Tested: THOR RADIAL motocross boot review

Aug 04, 2023

Brad Wheeler gives his verdict.

Published

on

By

The THOR RADIAL motocross boot, is it the best boot you’ve probably never heard of?If you’re reading this you are probably familiar with the brand name THOR. Why wouldn’t you be, they’ve been part of numerous championships in both motocross and supercross. The Star Racing Yamaha squad from 2016 to the present and Cooper Webb’s two SX 450 championships in 2019 & 2021 to name a couple.

Words: Brad Wheeler | Lead Image: Supplied

What you may not be aware of is that THOR also makes a pretty darn good motocross boot. The THOR RADIAL comes in 4 different colour ways so you can make sure you get the right colour to match your kit. Parts Europe sent us at MX Vice a fresh pair to put to the test. Being the MX Vice test rider, the job fell upon my head.

When I first opened the box I was sold on the look of them instantly. No super flashy patterns, just a clean THOR logo on the shin plate and the same again on the side. If I were to compare the look and design to a more well-known boot brand; I’d say if a FOX instinct and an Alpinestar tech 7 had a baby, it would be this.

The boot is lightweight yet doesn’t skimp on protection. A lot of boots around the same price range as the RADIAL neglect the back part of the ankle and just use a foam piece that bends when you lift your ankle up and down. However, the Radial does use a piece of foam but also uses a radial hinge. This improves flexibility front to back but increases rigidity laterally. There is a piece of moulded plastic over the foam, this not only stops things like stakes and foot pegs from hitting your ankle, but it also helps protect the foam from ripping. The piece of plastic also acts as a stopper. If you hyper-extend your ankle joint the plastic cover hits another part of the boot and stops you from doing any real damage to your ankle joint. And those that have had ligament or muscle damage know that most of the time it’s a longer recovery than a broken bone.

Now, the comfort. There is a stigma as old as time that new boots are too stiff, hard to ride in, and can’t change gear. Today, this is rarely true. Sure, they of course feel a little stiffer but it took me all of 2 laps to adjust and put it completely out of my mind. The sponge inside the boot hugs your foot and leaves you feeling confident that your foot is in a safe place. The three adjustable straps allow you to fully customise your fit no matter what size your legs are.

The inside of the boot is designed with both protection and grip in mind. The burn guard at the top of the boot and mid-level is going to not only protect you from burns, but it will help the life span of the boot. It is also quite a rubbery material so it’s going to help grip the bike with your legs.

After the initial two laps of just getting used to a different boot than what I’m used to, I instantly had a great feel on the pegs. Not in a way that made me feel like I didn’t have a boot on, but in a way that made me very aware of where under my foot the peg was. The big benefit to this is it encourages you to get your foot back on the peg so you’re on the balls of your toes. Most riding coaches nowadays say you want to grip the bike with your knees in a neutral position and be on the balls of your toes. The THOR RADIAL makes this easier than other boot brands in the same market.

Some cool features of the boot are that the sole is completely replaceable. You can go to Parts Europe and order a RADIAL sole replacement, THOR recommends you take the boot to a cobbler who should have no issues replacing it. So if you’re someone that runs super sharp pegs and the soles of your boots are getting chewed up you can replace it. Another little feature that shows THOR has thought of everything. The bottom buckle has a little lip of moulded plastic in front of it. This means that any stones or dirt that are coming that way will be deflected off and won’t unhinge the bottom buckle.

Like most boots, the RADIAL also has a moisture barrier to stop water seeping through if you’re in a mud race or they’ve just flooded the track before your first race. And in terms of fitment, if you’re ordering in UK sizing I would maybe size down. I am a 9 but in a RADIAL this is a US11 so it felt a bit big and I had to double sock. So in the future, I would get a size 8.

The THOR RADIAL was a boot three years in the making so you can be sure that they have done their best to make it as safe and comfy as possible whilst still trying to keep to that mid-level price point of £250. I really couldn’t find any faults in the boot. I used an all-white pair, and those of you with an aluminium frame know that white boots looked trashed after a weekend. These were no different when I put them back in the van. I washed them when I was home with the bike, with some bike cleaner and a wire wool pad they looked brand new again. No black marks and no stains. I was really impressed at how well they scrubbed up.

At the price point of £250, it is an absolute bargain for the amount of boot you get. I would stack this boot up against any boot within £100 of that and I’d be confident that the THOR RADIAL would come out on top.

