If you’re not an MXA subscriber, you’re missing out on a whole different world of motocross news, facts, tests, and photos. For example, the just-released January 2022 issue features Joe Shimoda’s Pro Circuit Kawasaki KX250 and Dylan Schwartz’s Bar-X Suzuki RM-Z250 with full and thorough tests. Not only did Joe become the lead rider for the Pro Circuit team (raised on tryouts after the Geico Honda team folded and left Joe without a ride), Dylan did what they said even better when he raced the AMA 250 National Championship. 2021. puts his much-maligned RM-Z250 in the top ten. And if that wasn’t enough, here’s a full test of the 2022 Husqvarna FC450 and all the improvements we’ve found. Plus, we run the 2022 Yamaha YZ450F and the 450 Honda CRF450 at their pace. After reading the bike test, take a moment to sit down and read Jim Kimball’s interview with Billy “Sugar Bear” Grossi and Josh Mosiman’s interview with EKS Brand’s Rich Taylor. You will be surprised by their attitude towards motocross. In addition, there are many, many others.
You can’t terminate your subscription because when you order a $19.99 subscription, Rocky Mountain ATV/MC sends you $25 credit that you can spend on whatever you want from their huge selection. Additionally, MXA subscribers can get the magazine digitally on their iPhone, iPad, Kindle, or Android by going to the Apple Store, Amazon, or Google Play, or digitally. What’s more, you can subscribe to Motocross Action and get a beautiful printed edition delivered to your door by uniformed US government officials. Do we need to mention the $25 Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Gift Card again? You can’t lose on this trade? Call (800) 767-0345 or click here
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Romain Febvre underwent successful surgery on Sunday 28 November to repair a broken tibia and fibula in his right leg. Febvre crashed in the first moto after finishing second to Marvin Maskin at the Paris Supercross. The runner-up of the 2021 FIM 450 World Championship made a mistake in the rhythm section and fell out of his KX450 seat to take the next big jump. This led him to a Superman-style crisis. The 2022 FIM 450 World Championship starts on February 20, 2022 in Matterley Basin, England. Time is compressed due to Febvre’s injury, but doable. Febvre posted a message to his fans: “Definitely not how I wanted to end the season! I’m happy with my trip, I didn’t take risks and when I had this accident I was fine. I feel more and more comfortable. I have recovered from injuries in my career and I know what that means and I will definitely come back stronger.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 1999 Honda CR250. Here are 42 tips, fixes, and issues you won’t want to ride a first-generation aluminum-framed CR250 without.
1. Is the clutch lever loose? Replace stock pivot bolt nuts with locknuts and secure blue Loctite in place. The rear wing bolts have also been loosened. Do not use thread lockers on the rear bolts as this will loosen the nuts built into the plastic fenders. 2. Check your spokes often. They are looser than before because the suspension is better and the bike handles bumps more strongly. 3. Also check the chain adjuster and ignition cover bolts before each ride. 4. With the tire removed, remove the rim tape and coat the spoke nipples with a damp anti-seize compound. Because the spokes need to be tightened frequently, the nipples are easier to turn. Remove excess grease and wrap the wheel with tape several times. 5. The bracket fixing the front seat of the water tank is loose. Check bolts frequently. Do not use Loctite bolts as they will loosen the nuts built into the plastic of the tank. 6. Since the radiator shroud bolts are in a high service area, lubricate those bolts with grease to hold the tank nuts in place. 7. Secure the sprocket bolts with red loctite.
Mikael Pichon on a 1999 Honda CR250. At the time, many of these tricks were applicable to factory Hondas. 8. If you want to ship the car, you must securely wire the throttle cable boot, front sprocket bolts, pedal pins, steering stem nut, handlebar and brake housing connectors. 9. If you put the front wheel on the fork incorrectly, it will restrict the movement of the fork. Do not tighten the shaft by turning the right nut. Hold the axle nut fully in place and secure with the right fork leg axle pinch bolt. Rotate the shaft on the left to tighten. Keep the left axle clamp bolt loose, then carefully insert a small screwdriver between the axle holes to loosen its grip on the axle. Pump the forks a few times and, keeping the load on the forks, remove the screwdriver and tighten the tie bolts. Re-lubricate joints on a 1-1/2 to 6 month service schedule.
