Sparky Bolt-On Spark Arrestor

SPARKY BOLT-ON SPARK ARRESTOR

EVALUATION

DEEP-FOREST DIPLOMACY

IT'S NO SECRET THAT MOTORCYCLES are the ultimate in specialization these days. The problem is that motorcycle riders are rarely so specialized. Riders seldom use their bike only for the single purpose for which it was designed, and nothing else.

Motocross bikes are the perfect example. Even though they are designed for closed-circuit racing, they’re often used for trail riding in the desert and the woods. And when that happens, most of these bikes are being ridden illegally simply because they aren’t equipped with a U.S. Forestry-approved spark arrestor.

Indeed, like it or not, a spark arrestor is required in most ofT-road riding areas. And ignoring that law can turn a potentially fun outing into a very expensive one—perhaps even more expensive than the rather hard-toswallow, $80-to-$90 cost of a quality silencer/spark-arrestor unit.

But Cobra Engineering (4760 East Bryson St., Anaheim, CA 92807;[714] 779-7798) has introduced a product that significantly cuts the cost of riding legally offroad, and the potential frustration of riding //legally: a well-made spark arrestor that attaches to the stock silencer of late-model Japanese motocross bikes. Called the Sparky, the unit is U.S. Forestry-approved, only weighs one pound, and can be installed in a couple of minutes. And best of all. it costs just $39.95. Cobra claims there is no power loss with a Sparky, and our seat-of-the-pants tests of the unit substantiate that claim—although the slight decrease in noise may have the rider thinking that power has been reduced slightly.

Cobra’s secret to maintaining power is in the design of the spark arrestor. Instead of using the more common swirl-type core that changes the direction of the exhaust flow, Cobra uses a straight-through design with a fine, stainless-steel screen that catches any hot carbon particles, the cause of most fires ignited by internal-combustion engines.

But while it does reduce the powerrobbing effects of a swirl-type spark arrestor, the Sparky does require more maintenance. Cleaning the screen (by soaking it in automotive carburetor cleaner) every few rides is recommended.

We have used several Sparkys on our latest batch of ’87 motocross bikes, and we like its ease of installation, low cost and durability. But most of all, we like riding and thinking about what is coming up ahead. Not who's coming up from behind. S