EVENT: BERM BUSTER IS BACK
2022 sees the resurgence of the ever-popular Berm Buster trail ride in the Taupo region, and I decided it was time to remind myself what this event was all about.
The good news is, if you like what Berm Buster used to be, you will still be pretty chuffed with how the new owners are keeping the good bits alive, cutting new tracks using big machinery, and adding to the already successful format.
What I liked the most is that both big loops were open on Saturday and Sunday, so if you could only make it on day one, you didn’t miss out on half of the trail ride. That does mean though, that early morning risers on Sunday don’t get a smooth highway, but that didn’t seem to be a big deal with the obvious track prep that the new owners had put in resulting in some longer life out of the tracks before they started to chop up, which is something you can’t eliminate on pumice terrain.
Big machinery for big tracks. Whoops be gone!
The fact that you could test three different brands of motorcycle was also bloody good. Kawasaki, Husqvarna, and KTM brands were available to take for a rip around the test track, resulting in at least one purchase I know of. This kind of collaboration is not only great for the dealers, but great for the industry as a whole.
I could waffle on...but I won’t. If you always enjoyed Berm Buster - you will love this new version. If you were over Berm Buster, I would say give these guys another crack, as the track prep and plethora of extra trails, expert sections, test bikes and food truck is worth it.
Heck, the sign-on container is worth the trip down alone just to check out its quality. But my mate Tim built that so I might be a little bias.
Birds eye view of the new look pits at Berm Buster
What You Need To Know
AFC Berm buster is throughout winter. meaning there is usually a good amount of rain to settle the tracks and eliminate the dust and they have also made a new minis track.
Tracks you will usually fine at AFC Berm Buster:
2 Main Trails
10 EXPERTS SECTIONS
Middle Trail
Novice Trail
3 kids tracks
Demo bikes will be back to test out on the demo track. KTM’s, Kawasaki’s and Husqvarna’s.
No Eftpos available and no dogs.
For more information and for future dates CLICK HERE.
Scotty and his MotoSR team will be there to tweak that suspension should you feel like your rides needs some work.
Here are some videos from past events on what some of the tracks might look like.
Here Tim Salter stars in the first one with great chat throughout the whole loop - what a guy.
Meet Liam from AFC Motorcycles and Clarke, who is one of the new owners of Epic Events.
Oldie but a goodie where you can catch a glimpse of Whibley.