RUMORS, GOSSIP & UNFOUNDED TRUTHS: RAIN RETURNS TO SOCAL, WHERE WAS IT DURING THE FIRES?
• MXA PHOTO OF THE WEEK: YOU CAN’T TRUST THE WEATHERMAN
Luckily, Winter in SoCal only runs from January until April, but the Annual Rainfall at Glen Helen for the whole year is 15 inches of rain on average. This year, Glen Helen has already gotten 13 of the 15 inches of rain in February and March alone.
• 2025 MXGP WINNERS AT A GLANCE— ONE DOWN, 19 TO GO
2024 FIM 250 World Champion Kay DeWolf picked up in 2025 where he left off in 2024. Photo: Husqvarna
Date/Venue 450 250
Mar. 2…Argentina……….Maxime Renaux (Yam)…………………… Kay de Wolf (Hus)
Mar. 16…Spain #1
Mar. 23…France #1
Apr. 6…Sardinia
April 13…Italy
April 21…Switzerland
May 4…Portugal
May 11…Spain #2
May 25…France #2
June 1…Germany
June 8…Latvia
June 22…Great Britain
July 13…Finland
July 27…Czech Republic
Aug. 3…Belgium
Aug. 17…Sweden
Aug 24…Holland
Sept. 7…Turkey
Sept. 14…China
Sept. 21…Australia
450 points leader…Maxime Renaux (Yam)
250 points leader...Kay de Wolf (Hus)
• “THIS WEEK IN MXA WITH JOSH MOSIMAN:” MESQUITE’S 500 MINUTE TEAM RACE & INDY RECAP
This Week in MXA, episode 221, presented by O’Neal, covers the racing action from Mesquite last weekend where Josh Mosiman, Josh Fout and Shawn Bushnell tackled the VurbMoto 500 at Mesquite MX Park in Arizona. The track was brutal, and our test riders were challenged by sand whoops, rocks, dust and quick competition. Also featured in this video are some highlights from the Indianapolis Supercross, the Ducati Desmo250 MX debut in Italy and an interview with Dennis Stapleton and Luke Boyk of Pro Circuit.
• THE “STOPWATCH NATIONAL” IS PART OF GLEN HELEN’S $100,000 MOTOFEST ON MAY 15-18, 2025
The $30,000 Stopwatch National is on Thursday, May 15 and the $70,000 Moto Fest Pro Privateer race is on May 17. Now is the time for amateurs and Pros to sign-up at www.glenhelen.com.
• MXA VIDEO: WE TEST THE 2025 BETA 450RX
• 2025 AMA SUPERCROSS WINNERS AT A GLANCE—NINE DOWN, EIGHT TO GO
There will be no first turn crashes or holeshots this Saturday. Why not? The Supercross series is taking a break in the action until Birmingham on March 22.
Date/Venue 450 250
Jan. 11…Anaheim, CA…………………Chase Sexton (KTM)……….Jo Shimoda (Hon)
Jan. 18…San Diego, CA……………..Eli Tomac (Yam)…………………..Julien Beaumer (KTM)
Jan. 25…Anaheim, CA……………Jett Lawrence (Hon)………………Haiden Deegan (Yam)
Feb. 1…Glendale, AZ……………..Chase Sexton (KTM)………………Jordon Smith (Tri)
Feb. 8…Tampa, FL………………..Malcolm Stewart (Hus)……………..Max Anstie (Hon)
Feb. 15…Detroit, MI……………..Cooper Webb (Yam)……………….Levi Kitchen (Kaw)
Feb. 22…Arlington, TX………….Cooper Webb (Yam)……………….Haiden Deegan (Yam)
Mar. 1…Daytona Beach, FL……Ken Roczen (Suz)……………………R.J. Hampshire (Hus)
Mar. 8…Indianapolis, IN…..….Cooper Webb (Yam)………………..Seth Hammaker (Kaw)
Mar. 22…Birmingham, AL
Mar. 29…Seattle, WA
Apr. 5…Foxborough, MA
Apr. 12…Philadelphia, PA
Apr. 19…East Rutherford, NJ
Apr. 26…Pittsburgh, PA
May 3…Denver, CO
May 10…Salt Lake City, UT
450 points leader…Cooper Webb (Yam)
250 West points leader...Haiden Deegan (Yam)
250 East points leader…Max Anstie (Yam)
• MXA VIDEO: WE TEST THE 2025 HUSQVARNA FC450
• MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: 2024-’25 KAWASAKI KX450/KX250 LINKAGE SYSTEM
The Pro Circuit Linkage System for the 2024-2025 Kawasaki KX450 and 2025 KX250 enhances handling by improving suspension performance. Unlike the stock linkage, which begins stiff and softens deeper into the stroke, this system offers a plusher initial feel while progressively firming up, thus reducing the need for stiffer high-speed valving. Designed similarly to the 2019-2023 KX450 linkage, it optimizes spring rates for enhanced balance, improved traction, and a smoother ride.