So yes, the THOR RADIAL is the best boot you’ve probably never heard of. Get yours now at the Parts Europe website.

Tested and written by Brad Wheeler

Love what we do? Please read this article as we try to raise £30,000.

Tested: THOR Prime MX kit review

Plews Tyres Launch

Tested: FOX Instinct 2.0 Motocross Boot Review

Tested: THOR Prime MX kit review

THOR Spring 2023 collection

Tested: Scott Softcon Hybrid Pro Body Armour and Scott Softcon Hybrid Pro Jacket

BYN Update: Parts Europe

Musquin continues with Thor

Check it out.

Published

on

By

Live in the past and get passed, and while our history is the stuff of legends, we’re starting a new conversation with new and innovative racewear that looks to the future.

Racewear designed to elevate and amplify the next generation and those changing the sport, forever. Check out the Fox Mainline Collection (MX24) below. For more info: https://bit.ly/Mainlinefa23

Yamaha flagship model to be unveiled at the event

Published

on

By

The Promoters of VMXdN Foxhill are thrilled to announce their partnership between Yamaha UK and Yamaha Motor Europe in celebration of the 50 years of YZ anniversary.

Words & Featured Image: Press Release

Those attending VMXdN Foxhill will be the first to see the YZ250F 50th Anniversary Edition in Europe. To celebrate this 50th anniversary in style, Yamaha is bringing former World Champions Alessio Chiodi and Michele Rinaldi all the way from Italy to add to the excitement of this grand unveiling. Also on hand for the presentation are Yamaha Ambassadors Doug Dubach and Ryan Villopoto!

The presentation will take place during the event on the evening of Friday, August 25th, during the Pulp MX Podcast.

The three-time World Champion Alessio “Chicco” Chiodi will be taking to the track as he is competing in the Super Evo Open over 50 years class. The Rinaldi team are preparing a Factory equipped 1993 Yamaha YZ 250 with Chicco’s famous 121 number.

In celebration of 50 years of YZ, Yamaha will have professional photographers on hand all weekend, including being in attendance for Thursday’s Show’N’Shine, wanting to capture as many Yamahas as possible from across the years.

“To have a global brand like Yamaha wanting to partner with VMXdN Foxhill to showcase their 50th-year celebrations is a true honour and cements the event’s standing in the MX calendar; it will be an epic weekend.” Rob ‘DocWob’ Walters – VMXdN Foxhill Promoter

Dave King added, “Thanks to Crescent Yamaha (who also run the Pata Yamaha Prometeon WSBK team) for helping to put this together. They are a massive supporter of the VMXdN Foxhill and, for 2023, have introduced YRHC to the event as a partner.”

So, mark your calendars, and prepare for a celebration as Yamaha marks 50 years of YZ at VMXdN Foxhill 2023!

Don’t miss out on all the action by securing your tickets now!

Tickets are available at www.vmxdnfoxhill.com or https://vmxdnfoxhill2023.eventbrite.co.uk

Camping passes are filling up fast, and online ticket sales close at 10 pm on Wednesday, August 23rd

*ALL Tickets will be available at the gate. *camping subject to availability

kofiWidgetOverlay.draw('mxvice', {'type': 'floating-chat','floating-chat.donateButton.text': 'Support Us','floating-chat.donateButton.background-color': '#00B9FE','floating-chat.donateButton.text-color': '#fff'});

See now.

Published

on

By

Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA is excited to mark the 50th anniversary of its legendary YZ model line with the introduction of the new 2024 50th Anniversary Edition YZ125, YZ250, YZ250F and YZ450F. With bold heritage livery inspired by the iconic 1990s-era YZ two-strokes campaigned by riders like Damon Bradshaw and Jeff Emig, these Anniversary Edition models commemorate a thrilling and nostalgic time of American motocross near the end of the two-stroke era.

Words: Press Release | Lead Image: Yamaha

First introduced in 1974, the YZ lineup has represented the pinnacle of motocross technological advancement and off-road performance. From the original YZ250 two-stroke and game-changing YZ400F four-stroke to breakthrough technologies like monoshock suspension, liquid-cooling, exhaust power valves, and modern four-stroke technology, the YZ has long been a leading platform for off-road development.

