New Ideas
NEW IDEAS
A.R.E. Canopy
Baja-bound? You need A.R.E.’s Deluxe Commercial Unit truck canopy. Primarily intended for worker-types, the aluminum-skinned, tube-framed topper also makes a first-rate dirtbike hauler. Choose from assorted cap heights, colors, door and window configurations, and toolbin options. “Wild Kingdom” roof rack is pretty nifty, too Prices start at $850.
A.R.E., P.O. Box 802, Massilon, OH 44648; 330/830-4510; www.4are.com
Belstaff Lidsac
Lighten your load with Bel staff’s Lidsac. Wear the 600-denier nylon bum bag in fanny-pack form onbike, then convert to helmet-toting backpack off. Shoulder and waist straps keep cargo secure. In black, black/blue, black/red and black/yellow, for $40.
Belstaff North America, 12881 Knott St. #235, Garden Grove, CA 92841; 714/901-1167; www.belstaff.com
Jims Titanium Pushrods
If light is right, then lighter must be lighter, right? Jims’ titanium pushrods are designed to offer the best of both worlds: light weight of aluminum and strength of chromoly. So your HarleyDavidson Evo or Twin Cam 88 reaches peak power sooner, with less reciprocating mass to punish its precious valvetrain. What’s more, they’re adjustable, so installation only requires removal of pushrod covers, leaving cam and top-end assembly intact. Yours for $197.
Jims Machining, 555 Dawson Dr., Camarillo, CA 93012; 805/482-6913; www.jimsusa.com
MIG Mufflers
Never heard of MIG? It’s France’s leading exhaust-pipe bender, the first company to market a carbon-fiber muffler and a pioneer in the design of double-outlet and high-mount silencers. Eurobikes imports the full line of MIG pipes, including the slip-ons shown here. No fewer than five shapes are available in a choice of four materials-aluminum, aluminum weave, carbon-fiber and carbon-fiber/kevlar. All are designed in-house and built to current European standards. Prices start at $280.
Eurobikes, 91161 Beam Ln., Manassas, VA 20110; 703/257-9500; www.eurobikes.com
Powertye Soft-tye Tie-downs
Powertye Soft-Tyes eliminate the need for separate soft and anchor-type ties. A full 572 feet in length, the U.S.-made, lifetime-warrantied strappage combines 4500-pound-test nylon webbing, Wth-inch vinyl-covered steel hooks and a commercial-grade, non-slip release buckle with a sewn-in soft tie. Per pair suggested retail is $18.
Powertye Mfg., PO. Box 17904, Anaheim, CA 92817; 714/993-7400; www.powertye.com
Filter Plus
He re’s a nifty little product designed to reduce engine wear by trapping metal particles not already snared by your oil filter. What’s more, it’s reusable! Simply slap Filter Plus on the end of any spin-on filter, and the rubber-covered magnet does the rest. Available through the manufacturer, Filter Plus retails for $7.
Printex, 12113 Kirkham Rd., Poway, CA 92064; 800/982-1928; www.filterplus.com
The Glosser
Bugs? Brake dust? Road grime? Leave ’em to The Glosser. The wax-filled, microfiber disposables all but do away with bulky wash buckets and detail kits. Simply sweep away dirt and grease, then buff. Works on leather, metal, plastic, rubber and vinyl-anywhere, anytime. Resealable fivepacks run $16.
CleanTools, 10 Plaza Dr., Westmont, IL 60559; 800/654-3933; www.theabsorber.com
Kushitani Extreme Suit
CW SPOTLIGHT
If you're itchin' to do some scratchin'. Kushitani's gotcha covered. New from the Japanese leather-maker is the $1700 Extreme suit, a snazzy one-piece get-up produced from soft-’n’-supple Holstein leather. Full Punch Mesh ventilation keeps you cool, while K-Foam protects collarbones elbows/forearms, shoulders and now, the rib cage. Knees get foam-lined plastic cups and replaceable sliders. A washable polyester liner aids ingress, while stretchy Zylon Knit under the arms, inner thighs and back of calves eases movement. Pair the suit with the dual-closure calfskin GPR II gloves ($225) and pigskin-lined, security-strapped Power Max boots ($320). Custom and off-the-rack sizing are available.
U.S. Kushitani, 3870 Del Amo Blvd. #507, Torrance, CA 90503; 310/921-0133; www.kushitani.com
