THE WEEKLY FEED; AUGUST 25, 2015

BLAST FROM THE PAST

Roger DeCoster Saddleback Trans AM 1976

Photo by Mark Kiel

Blast-RD — Roger DeCoster won five 500cc Motocross World Championships; tallied a record 36 500cc Motocross Grand Prix victories; was a member of six winning Belgium Motocross des Nations teams but he also helped spread the gospel of motocross to America. He came to the United States to race in the Trans-AMA Series, which pitted the best American riders against the top Europeans. Roger won the Trans-AMA Championship four years in a row, 1974-1977.

ONE BAD DUDE

Ryan Dungey has come off as milk toast for years, but his command of the outdoor season following an early season trouncing by Eli Tomac is close to legendary. According to sources at the Nationals Ryan’s speed and tenacity went viral as the season progressed and his win in Indiana proved that he is the most dominant motocrosser on the planet.

FAMILY TIES

Ken Roczen had a hell of a week. Following his dad’s interview in a German moto magazine that was transcribed and posted by Vital stating that the RCH team was a band of misfits and that everything from the manager to RC himself lacked the precision and decision making necessary to be competitive. He ragged on the suspension and the inability to test and correct Ken’s issues with the Triple air fork. Boiled down it was pretty brutal.

Well Ken bounced back at the final National in Indiana and it’s widely known that he’s had problems dealing with the Showa Triple air. Sources say that its because he came off a spring fork at KTM, mated to a steel frame which offers better feel than aluminum. We hear that he ran a Works Showa spring fork the last few rounds and has been trying new linkage setups in the rear trying to find a good balance. It seems to have worked as Ken won the final moto of year. Oh, and if everyone remembers correctly one of the main reasons that KR left Team KTM followed the Motocross des Nations in 2013 where KTM boss Pit Beirer tossed Ken’s dad out of the KTM pits- for life. Roczen’s switch to Suzuki was retribution for the slam against his dad.

One final thought here, rumor has it that Honda is going after KR hard. Unfortunately he has two-year deal with RCH Suzuki and it would cost (we hear) 2 million to get out of it…

OFF-ROAD RACER OF THE WEEK

Nick Burson!

Purvines/Beta team rider Nick Burson won round seven of the AMA National Hare & Hound series held in Panaca, Nevada this past weekend. The Beta and H&H veteran pulled a holeshot in the dusty conditions and led from start to finish aboard his Collin Woolsey prepped Beta 480 RR.

Burson describes his race, “Heading out on the 2nd loop I knew I had to hold the lead and use the dust to my advantage. I set off and put my head down and had a really good 2nd loop. I started flowing a lot better and riding the way I know I can. I opened up about a 1-minute lead and came into the pits for another splash of gas and a fresh pair of X-brand goggles. They told me in the pits that I had a decent lead. I set out on the 3rd loop to maintain my lead and bring home the win. The 3rd loop was pretty uneventful which was good for me. I opened up more of a lead and felt strong all the way to the finish. I came into the finish to take home my first National Hare and Hound win of the season”

RYAN VILLOPOTO STORY

Ryan Villopoto’s retirement announcement hit us all pretty hard, but after the initial shock, it’s clear that it’s been coming for a while. In this 10-minute video, Ryan talks about his season in Europe and all the factors that came together to make it happen, and then to end it. It’s a good watch.

ROBBIE MADDISON BEHIND THE SCENES IN TAHITI WITH HIS WATER BIKE

https://youtu.be/uBzmkpF_4VQ

OUT TAKES FROM THE TKO

Here’s a smattering of photos from Kenny King and Kinney Jones from last weeks TKO event in Tennessee. It has become America’s toughest off-road race.

EG0A1222 — The rock gardens haunt even the best as Colton Haaker is forced to bull dog his machine.

EG0A1114 — For the third year in a row Cody Webb has won. This year he said was the toughest due to high heat and humidity, plus the presence of KTM Red Bull rider Jonny Walker.

TKOextreme-(9) — Team Am Pro Ricky Russell was one of the few competitive 4-strokes in the extreme conditions in Tennessee.

EG0A1199 — Beta’s Kyle Redmond and Am Pro’s Jordan Ashburn nose to tail it looking to grab a top ten result. Both did.

CODY WEBB’S KTM VERSUS JONNY WALKERS 300

Interesting at the TKO was not the fact that KTM/Husky dominated the event (taking the top five), or that 2-strokes were the tool of choice (Jordan Ashbury was the only 4-stroke in the top ten) but the differences between Cody Webb’s KTM and perhaps the best extreme racer on the planet, Jonny Walkers Austrian mount.

TKO_0112 — Cody’s RPM KTM 300XC has been a work in progress for him. He prefers the linkage bike but has spent the entire year trying to tune in down for smoother power. Cody says that’s one area where the Beta was very strong, smooth meaty bottom and mid power. Suspension is WP, the shock a Traxs unit and the fork is the Cone valve from their higher end factory services suspension. Cody uses FMF exhaust systems, a Fatty mated to the new longer off-road oriented muffler with the larger can.

TKO_0106 — Jonny Walker raced a 300 XCW, preferring the linkless PDS for its smoother action in the rocks. He too uses the Factory WP Cone Valve fork and the Trax shock, which drops under acceleration and maintains better traction than stock. Jonny uses a stock pipe mated to Akrapovic’s 2-stroke muffler, which is long and helps to sooth any hard hit. At the TKO Walker stuck with the stock triple clamps which are less rigid than the CNC machined units on the XCs.

