Click on images to enlarge
WORK IN PROGRESS: MXA’S 2016 250 FOUR-STROKE SHOOTOUT
The gang’s all here.
MXA’S shootout process is fairly straight forward. As we collect each bike, and they don’t all come to us at once, we dyno them, weigh them, shoot them in the studio and then headout to the track to shoot the action photographs for the individual tests. Once all of the busy work for the magazine is done, we begin racing the bikes. With seven test riders of all skill levels racing the bikes each week, we begin to gather lots data, break lots parts, solve lots setup issues, try lots of different gearing and work out any mapping problems. MXA test riders don’t get to pick the bikes they race on any given weekend. They are assigned a bike—whether they want to race that bike or not. A test rider who only wants to ride a Yamaha isn’t a test rider—he’s a Yamaha rider. We don’t give our test riders a choice in the matter. Luckily, the test bikes are rotated through each test rider on a weekly basis. So they all get to race their favorite bike a couple times during the process
The 2017 Husqvarna FC250 with Justin Muscutt.
Once we think we know enough about a given bike to be somewhat knowledgeable about how it works, we force the test riders to switch bikes between motos. For example, we have them race the Honda CRF250 in one moto and the Suzuki RM-Z250 in the other moto. When you add up all of the possible combinations it is fairly normal to have four test riders switching bikes on a single weekend, The next race they might be on the KTM 250SXF and the Ksawasaki KX250F. We spend an inordinate amount of time doing this, but normally we have the time—because we aren’t rushing. We want every test rider to race every bike—several times. And, there is always one manufacturers who holds up the parade as we wait for their new bike to come from Japan or Austria.
2017 KTM 250SXF with Johnny Jelderda.
As the clock begins to tick down to having to complete the shootout, which in our case means when the January 2017 issue gets closer, we seek competent help from the factories for any problems we have. We often ask for a second bike if we are unsure about something on our test bike (and have been known to rerun dyno tests with bikes we borrow from dealerships to insure that our initial dyno test was accurate).
2017 Honda CRF250 with Braden O’Neal.
The next step is to gather the photo test riders together for one final day of round robin testing. These test riders aren’t Vets or Novices. They are fast and stylish. They are called in to put each bike through its paces for both the still cameras and the video shoot. Normally the factories send along their top guys to help us with any issues or mechanical problems—and to help any of the six test rider get the bikes set-up —rather than have to ride with the settings of the last guy to ride the bike (we actually brought eight test riders to the 2016 MXA 250 Shootout video-and-photography day to get more feedback). You can see the handiwork of these riders on the photos displayed here. They are good at what they do—and we appreciate their help.
2017 Yamaha YZ250F with Ty Hames.
Once we have shot hundreds of photos and run through 36 gallons of gas, we begin collating all of the info. It ends up in the hands of Jody Weisel, Daryl Ecklund or John Basher to whittle down to a couple thousand words. When you ask an MXA editor what the most valuable skill needed by a test rider is they always say, “Typing.” Since they have ridden the bikes themselves—they can distill all of the input in to what is hopefully a cohesive string of words.
2017 Kawasaki KX250F with Justin Hoeft.
But, even though we are very close to the end of the 2016 MXA 250 Shootout, and moving on to the concurrently run 450 Shootout, we haven’t turned in the final version of the test yet. Through osmosis and interaction, we know the most likely winners and losers, but until it is sent to the printer in Kentucky and turned into hard copies of the magazine—we keep the exact placing of each machine secret. And, of course once the 250 Shootout in packed up and shipped out, we start all over again on the 450 experience.
2017 Suzuki RM-Z250 with Deegan VonLossberg.
Don’t ask us who won. Not because we don’t appreciate your interest and enthusiasm, but we can’t tell you. Jody has very strict rules about this and wants everyone, from MXA readers to MXA test riders, to find out when the January issue comes out. And not before! January sounds like a long time away doesn’t it? But the date on a magazine is its expiration date—and the January 2017 issue, with the shootout results, will be shipped from the printer to your mailbox on November 20, 2016. Thanks for your patience—we have always been thorough.
