Australasian Dirt Bike Magazine Issue 499

EVERY MONTH WE ARE INUNDATED WITH READER REQUESTS TO GRACE THESE ILLUSTRIOUS PAGES THERE AREN’T MANY magazines that can say they’ve reached 500 issues. In fact, I’m even jumping the gun here, that’s next month! Five hundred issues will be a monumental achievement and I often wonder if Geoff Eldridge ever thought that what he started back in 1975 would still be around 499 issues later. I’ll reserve all the nostalgic, memory-lane stuff for next issue because, while 499 issues is something all those who ever worked on ADB can beproudof, ADB’s legacyis only alive today because of you, the readers. The basic business model for any magazine features two revenue streams. One is magazine sales and the other is advertising. Over the years, as media platforms have changed and advertisers have branched…

AUSTRALIAN E-BIKE DISTRIBUTOR EBMX is leading the charge with electric dirtbikes. We’re not talking pedal-assist bikes, we mean full-on moto, no pedals. Jump on www.ebmx.com.auand take a look for yourself. The CZEM Drill One, which comes from the Czech Republic, is setting the standard when it comes to full-electric dirtbikes. Weighing in at less than 55kg and pumping out 18kW, these bikes are what we used to call futuristic, only they’re here now. Equipped with 21/19-inch wheels, an 880mm seat height and 320mm ground clearance, the Drill One has slightly smaller dimensions than a full-size enduro bike but, with adjustable power maps and a riding time of well over an hour, the Drill One represents a lot of fun. With pricing at $15,250 we’re talking real dirtbike prices and our upcoming test…

THE POPULAR KAWASAKI KLR650 has spawned an adventure-spec brother. Scheduled to arrive in Australia in the second half of this year, the 2022 model KLR Adventure will come with lockable hard luggage, fog lights and crashbars, plus DC and USB sockets to keep your gadgets alive. These adventure-friendly additions will add cred to the new model, which boasts fuel-injection, LED lighting, a larger 300mm front disc to handle the extra weight, ABS, slightly larger 23-litre tank, digital instruments, two-way adjustable windshield, large and strong aluminium carrier mounts and increased generator output. Some say it is not easy being green, so the KLR650 Adventure is available in Cypher Camo Grey while the standard model comes in Pearl Sand Khaki. Both of them are learner approved.…

OBVIOUSLY STUNG BY ADB’s incredibly gentle comments about the 925mm seat height of its KLX230R funbike (#484), Kawasaki has taken a gas torch to the beast and loped 25mm out off it. Dubbed the S (for short arse, we’re guessing), the new version retains the loveable electric-start, air-cooled engine, full-size 21/18-inch wheels and six-speed transmission. We know what you’re thinking, but the 900mm seat hasn’t been achieved by knocking a hole in the suspension travel, which is still a respectable 250mm. Ground clearance is down by 25mm so we’re guessing the monoshock linkage has come in for attention rather than the shock. The road-legal KLX230’s seat is even lower, at 885mm, if our ace tester Bec Wilson is still not happy. Pricing is TBA.…

IT’S A CASE OF SAME team, easier name for Yamaha Australia’s off-road racing operation. Josh Green and Luke Styke will headline the rebadged ShopYamaha Off-Road Racing Team, formerly known as the Yamaha Active8 Yamalube Team. The outfit remains under the leadership of A.J. Roberts, with Green contesting the E2 (450cc) class and Styke in E1 (250cc) for the 12-round Australian Off-Road Championship. Styke is primed to defend his E1 championship while Green is aiming to go one better than his runner-up E2 position in the truncated 2020 AORC. Green will also contest the Hattah Desert Race which remains a favorite event for the veteran. It will be eight years since Green took the outright win, yet he remains a serious contender.…

WITH THE AUSTRALIAN ProMX Motocross Championship about to begin, rumors are flying about who will do the most damage to the competition. Luke Clout is tipped to be the loaded gun in the powerful CDR Yamaha Team but Regan Duffy must be doing something right because he has set tongues wagging. The young gun headlining KTM Australia’s efforts is said to be flying and has been tipped as a rider who will win in 2021. Not much emphasis has been placed on Clout’s teammate, Hayden Mellross, nor has much been said about former champ Kirk Gibbs. One rider not to forget is defending (2019) champ, Todd Waters. On top of this is the eagerly anticipated return of Matt Moss. Mossy is a tough unit so we expect to see him busting his…