MXA’S WEEKEND NEWS ROUND-UP: THE OFF-SEASON IS A CHANCE TO RECHARE YOUR BATTERIES (ON YOUR STARK)

• RADICALLY NEW 2024 KTM 50SX PEE-WEE & KTM 65SX JUNIOR CYCLE

KTM will open the 2024 season with all-new 50SX and 65SX, not to mention a KTM 50SX Factory Edition model. These aren’t BNG bikes of last year’s models, but incredibly accurate versions of the KTM full-size race bikes. From a distance you can’t tell a 2024 KTM 65SX from a full-size KTM 250SX. KTM has down-sized everything and t perfectly spec’ed plastic with the same graphics as the big bikes.  It is a chance for Junior to get in the swing of things with his new  50SX or 6SSX.

The 2024 KTM 50SX has been developed to be as close to a scaled-down version of a full-size KTM SX motocross machine as possible, with careful consideration given to young riders and their body proportions compared to grown-ups.

There is also a 2024 KTM 50SX Factory Edition with a gripper seat cover, black graphics, Hinson clutch cover, orange fork guards, gray grips and an FMF Fatty pipe and silencer.

The 2024 KTM 50SX and 2024 KTM 65SX (shown) are built around a new, advanced steel frame with a lightweight polyamide glass fiber reinforced  two-piece subframe. This ne redesign has allowed for a revolutionary change to minicross, in that the new frame allows for multi-adjustability to cater to different rider heights.

There are three grip size options to fit small ,medium and large hands. They are matched to handlebars especially sized for the 50SX and 65SX.

The 2024 KTM 65SX has a totally new airbox and air filter arrangement.

The suspension, handlebar position, bodywork and subframe are now height adjustable to match the growing needs of young riders. Seat height is adjustable between 25 inches to 27 inches for the 2024 KTM 50SX and 28.7 inches to 29.2 mm for the 2024 KTM 65SX

.Both mini-crossers feature the latest in suspension technology, with a 35mm WP XACT AER air fork taking charge at the front. On the rear, an all-new fully adjustable WP XACT monoshock is fitted for perfect balance and damping characteristics.

On the rear of the KTM 65SX you can spot the new rear fender and side panels that mimic the look of the big bikes and the bullet-shaped silencer that harks back to before Junior was born. Note the Dzus fastener that allows the seat to be removes quickly for access to the new air filter.

• “RIDING KEN ROCZEN’S HEP SUZUKI RM-Z450” VIDEO VIEWS BY MEDIA OUTLET



• “THIS WEEK IN MXA WITH JOSH MOSIMAN” WHAT? NEW MINIS? UNHEARD OF?

• CLASSIC MOTOCROSS PHOTOS: THE MAN WITH THE PLAN FOR JAPAN

OLLEPETERSSONjustynnorek
Olle Pettersson was a successful Husqvarna Grand Prix racer when the Japanese brands made their first foray to the GP circuits in the late 1960s. Olle signed on to develop the Suzuki GP bikes, which were later used to devastating effect by Joel Robert and Roger DeCoster. Olle then moved over to Kawasaki to R&D their GP bikes.
Photo: Justyn Norek

• ASK THE MXPERTS: SEMANTICS & THE SUBJECT OF POUND-FEET OR FOOT-POUNDS?

There are two different kinds of torque.

Dear MXperts,
Come on MXA, which is it? Foot-pounds or pound-feet? I notice that you seem to use the two terms interchangeably from one bike test to the next when talking about torque. Which one is it?

We admit to jumping back and forth on the subject of torque measurement, but that is because either term is acceptable, but not necessarily correct in all situations. Let us explain.

Pound-foot (lb.-ft.) is a unit of torque and is a measurement that is created by 1 pound of force acting on a 1-foot lever. The formula for torque in tightening a nut would be: torque equals force times radius (with radius being the length of the wrench).

Foot-pound (ft.-lb.) is a measurement of work. Work is the measurement of force over a given distance. Thus, 1 foot-pound is the energy required to lift a 1-pound object 1 foot of vertical distance. When James Watt determined that a horse could lift 550 pounds at a rate of 1 foot per second, he declared it 1 horsepower.

