2024 U.S. Dirt Bike Events

Riding 80-100 miles in a day on a dirt bike takes a toll on your body and your bike. I have found there are ways to make the journey a little easier and more forgiving on your body. The last dual sport that I attended after the first day of over 100 miles my body was feeling it, especially my left wrist. I didn't wreck and hurt my wrist it was just the constant jarring while riding and holding up my weight on down hills. Needless to say, the second day of riding wasa little painful and not so smooth.

I figure I have a few options in order to address this issue. One is exercise and build up my wrist which has helped in the past but that doesn't eliminate the constant pounding that my wrists are taking while riding. So my other choice was to try out Flexx Handlebars which have a built in dampener that allows the handle bars to flex which absorbs the force of you pushing down on them instead of your wrist. When I first got on my bike to try out the the new bars I could tell something was different but couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was. Then I realized that the vibrations in my hands were greatly reduced .  This was added bonus to the rest of the day of riding and trying out the new bars. The property that I rode that day has both a motocross track and woods trail. On the motocross track I could tell that the bars were flexing on the landings which helped the in-pact to my upper body and wrist, but I ride about 99% in the woods so seeing a big change on jumps was not going to happen due to my inexperience with jumps. The most noticeable difference for me was on some single track in the woods. When going over rocks and roots it was like you had another suspension on the front end. The bars would flex just enough to absorb the force placed on them from the bouncing of your body weight, and the pushing up of the bike but not so much that it would throw you off balance. You couldn't tell that they were flexing or moving at all but you could tell they were taking the pounding out of the terrain. I now wish that I had these bars a few weeks prior, and my second day of the Baby Burr could have been as fun as the first. Other advantages the bars offer, that I would call bonuses besides the lower vibration, is the fact that the bars I have are around 1 inch narrower so no need to cut down, but they have more room to mount items like Roll Chart and mirrors.

Although I haven't had the chance to try out these bars on a dual sport or race yet, I can see how they can help with fatigue and abuse. For riders that have been hurt in the past I can see how these bars would help reduce impact and allow for longer, more comfortable ride. The aspect that I didn't talk much about so far but that is worth mentioning, is the ergonomic improvements these bars made; specifically the attack position on the bike and the over all feel of the bike. Ergonomic concern is something that I know exist in dirt bike riding but how the sweep and bend of bars can help or hurt is no way my area of expertise. Cole Townsend from Fasst Company explained it to me, and helped me pick out the correct bars for my riding style, height, and current bars I'm using and hit a home run with getting me the correct set up. I understand these bars are not cheap, but what is when it comes to rider comfort and gaining that competitive edge over other riders.  If you have any question on which bar will suit you best contact the guys at Fasst Company at 877-306-1801 or visit them on the web at www.fasstco.com. They will help you choose the right set of bars to match your riding style while helping to improve the ergonomics of your bike. 

Update-After completing a full season using Flexx Handlebars I found that the stress on my upper body was reduced, and the second day of riding was more comfortable since my wrist were not hurting. The other advantage I found was in tight single track due to the shorter width of the bars. Its amazing how 1 inch narrower bars can make that much of a difference. In all I'm very pleased with these bars, and every bike I own will have a set from here on out. 

Disclosure
*I was not financially compensated for this post. I received a sample for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.*

As any motorcyclist knows, off road riding can be hard on your machine. Whether you are racing, riding single track, or cruising fire trails, there are always rocks, limbs, and roost to contend with on the ride. One area that is very prone to damage is the cooling system. Damage to a radiator out on the trail can leave you stranded and light in the wallet.

One of the best upgrades you can do to your off-road or dual sport motorcycle is to install a set of radiator guards. When I looked to adding some protection to the cooling system on my Kawasaki KLX250, I contacted Brian Bennett at Unabiker Racing for a set of radiators guards / braces. Unabiker offers a variety of solutions to protect the radiators on a wide range of brands and models.  Even though my bike was seven years old, guards for it were readily available in a variety of finishes.