The Pro Circuit KX450 linkage system is plusher at the beginning and stiffens up as the rear wheel goes deeper into the stroke. This adjustment lessens the need for stiffer high-speed valving, which can cause the rear to feel harsh and deflective. This linkage curve is similar in design to the previous generation of KX450 (’19-23).A 0.1 kg/mm shock spring rate increase is recommended. The retail price is $465.00 at www.procircuit.com
• MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: RABACONDA 3-MINUTE TIRE CHANGER
Do pinched tubes, back pain, bloody knuckles and flying tire irons have to be a part of the tire changing experience? No, because the Rabaconda 3-minute Tire Changer is the greatest tire changing tool in the sport. Now in its fourth generation the Rabaconda Tire Changing machine has seen several updates and improvements, including new rubber feet, three legs for use on uneven ground, a tire-iron tray, a spindle chamfer for locking larger hubs, riveted feet caps, larger flange nuts and pre-assembled quick-release bolts on an alloy frame.
The Rabaconda comes with its own compact carrying case.
The new system is designed to make three-minute tire changes a reality. Plus, it can be broken down or assembled in seconds (and comes with its own compact carrying case). The retail price is $446.00 from www.rabaconda.com
•2025 WISECO WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIP AT GLEN HELEN ON APRIL 19
The 16th Annual Wiseco World Two-Stroke Championship will ve held on April 19 on an all-new Glen Helen race track that promises an unforgettable experience for pros and amateurs alike. From the premier Open Pro class to the exciting Pasha 125 Open Pro races, the World Two-Stroke Championship will deliver non-stop action and entertainment, immersing riders and fans in the sounds of roaring two-stroke engines, the smell of premix, and the thrill of old-school motocross racing.To pre-enter CLICK HERE or go to www.glenhelen.com for more info.
• BIKE’S YOU’VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE: HUSQVARNA’S 2012 MOAB SCRAMBLER
To have something related to Husqvarna about the Moab, the designers decided to use Husqvarna’s red gas tanks, logos and yellow number plates to try to morph some of Husky’s reputation onto the concept bike to see if they could get “the essence of the new incarnation of the Husqvarna spirit.” Note the shiny panels on the gas tank sides. Oh yeah, they even managed to squeezed Steve McQueen’s name into the introduction.
There is always a company that thinks there is a market for an updated scrambler motorcycle and although the 2012 Husqvarna Moab was billed as a “modern re-interpretation of the scrambler.” There really wasn’t anything Scrambles about this bloated Leviathan. Given that Husqvarna was owned by BMW during this period of time and BMW didn’t know what to do with the formerly Swedish motocross and cross-country brand. They decided to stick Husqvarna’s colors, logos and reputation on this concept bike to see if they could get “the essence of the new incarnation of the Husqvarna spirit.”
The Moab, if it ever had made it to production, would have used a Rotax 650 engine (another BMW owned company).
The wheels are a 17” front and rear, fitted with Pirelli MT60RS dual-sport tires. The bars are high and wide, and the long seat certainly looked comfortable. And it wouldn’t be a product of 2012 if it didn’t have an instrument panel and the LED lights in the front number plate
When questioned as to why they named it the Moab, the Husqvarna, nee’ BMW spokesman, said they named it after the evocative Utah desert area which draws large numbers of mountain bikers and off-road riders every year
If the Moab had ever made it to production, it would have used the Rotax 650 unit (another BMW owned company).
We doubt if a Moab ever made it to Moab, but it wouldn’t have matter much because KTM bought Husqvarna from BMW that year and quickly killed the project.
• THREE PASHA 125 PRO CLASSES AT THE WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIP ON APRIL 19 AT GLEN HELEN
Pasha Afshar has announced three special 125 Pro classes for the 2025 Wiseco World Two-Stroke Championship—with the help of Rackum Racing, Twisted Developments, TREMX, Rinaldi tires, Billetron, Simi Valley Cycles, Bolt Hardware and Family Motorsports.
