New Ideas
NEW IDEAS
eCYCLE ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE
Don’t be fooled by this bike’s swoopy fairing and funky design. A standard sportbike, it’s not. It is the eCycle, an electric two-wheeler powered by a dozen 12-volt batteries. The 290-pound bike is said to make 20 horsepower and a whopping 200 foot-pounds of torque at the rear wheel. Top speed is reputed to be 85 mph. Sportbike-esque accoutrements include an inverted fork, single-sided swingarm and disc brakes. Price is $4000ish.
eCycle Inc., 4700 North 5th St., Reading, PA 1956 0; 610/939-0480
GIVI CRUISER PANNIERS
It’s not too late to turn your bike into a latter-day tourer, and Givi can help. The luggage company’s latest are molded-plastic panniers. They fit most cruisers, and each boasts 21-liter capacity. In other words, the lockable, detachable bags are perfect for stashing a change of clothes or a few odds ‘n’ ends. They come in a choice of colors and textures, and pricing starts at $138 per set. Mounting hardware, which starts at $89 for both bags, is sold separately.
Givi USA, 805 Pressley Rd., Ste. 101, Charlotte, NC 2817; 704/679-4123
IMMOBILISER ALARM
You’ve finally gotten your Harley, and the last thing you want is for some jerk to steal it. This is where the Immobiliser alarm comes in. Designed for late-model Harley-Davidsons, it has a remote-control shock sensor with 16 sensitivity levels, a 130-decibel siren and a pager that beeps if the bike is tampered with. When activated, it disables several electrical circuits on the bike. Installation is a simple plug-in affair, and doesn’t require cutting the wiring harness. Put one on your bike for $395.
Immobiliser, Inc., 11950 Perry Rd., Ste. D, Houston, TX 77064; 281/897-9990
FERODO OVERSIZE BRAKE KIT
The age-old argument rages on-is bigger indeed better? In the case of Ferodo Brake Tech’s Oversize Brake Kit, the answer is yes. Aimed at Honda’s VTR1000, the $750 kit comes with two Superlite six-button iron rotors. The latter increase diameter to 320mm while staying within an ounce of stock weight. Also included are billet-aluminum adapter brackets that fit the stock calipers, plus mounting hardware. Other sportbike applications are also available.
Ferodo Brake Tech, 3529 Old Conejo Rd., #115, Newbury Park, CA 91320; 805/376-9565
YOSHIMURA ROADRACE SUIT
Suzuki roadracing fans have got it good, what with the introduction of Yoshimura leathers. Fashioned from top-grain cowhide, the mesh-lined suit has frontal perforation, a removable backpad and contoured, dual-density armor at the elbows, shoulders and knees. Kevlar at the inner arms and crotch, as well as doubleand triple-stitched seams, are standard fare. Available in mens’ chest sizes 40-50, the $750 leathers come in several color combinations.
Pilot USA, P.O. Box 847, La Mirada, CA 90637; 714/228-1082
SUOMY RUSSELL REPLICA
Sponsoring former AMA and World Superbike champ Scott Russell, new helmet maker Suomy is entering the motorcycle market full-throttle. Its Russell Replica retains Troy Lee’s updated “Chief” motif, and is said to weigh just 2.8 pounds. The shell is constructed of a Kevlar-fiberglass weave, and incorporates a carbon-fiber chinbar, intake vents at the chin and forehead, and a venturistyle diffuser at the crown. Suggested retail price is $400.
Suomy Helmets, 2236 Mariner Square Dr., #200, Alameda, CA 94501; 800/436-4248
WILEY-X EYEWEAR
Making a bold fashion statement can be as simple as donning the right pair of sunglasses. And you can’t get much bolder than Wiley-X’s trendy Romer 2 shades. They feature a gloss black frame made of flexible nylon, and shatterproof polycarbonate lenses. The latter are interchangeable and come in Clear, Lightning Yellow and Silver Steel. A soft case and the additional lenses are included in the $88 price.
Protective Optics, 1338 W. Winton Ave., Hayward, CA 94545; 800/776-7842
PRO GRIP DUAL-COMPOUND HANDGRIPS
Leave it to the Italians to give ancillary accessories fashionable flair. Pro Grip’s dual-compound handgrips are constructed with rubber and soft-gel in the palm area. Measuring 125mm in length, they fit 7/8-inch handle-bars and are said to be more durable than stock. The $11 grips come in a slew of color combos, and are available for off-road and street applications.
Pro Grip USA, 13275 Paxton St., Arieta, CA 91331; 800/461-1226
