Some RallyMoto Competitors Upgrade Machines for '08

[MotoJoe]

There are some notable changes in equipment already for the '08 RallyMoto season.

Champ Mark Ely, is running the fierce Aprilia SXV5.5 he debuted at Black River Stages this year. He should be a dominant force in '08 no matter what he rides.

Chris Herman swaps out the Honda XR650L he rode at Black River for a new KTM 530EXC-R.
Chris should be tough to catch on that bike.

Aaron Gibson has updated his BMW G650X-Challenge to a new Husqvarna TE610. So far, he is the only RallyMoto competitor to enter a Husky and it's nice to see some diversity among the brands this year.

Luis Figueiredo retires the Suzuki DR650 he ran at Black River and Kearney Sprints. He's gone over to the Orange side on a new KTM 640 Adventure. Luis rode the wee out of his Suzuki, so he should do well with the KTM. There are several of these machines entered for Sandblast... it will be interesting to see how they stack up at the finish.

Andrew Fekete will be running a slightly more nimble machine this year as well. The well put together BMW GS he rode last year gives way to a KTM 450EXC in '08.

(Andrew has also added Seth Strait on his KTM 950Adventure to the Team Adventurer's Workshop crew.
Team MAX BMW Motorsports returns with some familiar HP2 riders and a couple new guys on HP2s and G650Xs.
The team lineup is still being finalized.

Another noteable update: Andrew Phillips, who was very quick on his BMW 1150GS at Black River, is competing this year on an HP2.
Based on his perfomance with the 1150 (big & heavy) he should improve significantly on the HP2 which is in the range of 130lbs lighter.

[Anders Green]

It's interesting to watch the equipment changes. Keep us updated :)

Anders

[Eric Burmeister]

Way to go Aaron!

As an old Husky 400XC rider, I love seeing the brand back in action.

The 610 would be my choice of hardware for the season...if I were running...and if I had money.

[MotoJoe]

Another noteable update: Andrew Phillips, who was very quick on his BMW 1150GS at Black River, is competing this year on an HP2.
Based on his perfomance with the 1150 (big & heavy) he should improve significantly on the HP2 which is in the range of 130lbs lighter.

[Roosted]

Way to go Aaron!

As an old Husky 400XC rider, I love seeing the brand back in action.

The 610 would be my choice of hardware for the season...if I were running...and if I had money.


Thanks man, its nice to have at least one fan:D

The TE was a no brainer really. Fuel injected for 08, awesome charging system,light weight for a 650, proven motor (54 hp) and a 6spd gear box with low first and potential for 100mph with stock gearing!

I found a set of SM wheels complete for $650, so I'm all set for the season.

See me at SB and I'll let you take it for a beat on the practice stage.

Aaron

[MotoJoe]

Hey Aaron... a little birdie told me you might be onboard with Team Max again.

Do you still have the G650X or are you definitely running the Husky?

Joe.

[Roosted]

Hey Aaron... a little birdie told me you might be onboard with Team Max again.

Do you still have the G650X or are you definitely running the Husky?

Joe.


Hey Joe,

The X broke down..... again but its at Max's getting fixed. The TE isn't here yet,so it might be last minute before I know exactly what I'm running.
The Husky dealer thinks the TE will be in this week:D

Regardless of what I'm riding, I'll always hang out with you guys!

[BajaBill]

Just to let you bike guys know, we are watching you, its about time some of you get some more rideable machines (Husky, KTM, Husaburg) we will see overalls wins more often.
Oh, just to let you know some of us old rallyers are old bike dudes too.
Keep up the good riding, I like watching, good luck in 08.
Bill Holmes
1982 SCORE Class 22 Champion (open motorcycle)
2007 USRC 2wd Champion

[MotoJoe]

Just to let you bike guys know, we are watching you, its about time some of you get some more rideable machines (Husky, KTM, Husaburg) we will see overalls wins more often.
Oh, just to let you know some of us old rallyers are old bike dudes too.
Keep up the good riding, I like watching, good luck in 08.
Bill Holmes
1982 SCORE Class 22 Champion (open motorcycle)
2007 USRC 2wd Champion


Thanks for the support Bill.
We're all having a great time watching the cars too!
At Black River Stages, the car guys would all wave at the bikes as we passed each other on the transits. A very cool scene.
We've got a bunch of KTM guys in RallyMoto already and they're duking it out with the big BMWs for the top spots every time.
We may have a Husky at Sandblast this year campaigned by Aaron Gibson of VT... if it arrives at the dealership on time (wink).

