450 has stiffer springs front and rear, revised engine hangers, electric start, smaller clutch switch and a different mapping. 

Our chief test rider, Dennis Stapleton, put the 2018 CRF450 through its paces. 

MXA 2018 HONDA CRF450 VIDEO

We got our hands on the 2018 KTM 350SXF and went and raced it at REM over the weekend. Test rider Justin Muscutt shows the sheer power of this bike. 

MXA 2018 KTM 350SXF VIDEO

Our first 2018 250F this year was the KX250F. Last year it was an all new bike. We loved the new chassis, but didn’t care for the mellow engine. For 2018, the KX250F has a revised engine to hopefully bring back the potent mid-range power of the 2016 engine. 

Action of Justin Muscutt on the 2018 KX250F out at Cahullia Creek. 

Adam Cianciarulo made an appearance at the Kawi intro to get some time on the new bike. 

MXA 2018 KAWASAKI KX250F VIDEO

We picked this beauty up from Systems owner Rob Healy. We put in some laps on this 68 horsepower beast last weekend. 

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: JGRMX HONDA CRF450 ADJUSTABLE PULL ROD

The JGRMX adjustable pull rod that we loved on the RM-Z450 and YZ450F is now available for the 2017-18 Honda CRF450. 

Press Release: Honda unveiled the all-new CRF450 motocross model in 2017, much to the delight of loyal red riders. The CRF450 is an improved version of the previous generation, but the rear end of the bike is rather busy. That’s partially due to a light shock spring rate for heavier riders, and also the result of an unbalanced chassis. JGRMX has the solution.

The adjustable JGRMX link offers  a setting from 144.5mm to 147mm in length. 

Machined out of 2024 aluminum and anodized red, the JGRMX Honda CRF450R adjustable pull rod stiffens up the initial part of the stroke for a more consistent and predictable feel. It also lowers the seat height for better balance. An added bonus is that the longer link arm allows for greater tuning possibilities in regard to compression and rebound adjusting. With the JGRMX adjustable pull rod you can choose between six lengths by simply swapping out the adjuster pills. Choose from a 144.5mm setting (stock is 144mm) all of the way up to a 147mm length. Detailed instructions are included. The pull rod comes with OEM/stock bearings, thrust washers and dust seals already installed.

The adjustable links allow up to six different lengths to choose from. 

In order for maximum performance we suggest you adjust the fork leg height, soften up the shock’s high-speed compression, and check race sag. Please see the chart for the variety of length options with the JGRMX Honda CRF450 adjustable pull rod. $279.99

Direct link: www.jgrmx.com/collections/adjustable-link-arms/products/honda-adjustable-pull-rod
Toll-free: (877) 905-4769

RIDE AT LACR THIS WEEKEND

The best track in the Antelope Valley.

This Saturday & Sunday:

Gates open at 7am
Open practice 8am-1pm
Main, Vet, & Mini tracks
$30 per big bike rider & $10 per 50cc rider

Looking for some private track time? Book a 4 hour private track rental today! You’ll get a fully prepped and watered track for up to 20 riders. Give us a call for available dates! www.lacrmx.net or call Anthony Barbacovi & the LACR MX Crew at (661) 754-3366.

PHOTO OF THE PAST: TRAVIS PASTRANA’S HOUSE 2004

2017-18 RACE SCHEDULES: BE THERE OR BE SQUARE

2018 MONSTER ENERGY SUPERCROSS SCHEDULE

Jan. 6…… Anaheim, CA…… Angel Stadium
Jan. 13…… Houston, TX…… NRG Stadium
Jan. 20…… Anaheim, CA…… Angel Stadium
Jan. 27…… Glendale, AZ…… U. of Phoenix Stadium
Feb. 3…… Oakland, CA…… Oakland Aameda Coliseum
Feb. 10…… San Diego, CA…… Petco Park
Feb. 17…… Arlington, TX…… AT&T Stadium
Feb. 24…… Tampa, FL…… Raymond James Stadium
Mar. 3…… Atlanta, GA…… Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Mar. 10…… Daytona, FL…… Daytona Intl. Speedway
Mar. 17…… St. Louis, MO…… Dome at America’s Center
Mar. 24…… Indianapolis, IN…… Lucas Oil Stadium
Apr. 7…… Seattle, WA…… Centurylink Field
Apr. 14…… Minneapolis, MN…… U.S. Bank Stadium
Apr. 21…… Foxborough, MA…… Gillette Stadium
Apr. 28…… Salt Lake City, UT…… Rice-Eccles Stadium
May 5…… Las Vegas, NV…… Sam Boyd Stadium

2017 LUCAS OIL PRO MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

May 20…Hangtown…Sacramento, CA
May 27…Glen Helen…San Bernardino, CA
June 3…Thunder Valley…Lakewood, CO
June 17…High Point…Mount Morris, PA
June 24…Muddy Creek…Blountville, TN
July 1…Red Bud…Buchanan, MI
July 8…Southwick…Southwick, MA
July 22…Spring Creek…Millville, MN
July 29…Washougal…Washougal, WA
August 12…Unadilla…New Berlin, NY
August 19…Budds Creek…Mechanicsville, MD
August 26…Ironman…Crawfordsville, IN
* Visit www.promotocross.com/mx/tickets to buy tickets

2017 FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

February 25…Losail…Qatar
March 5…Pangkal Pinang…Indonesia
March 19…Neuquen…Argentina
April 2…Leon…Mexico
April 16…Trentino…Italy
April 23…Valkenswaard…The Netherlands
May 7…Kegums…Latvia
May 21…Teutschenthal…Germany
May 28…Ernee…France
June 11…Orlyonok…Russia
June 25…Ottobiana…Italy
July 2…Agueda…Portugal
July 23…Loket…Czech Republic
August 6…Lommel…Belgium
August 13…Frauenfeld…Switzerland
August 20…Uddevalla…Sweden
September 3…Gainesville…USA
September 10…Assen…The Netherlands
September 17…Villars sous Ecot…France