POWERED BY MOTOR MOUTH SHERCO 450 SPECS Engine: 4-stroke Frame: Half-perimeter DOHC, 4-valve Sherco frame chrome- technology molybdenum Displacement: Front suspension: WP 449.40cc telescopic fork, Ø48mm Bore/stroke: tubes rebound and 95×63.40 mm compression adjustable, Fuel system: Synerject 300mm of travel digital electronic fuel Rear suspension: injection WP progressive, multi- Starter: Unique electric adjustable rear shock starting system utilising a linkage and rod Ignition: Shihlin system, 330mm of travel alternator 220W Brakes: Hydraulically Cooling system: Liquid activated Brembo system with forced Ø260mm front; circulation hydraulically activated Transmission: 6-speed Brembo Ø220mm rear sequential gearbox, Tyre front: 90/100 primary gear, drive chain 21-inch Michelin Enduro secondary drive Competition ALL-NEW Clutch: Hydraulic Tyre rear: 140/80 multidisc in oil bath 18-inch Michelin Enduro Exhaust system: Competition Stainless-steel header Wheelbase: 1490mm pipe, stainless-steel Ground clearance: muffler with catalytic 355mm SHERCO converter, meets Euro Fuel tank: 8.5L 450 3 stds Dry weight: 109kg LANDS IN AUSTRALIA IT’S HERE — AND READY TO TAKE ON THE AUSSIE BUSH of manoeuvrability and stability across a broad few issues back we reported that the range of environments. new Sherco 450SE-FR was heading to Up front, you’ll find WP 48mm forks and Australia. The good news is it’s here! at the rear a WP shock, Brembo brakes all round For 2015, the Sherco 450 is A and a Trail Tech computer. The engine is now completely new. Despite the frame being more compact and has higher performance, specific to the model to house the larger motor, including cascading timing pinion gears and the 450 chassis has the same ergonomics of chains. The selector drum the 250 and 300 SE-F. Going by that, this bike is is made of aluminium while the valves are steel going to be a seriously nimble machine. for longevity. The frame is something Sherco engineers Harnessing the engine’s power is the pride themselves on. The semi-perimeter Synerject system, developed by Sherco for chromium molybdenum is made of progressive power delivery. mechanically welded parts to offer high levels JUMP ONLINE The new Sherco website is up and running — check it out. + All-new machine + WP suspension www.sherco.com.au + Compact engine + 6-speed box AT A GLANCE + Hydraulic clutch + Nimble chassis + Brembo brakes 12 DIRT ACTION /dirtactionmagazine /dirtactionmag dirtaction.com.au DIRT ACTION DIGITAL - zinio.com /dirtactionmagazine /dirtactionmag dirtaction.com.au DIRT ACTION DIGITAL - zinio.com DIRT ACTION 13 POWERED BY MOTOR MOUTH uzuki Australia has released its all- A disc brake on the front and a drum brake new 200cc entry-level bike and it on the rear offer reliable stopping power, looks like a winner in the market. while the new bodywork gives it a modern, The little DR is powered by an racier look. S The 845mm seat height ensures the electric-start single-cylinder air-cooled NEW four-stroke engine. The engine is designed smaller riders among us can touch the to be efficient and easy to ride. With an ground and makes this a great stepping- economy of 44.9km/l, this machine will stone from a fun bike such as the DR-Z125 certainly appeal to those looking for a bike to something a little bigger. to head out on for long periods in the bush. The best part? It’s only $4990 and ZOOK! The power is designed to be torquey is backed by a 12-month unlimited- SUZUKI’S TRAIL BIKE RANGE HAS EXpanDED enough for some fun on single-trails and kilometre warranty. — INTRODUCING THE DR200S enough top end to ride open fire trails. 2015 HONDA VFR1200X The Honda VFR1200X received a host of updates in 2014, so for 2015 it’s a case of new colours to freshen up the already impressive machine. The Honda VFR1200X is a bit of a sleeper in the adventure category. Though not marketed as a dirt-going adventure beast, the bike is capable of adventure riding and with some aftermarket accessories would be fit for days deep in the Australian bush. HONDA VFR1200X SPECS GENERAL: SUSPensION: Type: Liquid-cooled 4-stroke Unicam Type Front 43mm inverted telescopic forks 16-valve 76° V4 with hydraulic damping, preload and rebound Displacement: 1237cc damping adjustment Bore/stroke: 81mm×60mm Type Rear Pro-Link with gas-charged damper, Compression ratio: 12:1 preload and stepless rebound damping Max. power output: 95kW @ 7,750rpm adjustment (95/1/EC) WHeels: Max. torque: 126Nm @ 6,500rpm Type Front Tube less spoked (95/1/EC) Type Rear Tube less spoked Carburetion: PGM-FI electronic fuel injection Rim Size Front 19M/C×MT2.50 