Support Blue Ribbon Coalition's efforts! This is our front line in the fight for access to public lands. 

https://blueribboncoalition.org/sweepstakes/

Today, we talked with Ben Burr, Executive Director of the Blue Ribbon Coalition. He brought the heat on all subjects today.  This was my favorite public land conversation today date. 

Support DBC when buying all your parts, gear, and tires- 

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/l/Dirt-Bike-Channel?ref=1017

https://dirtbikechannel.com

Support the show

Support DBC when buying all your parts, gear, and tires- 

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/l/Dirt-Bike-Channel?ref=1017

Here is the long version of the review of the Stark Varg MX bike.  

Good

• It's really great on the MX track - Love how smooth the power is and how easy it is to ride there.  
• It's so great that you can dial in the exact amount of power that you want. That is a game changer
• High-speed hill climb bike - it's amazing (not great slow speeds)
• Love that you are always in the right "gear" because there are no gears.  Always right in the power 
• Fastest bike I've ever been on  - and it's stable at speed - it feels really planted
• The range on the bike has gotten better with updates
• Over-the-air updates are cool; got reverse and forward crawl modes - 
• Brakes are great
• Forks are great for desert and MX tracks

Bad

• Feels heavy when you have to lift the bike - both off-ground and on stands
• Worst traction on loose, slow climbs - not great in the tight single-track
• Really sucks the power fast as the track gets lines into it 
• The range for single-track
• No Clutch
• The kickstand is annoying. 
• The charging cable is too short.

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Let's have a chat about maintenance items.  Nobody tells you that if you want to ride dirt bikes you need to also become a mechanic at at least some level, but it's true.  The more things you can do at home in your garage, the more you will ride, the more money you will save, and the better your overall experience is going to be.  But there are some things that I won't (or just don't often) do at home.  Hope you enjoy. 

All your parts, gear, and tires- 

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/l/Dirt-Bike-Channel?ref=1017

BEST Ramp EVER!

https://stepramp.com/

Use my referral code on checkout to support me "KYLE"

While they don't give discounts, it will help support DBC and keep these videos coming. 

Amazon link:

https://www.amazon.com/?tag=dirtbikechann-20&linkCode=ur1

https://dirtbikechannel.com

Support the show

Want to win one of the two bikes I'm giving away?? It's the March 2024 DBC sweepstakes, so make sure to visit my website and get entered!

https://dirtbikechannel.com/

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/l/Dirt-Bike-Channel?ref=1017

Hey, if you want some other content from and you don't mind that it's not about dirt bikes, you might want to check this podcast out!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3-dates-later-podcast/id1727955511
https://threedateslater.com/

Support the show

Want to win one of the two bikes I'm giving away?? It's the March 2024 DBC sweepstakes, so make sure to visit my website and get entered!

https://dirtbikechannel.com/

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/l/Dirt-Bike-Channel?ref=1017

Time to talk about what I learned on the first ride with the Stark Varg.  It's been a long time coming and now I've got some things to share with you!  Let's go!

****
Here is another Project I'm working on, but keep in mind this one is TOTALLY different content, and isn't as family friendly as DBC....
https://threedateslater.com/

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/three-dates-later/id1727955511

Support the show

Thank you so much to Yamaha for inviting me and my son Konnor out to South Carolina for the press event they put on for the YZ450FX, YZ250X, and YZ125X.  What follows is more the experience we had and my thoughts on Yamaha and these bikes in general.  Hope you like it!

Want to win one of the two bikes I'm giving away?? It's the March 2024 DBC sweepstakes, so make sure to visit my website and get entered!

https://dirtbikechannel.com/

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/l/Dirt-Bike-Channel?ref=1017

Another Project I'm working on, but keep in mind this one is TOTALLY different content, and isn't as family friendly as DBC....
https://threedateslater.com/

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/three-dates-later/id1727955511

Support the show

Lets talk for a second about how I came to own a Stark Varg and what my thoughts are taking it out of the box.

