RUMORS, GOSSIP & UNFOUNDED TRUTHS: RAIN RETURNS TO SOCAL, WHERE WAS IT DURING THE FIRES?

Date/Venue                                                      450                                                250
Jan. 11…Anaheim, CA…………………Chase Sexton (KTM)……….Jo Shimoda (Hon)
Jan. 18…San Diego, CA……………..Eli Tomac (Yam)…………………..Julien Beaumer (KTM)
Jan. 25…Anaheim, CA……………Jett Lawrence (Hon)………………Haiden Deegan (Yam)
Feb. 1…Glendale, AZ……………..Chase Sexton (KTM)………………Jordon Smith (Tri)
Feb. 8…Tampa, FL………………..Malcolm Stewart (Hus)……………..Max Anstie (Hon)
Feb. 15…Detroit, MI……………..Cooper Webb (Yam)……………….Levi Kitchen (Kaw) 
Feb. 22…Arlington, TX………….Cooper Webb (Yam)……………….Haiden Deegan (Yam)
Mar. 1…Daytona Beach, FL……Ken Roczen (Suz)……………………R.J. Hampshire (Hus)
Mar. 8…Indianapolis, IN…..….Cooper Webb (Yam)………………..Seth Hammaker (Kaw)
Mar. 22…Birmingham, AL
Mar. 29…Seattle, WA
Apr. 5…Foxborough, MA
Apr. 12…Philadelphia, PA
Apr. 19…East Rutherford, NJ
Apr. 26…Pittsburgh, PA
May 3…Denver, CO
May 10…Salt Lake City, UT
450 points leader…Cooper Webb (Yam)
250 West points leader...Haiden Deegan (Yam)
250 East points leader…Max Anstie (Yam)

• MXA VIDEO: WE TEST THE 2025 HUSQVARNA FC450

The Pro Circuit Linkage System for the 2024-2025 Kawasaki KX450 and 2025 KX250 enhances handling by improving suspension performance. Unlike the stock linkage, which begins stiff and softens deeper into the stroke, this system offers a plusher initial feel while progressively firming up, thus reducing the need for stiffer high-speed valving. Designed similarly to the 2019-2023 KX450 linkage, it optimizes spring rates for enhanced balance, improved traction, and a smoother ride.

The Pro Circuit KX450 linkage system is plusher at the beginning and stiffens up as the rear wheel goes deeper into the stroke. This adjustment lessens the need for stiffer high-speed valving, which can cause the rear to feel harsh and deflective. This linkage curve is similar in design to the previous generation of KX450 (’19-23).A 0.1 kg/mm shock spring rate increase is recommended. The retail price is $465.00 at www.procircuit.com

• MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: RABACONDA 3-MINUTE TIRE CHANGER

Do pinched tubes, back pain, bloody knuckles and flying tire irons have to be a part of the tire changing experience? No, because the Rabaconda 3-minute Tire Changer is the greatest tire changing tool in the sport. Now in its fourth generation the Rabaconda Tire Changing machine has seen several updates and improvements, including new rubber feet, three legs for use on uneven ground, a tire-iron tray, a spindle chamfer for locking larger hubs, riveted feet caps, larger flange nuts and pre-assembled quick-release bolts on an alloy frame.

The Rabaconda comes with its own compact carrying case.

The new system is designed to make three-minute tire changes a reality. Plus, it can be broken down or assembled in seconds (and comes with its own compact carrying case). The retail price is $446.00 from www.rabaconda.com

•2025 WISECO WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIP AT GLEN HELEN ON APRIL 19

The 16th Annual Wiseco World Two-Stroke Championship will ve held on April 19 on an all-new Glen Helen race track that promises an unforgettable experience for pros and amateurs alike. From the premier Open Pro class to the exciting Pasha 125 Open Pro races, the World Two-Stroke Championship will deliver non-stop action and entertainment, immersing riders and fans in the sounds of roaring two-stroke engines, the smell of premix, and the thrill of old-school motocross racing.To pre-enter CLICK HERE or go to www.glenhelen.com for more info.

• BIKE’S YOU’VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE: HUSQVARNA’S 2012 MOAB SCRAMBLER

To have something related to Husqvarna about the Moab, the designers decided to use Husqvarna’s red gas tanks, logos and yellow number plates to try to morph some of Husky’s reputation onto the concept bike to see if they could get “the essence of the new incarnation of the Husqvarna spirit.” Note the shiny panels on the gas tank sides. Oh yeah, they even managed to squeezed Steve McQueen’s name into the introduction. 

There is always a company that thinks there is a market for an updated scrambler motorcycle and although the 2012 Husqvarna Moab was billed as a “modern re-interpretation of the scrambler.” There really wasn’t anything Scrambles about this bloated Leviathan. Given that Husqvarna was owned by BMW during this period of time and BMW didn’t know what to do with the formerly Swedish motocross and cross-country brand. They decided to stick Husqvarna’s colors, logos and reputation on this concept bike to see if they could get “the essence of the new incarnation of the Husqvarna spirit.”