I passed on the bare aluminum and gold anodized options, and ordered a set of black anodized radiator guards. Upon receipt 2 days later, I observed that the guards were packaged in heavy plastic, with all parts separated to protect the finish, along with hardware and an instruction sheet.

Upon opening the package to read the instructions and see how the parts fit together, I was very impressed with the workmanship. All items were properly de-burred, the support rods were properly finished with small chamfers on both ends and the threaded holes were tapped to the proper depth and were free of chips and debris. The anodizing and overall appearances were first class as well.

The sheet metal parts have sufficient slots that are CNC machined to a specific pattern and spacing to allow adequate air flow, yet stop rocks and limbs from damaging the radiators. The aluminum parts are not excessively thick at .080, but their shape and the formed flanges make for very stiff components. The custom machined parts are supplemented nicely with a selection of stainless steel fasteners required to complete the assembly.


Installation
I started the installation with a thorough reading of the instructions and matching up the parts. I recommend that you match up where each part will go and verify the hole patterns before starting. This step helps to clarify the orientation of the parts and will make the assembly go smoother.  Also, as items are assembled, it is best to thread in all of the screws a few turns before fully tightening any of them.

Considering that the KLX is a dual sport model, there are additional items to consider when fitting a set of radiator guards to this bike. The design of the Unabiker guards allows the horn and fan to remain in their original positions and be fully functional. Also, a possible interference with the front reflectors has been cleverly resolved by moving them to opposite sides, effectively moving them up about 2 inches.

The first step in the installation is to bolt the support rods into the inside face of the radiator face guards. After removing the stock louvers and shrouds, the radiators are unbolted and the face guards are slipped between the radiator flanges and the frame. Unabiker Racing provides button head caps screws that are 5 mm longer than the stock fasteners to accommodate the additional thickness of the flange. The stock fasteners could have worked, but the reduced thread engagement could lead to problems. This is another small detail that makes this product stand out.

The next step was to bolt on the brace that ties the frame to the side of the radiators. The rear attachment point is fixed to the frame via the fuel tank bolts, whereas the front screws thread into the outer ends of the support rods. The last step is to re-install the factory shrouds and double check all fasteners.

While each of the components is sufficiently strong as single item, the strength and rigidity of the assembly is superb and provides protection against blows from all directions.

Pros

• Rock solid protection at minimal weight.
• Radiators do not require draining to install guards.
• Excellent workmanship and attention to detail.
• Made in the USA

Opportunities for improvement

I would suggest labeling or engraving each component to clarify part type and orientation. This addition could be helpful for people who are installing a product like this for the first time.

Summary
Time will tell how these guards hold up over the long haul. But considering I have a 2003 Yamaha WR450 equipped with Unabiker guards that have protected the radiators for nearly 10 years, I am confident that this set will protect the KLX250 cooling system in a similar fashion. Find out more or get a set of your own by going to www.unabiker.com Also receive Free Shipping by ordering your set by phone at (574)-626-3150 and mentioning Usdualsports.com.


Disclosure
*I was not financially compensated for this post. I received a sample for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.*

Knowing how to change a dirt bike tire not only saves you money, but is also very useful if you have a flat on the trail.  Less than half of my riding buddies think they can change a tire. But this is only because, like many people, they have never done it or think its too hard. On the other side of the equation, guys like myself that do their own tire changes are always looking for an easier way to perform the task. The hardest part for me is usually spooning on the last few inches of the tire and it seems to have the highest chance of pinching a tube. Therefore no matter what level tire changer you are, a tool to make tire changes easier is helpful for everyone.
Disclosure
*I was not financially compensated for this post. I received a sample for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.*

Many of us use our dual sport dirt bikes and motorcycles to commute to and from work. One issue that always came up for me was where to put a lunchbox and other items like a jacket. On cooler days I didn't mind wearing a backpack, but on warm summer days I used a Bike Master Stretch Net. The 6 J-Hooks hold great to a fender or a cargo rack or you can even wrap the net around your fender and attach the hooks together. (Purchase)

