New Ideas
NEW IDEAS
Ride West BMW R1200C
Here’s proof positive that if it’s a cruiser, it can be customized. Although this R1200C was once standard-issue Beemer, it’s now full of vim and vigor via Ride West BMW. All together, it would cost approximately $25,000. But take each way-cool part individually, and things become more affordable. Fancy the funky floorboard kit? Yours for $760. Or that stylish caliper cap? A mere $300. And who says a $1500 paint job can’t be shipped UPS?
Ride West BMW, 8100 Lake City Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115; 888/527-7433; www.ridewest.com
Iron Horsemen Crushable Cowboy Hat
Helmet hair really is the worst. And while this Crushable Cowboy Hat won't prevent a bad hair day, it will camouflage one. Fashioned from 100 percent wool, it can be rolled up to fit into a gearbag or fannypack. Plus, it's so resilliant that it retains its original shape when removed for post-ride wearings. Available in brown or black in men's sizes SXL, the western-style hat costs $60.
Iron Horsemen, 1821 Boston Ave., Longmont, CO 80501; 303/684-9682; www.ironhorsemen.com
IMS Pro Series Connecting Rod
Show us a two-stroke engine in need of overhauling, and we’ll show you an IMS Pro Series connecting rod. Billed as “the best connecting rod available,” it’s forged from chromoly-steel, and comes highly polished. Also included are a forged crankpin, double-silver-coated bearings and silver-plated thrust washers. Suggested retail price ranges from $65 to $90, depending on application.
IMS, 6240 Box Springs Blvd., #E, Riverside, CA 92507, 909/653-7720 www.proseriesrods.com
Ceriani Forks
Even American-made motorcycles can benefit from Italian craftsmanship. Case in point, two new Ceriani forks for Harley-Davidson Evos and Twin Cams: the $2550 Conventional 45mm Wide Style Chrome Fork and the $2010 Black Satin Finish 55mm Inverted Fork. Both replace the stock 43mm Showas, and are designed by renowned forkman Enrico Ceriani; hence, features such as chromoly and aluminum construction, cartridge-style damping and optional lowering kits.
Storz Performance, 239 S. Olive St., Ventura, CA 93001; 805/641-9540; www.storzperf.com
Zapworld.com Star Wars Scooter
And now for something completely-and we mean completely-different. The newest electric scooter from Zapworld.com comes in the guise of a battle droid from Star Wars: Episode 1 The Phantom Menace. The 35-pound sci-fi scoot is powered by an electric drive system with a rechargeable 12-volt battery. Top speed is said to be approximately 13 mph, and price is $1000. May the force be with you...
Zapworld.com, 117 Morris St., Sebastopol, CA 954 72; 800/251-4555; www.zapworld.com
Lock!Block
Motorcycle disc locks are a convenient form of theft prevention. But forget one’s on your wheel, and say good-bye to your front fender, speedo cable or whatever else the lock might hit. Designed to remind you that the lock is there, Lock!Block is a velcro-backed swatch of fabric that fits over your motorcycle’s ignition keyhole. It does this with easily attachable velcro tabs that are included in the $8 price.
Sapphire Design Industries, 505 B Divis adero St., San Francisco, CA 94117; 415/440-3992; www.sdi@sapphiredesign.com
Shoei X-tec helmet
The latest and greatest from Shoei is a mid-priced lid that borrows from its more costly counterparts. Dubbed the X-tec, it has a slew of innovative features including a removable and washable molded-foam liner, a ventilation system with an adjustable two-way upper vent, inside air-routing channels and rear exhaust vents, and an anti-fog setup at the chin and forehead. It’s available in solid colors, graphics and racer-replica versions. Pricing starts at $444.□
Shoei Safety Helmet Corp., 371 Elizabeth Ln., #100, Corona, CA 92880; 909/520-0500; www.shoei-helmets.com