Want to win one of the two bikes I'm giving away?? It's the March 2024 DBC sweepstakes, so make sure to visit my website and get entered!

https://dirtbikechannel.com/

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/l/Dirt-Bike-Channel?ref=1017

Support the show

Visit my website for a chance to win either my 2024 KTM 300 XC-W HardEnduro or the 2024 KTM 300 XC before the end of December 2023
https://dirtbikechannel.com/

Order your Parts from this link to support DBC!
https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/l/Dirt-Bike-Channel?ref=1017

In this podcast we talk about many of the "hits" and "misses" on the 2024 model year of the XC-W and the XC from KTM.  Hope you enjoy!

Support the show

Order your Parts from this link to support DBC!

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/l/Dirt-Bike-Channel?ref=1017

Let's spend a few minutes chatting about the KTM TBI motors and how we got here.  Spoiler alert... they are pretty great. 

BEST Ramp EVER!

https://stepramp.com/

Use my referral code on checkout to support me "KYLE"

While they don't give discounts, it will help support DBC and keep these podcasts
 coming. 

I Give Dirt Bikes Away!  See past winners here - 

https://dirtbikechannel.com/pages/past-dirt-bike-winners

Support the show

Order your Parts from this link to support DBC!

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/l/Dirt-Bike-Channel?ref=1017

Ben Burr (Executive Director for Blue Ribbon Coalition) and I talk about the BLM's proposal to sell conservations leases to the highest bidders.  This is bad news for everyone in the USA and needs our attention.  

Three actions we can help with:

1 - Contact the BLM before June 20th

2 - Contact Member of Congress 

3 - Sign the Letter 

https://www.sharetrails.org/withdraw-the-rule/

https://www.sharetrails.org/add-your-organization-to-our-letter-opposing-the-bureau-of-land-management-conservation-rule/

https://www.sharetrails.org/blm-proposed-rule-to-sell-public-land-to-highest-bidder/#/112/

Make sure to visit https://dirtbikechannel.com  in June 2023 to get entered to win my dirt bikes!

Support the show

Order your Parts from this link to support DBC!

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/?ref=1017

Here is my website.  You should check it out!

https://dirtbikechannel.com/

Not many of these things around. Maybe only 500 or so in the USA each year spread across the entire model range.  I'd never seen one in person before getting mine

Hand built and you can see they are just a little different than the more mainstream, mass produced bikes.  I'll tell you what this bike mostly resembles at the end of the podcast here.  Stay tuned for that.

Support DBC by using the links on my website for Rocky Mountain ATV 

This is a sweepstakes bike for June 

I weighed mine at 245 lbs full of fuel.  It came with a rad fan installed and a skid plate, but it didn't cover the linkage.  It also had Estart and the kickstart.  Had hand guards too  That is 6 lbs heavier than my 23 KTM 300 XC, but still pretty darn close.  It's basically identical in weight to my 22 GasGas EC300

Power valve is a little weird since it resets and has to go through it's calibration process each time the bike is started.  The dealer mitigated this for me by installing an arming switch which essentially keeps the power on the bike so that it doesn't know it's shut off.  I can then use this to keep the bike from cycling the power valve calibration each time.

Right off the bat I could tell that the forks and shock are a little stiff for hard enduro or slower riding.  My first and only ride so far was on some pretty rocky terrain.  I was bouncing all over the place.  Removed all clicks and was better, but still not great.  Why do all the bike makers assume we are hard charging racers?

The bike seems fairly front end biased.  Lots of front end traction, but maybe has a tendency to knife the front end down if you arne't careful.  Kinda like the rear end is pretty tall.  Feels more like a single track/hard enduro bike, than a desert machine.  Feels shorter front to back than some of the other bikes I've had recently like the  YZ450FX and the KTM 250 XC

Foot pegs come out flat... makes it easier for my feel to slip off the pegs

Motor is crazy powerful.  Very snappy.  Easy to lift the front wheel off the ground.  Starts really quickly.  I need to adjust my idle up.  Vibrations still there

Brembo brakes, but my front brake needed to be bled out.  I didn't notice it until the night before I went to ride it.  Wasn't great on the trail and I have since bled the air out of the line to make it better for my next ride.