The Moab, if it ever had made it to production, would have used a Rotax 650 engine (another BMW owned company).

The wheels are a 17” front and rear, fitted with Pirelli MT60RS dual-sport tires. The bars are high and wide, and the long seat certainly looked comfortable. And it wouldn’t be a product of 2012 if it didn’t have an instrument panel and the LED lights in the front number plate

When questioned as to why they named it the Moab, the Husqvarna, nee’ BMW spokesman, said they named it after the evocative Utah desert area which draws large numbers of mountain bikers and off-road riders every year

If the Moab had ever made it to production, it  would have used the Rotax 650 unit (another BMW owned company).

We doubt if a Moab ever made it to Moab, but it wouldn’t have matter much because KTM bought Husqvarna from BMW that year and quickly killed the project.

• THREE PASHA 125 PRO CLASSES AT THE WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIP ON APRIL 19 AT GLEN HELEN

Pasha Afshar has announced three special 125 Pro classes for the 2025 Wiseco World Two-Stroke Championship—with the help of Rackum Racing, Twisted Developments, TREMX, Rinaldi tires, Billetron, Simi Valley Cycles, Bolt Hardware and Family Motorsports.

There will be three 125 Pro classes. The full-on Professional 125 Pro class and Over-30 125 Pro classes will pay $2500 to the winner, $1500 to second place and $1000 (third). The Over-50 125 Pro class will pay five places with $1700 (first), $1300 (second), $1000 (third), $600 (fourth) and $400 (fifth). Pasha is paying the same $5000 purse for all three classes. There is also $150 dollar holeshot bonus for all six 125 Pasha motos. Between the $15,000 in purse money, plus gifts and awards from the event sponsors this race will be handing out $20,000 in awards. For more info go to www.glen helen.com.

• CLASSI MXA PHOTO: ROGER & HEIKKI

Heikki Mikkola (right) offered his toughest competitor Roger DeCoster (left)  a toast in honor of Roger’s World Championship. They sat together in Heikki’s trailer, still in their gear, and drank from paper cups. That is true sportsmanship from Heikki. Photo: Jarmo Hietaranta

• “WHO’S WHO IN THE SUPERCROSS ZOO?” AMA SUPERCROSS POINTS HEADING TO BIRMINGHAM

Cooper Webb (2) came out of the  Daytona Supercross with a 10-point lead and left Indy with a 15 point lead. Given what has happened so far this season, 15 points is not really enough.

TOP TEN IN 450 POINTS
(After 9 of 17 rounds)
1. Cooper Webb (Yam)…193
2. Chase Sexton (KTM)…178
3. Ken Roczen (Suz)…167
4. Justin Cooper (Yam)…144
5. Malcolm Stewart (Hus)…140
6. Jason Anderson (Kaw)…136
7. Justin Barcia (Gas)…129
8. Justin Hill (KTM)…114
9. Aaron Plessinger (KTM)..105
10. Dylan Ferrandis (Hon)…82

In the 250 West, Haiden Deegan (38) has a 6 point lead on Julien Beaumer.

TOP TEN IN 250 WEST POINTS
(After 6 of 8 rounds)
1. Haiden Deegan (Yam)…129
2. Julien Beaumer (KTM)…117
3. Cole Davies (Yam)…104
4. Jo Shimoda (Hon)…102
5. Coty Schock (Yam)…90
6. Jordon Smith (Tri)…85
7. Michael Mosiman (Yam)…79
8. Garrett Marchbanks…73
9. Hunter Yoder (Kaw)…56
10. Anthony Bourdon (Yam)…54

The fans have only seen Max Anstie (31) three times this year, but can he keep the points lead at the Indy Supercross East/West Challenge.

TOP TEN IN 250 EAST POINTS
(After 3 of 8 rounds)
1. Max Anstie (Yam)…63
2. Tom Vialle (KTM)…57
3. Chance Hymas (Hon)…50
4. R.J Hampshire (Hus)…49
5. Nate Thrasher (Yam)…45
6. Seth Hammaker (Kaw)..43
7. Levi Kitchen (Kaw)…39
8. Cullin Park (Hon)…39
9. Carson Mumford (Hon)…37
10. Henry Miller (Hon)…33

• MXA VIDEO TEST: FIRST RIDE ON THE 2025 YAMAHA YZ65

• MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: NIHILO CONCEPTS SELF-LOCKING KTM/HUSKY/ GASGAS NY-LOCK AXLE NUT

Nihilo Concepts self locking Ny-Lock Axle Nut, made from 6061 anodized billet aluminum, ensures that your axle nut will not vibrate loose under extreme conditions.  It fits all KTM/Husqvarna late model big bikes with 22mm axle. Thats includes the 2022-1/2 to 2024 KTM SX/SXF models, 2022-1/2 to 2024 Husqvarna and 2023 GasGas Factory Editions and 2024 models.

Available in 6 different colors. The retail price is $34.95 from www.nihiloconcepts.com.