Australasian Dirt Bike Magazine

WELL, IT’S BEEN a massive month for us dirtbike fanatics. Let’s start with the biggest news: Triumph has officially entered the enduro game with two all-new bikes: the TF 250-E and the TF 450-E. A factory effort with real investment. Actual race testing. Ivan Cervantes fingerprints all over it. We’ve been hearing whispers for years, but now it’s real, and that is awesome for the off-road community. Because more competition means more options, more innovation and, frankly, more chances for the other manufacturers to get nervous and sharpen their game. KTM, GASGAS, Beta, Sherco, Yamaha – you’ve all got company now. And it’s not just Triumph waltzing in either… Ducati’s arrival on the dirt scene is already paying off in lap times and holeshots. Yep, the Italian road-racing powerhouse is…

FOR THE FIRST time in its 122-year history, Triumph is going enduro. The British marque, known for its storied history on the tarmac and more recently for its motocross push, has officially unveiled the TF 250-E and TF 450-E – two brand-new, ground-up enduro machines aimed squarely at taking on the established giants of the sport. It’s a bold move and we love it! The more competition, the better. Triumph is no stranger to the dirt world – its motocross division has already made waves with the TF 250-X and TF 450-RC but enduro is a different beast altogether. The TF 250-E and TF 450-E models feature an all-new aluminium spine frame, purpose-built for enduro, along with engines designed specifically for off-road use. This isn’t just a motocross platform with…

DUCATI’S LONG-AWAITED entry into the 2025 MXGP World Championship got off to a promising start at the season opener in Argentina, with Mattia Guadagnini and Jeremy Seewer both grabbing holeshots on the new Desmo450 MX. Meanwhile, in Italy, Ducati’s smaller-capacity Desmo250 MX made its competitive debut in the Italian Prestige MX2 Championship, landing a podium finish in its first outing. Competing for the Aruba.it - Ducati Factory MX Team, Guadagnini and Seewer showcased the Desmo450 MX’s raw power, with Seewer nailing the first holeshot of the season in race one. Guadagnini followed with another holeshot in race two, briefly leading the pack. On a technical and changing track in Córdoba, Argentina, Guadagnini managed to finish fourth in both motos, missing the overall podium by one spot. Seewer, despite an early…

FACING MOUNTING financial pressure, KTM has launched two major initiatives – the ‘Orange Blood’ campaign and a four-year extended warranty program – in what appears to be an effort to restore consumer confidence and stabilise its market position. On 25 February 2025, KTM unveiled ‘Orange Blood’, a community-focused platform designed to engage riders, dealers and brand ambassadors while reinforcing loyalty. CEO Gottfried Neumeister acknowledged past missteps, stating, “Mistakes have been made, and lessons have been learned.” While KTM frames this as a fresh start, it raises questions about whether the campaign is genuine outreach or damage control. Meanwhile, KTM’s new Premium Manufacturer’s Warranty extends coverage to four years on select LC8 and LC8c-powered street and travel motorcycles. While marketed as a customer benefit, it could also help retain resale value.…

THE 2025 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship has been canceled after WESS Promotion, the series promoter since 2021, was unable to secure the financial backing needed to continue. The decision comes after WESS’s main partner withdrew its support late last year, leaving the organisation scrambling to find new funding. Despite efforts over the past two months, WESS was unable to meet its self-imposed deadline at the end of February and has informed the FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) that it cannot proceed with the championship. The FIM is now actively searching for a new promoter to take over the championship and the FIM Hard Enduro World Cup, with a long-term contract available from 2025 to 2034. Interested parties had until 21 March 2025 to submit a formal expression of interest.…

STARK VARG EX A MONEY SAVER? STARK FUTURE is making some bold claims about the VARG EX, saying it will save riders over $5700 in maintenance costs in 100 hours of riding. That’s a hefty chunk of change and, if true, could spell trouble for mechanics who have made a living on the tools. According to Stark, the VARG EX needs only “electricity, sprockets, and chain lube,” while a traditional 450cc petrol bike burns through fuel, clutches, air filters and the occasional engine rebuild when things go spectacularly wrong. But here’s the thing – does anybody out there actually have 100 hours on a VARG EX to confirm this? It’s easy to say an electric bike will be cheaper when you’re only counting consumables and ignoring the real-world quirks of…