This set is awesome. I can't recall such a detailed motocross bike being produced by Lego, the only other one I can think of is the one from '05 or '06.

Pros

• Working Pistons
  
• Detail!
• interesting to see how it comes together as it's different from other Technic builds
• lots of useful parts for custom creations
  

Cons

• Hard to put tires on wheels
  
• Alternate model is too similar
• $39 hefty for a model this size
  

As I said in the beginning, this set is great. It's quite different from other Technic models as it's built in an inside -> out order instead of top to bottom.
The price is a bit high though.

I have a KTM 450EXC, so this set made a lot of sense :)

The bike has double cylinders, so it's not similar to any cross bike I've seen lately

The chains aren't very smooth, however the feeling of the bike is great, the springs are really well placed.

The build is fun and the model would make a great display piece

When I saw the bike online, I knew I had to have it, to compliment my 9392 Quad Bike.

I think the two aren't exactly the same scale, but they do look very nice together on a shelf.

The build was a lot of fun, you build the center first, then the back, and finally the front of the bike.

Pros

• Fun to build
• Great pieces [2+1 springs, chain, the wheels and tires are absolutely brilliant, motor block, exhaust system, etc]
• I also love the colour scheme, I know it's not everybody's taste, but I love the orange/black combination

Cons

• The price, I got it at a discount, but a MSRP of €29,99 / £24.99 / US$39.99 it is a bit steep, even considering the pieces used
• When playing with it, you should be a little careful pushing it down to play with the suspension because it seems to put a bit of stress on the two spring pieces at the front

Although the two above cons, it's a very good set and lots of fun to play around with. Even for an AFOL, it's fun to ride it a bit, and play with the suspension and to see the motor block work.

I would certainly recommend this set, but you might want to wait until you find it on sale somewhere.

The previous off-road bike, 8291 from 2008 was a pleasant surprise so when I saw the first pictures of a new off-roader in striking orange I knew I was going to buy the set. Oh, being a biker may also have had something to do with it...

Box/Instructions

Parts

Opening the box reveals 3 bags of parts, two large knobly tyres and a sticker sheet that looks like it had been intimate with one of those tyres... I've said this before: Lego put stickers and instructions in a separate bag for sets over a certain parts count. I believe they should do so for sets that have large parts that are loose in the box.

The parts are mostly what you'd expect; black studless beams, some axles and connectors in light grey and black. Surprisingly there are only 9 orange parts! Oh, and of course those gorgeous new rugged tyres.

The build

Building wasn't hard. You start with the engine and frame, then add rear forks, tank/panels, exhaust and front forks. The connection of the forks is using different parts than I've seen on previous bikes which is always nice to see. I was surprised to see a double gear only halfway onto an axle. Granted, it's held in place, but it's unusual.

The completed model

Once completed you have a bike that, like on the box, is quite striking. It's when you look closer and start playing that trouble starts...

The engine is once again an unusual type for an off-roader: a transverse V-twin. It revs slower than on the previous bike because of a 12/20 gear reduction. The gear for the rear wheel is on the outside of the forks which is odd. No brake-discs this time.

The fuel tank looks wrong; it's too low, too wide and there's nothing on top. On a positive note the number plate and mudgeard on the front look pretty good.

Technic motorbikes tend to have the same set of play functions; revving engine, steering, suspension and a stand. And here we have the biggest problem: one of those functions does not work. When you press down on the handle bars the front forks bend instead of 'telescoping in'.

Summary

Love at first sight with this bike didn't last very long. She's got those great tyres but she's lacking details. And worse: she doesn't do what it says on the tin. Err.. box.

The price has gone up about 30% since the last bike. That's a fair bit more than inflation over 5 years. The parts count has only gone up 2% or 5 parts which is bad news for value for money.

Unless you're a Technic bike collector I can't really recommend this set.