“As we look back at our rich history of YZ models, we felt it only natural to commemorate the 50th anniversary with special livery for 2024,” said Derek Brooks, Yamaha Motorsports Motorcycle Product Line Manager. “The 90s was a special era for me as a teenager, racing on the weekends and watching my hero, Damon Bradshaw. He set the world on fire, not only with his riding but also with the style of his bikes and gear. I can’t think of a better way to pay homage to the iconic YZ than with this iconic era of design.”

The new 2024 YZ125 50th Anniversary Edition will be available from dealers this August for $7,299 MSRP. The new 2024 YZ250 50thAnniversary Edition will be available from dealers this August for $8,199 MSRP. The new 2024 YZ250F 50th Anniversary Edition will be available from dealers this October for $9,099 MSRP. The new 2024 YZ450F 50th Anniversary Edition will be available from dealers this August for $10,199 MSRP.

Brand New 2024 Yamaha YZ250F

Long a cornerstone of Yamaha’s off-road racing success, the lauded YZ250F has remained at the top of the ultra-competitive 250cc class for years, winning numerous press shootouts and more than a dozen Supercross and Motocross championships since 2014. The new 2024 YZ250F features extensive updates designed to further boost its class-leading performance and capability.

Underneath its sharp, aggressive new YZ styling lies the most refined, balanced and competition-ready YZ250F ever. A lighter, more compact chassis offers improved handling feel and more comfortable riding position, a revised intake path boosts mid- to high-rpm performance, and an advanced new generation Yamaha Power Tuner App is simpler to use and more intuitive than ever.

It starts with a completely redesigned aluminium bilateral beam frame based on its class-dominating YZ450F sibling, providing just the right amount of strength and flex for the perfect balance of stability and cornering performance. The result is a better handling machine with lightweight feel and increased front wheel traction, allowing the rider to enter corners with greater confidence and more line choices.

Additional chassis updates include revised suspension internals to match the new frame. Class leading, fully adjustable KYB® coil spring-type fork with speed-sensitive damping delivers exceptional balance between handling and bump absorption for championship-winning performance. The fork now also includes a hand-adjustable knob for quick, toolless compression adjustments. The linkage-type rear suspension features a revised KYB® shock, and combines with the updated front suspension to provide less pitch on corner entry/exit for improved stability.

Drawing further inspiration from the flagship YZ450F, the new 2024 YZ250F has a slimmer, flatter body design for enhanced rider movement, including a lower airbox, flatter seat and more narrow fuel tank and radiator shrouds. The rider triangle is also improved with increased legroom between the seat and footpegs for improved rider comfort.

Known for its broad, usable powerband and class-leading low-end and mid-range torque, the YZ250F’s advanced four-stroke engine features a high-spec piston, aggressive cam profiles and forward positioned intake cylinder head layout. New for 2024, the updated body design now allows for a more efficient intake path which, together with revised ECU settings, results in even more mid- to high-end power.

To help riders fine tune that power to their liking, the new YZ250F is compatible with Yamaha’s next-generation Power Tuner App, allowing detailed air/fuel mixture and ignition timing adjustments to be made on their smartphone, tailoring delivery to specific preferences or riding conditions. An intuitive new “Simple Tuning” slide bar further simplifies the engine mapping process to where riders can simply scroll between smoother or more aggressive power character settings for the quickest adjustments. The app can also monitor a range of data such as maintenance and system diagnosis, engine run time, lap times or log track set-up information. There’s also helpful new engine and suspension tuning guides to dial in the perfect setup.

Additional features for 2024 include an all-new Traction Control System, which communicates wheel slip to the ECU to maintain ideal rear wheel traction. Three levels can be selected: HIGH, LOW or OFF. Also, an updated Launch Control System now features an rpm limiter which can be adjusted in 500 rpm increments between 6,000 rpm and 14,000 rpm for optimised launches when the gate drops. Both systems are controlled through the Yamaha Power Tuner App.

With these carefully considered updates, Yamaha plans to take the unparalleled racing pedigree of YZ250F to a new level of performance.

Additionally, the remainder of Yamaha’s Motocross lineup including the YZ65, YZ85 and YZ85LW, YZ125, YZ250 and YZ450F return for 2024 with updated graphics and a new seat colour.

WSX Statement on recent rumours

Amped at the British Sprint Enduro Championship – Round 4 & 5

Supercross Advert: Athletes

France announces exceptional MXoN squad

Announcement – Team GB Motocross of Nations Selection

Entry List: AMA Pro Motocross Ironman

South Africa, Sweden and Czech Republic announce MXoN teams

Live Results: AMA Pro Motocross Ironman