There will be three 125 Pro classes. The full-on Professional 125 Pro class and Over-30 125 Pro classes will pay $2500 to the winner, $1500 to second place and $1000 (third). The Over-50 125 Pro class will pay five places with $1700 (first), $1300 (second), $1000 (third), $600 (fourth) and $400 (fifth). Pasha is paying the same $5000 purse for all three classes. There is also $150 dollar holeshot bonus for all six 125 Pasha motos. Between the $15,000 in purse money, plus gifts and awards from the event sponsors this race will be handing out $20,000 in awards. For more info go to www.glen helen.com.
• CLASSI MXA PHOTO: ROGER & HEIKKI
Heikki Mikkola (right) offered his toughest competitor Roger DeCoster (left) a toast in honor of Roger’s World Championship. They sat together in Heikki’s trailer, still in their gear, and drank from paper cups. That is true sportsmanship from Heikki. Photo: Jarmo Hietaranta
• “WHO’S WHO IN THE SUPERCROSS ZOO?” AMA SUPERCROSS POINTS HEADING TO BIRMINGHAM
Cooper Webb (2) came out of the Daytona Supercross with a 10-point lead and left Indy with a 15 point lead. Given what has happened so far this season, 15 points is not really enough.
TOP TEN IN 450 POINTS
(After 9 of 17 rounds)
1. Cooper Webb (Yam)…193
2. Chase Sexton (KTM)…178
3. Ken Roczen (Suz)…167
4. Justin Cooper (Yam)…144
5. Malcolm Stewart (Hus)…140
6. Jason Anderson (Kaw)…136
7. Justin Barcia (Gas)…129
8. Justin Hill (KTM)…114
9. Aaron Plessinger (KTM)..105
10. Dylan Ferrandis (Hon)…82
In the 250 West, Haiden Deegan (38) has a 6 point lead on Julien Beaumer.
TOP TEN IN 250 WEST POINTS
(After 6 of 8 rounds)
1. Haiden Deegan (Yam)…129
2. Julien Beaumer (KTM)…117
3. Cole Davies (Yam)…104
4. Jo Shimoda (Hon)…102
5. Coty Schock (Yam)…90
6. Jordon Smith (Tri)…85
7. Michael Mosiman (Yam)…79
8. Garrett Marchbanks…73
9. Hunter Yoder (Kaw)…56
10. Anthony Bourdon (Yam)…54
The fans have only seen Max Anstie (31) three times this year, but can he keep the points lead at the Indy Supercross East/West Challenge.
TOP TEN IN 250 EAST POINTS
(After 3 of 8 rounds)
1. Max Anstie (Yam)…63
2. Tom Vialle (KTM)…57
3. Chance Hymas (Hon)…50
4. R.J Hampshire (Hus)…49
5. Nate Thrasher (Yam)…45
6. Seth Hammaker (Kaw)..43
7. Levi Kitchen (Kaw)…39
8. Cullin Park (Hon)…39
9. Carson Mumford (Hon)…37
10. Henry Miller (Hon)…33
• MXA VIDEO TEST: FIRST RIDE ON THE 2025 YAMAHA YZ65
• MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: NIHILO CONCEPTS SELF-LOCKING KTM/HUSKY/ GASGAS NY-LOCK AXLE NUT
Nihilo Concepts self locking Ny-Lock Axle Nut, made from 6061 anodized billet aluminum, ensures that your axle nut will not vibrate loose under extreme conditions. It fits all KTM/Husqvarna late model big bikes with 22mm axle. Thats includes the 2022-1/2 to 2024 KTM SX/SXF models, 2022-1/2 to 2024 Husqvarna and 2023 GasGas Factory Editions and 2024 models.
Available in 6 different colors. The retail price is $34.95 from www.nihiloconcepts.com.
• MXA VIDEO: FIRST RIDE ON A 2025 YAMAHA YZ65 MINI
In this MXA video, we put James Ellis on our 2025 Yamaha YZ65 for a few laps at Glen Helen to experience the blue bike for the first time. Unfortunately, the test got cut short when he had a crash mid-way through the day, but we decided to make a fun little video anyway and return with more coverage on the YZ65 again soon, after James and our other mini-testers get some more time on it. This is just a first impression video from a youngster comparing the YZ65 to his Husqvarna TC65, enjoy!