MSR’s Jonny Walker on the TKO event

PRODUCT PICS OF THE WEEK

REAL CARBON FIBER HATS!

My nephew Jason hooked me up here. Jason’s buddy works for Ferrari North American designed the Carbon Fit hat and he just wanted to make a totally wicked hat. He’s got a patent pending on the process where he turns the raw carbon fiber into a sew able fabric. It stays soft and flexible and is super lightweight. This version is the trucker hat, which is carbon fiber on the front and bill and mesh on the back. It sells for $39.95 with the CarbonFit logo, and they will make custom units like the Dirt Bike one you see here.

You can view all the CarbonFit Carbon Fiber Gear at www.carboneradesigns.com

2016 ALPINE STAR PROTECTIVE GEAR

A1 ROOST GUARD
MOTOCROSS / OFF ROAD PROTECTION

An ultra-lightweight and comfortable strap vest offering high levels of upper body protection that is CE certified (front guard) against impacts and roost.
The A1 Roost Guard incorporates an innovative strap closure system for quick, easy and tight securing fit. The A1 is versatile and modular, allowing the
back protector to be removed for a highly customized fit.
-$99.95

TECH 10
MOTOCROSS / OFF-ROAD

– The one-piece co-injected foot chassis incorporates five different compounds in a single lightweight piece to offer strength while maintaining flexibility and structural integrity.
– Frontal protection features a dual closure system with an internal microfiber flap, plus Velcro® for a precise fit closure attached securely with a microadjustable, easy to operate, lightweight buckle. Shin incorporates a unique TPU blade system engineered to prevent frontal hyperextension and offer greater flex control.
– Innovative, ergonomic design for lateral and medial flex zones to provide superb front and rear flexion support which helps prevent damaging torsional forces around the ankle area.
– Contoured TPU calf protector plate offers impact resistance and incorporates Alpinestars innovative rear blade system, formed with hard shock
resistant polymer to protect the heel and features a rear hyperextension guard.
– Multi-density foot shell incorporating heel and toe protection is highly resistant to abrasion and impact, and adds to the boot’s overall durability.
-Exclusive dual compound sole is seamlessly integrated to the multi-density foot base structure with built-in support. The sole offers superior durability, grip and feel while riding.
– The central sole insert is easily replaceable and Alpinestars offers a full sole replacement and boot repair service.
-New buckle closure system includes high-impact aluminium bridge closures, with memory and a quick release/locking system with self-aligning design for easy, precise closure and improved riding performance and security. All buckles are easily replaceable.
– The Tech 10 boot is CE certified.
INNER ANKLE BRACE

SIZE: 7-14
SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $599.95

For more information visit: www.alpinestars.com

Screen shot 2015-08-25 at 11.40.50 AM — Here’s a look at what Gary LaPlante at Moto Ventures has in tune for the next few months.

ASTERISK ULTRA CELL HAS NEW LOWER PRICE!

Over the years, other companies have mimicked the Cell™ in look and feel, but failed to provide the mechanical features necessary to protect the complex knee joint. Today, these companies produce overpriced, glorified knee/shin guards that have flooded the market and dilute the design attributes that make up a true protective knee brace. They try to look the part, but lack any real feature of a ligament-supporting knee brace. At a retail cost between $700-$850, consumers are far overpaying for a set of these so-called “knee braces”. Asterisk prices have also climbed to as high as $700.00 per set in recent years, but that’s all about to change.

Effective immediately, the new and improved Ultra Cell Knee Protection System will be priced at $499.99 per set!

Asterisk now goes direct to the consumer and as of today, the Cell™ knee protection line is only available directly through Asterisk at www.asterisk.com and 1(800)459-2999. The retail prices are as follows; Ultra Cell set – $499.99 (left & right), Cyto Cell set – $389.99 (left & right), Germ youth brace set – $199.00 (left & right). *Ultra Cell will be available with your choice of securement methods, standard Velcro strapping or Boa® closure

JOSH STRANG: NATIONAL ENDURO UPDATE

We chatted with Josh Strang following his second place finish at the Jackpine Enduro.

First, you got off to a strong start. What was the difference this week? How was the event?

The enduro went well on the weekend, I rode like myself and was a good even overall. All my tests were good and because I’ve been riding and training a lot, I started strong. I won 2 tests and was fast in the other 5. Along with more seat time we’ve made some changes to my suspension, which have helped a lot. This weekends event was really fun, trails were fresh like an enduro should be and the ground was sandy so was fun to ride.

Heard it dumped pretty hard in the last portion. How did that affect your race?

The rain came down hard and kind of ruined my chances at the win I think. In test 6 I lost a lot of time, I was in a downpour the whole test where the front guys maybe only had half or none of the test with rain. Made it fun though!

Tell us about your bike. You’re riding a 450 now? Which model and are your setting it up different for enduro versus GNCC?

On the Husky FC450 now, much easier for me because that’s the bike I ride during the week. At the moment I’m racing the bike the same each weekend (enduro or GNCC), it’s what I practice on during the week so makes no sense to keep changing set ups and bikes.

You going to Six Days?

I’m suppose to be going to ISDE but my green card may not turn up so I will see this week.

WOLF: BACK IN THE DAY