Is it worth converting a motocross bike into an enduro bike?
A GNCC racer or a woods bike?
In some cases, yes.
A motocross bike is very light, cheap, and has fewer things to break.
And the extra power and firmer suspension might suit the experienced aggressive rider into racing.
But that light weight and racing pedigree have their disadvantages too.
They aren't plated, which restricts where you can ride them legally.
In many cases, you'll have a non o-ring chain, close ratio gearbox,
small fuel and oil capacity, no electric start...
And that 19 inch rear wheel is more likely to get punctures and restrict your choice of rear tyres.
And the race tuning and firmer suspension can be a real problem for less experienced riders.
So it all comes down to your budget, where you want to ride, and how you want to ride.
Some riders find that by the time they do their enduro conversion,
they have wiped out any savings made buying a cheap motocross bike
- and they still have a close ratio gearbox.
Then again, some guys just love tinkering and modifying. So here are the usual mods.
Today I get to ride the YZ250 belonging to a well known local gumby, Rob Ferrington,
who was Queensland's Goldentyre distributor and owner of Queensland Offroad Tyres.
Rob lists the mods he's done, then I'll get to ride the beast and see what I think of it.
The only engine changes we've made is the head has
been chambered by Dave at Two Stroke Performance and an 11-ounce flywheel
weight to improve the stall resistance and generally just tame it down a little bit.
I told David at Two Stroke Performance what
I was going to be doing with the bike and he cut the head to suit.
The flywheel weight is almost a necessity for riding in the bush.
I feel it really improves the traction.
We replaced the stock exhaust system with a full build system,
just to spread the power out a little bit, and it definitely wakes the bike up.
Suspension at the front and rear by Full Force Racing Components.
James at FFRC revalved the front suspension and made a custom rear shaft for the shock.
Absolutely transformed the bike.
Goldentyre GT216 tyres front and rear.
I've been involved with the distribution of
Goldentyre for nearly three years now in Queensland.
I have never failed to be impressed by the quality of the product.
I run an 18-inch wheel on the rear, not the performance benefits,
but just for the range of tyre choices it opens up.
Goldentyre have about six different 18-inch tyres to choose from. Changed
the gearing to suit the style of riding, with a 13 at the front, 50 on the rear.
The low gearing does hurt on the transport sections, it runs out of legs pretty quick.
But you can find a good gear in the more technical stuff.
Protection on the bike is limited to a bashplate from Worx Racing Parts,
and Barkbusters when we need them.
My first impressions?
Very very nice.
Rob's mods have given the little 250 plenty of grunt and a very meaty midrange.
I'd be tempted to put an even heavier flywheel in,
just to suit my style of riding, but love the engine overall.
The YZ250 is known for great suspension already,
but it's like a magic carpet ride with whatever tweaks FFRC made... very very plush.
The YZ250 has a dry weight of only 96kg or 212lb so it is feels ridiculously light and nimble.
For tight single track or extreme enduro terrain you can see why light weight is the holy grail.
Rob doesn't mind constantly changing gear,
and likes how the close ratio gearbox ensures the perfect gear.
But I really missed the wider gear ratios of a proper enduro bike.
Plus the Yamaha still only has a five speed box, which limits it even more.
Some riders go the option of higher gearing then fitting
an autoclutch for the slow stuff... an expensive compromise solution at best.
Is it worth converting a motocross bike to an enduro bike?
Sadly in most of Australia there are few places you can legally ride an unplated bike.
But other countries like the US have plenty of GNCC events and places to ride an unplated bike.
If you are on an extreme budget, and can live with the compromises, it makes a lot of sense.
Also, for the competent aggressive rider, it could be a nearly ideal solution.
And of course some guys love a project bike and
don't mind throwing money at a conversion like this.
But I suspect for many, it makes more sense to just buy a proper
enduro bike then strip it back to save weight and put a lithium battery in it.
But each to their own solution, of course.
Got any further tips, mods or suggestions? Let me know and I can add them in.