I wasn't expecting to be writing a review tonight, especially after riding over 150 miles the last couple of days.  However with the evidence I've seen of a a product working as well as these thumb savers, I feel like sharing this information as soon as possible will hopefully save a few riders from some not-so-pleasant blisters.  I have always used thumb savers during dirt bike rides in the past due to the horrible blisters that I would get if I didn't.  But before my last ride I was working on the bike and forgot to put one on my clutch grip, and somehow neglected to notice that it was missing when I packed up for this weekend's ride.  After two full days of riding, you can see from the picture that my left (clutch) hand suffered a popped blister.  This will definitely serve as a reminder for me to check that I have both thumb savers before leaving for the next ride! To keep your palms blister free check out our review on Palm Savers.

Find A Set Of Your Own
KTM Grip Donuts Doughnuts-$10.29

First Impressions
The Pro Taper MX Pillow Top Grips are first class workmanship, reasonable price, available in 6 color combinations.

Installation
I recently installed a pair of ProTaper MX Pillow Grips on my KLR650. While these grips are typically used on MX and off-road bikes, the combination of the tacky surface and the pillow top should work equally well for on and of road riding. 

Installation was straightforward without any issues. Having hand guards, I needed to trim the end of the grips prior to sliding them on. The Pillow Top Grips have notches on the ends to aid in the trimming.

Out on the ride
The grips installed, I took a ride the next morning to try them out. Immediately I noticed the reduction in vibration. Long rides at highway speed normally transfer a considerable amount of “buzz” on my KLR, but these grips made the ride much more enjoyable. The tacky surface provides of plenty of grip under wet or dry conditions. 

Conclusion
The ProTaper MX Pillow Grips perform well, providing a secure and comfortable grip under a variety of riding conditions, without breaking the bank. Highly recommended.

Fitting up a pair of new tires prior to a big dirt bike ride/race can be a risky proposition. A set of tires can make or break a ride. Prior to heading down to tackle the rugged terrain at the Renfro Valley dual sport ride in the Daniel Boone National Forest, a new set of Pirelli Scorpion XCMS tires were mounted upon my WR450. A standard size 80/100-21 was installed on the front, while a slightly wider than stock 120/100-18 was fitted to the rear. Installation was straight forward and without issue. It should be noted that both tires had new heavy duty tubes installed and were inflated to 15 PSI.

Access Roads
The ride began with a short run on some access roads to get back to first trail section. While the tires are not specifically designed for this type of riding, they certain did an acceptable job on these open runs.

Rocky Trails
Rolling in the first section of single track, the strength of the tires quickly stood out. The section began with a long off-camber along the side of a slick hill. The front tire stuck to the slick terrain and allowed for precise control, even when traversing wet rocks, roots, and even logs lying across the trail.

The rear tire performed equally well.  A few minutes into the trail, the air pressure in the rear tire was dropped down to 12 PSI. This larger footprint turned a good tire into a great tire. The rear tire hooked up in all conditions. Steep hills covered with rocks and roots were cleared with ease. Sections that left riders stuck in the middle of the hill were scaled, even if a more difficult alternate route had to be taken.

Muddy Trails
The next ride on these the Scorpions was back in Indiana where the lack of rocks was offset by more mud. Once again, the tires did a great job of clearing out the mud and hooking up in the soft soil. The Scorpions made easy work of the hills, even when starting right out of muddy deep creeks.

Creek Crossings
Another area where the tires excelled was riding through creek crossings. The tires made for a secure feeling while riding over the large rocks beneath the water. Exiting the water crossings were tackled equally well, providing excellent traction in mud or sand, even if the creek exit was on an angle.

Wear & Durability
The tough construction and top notch materials made for tires that stood up to the abuse of the rocks. On several occasions, the front tire hit a sharp edge of one of the many rocks found on the trails. The tires held up well for the entire 200 mile weekend and provided an enjoyable, flat-free ride.

