After has spent a lot of time on muddy tracks and harsh terrains, the old Yamaha YZ250 was blessed with a complete upgrade in 2010. The bike entered in 2011 without any changes, but the year 2012 has brought a new series of upgrades which help it remain at par with its rivals.
The YZ250F is one of the best looking small bore bikes in its class and we’re glad to see that Yamaha decided to keep the overall designed unchanged. Most of the upgrades were to the engine, frame and chassis, so all the action took place under the skin. Thanks to the new tweaks, the engine’s power was increased in the upper rev range. On the other hand, the upper frame rails have been changed from a two-box section to a three-box section to control flex, while the cast swingarm section and the engine brackets were also modified.
Find out more about the Yamaha YZ250F after the jump.
All dirt bikes have a special aura which makes them slightly different than the rest of their siblings. One of their secrets is their perfect balance between comfort, practicality and performance, three ingredients that will always guarantee a fun riding experience.
One of the best bikes in this class is the Yamaha YZ250, designed to make you adrenaline levels explode every time you jump on the saddle.
The YZ250 is powered by a 249cc liquid-cooled reed-valve-inducted two-stroke engine which features special-design carbon fiber reed-valve petals for a sharper throttle response. The engine is mated on a five-speed, close-ratio transmission with heavy-duty, multiplate clutch. You can bring the bike to halt with the help of the front-brake caliper and wave-style front and rear discs.
The YZ250’s backbone is an advanced, lightweight aluminum frame which offers superior handling abilities. To reduce weight even more the removable aluminum rear subframe is constructed of square-section tubing.
Hit the jump for more information on the Yamaha YZ250
When it was introduced for the first time, the Kawasaki KLX 250S has manage to set new standards in the dual purpose bikes segment and since then it started to be considered a benchmark in its class.
For 2013, the bike received only style upgrades featuring new color and graphic schemes. Unfortunately, the technical specifications remained unchanged, so don’t expect to any power upgrades. Thankfully nobody had any significant complains on the old 249cc liquid cooled engine, so it’s not such a bad news after all. The engine features a 34mm semi-flat slide Keihin CVK carburetor, an aluminum guard, an electric fan and dual lightweight, Denso radiators.
Like the previous generation, the 2013 model continues to be built on a lightweight, high-tensile steel frame, designed to keep the bike’s center of gravity to as low as possible to increase performance. The low center of gravity is combined with a short wheelbase which provides an extra tight turning radius helping you to move with agility even on the tightest tracks.
The stopping power is assured by twin-piston calipers which bite a 250mm semi-floating petal-shaped disc up front and a 240mm petal-shaped disc at the rear.
Hit the jump for more information on the Kawasaki KLX 250S
The Kawasaki KLX 140 was developed with the direct help of some of the best motocross riders. Fortunately the result was even better than expected and the KLX 140 won its place among the best play bikes in its class. Moreover thanks to its versatile character the Kawasaki KLX 140 can be used without problems by both yang and old riders.
Featuring an attractive design with big footpegs, rubber mounted handle bars and a set of tasty KX-Style wheels the Kawasaki KLX 140 is ready to deal with any type of terrain with poise.
The bike is powered by a 144cc Four-stroke, SOHC, two-valve engine which can be started by means of an (keyless) electric starter button mounted conveniently on the handlebar.
Power is sent to the wheel using a close ratio transmission helped by a progressive manual clutch. Up front the bike is fitted with a 33mm telescopic fork featuring custom-tuned spring rate and damping settings handles suspension, while at the back, you’ll find a rear shock equipped with Uni-Trak linkage.
Hit the jump for more information on the Kawasaki KLX 140</i>
The Kawasaki KX 450F offers a high-quality sports bike that you can take with you wherever you want to go.
For the 2013 model, the bike is complemented with four different handlebar positions and two footpeg positions. For the frame, the KX 450F offers a total width reduction of 4mm across the main frame spars, giving it the most slender mid-section ever. Furthermore, this vehicle make use of Uni-Trak rear suspension linkage that is now slimmer than ever before. Along with the Kayaba rear shock and Kayaba Air-Oil-Separate forks up front, the AOS system controls oil and air in separate chambers for stable damping performance.
As for the engine, the KX 450F features virtually unlimited ignition mapping capabilities due to its enhanced Digital Fuel Injection (DFI) system. The bike’s high power capabilities and the wider power band comes as the result of many engine refreshments while the five-speed transmission is also overhauled for improved shifting.
In terms of styling, the bike will definitely catch your attention, thanks to its slim frame and the blue alumite finish on the oil cap that matches with the blue finish on the suspension adjusters and splashes of color in the new graphics.
Find out more about the Kawasaki KX450F after the jump.
On its own, the Zero MX is already one of the most fascinating bikes you’ll come across. But thanks to a number of additional features, the MX has become quite a catch in its own right. One of the extra features provided is the new Z-Force air induction system power pack that is rated for a maximum 2.0 kWH from the lithium-ion battery. These Z-Force batteries carry a quick-charge option that can cut the recharge time up to half.
In addition, the bike’s overall design exudes a picture of refinement, none more evident than in the front end, which has been equipped with a speed sensor that is available on the motor shaft. The graphics layout on the bike also gives the MX a renewed freshness, particularly the combination of the red and white color scheme. If there’s one thing that’s going to need some getting used to, it’s the bike’s riding position and rigid seat. It’s not inconvenient by any stretch; it just needs a little breaking in.
