📷 5 Reasons to Dust Hustle

The boys from Ellaspede have made quite the impression with their unique brand of “Inappropriate Dirt Days” events in recent years. But just how good are these blokes at marketing their own lovechild? Well, we gave Ellaspede’s Online and Marketing Manager, Hughan Seary, the opportunity to sell us on five irrefutable reasons we need to ride their upcoming Dust Hustle events.
Take it away, Hughan…

Okay, with Ellaspede’s “Dust Hustle 4” event just around the corner, let’s take a look at the five reasons why you need to ride this dirt flirt fun day. Did we mention it’s open to all the weird, wonderful and woefully unsuitable motorcycles that could possibly be ridden on the dirt? Yep, it’s guaranteed to be a good time. Specifically, here’s why:

1. REMEMBER RIDING WHEN YOU WERE KIDS?

Well, this is basically the adult version of that. Imagine a whole crew of mismatched riders on inappropriate bikes duking it out on the dirt. It’s a spectacle of suspicious line choices and comical passing manoeuvres that even the kids would be proud of. You don’t need the latest gear or the most powerful bike either. Just pretend you’re 10, grab whatever bike you can throw a leg over, and go have some fun.

2. RIDE SOMETHING INAPPROPRIATE, IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS

It’s basically a MotoGP prerequisite to have dirt track experience. But at Dust Hustle, you don’t even need a proper dirt bike to do it. You’ll find a stack of entrants on everything from rigid Harleys to their sister’s slush-box scooter, all in the name of getting outside their comfort zone to improve those on- and off-road skills. There’s nothing like riding a small, inappropriate or otherworldly bike to really highlight good (or in our case, bad) technique and line choices. We’ve all seen the rider training schools that get you back on underpowered machines; well, this is the more radical version where you pick your own slippery steed.

3. NO GOOD TWO-WHEELED STORY EVER STARTED WITH, “I WAS RIDING THE PERFECT BIKE IN EXCELLENT CONDITIONS.”

We all love a good motorcycle story, and this is the event to make a few of your own. With most motorcycle events being so regulated these days, it’s refreshing that you can take a KTM Duke on a dirt track, undertake an XJR1300, both struggle for traction on the corner exit and then share a beer about it afterwards. How about TT600s battling YZ125s or the age-old Scooters versus Posties showdown? Race bikes are cool, but mismatched machines having a lap and a laugh is guaranteed amusement.

4. JOE PUBLIC SKILL LEVELS

The majority of riders at Dust Hustle aren’t Pro racers, so you can feel comfortable rolling out for a ride even if it’s you’re first dabble on the dirt. You’ll find first-timers, seasoned road riders and dedicated dirt squirters all mixing it up on inappropriate bikes. ‘Appropriate’ enduro and MX bikes are welcome too, so you can try some new tracks or settle the score with your usual riding buddies. Watching the Pros go at it is epic, but this is the event for everyone else. Sure, there are a few Pros involved, but they’re usually on unsuitable bikes too, so you’ll feel like a legend putting a pass on them.

5. NO TRAINING, JUST LAUGHING!

Forget the long hours at the gym or fine-tuning bike set-up. Dust Hustle has the minimum amount of requirements to ride your motorcycle on Pro-level, Motorcycling Australia-approved tracks. The simple safety requirements are easily achievable for most riders, so this would have to be one of the easiest events to get involved in. Plus, it doesn’t matter whether you’re on a new 300cc smoker or your first XR80; “bring it and ping it” is the theme for this foot-down dust-up. Never ridden on a Pro track? Not in race shape? Like to dress up and get radical? Perfect, you’ll fit right in with this crowd!

DUST HUSTLE 4 – TRACK OPTIONS

“THE MIDDLE CHILD” – NATURAL TERRAIN GRASSTRACK
Often unloved, this mid-size grasstrack has all the ingredients for our pick of the event. Reasonably flat with some on- and off-camber corners, it’s a ripe mix of tight turns and short straights; a sure-fire hit with the more nimble bikes with low HP.

“HOLLYWOOD HILLBILLY” – GROOMED LONG TRACK
This one’s your big boy! Over 2km long and covering some sweeping hills, the ‘Hollywood’ has got everything you wished for in one track – big corners, long straights and some tight sections (just to test the brakes).

“DAD’S A DRAG QUEEN” – GRASSTRACK DRAGS
A special track developed only for Dust Hustle 4. Practice your throttle control and race starts for this one. Settle the score with your fellow hustlers or simply decide who buys first at the bar. Did we mention
it’s on a hill?

^ Transmoto’s Events Manager – the itinerant Dingee Dingo, Robbie Warden – has already signed up to destroy his infamous old ’83 XT550 sled at Dust Hustle 4. So stay tuned for a wooly red beard-full of dubious yarns and discerning images from the April 22 event.

Images (above, and the gallery below) captured by Hope Photographic, Mark Tootel, Chromogenic, Alex Wotten and Karlos Neale.