MXA’S WEEKEND NEWS ROUND-UP: THE OFF-SEASON IS A CHANCE TO RECHARE YOUR BATTERIES (ON YOUR STARK)

• RADICALLY NEW 2024 KTM 50SX PEE-WEE & KTM 65SX JUNIOR CYCLE

KTM will open the 2024 season with all-new 50SX and 65SX, not to mention a KTM 50SX Factory Edition model. These aren’t BNG bikes of last year’s models, but incredibly accurate versions of the KTM full-size race bikes. From a distance you can’t tell a 2024 KTM 65SX from a full-size KTM 250SX. KTM has down-sized everything and t perfectly spec’ed plastic with the same graphics as the big bikes.  It is a chance for Junior to get in the swing of things with his new  50SX or 6SSX.

The 2024 KTM 50SX has been developed to be as close to a scaled-down version of a full-size KTM SX motocross machine as possible, with careful consideration given to young riders and their body proportions compared to grown-ups.

There is also a 2024 KTM 50SX Factory Edition with a gripper seat cover, black graphics, Hinson clutch cover, orange fork guards, gray grips and an FMF Fatty pipe and silencer.

The 2024 KTM 50SX and 2024 KTM 65SX (shown) are built around a new, advanced steel frame with a lightweight polyamide glass fiber reinforced  two-piece subframe. This ne redesign has allowed for a revolutionary change to minicross, in that the new frame allows for multi-adjustability to cater to different rider heights.

There are three grip size options to fit small ,medium and large hands. They are matched to handlebars especially sized for the 50SX and 65SX.

The 2024 KTM 65SX has a totally new airbox and air filter arrangement.

The suspension, handlebar position, bodywork and subframe are now height adjustable to match the growing needs of young riders. Seat height is adjustable between 25 inches to 27 inches for the 2024 KTM 50SX and 28.7 inches to 29.2 mm for the 2024 KTM 65SX

.Both mini-crossers feature the latest in suspension technology, with a 35mm WP XACT AER air fork taking charge at the front. On the rear, an all-new fully adjustable WP XACT monoshock is fitted for perfect balance and damping characteristics.

On the rear of the KTM 65SX you can spot the new rear fender and side panels that mimic the look of the big bikes and the bullet-shaped silencer that harks back to before Junior was born. Note the Dzus fastener that allows the seat to be removes quickly for access to the new air filter.

• “RIDING KEN ROCZEN’S HEP SUZUKI RM-Z450” VIDEO VIEWS BY MEDIA OUTLET

• CLASSIC MOTOCROSS PHOTOS: THE MAN WITH THE PLAN FOR JAPAN

Olle Pettersson was a successful Husqvarna Grand Prix racer when the Japanese brands made their first foray to the GP circuits in the late 1960s. Olle signed on to develop the Suzuki GP bikes, which were later used to devastating effect by Joel Robert and Roger DeCoster. Olle then moved over to Kawasaki to R&D their GP bikes. Photo: Justyn Norek

• ASK THE MXPERTS: SEMANTICS & THE SUBJECT OF POUND-FEET OR FOOT-POUNDS?

There are two different kinds of torque.

Dear MXperts,
Come on MXA, which is it? Foot-pounds or pound-feet? I notice that you seem to use the two terms interchangeably from one bike test to the next when talking about torque. Which one is it?

We admit to jumping back and forth on the subject of torque measurement, but that is because either term is acceptable, but not necessarily correct in all situations. Let us explain.

Pound-foot (lb.-ft.) is a unit of torque and is a measurement that is created by 1 pound of force acting on a 1-foot lever. The formula for torque in tightening a nut would be: torque equals force times radius (with radius being the length of the wrench).

Foot-pound (ft.-lb.) is a measurement of work. Work is the measurement of force over a given distance. Thus, 1 foot-pound is the energy required to lift a 1-pound object 1 foot of vertical distance. When James Watt determined that a horse could lift 550 pounds at a rate of 1 foot per second, he declared it 1 horsepower.

