Alvin Östlunds JWR Honda CRF 450 R MXoN Race Bike
AS3 Performance Parts Used By JWR Honda on Team Sweden's MXoN Race Bike
On the weekend of 4th-6th October 2024, JWR Honda and Alvin Östlund competed for team Sweden in the Motocross of Nations at Matterley Basin (UK). We were asked to supply parts for both the race and practice bike that Alvin was using at the event. Below we highlight a list of AS3 Performance parts that were used by the JWR Honda team on Alvin's Östlund's Honda CRF 450 R for the 2024 Motocross of Nations. We have pictures and details of the parts, as well as some links to videos of the bike and team set-up at the Nations.
Silicone Radiator Hoses
The team ran our blue silicone radiator hoses on Alvin Östlund's race bike to match with Sweden's blue colour on their flag and kit. This was the first time the team had used our blue hoses on the CRF 450 R, choosing to run them in red for the MXGP season. They also had our red radiator hoses on Östlund's 2nd bike. We must say, seeing the bikes side by side, we much preferred the blue colour - it really stood out against the red plastics on the bike and complimented the hints of blue on the graphics perfectly. Click here for a video behind the scenes of the bikes in the paddock.
A close-up of our blue silicone radiator hoses on Östlund's CRF 450 R
Front Brake & Clutch Levers
JWR Honda ran our black anodised cold forged levers for the whole of the 2024 season as Östlund preferred the feel of them compared to the OEM levers. Additionally to that, the levers also look much better than the standard aluminium levers and our levers are actually stronger too. Due to the cold-forging process, our levers will bend with any hard impacts, rather than snap, like the OEM levers would. JWR ran hand guards due to the stony nature of Matterley Basin's soil - the roost threw up lots of tiny stones which could have easily broken fingers and hands! We didn't see any bikes without hand guards at this year's MXoN. Click here for a video of Alvin Östlund heading out of the paddock to the B-Final race MXoN 2024.
Shot of our forged front brake lever through the hand guard fitted to Östlund's CRF 450 R
Close-up shot of our clutch lever on the CRF 450 R
Holeshot Device
Our holeshot devices have been used on all JWR Honda's CRF 450 R's since the start of the season. Choosing red to go with the red plastics of the Honda, our launch control device compresses the front forks, in order to get the best possible acceleration out of the gate when it drops. The device unclips as soon as the front brake is hit at the first corner, decompressing the front forks and returning them back to their normal function for the rest of the race. No pro rider these days races without a holeshot device, they are fitted to every bike in the paddock!
Close-up shot of our red anodised holeshot device on the MXoN race bike
Front Sprocket Guard
JWR Honda have ran our front sprocket guards throughout the 2024 MXGP season as they provide the necessary protection to the front sprocket and chain, needed when racing on any type of mx track - they offer much more protection than the OEM plastic guards. We also offer them in red for the Honda CRFs but JWR chose to run our black version.
Close-up shot of our black anodised front sprocket guard
Chain Guide
JWR have been big fans of our chain guides since they tested them before the 2024 MXGP season began. They swapped between our black and red versions throughout the season and chose black for the 2024 MXoN. The chain guide is vital to provide maximum protection for the rear sprocket and also keeps the chain running straight and in line.
Rear Brake Caliper Guard
Another favoured protection part used by JWR Honda throughout the season was our rear brake caliper guard. Even though we have a red anodised version also available, they chose to run black throughout the season and for the MXoN. OEM caliper guards are plastic, so with ours being CNC machined from aluminium, they offer much more protection and are much stronger than OEM guards.
Reservoir Covers
The team ran our front brake, rear brake ands clutch reservoir covers throughout the MXGP season, swapping between our black and red colour options. We also offer the front reservoir cover for a lot of Honda motocross models anodised in blue! For the 2024 Motocross of Nations, JWR Honda chose to run all black on Östlund's bikes. We have close-up shots of all three, below.
Close-up of our black anodised rear brake reservoir cover on JWR's CRF 450 R
Close-up of our black anodised front brake reservoir cover
Rotating Bar Clamps
Our rotating bar clamps are very popular with Motocross, Enduro and Supermoto riders! They have a universal fitting and are designed to protect the front brake master cylinder or clutch perch, as well as the levers, from damage. This is due to having a plastic insert that allows the clamps to rotate upon any impact. We offer the rotating bar clamps in a range of anodised colours. JWR Honda swapped between our red and black options throughout the season and ran red at the 2024 MXoN.
