FRIDAY WRAP UP

LAST DOG STANDING

I previewed a little of the Last Dog Standing course on Thursday. It’s one of my favorite races of the year. The guys in the Prairie Dogs MC work their butts off each year to put on this race, hoping that someday it will draw a big sponsor or at least a big turnout so they cover their expenses. So far, each year the race draws a little over 100 riders, which is about how many workers it takes to hold the event. But the ‘Dogs love it as much as I do, and they get some help from Desert MC members.

Last week they built a land bridge just to get riders across a gully that they thought would look interesting and be fun. How cool is that? A club will work all week for a 15-second section. This year the first round is going to be a little easier than it has been in the past. Everyone should be able to finish. Then subsequent races get tougher and tougher, until the final round, which is a death march for the best riders in the world. Cody Webb has won a couple of times. The very first was won by Kyle Redmond.

I’ll probably ride that first round on the 2017 Gas Gas 300. Then I have to shoot photos. At least, that’s my excuse for not doing the insane stuff they have planned. It should be awesome.

Immediately after the LDS, have to to mark the course for the next day’s John Burr 10 Hours of Glen Helen.

FIRST 450

We took delivery of our first 2017 450cc motocross bike last week. Kawasaki was first out of the gate this year. Yamaha will be next, followed by KTM and Husky. No news on when we’ll see anything from Suzuki or the new Honda CRF450R yet. The rumors keep circling that the Honda will have an electric starter as an option. We don’t expect any big change in the CRF250R for 2017. As for the Kawasaki, it’s great. Last year it was our favorite 450, and now they have cured some of the popping that occurred every time the throttle was chopped. The full test will be in the September, 2016 issue, but here’s a little preview to hold you over: 2017 Kawasaki KX450F first ride.

IN PRINT

The June issue of Dirt Bike has a feature on the Lawson AWD motorcycles. These are two concept bikes that were mailed to us from Wisconsin. The builders were Bill and Marty Lawson, a father/son engineer team who are both very smart and presumably unrelated to me. The two bikes were a KTM 350 and an AJP 240, and they both have a very solid drive train of chains and pulleys directing power to the front wheel. Unlike other two-wheel drive designs, the Lawson transmits pretty much the same power to both wheels, which make for a very interesting ride. It’s an interesting read, too.

BACK IN THE DAY

Remember Cagiva? I certainly do. This was the Italian company that purchased Husqvarna in the late ’80s. In the June issue, I recount the happenings of those years, as the Swedish models were dropped and replaced by Italian bikes after the purchase. Michael Traum wrote in to correct me on a few things. I said that the original Husky models were dropped in 1987, but he reported that they remained in the line until 1990. I humbly concede to those who have better memories. A side note: the above photo was originally in black and white, as most of Dirt Bike magazine was in those days. Now that I point it out, it’s kind of obvious, isn’t it?

HIGH POINT IS HERE

I never realized how long a week without professional motocross can be. Mt. Morris is a great track, although I have to admit it’s been years since I’ve been there. I’ll even miss the Mav TV broadcast because I’ll be at the Last Dog Standing. But I’ll DVR it. Here are some stats from the MX Sports crew:

GIVE AWAY BIKES

There are two giveaway bikes that are right around the corner. Click here for a shot at the Destry Abbott  Kawasaki KX500. If you’re close to Corona, California, you can also contribute to Destry Abbott’s battle with cancer by attending his event at Pole Position Indoor Karting track on Tuesday, June 21 at 8:00 p.m. Another giveaway bike (unrelated to Destry’s fund) is the Boyesen Two-Stroke Revolution YZ250. I want them both, and as far as I know, there’s no rule saying I can’t win them. Someone has to, right?

That’s all for now. See you next week

Ron Lawson