Johnson City's Brown gives Husqvarna first Endurocross win

Johnson City Press

April 10th, 2015 10:48 pm by Jeff Birchfield

 

Racing for a brand better known for its chain saws than motorcycles, Mike Brown cut the competition down to size at the latest GEICO Endurocross Series race in Salt Lake City.

The Johnson City rider’s No. 3 Husqvarna was the fastest bike all weekend during the series’ most recent race. After being the best on the holeshot for a second straight event, Brown led the entirety of the race, which included successfully navigating his way through obstacles of rocks and blocks of wood.

“It had been a year since I had won a race so it was good to be back on the winning podium again,” Brown said. “It was a good day, started out good in practice and I won everything all day long. It was good for sure to get back up there.”

It was a big win for the Husqvarna brand which is trying to make itself better known in the United States for its motorcycles as well as the outdoor power equipmment.

Brown, who enjoyed great success, racing under the KTM banner, talked about a 1-2 Husky finish with his teammate Colton Haaker.

“It was the first time Husky had won an Endurocross race like that and they’re pushing it harder than the other brands,” Brown said. “I was glad to be the first one to get them the win like that.”

It’s another milestone in Brown’s legendary career.

He was the AMA 125cc motocross national champion back in 2001.

Eight years later, he captured the World Off Road Championship Series title and has added two X Games gold medal and five gold medals from the International Six Days Enduro, an event that was first held in 1913 and has been called the “Olympics of Motorcycling.”

The 44-year-old continues to not only race, but outperform riders half his age. He is currently third in the series’ point standings with the next event scheduled for May 1 in Las Vegas.

“I hope we can challenge for the championship,” Brown said. “I’ve got three more weeks of good practice riding before the next race. I would like be in the lead after the next race, but it’s a long season and the goal is to be consistent, to be up there each and every week. If you can stay close to the front every week, you have a good chance of winning.”

In Endurocross, it’s even more important than motocross to limit the number of mistakes.

“I know some of the guys are so good at getting through the technical stuff,” Brown said. “It’s harder for me to do that, but last weekend I just did the best I could with no mistakes. I was quick on the rest of the track so it worked out.”

As far as the dreadied retirement word, Brown said it’s not in his plans right now. As long as he’s healthy and competitive, it remains fun to compete on a national stage.

“I still love riding and I still love racing,” Brown said. “I do the proper training and I’m still not burned out on it. I don’t think I could still do the motocross like I was, but this still feels new to me and I still enjoy it.”

One motocross event he would love to do is the AMA Tennessee National at his home track of Muddy Creek. However, that race on June 6 will again conflict with the dates of the X Games to be held in Austin, Texas.

Beyond his racing career, Brownie is serving as a coach to some of the younger riders including a pair from Argentina.

Brown is arguably the most well-rounded rider in history, competing at the highest levels in motocross, Supercross and even in endurance races like the Baja 1000.

As he has evolved as a racer, so has his equipment. The Husqvarna FE 350 he currently rides is far advanced from the bikes he started out with.

“Nowadays, the kids are training hard and pushing the bikes harder than ever before,” he said. “Everything about the bikes have changed. The engines are faster, but the suspension is the main thing.”

For now, he’s proving that an old veteran can handle the new bikes just as well as the young, fearless kids. The latest shot of confidence has Brown feeling like he’s one of those kids again.

“As a rider, you kind of get down when you’re not doing well, and feel like you’re losing a little bit,” he said. “But after winning, it gives you another boost. I think I will keep going as long as I have a chance to be up there on the podium and riding my best. I don’t want to be back in sixth, seventh, eighth-place all the time. When it’s like that, it will be time to call it a day.”

Controversial Dade City motocross compound approved

The Tampa Tribune

By Laura Kinsler | Tribune Staff
Published: April 9, 2015   |   Updated: April 10, 2015 at 12:08 AM

DADE CITY — Pasco commissioners approved a new permit for motocross star Chad Reed’s personal training compound east of Dade City, but only after the rider agreed to reduce the number of hours he could ride on Saturdays.

