TRAIL ZONE

2011-06-27T23:29:00.000-07:00

ATTENTION ALL TRAIL ZONE BLOG SPOT FOLLOWERS!

Hey there guys and girls, we've made the big leap across to Facebook and are posting all our news, blogs, PR and pix on the official TRAIL ZONE magazine Facebook page!

Here's the URL to go straight to the page, so copy and paste it into your web browser:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Trailzone-Magazine/139740902729354

Or simply go back to the www.trailzone.com.au home page and click on the Facebook link near the top of the page.

It doesn't matter if you are a fan of Facebook or not, and you don't have to have a Facebook page of your own, just click on our Facebook link and check it out ... and have a few laughs and throw up a few Comments when you feel like it.

Thanks and we'll see you on the TRAIL ZONE real soon!

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-05-13T14:33:00.000-07:00

PRESS RELEASE:

SYDNEY MOTORCYCLE & SCOOTER SHOW HEADS TO DARLING HARBOUR!

Australia’s largest and most comprehensive motorcycle showcase returns to Sydney with a new name and new venue this November.

The Sydney Motorcycle and Scooter Show will be held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour, from the 25th to the 27th of November.

The CBD location makes the show’s scooter element especially significant as more and more people discover the economic and time-saving benefits of two-wheel travel in the city.

Scooters were a standout in the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries’ (FCAI) recent first-quarter sales figures which show signs of an emerging recovery.

FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said the Sydney Motorcycle and Scooter Show played an important role in stimulating industry interest and felt the new venue would provide additional impact.

“The new venue is well chosen, giving people the opportunity to see at first hand, and in one place, what is available in the market for inexpensive fuel-wise transport that is growing in popularity both in Australia and overseas”, Mr McKellar said.

In addition to indoor exhibits, the show will also make use of the venue’s surrounding areas for live action demonstrations and motorcycle test rides.

For all the latest details, check out the www.sydneymotorcycleshow.com.au web site.

PS: All of us here at TRAIL ZONE will be at the Sydney show, so make sure you drop by the TRAIL ZONE stand and sign up for a magazine subscription and get your chance to win a new dirt bike ... more details coming soon!

2011-05-10T03:28:00.000-07:00

TRAIL BOSS BLOG:

GO WEST, YOUNG MAN: WEEKEND AT STAINO'S!

Last weekend myself and Lance 'Russ' Turnley jetted out to WA to hook up for a ride with John Staines and the crew from West Coast Trail Bike Safaris.

We had a day and a half in Perth beforehand and dropped in on Don McGrath at Cycle Products West to check out his wicked KTM Safari race bikes (which will soon also become Dakar race bikes, as he's launching an assault on next year's Dakar!).

After that we checked out the Pinjar Motorcycle Park north of Perth, which is living proof of just some of the goals being kicked by trail bike advocate Steve Pretzel from the Recreational Trailbike Riding Association.

Then it was on to see the boys from Launch Helmet Cams, who kindly loaned us new Vio-POV and Drift HD helmet cams to test-out and review in the mag, while next up we took in a feed with Wasp from MotorradWorks, who showed us some of his trick bolt-on goodies for Yamaha's XT1200Z Super Tenere.

With the meets-and-greets done we hit the road south from Perth to down past Bunbury -- but not without one more stop at Motorcycle Masters, Perth's largest motorcycle wreckers -- where Russ hit the jackpot and scored a fuel tank in very good nick for his '88 Tenere. Only problem was, how was he going to get a whopper fat-fuel tank in his gear bag for the flight home? But that's another story ...

The next day we hooked up with Staino at the West Coast Trail Bike Safaris HQ about two-and-a-half hours south of Perth, where he had a couple of spiffy Yamaha WR250F hire bikes ready for us to ride, as we joined a pack of no less than 20 riders on his Hills & Thrills tour. And yep, this little outing sure did live up to the hills and thrills tag-line!

I've ridden the south-west corner of WA a few times now, and just can't get enough of it. It's the quality of trails that I'm hooked on, and Staino delivers the best trails, many of which slice through private property that he has secured access to (let alone having his own trail bike riding park!), with the riding dominated by endless sections of fresh, clean single-track through the sticks that just keep the smile on your dial and the throttle pinned on a 250 thumper.

We copped a few gnarly hills -- the best was Spectator Hill, where the carnage came thick and fast for the cameras, with sweep rider Darren turning on the best loop-out of a Husaberg that I have seen in ages ... crikey, the blue bomber damn near landed in the top of the pines!

A couple of rocky creek crossings also delivered the required carnage -- much to the delight of myself and Russ as the cameras rolled.

Come the end of the day, we'd knocked over 165km, with a couple of flats, plenty of crashes, one lost rider and a mighty lunchtime feed turned on by Staino's missus, Georgina, along the way.

For a more detailed report of the ride, check out Staino's Blog entries on the www.westcoastsafaris.com.au web site.

Meanwhile for the full story on the ride, make sure you check out the next issue of TRAIL ZONE #36 which goes on-sale in mid-June, while for the video evidence of the carnage, check out our next DVD issue of TRAIL ZONE when it goes on-sale in December.

In the meantime, we have to say thanks to Staino and the WCTBS crew for all their hospitality.

If you've even wanted to hit the south-west corner of WA and experience all the joys (!) riding on red pea gravel has to offer, remember that West Coast Trail Bike Safaris offer Yamaha hire bikes for interstate riders, so take a gander about the www.westcoastsafaris.com.au web site and then give Staino a call on (0429) 825 775 and make plans to go west ... make sure you tell him TRAIL ZONE sent ya!

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-05-10T03:08:00.000-07:00

TRAIL MAIL:

WHY CAN'T WE ALL BE FRIENDS?

Hi there: I am a relative newbie to dirt biking, having only taken up the evil ones only in the last four years or so. After years of doing organised trips on rental bikes, my brother and I bought a Gas Gas FSR450 each in 2008. Terrific bikes, great handling, cool looking, tough as nails with an awesome support network by Solo Motorcycle Imports, and very low cost parts and replacement bits. How does $400 for a new slipper clutch sound? Less than $300 for a full set of original plastics? Frame straightened for less than $1,000? Steel frames, ya gotta love them. However, the attitude of other dirt riders toward Gassers is a real eye-opener. Most have never heard of them, and I have even been asked by a professional tour sweep who makes them! It appears from experience that there is an attitude that unless they are Katohuskyhusas or blue/red/green/yellow Japanese beasties, then they are crap? On our last trip (thanks David, Nikki, Amber, Jiff and crew of Mt Buller Adventres), we had a group that brought an entire spare Husky for parts! But they felt that it was OK to take the piss out of the Gassers, even though we made it up the hills and rocks of the High Country with less dramas than them, ate Husabergs on all terrain, swallowed DRs for breakfast, and had as much or more fun on the Gassers. We do not attack other riders' bikes, nor insult the company, but the other riders feel that it is OK to attack ours! This negativity starts from the minute you roll up, with stunned looks, snide asides, and a superior attitude that persists, even when you match or beat them on the track. Yes, our bikes look beaten up, scratched all over, rims dented, Barkbusters that look very second hand, but that is because we ride them hard and often. In all conditions. Rain, floods, desert dust, crappy mud, rocky terrain, heat, cold, frost and so on. I have done 12,000km on mine, my brother has done 10,000km on his, Ross did 20,000k on his first one in two years, and over 10,000 on his second. Our issues in 50k that were not crash-related? Two throttle position sensors (same one as fitted in Ducatis), one regulator rectifier (Ducati) and a throttle cable. That's it. Yet the attitude remains from other riders. Bah! We have ridden in Tasmania, the Coffs Harbour region, the High Country and all over south-east Queensland, yet wherever you are, negative attitude towards a fellow dirt rider seems inbuilt into the dirt rider's psyche if they are not the 'regular' dirt bikes. I hate to say it, but grow up guys and girls. Excessive and overwhelming advertising does not mean that the non-traditional manufacturers do not make a great bike, in fact, they make great bikes. Just look up the sales figures outside of Australia, and the race results from Europe. So dump the attitude, enjoy fellow bikers riding, and ask for a ride on my bike. You might just be surprised. I guarantee you will be.

-- Damien Stringer, via www.trailzone.com.au

Thanks for your email, Damo, it's an interesting read. Great to hear you've had such a good run from the Gassers, that's no surprise to us. Now onto the crux of your email: mate, dirt bike riders taking the piss out of one another for riding different brand bikes has been going on since Moses rode a Zundapp and Noah rode a Triumph! We all do it, especially Japanese owners versus Euro owners, and all us trail and enduro riders always do it in jest, with tongue firmly in cheek and a big dose of good humour mixed into the equation. And besides, wait until you start riding an adventure bike and all the trail and enduro riders start taking pot -shots at you! That's when you need to develop a seriously thick skin. Ride on mate and keep the dream alive ... and keep showin' 'em the red rear guard of your Gasser!

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-05-10T02:56:00.000-07:00

TRAIL BOSS BLOG:

2012 KTM EXCs LAUNCHED: 350 EXC-F LEADS THE WAY!

KTM pulled the wraps off its 2012 range of EXC enduro weapons at the bikes' world launch in Italy last week -- and it's no surprise that a brand new 350 EXC-F thumper headlines the Austrian brand's off-road line-up.

After setting the motocross world on its ear last year with the 350 SX-F, KTM is hoping to do the same in the enduro scene, with the all-new 350 EXC-F boasting a fuel-injected four-valve four-stroke powerplant wrapped in a brand new chassis that features WP suspension and a PDS linkless rear end.

KTM claims the 350's new motor weighs in at just 28kg and pumps out an impressive 45hp, two specs which should go a long way to achieving the bike's goal of being a real giant-killer in the bush.

The new 350 slots into KTM's four-stroke EXC line-up alongside an updated 250 EXC-F and much upgraded 450 and 500 EXC-F models, the big bangers featuring new 2.5kg lighter motors that are now fed by fuel-injection and 42mm throttle bodies.

On the two-stroke front, KTM's much-loved 125, 200, 250 and 300 EXC models continue unabated for 2012, keeping very much alive the hopes and dreams of premix fans right around the globe.

Chassis, suspension and details updates apply across the entire EXC range, while special Six Days models (lower image) with a raft of bolt-on goodies as standard equipment will also be available.

For more details and delivery dates of the 2012 EXCs, see your local KTM dealer and keep a watch on the www.ktm.com.au web site.

And rest assured as soon as we can throw a leg over the 350 EXC-F, you'll get to read all about it an upcoming issue of TRAIL ZONE ... this is one bike we can't wait to start firing through the sticks!

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-05-09T00:19:00.000-07:00

TRAIL MAIL:

STOP IT WITH A PLUG SPANNER!

Hey guys: Thought you might be impressed with my 'fix-it-with-what-you-can-skill' when my mate busted his brake lever 250km from home. That's my trusty DR650 spark plug spanner mounted to the left-over stub. It got him all the way home no problem. Yaa hoo!

-- Cheers Chris, via www.trailzone.com.au

Great fix, Chris, right up there in the MacGyver stakes. Well done, son!

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-05-03T17:05:00.000-07:00

ASK DR RUSS:

SHAVING WEIGHT ON HUSQVARNA'S NEW TE630

Hi guys: I read with great interest your recent review of the new Husqvarna TE630 and I was surprised to see the weight going up by nine kilos compared to the TE610 and the ground clearance moving from 295mm down to 280mm (which seems a bit low for serious off-road riding, especially when installing a bashplate). These days, people expect more power and less weight in new bikes (just ask Dr Phil!). Given the difference between the TE610 and TE630 is only 30cc, do you know where the additional nine kilos is coming from? What's your view on the key difference between the TE630 and the KTM690 Enduro R? Is the TE better on-road while the 690 is better off-road? Good to see that Husqvarna has sharpened its price when compared to KTM in that category.

-- Rod, via www.trailzone.com.au

With our past Project Bikes in TRAIL ZONE and www.offroadexplorer.com we've found that the biggest weight saving comes from removing the standard exhaust and fitting a lightweight aftermarket performance pipe. For example, on our Honda Transalp Project Bike we fitted a Staintune exhaust which was seven kilos lighter than standard. So when looking at the Husqvarna TE630 weight gain, you would have to point the finger straight at the new twin muffler exhaust system. The good news is that we have just taken delivery of our TRAIL ZONE/ORE Husqvarna TE630 Project Bike and we have Husqvarna's factory performance mufflers to fit to the bike next week. The mufflers feel pretty light, so look out in future issues of TZ and we'll let you know exactly how much weight we can shave off the mighty TE630.

