New Ideas
NEW IDEAS
ARAI U.S. HISTORIC REPLICA SERIES
Arai pays homage to American roadracing heroes with its Historic Replica Series. Grand Prix greats Freddie Spencer and Randy Mamola are immortalized with the high-end RX-7RR4, which also gets a new faceshield release and three-position chin vent for 2000. Stateside stars Wes Cooley and the late Jimmy Adamo, meanwhile, are commemorated with two color schemes each on the Signet GT. The venerable lid has also been updated with a redesigned fiberglass shell, dual top intake vents and more. Prices start at $422. Arai Helmets, PO. Box 9485, Daytona, FL 32120; 800/766-2724
S&K HAND TOOL SUPERKROME WRENCH SETS
Throw a wrench into the system, why dontcha? Heck, throw several! S&K Hand Tool has six new Super-Krome Wrench Sets. Available in metric and standard sizes, they come in eight-, 10-, 11-, 13and 15-piece sets. The corrosion-resistant wrenches come in either regular or extended lengths, and a locking rack is included. Prices start at $80. S&K Hand Tool, 3535 W. 47th St., Chicago, IL 60632; 773/523-1300
MARSEE ECONOMY RAINSUIT
No two ways about it, getting stuck in the rain on a motorcycle is a miserable experience. Unless, that is, you’re equipped with Marsee’s Economy Rainsuit. Lined with polyester, the one-piece vinyl suit has a corduroy collar, adjustable wrists and ankles, and rear vent. Plus, there are several pockets and plenty of reflective trim. Priced at an economical (thus the name) $45, the Economy Rainsuit comes in red/black or yellow/black. Marsee, PO. Box 2588, Temecula, CA 92590; 800/293-2400
KR APPAREL
After umpteen years spent racing dirt-track and Grands Prix as a rider and team owner, three-time World Champion Kenny Roberts has plenty of fans. With these folks in mind, International Racers designed a line of apparel. Featuring Roberts’ recognizable eagle logo, it ranges from baseball caps and T-shirts to sweatshirts and collared denim shirts. Show your allegiance to the King, and order up some togs. Prices range from $15 to $46. International Racers, 419 Medina Rd., Medina, OH 44256; 330/239-5100
BRAKING USA PERIMETER BRAKE SYSTEM
This just in from Braking USA: the Perimeter Brake System. For front use only, it incorporates a Marchesini wheel and two 400mm rim rotors gripped by four-piston billet-aluminum calipers. Mounting brackets, brake pads and stainless-steel lines are included. Said to provide better feel at the lever, more progressive braking and quicker turn-in, the light-weight system fits a host of sportbikes, ranging from Yamaha’s YZF-R6 to Suzuki’s GSX1300R Hayabusa. Suggested retail price is $2180. Braking USA, 119 Independence Dr., Menlo Park, CA 94025; 650/329-8660
FRANKLIN MINT MILITARY HARLEY-DAVIDSON
How many collectors does it take to screw in a light bulb? None, they don’t care about light bulbs. They’re too busy admiring the Franklin Mint’s 1:10-scale model of a 1942 Harley-Davidson WLA Military Motorcycle. The $135 collectible is hand-painted, and has brake and shift pedals that pivot, a handlebar that steers, wheels that roll and a front fork that compresses and rebounds. We suspect damping is too much to ask for... The Franklin Mint, U.S. Route 1, Franklin Center, PA 19091; 610/459-6000
BIG GUN XR400 EXHAUST
Get more grunt from your Honda XR400 with Big Gun’s exhaust system. Said to increase low and midrange power, it combines ceramic-coated, mild-steel headers with an unrestricted, race-core silencer. The $411 system accommodates stock mounting hardware as well as Big Gun’s optional slip-spark arrester. It’s also available for other off-road four-strokes. And yes, rejetting is necessary. Big Gun Exhaust Systems, 8628 Utica Ave., #500, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730; 909/948-7029
CORBIN ’51 MERCURY COUCH
So the ol’ lady put the ix-nay on showcasing your bike in the family room? Don’t get mad, get the ’51 Mercury Couch from motorcycle saddle-maker Mike Corbin. Mimicking its namesake, the $2495 hot-rod sofa has fiberglass flame-emblazoned “fenders,” and is upholstered with top-grain leather. Easily accessible storage is behind the arm rests, and incandescent taillights actually illuminate. Motorcycle-based? No, but who heard of furniture made from a BSA Gold Star? Corbin, 2360 Technology Wy., Hollister, CA 95023; 800/538-7035
