“Is that a Dakar Rally Bike?” One of the locals at the track asked Johnny Campbell as he rolled his machine out of the JCR Honda race van. “It’s an Africa Twin” said Johnny. Entering the track for his first sighting lap, several riders looked on slack jawed with phones out, not sure what they were witnessing. For many it was their first time ever seeing a bike with a plate at the motocross track, let alone an Africa Twin. And this was Southern California’s toughest motocross track for that matter — Glen Helen — with some of the gnarliest jumps of the year just weeks after a national race.

He’s the King of Baja with a record 11 overall wins in the Baja 1000 and a top 10 finisher in the Dakar Rally, but even Johnny Campbell looked a little apprehensive on that first lap. Who would blame him, the Africa Twin weighs twice as much as a motocross bike and has about three inches less suspension travel. With huge whoops, deeply-rutted turns and triple jumps, it would be a challenge just to get this big 1000cc adventure bike around the course. But Johnny didn’t rack up all those wins in his career by being reckless. After getting a feel for the bike and the track on a few practice runs, he gradually began to show some of his championship form.

It was just a few weeks earlier when we had this crazy idea and contacted Johnny to see if he’d be up for racing us on motocross bikes… with him on an Africa Twin. Johnny has been semi-retired for years, and now manages the American Honda Factory race teams for about 40 to 50 events across the country. We were pretty sure he’d laugh at the idea and say “no way!” but to our surprise he said, “I’d be up for it!”. Next thing you know we’re lined up side-by-side with Johnny Campbell at Glen Helen!

So what’s it like racing a legend? Just to be clear, we’re just a couple of average guys on a motocross track. With a huge advantage in machinery, we figured we could give Johnny a run for his money. Check out the video and see what went down. Johnny also gives his take on what it’s like to ride the big twin around Glen Helen. And if you’ve got your own crazy ideas for what Johnny should do next on his Africa Twin, leave them in the comments below!

Author: Rob Dabney

Rob Dabney started a lifelong obsession with motorcycles at the age of 15 when he purchased his first bike – a 1982 Honda MB5. Through his 20’s and 30’s he competed in off-road desert races, including the Baja 250, 500 and 1000. Eventually, his proclivity for exploration led him to dual sport and adventure riding. Rob’s never-ending quest to discover what’s around the next bend has taken him on Adventures in Mexico, Africa, Europe, and throughout the American West. As a moto journalist, he enjoys inspiring others to seek adventure across horizons both near and far.