After over 250 miles on the tires, they are still working well. Tread depth has worn less than a 1/16 of an inch, with some slight rounding of the edges on the rear tire as seen below. Look or an update on total mileage and wear when tires are removed.


Total Miles - 458 Miles
Cost - MSRP $111-$120 depending on size
Overall Performance - Highly Recommended for soft/medium terrain
More Info - www.pirelli.com
Best Price: ▼

Breaking your dirt bike clutch cover will not only end your day, but it could also ruin your engine and/or transmission. In most cases a cracked cover is caused from the brake pedal smashing into it. To help solve this issue System Tech Racing produces a metal clutch cover guard for both 2 strokes and 4 strokes.

Instillation
Instillation was straight forward and easy. Guard includes 2- 5mm Allen head stainless steel bolts to make up the difference in the guards thickness. On the KTM 450 I had to remove the brake pedal pivot bolt to get the pedal out of the way. Tip- you can install this cover without draining the oil by laying bike on its side.

Durability
This guard is made from a solid block of aircraft grade Aluminum which allows for great durability yet thin enough to allow space between the STR Brake Pedal Plate and cover. 

Overall
This clutch guard was easy to install, and makes the bike look sharp with its orange anodized coloring. I prefer this guard over the stick on style carbon fiber guards because they have a better chance of being torn off and leave a sticky residue. 

Keeping your dual sport bike street legal is harder than most think. If your dual sport has turn signals you know how easy they break or fall off. In the past I have tried a few different styles of turn signals from flexible light strips to rubber mounted signals. Recently I moved to California and had to fix a few things turn signals to pass inspection and meet their dual sport requirements. 

Installation
Installing the Sicass signals on my KTM 450EXC was plug and play. I had to remove the rear brake light/license plate holder, side plate and seat. Once these items were removed exposing the factory KTM wiring the signals were installed into the factory quick connect fittings.

Durability
One thing I can say I'm a few ride in and plenty of tip over conducted and so far they are still working and mounted to the bike.

Overall
So far I'm very happy with the way these signals look, and how easy they were to install. Anytime you can buy a plug and play aftermarket items it makes installation easier. Keep in mind if you're installing LED signals on both front and rear you will need resistors or Sicass Racing's Smart Flasher unit which is also plug and play. (Purchase)

If you're looking at how to change your dirt bike brake fluid or you have air in the system this tool being reviews will help. The bottom line is air in your dirt bike brakes is hard to get out. The easiest way of knowing you have air in the system when your brakes feel spongy which means it makes stopping hard, or your caliper won't retract correctly which burns up your rotors and pads. Personally I have had both situations happen. Once after putting on a fresh set of pads and rotors, so I was out over $130.

How To Fix Issue:
Fixing this issue is pretty easy if you have the correct tools. I used the Motion Pro Brake Bleeder. It's simple to use, and works better than the old fashion way. The main advantage you get is you can visualize air exiting the system. There for you know when your system is air free.

How It Works:
Hook up the Motion Pro Brake Bleeder short hose to your dirt bike's brake bleeder nipple insuring the arrow on the valve is pointing away from the nipple. Make sure the metal retaining hose clip is attached on the pressure side between the check valve and bleeder nipple. Then loosen the brake bleeding nipple and pump your brakes as per manual. The silver metal valve on this tool has a built in check valve which won't allow air to enter your brake system. Once you're happy your fluid is changed and the air is out of the system tighten up your bleed nipple and remove the tool.

Conclusion:
Its good maintenance practice to change out your brake fluid at least once a year or after you boil the fluid squeaking is a good sign of this. Personally I used to bleed my brakes the traditional way until air in the system cost me money. The aspect that amazed me most was how many tiny air bubbles came out on a system I felt was purged. Now I use this tool since at a cost of $17.99 found HERE it's cheaper than pads and rotors.

Tip-Make sure you continue to fill your brake reservoir when bleeding your brake system to keep air from entering from the master cylinder. Also double check which type of fluid your system uses.