Plastics are a little sharp in places like on the rear fender.  I've nearly cut my hands a couple of times lifting the bike on an off stands.  Seems a little more brittle of a plastic than some of the bikes from what I've seen so far. 

Hands and feet feel close together and the triple clamps don't allow for multiple bar positions.  Maybe you can order it with different triple clamps, but mine did'n't come that way. 

Feels and awful lot like a Sherco 300SE.  Like crazy. there I said it

Support the show

Order your Parts from this link to support DBC!

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/?ref=1017

Enter to win these dirt bikes - https://dirtbikechannel.com/

In this podcast we will go through all the things Tyler can remember doing with the bike from the front to back. Buckle up because this is a lot!

This is the biggest sweepstakes I have ever done.  Every part of this GasGas has been upgraded.  Tyler from @enduro_builds on IG built this beast. We spared no expense and will do a full video on the bike soon.  It's the grand prize and there is over 25K into this bike not including any labor.  

The runner up for the March Sweepstakes will get the 2023 Yamaha YZ450FX, which is a beast in its own right.  What sort of world do we live in when a brand new 450 is the consolation prize?

Support the show

Order your Parts from this link to support DBC!

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/?ref=1017

Last time I had a YZ450 it was a 2014 model. It's been 9 model years. 

Right off the bat I was reminded that Yamaha makes these bikes thinking that moto tracks are the baseline and that you won't encounter rocks or roots. It's pretty darn stiff. So, I took off my handlebars (damn clickers are right under the bars) and loosened things up as much as they'd go.

Bouncing off everything like a pogo stick at first, but it became more manageable afterwards. If you were racing desert in 4th gear, it's likely really good. But I was going in 2nd gear and 3rd gear through some relatively rocky terrain.

Motor - holy crap power! In fact, in the MX power feeling map (the main hot map), it's too much for the terrain I was riding. Talk about wrist and arm fatigue. It just wears you out since every bump or minor twist of the throttle is like when the Saturn 5 rocket ignites to send you to the moon. 

There is too much power here for mere mortals riding tight trails, or rocky trails. It's just too much hit. I'm sorry, but it's true.

Luckily, Yamaha has the power tuner app and I was able to really make a difference to the power

This might be the best reason to buy the Yamaha over the Honda, KTM, or the Kawi. Ability to make meaningful changes to the power right out on the trail. Why don't they all do this? Makes no sense.

When you soften the motor, it also seems to soften the feel of the rear end of the bike. I know it sounds strange, but it's not the first time I've felt it on a bike either. 

Support the show

Order your Parts from this link to support DBC!

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/?ref=1017

Here is my website.  You should check it out!

https://dirtbikechannel.com/

I was on record clear back in 2018 when KTM first released their TPI 2 stroke saying it would save the 2 stroke dirt bike

Now it's 6 model years later and we've got the next iteration of fuel injected 2 strokes and it's throttle body injected and it's amazing

2023 XC (and SX) models are getting the simpler version without the oil pump to fail

2024 Enduro models might end up having oil injection with the TBI... not confirmed, but likely. This would satisfy both camps of oil pumpers and non pumpers... just coined that term now!

Premix oil in the gas on the XC bikes and oil injection on the Enduro models?

Also electronic power valve to give crazy crisp throttle response and delivery - these are the most powerful 2 stroke engines I've ever been around.

Are they too hot?  Only time will tell

Love that you can adjust the idle right on the throttle body - that was so annoying with the TPI bikes.

TPI bikes - some tuning required..... TBI bikes nope.  My 125, 250, and 300 all run crazy good.

Support the show

Support the podcast by grabbing all your Dirt Bike Gear at Rocky Mountain ATV/MC using this link.  It won't cost you a dime, but it will give us a referral bonus to keep all the content flowing!
https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/?ref=1017

Today Dustin Ferguson and I will be talking about how racing enduro style races has really been beneficial to Dustin and his riding.  We'll mostly focus on "enduro" events and he'll make a pretty good case for me to want to try this as my first type of racing event, should that occur.  Hope you enjoy the show.