-- Lance 'Russ' Turnley, via www.trailzone.com.au and www.offroadexplorer.com

2011-05-03T15:21:00.000-07:00

ASK DR PHIL:

HOTTING UP KAWASAKI'S KLX250S

Hi Dr Phil: I'm the happy owner of a 2010 Kawasaki KLX250S and I'm looking at improving the power delivery. When reading the full maintenance manual (for the US, Canada and Australia models), I'm surprised to see the US model has 50 per cent more power than the Aussie model (in stock form). Not sure if ADR compliance is behind this? Regarding improving air flow, I understand some people replace the stock snorkel with a KDX200 high-flow snorkel, others remove the air snorkel altogether and others remove the full air box cover (including the snorkel). Do you have a view on what is best for the bike? I'm also intending to replace the carby slide or fill up the holes in the stock slide. Is filling up good enough or would you advise to buy a new slide? I always use the bike in off-road conditions and it is a relatively elevated area (the southern highlands in NSW). Many thanks and keep up the good work!

-- Rod via www.trailzone.com.au

Thanks for your email, Rod. I’m stunned by your suggestion that the power spec is 50 per cent different! But I’m sure you checked it many times once you’d noted that. And if indeed it is true, then, YES, you can be sure that Australian ADR requirements was the reason. The best advice I’ve got for you is contact the TRAIL ZONE office on (02) 9905 9663 and have Tania send you back issue number 29. It had a story in there on a really trick KLX250S that a mate of ours that works at Kawasaki Australia built. His name is Tony Jacinska (pictured) and he knows the KLX250S inside-out. It’s an awesome read as he'd put a 300cc kit into his bike and it did go really well. But be warned ... for the sort of money YOU’D have to spend for the same work, you’d be crazy not to just buy something like a WR250F or Honda CRF250X or of KTM 250 EXC-F or Husky TE250. Think long and hard before spending too much cash! Best of luck with it.

-- Dr Phil, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-05-01T16:39:00.000-07:00

CHECK IT OUT:

WONKA SCORES THE TROPHY OF THE YEAR?!

Check this out: word is just in from the steamy tropical reaches of the Top End of the Northern Territory that the annual Kamfari swamp race has just been run and won over the weekend.

Turns out that Motorex KTM Off-Road race team boss Brad 'Wonka' Williscroft emerged victorious, in what was a thrilling all the way to the chequered flag duel with Yamaha-mounted Victorian off-road hero, Jehi Willis.

Sounds like the boys had a real ding-dong battle through the swamps and mud flats of the Kamfari course outside Darwin, and for his efforts, Wonka scored what has to rank as the first place trophy of the year ... now that's horny!

(Photo courtesy www.advrider.com)

2011-04-29T13:50:00.000-07:00

PRESS RELEASE:

HONDA ANNOUNCES DEALER OF THE YEAR

Honda Australia's National Dealer of the Year Award for 2010 has been awarded to Victoria's Freestyle Honda.

The winner, along with seven state winners, was announced during the 2011 dealer trip which took place in Beijing, China earlier this month. Honda Australia's Dealer of the Year Awards reward excellence in dealership management and customer service.

Honda understands the importance of rewarding those who have particularly excelled, as a company it also appreciates the vital role dealerships play in directly reaching out to customers and listening and responding to their needs.

The state winners of Honda's Dealer of the Year Awards include:

New South Wales: Hawksbury Honda

Queensland: Rising Sun Honda

Victoria: Freestyle Honda

Tasmania: Circular Head Motorcycles

South Australia: Honda World

Western Australia: The Honda Shop

Northern Territory: Desert Edge Motorcycles

A rigorous performance review is undertaken on all of Honda Australia's dealerships over a 12 month period in order to calculate the winners.

Tony Hinton, Honda's General Manger of Motorcycles was lucky enough to present the awards in China this month. He recognizes that the dealerships are vital in upholding the Honda Philosophy in the marketplace.

"Honda Australia is proud of all of its dealers and particularly of those who strived for higher levels of excellence," he said.

Honda Australia would like to extend their congratulations to all Dealer of the Year Award winners.

2011-04-29T13:46:00.000-07:00

PRESS RELEASE:

KTM LAUNCHES 'SILENCE' AKRAPOVIC BONUS OFFER

KTM Australia is teaming up with renowned sports exhaust manufacturer Akrapovic to release their latest promotion on the 2011 EXC model range.

Right now when you purchase a new 2011 EXC model you will receive a SXS titanium Akrapovic factory silencer for free.

Both the two and four-stroke silencers are made from the finest titanium and carbon-fibre and were developed in conjunction with the KTM factory enduro racing team. Each of the silencers improves performance on the track with lower weight, maximum top-end and the perfect torque gradient. Both silencers can also be maintained with re-packing kits available.

The promotion extends to the award winning 2011 EXC two-stroke range including the 200, 250 and 300 EXC. Also included is the championship winning 2011 EXC four-stroke range including the 250 EXC-F, 400, 450 and 530 EXC.

The Akrapovic two-stroke silencer has a RRP of $1,188 and the four-stroke silencer a RRP of $1,218. The promotion begins April 15, 2011 and runs while stocks last.

For more information visit www.ktm.com.au or visit your nearest KTM dealer to take advantage of the SILENCE promotion.

2011-04-26T13:33:00.001-07:00

TRAIL BOSS BLOG:

THE SMELL OF PREMIX IN THE AIR ... IN THE WORLD ENDURO CHAMPS!

The 2011 Maxxis FIM World Enduro Championship has fired into life in recent weeks with back-to-back events in Spain and Portugal.

In the E1 class, Husqvarna is celebrating the efforts of Juha Salminen, who is atop the points standings after four days of competition, leading Ereo Remes (KTM) and Rodrig Thain (Honda).

In the E2 division, the much heralded arrival of KTM's new fuel-injected 350 EXC-F thumper didn't quite go to plan at the series kick-off in Spain, with KTM team leader Johnny Aubert sidelined by mechanical hiccups on the new bike and leaving the two days of competiton with zero points.

So Team Husqvarna rider Antoine Meo made hay while the sun shone and ripped off two bigs wins in Spain, then backed it up with more strong results in Portugal to now sit atop the world title standings ahead of Pierre Alexandre Renet (Husaberg) and Ivan Cervantes (Gas Gas).

Aubert meanwhile fired back to top form at the second event in Portugal, ripping off back-to-back round wins and now sits seventh in the championship with a lot of ground to make up.

In the big-bore E3 class, Mika Ahola has stepped up to the heavyweight division with Honda and holds the championship lead aboard his CRF, but he's making a lonely stand for the thumpers in the class.

Save for Team KTM's David Knight who is eighth in the title chase (after DNFing the first event with a hip injury), all the other bikes in the top-10 of the E3 class are two-strokes. That's right, the smell of premix lives on in the World Enduro Championships!

Gas Gas rider Christophe Nambotin and Husaberg team rider Joakim Ljunggren (pictured) hold down second and third in the E3 battle and both are on big-banger strokers and are aiming to take the fight up to Ahola's four-stroke all season long.

Another 12 rounds in six countries of World Enduro Championship competition continues.

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-04-24T18:52:00.000-07:00

INVITATION:

DAKAR RALLY WORKSHOPS IN AUSTRALIA WITH CHRIS EVANS

Have you ever dreamed of racing the Dakar Rally? Yeah, that's a loaded question: because we've all dreamed of doing it!

But if you're actually even halfway serious about making that dream a reality, then you have to take note of this message we just received from Aussie Dakar racer, Mark Davidson:

Hi Clubby: Please find attached a flyer outlining a series of Dakar Rally workshops facilitated by Chris Evans. Chris is the UK and Australian representative for ASO (organisers for the Dakar Rally) he has been Cyril Despres’ team manager for the past three years and has been involved in the last 14 Dakars. The purpose of his visit to Australia next month is to help those who are thinking of competing in the Dakar hit the ground running and maximise their potential. He will be holding two workshops: one in Sydney on May 14 and the other in Perth a week later on May 21, 2011. The workshops are free but numbers are limited. Justin Hunt of the Australasian Safari has been kind enough to lend us his database to help get the word out, but I’m concerned we may not reach everybody who is thinking about running in Dakar. So could you please please place this information on your web site?

-- Mark Davidson, via www.trailzone.com.au

No worries, Mark, can do!

So there you go all you Dakar dreamers: get along to a Dakar workshop near you next month and start to turn your Dakar dreams into reality!

2011-04-20T03:03:00.000-07:00

TRAIL BOSS BLOG:

DAKAR CHAMP FLIES HIGH WITH FMX HERO

What happens when Dakar Rally champ Marc Coma hooks up with American freestyle MX gun Ronnie Renner?

You get some impressive aerial antics ... at least from a bloke on a 450cc rally bike who is normally best known for belting through the countryside at 170kmh with both wheels firmly planted on the ground!

Check out this photo of Coma and Renner getting big-air together, after they recently hooked up in the Arab Gulf states of the middle east.

Their free-ride session came just days after Coma had won the annual Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, and saw the Spanish ace take on a few tips from his fellow Team KTM rider.

Clearly Coma put Renner's tips to good use ... and how!

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-04-17T23:48:00.000-07:00

ASK DR PHIL:

TIME TO PUT HIS XL350 IN STORAGE

Hi Dr Phil: I have a Honda XL350 '73/'74 in good condition. I was wondering if you could help me: I am planning not to ride it for two or three years. Can you please tell me what stroke the motor should be left on? Should I drain the tank? Will it go rusty? Should I drain the carby? Any other advice would be much appreciated.

-- Graham Camm, via www.trailzone.com.au

Thanks for your message, Graham. First of all, mix up some two-stroke fuel in a drum at 20:1 or 25:1. Fill the bike’s tank with this mix and also flush the carb with this mix and then turn the fuel tap off and drain the fuel from the carb and leave it in this state. The other thing to do with the carb is to fill it with light oil, such as sewing machine oil. Remove the spark plug and pour in a tablespoon of engine oil, then with the spark plug still out, slowly turn the engine over with the kick lever. Now replace the spark plug and turn the engine over by HAND with the kick lever and leave it when you’re on the compression stroke -- this way all the valves (both inlet and exhaust) will be closed and the combustion chamber will be sealed with some oil left inside. Also plug the muffler hole with a bung or cloth. It may also be an idea to remove the air filter element as foam filters can disintegrate over time and turn to a nasty powder that can later block the carby jets, so cover the air filter cage with a clean cloth soaked in heavy oil -- just note that some of this may drip out over time, so leave a cloth or old newspaper under the bike. Another good idea is to leave the bike elevated on a workstand with the wheels up OFF the ground, as this saves suspension springs and components. Lastly spray all metal components with a WD40 type spray.

-- Dr Phil, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-04-14T21:07:00.000-07:00

TRAIL MAIL:

DEAR DR PHIL: IN DEFENCE OF ADVENTURE BIKE RIDING

Howdy TRAIL ZONE: Now, Dr Phil, re your story in the new issue if TZ, On The Trail to Misadventure, so you don’t like adventure bikes -- that’s okay, mate. If everybody liked it, it would be no fun. Celebrate the diversity in motorcycling and motorcyclists. We can’t all be like you and you probably wouldn’t like us to be. I love all aspects of motorcycle riding and for an old pr*ck like me (56) who can’t race anymore, adventure riding means I can still get out there and enjoy myself. I have many bikes, one of which is a KTM 990 Adv and I’m loving it. I do enjoy ADVrider and have had the pleasure of meeting many of the members all over our wonderful country. Cheer up, mate, don’t be a snob, ya never know you might change your mind one day -- LOL. Until then, enjoy your style of motorcycling.

-- Peter Browning, via www.trailzone.com.au

You know, Pete, I've been trying to say exactly the same thing to the good Doctor for ages now, and keep inviting him out on rides on 200kg-plus machinery to far-flung corners of the country, but he always replies that he's busy that weekend washing his hair or mowing the lawn ... sigh. One day he might just see the light and enjoy the rich tapestry of riding delights that come with being a true fan of trail, enduro and adventure bikes, for that is truly life in the TRAIL ZONE.

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-04-12T23:32:00.001-07:00

TRAIL BOSS BLOG:

GET THE ANZAC SPIRIT & RIDE NEW ZEALAND'S SOUTH ISLAND WITH TRAIL ZONE!

