Motocross / Off-Road Motorcycle Reviews

2011 KX250F Review

One could argue that the development of motocross bikes in the '00s proceeded at a less-than-rapid pace. Certainly, the bikes showed improvements, but we did not see the developmental leaps that we saw from the riders themselves, who continued to be quite innovative-Bubba Scrub, anyone?

Yamaha YZF-450

The history of motocross is one replete with revolutionary designs, followed by consolidation and refinement of the dramatic motorcycle advances.

Dirt Bike Review

New kids off-road bikes are always cause for celebration, and the Kawasaki KLX140 is one of the newest youth dirt bikes available on the market, geared up to satisfy kids wanting to be the next Chad Reed or Ryan Villopoto, though not ready for the racetrack.

Youth Dirt Bike

When we last tested the Kawasaki KLX110 dirt bike, we came away impressed by its durability and capabilities, but less than satisfied with its features. At the top of the to-do list we sent to Kawasaki was the addition of an electric starter and the implementation of fourth gear (it was in the transmission of the old three-speed, but locked out).

Monster Looks For New Riders.

Despite the undocumented risk that CPSC sees that motorcycles are toys (they most certainly are not) and that children will try to eat them (they aren’t that tasty, even with green sauce), the Kawasaki KLX110 is an outstanding mount for the up-and-coming young motorcyclist.

Off-Road Racer, Supercrosser.

One might not expect a supercross-based bike to make a great woods machine, but KTM has pulled that trick off with the 250 XC-F. Utilizing KTM’s outstanding SX-F chassis and DOHC, 4-valve, e-start motor, the XC-F works as both a single-track race bike, as well as a high-end trail bike.

Swiss Electric Motorcycle

Yes, it's the 21st century, but the notion of a high-performance electric dirt bike that could be as much fun to ride as, and possibly competitive with, a petrol-powered dirt bike seems to be about as real as the Tooth Fairy. I can't imagine being able to dice with a buddy on the MX track, and be able to have a conversation with him at the same time.

Freedom. It is the spirit that drives us to ride motorcycles, and we attain that feeling in ways as diverse as our choice of machines. Of course, freedom in highly organized societies can become a relative thing. Unless we are riding entirely on private property (and sometimes even then), we are restricted by laws governing our sport. Those on custom cruisers are limited by equipment regulations, sport riders by speed limits and off-roaders by land use restrictions.

Science historian James Burke's 1985 BBC-TV documentary series, "The Day The Universe Changed", documented key moments in the development of science and technology, and their effects on our perception of the world. Had Burke issued an episode tracking pivotal points in motorcycling in the United States, the day the Yamaha DT-1 250cc Enduro was introduced 40 years ago certainly would have qualified.

Manufacturers generally select premium locations and luxury accommodations when it comes time to introduce their newest addition to their line. We may travel to Monza in Italy, the Baviaanskloof in South Africa, the rain forest of Costa Rica, which is all well and good. Imagine my surprise when Kawasaki took me to the mile marker 11.5 on desolate Arizona state highway 74 in the Sonora Desert, up against the foothills of the Hieroglyphic Mountains. There, circled well-worn travel trailers awaited, which would be home for the duration.

Off-road riders who cut their teeth on dirt bikes in the mid-1960s have borne witness to the rise and fall from favor of the two-stroke. From Joel Robert's first FIM motocross championship in 1964 on a CZ to Suzuki-mounted Ricky Carmichael's AMA Supercross title in 2005, two-strokes ruled the premium series, earning their dominance the hard way—going head-to-head with the reignin thumpers of the era until they developed enough sophistication to be superior performers.