When riding in the woods, most riders will opt to stand for the majority of the time, especially when tackling rough terrain. In order to stand comfortably for extended period of time, proper setup of the controls is critical. A key item in setting up the bike is the height and position of the handlebars. Noting that a small change in handlebar position can make a dramatic difference in the handling of the bike, the ability to fine tune this position can improve your riding.

One of the easiest ways to raise the handlebars on your machine is the addition of a set of Tusk bar risers. Available in two heights, 15mm and 30mm, the risers effectively move the bars closer to you. This is especially helpful for taller riders.

I selected the 15mm version for 7/8 diameter bars. For bikes that utilize larger bars, the Tusk bar risers are also available in a 1-1/8 diameter version. The risers were manufactured from aluminum extrusions, nicely de-burred and properly finished. The risers also came with longer fasteners, M8 socket head cap screws that were plated to resist corrosion. The kit also came with 4 spacers that could be used if the provided bolts were too long.

Installation was a straightforward process. The 4 stock bolts are removed, and then the handle bars are lifted out of the top triple clamp. The Tusk bar risers are inserted to the triple clamp, then the bars are placed into the bar risers. The longer fasteners are installed in the tapped holes and tightened in an alternating fashion to the proper torque.

Riding the bike, the benefit is immediately noticed. The higher bar location allows for a more comfortable, balanced riding stance and provides better control in this position.  On my bike, the 15mm made a definite improvement when standing up, while still allowing for comfortable riding in a seated position. Time will tell how these hold up over the long haul, but I expect these well designed and manufactured Tusk bar risers to hold up well. To get a set of your own or more information click (Here)

Pros
Available in 15mm and 30mm heights that should met the needs of most riders.
Models for 7/8 and 1-1/8 diameter bars.
Easy to install.
Reasonable cost.

Items To Consider
Depending upon bar clamp style and model of motorcycle, different length fasteners may be required.
Review all cables, hoses, and wires to ensure that they have adequate free movement throughout the entire range of motion.

Follow-Up

Last week I had an opportunity to ride my WR450 for an entire day with the Tusk bar risers installed. Prior to the ride, I re-checked the fasteners and cables to make sure everything was still properly secured. These checks completed, I hit the trail.

Trail conditions and temperatures were ideal, so a long day of riding was in order. The extra height of the bars made a noticeable difference while standing on the pegs throughout the day. The more comfortable riding posture definitely made for better control in the tight sections and hills, yet still allowed for riding in a sitting position on the open fire trails and jeep roads.

By the end the day, the Tusk bar risers had held up well, even after a minor spill in a rocky section. Overall, the bar risers functioned admirably and did so at a reasonable cost.

If you ride a dirt bike, eventually you will be stuck in the mud or hung up on a log. When it comes time to lift, drag, or push your way out of the jam you’re in, there is not much to work with on either end of most off-road motorcycles. The most tempting place to grab is the rear fender, however this usually ends up with the machine still stuck and the fender broken or bent.

A simple solution to this problem is a set of Tugger lift straps. Tuggers are available for the front and rear of most motocross, off-road or dual sport motorcycles. These heavy duty nylon straps attach securely to your motorcycle and allow you to easily extract your machine from the mud.

The style 1 Tugger attaches to the rear of the frame via a pair of fasteners. Installation was simple on my 2007 Kawasaki KLX250, requiring me to remove the seat bolts and re-install them with the proper selection of hardware required to attach the Tugger strap. The Tugger kit includes 3 additional pairs of hex bolts, along with collared bushings, spacers, and nylon washers. The supplied fasteners are slightly longer than the stock bolts on my KLX250, which allowed full engagement of the threads while installed over the bushings and washers.


The style 2 Tugger is designed for the front end of your dirt bike. The strap is threaded around each fork just below the lower triple clamp. The strap provides an excellent place to lift the front end of the bike, yet is out of the way when not in use.


Both straps were installed in less than 10 minutes on my machine and the only tools required were an 8mm socket and ratchet. I would note that even though I have not gotten stuck yet, the straps are already being put to use. They are very handy when dragging the bike back into the corner of the garage to park it or putting the bike on a stand.