There's a lot of places in the world we love to go trail riding, but one of the best of all is the South Island of New Zealand, which is just a couple of hours flight away from the east coast of Australia.

The mountain trails of the NZ South Island are simply spectacular and we rate them as a ride of a lifetime.

Now here's your chance to come ride them with us!

TRAIL ZONE has teamed up with Robbie Crickett and the professional team from High Country Trail NZ to put together the Anzac Spirit trail ride, which will take place out of Queenstown from February 7 to 10, 2012.

Robbie has put together a five-night package that includes bike hire (aboard a Yamaha WR), four days riding, accommodation, fuel, guiding, land access fees and back-up crew.

The cost is just NZ$2,800 -- which includes everything but your drinks and your flights to/from Queenstown.

If you're toey to come ride with us in the South Island of NZ, then get your skates on, because there are just eight slots available for Aussie riders on this trail ride. And they're already filling up fast!

So email robbie@highcountry.co.nz and get more details and then get in on a ride you will never forget!

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-04-12T22:12:00.000-07:00

TRAIL MAIL:

WHAT'S THIS? ADVENTURE ZONE?!

Hi Guys: Just received my May/June copy of TRAIL ZONE to which I was very disappointed to discover that from the 94 pages you offer over 30 pages were articles, advertising or a reference to Ducati, BMW, Tenere and other 300 kilo pieces of sh*t they call adventure bikes. What the hell is going on when seven pages are dedicated to some lump of crap called a Tenere and a lousy two pages for the new 350EXC? What's going on? This is not what I subscribed to TRAIL ZONE to read. A truly disappointing edition.

-- Terry Howlett (Potential ex- suscriber), via www.trailzone.com.au

Thanks for your email, Terry: That's what we like, clear concise no-holds-barred opinion.

The TRAIL ZONE masthead has always described our mag as a "Trail, Enduro and Adventure Riding Magazine". So that's what you're going to get: trail, enduro and adventure bikes.

As for advertisers choosing to run Ducatis, BMW and Teneres in their advertising, well, that is entirely their right. Just like another advertiser electing to run a full-page advert on their sponsorship of a motocross series (as Moto National did in this issue), or Kawasaki and Suzuki running adverts for their motocross bikes (as they have done in previous issues). We don't tell them what their advertising content should be: unless it is offensive.

As for the seven pages on the Tenere Tragics ride, come on mate, we ran that event, it was the first time we ran it, and we are Tenere enthusiasts, so of course it is going to get a big chunk of coverage in the mag.

As for the three-page feature and the front cover on the new KTM 350 EXC-F, remember this is a bike that is not even in series production yet, but we gave it such a big slice of prominence in this issue because we are stoked on that bike and can't wait until we can ride it and give it full coverage in the mag. And if KTM Australia let us hang onto one as a Project Bike for six months, you bet we will.

The content of the mag is always going to bounce around and the ratio of trail versus enduro versus adventure bikes will vary, too. And sometimes we will take the piss as well -- just like Dr Phil did this issue in his 'Misadventure' story. You did read that story, didn't you? Because it sure sounds like he shares some common opinions with you.

Thanks for your support in the past and here's hoping we can continue to earn your support in the future.

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-04-12T20:40:00.001-07:00

TRAIL BOSS BLOG:

R.I.P. PAUL BROOMFIELD

Well, there was some pretty crappy news this morning: MX hero Paul Broomfield passed away in the early hours of today, succumbing to a blood disorder that he had been battling for some months.

A recent bone marrow transplant had proven unsuccessful and Broomy was put on life support yesterday, before passing away this morning.

Being taken way too young is an absolute pisser and in this case Broomy was one of the fittest blokes you could ever meet. And he was an absolute top bloke, too. And he leaves a wife and young family, which makes this morning's news all the more sad.

I've got a huge framed montage of photos and images on my office wall, and right there amongst a lot of memories of my many years in magazine publishing is a photo of Broomy that we used in an advertising campaign for ADB magazine when myself, Tommy TBAM and Lac Mac worked there in the late 1990s.

We needed a pro rider that we could deck out in ADB riding gear, put atop our 'Hurricane' yellow-kitted Yamaha YZ400F and go hammer the sand dunes at Stockton.

If memory serves me right, Lac Mac shot the photos that day and came back with some ripper images of Broomy dragging the bars in the sand.

I've always liked the photo and the finished ADB advert, and the way Broomy just came in and got the job done for us. Which was a hallmark of the guy's career, be it as a racer, a trainer, a tutor, a team manager and, quite likely most recently, as a family man.

Rest in peace Paul Broomfield.

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

Note: Paul Broomfield's funeral will be held at 12:15pm on Monday, April 18, at the Macquarie Park Crematorium on Plassey Rd, North Ryde, NSW. It will take place at the Palm Chapel. The Broomfield family wants to celebrate his life, and therefore requests attendees turn up in riding jerseys, team shirts, etc to brighten up the day. Dress is strictly race spec!

2011-04-12T15:51:00.000-07:00

TRAIL MAIL:

CUTTING THE WIND ON KTM'S 625 SXC

Hi: I am going to be doing the APC Rally in July and am in the process of setting-up a 2006 KTM SXC 625 for the ride. I took it for a run on the weekend to iron-out some of the bugs and have found a few things I would like to modify. One of those is to fit a windshield to give a bit more protection on the longer runs. The problem is the only company I can find that makes one has discontinued the line. Do you know of anyone that makes something or of anything that is close that can be modified to fit? I have also looked through your back issues for any info on the 625 and am unable to see anything that will help with set-up tips and things to check that have potential to go wrong. Any useful info will be appreciated, as all my riding over the years has been day rides on lighter enduro bikes and once I head off on the Rally, there will be no going back to the shed to change anything. I look forward to your magazine coming out every couple of months and enjoy reading the technical articles. If I rode a DR650 there seems to plenty of info but not much for the KTMs. Do you mob have shares with Suzuki or do they need that much work to get them up to speed? I took a standard DR for a ride and don't know how you could ride one in the bush at speed: it was like riding a fridge in a wheelbarrow! I have also found the SXC has a speedo built into the engine: when your vision goes blurry from the vibrations you're going fast enough!

-- Bruce Nolan, via www.trailzone.com.au

Now, Bruce, that was a subtle little dig you slipped in there about TRAIL ZONE's share holdings. No, we do not have shares in Suzuki. Yes, you do have to do that much work to the DR650 to get them up to speed in the bush. And do you mean it felt like riding a mini-bar fridge in a wheelbarrow, or a dual-door Kelvinator with ice-maker?! Now, seriously, I've got a couple of tips for you about the 625 SXC and finding/making a windscreen for it. First up, try contacting our ol' mate Don McGrath at Cycle Products West in Perth on (0419) 717 970 as he's the bloke that builds the Australian Safari winning KTMs of Ben Grabham and company, and he fabricates screens to run on their EXCs, and may well be able to make a screen to suit your bike, or steer you in the right direction. Another bloke worth contacting is Geoff Henning from Sunny Corner Trail Bike Tours in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney, as he and his team are also closely familiar with KTM's SXCs and would be able to offer you plenty of info if you ask them nicely and say TRAIL ZONE sent ya. You can track down Geoff via the www.sunnycornertrailtours.com.au web site. As for free tips on racing the APC Rally: here's a few obvious ones: get out there and ride, ride, ride and ride. You will need to be bike-fit for 14 days on the bike. Get your luggage load sorted. Work on your bike at home with just the tools you are carrying in your bumbag and on your bike. Then during the ride, look after your bike and body as best you can, get as much rest each night as you can, and ride smart! The goal is to finish the ride, not snot yourself part way through and have it all end in tears. Good luck, mate, and enjoy the ride!

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-04-12T15:20:00.000-07:00

TRAIL MAIL:

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE DR TRAGICS?

Hi guys: I just read about the Tenere Tragics ride in your new issue of TRAIL ZONE, and it sounds like you guys had a great time. But what about the DR Tragics?

-- Shane, via www.trailzone.com.au

Yes, Shane, we sure did have a great time on the Tenere Tragics ride. The ride was a stack of fun and was all about a bunch of 50 blokes being brought together in the middle of nowhere by one type of motorcycle. We've talked about doing similar rides for other types of bikes, but the thing is, we're not in the business of running rides. There's a whole lot of motorcycle tour operators that do that, so for us, running a big ride like the Tenere Tragics is going to be limited to that one event a year. That said, however, that shouldn't stop anyone else from putting together a DR ride -- in fact I've seen some talk of exactly that on web sites like www.advrider.com, so get in there and fire things up and make it happen and all you DR Desperadoes can get together and spend endless hours around the camp fire comparing fuel economy figures and figuring out just which air box, jetting and muffler mods really do work best!

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-04-12T15:09:00.000-07:00

TRAIL MAIL:

LOVES THE MAG, BUT WHAT ABOUT A SPECIAL-EDITION: BOX-TRAILER ZONE?

Hi Guys: Just wanted to say thank-you for producing one of the best quality dirt bike mags I have come across, as I have recently jumped back into dirt bikes after a far too long absence. I purchased a 1985 Yamaha DT175 that required a lot of TLC and I got so carried away I restored it to pristine condition -- to the point my mates said it should be kept as a garage queen. Er.... gee you're right guys, so I purchased a 1989 Yamaha DT175 badly in need of some TLC and completely restored this one much to my ever patient wife's outstanding tolerance and our financial detriment. Currently I have a Suzuki DR-Z400E 2002 model that I have again spent far too much on but enjoyed every minute of the journey from the outstanding and patient advice I have received from experts like Brian Connors Motorcycle Centre in Brookvale to the excellent articles I have discovered on DR-Zs. Just a thought though, guys, as the articles on motorcycles are always very informative, how about one on bike and box trailers? As in keeping them prepped and in good order instead of having a wheel bearing give up the ghost 200km out of Sydney. As I have recently acquired a box/bike trailer and discovered a number of quick fixes that have not been so quick or easy to fix.

-- Phil Garrison, via www.trailzone.com.au

You know what, Phil, we can truly understand and appreciate the passion and labour of love that it takes to bring an old machine back to its former glory, while at the same time keeping in the good books with the missus -- congratulations on your juggling skills, well done, son! I will forward your idea of a tech story on bike trailers to Dr Phil, our esteemed Technical Editor. Somehow, though, I think he might just keep that one on the back-burner for a while, as he has a mountain of bike tech stories to get into the mag that will take priority. But thanks for the thought -- and send us a pic of the restored DT!

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-04-04T13:05:00.000-07:00

TRAIL BOSS BLOG:

WIN A YAMAHA WR250F AT THE WATAGAN TRAIL BIKE RALLY!

After all the action of last weekend's Kowen Forest Ride trail bike blast at Canberra, it's time to start looking ahead to the next big trail bike bash on the NSW calendar: the annual Watagan Trailbike Rally on June 25/26!

Rated a must-do ride (and we'll agree with that rating!), the Watagan Trailbike Rally is staged in the Watagan forests between Wyong and Newcastle on the NSW central coast.

Once again the major backer of this year's Watagans ride is Yamaha -- with one lucky entrant set to win a brand spanking new Yamaha WR250F!

Prepaid entries in the event are open now and cost $145, while late or on the day entries will cost $160.

The course will be open for riding Saturday and Sunday and all entrants also score brekkie and lunch on Sunday, with camping available on-site and a raft of trade displays to check out in the parc ferme all weekend long.

For more details on the 2011 Watagan Trailbike Rally, call Trailbike Rallys on 0427 277 888 or email rodcart@bigpond.com.au for an entry form to be sent to you.

And we'll see you there!

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-03-31T16:38:00.000-07:00

PRESS RELEASE:

AUSSIE YOUNG GUN ASHLEY DAY ON THE PACE IN USA

After a wet build-up in the area, round 3 of the AMA GNCC series at Steele Creek in North Carolina looked as though it was going to be a soggy one. The track was hilly with a red clay base, together with a flowing lay-out along the river and a famous bridge to go under.

Knowing that he really needed a good start to keep with the front runners, Ashley’s class had a grid of 21 riders and was the third class to start after the Pro line.

Heading into the bush mid-pack, Ash was working his way through the field when a mistake sent him over the edge of the track and down a steep scrubby embankment. Having to drag and manhandle his bike back up on the track, the two classes behind Ashley’s passed him before he could get going again. He set off, coming through the first lap in 20th position, he pushed on with making his way back into the points. Lap two saw him in 12th place in class and estimating he had passed around 40 riders to get there, he kept going.

