FRIDAY WRAP UP 8-5-2016

DIRT BIKE TESTS & PROJECTS

We have an embarrassment of riches right now. There are about 10 new bikes that have been released within the last month, and on top of that we have five or six project bikes that are nearing completion. Here are the bikes we’ve ridden and worked on this week, starting with the smallest.

KAWASAKI KLX140G

Last Wednesday, Kawasaki revealed a new model at Wildomar OHV area in the Cleveland National forest. This is a bike that doesn’t fall into any neat category–it’s a kid’s bike resized for adults. Kawasaki took the KLX140 and stretched it out with a longer swingarm and added about an inch behind the steering head, then put an on 18-inch rear wheel and a 21-inch front wheel on it. The company already had two versions of the bike; one with a 14″/17″ wheel combo and another with a 16″/19″.

If you add in the two different versions of the KLX110, Kawasaki now has five youth models. The new G model fills a gap for entry level riders who are well over five-feet tall. The only other bikes on the market that are aimed at those riders are the 230s from Honda and Yamaha, but those are much heavier bikes. The KLX is made in Thailand and priced at $3690. Pete Murray and I had an absolute gas riding it around Wildomar. This is, by the way, a state-run OHV area off Ortega Highway, right between Orange and Riverside counties. It’s a much bigger area than we expected, and worth checking out.

We don't think Kawasaki is trying to start a new pit-bike craze, but the 140 is still a blast. — We don’t think Kawasaki is trying to start a new pit-bike craze, but the 140 is still a blast.

TESTS IN PROGRESS

Troy Vanscourt finished up his Vegas to Reno Honda CRF450X this week. It's very well done, and we'll feature it in the November issue. — Troy Vanscourt finished up his Vegas to Reno Honda CRF450X this week. It’s very well done, and we’ll feature it in the November issue.

I'm happy to have Mark Tilley back in action. He was hurt two months ago when the throttle stuck on a test bike and he went down hard. This week he spent time testing the 2017 Suzuki RM-Z450. — I’m happy to have Mark Tilley back in action. He was hurt two months ago when the throttle stuck on a test bike and he went down hard. This week he spent time testing the 2017 Suzuki RM-Z450.

Thurday at Glen Helen we had Mark Vanscourt helping with the 2017 KTM 350SX-F test. He was loving the bike, but fell and took a dirt nap. He was checked out at Arrowhead Country Medical Center, and he's OK, but all the same, we're going to keep him off test-bike duty for a short time. He was looking good! — Thursday at Glen Helen we had Mark Vanscourt helping with the 2017 KTM 350SX-F test. He was loving the bike, but fell and took a dirt nap. He was checked out at Arrowhead County Medical Center, and he’s OK, but all the same, we’re going to keep him off test-bike duty for a short time. He was looking good!

HusFX450RFweb — This is the new Husqvarna FX450 that we just got. It’s the first of a new line of bikes offered by Husky: full-race off-road bikes. No green sticker, no spark arrestor. We’ll be riding the wheels off it this weekend.

BAJA DOMINATOR

We’ve been fascinated with Mark Kalpakolf’s 2002 Honda XR650R. He found it about a month ago and has been on a mission to build it into the ultimate Baja cruiser. It’s done now, and we went out with him on a photo shoot on Monday before he took it to Mexico on its maiden run. He’s down there now, but he put this video together about finding and building the bike .

The Dominator is now on its maiden voyage.

NEXT PROJECT?

I think I just purchased this 1992 KTM 300. It belonged to my buddy Steve Surber, and I told him to give me first shot if he ever sold it. He called my bluff. The problem is that it's too good. As a project bike, there's nothing to to. I rode the 250 version of the same bike at the 1991 ISDE in Czechoslovakia. Loved it. Tom Webb rode the 300. Loved it. Now what? — I think I just purchased this 1992 KTM 300. It belonged to my buddy Steve Serber, and I told him to give me first shot if he ever sold it. He called my bluff. The problem is that it’s too good. As a project bike, there’s nothing to to. I rode the 250 version of the same bike at the 1991 ISDE in Czechoslovakia. Loved it. Tom Webb rode the 300 that year. Loved it. Now what? If nothing else, it will get me into the Revo class at Big Six GPs.

See you next week.

Ron Lawson