MXA’S WEEKEND NEWS ROUND-UP: WHAT THE SPORT LOST FROM MARCH UNTIL AUGUST

On Jul 30, 2020 Last updated Aug 5, 2020

HAVE YOU SEEN THE SEPTEMBER 2020 ISSUE OF MXA? SUBSCRIBING IS THE BEST DEAL IN MOTOCROSS

In this issue, we test the KTM 350SXF that we wish they had built in the first place back in 2011. No worries! They didn’t build the mid-size Open class bike that we wanted, but instead they built a high-rpm, big-bore 250. We fixed that in this issue by ordering a $650 Cylinder Works 366 kit. It changed the personality and peak horsepower of the KTM 350SX for the better.

MXA’s 2020 KTM 366SXF

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE TO MXA AND GET A $25 ROCKY MOUNTAIN ATV/MX GIFT CARD—WHICH MAKES YOUR MXA SUBSCRIPTION BETTER THAN FREE

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COMING TO A TV NEAR YOU ON AUGUST 15: PASTRANALAND PIT BIKE CHALLENGE

With competitive sport practically shut down over the last four months, Nitro Circus’s Travis Pastrana want to brings two-wheel racing excitement back to a sports-starved audience with the “Pastranaland Pit Bike Championship,” which will air on ESPN2 on Saturday, August 15. This event marks Nitro Circus’ second collaboration with ESPN this summer. Held on a purpose-built course at Travis’ Pastranaland home compound., it isn’t what you think it is.

The Pastranaland Pit Bike Challenge is not the best pit bike motocross racers in the country, but a mix of motorcycles racers (Travis Pastrana, Ryan Sipes, Gared Steinke, Justin Sipes, A. J. Catanazaro, Phil Smage and Tarah Geiger) paired with and against mountain bike racers. It will included all of the typical Nitro Circus shenanagins, but this there really a high-profile pit bike event that doesns’ include the legendary Carson Brown?

Eleven teams of two riders each, drawn from across the action sports world, will battle in this high-octane contest on miniature versions of motocross bikes on a one-of-a-kind course with banked turns, ramp-to-ramp jumps and an over-under crossover. The Pastranaland Pit Bike Championship is presented by Tractor Supply Company.

BREAKING NEWS! YAMAHA TAKES BIG LEAP INTO THE ELECTRIC MOUNTAIN BIKES

Yamaha YDX-Moro.

Yamaha is introducing two new models of pedal-assist mountain bikes—the YDX-Moro and YDX-Moro Pro. These are Class 1 e-Bikes, delivering pedal assist up to 20 mph. They have five assist modes including Eco, Walk mode (power assist for pushing your bike), Standard (assist up to 120 rpm), High (added power), Automatic (automatically switches modes), MTB mode (direct response according to pedal force), and EXPW (assistance up to 170 rpm). The new PW-X2 provides assist up to 120 rpm in Eco, Standard, High and MTB modes and 170 rpm in EXPW mode. The motor also adopts a new helical gear design, reducing noise output. They feature Yamaha’s all-new PW-X2 drive unit that delivers the most natural feeling assist and ride experience thanks the Quad Sensor System.

Yamaha YDX-Moro Pro.

Yamaha’s new PW-X2 drive unit is a compact and lightweight drive unit that delivers powerful, responsive and natural-feeling pedal assist. The smooth and natural assist is critical for MTB enthusiasts who demand a pure ride experience, and also appreciate the benefits of a pedal assist bike that allows them to ride farther and longer than other bikes.The PW-X2 drive unit and new 500 watt-hour lithium-ion battery are secured in an all-new patent pending Dual Twin Frame design that delivers a superior combination of handling performance and durability, along with ATK motorcycle designer Horst Leitner’s famous Horst link suspension design.

Dual Twin frame design.

The all-new YDX-Moro will be available in Desert Yellow and the YDX-Moro Pro will be available in Podium Blue/Nickel.View Yamaha’s full line of Power Assist Bicycles at www.YamahaBicycles.com and find a local retailer at Yamaha’s dealer locator.

