Bike Tests

Published: 09th April 2008

AT the end of November T+MX News chief motocross tester Johnno White was among a select group of riders invited to test the all-new Suzuki RM-Z450 at the famous Valkenswaard GP circuit in Holland. Although he came away hugely impressed with the ground-breakng new fuel-injected machine, Johnno was only able to run two short 20 minute test runs on the bike and gather just a brief impression of the bike. Very keen to really put the bike through it’s paces properly and fully discover what an EFI shod machine was capable of T+MX was right on the case to organise a full test of the RM-Z450 on UK soil whilst at the Stoneleigh Dirt Bike Show.

Published: 05th March 2008

FRENCH manufacturer Scorpa offers three very distinctive trials models for 2008, all of which attempt to do the same thing in very different ways – the established SY250 two-stroke, the radical SY250F four-stroke and the gentle SY200F four-stroke. T+MX tester WOODY HOLE braved a grim day in the Lakes with importer Nigel Birkett in order to bring you the flavour of each model. Editor JD ‘cheated’ and nipped out one sunny afternoon to grab the static pics... Woody tells the tale...

Published: 19th December 2007

Although world championship glory eluded Josh Coppins this season, the Rinaldi Yamaha team’s YZ 450FM once again proved itself as the winningest bike in the MX1 world championship.

Published: 05th December 2007

THE Italian Beta factory, like its Spanish rivals Sherco and Gas Gas, offers a full and comprehensive range of trials models as we motor into 2008, the well-established REV3 two-strokes (125/200/250/270) PLUS a four-stroke 250cc REV 4T, which, while it was available last year following a limited production run, is now in full-scale production and ALL models are ready to rock now.

Published: 30th November 2007

Feast your eyes on the all-new Suzuki RM-Z450

Published: 15th November 2007

IT has been only nine months since T+MX swung a leg over the 2007 range of Gas Gas enduro machines at Nantmawr Quarry for our annual test of the Gerona based manufacturer’s woods weaponry, from which we came away very impressed with the range, you may remember but, in that interim period, the Gas Gas R&D department has been burning the midnight oil to ring in some serious changes to its 2008 models.

Published: 02nd November 2007

SHERCO has an interesting and wide-ranging streamlined line-up of models for 2008. The two-strokes comprise 125, 250 and 290 versions, complemented by the uprated 320 4T - which can actually and interestingly be compared to the 290 stroker.

Published: 18th October 2007

THE annual Gas Gas trials test is always one to look forward to. The sheer range of models from the Gerona-based factory, FIVE in total comprising 125-200-250-280-300, is almost bewildering and gives tester WOODY HOLE a real dilemma, as each and every model has its own virtues...

Published: 12th October 2007

AFTER a subdued couple of seasons on the motocross front, Husqvarna is back with a bang in 2008. In what could be a hugely important year for the Italian marque, following its recent acquisition by motoring giant BMW, the Husqvarna designers have gone back to the drawing board on their four-stroke models, both motocross and enduro, completely re-designing the chassis, virtually from the wheels up.

Published: 27th September 2007

THANKS to its virtually unlimitless funds and vast technology bank, not to mention the might of the HRC race department, Honda’s motocross machines have always been at the cutting edge of motorcycle technology.

Published: 13th September 2007

IN no uncertain terms, Kawasaki has had a a couple of sensationally successful years since it broke with its joint partnership with Suzuki and forged out on its own to produce the all-new KX450F and KX250F models for 2006.

Published: 12th July 2007

A YEAR after it pulled out all the stops to deliver not only a new 450cc model in the shape of the 450 SX-F, the second brand new four-stroke delivered by KTM in as many years, but also a complete and radical re-design of the chassis’ of the entire SX motocross range, refinements, rather than radical developments dominate the five bike 2008 SX model range which will hit the Austrian manufacturer’s UK dealer showrooms right about the time you read this test.

Published: 08th June 2007

THE trials world has been waiting for a 125 Montesa/ Honda for several years now - and the Italian Future Racing Team - which of course sponsors James Dabill on a super-duper 300 model - has beaten the factory to it! T+MX is proud to present Britain’s FIRST test of the Future Montesa 125 4RT. WOODY HOLE landed the plum job of visiting the French World Championship round and landing a surprise ride on the unique eighth-litre baby.

Published: 01st June 2007

''...the lightest, fastest and most powerful off-road bike ever produced by Kawasaki...''

Published: 13th April 2007

OUR four-bike TM enduro test was carried out at Jeff Miles Moto Park, near Blackwood, in south Wales. T+MX joins tester Carl Tiley in thanking the team at the venue for supporting off-road sport.

Published: 06th April 2007

THE Sherco 4T four-stroke was first launched in 2005 and Woody tested the first production model just before the Scottish Six Days Trial. It actually performed rather well initially but as the test progressed the model became ever more difficult to start.

Published: 15th March 2007

I HAVE to admit I was sceptical, herding into the Easyjet flight to the Algarve for this launch. Not because I had more than twice the luggage of every other passenger but because I know full-well road bike manufacturers have a habit of producing psuedo off-road bikes - bikes which look like they’ll work off-road but actually, when you ask for something serious, they shy away.

Published: 02nd March 2007

Everyone deserves a second chance! ‘DISAPPOINTING bottom end.’ ‘Difficult to get along with.’ ‘A bit of a let down.’ The reviews of the 2007 Gas Gas EC200 enduro machine as part of T+MX News’ huge test of the Spanish concern’s entire enduro range last month (February 2, pages 8-13) were less than stellar to say the least.

Published: 16th February 2007

SHERCO has a neat, tidy, instantly recognisable range of three 2T trials models based on a common, full-size chassis which are 125/ 250 and 290 models. For 2007 the Barcelona-based concern has concentrated on further refinement of two of the models while one has improved in performance beyond all expectations. In fact the 250 has bounced from the least likeable to the top of the Most Wanted list in a single fell swoop...

Published: 08th February 2007

FOR an enduro machine test you would have thought we would need an enduro-type setting, so the T+MX A Tester Team of Johnno White and a wee Scotsman decided to find to find some proper enduro terrain to ride the shiny new 2007 Yamaha WR250 and 450F thumpers.