New Ideas
NEW IDEAS
Yoshimura Slip-On Mufflers for Yamaha YZF-R1
Nothing roaring around the MotoGP paddock sounds quite like Valentino Rossi's Yamaha YZR-Ml with its uneven firing order. Now you, too, can enjoy much the same aural experience with your crossplane-crankshaft 2009 YZF-R1 by fitting a Yoshimura R-77 (shown) or TRC-D undertail slip-on exhaust system. Both designs retain the stock catalytic converter, come with stainless-steel mid-pipes and are available with either carbon-fiber, stainless or titanium mufflers with carbon or stainless endcaps. Suggested retail prices start at $809i.
Yoshimura R&D of America, Inc., 5420 Daniels St., Chino, CA 91710; 909/628-4722; www.yoshimura-rd.com
Wiseco Pistons ArmorGlide Coating
Friction? What friction? Wiseco's tough. slippery ArmorGlide piston skirt coating is said to compensate for thermal growth, allowing tighter piston-to-cylinder-wall tolerances and better sealing. Offered on a wide range of high-performance applications, the patented coating will allegedly last the life of the piston.
Wiseco Performance Products, 7201 Indus trial Park Blvd., Mentor, OH 44060; 800/3211364; www.wiseco.com
EVS Factor and TakT helmets
Protect your brain from off-road knocks with the latest Snell-certified, DOT/ECE-approved helmets from EVS. Both the composite TakT ($250; XS-XXL) and the polycarbonate Factor ($169; XS-XXL) feature removable moisture-wicking liners, integrated venting, large eyeports and EVS'S exclusive ProtEdge Soft Impact Zone, designed to reduce neck and clavicle injuries.
EVS Sports, 2130 E. Gladwick St., Rancho Dominguez, CA 90220; 800/229-4387; www.evs-sports.com
TAG Heuer Eyewear
Many trendy shades don't fit well inside helmets, their thick metal or plastic framework hanging up on everything from the eyeport to the interior. Even if you are somehow able to stuff your fashionforward glasses into place, comfort, vision and possibly even safety may be compromised. TAG Heuer's new Curves, Squadra, Night Vision, Reflex and Zenith collections feature ultra-slim, rubbercovered titanium temples that flex to better facilitate under-helmet wear. Furthermore, the French company claims its ophthalmic-quality, prescription-ready lenses-available in a selection of shapes and colors-are UV A-, Band C-resistant and shatterproof. Suggested retail prices for the lightweight, handmade Squadra and Night Vision models shown here are $350 and $450, respectively.
TAG Heuer, 800/345-3733; www.tagheuer.com/eyewear
Bohn Body Armor
Streetand off-road riders alike will appreciate the upperand lower-torso protection provided by Bohn Body Armor. Designed to be worn under a riding jacket and jeans, leathers or Bohn's own line of off-road enduro gear, the armored shirts, shorts and pants come in a variety of materials and styles. Top sellers include the Airtex Shirt ($149) and Adventure Pants ($159). Back and chest protectors are also available.
ActionStations, Inc., 166 Eaton Rd. #A, Chico, CA 95973; 530/898-9269; www.actionstation.com
Willie & Max Black Label Seats
Kick back in comfort on your latemodel Honda, Kawasaki or Suzuki cruiser with a Willie & Max Black Label seat ($160-$400). All models feature thermoformed bases, highdensity/resiliency foam and UVresistant automotive-grade synthetic leather with top-stitched reinforced seams.
Willie & Max, 4230 Clipper Dr., Manitowoc, WI 54220; 847/356-7763; www.willieandmax.com
Küryakyn Sportbike Accessories
Not focused solely on cruisers any longer, Kuryakyn has expanded its line of custom accessories to include late-model Japanese sportbikes. Among the many options: handgrips, footpegs, lighting, luggage and, shown here, the streamlined Scythe II mirrors ($160) and complementary Mirror Mounts ($70).
Küryakyn, P0. Box 339, Somerset, WI 54025; 866/277-9598; www.kuryakyn.com
Cobra Star V Star 950 Accessories
Best new-bike bargain for 2009? One of the frontrunners has to be the Star V Star 950, pricing starting at $7890. What to do with the thousands of dollars saved? Spend 'em on Cobra Accessories-more than 25 in all. Selection includes seven full exhaust systems as well as this slip-on muffler ($240). Cool thing is, the slashcut, billet-aluminum tip can be oriented up, down or at various angles by simply rotating the tip in the desired direction.
Cobra Engineering, 23801 E. La Palma Ave., Yorba Linda, CA 92887; 714/692-8180; www.cobrausa.com