Here is where it gets confusing, but in many ways enlightening. It is a given that the correct unit of measurement when tightening a nut is the pound-foot (lb.-ft.). Logically, you would then assume that the correct unit of measurement for an engine’s torque would be foot-pounds (ft.-lb.). But, if you perused the owner’s manuals of all the motorcycle brands, you would find that some refer to it as foot-pounds and some pound-foot (or pound-feet). Truly, they are as confused as everyone else, and this acceptance in common literature makes it obvious that either term could be used when describing an engine’s torque without being incorrect; in truth, all the reader really cares about is the number in front of the definer.

However, in all matters technical, the true source of accuracy is the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). The SAE lists the “pound-foot” as the official unit of measure for engine torque. Since the abbreviation for foot is the same as for feet, a lb.-ft. could easily be referred to as pound-feet.

• PASHA TO PAY $15,600 TO THE WORLD VET’S FASTEST 125 PROS IN THE OVER-30 AND OVER-50 CLASSES

The upcoming World Vet Championship will also host two Pasha 125 Pro . There will be one for the Over-30 class and one for the Over-50 class. Each class will have a posted purse of $7500 and each winner will receive $2500. The Over-30 class will only pay the top five, while the Over-50 125 two-stroke class will pay the top ten. The payout in the Over-30 125 Pro class will be $3000 for first, $2000 for second, $1200 for third, $800 for fourth and $500 for fifth. The Over-50 125 Pro class will pay $2500 for first, $1200 for second, $1000 for third, $700 for fourth, $600 for fifth, $500 for sixth, $400 for seventh, $300 for eighth, $200 for ninth and $100 for tenth. One caveat: Pasha 125 Open races have a max displacement of 150cc.. For more info go to www.glenhelen.com.

MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: WISECO RACER ELITE CONNECTING ROD

An OEM rod is a good part, but it’s also built specifically for what the stock horsepower output and rpm range are. The new Wiseco Racer Elite connecting rods are taking a step up in allowable performance, offering higher strength and quality, which are necessary to push the limits of what the engine can do in terms of horsepower and rpm. Racer Elite connecting rods are precision CNC-machined and held to tolerances as tight as one ten-thousandth of an inch in certain areas and also feature a rolled-in bronze bushing in the small end, oiling slots and passages in both ends, and carefully tested surface finishes. Retail price: $356.95–$415.95 at www.wiseco.com or (440) 951-6600.

• 2024 YAMAHA YZ250F “FIRST RIDE” VIDEO VIEWS BY MEDIA OUTLET



THE GREATEST DEAL IN MOTOCROSS! SUBSCRIBE TO MXA & GET $25 ROCKY MOUNTAIN CREDIT & A YEAR OF MX FUN

Did you know that you can subscribe to MXA at absolutely no cost to you—because when you subscribe you receive a Rocky Mountain ATV/MC credit for $25 towards anything in their massive inventory. Plus, you will get all the content in the 12 monthly issues of Motocross Action magazine delivered to your home by a uniformed U.S. government employee. Don’t miss any more four-stroke tests, two-stroke tests, retro tests, race coverage, new tech or product tests….most of which never appear on the internet. And, don’t forget, the $25 credit from Rocky Mountain ATV/MC that will more than cover the cost of your subscription. To subscribe call (800) 767-0345 or Click Here 

• MXA’S 2024 BIKE TEST VIDEO COLLECTION: MORE ADDED EACH WEEK

The MXA wrecking crew has been living with the new 2024 motocross bikes for several months; we have raced then, dynoed them, weighed them and ran the tries off of them. All to provide the loyal MXA reader with what he needs to know before putting down his dough. And, once we have learned all there is to know about the 2024 bikes, we write an indepth magazine article for Motocross Action to go along with the Video test ride. It is a double whammy of info—the first after the first full day of riding and the second after several months of racing. Below are all of the 2024 bikes we have completed the videos on.

