38 | september | october 2017SHIFTJULIA LAPALME“Biggest thing I’ve learned in Mexico is controlling your mind. It’s a long race. Many things can go wrong. | Hondas are
pretty indestructible. We build our bikes all OEM—just fine-tuned. | We switch the CRF450X cylinder head to a 2008
CRF450R head for bigger valves and an R cam, port it, and put on an R carburetor. | You need traction; if you have a lot
of power, you’re going to spin. | We want progressive suspension, something with bottoming resistance, but the top of
the stroke is plush and moves through rocks and high-speed stuff. | Baja Designs LED lights weigh just 3 pounds and pull
half the energy of halogens. | IMS makes a 3.2-gallon tank and a 4.0. In longer races, we run the 4.0 for another 25 miles,
which stretches pit stops. | We gear our bike out—a 15-tooth countershaft sprocket and 47 rear. In fifth, you’re over 100
miles per hour. | Michelin’s Desert Race is the number-one Dakar tire. They work in all conditions and last a long time.
You don’t have to worry about frying a mousse or chunking knobs. | This bike was developed for Baja. There is nothing
better down there.” —Mark Samuels, three-time Baja 1000 winnerPROJECTOX MOTORSPORTS HONDA CRF450X
Defending champs target Baja 1000 three-peat
by kurt hoyMCY1017_PROJ.indd 38 7/21/17 5:12 PM