Here is where it gets confusing, but in many ways enlightening. It is a given that the correct unit of measurement when tightening a nut is the pound-foot (lb.-ft.). Logically, you would then assume that the correct unit of measurement for an engine’s torque would be foot-pounds (ft.-lb.). But, if you perused the owner’s manuals of all the motorcycle brands, you would find that some refer to it as foot-pounds and some pound-foot (or pound-feet). Truly, they are as confused as everyone else, and this acceptance in common literature makes it obvious that either term could be used when describing an engine’s torque without being incorrect; in truth, all the reader really cares about is the number in front of the definer.

However, in all matters technical, the true source of accuracy is the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). The SAE lists the “pound-foot” as the official unit of measure for engine torque. Since the abbreviation for foot is the same as for feet, a lb.-ft. could easily be referred to as pound-feet.

• PASHA TO PAY $15,600 TO THE WORLD VET’S FASTEST 125 PROS IN THE OVER-30 AND OVER-50 CLASSES

The upcoming World Vet Championship will also host two Pasha 125 Pro . There will be one for the Over-30 class and one for the Over-50 class. Each class will have a posted purse of $7500 and each winner will receive $2500. The Over-30 class will only pay the top five, while the Over-50 125 two-stroke class will pay the top ten. The payout in the Over-30 125 Pro class will be $3000 for first, $2000 for second, $1200 for third, $800 for fourth and $500 for fifth. The Over-50 125 Pro class will pay $2500 for first, $1200 for second, $1000 for third, $700 for fourth, $600 for fifth, $500 for sixth, $400 for seventh, $300 for eighth, $200 for ninth and $100 for tenth. One caveat: Pasha 125 Open races have a max displacement of 150cc.. For more info go to www.glenhelen.com.

• MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: WISECO RACER ELITE CONNECTING ROD

An OEM rod is a good part, but it’s also built specifically for what the stock horsepower output and rpm range are. The new Wiseco Racer Elite connecting rods are taking a step up in allowable performance, offering higher strength and quality, which are necessary to push the limits of what the engine can do in terms of horsepower and rpm. Racer Elite connecting rods are precision CNC-machined and held to tolerances as tight as one ten-thousandth of an inch in certain areas and also feature a rolled-in bronze bushing in the small end, oiling slots and passages in both ends, and carefully tested surface finishes. Retail price: $356.95–$415.95 at www.wiseco.com or (440) 951-6600.

Did you know that you can subscribe to MXA at absolutely no cost to you—because when you subscribe you receive a Rocky Mountain ATV/MC credit for $25 towards anything in their massive inventory. Plus, you will get all the content in the 12 monthly issues of Motocross Action magazine delivered to your home by a uniformed U.S. government employee. Don’t miss any more four-stroke tests, two-stroke tests, retro tests, race coverage, new tech or product tests….most of which never appear on the internet. And, don’t forget, the $25 credit from Rocky Mountain ATV/MC that will more than cover the cost of your subscription. To subscribe call (800) 767-0345 or Click Here 

• MXA’S 2024 BIKE TEST VIDEO COLLECTION: MORE ADDED EACH WEEK

The MXA wrecking crew has been living with the new 2024 motocross bikes for several months; we have raced then, dynoed them, weighed them and ran the tries off of them. All to provide the loyal MXA reader with what he needs to know before putting down his dough. And, once we have learned all there is to know about the 2024 bikes, we write an indepth magazine article for Motocross Action to go along with the Video test ride. It is a double whammy of info—the first after the first full day of riding and the second after several months of racing. Below are all of the 2024 bikes we have completed the videos on.

MXA VIDEO TEST: 2024 MXA 250 SHOOTOUT

MXA VIDEO TEST: 2024 HUSQVARNA FC250 FOUR-STROKE

MXA VIDEO TEST: 2024 YAMAHA YZ250F FOUR-STROKE

MXA VIDEO TEST: 2024 HONDA CRF250 FOUR-STROKE

MXA VIDEO TEST: 2024 KTM 250SXF FOUR-STROKE

MXA VIDEO TEST: 2024 KTM 450SXF FOUR-STROKE

MXA VIDEO TEST: 2024 HUSQVARNA FC450 FOUR-STROKE

MXA VIDEO TEST: 2024 HONDA CRF450 FOUR-STROKE