10. Suspension shops recommend servicing forks and shocks after the first five hours of riding. 11. To determine fork fit, first remove the springs and measure their total length. Some springs came out at the short end of the scale so use shims to adjust the overall size to 495mm. Use only steel preload spacers available from suspension shops. 12. Fill each leg with 378cc Showa SS7. Avoid Honda HP oil, which has a weight of 7. (Showa SS7 is a lighter oil with a viscosity of 5). Too Tech Suspension uses an ultra-light suspension oil with a viscosity of 3. 13. An easy way to change the oil level without using oil is to make a fork drain grate. Cut six 25mm lengths of 1″ Schedule 40 PVC pipe. Cut each piece lengthwise. On each fork leg, place three pieces of PVC on the chuck stem above the spring seat. When you change fork oil, the oil level goes up and the air space goes down. Each spacer reduces airspace by 5 cu. see which makes the action more progressive towards the end of the turn. This allows the damping adjusters to open more smoothly and the bike lifts its head better.
14. For a better overall feel, lower the front end by raising the fork legs 2-3mm in the clamps. Adjust the fork to 12 clicks in compression and 13 clicks out in rebound. After riding, remove the PVC displacers if needed for smooth bottoming. Most riders use two brace per leg, while heavier sumo riders use three. 15. Honda uses chain torque to help the suspension resist settling. It works like this: when the rear suspension collapses, the chain touches the upper chain roller. Under load, the top of the chain is taut and rests against the top roller, which helps prevent flex. Unfortunately, we believe that Honda used the wrong chain geometry on the CR250. MXA fixed this by installing a smaller CR80 sprocket on top. Now take the original top roller and replace it with a larger diameter lower roller. Once the chain geometry is aligned, it is very important that the chain slack is exactly 25-35mm, measured just behind the chain slider at the top of the swingarm.
Back in 1999, Kevin Windham was racing a CR250 for a works Honda. 16. Changing the engagement completely disables the chain geometry. Honda technicians say you can improve chain and suspension performance by using a 14-tooth CR500 countershaft sprocket and a 51-tooth CR125 rear sprocket (13/50 stem). 17. Progressive fork action and smoother shock action for more shock preload. Adjust the ride height to 98mm with 5-6 clicks in compression, 3 turns in high-speed compression and 12-13 clicks in rebound. Combined, these mods make the rear suspension less power-responsive and softer under hard, square-edged accelerations. The balance will also, in turn, be more consistent. 18. Pay attention to the swingarm and chain guide. If the chain guide pads are too worn, the chain saw will go through the guide bar. Worn rocker pads can change the suspension effect of chain setting and chain torque. 19. Your bike has a cheap chain. Honda recommends a $100 gold DID chain. It lasts four times longer and requires less adjustment.
20. Apply anti-seize compound to the chain adjuster bolt. When the bolt loses its factory finish, the threads can seize and severely damage the swingarm. Ditch the standard nuts and use self-locking alternatives. The FMF team says to keep an eye on the swingarm bolts. They bend. 21. For flushing the MXA, it is recommended to use a 172 main needle, a 55 pilot needle, a 1370L needle and a two-turn air screw in the 4th clamp. If you want a richer midrange response, switch to pin 1369 in the fifth clip. Pro Circuit uses a more compact 168 main, 55 pilot, 1370 pin in a thinner third clamp with propeller and 1-1/2 turn race gas. 22. The FMF team recommends removing the air bag fitted to the air box and sealing it carefully with silicone. 23. Wrap the carburetor drain hose with tape and bring it out next to the shock absorber. 24. When the lever is turned to the left, the emergency switch wire will be taut, and when the lever is turned to the right, it may snap between the stops. Planet Honda uses a spiral wrap to protect the kill switch wire and re-route it through the frame behind the head tube.
