Spectacular rides seal 250SX championship top three for both Australians.
Image: Supplied.
Team Honda HRC brothers Jett and Hunter Lawrence celebrated a double podium milestone on Saturday night at the Monster Energy Supercross finals, going 1-3 and sealing 250SX championship podiums in their respective regions.
Younger of the duo, Jett, charged to his third win of the 250SX East season and earned third in the final standings, while Hunter’s P3 result was enough for him to hold onto runner-up in 250SX West for 2021.
It’s a result that further signifies the arrival of both Lawrences, the 17-year-old Jett regarded as the sport’s brightest young talent, while at 21 years, Hunter has proven his potential in Supercross after injuries affected his previous campaigns.
“Coming into the weekend, I was excited for the Showdown with my brother Hunter and couldn’t wait for the main event,” recalled Jett, who was struck by illness prior to the main. “In the first qualifier I got P1 and was feeling a little better on the track and started to get a good flow. The second qualifier was pretty good also.
“Going into the heat race I was pretty excited to get it underway and it went pretty good. I got second in the heat and ended up getting the third gate pick for the main. I was throwing up all through the break to the main, so I was a little nervous and didn’t know how I’d do.
I was able to dig deep and kind of focus and came out with a win. I was super-pumped from how I was feeling before the race and to top it off Hunter got third; it was awesome for both of us to be on the box, so the last round ended pretty well, I think.”
Hunter managed to rebound from an early incident in the 250SX Showdown, quickly remounting and putting on a charge to pass Cameron McAdoo (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) on the final lap and securing second in the championship as a result.
“I got P2 in the West class championship, so that was really cool and I’m stoked on that. In the main event I was in a really good position and just rushed a pass for third and washed the front-end out. I dropped back to fifth and took a lap to regroup and breathe, then put on a push and got myself into third on the last lap.
“The track wasn’t something you could really send it on, so it was definitely about patience and a lot of corner speed – you had to execute your corners really well. Obviously, Jett and myself both getting on the podium was really special.
“What a way to finish out the supercross season! The team and everyone was really happy with that, and I can’t thank the team enough, they’re like a family and they’ve been awesome, so I’m looking forward to the outdoors and just happy to end it on a solid note. Obviously we would’ve loved to win, but I’m looking forward to going racing again shortly.”
Set-up changes promote new-found confidence for the Western Australian.
Image: Foremost Media.
Western Australian Jayden Rykers believes Canberra’s second round of the 2021 Penrite ProMX Championship was a step forward after experiencing an improved performance in the MX1 category.
The Empire Kawasaki talent indicated a number of set-up changes were made to his KX450 in the lead-up to round two, which promoted a new-found confidence on his way to an encouraging seventh in the opening encounter.
The 24-year-old backed up the result with a pair of eighth-place finishes in the back-to-back sprint motos – a format first for 2021 – to secure an improved seventh overall.
“Today was definitely a step forward in comparison to the first round and we took a lot out of this one,” Rykers said. “We’ve made some changes with the bike to suit me more and they’ve worked, although I’d still like to be up toward the front further. All in all, we had a consistent day and it’s more to build from.”
The seventh-place result has elevated Rykers from P8 to P7 in the premier class championship rankings, while the series now heads to Gillman in South Australia for round three of the series on 30 May.
After a highly competitive and exciting trio of title fights, racers now shift focus towards the upcoming Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship which will kick off in a matter of weeks, on May 29, with the Fox Raceway I National in Pala, California.
Cooper Webb emphatically captured his second 450SX Class title in three years by earning his eighth main event win of the season.
At the final round of the season this past Saturday from Salt Lake City’s Rice-Eccles Stadium, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Cooper Webb wrapped up his second 450SX Class title in three years. The 2019 champion clinched World Championship number two on a high note with his eighth main event win of the season.
