Factory Bike Friday: Blake Wharton’s RM-Z250

Wharton's wicked wheels

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Factory Bike Friday: Blake Wharton’s Rockstar Energy Racing RM-Z250

Words & photos by Shan Moore

Blake Wharton’s Rockstar Energy Racing RM-Z250 is a factory killer, as evidenced by his Lites main event win at the Indy round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series a few weeks ago. While at the recent Houston round, team mechanic Brent Myron took Motocross.com on a guided tour of Wharton’s bike.

“Jamie Ellis is our crew chief, engine builder and R&D mechanic, and he’s made the bike compatible for Blake,” says Myron. “Blake shifts through the gears like a good motocross rider should, and with that being said, they’ve created a little bit more torque for Blake so he can lug the bike down a little bit when he needs to.”

According to Myron, Ellis has come up with a modified Moto Tassinari Air4orce setup that works well with the engine modifications that he’s implemented, which includes a CP piston.

In addition, the team uses Hinson pressure plates, clutch basket and clutch hub, which Myron says is nothing special. However, they do run special springs that are a little bit stiffer for Blake. And since Blake goes through the gearbox pretty good, the team uses different gearing from stock.

Wharton runs the 270mm rotors in the front, which Galfer provides for the team, along with a special front brake line. According to Myron, Blake is very sensitive to the feel of the front lever and he wants an aggressive, soft-feeling front brake. There are also Talon hubs, which are carbon fiber.

As far as suspension goes, Wharton likes to charge hard and so his Showa forks are set up a little bit stiffer than the rest of the team. Wharton is also very aggressive through the whoops so he prefers a bit longer wheelbase.

Applied supplies the triple clamps, which are the same offset as stock, however, the handlebar mounts are a bit taller since Wharton is a bit shorter than most riders.

Interestingly, Blake doesn’t like the feel of the extra row in the middle of the footpegs, because he feels it lifts him up off the peg too much, so Myron removes it from all of Wharton’s pegs.

The frame and plastic is littered with grip tape because Wharton likes to maneuver the bike by gripping it with his legs.

Other tidbits include Bel-Ray Lubricants, Renegade fuels, the complete line of Sunline products, a higher rated radiator cap, RK chain, One Industry graphics, Dunlop tires, UFO plastic, and TAG bars.

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Comments

Bryan
May 17, 2012 7:18 pm

i wish i hade the bike

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