Reed owns the 63-acre compound on Duck Lake Canal Road. The property has two outdoor replicas of indoor supercross tracks, a meandering 11-acre motocross track and a mile-long paved track, which he uses to race go-karts.

The vote resolves a years-long legal battle between Reed and the county, and gives some relief to neighbors who say the noise from Reed’s training tracks is a constant annoyance.

“We think this is a great solution,” attorney Barbara Wilhite said of the mediated settlement.

Chairman Ted Schrader and several other commissioners visited the neighborhood to hear firsthand what they’ve been complaining about since Reed bought the property 11 years ago. Schrader pressed the Reed camp to give up riding on weekends, but Wilhite refused.

She said Reed needs the flexibility to be able to train on weekends if weather disrupts his training regimen during the week. She also pointed out that the go-kart track is a recreational activity and something he enjoys with his friends and family on the weekends. They agreed to cut the permitted training time on Saturdays from four hours to two hours.

The settlement also requires Reed to monitor all of the racing activity with time-stamp video and to keep the records for at least a month.

The permit allows Reed and his friends to ride up to five dirt bikes at a time, as long as they don’t exceed the maximum sound limit set by the American Motorcyclist Association, 116 decibels. It also specifies the hours and days Reed can use the tracks. He is not permitted to train at all on Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Mother’s Day or Father’s Day.

Assistant County Attorney Kristi Sims, who sued Reed in 2013 on behalf of the neighbors, said the video component of the agreement is critical to assure Reed complies with the riding conditions.

“I hope you understand that code enforcement cannot run out there at 8:15 at night to determine if someone is riding on the tracks,” she said.

Wilhite said county inspectors had already used the system to investigate a code complaint. “My client wasn’t happy about spending thousands of dollars on video surveillance equipment, but I told him it would protect him from unfounded claims — and it did,” Wilhite said.

Attorney Len Johnson represented the Larkin family, who live next to the compound, and spoke in favor of the agreement.

“Don’t get the impression we’re delighted with a motorcycle track next door — we’d rather have crickets and cows,” he said. “We understand the legal reality of where we are. We understand property rights.”

In other business, commissioners adopted a new interlocal agreement with the Pasco sheriff’s office that codifies the changes at the 911 Communications Center that were requested by Sheriff Chris Nocco. Adding new positions, such as assistant 911 director and quality assurance manager, will cost about $300,000 a year.

“This will save lives,” Nocco said.

Both Nocco and County Administrator Michele Baker said the negotiation marked a new chapter in their working relationship, which had reached a low point last month.

“I think this is a foretell of the way our relationship is going to go from now on,” Baker said.

lkinsler@tampatrib.com

More Power or Better Suspension?

If you have been riding as long as most of the readers of this website you recognize that better suspension is usually the correct ansewer to going faster. Better suspension also usually means fewer unintended impacts with the ground. Modern suspensions have become spectacularly good, however, they have also become far more complex. These days it is pretty easy to get more power out of your engine, sometimes all it takes is a pipe but dialing in your suspension can be a lot more time consuming and complicated. You can spend months, even years trying to set up your suspension properly but never get it right. Many riders waste valuable riding time messing with all the clicker combinations their friends tell them to try. They usually end up looking for a suspension shop to bail them out. This can be both costly and time consuming. A solution is to find an honest, knowledgeable, experienced suspension expert that is willing to listen to what you want. If you are really fortunate you find someone that is close and will meet you at your local track for adjustments. There is nothing quite like having your bike set up just for you. Your riding will be a lot more fun. Weather you are a trail rider or a racer a good suspension guy is priceless! 

If you live in northern CA or are coming thru this area you are in luck. Buck Gerolamy runs Suspension By Buck in Sacramento, CA. He has been learning and practicing his trade for 15+ years. He worked for nearly ten years in the number one Race Tech shop in the country before taking the plunge and opening his own business. Buck's philosophy is simple "I want my customers to have fun riding".

