Issue Issue 479 - Australasian Dirt Bike Magazine (2024)

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For 37 years, Australasian Dirt Bike magazine has been the definitive source of information for off-road motorcyclists – from beginners wondering where to ride and what gear to wear, to seasoned riders getting their monthly fix of racing action and bike hot-up advice. The stories cater to junior riders, ’weekend warrior’ trail riders, full-blown racer-heads and the technically-minded. Bike tests, riding tips, equipment guides, race reports and rider profiles are all delivered with full-colour professional photography.

in this issue

Front GuardMNSW STEPS UP SUPPORTEVERYTHING IS FUNDED BY MUM AND DAD, SO EVERY LITTLE BIT OF HELP IS GREATLY APPRECIATEDIT’S BEEN A CRAZY month packed with international launches and it’s only going to get more chaotic next month. We’ve had staff and contributors in all corners of the globe testing, flying, testing and flying. Digital Ed Olly Malone sipped sangria in Barcelona for the MY20 KTM EXC launch (p40), Tech Ed Mat Boyd scoffed pizza in Milan at the Sherco launch (p50) and Ben Grabham banged ’bars with Juha Salminen for us in Finland at the launch of the Husky enduro range (next issue). All the while I stayed in soggy Sydney (yes we got rain during a drought but it seemingly did nothing) nursing a bulging disc that won’t go away.Every time one…3 min

Front GuardYZ450F KEY UPDATES• Lighter and more compact high-compression cylinder head• New high-compression, bridge-box forged piston with DLC coated piston pin• More aggressive cam profiles• New ’bar-mounted map switch – blue button, dual function• Updated main spars in frame• New engine mounting points• Refined KYB twin-chamber fork• Larger-diameter front brake pistons and increased caliper rigidity• Lighter brake rotors• Lighter ’bar clamps• Lighter front axleand triple-clamps• Firmer seat foam• New graphics…1 min

Front GuardBLU BOYS BRING ON MORE HEATYAMAHA HAS UPPED the ante on its motocross and cross-country bikes for 2020, with major redesigns and a new 125cc cross-country bike leading the bLU cRU’s charge. The MX range will consist of the returning YZ250F and YZ450F, alongside the two-stroke YZ250, while the cross-country range now features the YZ125X, YZ250X, YZ250FX and YZ450FX. For MY20, there’s some big changes across the line-up.The YZ450F has been extensively upgraded. Yamaha claims it has “been redesigned to provide a lighter, more powerful, and better handling motocross experience”. That’s fancy talk for a redesign and there’s plenty of new features on the YZ450F for Yamaha faithful and the general dirtbike population to get excited about.In the engine department, the 449cc liquid-cooled, fuel-injected engine is equipped with new internal components designed to increase power…3 min

Front GuardHUSKY JOINS BABY BOOMHUSQVARNA HAS ANNOUNCED details of the MY20 TE and FE enduro ranges, with widespread upgrades in line with those announced by KTM and a road-legal, fuel-injected 150cc enduro weapon to get Juniors on board the brand. There are new frame, subframe and suspension components across the range and engine updates on selected models.Described by Husqvarna as “harnessing the ethos of a lightweight and nimble two-stroke character”, the TE150i is designed to “give all the convenience of modern four-strokes at a fraction of the weight”. Featuring the latest generation of the company’s Transfer-Port Injection tech and a two-stroke oil pump, plus the latest WP frame and suspension, the 150i will be ideal for younger or less-experienced riders who want all the essentials of a registerable enduro model without the cubes or…3 min

Front GuardKEY UPDATES• New frames on all models with increased longitudinal and torsional stiffness• Road-legal TE150i with TPI fuel injection plus tank and pump for the two-stroke oil• New 250g lighter carbon-composite subframes with yellow detailing• Updated WP Xplor 48 fork with new mid-valve piston and revised damping settings• Revised WP Xact shock with new main piston, revised damping settings and softer spring• New monoshock linkage for 10mm lower seat height and more progression• New exhaust systems• Slimmer seat• Improved cooling system with radiators positioned 12mm lower• New plastics for easier rider movement• One-degree forward rotation of TE250i/300i engines for improved front-wheel traction• Updated TE250i/300i cylinders…1 min

Front GuardNEW KLX FUN BIKE GETS EFITHE GREENIES AT Kawasaki have released info on their latest eco-friendly creation, the KLX230. Designed to take the fight to established fun bikes like the CRF230F and TTR-230, the KLX230 will be available in August. Featuring a new 233cc fuel-injected, air-cooled engine, the KLX230 was designed for reliability and practicality.The EFI engine gives Kawasaki the Euro 5-emissions jump on its competition,as the CRF230 and TTR-230 still run carburettors. Road registerable, this new Kawasaki can be ridden straight off the road and into your local forest. Essential off-road features haven’t gone missing, with electric start, wave disc brakes and ABS as standard.There’s a little more to the KLX230, with a toolkit housed in a lockable compartment on the off chance that something goes bust. Pricing had not been confirmed at the…1 min

Issue Issue 479 - Australasian Dirt Bike Magazine (2024)

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