New Ideas
NEW IDEAS
llmberger Carbon parts
Stand out in a sea of factory-issue plastic with Formula One-grade carbon-fiber bodywork and engine covers from llmberger. Treated with a clear-coat finish, the individual pre-drilled parts are available for late-model Aprilia, Benelli, Buell, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, MV Agusta and Suzuki sportbikes, as well as the Harley-Davidson V-Rod and various BMWs. The parts shown here on the K1300S total $5420. All components are approved for street use in Germany by the TUV— that country's equivalent of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Sierra BMW Motorcycles, 1380 Kleppe Ln., Sparks, NV 89431; 775/355-0655; www.sierrabmwonline.com
Touratech Locking zūmo Handlebar Mount
Protect your Garmin zūmo 660 from damage on the road or theft while parked with the Touratech Locking Handlebar Mount ($140). This laser-cut, anodized aluminum mount uses foam rubber to isolate the GPS from engine and road vibration, has several mounting options and is fitted with a keyed barrel lock. Access to all connections, including those for the power supply and 3.5mm headset jack, is maintained. Not compatible with the BMW Nay 4 cradle or Garmin zūmo 550.
Touratech USA, 4021 Airport Way S., Seattle, WA 98108; 800/491-2926; www.touratech-usa.com
Bell Star
Not only does the Star ($550-700; XS-XXL) now meet the new, stricter Snell M2010 safety standard, Bell's flagship full-face helmet has been altered to address sizing-related concerns and improve overall comfort and fit. Specifically, seams were removed from the washable comfort liner to relieve pressure points and make the integrated speaker pockets both quieter and easier to use. MagnaFusion, Bell's new proprietary magnetic strap keeper, is now incorporated, as well.
Bell Helmets, 5550 Scotts Valley Dr., Scotts Valley, CA 95066; 800/456-2355; www.bellpowersports.com
Gilles Tooling Components
Gilles Tooling manufactures brake and clutch levers, footpeg assemblies and driveline components for uropean and Japanese sportbikes. New, brakelight-switch-equipped, TUV-certified VCR rearsets ($570) are machined from 7075 aluminum, hard-anodized in either gold or black, adjustable over a wide range and come with carbon-fiber heel guards. Standard and reversed shift patterns are available.
Tucker Rocky Distributing, 4900 Alliance Gateway Fwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; 866/302-5676; www.gilles tooling.com
Midland BT2-D Wireless Intercom
Midland's BT2-D offers all of the technical features any rider and passenger might want in a wireless intercom system: communication between rider and passenger or another rider within a 220-yard range; Bluetooth link to cell phones and GPS; wired connection to an MP3 player or General Mobile Radio Service; stereo speakers; a choice of either a boom-type or wired, wind-resistant microphone; and an AC charger. What's more, the radio itself has a slim profile and attaches to nearly any fullor open-face helmet with supplied adhesive tape or clamshell-type bracket. Differentiating between the three main buttons on the waterproof radio-Telephone, Intercom or Auxiliary—can be tricky until you're familiar with their locations. A bigger problem: Earplug wearers struggled to hear anything without resorting to otherwise-deafening volume levels. In all other ways, though, the BT2-D ($399) is the class of its field.
Midland Radio, 5900 Parretta Dr., Kansas City, MO 64120; 816/241-8500; www.mid landradio.com
Ogio 180 Moto Stand
Once upon a time, off-road riders had to be rough-and-tough manly types, if for no other reason than to be able to heave their machines onto a service stand at the end of a long, hard ride. Ogio has changed all that with the 180 Moto Stand ($119). Simply push your bike forward and the front tire rolls through the center of the stand's lightweight aluminum frame, which then engages with the bike, raising both wheels off the ground. Ready to ride? Pull back on the handlebars and the action is reversed.
Ogio International, 14926 Pony Express Rd., Bluffdale, UT 84065; 800/922-1944; www.ogio.com
Weise Riding Gear
New to the U.S. this past year, U.K.based Weise produces a broad range of jackets, pants, gloves, boots and related riding accessories. Styles for both men and women are available, with CE-approved armor fitted where necessary. Shown here: women's 600-denier nylon Symphony jacket ($192) and Papillon jean ($144).
Canton Cycles, 70 Main St., Winsted, CT 06098; 860/7381718; www.cantoncycles.com
