Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Keefer Tested

Arguably the two most popular 450s in 2027 are the blue and red bikes so we put them up against one another to see how they compare on the track. We take four test riders and break it down to see which one is best for which type of rider. Eddie Laret joins Keefer for a roundtable discussion on blue vs. red. --- CHAPTERS --- 00:37 Intro and sponsor reads 07:59 Meet Eddie and Greg 10:03 Test setup: riders, Yosh pipes, Dunlops 14:48 Yamaha sprocket bolt PSA and Loctite 18:33 Eddie's first impressions of the 2027 Honda 24:44 Seat foam breakdown 25:45 Who picked which bike and why 41:04 Ad reads: Blood Lubricants, Ride Engineering, Power Motorsports 46:16 Stock valving, springs and suspension tuning 54:54 Test sheet: engine, clutch and gearing 1:06:01 Test sheet: handling and steering 1:13:24 Test sheet: suspension, brakes and comfort 1:21:20 Verdict and track toughness 1:27:05 Pyramid idea: KTM vs Cowie next 1:28:52 Who won and wrap-up 1:30:22 Texting 'I love you' tangent 1:35:04 Sign-off

Keefer grabs his KTMN 450 Factory Edition and rides a couple different sets of suspension to diagnose what each strengths and weaknesses are out on several different types of tracks. Slapping on a set of WP Cone Valve/AER forks and Traxx/bladder style shocks, back to back, was the only way to see how each reacted so Keefer discuses the findings in this episode. Should you keep your AER set up on your bike? Orrrr is the Pro Components on your FE actually worth the money? --- CHAPTERS --- 00:38 Intro and WP AER vs cone valve preview 03:14 Sponsor reads: FXR, REP, Power and more 09:27 Glen Helen Honda/Yamaha test and reader contest winner 13:03 Testing setup: Factory Edition across different tracks 20:57 Why a linkage helps the KTM rear end 23:14 Sand tracks: AER fork vs cone valve, bladder vs Traxx 36:08 Hard pack findings: cone valve lean angle traction 44:00 Turn track test and other riders' feedback 50:55 Torque settings, Arc levers, Akrapovic and fork height 58:24 Wrap-up and sign-off

We had the chance to test the new 2027 YZ250F at Club MX but how does the Yamaha handle Southern California's hard pack? New frame, new engine and a new feel for the YZ250F so sit back and relax as Keefer and guests talk about how the new bLU cRU handles compared to the previous generation. If you're looking for set up tips you will be able to find some within this show as well! --- CHAPTERS --- 00:37 Intro and sponsor reads 07:50 Meet Aden and Dylan from Hinge 12:37 Glen Helen test and Yamaha vs Honda vs Kawi 20:59 Engine comparison and the hot chick analogy 28:09 Track toughness and power tuner maps 33:54 Ad reads: ScreenPrintingDone, Blood, Ride Engineering, Power 39:01 Chassis and cornering 49:34 Clutch, brakes and ergonomics 58:06 Overall verdict and Triumph comparison 1:01:11 Baseline setup tips 1:03:36 Wrap-up, who each bike is for, and Glen Helen contest

Let us walk you through the updates that Yamaha made to the 2027 YZ450F. Is the 2027 that much better where you need to spend the extra money on it or is the 2026 version jus as good? Get some settings as well as some mods you can do to your new bLU cRU in order to make it ride a little better! --- CHAPTERS --- 00:00 Show open & sponsor rundown 09:10 Glen Helen test day & Aden's contract update 10:48 Guest test rider contest announcement 13:56 2027 YZ450F clutch, brake & suspension updates 25:24 MX-33 front tire rant 27:09 Shootout stats & Honda comparison tease 29:00 Mid-show ad reads 34:08 Engine feel & clutch hose follow-up 43:22 Chassis, stability & comfort comparison 48:02 Reliability & engine longevity 50:24 2026 vs 2027 buying advice 51:45 Sign-off & next week preview

Honda left the CRF250R unchanged in 2027 but that doesn't stop us from bringing you some info about the red machine and where this bike could fit in for your next purchase. Get some mod suggestions as well as some settings all within this episode. --- CHAPTERS --- 00:00 Show intro 08:14 2027 Honda CRF250R overview: the vanilla ice cream take 13:18 Engine breakdown: maps, gearing, and mods 19:37 Chassis feel and rigidity 24:45 Offset clamps, engine mounts, and torque specs 29:20 Ad reads: Blood Lubricants, Ride Engineering, Yamaha, Eagle Grit 33:44 Suspension settings for the CRF250R 36:56 Clutch, seat foam, and Works Edition upgrades 41:53 Ergonomics and looks 42:55 Aden, Kenny Day, and who this bike suits 45:17 Next week preview and sign-off

Is the Honda is as good as Keefer remembers from Millville? Listen as this episode dives into what the biggest differences are from the 2026 to 2027 CRF450R and if the new chassis has more comfort on hard pack conditions than the older chassis. Honda also lost a bunch of weight in 2027, so Keefer will break down everything from the weight loss program to the newfound power so if you're in the market for a new CRF450R, this show will help you make that decision.