Many suspension guys are really good at the tech side of suspension but they don't know a lot about actually riding. Buck is different he is good at both. He has twenty years riding experience, trail riding, cross country, mx even super moto at the pro level. He has earned a WORCS championship and even done some TT. When you are trying to explain to Buck how your bike is handling you can rest assured he understands. One of the really nice things about working with Buck is his ability to work with all levels of riding skills. He treats everyone with respect and does not try to over impress with his extensive knowledge. His willingness to meet riders at local tracks and fine tune their suspension is a valuable service. Buck is very familiar with the local tracks having ridden on them many times in his career. Nothing short of works suspension beats personal suspension service to really dial in your ride.

Suspension is the focus but SBB is really everything for motorcycles. Engine work, wheel lacing, race prep just about anything for bikes. If you want to improve your suspension performance call Buck. It doesn't matter if you have a new 2015 KX450F or a vintage CR Buck will get it working smoother!

Suspension By Buck -916-910-3532

suspensionbybuck@att.net

Motocross racing returns to Caroline Bay sand

Sounds as if getting mx tracks open in NZ is as challenging as getting them open in the US. However, more and more attempts are being made around the world to open new tracks. Why...just look at the smile on this boys face for the answer.

 

Mytchall Bransgrove/Fairfax NZ

South Canterbury Motorcycle Club event organiser Andrew Richardt gives Harvee King-Brookland, 9, some tips for riding.

Motocross racing is returning to the sandy setting of Caroline Bay for the first time in 13 years this Saturday.

The South Canterbury Motorcycle Club has been given permission by Ecan and the Timaru District Council to hold one of its monthly motocross club days on the Benvenue Cliffs end of the beach.

After it being on an almost annual basis from 1996 to 2002, a club day has not been held at the beach since, but some of the new blood to the club encouraged them to have a go at doing it again.

Event organiser Andrew Richardt said the novelty factor would mean there would be close to 150 riders, some who were coming from Christchurch, turning up to test their skills on Saturday.

"A lot of people have never rode on sand before and it's very different to riding on dirt. To get your bike around a sand course is very, very physical. Not only that, but every lap is different because the track changes in every lap you do."

Part of the reason Richardt has campaigned to bring motocross back to the bay is to get it into the public eye and he encouraged anyone who wanted to have a look to come down to see what it was all about.

The day would not be too competitive, with kids as young as 4 and veterans as old as 60 turning out in nine different classes, he said.

Three classes of mini-motocross bikes will be going, two junior classes, two senior classes, one veterans class and one clubman's class for those who do not have much experience at riding a motocross bike, he said.

To appease neighbouring residents concerned at the noise, the club had to do a letter drop beforehand, as well as advertise the event in the paper.

Richardt had initially wanted to hold it at the end of January when the drought had dried out most of the motocross dirt tracks in the region, but was turned down because of fears it might disturb Timaru's little blue penguin colony.

With the birds now out at sea, April was as good a time as any to hold it, he said.

"We weren't sure what the council would be like when we went in to suggest this, we were a bit worried about red tape, but they've actually been pretty good about it."

With low tide forecast for 2.30pm, the event would begin at 1pm and run to 5pm. About half the beach will be taken up with the bikes racing around inside a cordoned area, Richardt said.

 - The Timaru Herald

New From Fly...Summer Riding In Style!

Summer is just around the corner. Temps will be rising and the new Kinetic Mesh Gear is exactly what you need to keep cool during your hot motos.

Visit Fly Racing for a look at all the new cool riding gear from Fly.

Tube Saddle...The Beginning!

One of the great things about our sport is all of the innovative ideas that spring up from guys just wanting to solve a problem. Many times the big companies don't even recognize the problem exists. I'll bet no matter what kind of riding you do you have experienced "pinch flats". I've had plenty and their not much of a problem if I can see my truck. However, if you are 25 miles from nowhere they are a big problem. Here is a little background on the evolution of a new product that solves the pinch flat problem. #33 is testing the tubesaddle as I write this. A report will soon follow.

Tube Saddle

For the last 30 years I have been riding and racing Off-Road Motorcycles. In my early days as a beginner, I didn’t know much about tire pressure, and would just run whatever tire pressure my friends told me. Like many of you, I would be out on a ride and occasionally hit something that caused an immediate flat tire. While replacing or patching the inner tube, I was surprised that often the inner tube would have a leak in a spot on the inside of the tube adjacent the rim. It seemed odd to me, but somebody eventually explained that on impact it is the bead of the tire pushing into the center of the rim and catching the inner tube, causing a “pinch flat.”