Support the show

Order your Parts from this link to support DBC!

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/l/Dirt-Bike-Channel?ref=1017

Sam Bennion returns to the show and we will discuss, and solve, all the biggest problems and features in dirt bikes today!

- Is the KTM 500 the best all around dirt bike for EVERYTHING?

- Electric Dirt Bikes - are you in or out?

-  Factory Suspension - is this worth it?

Support the show

Order your Parts from this link to support DBC!

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/l/Dirt-Bike-Channel?ref=1017

Great to have another Sherco!

There is something about the way they sound

Gravely - older - sounds kinda like my old CR250R

MotoXperts jetted the thing before it left the shop! Who does that???

Likes

• This 250 feels more like a 300 - yesterday I was lugging the crap out of it on the trails
• simple, carb bike, not many frills... Just runs
• Starts Really fast - that is a breath of fresh air after coming off some of the other bikes
• Feels really agile in the front end even though the forks are pretty low in the triple clamps. I could raise them even more and get it to feel even lighter. Since I'm running Mnt single track this summer, I might try that since generally the speeds are slower there.
• Comes with factory installed radiator fan - great! It runs a lot when riding the slower stuff, don't get to program when it comes on, but it also shuts off when the ignition stops. Good.

Don't like as much

• I honestly think the suspension is valved a touch stiff for the really rocky nasty stuff - it's more in line for faster desert stuff, but the geometry feels like it's designed to go slow
• Vibrates a lot more than the counterbalanced Austrian bikes - you get used to it though.
• Clutch feels heavier than on a KTM/Husky/GasGas bike. Finger fatigue 
• More of a cramped feel in the cockpit. I think it would be great if you are 5'10" and under. I'm 6 feel and it feels too small.
• Pegs take getting used to, but I installed the Fastway pegs and they create another problem with my feet - pressure point
• Don't like the Michelin tires that come on the bike
• Grip compound is hard for me. 
• I will likely try to find some short bar risers to get a little more comfort there
• has great bottom end power, but seems to sign off quicker, or get flatter quicker than my KTM 250 XC. 
• Fuel petcock is in a weird spot

Support the show

Here is my website.  You should check it out!

https://dirtbikechannel.com/

Order your Parts from this link to support DBC!

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/l/Dirt-Bike-Channel?ref=1017

In this podcast we go over the Great, the Good, the Needs Improvement, and the Misses of the 2022 GasGas EC 300.  Hope you enjoy!

Support the show

https://allkidsbike.org/

Strider Education Foundation started in 2017.  

Mission of All Kids Bike

Why the program is important.

·              ¾ of kids in the US wont ride a bicycle even once this year.

·              Importance of Balance https://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/11/prweb10178397.htm

·              Health of population

How do schools get the program? (Steps)

·              cost

·              How funds are raised

·              whats included

 National Ambassadors (what they do, who they are)

Importance of learning to ride for the motorcycle/offroad community.

·              Bike riding is the 1st rung on the ladder.

·              If kids don’t learn to ride a bike and develop that love early they wont ride motorcycles.  

·              This will drastically effect trails and riding area availability for future generations less demand = Less trails

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Being cold on a ride can really dampen things.  I can think back in a number of rides when the cold really took the fun out of things.  Most of the time, this happens at the beginning or the ending of a day.  We have some real challenges:

• early mornings
• late evenings
• High elevation amplifies the temps swings
• Usually soaked with sweat throughout all my clothing
• really slow parts with high heart rate where body generates a lot of heat
• Then a really fast section that makes me feel totally hypothermic
• then followed by another slow section to keep me from freezing

Torso - Lots of small layers that are easy to remove and put back on.  Easy to store in your pack.