Cooper Webb, Justin Cooper, and Colt Nichols Carry Momentum into the MX season
In the two 250SX Class regional championships, a pair of first-time titleholders emerged from the Monster Energy/Star/Yamaha Racing effort. In the East Region, Colt Nichols overcame years of hardship to earn his first championship in his seventh season of competition, while Justin Cooper finally prevailed in the West Region after back-to-back runner-up finishes. The sweep by Star Yamaha signified the first time since 2012 that a team won both 250SX Class titles.
Justin Cooper (left) and Colt Nichols (right) secured the 250SX Class regional titles, giving Star Yamaha the first sweep of the regional championships since the 2012 season.
With their attention now directed towards the summer, Webb, Cooper, and Nichols will each look to carry their championship momentum into Pro Motocross and build upon their previous successes at the Nationals.
Although he was forced to sit out the majority of last season with a back injury, Webb is a former 250 Class Champion and has a 450 Class win to his credit in Pro Motocross. Moreover, his trademark tenacity could pay big dividends over the course of the summer’s 24 motos.
Entering his fourth season in the 250 Class, Cooper has become a perennial title contender, finishing no worse than third in the final standings. As a two-time winner with 14 podium finishes, Cooper is undoubtedly one of the championship favorites this summer and has now proven he has what it takes to break through.
For Nichols, a career resurgence looks poised to continue this summer. Health has arguably been Nichols’ biggest obstacle to success and although he’s completed just one 12-round season of Pro Motocross since 2016, Nichols is a two-time podium finisher and is currently riding at the highest level of his career.
Lawrence brothers that both finished on the podium at last weekend’s Supercross finale.
And then there are of course the two young Aussie brothers that both finished on the podium at last weekend’s Supercross finale. The Lawrence brothers headed back to Florida after SX wrapped up where team members joined them for CRF250R testing this week.
Jett Lawrence won the final round of the 2021 AMA Supercross season
The 2021 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship will once again consist of a 12-round schedule, beginning on American Memorial Day Weekend with the season-opening Fox Raceway I National. The summer season will bring the world’s best riders to 10 different states, including returns to many of American motocross’ most iconic venues, concluding on September 11 with the sport’s oldest event, the Hangtown Motocross Classic in Sacramento, California.
The 2022 KTM four-stroke range includes three models that take advantage of KTM’s considerable gains in the segment featuring the latest WP XACT suspension and rider aids that include Traction Control, Launch Control, variable engine mapping and reliable starters.
KTM 450 SX-F
WP XACT 48 mm forks bring 310 mm of travel while the WP XACT shock clocks 300 mm. Low friction seals are a key element of the 2022 KTM SX models and firm stock settings come as standard in order to create the sensation of confidence at speed.
The 2022 KTM 450 SX-F is compact but packs a huge punch with KTM claiming 63 hp from their open class weapon.
2022 KTM 450 SX-F
Single cylinder, liquid cooled four-valve DOHC with finger followers (rocker levers for the KTM 450 SX-F) feature on the four-stroke models with Keihin fuel injection, EMS and 44 mm throttle bodies across the board. Two oil pumps with pressure lubrication, a seven-litre fuel tank and lightweight aluminium silencers are other consistent features.
2022 KTM 250 SX-F
The 2022 KTM 250 SX-F and KTM 350 SX-F have been fitted with an updated friction bearing on their counter-balancer shafts.
2022 KTM 350 SX-F
The 2022 two-stroke range includes three distinct models. The KTM 125 SX is the development of the bike that occupied seven of the 12 top spots in the 2020 EMX125 European Championship. In its updated 2022 trim, the KTM 150 SX can go head to head with the potent 250 four-strokes, while the KTM 250 SX is a two-stroke powerhouse with virtually no vibration due to a counter-balanced crank.
2022 KTM 125 SX
Two-stroke models use a wet multi-disc DS clutch (DDS on the KTM 250 SX), Brembo hydraulics and Kokusan ignition/engine management.