Lap three had him in tenth, lap four he was ninth, lap five he was eighth and with a big push on lap six saw him take three more positions and reach fifth place.

The final lap seven didn’t see any improvement and he finished a well-earned fifth in class, but well down the order at 48th out of the 242 starters, still not a bad effort.

“At least I had plenty of practice at passing people today!” Ash said after the race.

Aussie Suzuki rider Josh Strang took the outright honors in a titanic battle with KTM’s Charlie Mullins, who dropped his bike in the last corner before the finish.

Ash would like to thank the following people and companies for their support: Josh Strang, the Watts family, Costanzo Racing Suspension, Force Accessories, Maxxis tyres, Fly gear , Shoei helmets , Sidi boots, Motorcycling Australia, The Butler training facility-Florida & Rock.

2011-03-31T16:32:00.000-07:00

PRESS RELEASE:

2011 A4DE POSTPONED DUE TO EXTREME WEATHER

Motorcycling Australia (MA) can announce the 2011 Australian 4 Day Enduro (A4DE) has been postponed to 7-10 July, 2011. The decision to reschedule the A4DE, originally set for 20-23 April, was due to the recent extreme weather conditions in the Mackay region, causing significant damage to the trails and surrounding areas.

John Hand, from Gum Valley Motorcycle Club, said while disappointed the A4DE has been rescheduled, the decision was made with the upmost thought for the safety and welfare of all people involved in the event.

“For the month of March we’ve had over one metre (of rainfall) and for the period of January to March, a ridiculous three metres of rainfall,” he said.

“With further heavy rain forecast between now and Easter it wasn’t possible to run the event, and even if it had been, racing in such treacherous conditions wouldn’t be safe for riders or good for the environment.

“We feel this (the new dates) is the best possible outcome for riders - July is always drier, cooler, and the new dates still fall within school holidays.”

Aware of the implications on travel and transport arrangements the decision will have, Hand has encouraged those people with bookings to contact Mackay Tourism.

“We realise this postponement might create problems for riders with accommodation and holidays already planned,” he said.

“Mackay Tourism has agreed to help people re-book or transfer accommodation bookings, or find new accommodation.”

The 2011 A4DE will now be held from 7-10 July, 2011 in Mackay.

The change of dates for the A4DE has created a calendar clash with Rounds 7 and 8 of the 2011 Australian Off Road Championship (AORC), scheduled to run with rounds of the Victorian Off Road Championship at Broadford, Victoria from 9-10 July.

The AORC Rounds 7 and 8 will be rescheduled to a date and venue that has yet to be confirmed.

An announcement from the AORC regarding the rescheduling of the Broadford event will be made in the near future.

For more information regarding the rescheduling of the A4DE contact:

John Hand
A4DE Promoter
Ph: 0427 503 738
Email: gumvalley@mcs.net.au

Visit MA Website for more information regarding the A4DE as it comes to hand at: www.ma.org.au.

2011-03-31T16:12:00.000-07:00

TRAIL BOSS BLOG:

"ON YA!" TO THE BOYS AT THE BIKESMITH

Myself and TRAIL ZONE Technical Editor Dr Phil Gielis dropped in at The Bikesmith workshop in Blacktown yesterday afternoon to complete a couple of editorial projects that will be featured in upcoming issues of the magazine.

I rode over on our Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré Project Bike, complete with a fresh set of Mitas E10 Adventure tyres to be fitted -- as the bike's current Mitas hoops were well and truly shagged after our recent Ténéré Tragics Run to the Rocks ride from Sydney to the Flinders Ranges and back again (check it out at the www.teneretragics.blogspot.com blog page).

The picture shows me, the mighty XT and The Bikesmith's Simon Thomas, who kicked off the specialist motorcycle workshop service centre with business partner John Manwarring just over 18 months ago.

Myself, Dr Phil and Simon go way back, so it was great for us catch up, shoot some photos and bench-race in The Bikesmith workshop well into the afternoon.

One of the tech stories Dr Phil was working on for the mag involved tubeless tyres, which presented a whole new world for the good Doctor, even though he is a former world tyre changing champion. But all Phil's experience is with tubed dirt bike tyres, so the Doctor was all ears as Simon passed on a wealth of tips about how to repair a puncture on a tubeless tyre and get yourself mobile again.

Look out for Phil's tech editorials featuring The Bikesmith in upcoming issues of TRAIL ZONE magazine.

And if you need the service of a top-shelf specialist motorcycle service centre, check out the www.bikesmith.com.au web site and give Simon or John a call on (02) 8814 8605 and tell 'em TRAIL ZONE sent ya!

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-03-31T16:04:00.000-07:00

TRAIL BOSS BLOG:

IT'S A COVER UP!

Check it out: here's the final proof of the front cover of the next issue of TRAIL ZONE.

It's an awesome photo from legend UK dirt bike shooter Jonty Edmunds featuring Team KTM enduro hero Johnny Aubert giving the trick new fuel-injected KTM 350 EXC-F thumper a right ol' hammering in a loamy berm.

The new 350 enduro weapon is set to spearhead Team KTM's assault in this year's World Enduro Championships, with the expectation the bike will become a production model in time to join KTM's 2012 model line-up.

We can't wait for the 350 EXC-F to become production reality, because a machine with 450cc-like power in a package with the size and weight of a 250cc thumper, will be the 'just-right' bike for so many Aussie trail/enduro riders.

So check out first details of the new 350 in TRAIL ZONE issue #35, which is humming through the print presses right now and is on-schedule to go in the mail to subscribers at the end of next week.

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-03-31T15:54:00.001-07:00

TRAIL BOSS BLOG:

THE JOYS OF PRE-PRESS

In the production of each new issue of TRAIL ZONE, the final stages are called pre-press, which is where all the words, photos and page design files are merged together and converted into high-resolutions pixelations that are called PDFs, which then go to the printer for the long (and expensive!) run down the print press.

The boys who do the pre-press for TRAIL ZONE are at AP Digital at Brookvale, right here on the northern beaches of Sydney.

Dean, Paul and Andy at AP Digital have been doing the pre-press for the mag ever since we kicked off TRAIL ZONE six years ago, so they've got it all down to a fine art and the mag now rocks through their bureau like a well-oiled machine.

And thanks to the marvels of modern technology, what we look at on our computer screens is what we end up looking at in the finished printed magazine a week or so later ... mostly!

But every now and then, a slip-up does get through the system. But it's generally only because I've missed the mistake at the final proofing stage.

Take page 76 of the last issue of TRAIL ZONE (#34) and the advert for the Suzuki Classic Dirt 8 event at Conondale in June. Look realy closely in the middle of the page and you will see the name/date/venue details for the event were printed with just a fine black keyline around the lettering ... Doh!

That text was supposed to be solid white and a whole lot easier to read -- but I never spotted the blunder on the proofs last issue. Double-doh!

So with the advert to be repeated in TRAIL ZONE issue #35 that we've just finished, you bet I was checking the proofs much more closely this issue -- and as you can see in the photo, the proof sure has white text this time around!

Here's hoping that's how it comes off the press this time? We'll know next week when the new issue is printed, bound and in our hands ... stay tuned!

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-03-27T01:48:00.000-07:00

TRAIL BOSS BLOG:

C U AT THE KOWEN FOREST RIDE NEXT WEEKEND!

It's on again: the annual Kowen Forest Ride at Canberra organised by the DSMRA.

This year's event is set down for the next weekend (April 2/3) in the lush green forests of Kowen right near Queanbeyan and the national capital.

Two loops of awesome arrowed fire-trails and single-track will be on offer, with food, camping and music available on-site on Friday and Saturday nights.

Of course it just wouldn't be the Kowen Forest Ride if one lucky rider didn't get the chance to win a brand new dirt bike and this year the DSMRA is giving away a brand spanking new Suzuki DR-Z400E to one lucky rider.

Entry numbers are strictly limited to just 300 starters, so if you want in on all the action, pick up an entry form at leading motorcycle shops in the ACT or the Canberra Motorcycle Centre, or check out the www.dsmra.asn.au web site and download it.

Myself, Popgun and Russ are all taking aim on Kowen next weekend, so we'll see you there!

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-03-26T19:48:00.000-07:00

PRESS RELEASE:

NADIYA'S CHALLENGE ... ON POSTIE BIKES!

We wish to introduce to you Nadiya’s Challenge – a postie bike ride from Perth to Darwin (4,000kms) via the Canning Stock Route, one of the longest and most difficult stock routes in the world, to raise funds and create awareness for the plight of kids with cancer and their families.

Nadiya’s Challenge is inspired by a young girl, Nadiya, who recently lost her battle with cancer at just 11 years of age. Nadiya left a legacy of inspiration and courage to keep fighting, no matter what the odds.

On The Water productions will be filming the adventure (to take place in August 2011) with the aim to produce a documentary, which showcases the expedition from inception to the production of Nadiya’s Challenge. It will follow 10 ordinary Aussie blokes from different backgrounds and occupations as they battle the unforgiving environment, testing their nerves, survival skills, and ultimately their friendships.

Nadiya’s parents have agreed to reveal on camera their personal story and we will also feature an interview with a leading cancer researcher from Monash Institute of Medical Research.

A commitment has been given from an Australian television company to broadcast the documentary. To view the montage video, go on line to www.nadiyaschallenge.org.

As there can never be enough support, the team are actively sourcing sponsors and supporters for Nadiya’s Challenge to make this a great success. Individuals and businesses wishing to support Nadiya’s Challenge can donate at any branch of the Bendigo Bank or online (donations over $2 are tax deductible) at either of the following: www.nadiyaschallenge.org or www.bendigobank.com.au/foundation/nadiyas.

Money raised from Nadiya’s Challenge will be forwarded to Challenge – Supporting Kids with Cancer.

2011-03-24T20:23:00.000-07:00

NEWS BULLETIN:

TRAIL ZONE WINNER SCORES HER HUSABERG TE300!

On February 25, 2011, TRAIL ZONE subscriber Tanya Mauk received the news that she was the big winner in our annual Choose Your Ride subscriber promotion.

A long-time subscriber to TRAIL ZONE, Tanya’s entry was pulled from the barrel at random as our Choose Your Ride winner to take her choice of an amazing seven bike prize line-up that included BMW’s G 450 X, Husaberg’s TE300, Husqvarna’s TE310, Kawasaki’s KLX450R, KTM’s 200 EXC, Suzuki’s DR650SE and Yamaha’s WR450F.

A keen off-road rider, Tanya instantly chose the Husaberg TE300 two-stroke enduro weapon – and earlier this week she collected her new machine from Wanneroo Motorcycles Husaberg dealer, Matt Gould (pictured above right).

And then what did Tanya do with it? She took it for a ride, of course!

“We ventured out yesterday and the new Husaberg is FANTASTIC!” Tanya exclaimed in a thank-you message to the TRAIL ZONE team.

“It’s no wonder the Husaberg wins the two-stroke shoot-outs. I love it!

“Future rides will involve the toss of a coin for me and my partner, Bruce, to see who is going to ride it, because once he got on it, I couldn’t get him off it!”

It’s awesome to see the Husaberg TE300 prize bike being put to such good use – congratulations again, Tanya.

And thanks once more to BMW Australia, Husaberg Australia, the Paul Feeney Group, Kawasaki Australia, KTM Australia, Suzuki Australia and Yamaha Motor Australia for their continuing support of our annual Choose Your Ride subscriber promotion in TRAIL ZONE magazine.

2011-02-27T12:27:00.000-08:00

PRESS RELEASE:

PRICE FIRES BACK AT YAMAHA AORC OPENER, DAY 2

Motorex KTM Off-Road Team’s Toby Price (far right) has won the second round of the 2011 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) after a disaster in the first round the day before at Bulahdelah NSW.

Making a costly mistake while in the lead, Price ran out of fuel in the first round’s gruelling Cross Country format, leaving him with a disappointing DNF result.

In Sunday’s race, however, Price certainly made up for it racing the tough Sprint format with times consistently faster than even the closest competitors in all five Sprint races, including Yamaha’s Chris Hollis and KTM’s Jarrod Bewley who rounded out the top three outright places for the day.

In the E1 class KTM’s Ben Grabham picked up the pace and took the top place on the podium ahead of Yamaha’s Stefan Merriman and Tom McCormack.

Price’s domination continued from his outright results in the E2 class, leading Hollis and Husqvarna’s Glenn Kearney – who recovered from mechanical issues at the first round to take third place at round two.

