2010 Kawasaki motocross changes announced for 450 and 250 models
Posted on June 19, 2009
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Kawasaki has announced proposed changes to its motocross lineup for the 450 and 250 models. Changes include several features used by its factory racers.
- A “bridged-box bottom piston” which is nine grams lighter and has more power in the high and over rev rpm ranges.
- A wedge-shaped crank web acts as a counterbalance to sooth engine vibrations. Kawasaki says it offsets 60% of the crankshaft’s reciprocating weight.
Changes to the 450 include
- Revised cam timing and ECU settings which Kawasaki says will improve mid to high rev performance while a reinforced cylinder sleeve and right side crankcase offers more durability.
- A new stainless steel exhaust pipe that is 40mm shorter than the 2009 titanium pipe.
- Updated chassis with a new lower-rigidity steering stem shaft and revised suspension tuning that promises added comfort and cushioning when landing jumps.
- The D-shaped aluminum swingarm has been revised with narrower ribs and thinner walls.
- The Uni-Trak rear suspension linkage has also been revised to provide a long rear suspension stroke and to make precise tuning easier.
The KX250F also received several updates, but it didn’t get fuel injection. The KX450F received fuel injection in 2009 but its smaller sibling will have to wait until at least next year to switch from carburetors.
A longer head pipe with a shorter mid-section. The suspension and chassis changes are similar to the KX450F, except with Showa parts.
Super X returns for 2009
Posted on June 19, 2009
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The Super X series will return for a new season in 2009 which promises to be bigger than before. Twice world champion Chad Reed will be back to defend his title against a star-studded international field, including 7 times world champion Jeremy McGrath, who will race in Canberra, Sydney and Geelong.
The best Australian riders will return from the world AMA series in the USA and race in all 7 rounds. Several big-name US rider signings will also be announced in the coming weeks.
The series will go to New Zealand for the first time with Round 6 to be raced in Hamilton on November 21st, where New Zealand legend Ben Townley will represent the Kiwis.
Perth fans will witness the incredible atmosphere of one of the world’s biggest indoor stadiums at Burswood Dome.
Brisbane will once again host the final round of Super X following the huge success of the event in 2008 when 20,000 people descended upon QSAC to witness the first ever Super X champion being crowned
17th October – Aurora Stadium, Launceston
24th October – Skilled Stadium, Geelong
31st October – Burswood Dome, Perth
7th November – Canberra Stadium, Canberra
14th November – Parramatta Stadium, Sydney
21st November – Waikato Stadium, Hamilton NZ
5th December – QSAC, Brisbane
Mike Alessi injured 2009
Posted on June 10, 2009
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Mike Alessi, who is the current points leader of the 2009 AMA motocross championship has suffered an injury that required surgery and will be out for the majority of the 2009 outdoor season. Alessi won both motos in round 3 at Freestone and took the overall at hang town.
However speedbump has suffered a broken kneecap while practicing in Pennsylvania. Round 4 of 12 of the series will be run without Mike Alessi lining up so it gives other riders like Chad Reed, Andrew Short and Josh Grant an opportunity to prove they are contenders for the championship.
The Rockstar Makita Suzuki team reported that Mike underwent successful left knee surgery and will make a full recovery which will see him back before the end of the season.
“There was no other damage to the knee beyond the broken kneecap,” said team manager, Roger DeCoster. “The outlook is better than expected, as we thought he was out for the year. It appears now that there’s a good chance he will be able to get back out there racing before the end of this season.”
Brian Deegan to take up rally driving
Posted on June 6, 2009
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Seems the in thing these days, get really good on two wheels and then trade them in for four. Brian Deegan has followed the familiar path of other demons on two wheels and headed toward 4 wheels, in Deegans case its rally driving.
Chad Reed set for Hangtown Motocross classic
Posted on May 29, 2009
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Chad Reed put in a strong performance last weekend at the opening round of the 2009 AMA motocross championship. After claiming the fastest lap times in both practice sessions, Reed finished just of the podium claiming 4th place overall.
“It was good to come away with a solid result at Glen Helen. I knew I had the speed and I knew the bike was good, it was just a matter of putting it all together at the same time,” said Reed.
Many people were expecting Chad to put in a much weaker performance after a two year absence from the outdoor motocross championship. You can imagine the surprise when he blitzed them all in practice and looked like he even could walk away with a win. However things didn’t quite go as expected &ellipse;
“I was slow off the line in the first moto and that put me mid-pack for a few laps. I had to go hard out to get back to the front and the leaders had made too much ground.
The track Glen Helen become extremely rough and rutted early in the day which may have contributed to Chad’s performance on the day. So with the Hangtown classic this weekend Chad will need to lift his game.
“I know what I need to work on this weekend, Hangtown isn’t my favourite track so I’ll just get my head down and focus on the job.
Being the consistent racer Chad Reed is, and knowing that they didn’t actually do any testing before the season opener, I’m sure will see a lot more of him this year, maybe even a podium or two.
“We’re looking good for the series, I’m feeling confident and I have a great team behind me, pushing me all the way.
Not to mention Chad has a Supercross only contract, he is racing the outdoors just because he wants to. I guess that’s the way it should be…
“After Glen Helen, I knew the decision to race outdoors again was the right one. Some people out there doubted me, and it will be good to prove them wrong.”
X Fighters Calgary
Posted on May 27, 2009
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A huge line up of the worlds best freestyle motocross riders will compete against each other in one of the most hotly contested events in history, when the second stop of the Red Bull X-Fighters tour heads to Calgary, Canada.