2022 KTM 450 SX-F and 125 SX
All full-size 2022 KTM SX models introduce a frame coated in racing orange to further reinforce the proximity to the championship winning machines of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing stars. The updated frame aligns with the new blue seat cover and the fresh colors in the graphics to emphasize visually the close link to KTM’s Factory machinery. A tough aluminium sub-frame and Neken bars also feature across the range.
2022 KTM 125 SX
The geometry is set at 63.9 degrees on the steering head with a 22 mm offset on the triple clamp for all the bikes. Seat height is also uniform and pegged at 950 mm.
2022 KTM 150 SX
Complementing KTM’s 2022 SX range is a series of Sportminicycles that share the exact same race-driven development approach as KTM’s full-size Motocross bikes. Junior riders that climb on any of the KTM 50 SX, KTM 65 SX and KTM 85 SX models can do so knowing that they are experiencing class-leading performance, state-of-the-art WP suspension, high-end brakes and minimal weight.
The wheels can start rolling with the 2022 KTM SX-E 5, the latest incarnation of a high-end electric mini-crosser that can grow together with the young rider on it.
Joachim Sauer
KTM Product Manager Offroad
“The new SX range is all about the proximity to our race machinery, and the bikes that are doing the business on racetracks around the continents. We’ve been refining these packages for several years and we feel the connection, both aesthetically but also in terms of performance, is now closer than ever. To prove our point, we gave production bikes to MXGP and MX2 World Champions and I’m glad to confirm they were surprised and impressed with their performance. It was fitting to give the 2022 models an even ‘racier’ look with the blue and orange design and to remind riders and fans that there isn’t a more READY TO RACE motocross range in any paddock anywhere.”
2022 KTM 450 SX-F
The 2022 KTM SX models will be available at authorised KTM dealers in Australia and New Zealand from July 2021 onwards.
Husqvarna has announced both its motocross and cross-country motorcycles for 2022.
Begin Press Release:
HUSQVARNA MOTORCYCLES PRESENTS COMPETITION-FOCUSED LINEUP OF 2022 MOTOCROSS AND CROSS-COUNTRY MODELS
SUBTLE REFINEMENTS AND A STRIKING NEW LOOK FOR ALL FULL-SIZED FC/TC AND FX/TX MACHINES
Delivering unmatched performance and adorned with Swedish-inspired dark blue and white graphics for a striking new look, Husqvarna Motorcycles North America, Inc. is pleased to announce the launch of its twelve-motorcycle strong, competition-focused 2-stroke and 4-stroke lineup of motocross and cross-country machines. Developed to create superior riding experiences for racers of all ages, the 2022 models provide uncompromised power-to-weight performance, together with leading ergonomics and aesthetics, and exceptional handling.
Along with its striking new dark blue and white color scheme, Husqvarna Motorcycles has improved the durability of all full-sized FC/TC and FX/TX machines, with each model now featuring a Brembo hydraulic clutch system. The high-performance component is thoroughly race-tested to guarantee even wear, near maintenance-free operation and perfect action in all conditions.
Ensuring exceptional comfort and control, the 2022 models are equipped with class-leading WP Suspension, which delivers precise handling to riders of all skill levels. Highly adjustable WP XACT forks with AER technology feature a capsulated air spring and pressurized oil chamber for consistent damping across rough terrain. Complimenting the forks, new low-friction seals on the WP XACT shock ensure optimal rear-end performance on all surfaces.
With exceptional power and superior handling, the TC lineup remains the racers’ choice when it comes to 2-stroke motocross machinery. Featuring compact, powerful, high-performance engines, the TC 125 and TC 250 machines are modern motorcycles designed to deliver pure intensity and incredible on-track experiences in all conditions. Taking 2-stroke development to the next level, the TX 300i with innovative fuel injection feeding the 300 cc powerplant is the clear choice for off-road competition dominance.