THE LAST 500cc TWO-STROKE THAT TEAM YAMAHA RACED
Dubbed the “Maytag” by the MXA wrecking crew because it shook so much, Damon Bradshaw and Doug Dubach raced this conglomeration of left-over Yamaha parts in the 1991 AMA 500 Nationals. It used a 1991 Yamaha YZ250 frame (with a 20mm longer swingarm) outfitted with a YZ490 engine wedged in. Damon Bradshaw actually won a moto and ended the 1991 AMA 500National series in fourth overall.
THREE WEEKS OF ONE-OFF RACES THAT PROMISE THRILLS, SPILLS & EXCUSES
Ryan Dungey won Giuseppe Luongo’s version of Supercross in Germany last week. It was a three-moto affair held in front of a crowd smaller than the number of people in the checkout line at Wal-Mart. Ryan rode his normal safe and sane speed to win on consistency with a 2-3-2 night. He pocketed $53,000 (not counting the bonus that KTM must have paid him to ride on a track that looked no tougher than a local sand track in Florida).
RELIVE LIVE LAST YEAR’S MONSTER CUP: ANDERSON’S MOTO 1 MISTAKE
RELIVE LIVE LAST YEAR’S MONSTER CUP: ANDERSON’S MOTO 2 RETRIBUTION
RELIVE LIVE LAST YEAR’S MONSTER CUP: MOTO 3 IS ROCZEN’S $100,000 BABY
RESULTS: 2015 MONSTER ENERGY CUP
1. Ken Roczen (Suz)…1-4-1
2. Ryan Dungey (KTM)…2-5-2
3. Jason Anderson (Hus)…6-1-3
4. Justin Barcia (Yam)…5-3-4
5. Davi Millsaps (KTM)…3-6-6
6. Trey Canard (Hon)…10-2-14
7. Justin Brayton (KTM)…11-7-12
8. Blake Baggett (Suz)…4-9-18
9. Christian Craig (Hon)…14-14-5
10. Chad Reed (Yam)…9-16-8
This year’s Red Bull Straight Rhythm race will be held under the lights at the Fairplex in Pomona, California, on October 22. That should make the weather cooler for the spectators who have sweltered the last couple years.
THE WAY WE WERE: VANS, TWO-STROKES & LARS LARSSON
Here is a time capsule photo of Lars Larsson with his Ford Econoline van and a 1969 Penton. Lars was one of the founds of Thor, worked as Edison Dye’s first Husqvarna saleman, and was also the West Coast Penton distributor. Lars is still racing and will receive the Edison Dye Lifetime Achievement Award at the World Vet Championship in three weeks.