25. The cam on the clutch release lever can be beveled for easier clutch feel. Planet Honda has also refinished the clutch lever to make it smoother. Where the clutch cable makes a tight 90 degree turn, secure it to the front license plate with a cable tie. This reduces cable flex and improves traction. Finally, lubricate the cable with light machine oil. 26. Check the throttle cable when using taller or wider handlebars. Turn the lever from one lock to another to see if the cable is tight or twisted. Carefully remount as needed. 27. Aluminum throttle tube rotates more easily on the stem and provides smoother throttle action. 28. Despite the ’99 CR250′s handlebars being rubberized, the vaulted aluminum chassis transmits too much vibration to the handlebars. Use the aluminum rods and start the snake dampers. Frequently check the torque in the up position. 29. Here’s a super-secret framing trick. Remove the triple clamps and fill each frame spar by spraying insulating foam through the relief holes in the steerer tube. When the foam dries, cut off the excess and reinstall the clips. This will reduce vibration. 30. Apply clear adhesive to the frame, airbox, and footboard area of the side panels. This prevents the alumina from wearing out on the boots from ruining the look of the motorcycle.
31. Cut off the radiator shroud that rubs against the frame. 32. Check the end clearance of the piston ring when servicing the top. The best measurement is 0.015″ and the ring can be filed to the correct gap if needed. Use a fine file to lightly chamfer the skirt edge of the new piston. 33. When reinstalling the cylinder, the lever mechanism of the power valve is often displaced. Visually check that the pins in the body match the pins in the cylinder. The valve is under spring preload and the tension usually needs to be counteracted to align the forks with the pins. 34. Remove the right cover of the power valve frequently and check the condition of the valves and rods. Turn the valve by hand to feel the stickiness. While contact cleaner can remove oil stains, it will not remove accumulated varnish. 35. Check the reed frequently for cracks and nicks. Most race teams use spare paddles, but they wear out quickly. If you’re looking for something more durable, the FMF team recommends an aftermarket carbon fiber alternative, and Planet Honda says they’ve had success with the Boyesen fiberglass alternative. 36. The rear caliper hydraulic system is angled at the front and loves to trap air. After descending, release the caliper and hold it upright in the air. Pry up the brake pads and install the calipers in place. If you love crashes, bleed your front and rear brakes frequently. (When the motorcycle rolls over on the track, air can mix with the hydraulic system.)
37. Planet Honda replaced the standard triple clamp front brake hose guide with an IMS license plate guide. They claim to significantly improve hose movement. 38. The aluminum clutch disc on the Honda contaminates the transmission fluid very quickly (requires an oil change after every ride). Honda recommends their own GN4 10/40 oil, but any good 10/40 oil will do. 39. The FMF team stated that the stock tube was thin and should be replaced with a regular Dunlop stock tube. The stock tube doesn’t hold air well, so check your tire pressure before every ride. 40. Cut the 20mm high temperature hose so that the inside diameter fits snugly against the exhaust spring. Use a contact cleaner to fit the hose onto the spring. This reduces vibration. Loctite and keep an eye on the pipe bolts. Because this is a high maintenance area, don’t use anything stronger than blue threadlocker. 41. Place four vent gaskets between tube and manifold (#18309-K23-600). The increased length of the steerer tube results in a noticeable increase in torque transmitted from below. 42. Get a metal ACG cap instead (that’s what Honda tech says for an aluminum ignition cap). While the metal cap seals better than a standard plastic block, still remove it after every wash, spray with WD40, and keep the cap on until your next ride.