MXA VIDEO TEST: 2024 MXA 250 SHOOTOUT

MXA VIDEO TEST: 2024 HUSQVARNA FC250 FOUR-STROKE

MXA VIDEO TEST: 2024 YAMAHA YZ250F FOUR-STROKE

MXA VIDEO TEST: 2024 HONDA CRF250 FOUR-STROKE

MXA VIDEO TEST: 2024 KTM 250SXF FOUR-STROKE

MXA VIDEO TEST: 2024 KTM 450SXF FOUR-STROKE

MXA VIDEO TEST: 2024 HUSQVARNA FC450 FOUR-STROKE

MXA VIDEO TEST: 2024 HONDA CRF450 FOUR-STROKE

MXA VIDEO TEST: 2024 KAWASAKI KX250 FOUR-STROKE

MXA VIDEO TEST: 2024 KTM 300SX FUEL-INECTED TWO-STROKE

WE RIDE KEN ROCZEN’S SUZUKI RM-Z450

• THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT: ROB ANDREWS “THE INSIDE LINE” HARDCOVER

Rob Andrews’ eagerly awaited new book, “The Inside Line: Racing the 500cc World Motocross Championship” is now available at www.theinsidelinebook.com.

Yeah, Yeah , yeah! It isn’t even Halloween or Thanksgiving and we are trying to sell you a Christmase present, but the  critically acclaimed book, “The Inside Line: Racing the 500cc World Motocross Championship” (Second Edition) isthe perfect present for a moto fan. It is available at www.insidelinebook.com. After receiving rave reviews from press and public alike, “The Inside Line” first press run sold out in three weeks, but its back in print “The Inside Line” offers a detailed, first-hand account of the life of a professional GP racer competing in the heydays of the 1980s. There are facts that will surprise you, anecdotes that will make you laugh, and brutally honest, never-before-published information.

Tracing the journey of the former British 500 GP star Rob Andrews, from unremarkable amateur to factory Kawasaki rider, GP contender, and member of Great Britain’s 1985 Motocross des Nations team, “The Inside Line” is a unique, comprehensive, and fascinating first-hand account of what it was really like to race in the 500cc World Motocross Championship during the 1980s. “Inside Line is litho printed on the finest silk art paper and is a mammoth, heavyweight, 416-page hardback book of uncompromising quality. It has over 400 photographs from the sport’s most acclaimed photographers. Available for world-wide shipping, the book can be ordered at www.theinsidelinebook.com

• ALL THE DETAILS ABOUT “WORLD VET WEEK” AT GLEN HELEN

Get ready for the pinnacle of motocross excitement at Glen Helen Raceway! It’s almost time for the 39th Annual Dubya World Vet MX Championships, taking place from November 3 to November 5, 2023.

GATES HOURS

The front gate opens and closes at these times: Wednesday, November 1 (2:00 p.m.-8:00 p.mm), Thursday, November 2 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.), Friday, November 3 (6:00 a.m to 9:00 p.m.), Saturday, November 4th (5:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.) and Sunday, November 5th (5:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.).

GATE FEES

Gate fees include $30 per bike for Friday practice, a $20 per person weekend pass, and $10 per person for Sunday-only access.

PRE-REGISTRATION

Pre-registration is now open, with a new requirement for all riders to have their own transponders. Skip the check-in line if you register online! Prices incrementally increase, so register early. post-entry fees are $150 for the first class and $140 for the second class.

RACE FORMAT

This legendary event features a three-moto format, starting on Saturday and continuing through Sunday until all racing is complete. However, special categories like Over-40 Pro, Over-30 Pasha 125, and Over-50 Pasha125 Pro Race will take place on Saturday, while Over-30 Pasha125 Pro, Over-50 Pasha 125 Pro Race and the Dubya World Vet Cup will run on Sunday. Practice starts at 7:30 a..m. on Saturday and 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, with racing starting at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday and 8:00 am on Sunday.

MINIUMUM AGE

The youngest a rider at the World Vet can can be is 25 years old as of November 5, 2022

Lars Larsson is 82 years old and is a four-time World Vet Champion.

ACTUAL AGE

Don’t be surprised if you are required to show your driver’s license to prove how old you are at sign-up. This applies to every age group. We don’t accept rifers in the Over-30 class who will be 30 in two weeks, ot two days. Riders must ride in the class that corresponds to their actual age.

Yes, it is 22 stories tall.