Engineered to stay ahead of the field, Husqvarna Motorcycles’ 4-stroke machines feature lightweight and compact engines that produce class-leading power and ensure incredible maneuverability, together with progressive and consistent suspension. Exclusive to the FC 250 and FC 350 and the FX 350 machines, for 2022 a new friction bearing on the counter-balancer shaft increases the durability of the high-revving 4-stroke engines.
Sharing the same advanced platform as the motocross models, Husqvarna Motorcycles’ cross-country range continues to lead the segment with carefully considered cross-country specific features including large capacity fuel tanks, convenient side stands and a 21/18-inch D.I.D DirtStar wheel combination fitted with Dunlop Geomax AT81 tires.
Technical Highlights 2022:
New high-performance Brembo hydraulic clutch system guarantees even wear, near maintenance-free operation and perfect action in every condition
New Swedish-inspired dark blue and white graphics create striking new look
WP XACT forks with AER technology – optimal performance and light weight
Interchangeable airbox cover on FC models for optimized airflow
CNC-machined triple clamps
Brembo brake calipers and high-performance discs combining superior stopping power with great control and confidence
Traction and launch control with advanced settings (4-strokes)
Electric starter for easy starting when time is critical (4-strokes and TX 300i)
Lightweight Li-ion 2.0 Ah battery (4-strokes and TX 300i)
ProTaper handlebars
Progressive throttle mechanism and ODI grips allow for adjustable throttle progression and easy grip mounting
Laser engraved D.I.D DirtStar wheels
Gearboxes produced by Pankl Racing Systems
Additionally, Husqvarna Motorcycles is proud to offer a full range of minicycles that provides youth-specific ergonomics and user-friendly operation for aspiring future champions. Allowing youngsters to develop their skills in readiness for the full-sized machines, the TC 50, TC 65, TC 85 and EE 5 deliver incredible performance and serious motocross fun.
Technical Highlights 2022 minicycles:
Unrivalled engine performance and rideability
WP XACT forks with AER technology – optimal performance and light weight
Confidence-instilling ergonomics thanks to a broad, flat seat and one-piece airbox cover
High-grip seat cover for comfort
Roller actuated throttle assembly for TC 85 – smoother throttle motion and improved durability
Formula brake calipers, clutch and brake assemblies for TC 85 and TC 65 – excellent stopping power and improved reliability
Ensuring comfort, protection and style, the Functional Off-road Apparel Collection provides a range of performance-focused apparel, for riders of all ages and abilities. With each product incorporating the latest material and construction technologies, the line-up also delivers protective equipment for both adults and kids.
The Husqvarna Motorcycles Technical Accessories range includes an extensive selection of engine and chassis upgrade options, for both 2-stroke and 4-stroke machines. With exhausts, suspension, brakes, graphics and many other products, the performance of the TC and FC motocross and TX and FX cross-country models can be further enhanced to meet the needs of all riders.
The 2022 motocross and cross-country range will be available this May at all authorized Husqvarna Motorcycles dealers.
Clout and Mellross finish 1-2 at Canberra’s second round.
Image: Foremost Media.
Monster Energy CDR Yamaha duo Luke Clout and Hayden Mellross responded to Craig Dack’s call to ‘stand up’ at round two of the 2021 Penrite ProMX Championship after a self-described average season-opener, the pair delivering with an incredible 1-2 finish.
Round one of ProMX was far from Dack’s expectations last month, where Clout recorded a DNF in moto two as Mellross finished fifth overall – the results prompting the team owner to apply increased pressure last weekend in the ACT.
Dack mentioned the team couldn’t afford to experience ‘another average round’ as it would put them on the back foot in the title hunt, however he was overwhelmingly pleased with how the duo responded to his calls by dominating the podium.
“We needed to put up a fight here as another average round could see us lose touch in the championship chase, so I put it on the team and the riders to stand up this weekend and get racing back on our terms,” Dack explained.
“To the credit of both guys, they did that and now find themselves in a much better position as we head to round three. Both riders can take confidence from their results today and as a team, we will immediately focus on Gillman and look for more of the same.”