• 2025 “SATURDAY AT THE GLEN” RACE SCHEDULE
MXA’s Josh Fout (37) at the base of the steep climb up Shoei Hill at last week’s “Saturday at the Glen” race . Photo: Mark Riker
Jan. 18…National track
Jan. 25…Arroyo track
Feb. 1…National track
Feb. 8…Arroyo track (Canceled-rescheduled to Feb. 15)
Feb. 15…Arroyo track (Canceled-rescheduled to Feb. 16)
Feb. 16…National track
Feb. 22…National track
Mar. 8…Arroyo track
Mar. 22…Arroyo track
Mar. 29-30…Blu Cru Invitational
Apr. 12…Arroyo track
Apr. 19…World Two-Stroke Championship
Apr. 26…Arroyo track
May 7…10-Hours of Glen Helen
May 15-18…MotoFest Privateer challenge
May 31…National track
Jun. 21…Arroyo track
Jun. 28…National track
Jul. 19…National track
Aug. 2…Arroyo track
Aug. 9…National track
Aug. 23…National track
Sept. 13…Arroyo track
Sept. 20…National track
Oct. 4…Arroyo track
Oct. 11…24-Hours of Glen Helen
Oct. 25…National track
Nov. 1-3…World Vet Championship
Nov. 15…Arroyo track
Nov. 22…National track
Nov. 28-30…Day In The Dirt
Dec. 7…National track
Dec. 21…National track
(Dates in italics are races that bump the “Saturday at the Glen” races off the schedule.)
• 2025 SUPERCROSS, MOTOCROSS, ARENACROSS, MXGP, MXDN & SMX RACE SCHEDULES
The 2025 AMA outdoor Nationals will start on May 24 and end on August 23, but the 2025 Motocross des Nations will be held at Crawfordsville on October 5.
2025 AMA SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Jan. 11…Anaheim, CA
Jan. 18…San Diego, CA
Jan. 25…Anaheim, CA
Feb. 1…Glendale, AZ
Feb. 8…Tampa, FL
Feb. 15…Detroit, MI
Feb. 22…Arlington, TX
Mar. 1…Daytona Beach, FL
Mar. 8…Indianapolis, IN
Mar. 22…Birmingham, AL
Mar. 29…Seattle, WA
Apr. 5…Foxborough, MA
Apr. 12…Philadelphia, PA
Apr. 19…East Rutherford, NJ
Apr. 26…Pittsburgh, PA
May 3…Denver, CO
May 10…Salt Lake City, UT
2025 AMA NATIONAL MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
May 24…Pala, CA
May 31…Hangtown, CA
June 7…Thunder Valley, CO
June 14…Mount Morris, PA
June 28…Southwick, MA
July 5…Red Bud, MI
July 12…Millville, MN
July 19…Washougal, WA
Aug. 9…Crawfordsville, IN
August 16…Unadilla, NY
August 23…Budds Creek, MD
2025 SUPERMOTOCROSS PLAYOFFS
Sept. 6…Concord, NC
Sept. 13…St. Louis ,MO
Sept. 20…Las Vegas, NV
2025 FIM WORLD MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Mar. 2…Argentina
Mar. 16…Spain #1
Mar. 23…France #1
Apr. 6…Sardinia
April 13…Italy #1
April 21…Switzerland
May 4…Portugal
May 11…Spain #2
May 25…France #2
June 1…Germany
June 8…Latvia
June 22…Great Britain
July 6….Indonesia
July 27…Czech Republic
Aug. 3…Belgium
Aug. 17…Sweden
Aug 24…Holland
Sept. 7…Turkey
Sept. 14…China
Sept. 21….Australia
2025 MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS
Oct. 5…Crawfordsville, Indiana
2025 BRITISH ARENACROSS TOUR
Jan.4 …Birmingham, UK
Jan. 18…London, UK
Jan. 31…Belfast, NIR
Feb.1…Belfast, NIR
Feb. 8…Aberdeen, SCT
Feb. 22…Manchester, UK
April TBA…Middle East
April 26…Abu Dhabi, UAE
WISECO WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIP
Apr. 19…Glen Helen, CA
2025 GLEN HELEN STOPWATCH NATIONAL
May 15…Glen Helen, CA
2025 GLEN HELEN FOUR-DAY MOTOFEST
May 15-18….Glen Helen, CA
2025 AMA NATIONAL AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Jul. 28-Aug.2…Loretta Lynn, TN
2025 WORLD VET MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Oct. 31—Nov. 1-2…Glen Helen, CA
• THE GREATEST DEAL IN MOTOCROSS: REAL WORDS, LARGE PHOTOS, MORE TECH & A $25 ROCKY MOUNTAIN CREDIT
This is the April 2025 cover of MXA. Inside are indepth tests of the 2025 Kawasaki KX450 SpeciaL Racer, 2025 KTM 450XCF cross-country racer, 2025 Husqvarna FC350 Heritage Edition, plus a totally reimagining of the Honda CR500 two-stroke that includes CNCe’d engine cases, electronic fuel injection (using the standard CRF450 components) by Bud Racing and wickedly fast lap times. If that’s not enough our resident MXperts (Jamie Ellis from Twisted Development, Mark Johnson from REP suspension and Cameron Purczynski from Gainslinger Human Performance tell you things you need to know to be a better racer.