The event will see Levi Sherwood take ‘em on again, Levi surprised the FMX world two months ago when he beat Andre Villa and Mat Rebeaud to claim his first international win of his career, in his first international competition.
Dany Torres has suffered a knee injury from a practice crash a couple days back and has been ruled out of the event. Metal Mulisha rider Takayuki Higoshino will join fellow Japanese rider Eigo Sato in the rider line-up.
Robbie Maddison, who is one of the favourites going into this event and with one of the biggest bag of tricks in the business, is hungry to achieve his first X-Fighters victory.
Just to add some more to the pool of talent, both Nate Adams and Jeremy “Twitch” Stenberg are confirmed starters. Twitch already knows what it feels like to win a round of the X-Fighters competition and will be looking to get another win.
The Pages brothers, Charles and Thomas, who have both recently landed the front-flip to dirt, so that should make for some interesting scoring.
Competitors
Robbie Maddison
Levi Sherwood
Mat Rebeaud
Nate Adams
Jeremy Stenberg
Charles Pages
Thomas Pages
Andre Villa
Takayuki Higoshino
Eigo Sato
Jeff Fehr
Benoit Milot
Hold your line
Posted on May 26, 2009
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It is important to hold your line in practice situations when you are riding with people of different abilities. It is the responsibility of all riders to be cautious of other riders and expect the unexpected! If you are an experienced rider you will need to keep in mind that the inexperience and lack of ability of some novice and intermediate riders on the track could cause them change lines unexpectedly when they hit something on the track or maybe get cross rutted. This happens to pro riders to but it becomes a bigger problem when there is a large different between the speed of riders around at the time.
Next time your at your local track take note of how quickly you make up time on a slower rider, or how quickly a rider makes up time behind you. This is even more extreme over a section of jumps that only one of you are doing. Look for opportunities to make clean passes and avoid race tactics unless you are actually racing! Alternatively arrange your practice sessions so you are riding with other people with a similiar level of skill and speed.
Ryan Villipoto wins in debut at Glen Helen
Posted on May 26, 2009
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Ryan Villipoto has won both moto’s in the 450 motocross class in his debut at Glen Helen 2009. Villipoto got a good start in moto 1 and lead most of the race. Ryan had to push hard in moto 2 after an ordinary start he ended up with a 6 second lead over Allesi who finished in second place.
“It was tough,” said Villopoto “My starts out of the gate were good, but we can get better.”
450
1.Ryan Villopoto
2.Mike Alessi
3.Josh Grant
4.Chad Reed
5.Davi Millsaps
6.Tommy Hahn
7.Mike Brown
8.Cody Cooper
9.Weston Peick
10.Andrew Short
Black Duck Valley reopening in November 2009
Posted on May 23, 2009
Filed Under Motorcycle parks | 1 Comment
It is yet to be confirmed but there is confident discussions taking place that will see Black Duck valley motorcycle park reopening in November 2009. The park will be opened under under new owners of which the identity has not been released. However it has been verbally confirmed by the current owners that it will not be Motorcycling Australia.
Check back later for more info as it becomes available or go to Black Duck Valley
Black Deck Valley Camp S
Reed to compete in the 2009 AMA Motocross while Stewart sits on the sidelines
Posted on May 21, 2009
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Interest in the 2009 AMA motocross series is sure to rise after the announcement that Chad Reed will race the full 12 rounds in 2009. Stewart has so far declined the opportunity to defend his 2008 title, which is dissapointing as it would be great to see Reed and Stewart battle it out in the outdoors.
“I’m really looking forward to racing the Outdoors this year,” said Reed. “And I’m excited about it for several reasons: The last few years, I didn’t race Motocross because I really felt like I needed to take a break after the Supercross season. But this year, I feel so comfortable with the Rockstar Makita Suzuki team and everybody has been so supportive that it just makes me want to get out there and race.
“Also, I’ve been impressed with the changes to the series that MX Sports has done and I think they’re taking it in the right direction. So I really want to be a part of that and support the series and the sport. My team and my sponsors have stepped up to make this happen and I can’t thank them enough.”
Not to say that Reed and Stewart are the only competition as there are several other strong contenders including Ryan Villipoto who is yet to compete in the 450 class for a full season and veterans like Tim Ferry, David Millsaps, Kevin Windham and many others including the wild card Jason Lawrence. Reed is yet to win the outdoors, with a best place of 2nd for the overall series in 2004. Maybe 2009 will see him on top once again.
| Date | Location | Track |
|---|---|---|
| May 23, 2009 | San Bernardino, CA | Glen Helen Raceway |
| May 30, 2009 | Sacramento, CA | Hangtown Motocross Classic |
| June 6, 2009 | Wortham, TX | Freestone Raceway |
| June 13, 2009 | Mt. Morris, PA | High Point Raceway |
| June 27, 2009 | Lakewood, CO | Thunder Valley Motocross |
| July 4, 2009 | Buchanan, MI | Red Bud |
| July 18, 2009 | Millville, MN | Spring Creek Motocross |
| July 25, 2009 | Washougal, WA | Washougal MX Park |
| Aug. 15, 2009 | New Berlin, NY | Unadilla Valley Sports |
| Aug. 22, 2009 | Budds Creek, MD | Budds Creek MX |
| Aug. 29, 2009 | Southwick, MA | Moto-X 338 |
| Sept. 5, 2009 | Delmont, PA | Steel City Raceway |