Clout’s 1-1-2 scorecard for first overall promoted him to fourth in the championship standings, while Mellross was able to elevate himself to third in the rankings with 4-3-3 results at the Canberra round.
For the 2021 Yamaha Tenere 700, National Cycle’s VStream Windscreen comes in three sizes (from left): VSport ($129.95, light tint), Sport/Touring ($149.95, light tint) and Touring ($159.95, clear).
The windscreen on our long-term Yamaha Ténéré 700 not only complements the bike’s rally styling but works quite well for a stock bug catcher. Still, I felt that comfort for long highway stretches could be improved. My priorities for an upgrade were reducing wind noise and buffeting, retaining the bike’s good looks and durability. Having enjoyed a National Cycle screen on a previous motorcycle, I gave its VStream Sport model ($129.95, light tint) a go.
The shortest of three Ténéré windscreens offered, the Sport measures 12 inches from top to bottom, just an inch more than the stocker and low enough for adventuring. Calming the cockpit requires moving wind blast to the sides and away from the rider’s head. To accomplish this, the VStream is 4 inches wider than stock and incorporates side flares as part of its patented shape. I think they’re onto something, at least for a rider of my 5-foot, 8-inch stature. My freeway rides were definitely quieter, with less turbulence around my helmet; your decibels may vary. Taller riders can opt for the 15.25-inch Sport/Touring ($149.95, light tint) or 18-inch Touring ($159.95, clear) versions.
The VStream Sport Windscreen installed on our 2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 long-term test bike. (Photo by the author)
National Cycle’s proprietary 3-mm-thick Quantum hardcoated polycarbonate addresses durability issues. They’ve tested it to be 10 times more abrasion resistant than the next best material, Lexan FMR, and invite doubters to attack it with steel wool. So I did, also going after the Yamaha’s Lexan screen. With some hard work, I put a few small scratches in the VStream, and with much less effort did serious damage to the stock unit. A harder surface keeps the view clean and crisp by preventing light-scattering scratches and lets me slack off on my persnickety shield cleaning routine. National Cycle’s website video of a screen taking a shotgun blast vividly displays its polycarbonate’s impact resistance (spoiler: it didn’t break), making the 3-year breakage warranty a safe bet.
Installing the VStream on the T7 was as simple as removing four 4mm hex-head screws, swapping screens and re-installing the screws. The width of the Sport takes something from the 700’s rally vibe, but what it gives back in durability and comfort make it worth the sacrifice for me. Having made windshields since 1937 and pioneered the use of polycarbonate in 1975, National Cycle knows how to build a good windscreen. And they do it in the U.S.A.
So, the word on the street is that you want to take some sweet, sweet photos of your precious wheels. Think you’re a bloody professional photographer or something, do you? You don’t? Well, I do. And as one, I’m here to tell you a few little secrets about where to shoot your precious noise-maker so that the results look a little more ‘rad’ and a little less ‘sad’.
So join me as we rummage through my database of cool locations and listen while I tell you what makes them so damn good. Also, keep your eyes peeled for bonus ‘hot tips’ that will make you photos suck even less. No, no. It’s OK. You can thank me later.
Location 1: Nowhere
The biggest mistake I see with most moto photos is overly interesting locations. Think about it like this; when you take a photo of an amazing motorcycle, do you want viewers to be looking at the random thing just behind the bike, or the bike itself?
If you’re new to all this stuff and you want the bike to look its best, just find a big, open, empty piece of nothing to shoot. That way, you’ll be sure that people are looking at what they should be, and not what they shouldn’t.
Hot Tip: See those little numbers on the camera that say things like ‘f2.8’, ‘f8’, and ‘f16’. Set them at as low as possible. This reduces your depth of field and makes everything in front and behind the bike go blurry. This is a good thing. If your camera doesn’t do this, get one that does.