DOUBLE CLASSING IT

In the past many riders, who raced in the Over-40, Over-50 or Over-60 Expert classes (or any of the age-graded Expert class,) would moved down to Intermediate when they went down an age group (like from Over-40 to Over-35) and would drop a skill level when they went to the younger age groups (i..e from Over-40 Expert to Over-35 Intermediate). This is no longer allowed. Riders are free to drop down to race in younger age groups, but if they are an Expert is their primary class, they are an Expert in any other class.

After Saturday’s races they hold a big party in the Glen Helen Museum to honor the Edison Dye Lifetime Achievement Award winner. This year it will be Troy Lee.

WORLD VET CUP

For 2023, the World Vet Champions World Vet Cup will require that every rider on each three-man National team have a passport or birth certificate from the nation he wants to represent. If the team must use a use a rider from another country to fill out there team, they will be assessed a 5-place penalty to that rider’s moto scores

• THOR MINI O’S PRESENTED BY PRO CIRCUIT WILL BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 18-25

For more info go to www.unlimitedsportsmx.com

• 2023 DUBYA WORLD VET MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP ON NOVEMBER 2-5


The Grand Daddy race that spawned all the Johnny-Come-Lately Vet races was started in 1985 and will turn 40 years old next year. For more info or to pre-enter and save money, go to www.glenhelen.com

MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: FIRE POWER FEATHERWEIGHT LITHIUM BATTERY

“The Fire Power lithium battery is the most tried and true lithium battery on the market today. We have the most fitments available for a better fit and excellent cranking power so you don’t have to worry when starting your motorcycle. We also stand behind our products better than any other brands while saving our consumers a ton of money over the OE lithium units.” —Kirk Alves. Retail price: $96.95 to $397.95 at www.firepowerparts.com or (208) 376-8400.

THE 2024 AMA ARENACROSS SERIES STARTS ON NOVEMBER 17 


For more info go to www.arenacrossusa.com

• 2024 FIM 250/450 WORLD MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE

Don’t trust this race schedule, every year MXGP releases a new schedule and every year they drop races , add races, change countries and juggle dates. This is the basic 2024 MXGP schedule, but it will change.

The 20-race 2034FIM Motocross World Championship will kick off on March 10 in Argentina followed by the MXGP of Europe at a “to-be-announced” (TBA) location on March 24.  Rounds three and for are scheduled for Sardinia and Trentino, leading to a three-race run in Portugal, Spain and France. Early June will witness another triple-header, featuring Germany, Latvia and a Grand Prix location “to be announced” (TBA) later. The second half of the season will travel to Asia in late June for a thrilling double header in Sumbawa-Indonesia, and Lombok-Indonesia.

The championship will then return to Europe, for events in the Czech Republic, Belgium, Sweden, Holland and Switzerland. The Turkish GP will be followed by another “to be announced” (TBA) event in early September, leading up to the grand finale of the 2024 MXGP Season at the MXGP of Italy at a “to be announced” track (TBA).

The Monster Energy FIM MXDN will be held in Matterley Basin, Great Britain, on October the 4th, 5th and 6th.

• THE FUTURE IS NOW: 2024 RACE SCHEDULES & WHAT’S LEFT IN 2023

2024 AMA SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Jan. 6…Anaheim, CA
Jan. 13…San Francisco, CA
Jan. 20…San Diego, CA
Jan. 27, Anaheim, CA
Feb. 3…Detroit, MI
Feb. 10…Glendale, AZ
Feb. 24…Arlington, TX
Mar. 2…Daytona Beach, FL
Mar. 9…Birmingham, AL
Mar. 16…Indianapolis, IN
Mar. 23…Seattle, WA
Mar. 30…St. Louis, MO
Apr. 13…Foxborough, MA
Apr. 20…Nashville, TN
Apr. 27…Philadelphia, PA
May 4…Denver, CO
May 11…Salt Lake City, UT

2024 AMA NATIONAL MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
May 25…Pala, CA
June 1…Hangtown, CA
June 8…Thunder Valley, CO
June 15…Mount Morris, PA
June 29…Southwick, MA
July 6…Red Bud, MI
July 13…Millville, MN
July 20…Washougal, WA
August 10…Unadilla, NY
August 17…Budds Creek, MD
August 24…Crawfordsville, IN