THE MAJOR CANCELLATIONS OF THE 2020 RACING SEASON

Racing without spectators is the new norm for everything from NASCAR to Formula 1 to Supercross to the AMA Nationals.

History will remember the 2020 season, not so much for the races that were held, but for the ones that weren’t. That list includes the 7 cities that had their AMA Supercross rounds canceled (only to be made up in a three-week rush through the missing 7 events in one stadium in Salt Lake City). The motorcycle world is already most of the ways through its traditional racing season—which normally comes to an end in October—without holding any races into August.

In fact the AMA Nationals were schedule to start in May, but they won’t hold their first event until August 15—with no guarantee that the originally scheduled 12 races, which has been cut down to 9 races, can even host that many.

It is much worse for the MXGP World Championship series. Although they got to hold two GPs back on March 1 and March 8, they haven’t held one since. They have been forced to hold three-races in Latvia, three races in Belgium and two double headers in Italy—that is 10 our of 16 GPs in only three countries. Worse yet, the 2020 race schedule currently includes two races in the month of November.

Here is a quick revamp of some of the more important events that have been canceled and, in no way does it cover the thousands of races and events that are important to the rank and files riders around the globe that never got to happen.

2020 MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS CANCELED (FOR LOTS OF OBVIOUS REASONS)

Although the MXGP organizers stubbornly stuck with the idea of holding the 2020 MXDN in the middle of the 2020 Grand Prix season, even though the riders and the teams didn’t like the idea (because they felt it interfered with the riders pursuit of the 2020 250 and 450 World Championship). Additionally, the USA, Australia and New Zealand teams pulled out of the event very early—and other foreign teams feared flying to England only to face a 14-day quarantine. With all of this writing on the wall, the MXGP head office finally gave up on their crackpot idea of holding a combined MXDN and MXGP on the same weekend — and canceled the 2020 Motocross des Nations.

2020 MONSTER ENERGY CUP & SUPERCROSS FUTURES CHAMPIONSHIP CANCELED

According to Feld Motorpsorts, the Monster Energy Cup scheduled for October 10, 2020, will not be feasible in 2020, due to other leagues starting their seasons and the difficulty of securing an appropriate location. The Supercross Futures AMA National Championship will also be canceled.

2020 LAKE ELSINORE GRAND PRIX CANCELED

Although it has been canceled many times in the past, sometimes for decades, the 52nd Annual Lake Elsinore Grand Prix (although the 52nd only refers the time from the first event) will not be held in 2020. The hold up for this year’s event was city, state and country mandates that made the giant loop race impossible this year. The Elsinore Grand Prix was made famous by the movie “On Any Sunday.”

2020 HANGTOWN MOTOCROSS CLASSIC AMA PRO NATIONAL CANCELED

The first major race to fall to the cornonvirus pandemic was the 2020 Hangtown National. The 2020 Hangtown National was scheduled for May 16th, in Rancho Cordova, California, just outside of Sacramento at the Prairie City OHV Park. Hangtown was originally slated to kick off the 12-round series and it would’ve been the 52nd annual running of the event. The Dirt Diggers North Motorcycle Club runs the Hangtown Motocross Classic and they decided to pull the plug two months before the event on March 17th.

2020 COLOGNE MOTORCYCLE SHOW CANCELED

The 2020 Cologne Intermot motorcycle show was scheduled for October 6-11, 2020, but it has been canceled. Since major motorcycle shows in Europe draw tens of thousands of attendees in close spatial proximity, the German Motorcycle Industry Association (IVM) decided not to hold the show in 2020. The cancellation should not come as as a surprise as BMW and KTM had announced their withdrawals from the Cologne and Milan Shows back in April.