Location 2: A Quiet Country Lane
No buildings. No onlookers asking lame technical questions about the bike or the camera. No cars passing by. That’s right, the countryside is your best friend when it comes to bike photos. Again, it’s usually open, empty and neutral, too. Maybe try a spot with some hills in the distance. Long grass, or a line of trees. They can add a little interest without overwhelming things.
And if there are some nice clouds around, get them in the shot too. Now that you know about depth of field, they’ll be all out of focus and soft. But if there are cows about, definitely do not include them. Cows are weird and funny.
Hot Tip: Shoot at golden hour. It’s that time in the hour after sunrise or before sunset where the light is low, yellow golden, and bloody beautiful. If the sun is in your shot washing everything out, just hold your hand or finger in the top of the shot to block or control the glare; you can always remove it in post.
Location 3: The Beach
The best thing the beach has going for it – apart from the space – is that amazing horizon line that will cut like a knife right through the back of all your photos. In photos, lines are good. They give your eye something to follow and they’re fun to play with when you’re composing shots.
Also, off road bikes can be shot on the sand but note that the footprints you make while positioning the bike can look weird, so be prepared for some Photoshopping.
Hot Tip: Get down low. Shooting at eye level makes for boring photos because that’s the same angle you always see bikes from. Try shooting from the same height as the bike’s tank. The angle is much cooler and the bike will look clean and balanced.
Location 4: Underground Car Parks
They are dark, minimal and they look cinematic. Shooting bikes here is one of the easiest ways to get cool shots fast. Some of my first decent bike shots were done like this. Try and keep the space behind clear of cars and use the traffic markings to your advantage, as above.
Another benefit is that you can shoot at any time, day or night. Golden hour is cool, but sometimes you just can’t wait or the weather may be rubbish. In these instances, a garage is like a personal studio. You can set it up however you like without conditions changing.
Hot Tip: If the garage has fluorescent lights, you can twist them off by turning the strip tubes slightly – even the caged ones. But keep one on directly above the bike. This way you get a pool of light that the bike will sit in and the rest of the garage will be all cool and dark. Use a tripod if the shutter speed gets below 1/30th of a second to avoid shake.
Location 5: Rooftop Car Parks
Detecting a theme? Once again. It’s about open space and just the right amount of nothing but something backgrounds. Some rooftops might have sky behind them. Some might even have cool city views. These are all fine; just find out when they are empty. Even better; try airport car parks during a global pandemic…
After dark, you can also experiment with pole lights and dark backgrounds. Just be aware that some of this lighting can create weird colours in photos. Set your white balance to ‘auto’ in these cases.
Hot Tip: Wet the surface under the bike for that always cool Blade Runner look. Or see if you can shoot at sunset just after some rain. It’s a big ask from Mother Nature, but you’ll get silly cool shots.
Location 6: Industrial Areas
The great thing about bikes and locations is that you can mix and match them. Got a 1950s British bike? Shoot it at an old factory with chimneys and arches to give it that ‘Industrial Age’ feel. Or mix it up and shoot a brand new V4 Ducati there. Contrast can make for great shots, too.
But always be wary of my number one pet hate: bikes photographed in front of graffiti. Brightly-coloured walls full of eye-catching shapes and wacky words are the exact opposite of what you’re after. Show me a bike that can outshine 10 foot high psychedelic artwork and I’ll eat my hat.
Hot Tip: Always grade your shots after shooting. None of the shots you see here are straight from the camera; all of them have been adjusted to look more awesome. Check out Adobe’s Lightroom app on your phone – it’s free and it comes with filters.
Location 7: Anywhere in the Desert
There’s a reason why so many cool auto and moto photographers come from L.A. and that’s because L.A. is basically half desert and half ocean. It’s a photographer’s paradise. Close your eyes, spin in a circle and press the camera’s shutter release; you’ll probably capture an incredible image here. Bonus points if you also get a movie star in it.
