MOTOCROSS ACTION MID-WEEK REPORT

TWO-STROKE SPOTLIGHT: ALEX KENISON’S 2013 YAMAHA YZ250

“After that I laced up a set of Pro Wheels to factory hubs and spline drive spokes, and sent my suspension out for a Race Tech revalve a few months later. In 2014, after turning my front wheel into an octagon, I got some Excel A60s that I laced up to my stock hubs. The winter of 2014 things got a little crazy. I stripped it down to the frame and sent the frame, swingarm, subframe, triple clamps and hubs out for powder coating. I also sent out my suspension to Odi at Feal Suspension to have his ‘Privateer package’ done to my suspension. All of the parts were stripped and re-anodized a factory brown, and other miscellaneous parts red. Then I rebuilt everything with Pivot Works bearings. I ordered up some black spokes from Dubya, and a few other little odds and ends, as well as a fresh piston and new Pro Circuit Works pipe and carbon silencer. I sold my first pipe to Danny. I picked up some custom DeCal Works kits for this bike and a matching kit for my Kawasaki KX125. I threw on the Restyled front and rear fenders and side panels.

“For 2015 I only got to put about 12 hours on the bike after doing all that work due to a busy construction season. Over the winter in 2015 I sent my cylinder out to Eric Gorr and had him touch up some porting and reshape the dome in the head. He then matched that up with a Rekluse Torque Drive clutch. I also picked up a Ride Engineering billet caliper and WR master cylinder. All I can say is wow! Unfortunately, this year I only got to put in about 10 hours, as working 65 to 70 hours for six days a week doesn’t allow for proper bike prep and ride time.” 

WE TEST ZACH OSBORNE’S FACTORY HUSQVARNA TC300 TWO STROKE

FLASHBACK: RICKY CARMICHAEL’S BARN

Yes, those are two sets of Showa factory forks collecting dust.

While covering Suzuki Camp Carmichael back in 2016 we stumbled upon Ricky’s old barn. And, yes, it’s not actually Carmichael’s barn, but instead a house on his riding property. We didn’t want to say it was Ricky’s house, because he never lived inside. Barn seemed more appropriate. Maybe we should have gone with shack or shanty. Whatever the case may be, we don’t much care. The point is that inside was a treasure trove of factory parts and cool memorabilia. Click here to see the gallery and read about the unique experience.

GREENGER POWERSPORTS SPONSORS COSTA MESA SPEEDWAY

 

• Want to experience the CRF-E2 shred around the iconic Southern California Speedway oval? Now you can during three select evenings

• Greenger Powersports and Costa Mesa Speedway will host four little riders of various skill levels on three different nights to highlight the exhilaration and joy the CRF-E2 brings young shredders.

Press Release: Greenger Powersports and American Honda set out with one mission in mind when collaborating on the CRF-E2, to get more kids riding! Keeping this in mind, Greenger is proud to announce the sponsorship of Costa Mesa Speedway. Greenger will be hosting a three round demo race series and display at the iconic Southern California Speedway. The demo races will feature four little riders of various skill levels. The display will feature units for fans to check out as well as product experts on hand to answer their questions. Encouraging these little riders to get out in front of a crowd and show them the support they need to continue to push their limits will be the highlight of the evening.

“For over 50 years Costa Mesa Speedway has been hosting legendary races at the OC Fair Grounds” Said “Rad” Brad Oxley, International Speedway Owner. “Throughout those years the speedway has featured minibike demo races. Those races would encourage and support the next generation of riders and racers to get out there and face their fears. The stands are packed with family and friends cheering them on. Now we get to continue supporting the next round of little riders and racers using these awesome electric Greenger minibikes.”

This last Wednesday (August 10) OC Fair attendees got their first taste of the all-new CRF-E2 ripping around the speedway when Hudson Jones (@HudsonJonesRacing) took the bike for a couple demo laps in-between the knobby main and speedway main events.

“As a parent myself, the only thing that brings me more joy than a day of riding is getting to see a kid jump off a bike with a smile bursting out of their helmet” said Doug Chapman, Greenger Powersports Marketing Supervisor. “The speedway is a place for families to enjoy a great night of racing. The CRF-E2 is the perfect steppingstone for the next generation interested in riding. With this series of demo races, we will be able to work with a collection of youth riders allowing them to experience the adrenaline rush of being on a track for the first time. We look forward to hearing everyone cheer for these kids as they take that next step with the CRF-E2”

See below the schedule for the CRF-E2 youth demo races, be sure to mark your calendar:
September 10^th
September 24^th
October 15^th
Full Speedway Schedule – costamesaspeedway.net

QUOTE OF THE WEEK // ELI TOMAC ON HIS LAST TIME RACING THESE NATIONAL TRACK

 I do think about that; I look at them and like “Well, this could be my last time.” That is what has been in my mind at all these events, and yes, Supercross Only is what I have signed for right now in 2023. I am only indoors for next year.

FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW CLICK HERE

MXA | MOTO | TRIVIA

Who is this rider and what year was it taken. Answer at the bottom of the page.

FIRST LOOK VIDEO OF THE 2023 YAMAHA YZ450F

INTERNATIONAL MOTOCROSS MUSEUM FUNDRAISER SEPTEMBER 21ST

Rare is it when history has the opportunity to repeat itself. But that’s exactly what’s going to happen for die-hard motocross fans when the International Motocross Museum hosts a second fundraising event. Last year’s premier event was a sellout and was thought by many to be a once in a lifetime opportunity, but the IMM will be making history anew by hosting “An Evening with the Champions II.”

If you missed the first event, now is your chance to spend a day and an evening with legends like Rick “Too Hip” Johnson, Bob “Hurricane” Hannah, Tony DiStefano,Gerrit Wolsink, Heikki Mikkola, Jeff Smith, Torsten Hallman, Harry Everts, Stefan Everts, Liam Everts, Steve Wise, Warren Reid, Gunnar Lindstrom and their fabulous factory bikes. They are right now negotiating with several of the other top US riders from that era.

The Evening with the Champions II fundraiser is actually more like a day with the Champions and will be held at the fabulous Pinstripes restaurant in the north Chicago area. The date is Wednesday September 21, just days before the historic Motocross of Nations on Sept 24^th and 25^th. at the world-famous Red Bud motocross park – just a short drive from the IMM venue.   

Individual Deluxe tickets are $500 per seat, but this year they also have table discounts of 20%; buy a table of 12 and each ticket is only $400 per person. This is for the whole day and a deluxe sit-down evening dinner, a great way for your business or group to be part of this wonderful event. You can also bid to sit at the table of your favorite rider! All details are available on the website.

If you are interested in sponsoring the event and/or museum, check the website contact link, they will get back with you promptly.

Thanks to Terry Good, we have the best collection of motocross works bikes and memorabilia in the world.  The Museum will display the personal collections of Les Archer, Ake Jonsson and other champion riders, over 125 works and other legendary motocross bikes, historic memorabilia and incredible stories of the riders, engineers and mechanics of these bikes.

The IMM is a registered 501 (c) 3 charity. All funds raised will go to support the Museum and its future 100,000 square foot home. If you cannot make the event, please consider a generous tax-deductible donation to support the Museum or visit the gift shop for some really incredible gift ideas – one more easy way to support your Museum!

MOTO TIP OF THE WEEK! DON’T BE SCARED TO SHIFT UP IN THE WHOOPS

MOTO TIP: A general rule of thumb is to shift a gear up before you enter the whoops. When you go through a whoop section, the rear wheel only touches the ground for a short period of time. The rest of the time, the wheel is in midair, having no contact with the ground. This makes the bike rev out quickly. When the bike revs out, the power flattens, which puts more weight on the front of the bike, causing you to lose traction. Shifting to the next gear will keep you in the meat of the power, increase traction, help keep you straight and keep the rear end squatted.

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THE SHORT VERSION //FMF POWERCORE 4 HEX KX450 SLIP-ON TEST

The “Hex” name comes from the hexagon-like shape of the muffler’s canister. The shape works with FMF’s Hi-Flo internal core structure to increase airflow, power and torque. Along with the uniquely shaped end cap, the Powercore 4 muffler is built with stainless steel and aluminum materials. It weighs more than titanium mufflers, but it’s more durable. It delivers improved power at a price that won’t break the bank.

VERDICT: The Powercore 4 Hex slip-on muffler gave our 2020 Kawasaki KX450 an extra boost in the low end and carried that boost all the way through the rpm range. The bike was more exciting to ride and easier to keep in each gear longer, so the rider didn’t have to shift as often.

DIGITS: $359.99—www.fmfracing.com or (310) 631-4363.

FOR THE LONG VERSION TEST CLICK HERE

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LOST BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: 1985 YAMAHA YZ490 AIR-COOLED SMOKER