2024 2023 FIM WORLD MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Mar. 10…Argentina
Mar. 24…TBA
Apr. 7…Sardinia
Apr. 14…Italy #1
May 5…Portugal
May 7…Spain
May 12…Spain
May 19…France
Jun. 2…Germany
Jun. 9…Latvia
June 16… TBA
June 30…Indonesia #1
July 7…Indonesia #2
July 21…Czech Republic
July. 28..Belgium
Aug. 11…Sweden
Aug. 18…Holland
Aug 25……Switzerland
Sept. 15…TBA
Sept. 29….Italy #3

2023 WORLD SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Nov. 4-5… Abu Dhabi, UAE 
Nov. 24-25…Melbourne, Australia

2023 AMA ENDUROCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Oct. 7…Everett, WA
Oct. 21…Prescott Valley, AZ
Oct. 27-28…Idaho Falls, ID
Nov.11…Redmond, OR
Nov. 18…Reno, NV

3BROS 24 HOURS OF GLEN HELEN
Oct. 28…Glen Helen, CA

2023 WORLD VET MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Nov. 3-5…Glen Helen, CA

2023 THOR/PRO CIRCUIT MINI O’S
Nov. 18-26…Alachua County, Fl

2023 PARIS SUPERCROSS
Nov. 18-26…Paris, Fra

2023 RED BULL DAY IN THE DIRT
Nov. 24-26…Glen Helen, CA

2024 AMA ARENACROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
Nov.11-18…Madison, Wi
Dec.1-2…Boise, ID, NY
Jan. 5-6…Loveland, CO
Jan.12-13…Grand Island, NE
Jan. 19-20…Guthrie, OK
Jan. 26-27….Guthrie, OK
Feb. 2-3…Prescott, AZ
Feb. 9-10…TBA
Feb. 23-24…Mesquite, TX
Feb. 2-Mar.1…Daytona Beach, FL
Mar. 8…Fayetteville, NC
Mar. 15…Salem, VA
Mar. 22-23…Denver, CO
Mar. 29…Las Vegas, NV

2023 “SATURDAY AT THE GLEN” SCHEDULE
Nov. 3-5…World Vet Championship (National track)
Nov. 18…Winter Series #3 (National track)
Dec. 9…Winter Series #4 (Arroyo Vet track)
Dec. 16…Winter Series #5 (National track)

• GET MXA AND DIRT BIKE SUBSCRIPTION AND SAVE MONEY—NOT TO MENTION THE $50 ROCKY MOUNTAIN E-GIFT CARD

You can’t afford not to subscribe, because when you order a subscription, Rocky Mountain ATV/MC sends you a $25 gift credit to use on anything you want from their massive selection. Plus, subscribers to MXA can also choose to get the digital mag on their iPhone, iPad, Kindle or Android by going to the Apple Store, Amazon or Google Play. Even better, you can subscribe to Motocross Action and Dirt Bike for one low price and get a $50 E-Gift card—plus you get the awesome print edition delivered to your house by a uniformed employee of the U.S. Government. Do we have to mention the $25 Rocky Mountain ATV/MC gift card again? That gift means that your subscription balances out as free, free, free! You can’t lose on this deal? Call (800) 767-0345 or Click Here

MXA YOUTUBE CHANNEL | HIT THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON

The MXA wrecking crew is everything moto related. Check out our MXA YouTube channel for bike reviews, Supercross coverage, rider interviews and much more. And don’t forget to hit that subscribe button.

• TALK MOTO WITH ON MXA’S FACEBOOK GROUP CHAT

We love everything moto and want to bring all moto junkies together into one place to share their two cents, ideas, photos, bike fixes, bike problems and much more. To check it out, you  need to have a Facebook account. If you don’t, it isn’t much work to get one (and you could even have an alias so nobody knows it is you). To join MXA’s Facebook Group, click HERE. After you request to join we will accept your request shortly after.

• FOLLOW MXA ON TWITTER

mxactiontwitter1Follow us to see fresh content every day at @mxaction

Photos Credits:  KTM, Trevor Nelson, MX Sports, Debbi Tamietti, Jon Ortner and MXA archive

You might also like

Comments are closed.