Deserts also have truckloads of dust and haze, making the atmosphere really heavy and the sunlight incredibly vivid. Position the bike directly between the camera and the setting sun. Wait until the sun is just below the horizon and go nuts.
Hot Tip: Off road bike? Sunset? Heaps of dust? Get someone on that damn bike to ride past you and kick up some dust! Or hang out of a car window and get them to ride alongside while you shoot them. Haven’t you heard? Action shots rule.
Location 8: The Ones That Suck
Sometimes you just won’t have the luxury of choosing a killer location at an amazing time to get the best shots possible. Take the above photo. Yes, it was taken at golden hour, but the rest of the scene was completely meh. The bike wasn’t registered, so it couldn’t be ridden anywhere and the builder’s shop was surrounded by fugly industrial units and overflowing dumpsters.
So I grabbed a stepladder and shot the bike at an interesting angle while making sure there was nothing else in view. And for any other shots, I made sure the sun was in the background to overexpose all the ugliness. Why yes, I am pretty resourceful. Thanks for noticing.
Hot Tip: Take time to think about the location. There’s nothing worse than realising after a shoot that all the photos look like ass. If you can make a call and shoot to accommodate the negatives, you’ll always end up with better shots than just ‘spraying and praying’.
Pants. They are the comedy sidekick of the moto gear world. Even the word itself sounds funny. ‘PANTS!’ It’s like the punchline to a joke. It’s even funnier when the gear makers talk about them in the singular using the word ‘pant’. And most times, this is exactly how the riding public treats them, too. They are the last thing you think about after you’ve spent a small fortune on getting a kick-ass helmet, jacket and boots. Forever the afterthought.
But why is this? Well, up until a few years ago, there was a real lack of decent pants available to riders. Unless you wanted to go for some top shelf leathers, most other options looked like Dad jeans or – worse still – like you’d just jumped off your Harley at the Sturgis show circa 1988. ‘Cool’ options just didn’t exist. Fast forward ten years and now we’re swamped with selvedge this and waxed cotton that. These ‘Tasker’ pants from the Aussie slash New Zealand Earnest Co. definitely fit into that second group, but are they any good?
What are they, exactly?
The pants are a ‘Kevlar infused’ design (as opposed to ‘Kevlar lined’, which means that the tough stuff is sewn into the pants behind the denim) that’s just about as close as you’ll get to a regular pair of black Levis without risking skin loss. And as per their ‘workwear’ affiliations, they are designed to be comfy and functional enough to allow you to wear them on and off the bike with a minimum of hassle.
‘My current bike pants already do that!’ I hear some of you murmur. Sure, it’s no biggie. At least it’s not as big a deal as – say – a jacket that does the same thing. But should your day job involve any sort of tools, pens, rulers or general long pointy things, the pants have been rather subtly designed to allow you to accommodate these without a) looking like a Valentino Rossi moonlighting as a handyman or b) looking like a boilermaker trying to set a lap record.
Who’s Earnest, then?
A grass-roots moto and workwear clothing business, Earnest Co. was started in New Zealand in 2012 by a bunch of bike and car customisers who needed some gear to do a rather particular set of things and just weren’t finding anything suitable from the gear makers of the time.
Being at the tip of the now popular ‘work look’ moto style, Earnest have made quite the splash down under, and they are now pushing hard to do the same in the US and Europe. With a concise but highly refined range including overall, aprons, pants jackets and gloves, a quick perusal of their gear reminds any bikers with some remaining short term memory just how far we’ve come with our gear choices over the last 10 or 15 years.
What do they look like?
Thankfully the Tasker pants understand that sometimes, you want your pants to take a back seat in the ‘overall ensemble’ party. Sure, camo patterns and the ever-popular cargo 47 pocket look still hold their own but personally, I mostly want my pants to protect my southern junk from angry tarmac rather than to fight for attention.
