Inside Josh Hansen's Kawasaki KX450F dirt bike
Inside Josh Hansen's Best Whip machine
An eight-time X Games Moto X medalist and son of 1982 AMA Supercross champ Donnie Hansen, Josh Hansen has medaled in three different disciplines at X Games: Racing, Best Whip, and Step Up. A spectacularly talented rider, Hansen's career expanded past racing at X Games, allowing him to spread his wings in Step Up and Best Whip. This year at X Games Austin 2016, Hansen is on the invite list for Moto X Best Whip, and recently, photographer Chris Tedesco caught up with Hansen to survey his latest ride. Here's Hansens bike less than one week out from X.
An eight-time X Games Moto X medalist and son of 1982 AMA Supercross champ Donnie Hansen, Josh Hansen has medaled in three different disciplines at X Games: Racing, Best Whip, and Step Up. A spectacularly talented rider, Hansen's career expanded past racing at X Games, allowing him to spread his wings in Step Up and Best Whip. This year at X Games Austin 2016, Hansen is on the invite list for Moto X Best Whip, and recently, photographer Chris Tedesco caught up with Hansen to survey his latest ride. Here's Hansens bike less than one week out from X.
Useful in Austin
Hansen brought his 2016 Kawasaki KX450F built by Houston Steadmen for an exclusive look inside. It features loads of trick parts with anodized and thermal coatings. Hansen rode this bike in Supercross earlier this year, which is why the engine features a special thermal coating that is used to disburse heat away from engine components and lower oil temperatures. This could prove to be useful in Austin.
Hansen brought his 2016 Kawasaki KX450F built by Houston Steadmen for an exclusive look inside. It features loads of trick parts with anodized and thermal coatings. Hansen rode this bike in Supercross earlier this year, which is why the engine features a special thermal coating that is used to disburse heat away from engine components and lower oil temperatures. This could prove to be useful in Austin.
Trusted gearing
Beneath the carbon fiber guide and gold chain is the same gearing Hansen used in Supercross. This will provide the immediate acceleration needed to clear the gap.
Beneath the carbon fiber guide and gold chain is the same gearing Hansen used in Supercross. This will provide the immediate acceleration needed to clear the gap.
Front end
A black anodized, carbon fiber Talon hub holds the front wheel together.
A black anodized, carbon fiber Talon hub holds the front wheel together.
Race ready
Stopping power isn't crucial for Best Whip, but this oversized Galffer front brake set up for racing will be there if needed.
Stopping power isn't crucial for Best Whip, but this oversized Galffer front brake set up for racing will be there if needed.
The path of least resistance
On nearly every FMX bike, you will find a steering stabilizer to hold the bars in place during tricks. However, Hansen runs no stabilizer on his front end. In fact, his front end is so loose that it would not stay straight for a photo. Added resistance to turn the bars in the air can impact the overall angle of a whip.
On nearly every FMX bike, you will find a steering stabilizer to hold the bars in place during tricks. However, Hansen runs no stabilizer on his front end. In fact, his front end is so loose that it would not stay straight for a photo. Added resistance to turn the bars in the air can impact the overall angle of a whip.
Extra power
A Hinson clutch holds strong and delivers all of the extra power generated by the Pro Circuit pipe to the ground.
A Hinson clutch holds strong and delivers all of the extra power generated by the Pro Circuit pipe to the ground.
All-black anodizing
For X Games, Hansen went with an all-black anodized swingarm.
For X Games, Hansen went with an all-black anodized swingarm.
Seating
Hansen uses a D'Cor Visuals seat cover with extra grip to keep him in place when his seat bounces his body off the ramp. It also looks great.
Hansen uses a D'Cor Visuals seat cover with extra grip to keep him in place when his seat bounces his body off the ramp. It also looks great.
Added grip
The rear Showa Factory shock is anodized black, and the frame features a textured coating for added grip.
The rear Showa Factory shock is anodized black, and the frame features a textured coating for added grip.
Custom design
Project Seven designed Hansen a Jordan zebra print-inspired graphic kit. The black and white theme is sure to stand out against the Austin sky.
Project Seven designed Hansen a Jordan zebra print-inspired graphic kit. The black and white theme is sure to stand out against the Austin sky.
Not for sale
One of the thickest parts on Hansen's bike is the Showa Factory suspension. The coated front fork is filled with special components that you can't buy.
One of the thickest parts on Hansen's bike is the Showa Factory suspension. The coated front fork is filled with special components that you can't buy.
Raptor pegs
This is not something from a horror movie, this is a Raptor foot peg on Hansen's bike. Clearly, his feet aren't coming off the pegs unless he wants them to.
This is not something from a horror movie, this is a Raptor foot peg on Hansen's bike. Clearly, his feet aren't coming off the pegs unless he wants them to.
No shortage of carbon fiber
If you haven't noticed by now, there is no shortage of carbon fiber on Hansen's Kawasaki KX450F.
If you haven't noticed by now, there is no shortage of carbon fiber on Hansen's Kawasaki KX450F.
Soon to be inverted
So fresh, so clean. Mechanic Houston Steadmen built Josh Hansen a unique bike for X Games Austin 2016, and soon enough, you will see it inverted. Be sure to tweet to vote for Moto X Best Whip at X Games Austin 2016.
So fresh, so clean. Mechanic Houston Steadmen built Josh Hansen a unique bike for X Games Austin 2016, and soon enough, you will see it inverted. Be sure to tweet to vote for Moto X Best Whip at X Games Austin 2016.
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