New Ideas
NEW IDEAS
Willie & Max Tour Trunk
Look, if you're going to tour in style, you've got to pack threads and equipment sufficient to see you through any contingency, right? For those who can't get all they need in their bikes' stock luggage, Willie & Max offer the Tour Trunk, which attaches to any trunk-top luggage rack. Made of “synthetic leather,” the trunk comes with a zip-close nylon liner just right for your tux, or perhaps for your sweetie’s electric hair curler set. Suggested list price is $79.95 from motorcycle dealers and accessory shops.
Pirelli Tour-Am tires
Just as motorcycles have become more specialized in recent years, so have tires. Manufacturers now produce sport, sport-touring and touring rubber, each with special tread patterns, compounds and characteristics. The latest entry into the touring-tire sweepstakes is from Pirelli. Called the MT68 and MT69 Tour-Ams, this pair of tires uses a four-ply design claimed to minimize the center wear that results in a squared-off tire. The tires have a C load-rating index, the highest offered, and are available from Pirelli tire dealers in sizes to fit most touring bikes. Prices start at $116 for the MT68 rear tire and $89 for the MT69 front tire.
Acerbis CR fuel tank
It’s a little-known fact that Little Red Riding Hood rode a Honda CR500R back and forth to Grandma’s house. The problem was that it was a 45-mile round trip and the stock CR tank is only good for 40 miles. Thank goodness she had an Acerbis 3.3-gallon fuel tank, or the Big Bad Wolf might have been flossing with what was left of that red hood. The Acerbis tank is as slim as the Stocker, but extends the CR's range well out of harm's way. It's available for the '88 and '89 CR250R. as well as for the ’89 500, at $149.95. For more information, contact Acerbis, 10911-H Wheatlands Ave., Santee. CA 92071: 619/562-1440.
Kerker Karbon Silencer
The Stealth Bomber depends heavily on carbon fiber, a strong, lightweight material that’s just starting to be used in motorcycle components such as Kerker's Karbon Silencer. Made of a carbon-fiber/ kevlar weave, these silencers are lighter than aluminum and several times stronger than steel, according to Kerker. You can have this bit of techno-magic for your bike for $199.95, with either a competition or street baffle. The silencer is available through Kerker dealers, or contact Kerker at 818/999-3060.
Works Performance Fork Tuning Kit
What do Reggie Jackson and Kenny Roberts have in common? Absolutely nothing, besides motorcycles. And yet, on many sportbikes with non-adjustable front suspensions, 230-pound Reggie and 140-pound Kenny would have to ride around with the same settings. Unless, of course, they each get a Works Performance Pro Series Fork Tuning Kit. With the kit, they could adjust their forks for whatever firmness and anti-dive characteristics they desire. There’s the Standard Kit for $65.95 and the Deluxe Kit for $89.95. To learn which one you need, contact Works Performance, 8730 Shirley Ave. Northridge, CA 91324; 818/701-1010.
Fast By Ferracci Cagiva piston kit
Tired of having other bikes fly by you and your Cagiva 650 Alazzurra like they were F-18s and you were a Cessna? Now you can even the score, or at least come closer, with a Fast By Ferracci 785cc piston kit. The kit comes with 90mm forged pistons, rings, pins, clips and cylinder sleeves. Turning your puddle-jumper into a top gun will cost $400 for the parts kit, plus labor. But that’s still only a fraction of the cost of a real jet fighter. Kits are available through motorcycle dealers or from Fast By Ferracci, 1641 Easton Rd., Willow Grove, PA, 19090; 215/657-1276.