Close-up of our red anodised rotating bar clamp protecting the clutch perch
Front Brake Line Clamp
With our choice of black, red and blue front brake line clamps available for Honda motocross bikes, JWR chose to go with the black option for the Motocross of Nations. Our front brake line clamps provide a strong and precise clamp for the brake hose as they are CNC machined from billet aluminium and unlike most of our other aluminium hard parts, they have a slightly textured finish. The black anodising gives the part a big visual upgrade compared to the OEM brake line clamp.
Close-up shot of our front brake line clamp after MXoN practice on the Saturday
Rear Brake Clevis
All our rear brake clevis are CNC machined from billet aluminium and come in a variety of anodised colours, depending on model of bike. They are a really popular addition as a replacement for the standard rear brake clevis and really finish the bike off when paired with one of our forged black rear brake pedals. They have a stainless steel pin and clip with is corrosion resistant. JWR Honda ran our black anodised version on Östlund's CRF 450 R's throughout the 2024 season, as well as at the MXoN.
Close-up shot of our black anodised rear brake clevis
Engine Plug
The JWR Honda race bikes are all fitted with Suter clutches which is why they run the matching Suter clutch covers. For the Motocross of Nations bikes they chose to upgrade the OEM engine plug and replace it with our black anodised plug, improving the look of the right side of the engine. Our engine plugs really pop out against the lighter Suter clutch cover, as you can see in the photo below. As they are CNC machined, this allows for a precise fit for any clutch cover and they stay solid in place under high heat and pressure conditions.
Close-up of our engine plug in the Suter clutch cover that JWR Honda ran throughout the season and at MXoN
Other Parts & Products Used By JWR Honda
One Gripper supplied the seat covers throughout the 2024 season, as well as the Swedish themed seat cover especially for the MXoN. Suter supplied the clutch and clutch cover. Pirelli supplied the tires and VP Racing fuels supplied the team with their race fuels, additives and coolants, as well as oils and lubricants.
The Swedish coloured decals and the colours on the One Gripper seat cover looked really nice on the JWR Honda CRF 450 R
To wrap up this feature we're going to do some questions and answers about the bike, the parts used on Östlund's bike and the 2024 Swedish Motocross of Nations Team. If you have any questions about any of the parts that we highlighted or any other parts on our website, don't hesitate to get in touch and we will be happy to help you out.
Where can I purchase black anodised parts for my motocross bike?
At AS3 Performance we stock a large range of black anodised hard parts, performance parts and protection parts! We have a number of categories on our website, ranging from Handlebars & Suspension, to Levers, Foot pegs and Engine Parts, all containing black anodised parts options. As shown above, JWR Honda used a whole range of our black anodised hard parts on their Honda CRF 450 R mx bikes, really giving the bikes that factory look.
Who rode for Team Sweden for the 2024 MXoN?
In addition to Alvin Östlund competing in the MXOpen class, Arvid Lüning was competing in the MX2 class, with Isak Gifting competing in the MXGP Class. It was the ninth MXoN that Östlund was competing in and just the first for Lüning. Gifting was competing in his third MXoN.
Team Sweden 2024 MXoN #55 Isak Gifting, #56 Arvid Lüning, #57 Alvin Östlund
What bikes did Team Sweden ride in the 2024 MXoN?
Arvid Lüning was competing on a GasGas MC 250 F, the same bike he had competed on throughout the 2024 FIM World Motocross Championship. He rode for the Young Motion powered by Resa MX2 class team and came 27th overall in the MX2 FIM Championship. Isak Gifting was competing on a JK Racing Yamaha YZ 450 F, which he raced in the 2024 FIM World Motocross Championship. Gifting debuted in the MXGP class and came 17th overall in that Championship.
Where did Team Sweden finish in the 2024 MXoN?
Unfortunately, the team did not qualify for Sunday's main event by way of the Qualifying Races on the Saturday. They had one last chance to qualify in the B Final on the Sunday morning, but narrowly lost out to Team Latvia, coming P2. They needed to come P1 with only one team going through to the MXoN main event. Team Sweden officially came 21st overall in the 2024 Motocross of Nations.