KTM’s Bewley was top finisher in the E3 class, ahead of an impressive performance from Yamaha’s Matt Phillips and Husaberg rider Geoff Braico.

David Cash (Yamaha) took out the Masters Class ahead of Trent Lean (Suzuki) and Glen Charlton (Yamaha) following the withdrawal of Yamaha team boss Geoff Ballard.

Husqvarna rider Damien Smith triumphed in the Veterans Class, ahead of Garry Dukes (Husaberg) and Adam Schneller (KTM).

In the Women’s class, it was a clean sweep of blue bikes with reigning champ and Yamaha rider Jess Gardiner taking top honours ahead of Swedish import Emelie Karlsson and Jemma Wilson.

In the Juniors Brendon Walther (Yamaha), New Zealand local Scott Sowry (Kawasaki), Wayde Carter (Honda) and Callan Hayes (Yamaha) were all successful in their individual classes with full results can be found on the Series web site at www.ma.org.au/aorc.

Speaking after the event, Series Co-ordinator Denise Hore said it was an incredible outcome for the National championship.

“This weekend was absolutely massive for the 2011 Yamaha AORC,” Ms Hore said.

“Nearly 300 competitors took to the track in the combined national and state rounds, and the Central Cost Dirt Riders Club did an incredible job putting the event together and we can’t thank them enough.

“Special thanks must also go to series sponsors Yamaha Australia and Ballard’s Off-Road, all the MA officials who worked tirelessly in the heat, Motorcycling NSW and their Enduro Management Committee for agreeing to have the National championship rounds co-incide with the State event, and to all the competitors for getting behind the Series and making it one of the biggest in years.”

Check out videos from the first weekend of racing on the AORC Facebook fan page and for more information on the 2011 Yamaha AORC check out the www.ma.org.au/aorc web site and the series’ Facebook page for the latest photo galleries and videos.

2011-02-27T12:21:00.000-08:00

PRESS RELEASE:

MERRIMAN FLIES AT 2011 YAMAHA AORC OPENER, DAY 1

Round one of the 2011 Yamaha Australian Off Road Championship is done and dusted with multiple World Championship winner and Ballard’s Yamaha Off-Road Team’s, Stefan Merriman, returning to stunning form to take line honours ahead of team-mate Chris Hollis and Motorex KTM Off-Road Team’s Jarrod Bewley.

The gruelling three-hour Cross-Country format event on Saturday at Bulahdelah, NSW, saw the course take many prisoners including reigning Champ and Motorex KTM rider Toby Price --who after missing two fuel stops, was left running on empty whilst in the lead.

Husqvarna’s Glenn Kearney also fell afoul of the track, suffering mechanical problems -- marring his return to the Australian Championship after years competing in the US.

Nearly 300 competitors took to the course throughout the first round, pushing through 30-plus degree heat and dry conditions in the combined national and state championship rounds.

In the E1 class, Merriman was the clear winner, with KTM’s Ben Grabham and Yamaha’s Kirk Hutton rounding out the top three places.

Hollis took out the E2 class ahead of Polish import Bartosz Oblucki riding for Husqvarna and Geoff Braico (Husaberg).

Bewley was first across the line for the E3 class, followed by Yamaha’s Matt Phillips and Husqvarna’s Matt Ryan, both of whom have made the switch from Motocross in 2011.

In the Masters Class, team boss Geoff Ballard took the top spot with David Cash (Yamaha) and Trent Lean (Suzuki) rounding out the top three.

Garry Dukes (Husaberg) took out the first round of the Veterans ahead of Mark Woolley (Yamaha) and Anthony Smidt (KTM).

Sweden’s Emelie Karlsson (Yamaha) took line honours in the Women’s championship class, ahead of Jemma Wilson (Yamaha) and Tanya Hearne (KTM) -- while reigning champ and Yamaha rider Jess Gardiner suffered bike problems and failed to finish.

Round two of the AORC kicks into gear on Sunday featuring the action-packed Sprint format.

Full results, including Junior championship classes, from the first round of racing can be found on the Series website at www.ma.org.au/aorc.

Check out videos of the outright top three from round one on the AORC Facebook fan page.

For more information on the 2011 Yamaha AORC check out the www.ma.org.au/aorc web site and the series’ Facebook page for the latest photo galleries and videos.

2011-02-27T01:32:00.000-08:00

TRAIL MAIL:

A TASTE OF HONDA OFF-ROADERS, ITALIAN-STYLE!

Howdy TRAIL ZONE: I'm living overseas for the year so sadly I can't collect each treasured edition of TRAIL ZONE magazine from my mailbox, but when I return, I'll have a nice collection to read, won't I? Looking forward to it! Now, there are things we miss out on in Australia, which showed up when I took a stroll today past a local motorcycle shop here in Cosenza (southern Italy), and stepped in for a little chat with the owner (however, trying to be understood with my pathetic Italian skills, is not easy). The shop sells Hondas, but not just your ordinary old Hondas like in Australia. Here in Italy, Honda dirt bikes are distributed with Montesa, and they make some really interesting machinery:

+ Is a CRF250X too small for you? Try a CRF300X: http://translate.google.com.au/translate?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&sl=it&tl=en&u=http://www.hmmoto.it/ita/scheda.asp%3FidFam%3D1%26idProd%3D185&prev=_t&twu=1

+Want more power than a CRF450X? Try a CRF500: http://translate.google.com.au/translate?hl=en&sl=it&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hmmoto.it%2Fita%2Fscheda.asp%3FidFam%3D1%26idProd%3D145+ Are you sad that Honda stopped making two strokes? Well, be happy again:http://translate.google.com.au/translate?hl=en&sl=it&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hmmoto.it%2Fita%2Fscheda.asp%3FidFam%3D13%26idProd%3D191

+ Fancy riding a 50cc dirt bike across the Simpson? Here's your machine: http://translate.google.com.au/translate?hl=en&sl=it&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hmmoto.it%2Fita%2Fscheda.asp%3FidFam%3D9%26idProd%3D25

Despite all these amazing machines, they don't sell Honda XRs anymore. It's a sad world indeed.... The bloke in the motorcycle shop did have a thing for XR650s though. I'm doing my best to find a way to go riding here, but unfortunately it means buying a set of new riding gear, as the freight cost alone to send my gear from Melbourne would be $400-plus. Wish I had brought mine with me!

-- Jady M, Cosenza, Italy via www.trailzone.com.au

Thanks for your email, Jady, and take a look at some of those trick Honda off-roaders. What Aussie riders wouldn't give to see some of them on the showroom floor at their local Honda dealer! You need to get some riding gear and get a ride in, Jady, for sure!

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-02-25T02:39:00.000-08:00

CONGRATULATIONS!

AND THE CHOOSE YOUR RIDE WINNER IS ...

At 10am this morning we drew the winner of our latest TRAIL ZONE Choose Your Ride subscriber promotion ... and after leaving messages all day, we have just now heard back from her ... yes, HER!

The winner is TANYA MAUK and she is from WA.

Tanya is a long-time TRAIL ZONE subscriber and has entered our Choose Your Ride promotion over the past three years. Prior to today the biggest win she ever had was at the local chook raffle!

Tanya works in the Jundee gold mine in central WA. She and her partner Bruce have five bikes between them -- a mix of road and dirt machines.

Her choice from our seven bike prize line-up is the HUSABERG TE300 two-stroke.

That's right ... a big victory for the two-strokers! As we have often said, long live the smell of premix in the morning.

Tanya will soon be taking delivery of her new Husaberg and carving up the trails of WA.

Of course, we have to say thanks to all our subscribers who entered this year's Choose Your Ride promotion.

And to all our Choose Your Ride sponsors, thanks once again for all your support in helping us deliver a fabulous subscription promotion that is an annual hit with our readers. We only wish we could give away all seven bikes!

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-02-21T22:40:00.000-08:00

TRAIL MAIL:

THE ENIGMA THAT IS DR650SE FUEL ECONOMY

Dear TRAIL ZONE crew: I have followed your magazine since day-dot and would like to say that I love every aspect of your mag. But I've been a bad trailrider and have never signed-up for a subscription, but always get copies put aside for me at the local newsagent. The reason I've decided to email you is I've been following the Suzuki DR650SE Project Bike articles for some time and have decided to put my two cents in. After years of riding my trusty DR-Z400(which I still have), I recently bought a DR650 for myself as a Christmas present to me and I, too, have made several upgrades to her, one being jetting. I did the standard thing of pulling the snorkel out, lifting the needle, adjusting the fuel screw and it went pretty well. But my only problem being was that my loving partner had mentioned that the exhaust note sound like "An ag bike that needed a slab of red bull up its backside!" So that's when I decided to make a phone call to TK Pipes and buy a muffler. Let me just stray here for a second and say that Terry's a top bloke and produces excellent product making a bike sound more manly ... anyway, I would like to share my results. Mu set-up is: 140 main, 42.5 pilot, fourth groove on the needle, 1.25 turns on the fuel screw and snorkel out -- and she pulls like a freight train. After testing fuel consumption with stock set-up when new, she has only dropped down to 18km per litre. So it just goes to show that no two DRs are the same. Keep up the great articles and the brilliant work the crew are doing and one day our bikes may cross paths to mate andcreate more awesome baby DRs.

-- Michael AKA Suzuki/DR Junky, via www.trailzone.com.au

Dear Junky: You know what I've noticed over recent months, mate? Poor old Russ has been sprouting more grey hairs and his brow has become more furrowed than ever ... and he puts it all down to the enigma that is trying to jet a modified DR650SE. Talk to any DR rider and they will all give you an ever-so-slightly different story when it comes to jetting tips and fuel economy. If your beast is giving you the performance you want and is putting the miles away at 18km per litre, you're laughing! Ride on, son. Oh, you do realise that this Friday morning I draw the winner of our latest Choose Your Ride subscriber promotion? The winner gets to take their choice of seven brand new dirt bikes. But hey, if you don't subscribe, it won't be you I call! It's not too late to get your subscription in ...

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-02-21T22:31:00.000-08:00

TRAIL MAIL:

A DR650SE QUESTION FOR DR RUSS

Hi Lance: Thanks for your efforts with the magazine. I haven't had the chance to get the latest issue as I live remote but am looking forward to it. Now, to my question: How can I get a windscreen for the Trailtech Torch X2 light that fits on the Suzuki DR650SE you have been featuring in TRAIL ZONE?

-- Glenn via www.trailzone.com.au

Hi Glenn: The Australian importer of Trailtech products is Holeshot Sports in Victoria and they can direct you to your nearest Trailtech retailer. You can contact them by calling (03) 5433 2559. As for the screen, we designed a custom screen and had it cut out of 3mm poly and shaped it with a heat gun. To mount the Trailtech headlight on to the DR, you'll need the headlight mount that we designed and B&B Off-Road is now making as a kit. Call them on (03) 5335 8000 for more details and to order direct. Hope this helps -- enjoy the ride!

-- Lance Turnley, www.offroadexplorer.com

2011-02-21T22:23:00.000-08:00

PRESS RELEASE:

AJ TEAMS UP FOR 2011 SEASON!

The Force Accessories Honda Racing Team is pleased to announce that Nick Beattie has joined the team to work alongside AJ Roberts as he embarks on his quest to win the 2011 Australian Off Road Championship.

Although they will be competing in different classes, AJ on board a Honda CRF450R (pictured) in the E2 class and Nick on board a Honda CRF480R in the E3 class, the two riders will train together and race together providing each other with the friendly rivalry that is required to keep the results coming.

AJ is thrilled to have Nick as a team mate and with the first round of the championship coming up this weekend, is looking forward to building a strong team for the year.

“Now I’ve got a team mate I’m really looking forward to the year ahead. Nick’s enthusiasm is already rubbing off on me and driving me to push that little bit harder.

“I’ve been training as much as I can both on and off the bike since the start of the year and feel that I’m in the best possible condition both physically and mentally to take on this season,” said AJ.

Nick is extremely happy to start the year as a member of the Force Accessories Honda Racing Team.

“The opportunity to form a team with AJ came out of the blue late last year. After having an average season in 2010, teaming up with AJ will now provide the support and drive I need to achieve my goals for 2011.

“I’m super pumped to be given this opportunity. AJ and I have been practicing flat out since the start of the year and I can’t believe the shape I’m in right now. I’m positive this season will be my best ever,” said Nick.

AJ and Nick are heading to Bulahdelah later this week for the first round of the Australian Off Road Racing Championships and both look forward to showing how strong they are as a team.

