2020 Honda CRF450R
Overall Review
First Impression: 2020 Honda CRF450R Recently we got our hands on the 2020 Honda CRF450R and took a day at Milestone MX to give it a test ride. Renovations to the CRF450R included major updates to the mapping, suspension updates as well as the new addition of three levels of traction control for the 2020 model. Steve Boniface covers his first impression and Jason Abbott from American Honda gives us a rundown of the new features of the 2020 model. For the full list of 2020 changes, check out the
2020 Yamaha YZ250F
Overall Review
The 2020 Yamaha YZ250F is finally here and we had the chance to spin a few laps on it at Fox Raceway. With the complete remodel of the 2019 YZ250F, the 2020 YZ250F has very few changes this year including bold new graphics. For this year's model, Yamaha focused on a more broad power range with mid to top power. With this, Yamaha has achieved a steady level of power and control across the board. The Power Tuner App, available for both Android and Apple users, is highly suggested for logging race
2020 KTM 250 SX-F
Overall Review
*We know that the typical numberplate background for a 250 is black with white numbers, but some wires got crossed and we are going with a 250F-racing-in-the-450 class look. As we mentioned in the First Look , since last year’s KTM 250 SX-F (and all of the SX-F line for that matter) got a pretty big overhaul, it isn’t surprising that 2020 is a refinement year for KTM. The ‘19 model got a host of changes and to see what we thought of that bike, check out the First Impression here. For 2020, the
2020 Kawasaki KX250
Overall Review
At a quick glance you might say, “Hey, the new KX250 looks the same as last year’s, just with green number plates.” But you’d be wrong. Very wrong. The Kawasaki development team seemed to have a clear target in mind for the 2020 KX250 motor - quicker, faster, lighter and higher-reving. They also replaced the suspension with a conventional dual coil spring KYB fork and KYB shock, so all the attention wasn’t just in the engine department. What you won’t see changed on the 2020 KX250 is that lever
FXR Helium MX Gear Set 2019
Vital Review
Tested: FXR Helium MX Gear Set
The Good
Extremely high mobility without being too stretchy, Light and breathable in the right places, still looks good after a year of riding.
The Bad
Waist closure seems like an afterthought, gloves wearing down quicker than the rest of the gear
Overall Review
There are a lot of choices when it comes to gear these days, with more each year. One of the seemingly new gear brands isn’t actually new to the moto scene is FXR. They've been around for a while yet it is recently that we’ve seen them in the pro ranks on some top riders. FXR started as a snow brand making gear for snowmobiling, but has always leaned heavily toward high-performance over bargain gear. The same can be said for their moto line of gear. FXR Helium Features Jersey: $75 Durable
FXR Helium MX Gear Set 2019
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Vital Rating:
Hinson Billetproof Complete Conventional Clutch Kit
The Good
Hinson springs offer better power transfer without being too stiff, full-kit should have much better durability, great looks.
The Bad
Not cheap, medium mechanical skill needed
Overall Review
Especially with modern 250Fs, a fresh clutch can make a huge difference when trying to get maximum power out of your motocross bike. The most economical way to do this is to just replace fibers and steels, but that isn’t the route factory racers go. A full clutch kit with clutch cover, basket, inner hub, pressure plate, fiber & steel plates and springs is what we are looking at here from Hinson Racing. Why not just a clutch pack? The is a ton of energy going through your clutch and while stock
2020 Husqvarna FE 501
Overall Review
If you want to go back far enough I know that moto bikes came from street bikes. But when it comes to modern, performance-based dual-sports, we are really lucky that most, including the 2019 Husqvarna FE 501 share so much of their DNA with their motocross cousins. Now I know this isn’t a motocross machine or even a true off-road-only bike, but it still blows my mind how good this bike is from the streets to the track. 1. LEGAL!!! Obviously, this is the point of the bike, but it still feels like
2020 KTM 450 SX-F
Overall Review
With major changes to the 2018 KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition that transferred over to the standard 2019 KTM 450 SX-F, it is unsurprising that the latest version of KTM's premier motocross model is light on changes. For a full list of specs and changes for the 2020 model, check out the First Look . The abbreviated version is as follows: new piston with different coating for better durability, new suspension settings, new fork piston, new shock adjuster for more precision, a 49-tooth rear sprocket
2020 Husqvarna FC 450
Overall Review
On the surface, the changes to the 2020 Husqvarna FC 450 are pretty minimal. Husky launched the 2018 FC 450 Rockstar Edition with an all-new chassis, engine design and bodywork. These changes were also seen on the stock 2019 FC 450 and this is the current generation of chassis/engine/bodywork that we are looking at here on the 2020 model. If you just read the PR from Husky, they don’t really mention any changes but at the press intro, we talked with Andy Jefferson, Media Manager for Husqvarna
FMF Racing Factory 4.1 RCT Titanium Full System - 2019 KX250
The Good
Increased power across the board, increased throttle response
The Bad
Doesn't really boost any part of the power more than any other and doesn't add any overrev.
Overall Review
For this test of the FMF 4.1 system on our 2019 Kawasaki KX250, we tapped into one of our testers, former supercross racer Steve Boniface. He's been riding our KX250 and will be turning it into a project bike, but in the meantime we asked him to give us feed back on some of the individual parts, such as this full exhaust system. Features Available in Blue Anodized Titanium Muffler with Carbon End Cap Power gains throughout the RPM range. Weight savings FMF uses the highest quality proprietary