WHAT’S LEFT OF THE 2016 RACE CALENDAR
2016 REM MOTOCROSS
Oct. 22………………………..Glen Helen, CA
Oct. 29………………………..Glen Helen, CA (World Vet warm-up)
Nov 12…………………………Glen Helen, CA
Nov. 19………………………..Glen Helen, CA
Nov. 26……………………….No race (Day in the Dirt)
AUSTRALIAN SUPERCROSS
Oct. 14………………………….Toowooba, Queensland
Oct. 29………………………….Wayville, South Australia
Nov. 5…………………………..Avalon, Victoria
Nov. 12-13…………………….Sydney, New South Wales
2016 MONSTER CUP
Oct. 15…………………………Las Vegas, NV
RED BULL STRAIGHT RHYTHM
Oct. 22………………………..Pomona, CA
2016 AMA SUPERMOTO CHAMPIONSHIP
Oct. 22………………………..Tucson, AZ
2016 GEICO ENDUROCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Oct. 22………………………..Everett, WA
Nov. 5………………………….Boise, ID
Nov. 19………………………..Ontario, CA
ARNHEM SUPERCROSS
Oct. 22…………………………Arnhem, Holland
2016 REM OCTOBERCROSS
Oct. 29…………………………..Glen Helen, CA
2016 DUBYA WORLD VET CHAMPIONSHIP
Nov. 5-6……………………….Glen Helen, CA
STUTTGART SUPERCROSS
Nov. 11-12…………………….Stuttgart, Germany
TAMPERE SUPERCROSS
Nov. 11-12……………………..Finland
PARIS/LILLE SUPERCROSS
Nov. 12-13…………………….Lille, France
MUNICH SUPERCROSS
Nov. 18-19……………………Munich, Germany
2016 THOR WINTER OLYMPICS
Nov. 21-16……………………Gatorback, FL
DAY IN THE DIRT 19
Nov. 26-27………………….Glen Helen, CA
GENEVA SUPERCROSS
Dec. 23………………………Geneva, Switzerland
MXA TWO-STROKE FILES: LOOKING FOR A V6 TWO-STROKE
Two-stroke tuner Stan Stephens has hand-built a 1200cc V6 two-stroke engine. It uses Yamaha Banshee cylinders mounted on a modified V6 crankcase based on an four-cylinder RZ500 V4 engine.
THIS WEEK’S BIRTHDAY BOYS: ADAM 20, TORSTEN 77 & EVEL 78
Oct. 15…Jimmy Decotis 1991
Oct. 15…Matt Walker 1981
Oct. 16…P.J. Larsen 1990
Oct. 17…Torsten Hallman 1939
Oct. 17…Evel Knievel 1938
Oct. 18…David Vuillemin 1977
Oct. 18…Marcus Hansson 1969
Oct. 18…Matt Boni 1987
Oct. 19…Jimmy Ellis 1955
Oct. 19…Vince Friese 1990
Oct. 20…Adam Cianciarulo 1996
Oct. 21…Terren O’Dell 1991
Oct. 21…Matiss Karro 1991
Oct. 22…Ashley Fiolek 1990
Oct. 22…Michael Brandes 1975
Click Next Page to watch the MXA product spotlight, the man who made the four-stroke popular and more industry news
MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: SWITCH HAULER BUMPER CARRIER
MXA has considerable experience with the Switch Hauler from All-Jacked-Up Inc. It is the strongest, most durable, bumper carrier on the planet. Not only does it come with footpeg restraints, strap eyelets and the ability to carry a 300-pound load, the Switch Hauler is a modular package, that breaks down to a nice, easy to store package when you get home. After all, who has room in their garage for a big bulky ramp or awkwardly configured contraption that doesn’t fit anywhere? With the Switch Hauler you’re not limited to the trailer speed limit, a few lanes on the road, prohibited from the carpool lane and it doesn’t need a ramp because it lowers itself down to bike height. If you don’t want to pulll a trailer, mount a Switch Hauler on the back and take what you need to where you’re going.
This Switch Hauler comes in three drop hieghts: a straight tongue design with no drop, 2 inches of drop and 3-1/4-inches of drop to insure that it works with every size truck and Class III or better receiver. The modular design means that the Switch hauler is amazingly simple to install right out of the box. The retail price varies from $449.00 to $479.00. For more info go to (760) 500-3397 or www.alljackedupinc.com.
SWITCH HAULER VIDEO
MXA AD OF THE WEEK: IT DOESN’T LOOK LIKE MUCH, BUT IT WORKED
Considered to be one of the most effective motorcycle ads every produced this 1963 Honda ad put the Japanese motorcycle manufaqcture ron the map bay making motorcycle look like fun The $245 price didn’t hurt either.
ALL OF THE 2017 SCHEDULES THAT ARE OUT NOW
None of these schedules are set in stone, but you can count on the Supercross and Arenacross schedules to be accurate.