Force Accessories Honda Racing Team sponsors for 2011 are Honda Australia, Force Accessories, Michelin, Honda Oils, Thor, Akrapovic, Pro Taper, Jett boots, Spy, Five Three Designs, Vortex Ignitions, Webolution, Goodridge, Tallon Hubs & Sprockets, Acerbis, Unifilter and Engine Ice.

2011-02-21T12:54:00.000-08:00

TRAIL MAIL:

WHEN RIDING TRAIL BIKES WAS A TRUE ADVENTURE!

Hi Guys: I was going through some old photos and came across one of my tricked-up Honda XL350 from 1977. This bike is a '74 model which cost a princely sum of $800 brand new and as petrol was about 13 cents a litre then, talk about happy days (although it cost 24 cents per litre on the Nullabor), while during happy hour at the pub you could get five schooners for $1! Bring back the '70s, but with the current hardware.

Some of the modifications on this bike included:

* 410cc kit

* Koni rear shocks

* Power pipe (the standard one weighed about 20kg)

* Touring tank plus ten extra litres in a can.

I see from your articles on the best outback adventure bikes that are basically the same configuration: big air-cooled singles (like the DR650SE) with lovely simple technology that hasn't changed in over 30 years, because it works. This bike did over 70,000 miles before I sold it, for not much money, and I know it may be hard to believe that I did the CREB trail with all that gear/tools/spares/extra fuel etc.

Most of the travels were with friends who had XT500 Yamahas, similarly kitted-out. Most of the outback roads then were dirt, the worst being between Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek where both the Yamahas broke their sub-frames. Now this road among many others are tarred -- not that it's a bad thing.

I currently own a Suzuki DR-Z250 with all your modifications plus one -- a Barrett's power pipe (they work great) and a BMW R1200R (love the torque).

Just interesting, like the shark, the adventure bike has reached the pinnacle of its evolution.

-- Steve, via www.trailzone.com.au

PS: Saw the letter from the guy on a 1983 Tenere in a previous issue -- another warrior from the past!

Great email and photo, Steve: that old XL of yours served itself well, for sure! Bet you wish you still had it, huh? If you did, you could sign up to join us on the Classic Adventure Bike ride to Suzuki Classic Dirt 8 at Conondale, Queensland, in June. For anyone interested in a taste of classic trail riding hardware, check out the www.offroadexplorer.com web site and register for more details. Ride on!

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-02-15T19:15:00.000-08:00

PRESS RELEASE:

TAKE A DETOUR TO COFFS HARBOUR!

Coffs Harbour and its surrounding areas offer some of the best trails nationwide. And one of the best ways to explore this area is on a Yamaha sponsored Detour trail ride. The Coffs Harbour branch is run by enthusiastic and experienced tour leader Boris Everson.

Dorrigo bred Boris uses a wealth of local information to tailor a trail riding experience to suit each group. For example, heavy rainfalls in October and November of 2010 were no deterrent to the fun, because Boris was able to use his knowledge of the area to bypass the wettest trails and keep everyone entertained and enthused.

"We pride ourselves on the large number of repeat customers and are constantly impressed with how far they travel to come on our tours. It's not unusual to see riders from Victoria, Tasmania, Perth and we even had a rider fly in from Florida for one of our tours," says Boris.

"A lot of the journalists have now tasted the Coffs Harbour Detour experience and we are pleased that they are rating us highly as a 'must-do' on the organised ride calendar," continues Boris who offers two to five day rides. His Seven Hills Ride that is run every September has quickly become an iconic Coffs Harbour Detour run.

Boris is also an experienced rafting guide and can even take you on a trip down the rapids of Nymboida River. Combining whitewater and green trails is all part of the Coffs Harbour Detour experience.

CHD recently launched its own website at www.coffsharbourdetour.com.au which is loaded with info, pics and videos. The site also contains key dates and magazine articles on Coffs tours, media releases and a section where riders can look at their own pics and videos after their tour.

With 2011 shaping up to be a huge seasons, Detour's tours range from $150 for one day rides up to $2100 for the full seven day trip, with the cost including:

* The best trails on the North Coast!

* All fuel after the first tank

* Trailside morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea

* Accommodation while on tour – dinner, bed and breakfast

* National Park and State Forest fees

* Highly experienced local guides who source and maintain these awesome trails

* Support vehicle that carries your overnight bags as well as food and fuel

For more details, contact Coffs Harbour Detour trail boss Boris Everson on (0407) 300 690.

2011-02-15T02:08:00.000-08:00

TRAIL MAIL:

WE WERE RIGHT, IT WAS RUSS'S FAULT!

Hi guys: Just sending you a picture of my 2009 KLR650. You published a letter I sent you in the Trail Mail segment in the Nov/Dec '09 issue of TRAIL ZONE, titled "It's all Russ's fault." I spoke about seeing Russ's KLR650 Project Bike and then buying a KLR myself. I'm now living at Lightning Ridge in north-western NSW. I plan to do a bit of exploring around this area while I'm out here. My wife wants to get a bike as well. That why I've renewed my subscription so I can win the 'Choose Your Ride' promotion and she can get her own bike. (I don't want her learning on my bike!). Now, Tania did a good story on the SPOT Tracker, as my wife wants me to get one because she reckons I will get lost out here. Yet, as you see in the photo, she won't let me get any good luggage for the bike. As if I'm going to get lost anyway! In this photo I did a trip back to Sydney. Most of it was on the tar, but I did find some dirt along the way. I took the long way home. Take note of the Barkbusters and the crash bar on the left side of the bike: I misjudged a corner. Anyway, thought you could use the photo in the mag. Keep up the brilliant work with the magazine because I love it. If you're ever coming to the Lightning Ridge area, let me know.

-- Brendan, via www.trailzone.com.au

If Russ is guilty of bringing another rider back to dirt bikes, he'll be plenty happy about that, Brendan! Welcome to the dark side of dirt bike riding -- now it's time to start racking up the miles on your KLR and sweet-talking the missus for plenty of farkles for the mighty 650. And yep, she'll love the SPOT Tracker for sure, but just be sure to turn it off when you get to each overnight destination, because she doesn't need to know how much time you're spending in the pub! Ride on.

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-02-15T01:55:00.000-08:00

TRAIL MAIL:

HOW ABOUT THE SIZE OF CLUBBY'S BAG?!

Hi guys: love the mag and love the DVDs -- keep the good stuff coming! But I have one question; well two, really. When I watch the DVDs, the size of Clubby’s bag amazes me! I mean his bumbag, which he wears to the front. It appears to be huge. What does he carry in it? And why does he carry it on the front? Is it that big or is it just a funny camera angle? The reason I am asking is that I am just returning to dirt bike riding (adventure riding) and my old bumbag looks to be half the size of Clubby’s and I used to wear it on the back. Just wondering what I should be packing in my bumbag? What brand and size is Clubby’s bag and is wearing it at the front or back better? Thanks!

-- Steve via www.trailzone.com.au

Truth be told, I have had many a comment about the size of my bag over the years, Steve, and they've not all been complimentary! Now, to set the record straight, what you're seeing in the DVDs is my camera bumbag. It's a proper Lowepro brand photographer's bumbag and I use it to carry my camera gear for shooting the still photos you see in the mag. It's big enough to carry a Nikon D-SLR camera body, fisheye lense, short zoom telephoto lense, flash, batteries and memory cards. That's why it looks bigger than a normal bumbag that you would carry tools and spares in. And you see it in the front, because when I stop to take photos (or talk smack for the camera for the DVD), I spin it around to the front so I can quickly get the camera out. When riding, I most times wear at the back. If you want to learn more about dirt bike bumbags and what tools to carry with you, get a Back issue copy of TRAIL ZONE issue #9 (phone the TZ office on (02) 9905 ZONE during business hours to order) as Dr Phil did a story there looking at trick tools to pack in your bumbag and reviewed a range of popular bumbags.

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-02-12T12:40:00.000-08:00

TRAIL MAIL:

OLD BLOKES & OLD BIKES RULE

Hi all: first up, great mag. Just want to say how much I like the current format, but I live in fear that you will become another motocross magazine -- lets hope not.

I, like a lot of gentlemen of a certain age, mid 40s and growing, own and ride bikes of an era that suits our growing years (my '96 Tenere while it spends most of its time running around town and to and from work, still gives great service and reliability). What I would like from a magazine of this type are articles about maintaining and setting up the older bikes. We see plenty of articles on new bikes and new equipment and understand that these are the people that pay for advertising space. But we without the money for a new bike still want to buy and need gear for our more mature steeds. Yes, the ravages of time, children, bills and the inability to move quickly first thing in the morning hit us all, so how about giving the old blokes and bikes a chance?

Anyhow, cheers all and hope to see you on the road sometime.

-- Denis Mayhew via www.trailzone.com.au

Thanks for your email, Denis. First up, there's not much chance of TRAIL ZONE becoming another motocross magazine, let me tell you! We'll take your comments onboard about old bikes and riders, because there's plenty of us out there in the TRAIL ZONE, for sure. And as for seeing us on the road sometime, did you get in and register for our Ténéré Tragics ride to the Flinders Ranges? Why not?! Sounds like it might have been the perfect excuse for you to head outback on your mighty '96 model and hook up with a bunch of us? Make sure you watch the mag and then get in early for the 2012 Ténéré Tragics ride.

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-02-11T12:31:00.000-08:00

TRAIL MAIL:

YOU'RE NEVER TOO YOUNG ...

Hi Guys: This photo is of my little cousin Seth from the Hunter Valley, NSW. He loves the pictures in TRAIL ZONE. This photo just goes to show that you are never too young for TRAIL ZONE!

-- Cam McDonald via www.trailzone.com.au

Go big, Seth! Thanks for the photo, Cam, great stuff. We're guessing it won't be long now before Seth is busting big on his Pee Wee!

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-02-08T03:05:00.001-08:00

TRAIL BOSS BLOG:

ALL ROADS LEAD TO SUZUKI CLASSIC DIRT 8!

Our good mates at VMX Magazine have pulled the trigger and launched details of the 2011 version of the annual Suzuki Classic Dirt event.

This year's event will be Suzuki Classic Dirt 8 and all roads lead back to the lush Green Park lay-out at Conondale on the Queensland sunshine coast over the June 10/11/12/13 long weekend

After years of wanting to be there, we finally made it to last year's Classic Dirt event and had a rip-roaring good-time, so we're first to stick our hands up to get in amongst the action at this year's event.

There will be a feast of riding (but no racing!) to be had over the weekend, for classic motocross, trail/enduro and trials bikes on purpose-built courses, as well as the annual swap-meet festivities, Legends Laps from a plethora of vintage dirt bike heroes and more good-time socialising than even Charlie Sheen could keep up with!

And if you're into vintage adventure bikes like we are, the big news is TRAIL ZONE, www.offroadexplorer.com and www.adventuremoto.com.au are teaming up to lead a ride for vintage adventure machines from the NSW mid-north coast to the event. Look out for more details on this ride in the latest issue of TRAIL ZONE (#34 that goes on-sale at the end of this week) and on the ORE web site.

As for more event information about Suzuki Classic Dirt 8 and how you can enter to ride or just spectate and soak it all up, check out the www.vmxmag.com.au web site and then get the necessary leave pass from the boss and take aim on Conondale on the June long weekend -- we'll see you there!

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-02-03T03:14:00.000-08:00

TRAIL BOSS BLOG:

NEW ISSUE OF TRAIL ZONE COMING SOON!

The all-new TRAIL ZONE issue #34 has just rolled off the press and is being wrapped and packed to go in the mail to subscribers tomorrow (Friday), meaning they will land in your mail boxes first thing next week.

The new issue is then due to go on-sale in newsagents at the end of next week.

Here's a sneak peek of the new front cover, which delivers a close-up look at Husqvarna's new limited-edition TE250 Meo Replica that's been built in honour of Team Husqvarna rider Antoine Meo's victory in the E1 class of the 2010 Maxxis FIM World Enduro Championship.

The mag is once again chock-full of a feast of awesome reading about trail, enduro and adventure bike riding, and one story that sure looks good is the report on the 2011 Yamaha NZ Safari in the land of the long white cloud. I was lucky enough to squeeze in a rush trip to NZ a couple of weeks ago to do the ride, and if the photos of the mountain trails those lucky Kiwis get to ride every weekend of the year don't fire you up to get over there and do it for yourself, you need to see a doctor and get your pulse checked!

And while you're flicking through the new issue, make sure you check out the DSMRA's promo where you could win a wicked new Husqvarna TE510 -- look out for it on page 37.

