The 2024 Honda CRF450R spent some time in a notable garage recently, belonging to four-time 250 National MX Champion Gary Jones, who, at 72, still actively rides. Honda loaned him their test bike, customized with graphics paying homage to Jones’s 1973 championship on a Honda RC250 works bike.
The bike, displayed at Honda’s Collection Hall alongside the original 1973 works bike, attracted attention at the Cars, Bikes, and Coffee event, where visitors can exhibit their vehicles while enjoying the hall’s offerings.
Despite being visually customized, the Gary Jones tribute bike retains its stock mechanics, aside from suspension revolving by AHM. Jones’s illustrious career spanned championships on Yamaha, Honda, and Can-Am, with his 1973 victory marking Honda’s first official motocross championship. However, his tenure with Honda was cut short after a significant crash at the Carlsbad USGP, leading to Honda’s withdrawal from the Open class.
Following his departure from Honda, Jones raced with Maico in the Trans-AMA series before signing with Can-Am, where he clinched the 1974 250 Championship. Unfortunately, his career was marred by a severe leg injury at Daytona in 1975, marking a difficult recovery period. The upcoming Cars, Bikes, and Coffee event at Honda’s Collection Hall presents an opportunity for enthusiasts to witness Jones’s legacy firsthand.
Additionally, another tribute bike, a 1974 Yamaha YZ360, will be ridden by Jones’s son, Justin Jones, in the Wiseco Two-Stroke Championship. The bike holds sentimental value, reminiscent of Gary’s past races, and Justin exhibits remarkable skill while riding it. In other news, the Dirt Bike garage introduces the Arctic Leopard EXE800, an electric bike showcased at the Dakar Rally, catering to the growing interest in electric bike classes.
The Arctic Leopard, distributed by Pinned Electric in the U.S., offers models akin to 250 and 450 motocross bikes, attracting attention from riders like Carson Brown. Meanwhile, the Silver State 300 pre-registration remains open, with a looming deadline for participants to avoid extra fees. These updates from the motocross world promise excitement and innovation for enthusiasts and competitors alike.