This is a low risk purchase, as the straps are warranted forever. If you break it, mail it back and they will send a replacement. No questions asked. Last but not least don't forget to take advantage of the 25% off Tugger is offering to Usdualsports visitors only. To take advantage go to their website www.thetugger.com Then on the right side under Special Offers click usdualsports log-in details are below.

Username= usdual
Password= sports

Pros
High quality materials, made in the USA.
Packaged with a good selection of hardware to facilitate a wide range of applications.
Lifetime warranty.
Custom embroidering available for a small nominal charge.

Cons
None so far….

Best Price:▼


Disclosure
*I was not financially compensated for this post. I received a sample for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.*

A difficult part of owning a street legal dirt bike is keeping it street legal with turn signals. As many have discovered, the factory turn signals are not designed to last much past the show room. In the past I have tried a few options which have worked, but were either messy looking or didn't last very long. One set-up I have been wanting to try due to its clean-cut appearance and great functionality is the Zeta Pro Bend Guards with XC Flasher Protectors.  So when I got the chance, I jumped on it.  Here's what I found:

Extending your dirt bike riding season can make winters in northern states more fun. The only downside is if you are not correctly set up to ride in the the cold weather, it can be miserable. In attempt to minimize this issue I picked up a set of Zeta Cold Weather Hand Covers from Moto-Heaven. The covers are designed to keep the cold wind off my hands with out wearing big bulky gloves in the winter, and the cold rain off in the fall and spring.

Disclosure

*I was not financially compensated for this post. I received a sample for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.*

Making adjustments to your dirt bike while on a Dual Sport Ride sometimes is not easy. If your carburetor is like mine you need a very little screw driver to make fuel mixture adjustments, and it cannot be done with your gloves on.

Since I have had good luck with products from System Tech Racing I decided to use their fuel needle. It offers 4 flat sides that are easy to grip with your gloves. If you are riding in the mountains where you need to change your fuel mixture a lot then I would want to have an easy way of doing so. Here where I ride there isn't much altitude change, but I do like to adjust my mixture depending on how my spark plug looks.

If you are like me, and want to make as many adjustment to your bike at any given time check out System Tech Racing's fuel needle. Also save 10% with the code 5511324.

Pros-Easier to operate then stock.
       -Color choices.

Cons-None

Disclosure

*I was not financially compensated for this post. I received a sample for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.*

On some dirt bike rides/races you don't always know what type of terrain it will be, so if you need to make the front end softer or stiffer to adapt to the change of conditions an easy operate Compression/Rebound adjuster is needed.

System Tech Racing has a Compressions/Rebound adjuster that is made from metal which is an upgrade from the stock plastic adjuster. The 4 sides vs 3 makes gripping with gloves easier, and it has easy to see engraved +/- indicators.

Disclosure
*I was not financially compensated for this post. I received a sample for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.*

Dual Sport and Enduro rides are rapidly growing in popularity.  Therefore, the need to convert an off road dirt bike into a street legal dirt bike is also becoming quite popular. Adding lighting kits, turn signals, and brake lights are a few of the most needed items to make the conversion. The most overlooked item when converting a dirt bike is the turn signals. Why?  I think the answer is typically because there is not adequate room to mount them, or when they do get installed they quickly get knocked off.  I have had issues with them getting knocked off myself, and I own a bike that comes from the factory with turn signals installed.

What I've recently tried in attempt to address this issue is to install Alpena Flex LEDZ. These LED lights are 4 inches in length, and come in a variety of colors with 3M tape applied to the back for easy installation. Of the many color choices, I chose red and amber. I will be using the amber LED's as turn signals applied to my bark busters (which can be seen in the video), and the red LED's will be added to the rear of my bike for increased brake light visability. The reason that I chose to go with these lights was the affordable cost of the product (around $15), and ease of installation.

Disclosure
*I was not financially compensated for this post. I received a sample for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.*