EP#84 - 2026 Beta 300 Race Tested!

Send us Fan MailCan a Chinese motocross bike genuinely compete with the established Japanese and European brands, or is it just another cheap alternative? We became the first in the world to ride the new ZXMOTO MX250, with ADB test rider Jeff Briggs heading to Melbourne to put the Chinese manufacturer's new 250cc motocross bike through its paces. And with Chinese manufacturers making some serious moves in the motorcycle industry, the question is whether ZXMOTO has built a bike worth taking seriously.We look at the MX250's engine performance, suspension, handling, build quality and how it stacks up against the bikes we've been riding for years. Jeff gives us his first impressions.

Send us Fan MailJust how tough was the 2026 International Six Days Enduro in Portugal? In this episode of the ADB Podcast, we chat with former GNCC Champ Josh Strang about his latest ISDE campaign aboard a Beta, the challenges of racing against the world's best enduro riders in the worst dust in years and what makes the Six Days such a demanding event.We break down the brutal conditions, dust and long days in the saddle. We also look back at his previous ISDE appearances, how the event has changed over the years, what it's like representing Australia and why, after so many years racing at the highest level, he's still lining up for another crack.

Send us Fan MailAre air vests worth it, or are they just another expensive bit of riding gear? In this episode of the ADB Podcast, we chat with Alpinestar's Christian Scire who explains   the Alpinestars Tech-Air system and how all the models differ. Before buying an air vest, make sure you listen to this podcast.We dive into how the technology works, how its sensors detect a crash and deploy the airbag in milliseconds, and what sort of injuries these systems are designed to help prevent. We also discuss the practical side of wearing an airbag vest for motocross, enduro and adventure riding, including comfort, weight, movement, accidental deployments and the cost of resetting the system after a crash. 

Send us Fan MailWe managed to get all three of Australia's 2026 Motocross of Nations riders together for this episode of the ADB Podcast, with Jed Beaton, Aaron Tanti and Alex Larwood joining us to give a proper behind-the-scenes look at Australia's MXoN campaign. We get the boys talking about what really happened on track, the pressure of representing Australia, the difficult starts, the battles through the pack and just how challenging the conditions were against the world's best motocross riders.It's a rare chance to hear all three riders together, comparing stories, having a laugh and giving us an insight into what really went down at the 2026 MXoN.

Send us Fan MailMost people reckon pulling a wheelie is hard enough, but Matt Hall is taking things to another level by attempting the longest blindfolded wheelie. And did we mention he's a paraplegic? In this episode of the ADB Podcast, we sit down with the man behind Outpatient Moto to hear his incredible story, from the injury that changed his life to getting back on a motorcycle, learning to ride with limited lower-body function and eventually pushing the boundaries of what's possible on two wheels.Matt talks us through the challenges of adaptive riding, the modifications required to control his motorcycle and how he mastered wheelies before deciding to attempt one without being able to see where he's going.

Send us Fan MailAt just 16 years old, Bernie Dunn’s life changed completely when a motorcycle accident resulted in the amputation of his left leg above the knee. In this episode of the ADB Podcast, Bernie takes us back to the accident, the decision to amputate, the long road through recovery and, incredibly, how motorcycles eventually became a massive part of his life again.Bernie explains how he relearned to ride as an above-knee amputee, the modifications and techniques required to control a dirtbike, and how that journey ultimately led him into motorcycle coaching and back to competition. We also talk about his recent return to racing, conquering Finke in 2027 and what it means to be competitive again and just how far he wants to take his riding from here. It’s an incredible story about motorcycles, determination and refusing to give up something you love.

Send us Fan MailIs there a better looking two-stroke than the Beta 300 Race? We jumped on the 2026 model to see how it stacks up against the other Beta two-strokes. Here's what we thought. 

Send us Fan MailArchie Connor might be one of the most exciting young rally talents coming through Australia right now and revealed his latest singing with Kove! Fresh out of high school, working full-time on the family farm and with an unusual racing background that doesn’t include a single motocross gate drop, Archie has gone from racing his first Pony Express at 11 years old to winning the 2026 Sunraysia Safari. In this episode of the ADB Podcast, we find out how a young bloke from the banks of the Murray has become seriously fast with a roadbook in front of him.Archie talks about his unconventional path into racing, the influence of his family, how working on the farm has surprisingly helped his rally riding and the lessons he’s learnt from mountain biking and other sports along the way. We also break down his breakthrough 2026 season, what it took to win the Safari, the art of racing flat-out while navigating and, most importantly, where he wants to take his rally career from here.

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when three everyday punters decide to take on the Australian Enduro Championship season? In this episode of the ADB Podcast, we sit down with three Vets riders who did exactly that — including one bloke who had never raced a motorcycle before. What started as a challenge quickly became one of the best experiences of their lives, travelling around the country, riding places they’d never normally see and lining up at some of Australia’s best enduro events.We talk about the reality of racing a full AEC season as normal working blokes — the travel, costs, preparation, fitness, crashes, laughs and just how bloody fast the front-running Vets actually are. More importantly, they explain why the championship became about far more than results, with the road trips, new mates and experiences along the way every bit as memorable as the racing itself. If you’ve ever thought you’re not fast enough or experienced enough to have a crack at AEC, this episode might change your mind.

Send us Fan MailDirtbike Burrito's Jeremy Cowley and ADB's Mitch Lees were back at it again this time testing the 2026 Honda CRF300L Rally. Jez took it home to spend some quality time with what the boys reckon is the best-looking adventure bike on the market. Here's what they thought of the performance of the bike.