MyPitboard replaces your stock handlebar pads with new pads and a touchscreen GPS computer with Lap Time, Split Mode, Split Mode and Impact Mode to help you keep track of your progress. In lap mode, the screen displays your last lap time, total elapsed time and the difference between your current and last lap, so you can be responsible while riding and track your results after training without assistance. Retail Price: $299.99 at www.mypitboard.com or call (613) 858-5016.
In those golden days when two-strokes roamed the ground at will, experienced two-stroke riders attached a piece of wire mesh to their bike’s downtube to knock dirt out of the engine before it clogged the air cooling fins. . Dirt will stick to the wire mesh and vibrate. There are clearly some old bikers in the Twin Air design department, because that’s what the Twin Air radiator bushings are for, minus the radiator instead of the cylinder fins.
Radiator sleeves did not disappoint. They showed themselves well under all the conditions that we set them. Not only do they help keep debris and dirt out of the radiator, but they also make it easy to clean while racing. There is no need to open the radiator shutters or scrape off dirt that could damage the radiator fins. After long hours of testing in the hot sun, we did not lose coolant due to overheating of the bike with them installed. We rode our test bike with the sleeves rolled up for four months. At the end of the test, the radiator fins were in excellent shape. They lack the usual dimples and curved fins.
Twin Air Radiator Sleeves are easy to install. On the KTM 450SXF, drilling is simple: first remove the four bolts from the radiator shutter, then slide the double air sleeve onto the shutter. Second, align the pre-drilled holes in the body with the spare bolt holes before reinstalling the valve. Third, when putting the shade back on the bike, hand-tighten all the bolts a few turns to keep the soft Twin Air hub material from bunching around the bolts when tightened. When all bolts and sockets are in place, tighten the gate bolts.
We have no problem with the glass spinning material Twin Air uses. Do you think they’ll use barbed wire like they did in 1974? The dual air radiator arms are made of nylon coated fiberglass and are designed to prevent dirt and grime buildup. Feel free to wear pantyhose or wire mesh to save money, but they won’t work as well or last as long as the Twin Air offerings. We put them on and forgot about them for four months. Then replace them because what the rocks and perch do to your radiator can cause the glass to rotate (much cheaper to replace). Since the radiator is hidden behind the side guards, the Twin Air radiator sleeves do not detract from the aesthetics of the bike.
Since 2014, Twin Air radiator hoses have been tested on the almost always muddy track of the European Grand Prix. As for the MXA wrecking crew, our SoCal home base isn’t known for its rain; however, we spend a few days a week testing a heavily waterlogged track and occasionally find some real mud during the rainy season. During our testing with the Twin Air radiator hoses, we were looking for dirt everywhere, which pissed off a lot of the riders around us at our tendency to hit every mud hole on the track.
MXA RANKED: Whether your racing environment is rainy, muddy or heavily waterlogged, Twin Air Radiator Caps are invaluable to you. Radiators only work when air flows through them. Twin Air can achieve this in the harshest environments.
Take this MXGP schedule with a grain of salt – it could change next week. The 2022 MXGP calendar includes 20 Grand Prix as well as the Monster Energy FIM Motocross des Nations at Red Bud on September 25, 2022.
2022 FIM Grand Prix (Tentative) Feb 20… Matley Pool, England March 6… Argentina March 20 TBD… March 27 TBD… Oss, Netherlands Apr 10… Italy Trentino 24 April… Kegums, Latvia May 1…Eaglet, Russia May 15…Rio Sardo, Sardinia. May 29… Intu Xanadu, Spain June 5… Ernie, France June 12… Teuchental, Germany June 26… Jakarta, Indonesia July 3… Semarang, Indonesia July 17… Czech Medallion July 24… Lommel, Belgium August 7… Uddevalla Sweden August 14. .. Finland KymiRing August 21… Jean d’Angely, France, September 4… Afyonkarahisar, Turkey, September 18… TBD
“The recently released ODI SX8 handlebar covers have been slightly oversized to provide increased impact resistance and improved looks. increased impact resistance. It is slightly oversized for improved visibility and added impact protection, while the octagonal end caps provide a distinctive ODI factory look. Three sizes are now available to fit the most common 7/8″ handlebars: full size bikes, 190mm (7.5″) for midsize bikes and 160mm (6.25″) for mini bikes.” – Johnny Jump, ODI Grips Retail Price: $21.95 – www.odigrips.com or (951) 786-4755.
