Racing

2016 450 MX Shootout Photo Gallery

September 14, 2015

Last Thursday at Glen Helen Raceway, Dirt Rider staff and handpicked test riders kicked off the 2016 450 MX Shootout. The hot, humid, and rough track will host this weekends USGP and was a great place to test all of the 2016 450 MX’ers. Each manufacturer was graciously on hand to help with set up and also listen to our compliments/complaints about their machines. Glen Helen was busy on this open practice day as Mt. Saint Helens was incorporated into the track design, which really showed us who has stability and comfort built into their chassis. Not only are Glen Helen’s hills good for chassis testing but also engine performance. You can really feel the different engine characteristics of each bike when you are trying to click fourth gear going straight up some of the steep pitches Glen Helen has to offer. Here are a few photos of the machines in action from our roaming contributor Preston Jordan.

Our Editor in Chief Chris Denison is not afraid of getting his boots dirty. Here he throws down several laps aboard the Honda CRF450R.Photo by Preston Jordan

Preparing to drag race up some of Glen Helen infamous hills!Photo by Preston Jordan

Associate Editor Kris Keefer enjoying his time on the KTM 450 SX-F.Photo by Preston Jordan

Fly Racing and former AMA Supercross privateer legend Jason Thomas still can evaluate a motorcycle and lay some fast laps down. Here JT$ airs out the Kawasaki KX450F.Photo by Preston Jordan

Scrubbing the Suzuki RM-Z450Photo by Preston Jordan

We will have a ladies opinion on the big bore four stroke machines as well. Kelly Yancey gets ready to carve a corner aboard the Husqvarna FC450.Photo by Preston Jordan

If there is one thing for certain it is that the Yamaha YZ450F can move some dirt. JT$ explodes out of a loamy GH corner.Photo by Preston Jordan

Long time test pilot and daytime ace fabricator Michael Allen looks ahead for the next Glen Helen land mine aboard the FC450.Photo by Preston Jordan

AMA National Hare and Hound champion Ricky Brabec was on hand to test all of the 450’s and was impressed with the Suzuki RM-Z 450’s cornering capability. Yes, desert guys can jump too!Photo by Preston Jordan

Check for landing! Testing some of WP’s suspension settings.Photo by Preston Jordan

Ricky Yorks flies the Glen Helen skies on the KTM 350 SX-F. Yes, that’s right the KTM 350 SX-F is in the 450 Shootout! The mid sized orange thumper was really impressive on the rough Glen Helen circuit.Photo by Preston Jordan