All the credit goes to Anders Green for getting RallyMoto off the ground and a few dedicated teams like Team Max BMW, Team Adventurers Workshop and the Pine Barrens RallyMoto Team for getting riders involved.
A good percentage of the '07 riders are back for more this year.

Husaberg may not qualify just yet unless their new bikes are street legal. With KTM as a parent company, hopefully they'll have the lights, horn and signals that are required for RallyMoto.
A fully street legal bike is required in order to enter the event and pass tech inspection.

[MotoJoe]

Of course the above comments about KTM and BMW duking it out for the top spots should not overshadow the talented Mark Ely who spanked everyone at Sandblast '07 on an old Honda XR600.
Mark then backed up that win with another trouncing at Black River, but this time on a very wicked Aprilia SXV5.5

If anyone is unfamiliar with that bike, it's a V-Twin, 550cc, lightweight dirtbike.

Yep - 550 V-Twin in a dirtbike.

I suspect we'll see the familiar view of the back side of that bike again at Sandblast '08 :D

[BajaBill]

Wow,
550 V-twin?, too cool.

Bill Holmes
Truck #44 and soon #45

[MotoJoe]

Here's a look at an Aprilia RXV 5.5
It's got a 550cc V-Twin and weighs under 300lbs ready to race.
http://www.psndealer.com/powersportsdlr/images/NewVehicles/NV41782_2_400.jpg


The big bikes that are battling each other every race are the BMW HP2 Enduro and the KTM 950 Adventure

The BMW HP2 has a 105hp, 1200cc Boxer-Twin and weighs about 400lbs.
http://www.psndealer.com/powersportsdlr/images/NewVehicles/NV24907_1_400.jpg

and

The KTM 950 Adventure has a 97hp, 950cc V-Twin and weighs about 450lbs.
http://www.psndealer.com/powersportsdlr/images/NewVehicles/NV23405_1_400.jpg


The next "size" down includes bikes in the 650cc range such as the KTM 640 Adventure, BMW F650GS, BMW G650X, Suzuki DR650, Honda XL650 and hopefully new for this year, a Husqvarna TE610.

Check out the Husky!
http://www.psndealer.com/powersportsdlr/images/NewVehicles/NV60214_1_400.jpg

This year will bring a few more of the lightweight and potent 500cc enduro bikes now that KTM, Husky & Aprilia are producing street legal versions.

Here's a KTM 530 EXC that weighs in around 250lbs yet comes with lights, horn and signals right from KTM.
http://www.psndealer.com/powersportsdlr/images/NewVehicles/NV56674_1_400.jpg


Well - I've got to get off this damn computer and go work on getting the little details wrapped up on my bike. There's only a couple weekends left before Sandblast!!!

[Roosted]

Thanks for the support Bill.
We're all having a great time watching the cars too!
At Black River Stages, the car guys would all wave at the bikes as we passed each other on the transits. A very cool scene.
We've got a bunch of KTM guys in RallyMoto already and they're duking it out with the big BMWs for the top spots every time.
We may have a Husky at Sandblast this year campaigned by Aaron Gibson of VT... if it arrives at the dealership on time (wink).

All the credit goes to Anders Green for getting RallyMoto off the ground and a few dedicated teams like Team Max BMW, Team Adventurers Workshop and the Pine Barrens RallyMoto Team for getting riders involved.
A good percentage of the '07 riders are back for more this year.

Husaberg may not qualify just yet unless their new bikes are street legal. With KTM as a parent company, hopefully they'll have the lights, horn and signals that are required for RallyMoto.
A fully street legal bike is required in order to enter the event and pass tech inspection.


Still no word on the Husky...... I might be riding it to Cheraw from VT to break it in enough to race it:D