2020 EICMA MILAN MOTORCYCLE SHOW CANCELED

The 2020 EICMA show in Milan tried to hold off canceling their annual motorcycle show to see if the health concerns in Italy improved, but the Milan Show has finally been canceled officially for 2020. It will not return until November of 2021. EICMA managing director Paolo Magri confirmed the decision and said, “The value and international leadership of our exhibition have convinced us not to wager on the evolution of the health situation linked to the Covid-19 emergency and, above all, to listen to and protect the whole of the two-wheeler industry. On a side note, the British Motorcycle Live show, which traditionally takes place after the EICMA show in Milan also canceled their November event.

2020 WORLD SIDECAR MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP CANCELED

The 2020 FIM World Sidecar Motocross Championship (WSC) has been canceled due to differing government regulations regarding ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The World Sidecar Motocross Championship had already been shortened from 10 races to 4 and the organization felt there was no guarantee that even those few remaining events would be allowed to run. So, rather leave the teams in uncertainty, the 2020 season was canceled and will resume in 2021. Martin Bena, CEO of the WSC sanctioning group said, “Our amazing sport depends on spectator support track-side, both for the atmosphere, and as a revenue stream. Without a guaranteed number of spectators through the gates, the risks for race organizers, in financial terms, are high, and therefore it is unfair to ask them to put their necks on the line in these uncertain times.”

2020 AMA VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE DAYS CANCELED

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) canceled the 2020 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, scheduled back on July 10-12 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. Under Ohio’s state’s “Responsible Restart Ohio” guidelines, the coronavirus restrictions forced the event to be canceled.

“Unfortunately, event restrictions in place under order of the Ohio Department of Health prohibit many traditional elements of AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days that our competitors and fans have come to enjoy,” said AMA Chief Operating Officer James Holter. “The social interaction and camaraderie are an integral component that we love about this event. The multi-day swap meet, the camping, in-field activities, the crowds, not to mention the organic fun of the event, are impossible in light of the current situation.”

2020 ERZBERG RODEO CANCELED

The Red Bull Erzbergrodeo has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Originally scheduled for June 11-14, the organizers have no plans to rescheduled the event in 2020, but will return to a weeklong festival of Enduro in Eisenerz, Austria in 2021. Erzberg is the world’s premier off-road competitions, attracting 1800 racers from 40 nations. The event promoters said it was not possible to do on a rescheduled date in 2020.

95TH INTERNATIONAL SIX DAYS OF ENDURO CANCELED

After discussions between the FIM and the local organizing committee of the 2020 FIM International Six Days of Enduro (ISDE) in relation to the ongoing Coronavirus disease pandemic, the 2020 ISDE (previously known as the ISDT) has been canceled. Since the 2020 ISDE was scheduled for late August and early September in Italy, which is hard hit by the coronavirus epidemic, the oldest event in the FIM international calendar will be held from August 30 to September 4, 2021.

2020 AIM EXPO SHOW CANCELEDThe American International Motorcycle Expo (AIMExpo) has canceled its October 2020 motorcycle show. There are plans made for a fill-in show in 2021, but it will be a trade-only event. The transition to trade-only will bring more focus on industry needs and education. AIMExpo hope to educate dealers on improving efficiency, staying competitive and enhancing the bottom line.

MXA FIRST RIDE VIDEO: 20201 HUSQVARNA FC450

MXA FIRST RIDE VIDEO: 2021 KAWASAKI KX450

MXA TESTS A TM 660 WORLD SIDECARCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP RIG

WHAT WE’RE WORKING ON: MXA’S 2020 HONDA CRF450 PROJECT BIKE

ASK THE MXPERTS: CAN I RUN A KTM CLUTCH BASKET ON MY HONDA CRF450?

A steel clutch basket has pluses and minuses, but mostly pluses.

Dear MXA,
Everyone raves about the KTM’s CNC-machined steel clutch basket. I realize that the KTM parts won’t fit on my Honda CRF450, but does anyone make a steel clutch basket for a 2018 Honda CRF450?