2017 AMA SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
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
2017 FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Feb. 25…………………….Qatar (Saturday)
Mar. 5………………………Indonsia
Mar. 16…………………….Argentina
Mar. 26…………………….Mexico
Apr. 9………………………Italy
Apr. 23…………………….Holland
May 7………………………Latvia
May 14…………………….Germany
May 28…………………….France
June 4……………………..TBA
June 18……………………Belgium
June 25……………………Italy
July 9……………………….San Marino
July 30……………………..Czech Republic
Aug. 13…………………….Switzerland
Aug. 20…………………….Sweden
Sept. 2………………………USA (Monday)
Sept. 10……………………Holland
Sept. 17…………………….TBA
The Glen Helen Motocross des Nations will be held in England.
2017 MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS
October 1…………..Matterley Basin, Great Britain
2017 SMX RIDERS & MANUFACTURERS CUP
October 7…………..Gelsenkirchen, Germany
2017 AMSOIL ARENACROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Jan. 7-8…………………….Cincinnati, OH
Jan. 13-15…………………Grand Rapids, MI
Jan. 20-22…………………Baltimore, MD
Jan. 28-29…………………Nashville, TN.
Feb. 4-5…………………….Louisville, KY
Feb. 18-19…………………Kansas City, MO
Feb.y 25-26……………….Tampa, FL
Mar. 3-5…………………….Southaven, MS
Mar. 11-12…………………New Orleans, LA
Mar. 18-19…………………Portland, OR
Mar. 24-26…………………Reno, NV
April 1-2…………………….Sacramento, CA
April 21-23…………………Denver, CO
May 5-7…………………….Las Vegas, NV
2017 AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
April 2…………………….Victoria
April 23……………………New South Wales
May 7……………………..Queensland
May 21……………………Victoria
May 28……………………South Australia
July 2……………………..New South Wales
July 16……………………Victoria
July 30……………………New South Wales
Aug. 13…………………..Queensland
Aug. 19-20………………Queensland
THOSE CRAZY HAND SHIFT, HARLEY & BEATER BIKE GUYS ARE BACK
The Halloween Hillclimb will not be on Halloween, but 8 days before it it. For more info on the October 23, 2016, event at Glen Helen, go to www.hellonwheelsmc.com
GRAN FONDO SANTA CLARITA: 20, 60 & 100 MILE LOOPS ON OCT. 22
Lots of cycling stars and even more motorcycle guys. For more info go to www.granfondosantaclarita.com
WORLD VET MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP ON NOV. 5-6
Now that the young guy’s Championships are decided, all eyes will turn to the older set at the 2016 Dubya-sponsored World Vet Championships. There are Pro class for the Over-30, Over-40 and Over-50 racers. Expect the competition to be intense. For more info go to www.glenhelen.com
ROUTE 66 VINTAGE SCRAMBLES AT ROY ROGERS RANCH ON NOV. 20
For more info click here.
THOR MINI OLYMPICS ON NOV. 21-26
For more info go to www.unlimitedsportsmx.com
DAY IN THE DIRT 19 ENTRIES OPEN NOW FOR NOV. 25-27
For more info go to www.dayinthedirt.com
HOW TO SUBSCRIBE & GET MXA FOR FREE: YOU WILL ACTUALLY MAKE MONEY
Interested in getting a new bike this year? The November 2016 issue of MXA will be on the news stands soon and has test of seven bikes that you could own—including the 2017 KTM 150SX, 2017 Suzuki RM-Z250, 2017 Yamaha YZ450F, 2017 Husqvarna FC450 and 2017 KTM 250SXF. Plus, 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 for only $19.99 you get 12 issues 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: http://hi-torque.com/product/subscribe-to-motocross-action-magazine/
Photos: Husqvarna, Jon Ortner, Scott Mallonee, Brian Converse, Massimo Zanzani, John Basher, John Basher, Yamaha, MXGP, MXA, Honda