Rightio then, goota roost -- Australia Post waits for no man ... and I know you subscribers are busting to get your new mag, so look out for it real soon!

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-02-03T03:06:00.000-08:00

PRESS RELEASE:

BMW GS SAFARI RETURNS FOR 2011!

BMW Motorrad is excited to announce the next BMW Safari event. While most details are still under wraps, BMW Motorrad can confirm that the 2011 GS Safari is scheduled for early September, will commence in western New South Wales, then make its way into the South Australian Flinders Ranges, before heading down to the coast and finishing on the edge of the Great Australian Bight.

In order to communicate the most up-to-date information on the GS Safari, BMW Motorrad has developed an all new BMW Safari website which enables those interested to register and then receive regular updates.

BMW Motorrad Australia's Safari programme is one of the longest established customer events, having played host to several thousand BMW riders since its inception in 1994. In 2005 BMW Motorrad expanded the BMW Safari programme by introducing a special off-road event solely for GS riders.

For more information on BMW Motorrad Australia's GS and Touren Sport Safaris, please visit the www.bmwsafari.com website.

2011-01-31T19:55:00.002-08:00

TRAIL BOSS BLOG:

WIN A SUZUKI DR-Z400E At 2011 KOWEN FOREST RIDE!

It's on again: the annual Kowen Forest Ride at Canberra organised by the DSMRA.

This year's event is set down for the weekend of April 2/3 in the lush green forests of Kowen right near Queanbeyan and the national capital.

Two loops of awesome arrowed fire-trails and single-track will be on offer, with food, camping and music available on-site on Friday and Saturday nights.

And we'll see you there!

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-01-31T15:51:00.000-08:00

TRAIL BOSS BLOG:

CAN DR650s REALLY FLOAT?

They can if you have an inner-tube big enough!

Check out this really cool vid we recently spotted on the www.advrider.com web site:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN4d0BWRomo

The video clip was posted by Paul and Deb who are based in the Top End of the Northern Territory and are planning a ride across to Cairns and Cape York.

Obviously they are gearing up to have to contend with a few swollen creek crossings, so when it gets real deep, all they need to do is pull out the backhoe tyre inner-tube from their kit, blow it and and then their DRs will soon be floating away!

Good to see the dogs along for the ride ... no doubt to keep an eye out for crocs!

Great work, guys -- enjoy the ride!

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-01-31T15:20:00.000-08:00

PRESS RELEASE:

MELBOURNE'S ENDURO-X SET TO FIRE INTO LIFE!

The final countdown has arrived to see Australia’s best off-road motorcycle riders go head-to-head for a total of $13,000 in prizemoney.

All the action will be at Campbellfield on the northern outskirts of Melbourne this Saturday afternoon (February 5) when a host of world-class Australian riders battle it out over rocks logs, tyres, water-traps and motocross jumps. Spectators will see all the action up-close around the forest-orientated man-made course.

NSW riders Toby Price, Ben Grabham, Jarrod Bewley, Josh Green, Chris Hollis and more will take on Victoria's up and coming guns like Daniel Milner and Mitch Harper to see who will take home the money. There is a host of support racing, including Victoria’s top Expert riders, a new Under 19 class and the Stars of Tomorrow clubman class.

See the revamped Broadmeadows motocross complex change into a maze of mountains, log crossings, rock mountains, water-crossings and giant tyres, to see who will start the 2011 racing season at the top of the pecking order. The revamped venue has been made spectator-friendly with great track viewing thanks to the new terraced formations.

Full catering facilities with hot meals, cold drinks and a licensed bar will be available, as well as family-friendly dry area viewing and wheelchair-friendly viewing areas. Full parking facilities are available, as we have hired the golf driving range next door for the day.

Admission is just $25 per person and kids under 10 are free. Racing commences at 1pm with the final showdown race of the champions at around 6pm. Leading commentator Lee Hogan will be entertaining the crowd with his legendary race coverage, so come and see if the motocross riders can match it with the enduro boys. And be sure to hold your tickets for the crowd prizes and a surprise crowd participation foot race.

Make sure you get your tickets from motorcycle shops listed on www.enduro-x.com.au while tickets will also be available on the day with Eftpos available at the venue entry: gates open at 11am so be there!

2011-01-28T21:48:00.000-08:00

ASK DR PHIL:

HOW MUCH CLUTCH ABUSE CAN HIS DR-Z HANDLE?

First of all, love the mag and DVDs! I'm looking for some mechanical advice on my 2007 model Suzuki DR-Z250. On a recent trail ride I went over going up a hill and sheared the clutch lever off, right back to the housing. So much so, the cable was exposed! I was able to start the bike in first gear (thanks to handy electric-start) and essentially bash through the gears "postie-bike style" to get me home (approx 20km). Other than a new clutch lever and some very overdue Barkbusters and aftermarket handlebars, I was wondering what repairs may have to be done with the clutch/gearbox? Thanks!

-- Nick via www.trailzone.com.au

Thanks for your email. Nick. Now, Suzuki’s DR-Z range have not become some of Australia’s best-selling, most reliable and durable dirt bikes by burning out a clutch or gearbox after only 20km without clutch cable operation -- they’re built in Japan, not China. It's the same reason the DR-Z400E is the bike of choice with all the leading Cape York trail tour operators in Cairns: DR-Zs are built to last and withstand abuse! I feel confident there will be no ill effects in your situation. Go for an engine oil and oil filter swap-out and you’ll be fine. And then get a set of shiny new Barkbusters installed ASAP!

-- Dr Phil, askdrphil@trailzone.com.au

2011-01-28T19:36:00.000-08:00

TRAIL MAIL:

THE MARVELS OF MILES & HIS R 1200 GS AT HATTAH

Hi there guys and sign me up again for another subscription! You're still the best mag that covers both trail riding and adventure riding. The latest DVD (In the Zone #4) was especially enjoyed by my mates and I. We recently rode three BMW GS 1200s from western NSW to the Cape and back via the Old Telegraph Track. The sand was a bit deep in places, so we enjoyed watching Miles and his 1200 on the Chasing Sunsets segment out at Hattah on the DVD. We'd be interested to know what modifications were on his 1200? Raised bars etc or is Miles just a bloody good rider, because he was moving through that sand like he was on a KTM 530?! I have done my fair share of bottomless sand riding and don't know how he managed it? Maybe it wasn't his bike and the repair bill wasn't on his mind?! At the end of the day the 1200s are not the go for sand but Miles smashed it! Please shake his hand for me! Looking forward to the next mag and a free bike from TRAIL ZONE! Cheers boys,

-- Rossco Bin Roosting, TRTs (Trail Riding Terrorists) via www.trailzone.com.au

On ya Rossco, thanks for the wrap on the mag and best of luck in our Choose Your Ride subscription draw. Someone's gotta win their choice of seven new dirt bikes, so good luck it is you. Yep, Miles' performance on the thundering 1200 GS on that Hattah ride with Australian Trail Bike Tours was nothing short of amazing. And, yes, he is that good a rider! All he did was tweak the Beemer's tyre pressures and away he went ... incredible! Have you also seen the footage when Miles went back to Hattah a few weeks later with former Aussie Moto GP hero Daryl Beattie, and they all rode 1200s out there! It was similarly impressive. Get on Youtube and search 'Daryl Beattie's Desert Adventure' and you'll find it: check it out!

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-01-24T11:54:00.000-08:00

TRAIL MAIL:

ATTENTION ALL HUSABERG TE250 RIDERS

I really enjoyed the recent Jan/Feb 2011 issue of TRAIL ZONE, for the following reasons: You gave my brother (Stephen Riley) a mention in your full spread photo of the Dakar 2011, and so far he and Geoff Olholm are still going okay after day two; You ran an article on two- strokes, which was well received by me (a two-stroke nut); And you featured your new long-term test bike, the Husaberg TE250. After two KTM 200EXCs I was ready for a change and bought the ’Berg. I enjoy tinkering with two-strokes and here are some details on jetting, motor and suspension set-ups that may interest you. First up, shaving the head by 0.65mm has done two obvious things: increased the compression slightly and closed up the squish gap. The standard compression was 160psi (cold) and a squish gap measurement of 1.75mm. With the shaved head I measured 178psi and 1.1mm squish. As you will appreciate, the tightened squish and increase in compression was immediately felt, especially off idle and up to half-throttle. It was crisper and more grunty in that area, which is very nice, but with no decrease in top-end, either. It’s a good mod and very good value. The electric-start still works fine (when it does work!). By the way, I currently run a shaved and modified 250SX head which gives 1.07mm squish and 215psi. This is the business: if you want your ’Berg to be more powerful than a standard 300, then do this mod! With regards to jetting, I wont go into all the details about how many needles and combos I have tried, but in summary I’ve tried over a dozen different combos and I've had very good success with the following mods. The standard jetting as per the manual (N8RJ #4, 165 main, 35 pilot) or as delivered (N8RW #3, 165 main, 35 pilot) is okay and does the job for most conditions, however, there are a series of Keihin needles from both Kawasaki and Suzuki that are a very good choice for the KTM/’Berg. They are derivatives very similar to the N1EI needles that KTM use for their 250SX models. I recommend the NEDH (Suzuki RM250 needle) in clip 3 (or the NEDW clip 3) with a 40 pilot and a 162 main, then set the air screw about 1.5 to 1.75. This is for 20 degrees C. This needle has a rich end taper and tip and gives excellent fuelling from half to W-O-T. It allows a smaller main than standard and it’s still safely rich. It also has a clean and powerful zero to quarter range, which is ideal for bush riding. The ’Berg’s suspension is very good standard. There’s no need for any revalve or respring in my opinion. A couple of clicks softer on most of the front and rear clickers and it’s excellent. However, I had a Race- Tech progressive spring for my weight (80kg) left over from my 200EXC, so I put this on the ’Berg. It is physically a heavier spring (more coils in the spring) but it works very well and balances the bike better than the standard spring. I don’t know that I can pick the difference or advantage of the Closed-Cartridge forks on the ’Berg but I do know they work very well. Anyway, hope this info is of interest to you and all other Husaberg TE250 owners.

-- Graeme Riley, via www.trailzone,.com.au

Great stuff, Graeme – ’Berg 250 two-strokes owners will now be scurrying for the workshop to try your set-up tips! And it was awesome to see Riles and Olly get all the way through to the end of the Dakar: those blokes are a couple of Aussie dirt bike legends, so it’s great to see them chasing their off-road dreams now in the biggest, baddest off-road race of them all!

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-01-23T22:46:00.000-08:00

ASK DR PHIL:

COMMENTS ABOUT TWO-STROKE FUEL ECONOMY?

I’ve just finished reading and watching your latest issue and DVD and if I had to advise you on any changes to the mag, it would simply be: “Don’t change anything!” I read with interest Dr Phil’s Smoking Guns article, as I have returned to the ‘dark side’ having recently purchased a new 2010 KTM 300EXC. After owning a 450EXC for six years, I thought I might throw in my two cents worth having now done 1,000km on this ripping beast of a bike. The first thing is, why did I go back to a two-banger? There are four reasons: 1). As a time-poor mid-40s type, the idea of no more valve clearance checking and adjusting plus two oil filters has a lot of appeal; 2). After a 10,000km top-end rebuild, every noise from the engine (good, bad or otherwise) stressed me; 3). Riding my son’s Gas Gas 200 through Latrobe state forest on numerous occasions and loving the nimble little rocket; 4). $2,500 left in my pocket at the end of the purchase. So how could I, or anyone, go wrong ? Well if 70 or 80km between fuel stops is the norm, all is good and you should enjoy your time at the top of the hills waiting for your mates! However, if it is more like 80, or upwards to the occasional 200km mark, or even 80km in the sand, you have a problem. So here are the facts: the 12.5-litre long range tank on my 300 will get me around 120kms of High Country fire-trail fun. My mate’s 450 ’Berg will go 130km on seven litres on the same trails. When we stretch it to 200km, five litres in a fuel bladder has the four-stroke rider happy, whereas I’ll need eight – and I’m nervous, overweight and cumbersome for the first 80km and still don’t know if I’ll get to the next fuel stop before running out! The motto with fuel is: ‘better to be looking at it than for it’, so anything over say 115km and I have to carry fuel, even with my bigger tank! Conclusion: my weight advantage is gone at least at the start, as I’ve seven kilos more fuel on at least, plus ongoing fuel range stress. Extra work in the shed (with four-stroke issues) is so much easier to deal with than stress on the trail. Now, everything you wrote in your Smoking Guns article is totally accurate and I’m not about to sell my 300, but ... like many other Aussie trail riders, 115km between fuel is the norm and on that alone, if I had my time over, I’d get another four-stroke. All the best for the new year guys and keep up the brilliant work.