You can get an added dose of KTM clutch performance out of your CRF450 with Hinson’s Momentum steel clutch basket. It is CNC-machined out of a billet of solid steel and weighs 2 pounds more than the stock cast-aluminum basket. If you are tired of notching baskets and changing clutch plates on the judder spring-equipped CRF450 clutch, the Hinson basket is for you. Hinson makes the steel clutch basket for riders who never want to worry about the lifespan of their clutch baskets. The steel basket is extremely wear resistant, has oil ports to help lubricate the plates, and improves clutch performance because of its stiction-free tangs.

Hinson steel clutch basket in a CRF450.

MXA was initially worried about what the heavy basket would do to throttle response and power output. Amazingly, most MXA test riders liked the feel. The whole clutch felt smoother in action because the plate drag on the basket’s tangs was reduced. At the worst, the test riders felt that the heavy basket took the edge off of the harsher parts of the CRF450 powerband, slowed the revs down in the midrange and broadened the over-rev. Perhaps, because of the direction of the rotation of the clutch, it operates more like a giant counterbalancer than a flywheel weight; it had none of the attributes of a heavy flywheel.

The Hinson Momentum clutch is available for Hondas, Yamahas, Suzukis and Kawasakis. At $384.99, the CNC-machined steel Hinson basket costs $60 more than their Akadized aluminum basket. For more information, go to www.hinsonracing.com or call (909) 946-2942.

MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: PRO CIRCUIT BILLET CRF250/CRF450 SHIFT LEVER

Built to meet the rigorous demands of motocross, the new Pro Circuit Shift Lever for the 2018-19 CRF250 and 2017-2019 CRF450 is CNC-machined from aircraft quality billet aluminum for strength. It is anodized for durability and comes with stainless steel spring hardware that resists corrosion. The free-folding, knurled tip design helps prevent dirt clogging and is replaceable. The retail price is $99.95. For more info go to www.procircuit.com.

MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: FCP RACING TITANIUM MOTOR MOUNTS & HEAD STAYS

FCP Racing: is a new company based in Southern California that has ventured into designing and selling aftermarket titanium and aluminum motor mounts and head stays. FCP Racing engine mounts are designed and engineered to improve handling, cornering, traction and feel. They are the choice of many top race teams and racers around the world.

FCP Racing believes that the combination of titanium front motor mounts and aluminum head stays creates the flex characteristics that improves front end traction and makes the front and rear work together. This eliminates any wallow you may feel under high-speed sections and square-edge bumps. The titanium front mounts stiffened up the chassis for a precise feel.

Before this type of technology was only used by factory teams or anyone crazy enough to make their own, but now FCP Racing is delivering factory level technology to the average consumer. The retail prices: Yamaha YZ450F ($429.00); Honda CRF250, Honda CRF450; Kawasaki KX450 and Suzuki RM-Z450 ($399), KTM/Husky ($349.00). For more info go to www.fcpracing.com

REVISED AMA NATIONAL MOTOCROSS RACE SCHEDULE: CHECK THE RED BUD DOUBLEHEADER DATES

TENTATIVE AMA NATIONAL MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Aug. 15…Hurricane Mills, TN
Aug. 22…Washougal, WA
Aug. 29…Crawfordsville, IN
Sept. 4 (Friday)…Red Bud, MI
Sept. 7 (Monday) …Red Bud, MI
Sept. 19…Millville, MN
Sept. 26…Jacksonville, FL
Oct. 3…Lakewood, CO
Oct. 10…Pala, CA, CA
For more information go to www.promotocross.com

MXA AD OF THE WEEK: DO YOU REMEMBER GOLDEN SPECTRO—YOU SHOULD BECAUSE THEY ARE STILL AROUND

They were a big player years ago and most racers think that they have one the way of the dodo bird, but Golden Spectro is still available. Go to www.spectro-oils.com

GLEN HELEN’S 10-HOUR ENDURANCE RACE TO BE HELD ON AUGUST 8

Glen Helen’s 3Bros-sponsored 10-Hour and 24-Hour off-road race have been scheduled for August 8 and November 21-22. This year the 10-Hour race will start at 4:00 p.m. Saturday and end at 2:00 a.m.Sunday morning. It is open to 4 riders per team and two bikes. The 25-Hour of Glen Helen will begin on November 21 at 10:00 a.m. and end on Sunday, November 22 at 10:00 a.m. The amateur teams can have 6 riders and two bikes, but the Pro teams can only have 4 riders and must finish the 24 hours on the one bike. Headlights are required for the 24-hour only, but recommended for the 10-Hour. For more info go to www.glenhelen.com.

