New Ideas
NEW IDEAS
AltRider Accessories for Yamaha Super Ténéré
Where are you headed this weekend? Ready your Yamaha Super Ténéré XT1200Z-or just about any other current adventure-tourer—for exploring parts unknown with lighting, luggage, protection and more from AltRider. This relative newcomer designs, makes and sources on/off-road accessories covering a variety of categories. Popular applications include BMW's GS line, the Ducati Multistrada 1200, KTM's Adventure series and the brand-new Triumph Tiger 800XC. Seen here: Crash Bars ($348.43 to $368.43), Luggage Rack ($189.32), Exhaust Heat Shield ($48.97), Skid Plate ($332.97) and Rotopax One-Gallon Gasoline Pack ($49.97; $19.95 to $39.97 for mounts). AltRider, 4000 Aurora Ave. N. #100, Seattle, WA 98103; 206/922-3618; www.altrider.com
Safety Bright Safety Puck
Used to be, you wouldn't leave home without a couple of emergency flares in your toolkit to reduce the chance of a simple roadside breakdown becoming a tragic accident. Now, you can instead rely on the rechargeable Safety Bright Safety Puck ($39.95) with its 16 LEDs and nine light patterns—flashing, flickering, pulsing, swirling or even a flashlight-like beam, among others—to help keep you safe while you fix a flat tire, for example, on the shoulder. This compact, waterproof, molded-plastic disc can be seen for great distances, runs up to 100 hours on a single charge and, because it contains two strong magnets, will stick to any ferrous surface. Safety Bright, Corp.; www.safetybright.com
Arai Signet-Q Helmet
Can't tell the difference between the just-released Signet-Q and the current RX-Q, Arai's "dream" street helmet and basis for the Signet-Q? You're not alone. After all, these two full-face designs share many features, including the wider-eyeport SAl faceshield, Emergency Cheek Pad Removal System, top vent set, side exhaust cowls, removable neck roll and one-piece bottom edge trim. Big difference is the new shell-an Intermediate Oval elongated to create a Long Oval-which is intended to eliminate forehead pressure and "hot spots" for riders whose heads are longer front-to-back and narrower side-to-side. Peel-away 5mm pads on both sides of the removable, washable Dry-Cool head liner allow the wearer to "micro-fit" himself or herself without buying a different size liner. A clear Pin Lock Max-Vision Brow Vent antifog insert is included. Suggested retail prices for the Signet-Q range from $589.95 to $729.95 in Small-XXL sizes. An XS model is planned, as well. Arai Americas, Inc., P0. Box 787, Fogelsville, PA 18051; www.araiamericas.com
IASUS GP3-X2 Helmet Audio System
Can you hear me now? IASUS's GP3-X2 Noise Terminator helmet audio system—comprising a flexible, vibration-transmitting Throat Mic, high-fidelity speakers and in-glove-finger push-to-talk control module—is claimed to be the "only truly effective motorcycle-specific mobile-communications solution available." No charging, pairing or modifications to the inside or outside of the helmet are required. The GP3-X2 ($127)is compatible with all phones that have 2.5or 3.5mm jacks, including iPhone, BlackBerry and Nokia models. IASUS Concepts, Ltd.; www.iasus-concepts.com
Michelin Pilot Road 3 Trail
French tire-maker Michelin has broadened the range of its dual-compound Pilot Road 3 line introduced earlier this year to include V-rated fitments—110/80-19 front ($206.95) and 150/70-17 rear ($248.95)—for three popular adventure-tourers, the BMW R1200GS, Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom and new-to-the-U.S. Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré. According to Michelin, the Trail's tread pattern is exactly the same as that of the previously released Road 3s, which is said to give pavement-oriented riders the advantage of improved grip in wet conditions and longer tire life. Michelin Tire North America, Inc., P0. Box 19001, Greenville, SC 29602; 800/346-4098; www.michelinmotorcycle.com
Harley-Davidson Sirocco Boots
Cold-weather riders have a new reason to get "amped-up" for winter: Harley-Davidson's Sirocco boots with Thermalbed Technology ($399.99; half sizes 7-12, 13). Designed to deliver hours of customizable warmth, the Siroccos use rechargeable lithium-polymer batteries to power the thin material built into the front of the footbeds. Three warmth settings—113 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit—are selected with the touch of the glowing H-D logos located on the boots' leather uppers. Harley-Davidson Footwear; 877/565-1528; www.harley-davidsonfootwear.com
Vibranator Tuned-Mass Dampers
What do you get when you combine the words "vibration" and "eliminator"? Vibranator, of course! These tuned-mass dampers are engineered using helicopter-rotor-head-damper, vibration-cancellation technology to disrupt the "rhythm of vibration" in conventional motorcycle handlebars, thus reducing numbness, tingling and fatigue. We replaced the stock barend weights on a 2011 Suzuki GSX-R1000 with a set of Vibranators intended for late-model GSX-Rs of any displacement. Installation took just a few minutes using our own Allen keys, and we immediately noticed a moderate reduction in the vibration that reached our gloved hands. While the decrease wasn't earth-shattering, it was certainly apparent. Suggested retail price for onand off-road models ranges from $69.99 to $119.99, depending on the application. Vibranator LLC, 7715 Commercial Way #110, Henderson, NV 89011; 888/630-7776; www.vibranator.com
