A couple of weeks ago, we wrote about KTM‘s 2014 off-road lineup for Europe highlighted by an updated 250 EXC-F and other updates across the model lineup. KTM has now released information about its U.S.-spec models which include the same updates while keeping some differences from the European versions.

For off-road riders in the U.S., KTM is offering the street-legal four-stroke 350 EXC-F and 500 EXC and their solely off-road XCF-W and XC-W, the four-stroke 250 XCF-W and the two-stroke 200, 250, 300 and 450 XC-W models.

American motocross riders will have the choice of the four-stroke 250,  350 and 450 SX-F as well as the two-stroke 125, 150 and 250 SX models. Cross-country riders can opt for the four-stroke 250, 350 and 450 XC-F equivalents as well as the 150, 250 and 300 XC two-strokes. KTM USA will also offer four youth models, the 50 SX Mini and the 50, 65 and 85 SX. Continue Reading »

What had you accomplished by age seven? Most kids this age, myself included, were just getting through the second grade, learning simple math and playing Tee Ball with the other neighborhood kids. Dane Morales, of Aliso Viejo, California, isn’t like most kids. You see, at seven years old Dane already has himself two national championships in two different sports, BMX and motocross.

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When Pierer Industrie AG purchased Husqvarna from BMW in January, it was obvious some major changes were on their way. Pierer Industries AG is owned by Stefan Pierer, who happens to be chief executive officer of KTM, which also happens to be the parent company of Husaberg. That’s three European motorcycle manufacturers with strong off-road lineages in the same family. Something was bound to happen.

Well the other shoe has finally dropped, with the announcement of Husqvarna and Husaberg reuniting to forming a new company to be called Husqvarna Sportmotorcycle GmbH, with . The move reunites the two Swedish marques after years under the ownership of other companies in Italy, Austria and Germany.

Husqvarna and Husaberg have a shared history. Husaberg originated as a splinter group of Husqvarna engineers that started its own company in 1988 after Husqvarna was acquired by Cagiva. From that point on, the two Swedish brands went their separate paths. Continue Reading »

The CRF250R received a significant update for 2014, including a new frame and dual-exhaust setup first introduced in the CRF450R  which itself received a substantial update year. The current-generation CRF450R may only be a year old, but that didn’t stop Honda from introducing a couple of refinements for 2014.

For 2014, Honda had tweaked the engine, adding new intake and exhaust ports and a new dual-timing fuel injection setup. According to Honda, these updates combined with redesigned internal components to its two exhausts should offer more torque and increase throttle response. Continue Reading »

Honda has completely overhauled its CRF250R motocross bike for 2014, offering an all-new engine and an aluminum beam frame inherited from the CRF450R. With a claimed weight of 231 pounds, the 2014 model is actually 4 pounds heavier than the 2013 model, but the new updates are designed to improve mass centralization, with Honda claiming it to be more flickable and nimble than before.

According to Honda, the new frame weighs 20.6 pounds, while the main frame spars meet the steering head lower than on the previous frame, helping lower the center of gravity. Honda says the new frame offers more “tuned” flex, improving front-end traction and corner speed.

The 2014 Honda CRF250R is powered by a liquid-cooled 249cc four-valve Unicam engine. It uses a new cylinder head and piston and has a higher compression ratio (13.5:1 from 13.2:1) than the 2013 CRF250R. Also new is the twin-muffler exhaust system. Both mufflers are shorter and tucked in than the single exhaust on the 2013 model, contributing to mass centralization. Continue Reading »

KTM has revealed its European-spec 2014 EXC enduro and SX motocross lineup. The U.S.-spec versions have yet to be announced and there will be some differences, such as a five-speed transmission instead of a four-speed transmission for the KTM 450 SX-F. Otherwise, the U.S. models will be mostly the same, though model and engine displacement selection may vary.

All 2014 EXC models receive new airbox covers, hand guards, headlights, fuel tanks and front fenders. The new fender received particular attention, with a new shape that reduces mud build-up. According to KTM, the new shape combined with the modified attachment to the lower triple clamp make the fender 50% stiffer than the previous component.

The SX models also get the new fender as well as the new fuel tanks. The four-stroke SX-F models also get the same fuel pump system as the EXC models, so owners can install the larger EXC fuel tanks from the KTM’s PowerParts catalog. Continue Reading »

Darius Glover’s story is similar to many of us: he loves to ride his motorcycle. Glover started his two-wheel addiction at the age of seven, riding his dirtbike until the sun went down. Not long after, he started competing in motocross events.  Continue Reading »

We at Motorcycle.com wish to express our condolences to the friends and family of respected moto-journalist, Henny Ray Abrams, who was found dead at his computer in his New York apartment earlier this week. He was 57 years old. Continue Reading »

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto dominated the 450SX Class on Saturday night in front of a record crowd in Oakland, CA.