• MXA’S 2025 COLLECTION OF IN-DEPTH 2025 VIDEO TESTS
• MXA VIDEO: MOTOCROSS ACTION’S 2025 450 SHOOTOUT
• MXA VIDEO: MOTOCROSS ACTION’S 2025 250 SHOOTOUT
• MXA VIDEO: 2025 KAWASAKI KX450SR (SPECIAL RACER) FIRST RIDE
• MXA VIDEO: 2025 HONDA CRF250 WORKS EDITION FIRST RIDE
• MXA VIDEO: FIRST RIDE ON A 2025 YAMAHA YZ65 MINI
• MXA VIDEO: WE TEST THE 2025 HUSQVARNA FC450
• MXA VIDEO: 2025 KTM 350SXF FIRST RIDE
• MXA VIDEO: 2025 TRIUMPH TF450-RC FIRST RIDE
MXA VIDEO: INSIDE SECRETS OF AIDEN ZINGG’S KTM 112SX SUPERMINI
• MXA VIDEO: 2025 YAMAHA YZ250FX FIRST RIDE
• MXA VIDEO: WE RIDE COTY SCHOCK’S PERSONAL YAMAHA YZ125
• MXA VIDEO: 2025 KAWASAKI KX250 FIRST RIDE
• MXA VIDEO: 2025 HONDA CR450 FIRST RIDE
• MXA VIDEO: WE RIDE DR.D’s PURPOSE-BUILT YAMAHA YZ85
• MXA VIDEO: 2025 YAMAHA YZ450F FIRST RIDE
• MXA VIDEO: 2025 YAMAHA YZ250F FIRST RIDE
• MXA VIDEO: 2025 YAMAHA YZ250FX CROSS-COUNTRY FIRST RIDE
• MXA VIDEO: 2025 KTM 150SX TWO-STROKE FIRST RIDE
• MXA VIDEO: 2025 KAWASAKI KX450 FIRST RIDE
• MXA VIDEO: 2025 KTM 450SXF FIRST RIDE
• MXA VIDEO: 2025 KTM 250SXF FIRST RIDE
• MXA VIDEO: HOW TO BUILD A VET RIDER’S DREAM YZ250F
• MXA VIDEO: 2025 KX450SR VS 2025 KAWASAKI KLX230 IN A LAP TIME BATTLE
• MXA VIDEO: WE TEST THE GASGAS MC85 TWO-STROKE THAT WON LORETTA
• MXA VIDEO: WE RIDE THE 125 THAT 525,750 VIEWERS CAN’T BUY IN THE USA
• MXA VIDEO: WE RIDE PHIL NICOLETTI’S FINAL CLUBMX YZ250F
MXA VIDEO: BRINGING A 2006 SUZUKI RM125 BACK TO LIFE AFTER 18 YEARS
• MXA YOUTUBE CHANNEL | HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON
The MXA wrecking crew is everything moto related. Check out our MXA YouTube channel for bike reviews, Supercross coverage, rider interviews and much more. And don’t forget to hit that subscribe button.
• TALK MOTO WITH ON MXA’S FACEBOOK GROUP CHAT
Photos Credits: Trevor Nelson, Debbi Tamietti, GasGas, Jon Ortner, Beta, Honda, Brian Converse, Kawasaki and MXA archives
Comments are closed.