As I progressed from beginner to expert, I started experimenting with running low tire pressure, usually about 10psi. I loved the improved traction and the fact that the bike would not deflect or bounce when hitting rocks. However, from time to time I would still get the classic pinch flat, even with running heavier duty inner tubes. Everyone told me not to run the low pressure, to stay up around 12-16psi with heavy duty tubes to avoid pinch flats. So I went along with the conventional wisdom for some 16 years, putting up with the poor traction and deflection issues, wishing there was a way to run low tire pressure.

Along came the solid foam insert, or Mousse Bib as they are known. I thought about going this route while racing, but I never did. For me, they were expensive and looked like a real pain to install. I also found out that they generally only last for about 400 miles or so, as they break down they become softer and softer. Like most riders, the solid foam insert was not for me.

Then came along tire balls. The concept looked pretty sound, and in fact I raced the Baja 1000 in 2004 with tire balls in the front tire. It worked great, however there were some things about tire balls that kept me from using them. For one, it looked like a pain to install, and if you did not like the “pressure” after you installed it, you’d have to disassemble the whole thing and adjust the pressure in each individual ball. Because of the non-friendly adjustability of tire balls, I never went this route.

After tire balls, along came the “tube less” system. It seemed like a well engineered and thought out product, but the more I heard from people who had tried it, I learned its drawbacks. First, it only really works well with a brand new tire, not a good used tire. Second, if it does fail out on the trail, you might not get the pneumatic seal to seat again out on the trail. I have heard of dual sport riders who, on a two day ride, end up packing up and leaving on the first day because their “tube less” system failed.  My confirmation of this was when I saw one abandoned way out on a trail.  Being able to service a flat tire on the trail is important, not just to you, but to your riding buddies. So I never went this route either.

So for years, I raced and rode with heavy duty tubes at tire pressures much  higher than I really wanted.

Something came to me. Why not solve the pinch flat problem that occurs with conventional inner tubes? Every previous attempt to solve the “low pressure pinch flat dilemma” involved getting rid of the inner tube, which necessitated an entirely new learning curve for mounting whatever system you try. Making thicker and heavier inner tubes doesn’t always work, and quite frankly is a very lame approach to the problem.

About five years ago I started experimenting with an insert to solve the pinch flat dilemma. It was such radical thinking at the time, most of my riding buddies thought I was nuts, and so did I. However, after riding and racing with my inserts for five years running 8psi front and rear without one pinch flat, I knew I was on to something.

In 2014, I made the commitment to develop my “radically nutty concept” into a product. My goal was to keep the price as low as possible so as to reach the widest market of riders. After extensive testing with numerous materials, prototypes, and riders, I finally developed a product ready for sale. It is reasonably priced, extremely light, easy to install, easy to adjust the pressure to your liking, and serviceable on the trail. This is what I have been looking for the last 20 years, and now it’s here.

I firmly believe those who try my product won’t be disappointed.

Sincerely,

James Curry
Inventor of Tube Saddle ^®

You can learn more by visiting Jim's site at www.tubesaddle.com 

Easter Break

With a break in the Supercross schedule I thought this video I found on the internet might hold us over until the action returns.

This All-Action Edit Encapsulates Every Single Reason We Should All Love Motocross 

There are some edits that make you want to get back on your bike immediately. There are others than make you so glad to be a part of motocross you go outside and start stuffing your face with dirt, despite the fact it’ll probably make you projectile vomit later.

Some edits meanwhile make you appreciate how sick the pros really are, and others just leave you with a giant grin after watching some of the best in the world stomp jumps that you know for certain would leave you in hospital.

 

This video comes from Derek Hallman. It’s an edit clipped together from some amazing moto moments from recent and past times, and it pretty much fits into all of the categories I’ve listed above. We seriously don’t advice that you eat any dirt though, no matter how overwhelming the urge may be.

