APRIL 2015, VOL. 45, NO. 4

ON THE COVER: KTM gets a head start on 2016 with the 450SX-F Factory Edition. Photo: Ron Lawson
ON THE COVER: KTM gets a head start on 2016 with the 450SX-F Factory Edition. Photo: Ron Lawson

BIKES

  • TEST: KTM 450SX-F FACTORY EDITION
    KTM works the system and releases a limited number of special bikes to the public in order to legalize their factory racers. The new Factory Edition was built for Dungey, but will be the forerunner of 2016.
  • SHOOTOUT: KTM 250XC-F VS. YAMAHA YZ250FX
    Yamaha has officially challenged KTM’s status as the bike to have for off-road racing. The new YZ250FX is clearly designed to take on the KTM XC-F in the 250 class. We get front-row seats for the battle.
  • TEST: HUSQVARNA FE350
    There are certain obligations that are incurred when you put the Husqvarna name on a motorcycle. The company’s new owners apparently understand that, and the FE350 is very much a Husky.
  • PROJECT: PRO CIRCUIT YZ125
    When it comes to making a 125 two-stroke fast, Pro Circuit has had their act together a long, long time ago. The Yamaha YZ125 is still the best-handling bike on earth, and, with a little help, it can be as fast as a 250F.
  • PROJECT: GOLIATH
    Does a new Honda CRF450R need more power? No. Do we want it anyway? Absolutely. By increasing the bore 3mm, the Honda goes from a mild 450 to a wicked 480.

FEATURES

  • A CLASSIC YAMAHA
    Let’s face it, the good old days weren’t so good. But, if you take a classic Yamaha Open-classer and rebuild it with the materials available today, you can convince yourself that 1979 wasn’t so bad.
  • BOYESEN SUPERCOOLER
    When it comes to efficiency, horsepower and thermal conductivity, what you don’t know might slow you down. We go to Boyesen to learn the dark art of cooling motorcycle engines.
  • CORNERING WITH ROBBY BELL
    Robby Bell is one of the smoothest riders in the off-road world. We took a good, long look at how he sets up for turns at the Taft WORCS opener, where he ran away from the field.
  • LOGS WITH CODY WEBB
    Okay, we don’t expect you to do amazing tricks like Cody Webb unless you’re another freak of nature. But, he can teach you basics that will help riders of all levels.

ADVENTURE BIKE ACTION

  • SCRAMBLER DUCATI
    If you remember the days when Ducati made dual-sport bikes and Ducati-powered motorcycles won Paris Dakar, you might love the new Scrambler. If not, you’ll probably love it anyway.
  • DAKAR, 2015
    No one ever accused the Dakar Rally of being easy. The 2015 edition made riders suffer through extreme elements like no race in recent history. After pain, suffering and upsets, one man continues to reign.
  • THE GOODS
    We like our adventure to come in manageable doses. If you properly equip yourself for the trip, adventure is a good thing. This month we look at goods from Shoei, Pro Taper, Barnett and Vee Rubber.

RACES

  • ADELANTO GP
    The grandfather of the Desert Grands Prix is back, but it’s been repackaged and civilized. A new club put it together and a new generation of riders attended.
  • SUPERCROSS
    With January comes winter, snow and insane racing action. The Monster Energy Supercross season picks up, and there will be a new champion crowned when it’s all over.
  • INSIDE THE FACTORY BIKES
    No one has an unfair advantage in Supercross anymore. The factory teams are fighting for small gains and tiny morsels. Here’s a look at tiny pieces that make the big picture.
  • OFF-ROAD REPORT
    The off-road year starts first in the west. The Rocky Mountain ATV/MC WORCS races kicked off on the plains of central California, while the Kenda/SRT Hare Scrambles got underway up north.

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