Is there anything cooler than riding a dirt bike? How about riding an old and poorly maintained dirt bike. One you have to kick to start and push to get home. Dirt bike riding is tricky enough without worrying about being stranded in the bush.
So yes, old dirt bikes are cool.
Dumb? Also yes.
That’s what Levon was thinking as his KDX200 fouled a plug on one of Louee Motocross Complex’s many enduro trails. It’s what Fordy was thinking as his engine bolt disappeared into the bush, and it’s certainly what Ammo was thinking as his CZ250 just would not start at all.
Top tip – when you drive four hours to ride an old dunga, it’s good idea to bring more than one bike.
Nostalgia-fuelled
What the young MX whippets riding the latest KTM two-strokes thought of these old geezers wrestling vintage iron around is anyone’s guess. But it made for a colourful spectacle.
Seventeen of them all up, loosely arranged under the Jerkyl banner – a group of vintage dirt bike lovers named after jerks riding in circles.
Party at the Lue Hotel, followed by nightcaps in the sheepshearer’s quarters that night
If you’re lucky enough to get the old bike running, the next challenge is negotiating Louee’s rocky hillclimbs.
Where green trails turn into black death rides without much notice and where the young guns stood and stared.
What is that and more importantly, why are you riding it? My dad used to have one of those on the farm.
Cruel but fair.
The most popular model on display at Louee was Honda’s XR. From the early 1980s, these red tractors dominated the Aussie trail bike market.
SEE MORE: Tradie Tough Tests
Capable, lightweight, reliable. Or they were. With 40 years on the clock the units at Louee were now showing signs of abuse and neglect.
The Jerkyls turned up with an impressive collection of XRs in 200, 250, 350 and 500 capacities. Starting them was a bit of a lottery but they all tackled the trails with no dramas.
The 200 is the mountain goat but low and slow, the 250 a better all-rounder with decent suspension and good power-to-weight, the 500 is low and heavy with average suspension, which leaves the 350 as the Goldilocks machine.
The plush suspension soaked up Louee’s jagged rocks, its power delivery, easy handling and light steering made the 350 juuust right.
Getting amongst it
After a bit of bike fettling, many beers and plenty of bench racing, day two saw a multi-rider attempt on the expert-only Tom’s Hill. The idea was to stop at the first tree and ride up in a group. Easier said than done.
The hill looks flat but it’s not, and there are rocks at the top that can be a challenge even for modern bikes. Once you start it’s not easy to stop and get going again so it was a case of keeping momentum and hoping for the best. Minor carnage followed for taller bench racing tales in the clubhouse.
Back in the paddock, Scruff rolled out his KX500 for a spin on the motocross track.
A legendary machine that put out a genuine 60bhp back in the day, the mighty KX proves that modern machinery has improved in most key areas like braking, suspension and handling.
But power? Not so much.
So if you’re thinking that riding dirt bikes isn’t interesting enough, why not spice things up by riding something that may or may not make it to the end of the ride? The uncertainty adds to the excitement.
And if it all goes pear-shaped, you’ll have some ripping yarns for the pub.
Meet the crew
Matt Details Huggett
Need to know the bore, stroke and oil capacity of your bike? Look no further, this mine of information probably knows how tight your nuts are. AKA Pilko due to his resemblance to Pommy comedy actor Karl Pilkington. Bike: IT175.
The Dark Prince
DP has a big heart and Island roots. Was raised in Bondi when the Kiwis out-numbered the hipsters. Likes Hondas and cowboy hats, understated fast guy, takes no prisoners. Bike: KDX200 – for a short while.
Rasta Honky
Super chill Rob the builder, can he fix it? Good enough to make it go like stink, while retaining the patina. This steel city father has inspired five generations of motorcycle riders in his family. Bike: Suzuki PE175.
Ammo
Joel Amos had to wait for his Jerkyl membership as most thought a 1995 KX125 was too modern. Even though the KX is the most modern bike Ammo’s ever ridden. His 1973 CZ250 fired right up at home, did not fire at Louee. Such is Jerkyl life. Bike: Kawasaki KX125.
Choppa
Bill Goodes nickname comes from his straight-line ability. Cornering has yet to be conquered, as does any sort of bike maintenance. Low bars on his KDX are distinctly un-chopper like. Bike: Kawasaki KDX175
Randy Faker
Jerkyl honcho and self-proclaimed warrior king also carries the nickname Mandy Fainter due to being the only person not involved in a bike crash to leave Nepean racetrack in an ambulance. Bike: Honda XR250
Adrian Korner
AKA Amen Corner and winner of the infamous SuperSlide award, the youngest Jerkyl sold his Enfield Interceptor when the cops caught him pulling wheelies in most gears. These days he pilots an XR200. On one wheel. Bike: Honda XR200
Fordy
Pommy grit and determination gets this man out of the office. Like his trusty XR200 and long-distance 1983 XT600 Tenere, he’ll get there eventually with an enthusiastic grin. Wears an Arai signed by Stefan Everts in the hope some of the champ’s skills will permeate. Bike: Honda XR200
Scruff
Scruff Hamill is best known as the bloke who raced a YZ465 at Finke and starred in the movie Finke: There and Back. Probably the most vintage dude here due to his love of old Triumph twins, a Ford F100 called Hank, a vintage aluminium esky and more. Much more. Rocked up with two XRs and his most modern bike, a 1989 KX500. Bike: Honda XR500.