Add in a new set of Birdgestone motocross tires, a dual-piston hydraulic front caliper with 220mm wave-style disc, and a state-of-the-art suspension system that features a remote reservoir feeding the rear shock via a steel-braided line, and you have a motocross bike that’s unique by its own merits.
If you’re looking for a championship-caliber sports bike, look no further than the Kawasaki KX65. At the heart of the Kawasaki KX65 is a powerful two-stroke engine, a lightweight chassis, disc brakes, and long travel suspension to bring the strong power that enables you to compete and even win whatever race you decide to enter.
The KX65’s liquid-cooled, 64cc engine is able to bring an impressive level of power for its small displacement while the smooth-shifting transmission and manual clutch controls the transfer of that power into the ground. Furthermore, the KX65 comes with a semi-double-cradle steel frame that has been fitted with Kawasaki’s legendary Uni-Trak linkage system, allowing it to change power on the rear shock as the suspension is compressed.
As far as handling is concerned, the KX65 comes with both shock and fork four-way adjustable rebound damping. Meanwhile, the lightweight black aluminum rims lessen the unsprung weight to enhance the suspension action bring the same impressive look as the rims on the larger KX models. Both wheels are then fitted with hydraulic disc brakes to ensure great stopping power.
Find out more about the Kawasaki KX65 after the jump.
For 2012, Suzuki has a couple of surprises up its sleeve, starting with the RM-Z450 dirt bike. Whereas it would’ve been perfectly fine for the Japanese bike maker to stand pat with their models, they still did its customers a favor by bringing a model that comes with aesthetic, suspension, and engine upgrades.
After all, with history attached to its name as the first motocross bike to ever use fuel injection on its way to winning both outdoor championships and Supercross championships, the RM-Z450 deserves nothing but the best.
The first of these enhancements involves the use of a new twin-spar aluminum frame and swing arm that was developed and refined for a highly optimized balance between rigidity and superb high-speed traction. The lightweight swing arm of the RM-Z450 also helps to enhance the bike’s terrain-traversing performance over bumps while race-inspired disc rotors offer enhanced cooling performance and efficient mud slinging. Finally, the RM-Z450 also comes with a gripper seat that has been designed with projected cross-shaped patterns on the top surface to provide additional grip.
The other change on the bike is the front and rear suspension, particularly the use of Showa separate function forks whereas its competitors, particularly Honda, Yamaha, and Kawasaki now just use the Kayaba pneumatic spring on the shock breaker. The new front suspension also has a lighter weight and a better absorbing system.
Finally, the RM-Z450 is powered by a 449cc, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, single cylinder, DOHC engine with an upgraded fuel injection system that, in turn, improves on its ECU in controlling the fuel flow to the injector.
Find out more about the Suzuki RM-Z450 after the jump.
With electric bikes starting to become en vogue these days, KTM is offering one that provides new off-road motorcycle fun in one small package.
The revolutionary Freeride E is an agile, lightweight, and noise-free, motorcycle that broke the mold in the way enduro riding is being enjoyed these days. The bike is powered by a low-wear, slim, and compact magnet synchronous motor that generates a peak power of 30 horsepower - the electric motor packs 20 horsepower - and 42Nm/31 lb-ft of torque. And the best part of the Freeride E is that you can enjoy it without having to worry about using the clutch or about fuel consumption. All you need is to recharge the motor and you’re ready to go!
With the Freeride E, KTM is setting a new standard in respect to the response, traction, performance, and handling of a motorcycle. From the ground up, KTM spent exhaustive amounts of labor and development because an electric bike is also subject to the same requirements in terms of performance, robustness, and quality as all other motorcycles that leave the factory buildings in Mattighofen, Austria.
When it comes to fresh ideas and thinking ahead of the curve, KTM doesn’t have a peer. The motorcycle maker has developed an electrically driven, emission-free offroad bike that opens up completely new fields of use in urban and suburban areas and generates greater acceptance of offroad sport. All-terrain riding has never been easier!
Find out more about the KTM Freeride E after the jump.
It doesn’t look a whole lot like a bike that can’t take the rigors of motocross riding, but don’t mistake KTM Freeride 350 for a flimsy lightweight; it is far more impressive than it looks.
The new KTM Freeride 350 unites extremely easy handling with a low seat height and outstanding ergonomics, thanks in part to weighing only 99.5 kilos/219 lbs. With its lightweight structure, the Freeride 350 allows the rider to always be completely in control, even on the toughest trails, whether it be rough terrain, narrow single tracks, or wide gravel roads.
In addition, the Freeride 350’s state-of-the-art 350 cm³ DOHC four-stroke engine has proven to be the ideal drive unit for this vehicle concept and scores highly in every situation with controllable, torque-oriented performance characteristics. The engine management system from Keihin with electronic fuel injection and 42 mm throttle body ensures spontaneous, powerful responsiveness and handling, as well as makes a significant contribution to the low fuel consumption. Convenient temperature, altitude compensation, and the electronic cold-start enrichment are state of the art as is the closed-loop lambda control, which comes as a prerequisite for the efficient reduction of exhaust emissions by the two catalytic converters.
Another exceptional feature of the Freeride 350’s engine is set-up is the design of the exhaust system where engineers focused their attention on low noise levels and emissions, as well as very rideable, high-torque engine characteristics. The exhaust gases are fed through a central header pipe underneath the engine, protected by the frame and a sturdy under-run plate, to the two aluminum silencers. Each of these is equipped with a catalytic converter, effectively reducing both emissions and riding noise to an environmentally friendly level.
Find out more about the KTM Freeride 350 after the jump.