2022 AMA NATIONAL MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP May 28…Pala, CA June 4…Hungtown, CA June 11…Thunder Valley, CO June 18…Mount.Morris, PA July 3…Red Bud, Michigan, July 9…Southwick, Massachusetts, July 16…Milville, Minnesota, July 23…Washington, Australia, August 13…Unadilla, New York, August 20…Boots Creek, Maryland Aug 27…Crawfordsville Sep 3…Pala, CA
2022 AMA SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP Jan 8…Anaheim, CA 15…Oakland, CA 22…San Diego, CA Feb 29…Anaheim, CA 5…Arizona Glendale, CA 12…Feb, Anaheim, CA 19… Minneapolis, MN Feb 26… Arlington, TX. 5… Daytona Beach, FL 12… Detroit, MI 19… Indianapolis, IN, March. April 26…Seattle, Washington 9…St. City, Utah
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The Motool Slacker V4 Digital Sag Gauge was created to help riders check sag in an easier and faster way to improve motorcycle comfort and performance. The amount of free sag and race sag your bike has is directly related to how well it balances on the trail. Motool has been making Slacker digital suspension tuners since 2012. The V4 is the fourth generation of tuners and the first tuner with Bluetooth functionality for smartphones and the option to purchase a wireless remote control that allows you to check the sag yourself (unaided).
The Motool Slacker digital sag scale was created as an innovative alternative to the old fashioned sag ruler. All you have to do is turn it on, connect the 32″ cable to the fender, reset the scale and let your buddy read your race camber off the screen (the original Slacker also came with a digital remote that plugs into the Slacker). block so you can read your own slacker while sitting on your bike). The new Bluetooth Slacker V4 update simplifies the task of checking slack by working with one person instead of two. In the past, if you wanted to check the sag yourself on a Slacker scale, you had to connect a digital remote reader to the weight and run a wire from the handlebar to the rear wheel. Now with Bluetooth function, the remote control is wireless. Also, if you forgot the remote at home or don’t want to spend extra money on it, you can check the sag measurements on your smartphone. In the past, checking for sag required you to get on the bike and have another person measure rear fender sag. To use the Bluetooth feature and check the sag yourself, we recommend holding onto the EZ UP top frame or resting your hands on the truck to keep the bike balanced. To get an accurate reading, make sure your bike is on a level surface and your hands are only used for balance and not supporting your weight.
The Motool Service Assistant app is available as a free download for both Apple and Android devices. It turns your smartphone into a virtual remote display, giving you real-time sag measurement readings. Simply connect to the app from your smartphone via Bluetooth, just like connecting your phone to your car stereo. In addition, the app gives you a place to log measurements and log multiple bikes and their suspension settings. If you don’t feel like using a smartphone, Motool has granted MXA’s wish and updated its LCD remote with new wireless capabilities. Using a remote control is the easiest way to measure sag yourself late at night in the garage.
The new V4 Slacker comes with a 30 day money back guarantee. If your bike doesn’t handle better after adjusting the sag with the Slacker V4 Digital Suspension Tuner, you can return it no questions asked. Plus, it comes with a two-year warranty should you run into any structural issues with your Slacker.
In numbers: $159.99 (main unit only), $189.99 (Slacker V4 + wireless remote display) – www.motoool.com or (800) 741-7702.