I fly to Florida to ride Zach Osborne's Loretta Lynn's winning Beta 450RX and I take you along with me. Learn about what's involved in Zach's machine, how it runs compared to the stock 450RX, what unique pieces are on Zach's bike, how it rates compared to other factory bikes I've ridden and much more in this episode! --- CHAPTERS --- 00:37 Intro and sponsor rundown 06:53 Heather and Greg join the show 10:01 Summer School takedown explained 14:33 Setting up the Zach Osborne Beta feature 16:31 Flying to Florida to ride Zach's bike 23:32 First impressions: cockpit and bar setup 30:24 Engine feel and delivery breakdown 35:37 Gearing, ECU and vibration talk 39:56 Chassis comfort and gusseted frame 48:14 Swingarm length and offset geometry deep dive 54:49 Soft fork, stiff shock and suspension feel 1:00:48 BYOB customer program and Vortex ECU dreams 1:08:42 Clutch, brakes, tires and drivetrain details 1:15:38 Fuel boiling issues in Florida heat 1:18:16 Listener Q&A and closing plugs 1:20:58 Next week preview and sign-off

Keefer gets Mark Johnson from REP on the phone to talk about suspension as well as chassis tips for the KTM 450 SX-F. Topics like spring conversion kits, AER set ups, chassis lengths, torque settings, chain slack and more! If you're an orange brigade rider, you will love this show.

Keefer breaks down Team Green's latest offering for 2027 as the KX250 received more changes than we thought it would but do those small changes mean anything to you out on the track? Find out all the info on this episode.

The last day of Summer School is here! The final episode! Kris, Heather and Aden take you on a virtual walk through Ironman and let you in on what it's like tackling the Pro Motocross Series as rookies. From tears of joy to epic failures, this episode will have you laughing and busting out the tissue boxes. It's been on honor to take you with us this summer! The final show will encompass it all.

Keefer breaks down the 2027 Yamaha YZ250F from Club MX and gives you info on if this all new blue machine is better than the older version. Do the changes that Yamaha made make for a big improvement on the track? Listen to this episode and find out!

The Keefers break down Budds Creek and give you an inside look from the PHX Honda Racing team. The weather played havoc on the bikes as well as the track so listen as Kris, Heather as well as Aden break down an up and down weekend from Maryland. --- CHAPTERS --- 00:00 Intro & sponsor reads (Rocky Mountain, Works Connection, Blood Lubricants) 03:09 Heather's recap intro & nappy Aden joins from North Carolina 08:00 Yamaha/Club MX test day recap 13:46 Favorite tracks & Budds Creek conditions talk 18:07 Heat danger stories & the Josh Lichtel tragedy 21:40 Track marker penalty rules & Levi Kitchen controversy 31:15 Aden's qualifying breakdown & stat nerdery 38:47 Moto 1 recap: water pump blowup & DNF 42:45 Post-DNF frustration: helmet toss & goggle chaos 49:10 Moto 2 recap: pileups & bent bars 51:53 250 class results rundown 56:17 Ironman preview & final round plans 1:00:19 Summer School wrap & military patch story 1:03:46 Anniversary week & reflecting on the summer 1:05:37 Off-season plans & Supercross outlook 1:08:09 The "fuck dad" post-moto meltdown story 1:13:19 Sign-off & Phoenix Honda team thank-yous

Keefer talks about riding the new Honda CRF450R and what the changes are like on the track compared to the older model Honda as well as other colored machines. Get the straight scoop on if this new Honda could be the machine you purchase in 2027.

Kris, Heather and Aden bring in special guest Marshal Weltin to talk about qualifying drama, etiquette in qualifying as well as how Aden's weekend went and much more in this longer than usual episode. We may even sneak some remote PNH behavior as well in this one.

Heather, Kris and Darkside wrap up the last two days at Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. They will talk championships, old guy classes, Dark vs. Maico vs Kris, cool kids names, bad podium interviews, speeding tickets, dry spells, track conditions and EVERYTHING in between. It will feel like you were at the ranch with us. The final episode in this 2026 LL's series is here and it's the best one yet.

Kris, Heather and Darkside re-cap day 3 from the ranch that covers Zach-O getting beat, Phil's crash, the best thing that happened to Kris all week, College class misses, Women class drama, Dark getting Maico'd and much more!

Kris, Heather and Darkside go over Wednesday at the ranch that includes old guys vs. young guys, Zach-O racing the nationals, girl domination, the king of the vet class, hard harder awards and why the dry spell continues.

Day 1 is dusted and we got some ups and downs already. From DNF's to podiums this show covers all kinds of. things from the ranch! Maico's, Matthes, FLO TV talk, new winners and favorites beaten, this show will get you caught up!

Kris and Heather Keefer take on Loretta's for the last time and they here to take you through each day. Darkside joins in on the fun as he tackles his FIRST LL's so the laughs are abundant on this show.

Keefer will break down his 2026 Kawasaki KX450 LL's race machine and give you insight on what you can do to make your team green machine as good! Why is this bike so misunderstood? Keefer will tell you exactly why and why you shouldn't believe all of the negativity.