REM MOTOCROSS THIS SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, AT GLEN HELEN

For more info go to www.remsatmx.com.

2020 GREAT PLAINS VINTAGE MOTOCROSS SERIES: AUG. 9 & OCT. 11

For more information about the Great Plains Vintage Series go to www.greatplainsvintagemx.org

THE 32:1 PREMIX CLASSIC COMING TO LAST CHANCE RACEWAY ON SEPT. 11-13

For more information about the September 11-13 race in Montana go to www.lastchancemx.com.

2020 WISECO WORLD TWO-STROKE MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP WILL BE HELD ON OCTOBER 3, 2020

For more information go to www.glenhelen.com

40TH ANNUAL CZ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP RESCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 9-10 AT MARYSVILLE

Dating back to 1980 when MXA’s Jody Weisel, Ketchup Cox and Pete Maly talked Saddleback Saturday promoter Jim Beltnick into holding a CZ race, the CZ World Championship is now on its 40th anniversary in 2020. For more information go to www.czriders.com

36TH ANNUAL WORLD VET MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP ON NOVEMBER 6-8: START PLANNING NOW

For more information go to www.worldvetmx.com

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THE EVER CHANGING 2020 RACE SCHEDULES

Under the current plan, the 2020 AMA National series will start on August 15 and feature 9 rounds—counting two back-to-back races at Red Bud on a Friday, September 4 and Monday on September 7.

REVISED 2020 FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Mar. 1…Matterley, Great Britain (Held)
Mar. 8…Valkenswaard, Holland (Held)
Aug. 9…Kegums, Latvia
Aug. 12…Kegums, Latvia
Aug. 16…Kegums, Latvia
Sept. 6.…Afyonkarahisar, Turkey
Sept. 16…Faenza, Italy
Sept. 20…Faenza, Italy
Sept. 30…Mantova, Italy
Oct. 4…Mantova, Italy
Oct. 11..Arroyomolinos, Spain
Oct. 18…Lommel, Belgium
Oct. 21…Lommel, Belgium
Oct. 25…Lommel, Belgium
Nov. 1…Trentino, Italy
Nov. 22…Neuquen, Argentina

2020 FIM MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS
CANCELED

REVISED 2020 BRITISH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Aug. 2…Hawkstone Park
Aug. 23…Landrake Motoparc
Sept 6…Cusses Gorse
Oct. 4… Fatcat Motoparc

REVISED 2020 ACU MOTOCROSS BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP
Aug. 29 (Saturday)…Foxhill
Aug. 31 (Monday)…Foxhill
Sept.13… Little Silver
Sept. 27…Blaxhall

REVISED 2020 CANADIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
July 25-26…Courtland, ON
Aug…8-9…Walton, ON
Aug. 16…Walton, ON
Aug. 29-30…Sand Del Lee, ON
Sept. 5-6….Deschambault, QC

REVISED 2020 AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Aug. 9…Connondale. QLD
Aug. 6…Maitland, NSW
Sept. 16…Newry, VIC
Sept. 12…Horsham, VIC
Oct. 4…Gympie, QLD
Oct. 11…Coolum, QLD

2020 AMA NATIONAL AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Aug. 3-8….Hurricane Mills, TN

2020 WISECO WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIP
Oct. 3…Glen Helen, CA

2020 DUBYA WORLD VET MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Nov. 6-8…Glen Helen , CA

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