MXA RANKED: The Motool Slacker V4 Digital Suspension Tuner will be your new best friend. It was created by racers for racers. Riders should check the sag periodically to compensate for the tilt of the shock springs and internal valves. Being able to do it yourself means you can do it whenever you want.
2022 AMA SUPERCROSS CHAMPION JANUARY. 8… Anaheim, CA 15… Oakland, CA 22… San Diego, CA February 29… Anaheim, CA 5… Glendale, CA 12… .Feb Anaheim, CA 19 February… .Minneapolis, Minnesota, February 26th… Arlington, Texas. 5… Daytona Beach, FL 12… Detroit, MI 19… Indianapolis, IN, March. April 26…Seattle, Washington 9…St. City, Utah
2022 FIM Grand Prix (Tentative) Feb 20… Matley Pool, England March 6… Argentina March 20 TBD… March 27 TBD… Oss, Netherlands Apr 10… Italy Trentino 24 April… Kegums, Latvia May 1…Eaglet, Russia May 15…Rio Sardo, Sardinia. May 29…Intu Xanadu, Spain June 5…Ernie, France June 12…Teuchenthal, Germany June 26…Jakarta, Indonesia July 3…Semarang, Indonesia July 17…Czech Medallion July 24…Lommel, Belgium August 7…Uddevalla, Sweden August 14 …Finland KymiRing August 21…St. Jean d’Angely, France, September 4… Afyonkarahisar, Turkey, September 18… TBD
2022 AMA NATIONAL MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP May 28…Pala, CA June 4…Hungtown, CA June 11…Thunder Valley, CO June 18…Mount.Morris, PA July 3…Red Bud, Michigan, July 9…Southwick, Massachusetts, July 16…Milville, Minnesota, July 23…Washington, Australia, August 13…Unadilla, New York, August 20…Boots Creek, Maryland Aug 27…Crawfordsville Sep 3…Pala, CA
2022 KICKER ARENACROSS SERIES Jan 7-8…Loveland, CO Jan. 15…Amarillo, TX Jan. 21-22… Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Jan. 29… Greensboro, NC Feb. 4-5. ..Reno, Nevada, February 11-12…Denver, Colorado
2022 OFF-ROAD SCHEDULE Jan 21-23… Prime, NV Feb 18-20… Glen Helen, CA Mar 11-13… Lake Havasu City, AZ Apr 8-10… Taft, CA , April 29-May 1… Las Vegas, NVM May 27-29… Cedar City, UTSept. 16-18…Preston, ID Oct. 14-16…Mesquite, NV Nov. 4-6…Prime, NV
2022 Canadian Triple Crown Series June 5…Kamloops, BC June 12…Drumheller, AB June 19…Pilot Mound, MB July 3…Walton, ON July 10…Courtland, ON July 17 … Ottawa, OH July 24 … Moncton, NC July 31 … DeChambeau QC August 14 … Walton, OH
2022 German ADAC Motocross Masters April 3…Drena Prince May 22…Dritz June 19…Meggers July 3…Bilstein July 10…Tensfeld July 31…Heildorf September 4…Jauer September 11 …Holzgerlingen
2022 MICHELIN UK CHAMPIONSHIP March 20th…to be confirmed on May 1st…to be confirmed on May 29th…to be confirmed on July 3rd…to be confirmed on August 7th…to be confirmed on September 4th…to be confirmed
Irish Nationals 2022 Mar 27… TBA April 10… TBA June 5… JUNE 26… Loch Brickland July 24… TBA Sol 21
2022 Dutch Masters Series March 13…Arnhem April 18…Oldebrook (Monday) May 8…Harfsen May 22…Oss June 18…Rhenen
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Photos: Debbie Tamietti, Kawasaki, KTM, MXGP, Trevor Nelson, Ray Archer, John Ortner, Brian Converse, Honda, Yamaha, Husqvarna, Daryl Eklund, Yamaha, MXA Archives
Post time: Dec-15-2022