Here are some I really like:
https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/riding-gear/fly-racing-lightweight-long-sleeve-base-layer-shirt-p?ref=1017



Gloves - 
Here are a couple of great options:

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/riding-gear/100%25-brisker-gloves-p?ref=1017
https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/riding-gear/fox-racing-legion-thermo-gloves-p?ref=1017


Bottom Layers

• I've gotten in the habit of wearing  base layers on my legs even in the summer. 
  • Helps to prevent chaffing of my legs with the knee guards or knee braces I'm wearing
  • Moisture wicking in the summer
  • a little extra insulation in the winter.  but I don't do more than one layer so that I'm not getting bunch up issues.  I don't find that I lose a ton of heat out of my lower body
  • 
    
• Good Winter pants

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/riding-gear/fly-racing-lightweight-base-layer-pant-p?ref=1017

Boots

• I used to think that I should make an extra attempt to keep my feet dry when it's cold.  Don't drop them in a river.  
  • while this is a good idea, my socks are COMPLETELY SOAKED when I get back to the truck most of the time because of sweat... so I don't worry about it as much anymore.   I just keep a fresh pair of socks back at the truck to change into. 

Support the show

Here is a rebroadcast of an episode we did a couple of years ago about getting stronger with strength training and what that might do for us.

Let's do a thought experiment.  Imagine what your life would be like if you were the same size and weight, but you were 10 times stronger than you are now.  Everything you do would be easier.  Picking up the kids, getting groceries, doing chores around the house, and yes... riding your dirt bike would be easier.  You would be more durable, have less aches and pains, possibly prevent injuries, all while looking and feeling better about yourself.

When Bill Hannon reached out to me with this thought experiment, he hooked me for a chat.  Of course we don't want to become NFL linebackers, but could many of us stand to become a little stronger?  I know I could.  Bill is a mechanical engineer turned strength and conditioning coach, oh and he's a dirt bike rider too.  That gives him a unique perspective on this subject.  I hope you enjoy the conversation.

Follow Bill online -
Instagram - @engineered_strength
https://www.engineeredstrength.com/

Support the show

https://dirtbikechannel.com/

Order your Parts from this link to support DBC!

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/l/Dirt-Bike-Channel?ref=1017

2022 Honda CRF450RX
It's my 1st 450 in about 6 years.  A lot has changed in that time.  Most of it has been me.  

We get more efficient on the bikes and while I'm certainly not a top level rider, I'm also not a beginner anymore.  The first 450 I had nearly snuffed out my desire to ride.  The second one was better, but it was still wresting a bear.  

Now starting my 11th year (depending on how we count), the CRF450RX  is like growing up and meeting that old bully from high school.  This time, you aren't scared of him.  This time,  you are looking at him eye to eye without fear and without pretense.  You've grown, you've gotten stronger, and you have confidence.  You know the only way he can hurt you is if you let him hurt you.  You are in control now and it makes all the difference. 

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Let's dig in here with the 2022 GasGas EC 300.  I've got 3-4 hours on the bike and these are my initial impressions.

https://dirtbikechannel.com/

Order your Parts from this link to support DBC!

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/l/Dirt-Bike-Channel?ref=1017

Support the show

Story time to set the stage on my background with stabilizers

I'll do my best to answer the following questions

1. makes the bike easier to ride and control?
2. saves you from crashing mid crash?

We will also cover some things you can do to make your bike more stable WITHOUT using a steering stabilizer/dampener

Order your Parts from this link to support DBC!

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/l/Dirt-Bike-Channel?ref=1017

To Enter Visit The current sweepstakes  -
https://dirtbikechannel.com/

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In today's episode we are going to cover 3 possible classes of riders and how they feel about fuel injection on 2 strokes.  Namely, they are the purists of the sport, the realists of the sport, and the saviors of the sport.  

Let's dig in!

Order your Parts from this link to support DBC!

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/l/Dirt-Bike-Channel?ref=1017

To Enter Visit The current sweepstakes (we are 1 month on and 1 month off most of the time) - https://dirtbikechannel.com/

Support the show