Jonny Walker Breaks Down His Extreme Enduro Bike Setup
Jonny Walker gave fans a full behind-the-scenes look at his extreme enduro setup as he prepared to tackle the Tennessee Knockout (TKO) and a Canadian event. And true to form, he did it with trademark honesty and humour.
“I wanted to do Canada because I never have,” Walker said. “I’ve been there many times. I love the race because it is short, it is enjoyable, it is hot — extremely hot — and sticky.”
Riding with the Beta USA team, Walker revealed that his ride was actually “Danny’s training bike” but built with his own suspension and motor configuration. “I just told them make it as mellow as possible,” he explained.
Inside the team truck the scene was relaxed but professional: “There’s always the coffee machine, the lollies, the truck loaded with kit… and our truck driver Curt is also a chef — he aced the chow today. Steak and spuds and the whole shebang!”
When talking bike setup, Walker’s attention to detail was clear. He ran Renthal 827 Fatbars, Polisport handguards, and Raptor footpegs “five mil down and five mil back.” His rubber bands had a purpose too — “I put my energy gels or sweets in them, then I can take them off mid-ride and bite them off. Stuffed full of energy!”
The bike featured Michelin tyres and mousses, Blackbird Racing seat and graphics, and a GOLFER oversized floating front disc. He was also focused on durability: “We add an extra cover on top of the silicon hoses to protect them — it’s happened before where you hit it, break the water pipe, and you’re out of the race. Not anymore.” Walker opted for a 12-49 sprocket but noted he might drop to a 48 depending on the track. Carb settings were dialled for performance — “a N0Z J needle on the fourth clip, 38 pilot, 170 main jet, and a 6.5 slide — just makes it a little richer off the bottom,” he said.
With an AXP bash plate, radiator guards and 20 mm offset clamps, Walker’s ride was fine-tuned just like his riding style.
At the time he said the TKO weekend would include “a seven-minute lap — pretty extreme but quick,” followed by a straight rhythm qualifier and a 35-minute main race.
When the results came in, Walker delivered a strong performance — finishing 4th in the pro class at the TKO, a result that underlined his consistency at the top level of extreme enduro.
It made his pre-race insight all the more impressive: from truck setup to bike details, he left nothing to chance.