New Ideas
NEW IDEAS
Kushitani Real Ride Leathers
Well-known for its high-quality one-piece roadracing suits, Japanese leather-maker Kushitani offers an alternative look with its Real Ride sport-touring leathers. More conservatively styled, the Korean-made two-piece suits still incorporate some of the features found in the company's racier garments, such as top-grain-leather construction, polyester mesh liner, and shoulder, elbow and back armor. Available in XS-XXL sizes, the $820 suit can be purchased whole, or separately with the pants costing $328 and the jacket $492.
U.S. Kushitani, 3870 Del Arno Blvd., #507, Torrance, CA 90503; 800/741-1725; www.kushitani.com
Harley-Davidson Hard Saddlebags
How's this for a sport utility? Harley-Davidson is offering a soft-luggage alternative for cruisers with these sporty-looking hard saddlebags for Sportster and Dyna models. Available in primer or painted to match specific factory colors, the injection-molded plastic bags are lockable and are said to be spacious enough for a weekend's worth of packing. Reflectors, a turnsignal-relocation kit and mounting hardware are included in the $860 asking price.
Harley-Davidson, 3700 W Juneau Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53201; 800/588-2 743; www.harley-davidson.com
Dunlop Arrowmax GT501 Tires
It just goes to show that no matter how good a thing is, it can always be improved upon. That said, Dunlop is replacing its venerable K591 tire with the new Arrowmax GT501. Like its predecessor, the new Vrated tire features bias-ply construction, only it also has a more modern tread pattern. Improvements include a larger contact patch, increased wear and superior grip. Prices range from $108 to $131 for front applications, and $141 to $184 for rears.
Dunlop Tires, P.O. Box 1109, Buffalo, NY 14240; 716/639-5200; www.dunloptire.com
Black Widow Venom Slip-Ons
How cool are Black Widow's Venom Slip-Ons? To paraphrase the recently reunited Spinal Tap: none more, none more sexy. Not only are the pipes drool-inspiring, they're also said to increase power throughout the rev range. Available for most late-model sportbikes, the unique twin-tip, cam lobeshaped carbon canisters feature stainless-steel innards and polished, billet-aluminum endcaps. Although they're currently available in slip-on form only, full systems are in the offing. Suggested retail price is $1035.
Black Widow, P.O. Box 1053, Lakeside, CA 92040; 619/334428 1; www.bwracing.com
Racing Optics Speedstack
Here's a little gem for all the racers in the house: Racing Optics' Speedstack, a stack (duh) of seven tear-offs laminated together. The result is said to be so optically correct that it's possible to layer multiple Speedstacks. In fact, the family-run firm claims that wearing as many as 35 tearoffs at once still provides a crystal-clear view. Did we mention that the lamination is said to prevent fogging and dust from collecting between layers? Get a package of five for $25.
Racing Optics, 27128 Paseo Espada, #1503, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675; 949/4876064; www.racingoptics.com
RokStraps
So what gives Down Under? Not much, as long as it's strapped to a motorcycle via RokStraps. An alternative to the venerable bungee cord, Australia's RokStraps are weather-resistant, polyester-coated, rubber straps that come equipped with quick-release fasteners. Non-adjustable versions are available in 12-, 18-, 24and 30-inch lengths, while a 55-incher comes adjustable. All are said to secure up to 65 pounds worth of parcel. Price ranges from $4 to $10 per strap.
European Accessories, 20885 Redwood Rd., Castro Valley, CA 94546; 877/936-2562; www.rokstraps.com
Acerbis Blitz Headlight
This is the Honda CR250R that CW's Off-Road Editor Jimmy Lewis rode to second place in last October's Glen Helen 24-Hour. Not quite stock, is it? Most noticeable is the Acerbis Blitz Headlight: Designed to brighten the darkest of nights, the dual halogen lights put out a whopping 70 watts. And because the 38-degree flood beam and 10-degree pencil beam are stacked, it looks tricker than the usual side-by-side arrangement. The $82 setup comes in bike-matching hues, and fits most latemodel off-roaders.
Acerbis USA, 13200 Gregg St., Poway, CA 92064; 800/659-1440; www.acerbis.com