So if you’re a black jeans kind person off the bike, then these little fellas will tick most of your boxes once your butt is bike-bound. Yes, they do have a few extra seams to distinguish themselves from your garden variety pair of 511s, but most casual observers would be hard-pressed to tell the difference unless they get a real close, and by that time you’re probably more concerned about getting lucky or firing up your taser than you are with abrasion resistance.
What are they made like?
Earnest goes to great lengths describing how their ‘K-Canvas’ materials will protect your skin in the hopefully unlikely case of some unwanted freeway breakdancing lessons, but to my untrained eye, the stuff is as close to regular denim, which in my books is a very good thing. Sure, some of the stitching looks a little more ‘industrial’ than your average pants and the things are definitely ‘substantial’ in their build and heft, but that’s nothing that can’t be said for a quality pair of denim jeans either.
Unlike some of their competitors, you’ll have no real issue accepting that things are up to the task at hand. Without naming any names, I’ve tried on pairs of similar Kevlar weaves in the past and I just didn’t buy the claims the manufacturers were making. They just seemed too thin and light to be able to take a real licking. Rest assured the Taskers aren’t a bit like that.
One word to the wise. They are quite a slim cut, so in my humble opinion, you’ll be more likely to run into sizing issues regarding your inner seam and your ability to bend your knees than not being able to do up the top button. But as with all jeans, they will no doubt give a little over time.
What features do they have?
Here’s where I have my word work cut out for me. Why? Because the Tasker’s clean, minimal utilitarianism means that they are mercifully fuss and do-dad free. No 12 zippers and 27 pockets here. That’s good for a clean look and a fad-free timelessness, bad for the guy who has to come up with all the words to do them justice.
But thanks to Earnest themselves, I can just geek out over a handy specs sheet and let you all know that the material is 20 times stronger than regular denim and it can also stand up against all kinds of sparks and stray blades in a typical workshop environment. It’s also triple-stitched where it counts to make sure an off-bike excursion doesn’t also force you into an unplanned strip-tease routine.
The traditionally-located (i.e. throttle side) coin pouch has a handy design that means it’s divided into two sections – one for your metal moola and one for tools. Think of it as a convenient place to stow a pencil or even a pocket knife without having it standing proud. But be wary of the fact that coins stowed in the wrong compartment will be too deeply buried to be retrieved with standard-length fingers. And just in case you need to be told, never ride with tools on your person. Never ever.
Similar tool-focused pockets are located above the right knee and there’s a ‘Pad protected gadget pocket’ inside the standard LHS hip pocket that fits phones up to an iPhone 11 Pro Max size. Last items on the features list include double canvas layers on the knees and booty bumps, and triple-reinforced pocket entries to ensure that repeated use won’t see them turn into dangling flaps.
Why should I buy a pair?
Look, far be it from me to stop you from riding around town looking like Krusty the Clown, if you follow my on-bike fashion ethos of ‘party up top, business down below’ then the Earnest Co. Tasker pants are a very solid choice. Designed by riders like you and I and not by fashion types that wouldn’t know the difference between a low-side and a side stand, they do what they set out to without exception or pretence.
Think of them like the Jay Leno of moto pants. They are eternally consistent, down-to-earth and not funny or weird in the slightest. If you’re looking to rock up to your local bike stop and explode people’s eyeballs with your ludicrous selection of ‘pant’, then these won’t be the choice for you. But if you want a reliable workhorse that’s genuinely good value (thanks weak New Zealand Dollar!) and that will still be holding up their end of the deal in 5 year’s time, they are a great place to start.
Pros:
Built like a tank
Beautifully functional
Nicely understated
Genuinely multi-purpose
Cons:
No armour as standard
No winter lining
Slim cut may feel awkward at first
Right now, the Tasker pants will set you back $270.00 NZD (that’s USD$194, £140, €160 and AUD$251 at time of writing). They come in sizes from 28/33 to 42/36; but Earnest notes that sizing runs a little slim, so maybe consider going for one size up than usual. Click below to find out more.
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