Fuel tank capacity: 21.5L Rim Size Rear 17M/C×MT4.00 Fuel consumption: 16.7km/L (tested in Tyres Front 110/80–R19 D-Mode WMTC mode) Tyres Rear 150/70–R17 Starter: Electric Brakes: Battery capacity: 12V/11.2AH (YTZ14S) ABS System Type Combined ABS Clutch type: Manual, wet, multiplate Type Front Dual 310mm disks DCT: Wet multiplate, hydraulic 2-clutch Type Rear Single 276mm disk Transmission type: 6-speed InsTRUMenTS & eleCTRICS: Final drive: Enclosed shaft Instruments Fuel, engine temperature, bar- Frame: Diamond; aluminium twin-spar type tachometer, odometer, two trip meters, Wheelbase: 1595mm remaining fuel, fuel consumption (both WHAT WE LIKE Caster angle: 28° actual and average), range to empty, a gear Trail: 107mm position indicator, a clock and the currently + EASY TO ride Seat height: 850mm selected Dual Clutch Transmission mode + NEW LOOKS Ground clearance: 180mm (if applicable). This instrument panel is also + LOW seat HeiGHT Kerb weight manual: 275kg adjustable for brightness + Great ECONOMY DCT: 285kg Headlight 55W×1 (Hi)/55W×1 (Low) WHAT WE DON’T - NOT ADR-APPROVed — wOuld BE A Great BIKE FOR trails SundaY, WORK MOndaY 14 DIRT ACTION /dirtactionmagazine /dirtactionmag dirtaction.com.au DIRT ACTION DIGITAL - zinio.com /dirtactionmagazine /dirtactionmag dirtaction.com.au DIRT ACTION DIGITAL - zinio.com DIRT ACTION 15 POWERED BY MOTOR MOUTH METTY BACK ON YELLOW Brett MetCALFE ON SUZUKI FOR SX Aussie Brett Metcalfe will be on the start gate at the Anaheim SX for the first time since 2012 — somewhat surprisingly, on a PRICE TO TAKE ON DAKAR Suzuki once again. Metty has finalised a deal to race an Yoshimura/Factory BECause IT’S JUST ABOUT THE OnlY THinG HE Hasn’T WON YET Connection-prepped RM-Z450 for the first six races of the season under the Team Dirt Candy banner, which will take him A quick look down the list of competitors for the 2015 Dakar Rally shows, at off the Kawasaki we saw him win the Canadian motocross title number 26 on the KTM factory team, none other than Aussie Toby Price. on and back onto familiar territory, as he was previously on Toby’s team manager Ben Grabham has competed in the Dakar twice with a Suzuki in 2010 and 2011. I AM EXCITED TO brilliant 15th on debut and an unfortunate DNF the following year. Grabbo leads by “I’ve raced the Monster Energy Cup on my own with some example and imparts any knowledge he has to his riders, be it as a teammate or help from Dirt Candy Graphics,” he said. “I feel like I’ve got a REUNITE WITH as the boss man. Toby will also receive invaluable guidance from the great Marc good long-term plan with Dirt Candy and I look forward to THE KING Coma and, as we already know, Toby has all the talent and drive in the world — so focusing on racing and results.” he might just become the first Aussie to win the famous event in a few years’ time. Metty will return to the Monster Energy Leading Edge THE TEAM AND The three-time Finke winner has already had an impressive debut in the rally Kawasaki team to compete in the Canadian Nationals in 2015. In TO KAWASAKI format, taking eighth at the Morocco Rally earlier in the year. Add to that the fact between all that, he and his wife Sheena are expecting another DO EVERYTHING I that he won the 2014 AORC outright, took out the E3 class in the ISDE and won child around April, so the Metcalfe household will be pinned in the Desert Tri-Series, Finke and Hattah as well as a charger-from-behind second fifth throughout 2015. MCGRATH TURNS BacK ON HONDA can TO PROMOTE overall in the A4DE. His results in the 2014 motocross season as a late call-up for KawaSAKI How good is he? One of the best ever, that’s how good he is. the injured Ryan Villopoto were excellent. Go tear it up, Metty! ay back in 1990, a young Jeremy McGrath said in a statement: “As the top marketing, Chris Brull, said, “Kawasaki is McGrath scored his first Supercross grassroots racing program in the industry, I excited to have Jeremy back. For him to KTM/HUSKY win and he did it on a Kawasaki am excited to reunite with the team and do come back to his roots and begin another HUSQVARNA KTM MODELS W KX125. Twenty-five years later, a everything I can to promote Kawasaki and relationship with Kawasaki truly is a RECALL INFO MODELS RECALLED RECALLED now-legendary MC has walked away from Honda, help all of the Team Green riders. During my complement to our products and brand. It is FORK ISSUE RAISES CONCERNS the brand he’d become synonymous with, and racing career and even since retirement, I very fitting that Jeremy will join Ryan Villopoto, TC 125 125 SX rejoined Team Green as a brand ambassador.