Seriously, this edit is packed with so much style it should be designing suits for Armani. This, people, is why we love motocross – and we reckon after watching, you’ll definitely agree:

1.7 Cleaning Products Enters Third Year

1.7 Cleaning Solutions is a premier cleaning brand for off-road motorcycle care. Celebrating its third year, the 1.7 product line has proven to be easy to use and incredibly effective for both professional and weekend use. There are fourteen motorcycle formulas that have been developed, tested, and used by the top teams in the off-road racing world. The line ranges and offers a variety of wash degreasers and pre ride treatments; brake rotor and parts cleaners, polishes, adhesive and graphics solutions, and hand care wipes.

The accessories include microfiber clothes, sponges, and brush kits that help to access small areas and leave the cleaning experience stress free! Check out the complete line and make your own opinion with our complete satisfaction guarantee policy on all of our 1.7 products. 

1.7 has also formulated a full line of cycling cleaners and lubricants. For those who spend there off-time riding and racing road or mountain bikes, the line incorporates ten user-friendly formulas that will leave your bike protected and clean. 

View and purchase 1.7 Cleaning Solutions & Lubricants today at https://www.matrixracingproducts.com/1-7-cleaning

New Riding Gear From Fly

Take a minute to watch this high energy look at the new spring release of Fly riding gear.

Visit Fly Racing for details

Dick Burleson to be Honored at Detroit SX

The Legends and Heroes Tour proudly salutes AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame member Dick Burleson during a special pre-race ceremony Saturday evening March 21 during opening ceremony for Saturday evening's Detroit Supercross.

Dick Burleson didn't follow the normal route to motorcycle racing stardom by learning to ride at a very young age as many of his contemporaries did. Burleson was born in 1948 in Johnson City, Tennessee and at age 2 his family relocated to St. Joseph, Michigan, but it wasn't until he was 18 and purchased a used Honda 90 to commute to his summer job that he finally started riding. Soon he and his bike were off to college at the University of Michigan where he connected with a group of off-road riders that had taken over a gravel pit near campus. Not knowing any better, Burleson joined in, riding his little 90cc Honda street bike at the gravel pit. A competitor by nature, it didn't take long for him to discover his natural talent for off-road riding.

By the late 1960s, Burleson had entered the burgeoning sport of motocross, winning several district and national amateur MX championships before turning Pro and entering the Trans-AMA Motocross Series in 1970. In his first season as a professional motocrosser, Burleson finished fourth overall in the Trans-AMA - top American in the series. This earned him the title of "American Motocross Champion" (this was in the years preceding the AMA National Motocross Series).

Having excelled in motocross, Burleson began competing in AMA National Enduro events, which at that time were equal, if not greater, in importance to motocross racing. He enjoyed this different form of competition that tested his bike skills, fitness and analytical abilities. In 1971, John Penton invited Burleson to race on the American Trophy team that was competing in the International Six Days Trial (ISDT) at the Isle of Man. Despite the fact that a mechanical failure resulted in a DNF, Burleson was enthusiastic about representing his country in international competition.

The following year, Burleson was invited to participate in the ISDT again, this time in Czechoslovakia. Burleson finished impressively with a bronze medal and the American team was awarded the Watling Trophy for its improved performance.

After graduating from college, Burleson moved to Ohio to take a job as eastern service manager for Husqvarna. In 1973, Burleson was a part of the US team that earned America's only ISDT Silver Vase victory. After the ISDT, which was held in Massachusetts that year, Burleson began riding a prototype Husqvarna 350cc that had been left behind by the Swedish team for the US Husky distributor. Burleson, who had been accustomed to riding 125cc and 175cc bikes, found the more powerful 350 perfectly suited to his riding style. He ended the 1973 season by wining three-straight AMA national enduros. By his retirement in 1981, Dick Burleson had captured a record-setting eight AMA Naitonal Enduro Championship titles.

Saturday evening's pre-race ceremony Dick Burleson will be presented with the Legends and Heroes award on the Monster Energy Supercross Podium. King Richard will also be presented a personally monogrammed Rockwell watch to commemorate the event.

For more information on the Legends & Heroes Tour, contact Alex Moroz at: alex@legendsandheroestour.org or visit www.LegendsAndHeroesTour.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LegendsAndHeroesTour