There’s no shortage of passion, polish and pride when it comes to the Built To Ride bike builds being entered at this year’s Classic Weekend. From ground-up restorations to tastefully modded survivors, these bikes are more than just eye candy — they’re built to be ridden. We caught up with a few legends bringing the heat in 2025, from Bejamin Reed’s backyard-rescued KDX, Jason Mott’s tricked-out XR250R, to Curly’s decade-perfect XR restomod.
BUILT TO RIDE – The @dirtactionmag bike build competition is happening Friday arvo at the @spangleddrongobrewing village bar, kicking off festivities for this year’s @classicweekend!
Bejamin Reed’s 1990 Kawasaki KDX200SR 
Bejamin Reed’s 1990 KDX200SR
Here’s @bejaminreed‘s build! He said:
“It’s a 1990 KDX200SR. I’ve taken all the road gear off. Just swapped the steel tank for a plastic one off a KX250. It has a fresh top end and FMF pipe, so it goes decent for what it is. It’s had heaps of bits and pieces done over the five years I’ve had it. Bought it as a complete wreck for $800 and slowly fixed it up. It’s done three Dust Hustles, but I’ve never been to Classic Weekend and I’m really excited. My brother is coming on his ’88 DT175 and a few other mates will be there watching. Hopefully my wife and kids will come for a look on Saturday, and same with my brother’s — we can’t wait!”
Anyone wanting to enter the Built To Ride event, just roll up Friday arvo! Be sure your bike is spit-polished and ready to show off, and be in the running for prizes from @ballardsoffroad, @ratracing_official, and @motulaus!
Jason Motts 1992 Honda XR250R 
BUILT TO RIDE and DIRTLAB SHOW N SHINE entry bike featured here is
Jason Mott’s 1992 Honda XR250R!
“The bike has had extensive mods, including a hand-built lengthened rear shock to match the XR600 front end, including the larger disc and hub.
It runs a machined-out TT top clamp to centre the bars over the front forks. Our mates at @axiommotox laced the standard rear hub and XR600 front hub into some gold Excel rims with stainless spokes.
The frame has been powder-coated, and the engine fully rebuilt, including a 280 kit and big-fin head sourced from a donor bike. It’s running a full Staintune exhaust system, and all alloy parts were soda-blasted. Every nut, bolt, axle, and metal part has also been replated or coated. It’s got all-new cables, both calipers and master cylinders have been rebuilt, and new brake lines make it stop on a dime. The bike features new front and rear guards from @mxstore, and all remaining plastics were cleaned, prepped and treated to a custom decal set from our friends at @kustommx. Renthal bars, new grips, and a few other little bits complete the build.”
It will be ridden on both the @fisthandwear Enduro Loop and @ballardsoffroad Pre-95 track at Classic Weekend by owner Jason @meet.the.motts_
Jason would like to thank Peter Bagley, Corey Glock, and Mark Barnes for their help with the build — and his mates for convincing him to ride an old bike again.
Alex “Curly” Laird’s 1995 Honda XR 250R 
Alex “Curly” Laird’s1995 Honda XR250
BUILT TO RIDE! Check out this mint 1995 Honda XR250 Restomod. Built by Alex “Curly” Laird, it’s taken over two years and $4,500 in parts to complete his ground-up nut-and-bolt restoration, featuring:
- Powder-coated frame
- Electroplated every nut and bolt in silver zinc
- Full engine rebuild
- Split cases; all new bearings, seals etc.
- Wiseco 280 kit
- New valves and springs
- Complete top-end refresh
- Rebuilt suspension front and rear
- New bearings and seals in swingarm and linkage
- Rebuilt and restored original brake calipers and master cylinders
- New seat
- As many NOS Honda parts as he could get his hands on
“This is my @dirtactionmag Built To Ride comp bike. It’s 95% done. I’m going to enter the Built To Ride Bike Comp Friday and the #Dirtlab Show N Shine Saturday at @ClassicWeekend. I’ll be riding it Sunday! I plan to keep it and ride it — it’s taken two years to build… and fuck me, was it a piece of shit when I bought it. Can’t wait to ride it in a couple weeks!”
Well done, Curly!
If you want your bike build – that you plan to bring along to the Classic Weekend Dirt Action ‘Built To Ride’ comp – featured here in the lead up, send info and images to gobrien@umco.com.au
To enter the Dirt Action Built To Ride comp just roll up to the Spangled Drongo Village bar at Classic Weekend on the Friday arvo at 4pm, grab a beer, and we’ll have a chat to you about your build you are riding at the event, and we’ll pick three winners to feature in Dirt Action magazine. Prizes supplied by Rat Racing, Motul Australia, and Ballards Off Road.
Be the first to comment