Australasian Dirt Bike Magazine Issue 523

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.

$7.99(Incl. tax)

in this issue

Front Guard

STATE OF PLAY ARE RISING LIVING COSTS FINALLY HITTING THE DIRTBIKE COMMUNITY?

FOR THE FIRST time in as long as I can remember, the legendary Tatts Finke Desert Race didn't sell out in 15 minutes. In fact, as I was write this editorial, it's been two weeks since the race went on sale, it still hasn't sold out. Round One of the Grassroots Hard Enduro Championship also hasn't sold out and the Transmoto 10-Hour at Tumut still has spots available. Trail tour companies are struggling to fill seats and motorcycle distributors are getting a little nervous. This is all off the back of rising inflation. So what does this mean for dirtbike riders in Australia? Well, one of ADB's photographers, Josh Evans, was out riding with the Sydney Enduro Club in February and when he asked three riders if they were competing in any…

3 min

Front Guard

HARD ENDURO CHAMPIONSHIP

ROUND-ONE of the 2023 Australian Hard Enduro Championship scheduled for April 1 and 2 is set to thrill. Despite pit talk about the traps that insurance issues would put a stop to the event running, the Kosciuszko Killer is going ahead as planned, as is the remainder of the AHEC calendar. The only change to the program at the time of writing is a date change to the final round. Updated calendar below. Stay updated at grassrootsenduro.com.au. ROUND 1: Kosciuszko Killer. Vic. April 1-2. ROUND 2: Mother of Mayhem. Vic. May 13-14. ROUND 3: Ironstone Extreme. QLD. June 24-25. ROUND 4: Hillstorm Challenge. NSW. August 13-14. ROUND 5: Goldfields Extreme. NSW. September 16-17. Liam Walsh, also racing a KTM. Incredibly, the sandy desert track had received rain and the conditions were perfect, although rather humid.…

6 min

Front Guard

PONY EXPRESS AT AORC

THE YAMAHA Australian Off-Road Championship presented by MXstore has announced the introduction of a Pony Express Class for 2023. This class is for riders who want to team up with a mate and combine your test times for an overall time. The team with the lowest amount of accumulative time, wins. This promises to be a great addition to the AORC along with the introduction of the new Legends class for riders 50 years and over. There are plenty of mega-fast old boys out there and for those of us over 45, we know there can be a big gap between ages 35 to 45 and an even bigger gap to 50, so this new Legends class will provide a space where the oldest riders can get amongst it. TLAWRENCE BROS…

2 min

Front Guard

Without Fear of Failure

FERRANDIS KNOCKED OUT DYLAN FERRANDIS knocked himself silly during a crash at the Houston round of the AMA Monster Energy Supercoss Championship. The flying Frenchman went down in a corner right after a section of whoops and that was that. Ouch! Head injuries are no joke. OSBORNE OUT ALREADY ZACH OSBORNE'S hyped start to full-time Grand National Cross Country racing in the USA hit a massive wall before the season even started. The 2020 AMA Pro Motocross champ was scheduled to race the XC2 class for the AmPro Yamaha team in 2023 but has broken his elbow in a practice crash. GNCC fans were anticipating a spirited effort from Osborne as he attempted to dethrone reigning XC2 Class champ, the understated Aussie, Lyndon Snodgrass. SHIMODA OUT FOR SX THE MONSTER Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki Team…

4 min

Front Guard

Your Shout

WRITE TO US AT: ADB LETTERS, PO BOX 22, EARLWOOD, NSW 2206 EMAIL: ADBMAG@ADBMAG.COM.AU CONGRATULATIONS Happy days Brendon! You've won a pair of Shot Assault 2.0 goggles valued at $49.95 from Link International (linkint.com.au) SEND IN YOUR LETTERS AND YOU COULD BE OUR NEXT WINNER! $49.95 Value MOUTH OF THE MONTH TENNER FOR A TENERE Hi, I thought this may have been of interest to you and your magazine possibly. Failed rear suspension top on a 2008 Yamaha Ténéré 660, during a solo ride in remote Tasmania. All oil in the shock was lost, the airbox was also destroyed. Jumped this small rock in the image below. Regards Kind regards, Brendon Scott Hi Brendon, Crikey! That sure is a fail. Hope you got it fixed mate. You don't want to be stuck in Tassie, it's wild down there, just ask the contestants on…

4 min

Front Guard

Huge Month

THE SPIRIT OF TÉNÉRÉ YAMAHA HAS LAUNCHED THE Ténéré Spirit Experience where Ténéré owners can join Rally Raid events, with the official Yamaha World Raid Team. A total of 20 Yamaha customers and their motorcycles will be transported to their chosen Rally Raid where they will follow both the actual route and a parallel route to the race competitors and live alongside the race team in the bivouac each evening. Run by former Enduro champion and Dakar Racing Team manager Marc Bourgeois through his company MBSM on behalf of Yamaha, the Ténéré Spirit Experience is open to all Yamaha Ténéré owners. The Ténéré Spirit Experience covers every aspect of the preparation including flights, bike transportation and participation in the customer's chosen Rally Raid. MBSM take care of daily pre-event briefings, logistics, technical assistance, GPS…

7 min