-- Andy Broberg, via www.trailzone.com.au

Thanks for your feedback on the mag and our technical editorials, Andy. There are oh-so-many riders in exactly your situation, as two-strokes certainly are more thirsty than thumpers. Maybe you need to consider an even larger capacity accessory-brand fuel tank? Or perhaps one two-stroke AND one thumper in the garage might be the answer so as you have all the bases covered ... but alas, we can’t all be plumbers for a living!

-- Dr Phil, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-01-23T22:39:00.000-08:00

ASK DR PHIL:

A WR200 CONUNDRUM?

Dear Dr Phil: I own a much-loved Yamaha WR200 two-stroke (gotta love premix!) that is close to mint condition mechanically and to look at. However the engine overheats (boils) in a very short time. Plenty of workshops have checked over the bike but the problem remains. And, yes, the head gasket has been checked and changed many times. Any advice you can offer?

-- Oscar Rex, via www.trailzone.com.au

Some years ago a mate of ours named Keith Langely asked me to look at his WR200, which presented with exactly the same symptoms, Oscar. After the normal starting checks (head gasket included!), I started flow-circuiting the cooling system and found the metal T-piece hose attachment under the right-side radiator seemed blocked on one side. The outlet was not straight, so I cut off the bent pipe with a hacksaw – and guess what? Somehow back at the factory the bent pipe had been welded onto the other pipe BEFORE they’d drilled a hole for it! This, of course, was preventing flow from the right radiator. I showed this to Yamaha Motor Australia’s then service department boss, Simon Thomas, and he said: “I’ve never seen that before!” Come to think of it, that was Simon’s response to many of my service questions! Check it out on your bike – you never know.

-- Dr Phil, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-01-23T22:31:00.000-08:00

PRESS RELEASE:

2011 GAS GAS 450 THUMPER LANDS IN OZ

GAS GAS Australia has just pulled the wraps off the first new 2011-model EC450 thumper to arrive Down Under.

Now in its ninth year of four-stroke development, the latest 450 Gasser features a new D-profile microfusion frame, new headlight and front guard, quick-release front axle, Renthal Twin-Wall bars with Pro Grip grips, Galfer wave disc rotors at both ends and updated Sachs shock.

The fuel-injected bike has a 7.5 litre fuel cell, weighs in at 118kg, comes backed by a 12-month warranty and is priced at $11,995.

For more details, see your Gas Gas dealer or check out the www.gasgasaustralia.com.au web site.

2011-01-23T22:15:00.000-08:00

TRAIL MAIL:

LOOKING FOR PILLION PEGS FOR HIS DR-Z400E

G'day TRAIL ZONE: I am searching for a set of rear pillion pegs for my DR-Z400E so my young tacker can hitch a ride now and again. I found some bolt-on ones in Queensland, but the guy wants me to subscribe and I have left messages, but to no avail. Do you know of any pegs that would suit the job, and be of reasonable cost? Thanks for my recent back issue order of five mags: I'm still reading and thinking what to do next in the modification section. I think the rear hanger might be first up, as it is pretty awful looking, while I am also waiting on a B & B cargo rack.

-- Mike Wright, via www.trailzone.com.au

Funny you should ask this question, Mike, because I was in NZ the weekend before last for the annual Yamaha NZ Safari trail ride and was following a guy on a green DR-Z400 (Kawasaki KLX400) and noticed he had exactly the kind of rear foot pegs you are asking about. They looked kinda home-made and tightened around the swingarm somewhat agriculturally, but obviously did the job for him. I reckon you should be able to buy the rear pegs you are after, but obviously you will have to do some looking around. One of the biggest bike shops here in Sydney is MCAS at Parramatta and they have just about everything. Their web site is www.mcas.com.au but I don't reckon you will find the pegs on the web site, you would be better off finding their phone number and calling them and asking. Another place to try would be Ballard's in western Sydney. Their web site is www.ballards.cc so look them up and give them a call. The boys at www.motorcyclerecyclers.com.au in Queensland definitely have the pegs, so get onto them as well. Good luck with it -- your grommet will be stoked to get out for a ride with you.

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-01-06T02:19:00.000-08:00

TRAIL BOSS BLOG::

BIG BAZZA'S XMAS WISHES!

We get to see plenty of clever Xmas/New Year cards in the TRAIL ZONE email Inbox this time of year.

But how's this for a Christmas present?

Check out what the Man-in-Red brought TRAIL ZONE team member Big Bazza Marshall!

Santa obviously spent a lot of time trawling through old photos for cartoonist Roger Harvey to add to this sensational piece of artwork!

Congratulations to Roger for penning yet another masterful crayon creation (check out www.rogerharvey.net for more of his work), and to Bazza's son Tony for filling in all the pieces of the jigsaw. Great job, boys!

And speaking of Tony Marshall, make sure you check out his awesome story on Aussie enduro legend Troy Spedding's mint Yamaha IT200 in the new issue of VMX Magazine that's available in newsagents now!

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

2011-01-04T14:24:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR! HAPPY NEW DAKAR!

It's the start of another new year and it's time for the TRAIL ZONE team to get back to the coal-face and get the next mag down the production line ... well, it is for some of us!

The past two weeks of holidays have roosted by in a blur of roast turkeys, beers, champs, eBay scouring (for Tenere artefacts, of course!) and way, way too little riding. Doh!

But hey, when January ticks over on the calendar it can only mean one thing -- Dakar! And right now Dakar 2011 is clicking top gear and really getting into the thick of the action.

Glenn Hoffmann's full Aussie GHR Honda Dakar team (see photo) is front and centre amongst all the dust and drama in Chile and Argentina, with young gun Safari ace Jacob Smith slowly but surely making his presence felt and climbing toward the top 20 outright placings in the moto division aboard his Honda CRF450X. Team-mates Warren Strange and Mark Davidson are also flying the Aussie flag high and proud -- although fourth GHR Honda team rider Simon Haslett was an early withdrawal after an emergency return home just after the start of the event.

To check out the GHR honda team's Dakar progress, make sure you view their blog page here:

http://ghrhonda.dirtbike.com.au/blog/

Welsh-based transplanted Aussie Simon Pavey is also giving this year's Dakar a big nudge aboard a BMW G 450 X, and just three days into the race he's already had to deal with his share of minor hiccups. The likeable Aussie though is never without a smile and when things settle down and the going gets tough, look out for Simon to really get going!

To check out Simon's Dakar progress, make sure you view his blog page here:

www.simonpavey.com

And if you want a daily blast of more Aussie-oriented Dakar news from each night's bivouac, make sure you check out the blog from SBS TV reporter Jacob Black. Jacob is once again chasing the field and filing stories on the entire Aussie contingent, which also includes Bruce Garland and former moto-heroes Geoff Olholm and Steve Riley in the Auto divisions.

To check out Jacob's Dakar reports, make sure you view his blog page here:

www.sbs.com.au/dakar/

Okay, looks like I better keep typing for the next eight hours or so and get some magazine stories done until the next broadcast of Dakar coverage comes up on SBS TV at 5.30 this arvo. Go the Aussies!

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

2010-12-21T12:50:00.000-08:00

TRAIL BOSS BLOG:

IT'S HOLIDAY TIME!

Another year bites the dust! And how fast has it gone? It's just amazing.

Thanks to all our treasured TRAIL ZONE readers, subscribers, advertisers, contributors and fans for all your support through 2010.

We've just pulled down the shutters at TRAIL ZONE HQ and we are now officially on holiday for the Xmas and New Year break.

We'll be back for business on January 5 for a full-throttle ride through 2011 -- so we'll see you then.

In the meantime, here's hoping Santa parks a new set of wheels under your Xmas tree and have fun over the holiday season!

-- Clubby & Tania, www.trailzone.com.au

2010-12-19T14:05:00.000-08:00

TRAIL MAIL:

THE TZ TEAM & A QUESTION RE LUGGAGE

Hi guys: just a quick question. I have been watching your new IN THE ZONE: EPISODE 4 DVD and it is fantastic! But if you don't camp while riding, why all the luggage? What do you carry?

-- Dave, via www.trailzone.com.au

Now Dave, seven days in the outback in the middle of winter means carting around a few clothes and toiletries, and then there's the real high priority stuff like tools, spares, tubes, water and fuel for the long-range sections. Me, I also need to cart around a bag full of cameras and battery chargers. And a hair dryer. Then Lance needs to cart around a whopping big bag of video gear, microphones, tripods and lighting equipment. And a foot massager. Then the Wolfman (pictured) needs to cart around three flagons of cheap red, a kilo of blue vein cheese (kept at room temperature, of course), crackers and nibblies for his regular trailside snack stops to take in the view. Then Clive and Heath cart along tents and sleeping bags with them, because they are truly hard-core and prefer to sleep on the ground rather than get stiffed $25 each for a flea-bitten donga at some low-bag van park in Marree. And then the Major is a senior citizen so that means he has to cart around a collapsible wheelchair and inflatable toilet seat cushion to give him the true comfort he has become accustomed to at each overnight stop. Other than that, we all travel pretty light ... really. Ride on!

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

2010-12-17T22:37:00.000-08:00

PRESS RELEASE:

ENDURO-X ACTION SET TO HIT MELBOURNE!

Enduro Cross is coming to Melbourne early in the New Year with a professionally run event which has already attracted the countriy's top riders.

Reigning Aussie Off-Road Champion Toby Price, Ben Grabham, Jarrod Bewley, Stefan Merriman, Chris Hollis, Josh Green, Mitch Harper and Daniel Milner are just a few of the big names that have already confirmed they will be on the start gate for the inaugural event.

The event will be run on Saturday 5th February 2011 at the Broadmeadows Motocross venue, only 10km from the Melbourne CBD. The venue has had major works done, has been revamped and will accommodate up to 4,000 spectators.

The event will be promoted by the father and son team of Dave and Colin Robbins under the control of the Motorcycling Victoria Enduro committee.

Colin and Dave Robins are no strangers to running major events. They are known for running one of the best events on the Victorian Off-Road Calendar at Horsham as well as a round of the Australian Off-Road Championships at the same venue. In the past Colin has run the famous Blue Light Ride whilst Dave has competed at a State, National and International level.

"All the riders have welcomed this type of event bringing the competition to the city area for the public to see, it's only 10km from Melbourne CBD," Dave Robbins said.

"It's a great prelude to the Australian Off-Road Championships starting two weeks later. It gives riders like Glenn Kearney, Chris Hollis and John Green who have been racing overseas a chance to see where they are placed against local heroes Price, Grabham, Bewley and Merriman. We're all really excited about it and the crowd will be too!"

Motocross commentator Lee Hogan will entertain the crowd with his legendary commentary and the evening is sure to be one not to miss.

With $5000 for the winner, the Pro Class has already attracted the big names but there will also be an Expert/Clubman class, as well as a new Under 19 class that is to be introduced for the night.

Enduro Cross is a mix of Supercross and enduro, brought to the spectators up-close and personal on an indoor or closed outdoor circuit. It is skill based, not speed based. The track comprises many sections with riders using every skill required in off-road riding. The sections include rocks, boulders, logs, sand, mud, water holes and special obstacles like giant tyres and wooden sections.

"Enduro cross brings a whole new element to racing because it's not built on speed; it's built on the riders and his ability to ride a motorcycle over a variety of obstacles. The level of excitement at these events has to be seen to be believed," Dave Robbins enthused.

"Typically enduro type events are run in remote or hard to get at locations. We aim to bring the action to the people. Australian riders are currently competing alongside riders all around the world and an event with Australian riders would be a truly world class event.

"The intention of the event is to bring a caliber of racing to the Melbourne public that has never seen before in an open arena," Robbins added. "The entertainment will be purely motorcycle competition related and will be directed towards family orientated spectators with an interest in this type of event at its most purist format.

"This type of event format brings the riding competition to the family person who can enjoy modern amenities, such as toilets, a bar and eating facilities in a civilized environment. The test of riders' skills at this level is both challenging and competitive and a high level of spectator value is assured. Riders will be racing for substantial prize money during the traditional off season and treat the event as a pre season opener, warm up type event," Robbins concluded.

Further information can be found at the http://www.enduro-x.com.au web site.