SOIL SAMPLE LETTERS
30 | MAY 2019 http://www.adbmag.com.au
SMW GEARING
I’ve just read the updates
on the SWM RS500R on
the ADB website and it’s
a nice read.
Could you ask Clubby
how the change of
gearing (14/45 (+1/-2)) was
for snotty single track/
rocky uphills. Was first
low enough without
having to ‘ride the
clutch’?
I’m after higher gearing
to drop the revs so I can
comfortably sit on
100kmh.
GrantHi Grant,
The SWM has plenty of torque
and the taller gearing was still
plenty rideable in tight
singletrack, but of course, you
did need to use more clutch in
really tight and snotty going.
For the riding I was doing on
the bike - mostly open trail
riding with occasional plunges
into the jungle - I was happy
with the compromise the
revised gearing offered. And it
certainly dropped the revs at
highway cruising speeds,
making the ride way more
comfortable.
Good luck with it mate.
Clubby.FUN FACTOR
I feel compelled to write to
your magazine as a 40+
something Dad whose only
exposure to motocross is
approximately 14 hours in
the saddle and whose
initial purpose for buying a
dirtbike was to share my
son’s verbal interest in
motocross. My first
reaction (and that of my
wife’s) to our boy’s
declared love for motocross
was ‘over our dead body’
but after some deep
thinking, thought it would
be over his if we didn’t
channel his interest in a
positive direction.
And so it was I bought
two bikes and some lessons
for each of us. As it turns
out, my 10-year-old lad has
now declared himself
uninterested in motorbikes
and I’ve got the bug
instead. Given my inability
to get my leg over and kick
start my old bike (no
marital puns intended) I’m
really wanting a new one
with electric start and so
read your latest 250cc MX
feature with interest. Given
your test riders were
mostly ex-professional
racers, it was ironic that
the slowest bike on the
stopwatch [by 0.26 of a
second], the Yamaha
YZ250F was the chosen
winner. Your team
declared it had the most
well rounded engine,
suspension and handling
package.
It was equally interesting
that the bike which had the
highest recorded G-force
(Suzuki RM-Z250) and thus
must be great in
acceleration and around
corners was the least
favoured bike. Which leads
me to the point of writing
to you... it’s about how the
bike (and your peers) make
you feel when out on the
track regardless of how fast
or slow you may be going.
Since starting this new
hobby, not only have Ifound my older 2014 Honda
CRF250R to be great fun,
I’ve met a shed load of
bloody nice men and
women of all ages and
experience at our local
tracks. Instead of finding
snobbery I’ve found
comradery. In place of
selfish ambition, I’ve found
cooperative competition
where riders at our local
track are more than happy
to share experiences and
help others improve their
riding. Despite my lack of
experience and skill I’m
determined to race this
year purely because of the
positive experience and
people I’ve met since
buying a dirtbike.
Instead of reluctantly
hopping on a bike to share
my son’s interest, I’m
actively trying toencourage him to get back
on a dirtbike. As for the
potential new electric start
motocross I’ll end up
buying... as strange a
reason as it sounds, it’ll be
a KTM. Not because it’s the
best but purely because my
son says it should be
Orange. Why? because his
favourite colour is Red and
his sister’s favourite colour
is Yellow and together they
make Orange.
Finally keep up the great
magazine and to all riders
out on track, keep riding,
keep smiling and see you
out there!
Regards
AledWe were just as surprised as you
were by the result, Aled!
Especially given every tester at
the shootout felt the Yamaha
YZ250F was the fastest by a long
way. It was the fastest in a
straight line proving it has
massive horsepower, but it
seemed to be slightly behind on
lap times. That being said, it was
the last bike Lawson Bopping
rode so the track was more beat
up and he was more fatigued
which would account for the
slightly slower time.