New Ideas
NEW IDEAS
Frank Thomas Lady Rider Apparel
Hey ladies, ever noticed you're not shaped like men? God knows men have-and now so has Frank Thomas. The British apparel company’s comprehensive new Lady Rider collection includes jackets, pants, boots and gloves in female-friendly colors, styles and sizes. Offerings include the leather Leiah ($250 for jacket, $180 for pants), the textile Sofia ($180 for jacket, $120 for pants) and others. Cycle Gear, Inc. 4705 Industrial Way, Benicia, CA 74510; 707/747-5053; www.cyclegear.com
Veypor Performance intelligence
Can't do without data? Get it all-and then some-with the Veypor Performance Intelligence module. Small enough to fit in your hand, the easy-to-install, water-resistant, handlebar-mounted display unit goes beyond standard speed, distance, time and engine rpm functions, offering on-screen graphing, lap and quarter-mile timing functions, a gear indicator and a programmable shift light. The $ 280computer works with any engine configuration, chain-or shaft-drive, and even estimates horsepower! Nonlinear Engineering, Inc., 114 Grange Ave., Ottawa, ON Canada K1Y 0N9; 866/221-3638; www.veypor.com
Dynojet Quick Shifter
Most commercially available quick-shifters allow full-throttle upshifts by momentarily cutting spark, which was fine in the pre-EFI era. Dynojet’s new Quick Shifter works in much more modern fashion: cutting fuel delivery. Designed to work in conjunction with Dynojet’s own Power Commander III USB module, the “DQS” comes with your choice of three styles of actuation switch (linear travel Sensor shown), all necessary instructions and software, and is backed by toll-free telephone and Internet support. Kits are available for most fuel-injected Harleys and late-model sportbikes, with prices ranging from $267 to $317. Dynojet Research, Inc., 2191 Mendenhall Dr., N. Las Vegas, NV 89081; 800/992-4993; www.dynojet.com
E Line Carbon-Fiber Accessories
Famous for its carbon-fiber/kevlar two-stroke pipe guards and skid glide plates, E Line also makes chain guides, fork and shock protectors, ignition covers and four-stroke header protection for stock and aftermarket applications. Designed for KTM's racing four-strokes, the $90 tailpipe/muffler guard (shown) covers both pipe and muffler to prevent melted riding gear. E Line Accessories, 54 Spectacle Pond Terrace, East Wareham, MA 02538; 508/295-0813; www.elineaccessories.com
Alpinestars GP Tech Gloves
Crashing hurts. Best, then, to protect yourself as well as possible. Developed with help from top MotoGP and Superbike racers, the $240 GP Tech glove shields the areas of the hand and wrist that are most vulnerable in the event of an accident. A reinforced kangaroo leather palm, pre-curved fingers and external seams enhance feel. Get 'em in black/black, blue/black or red/black in sizes S-XXXL. Alpinestars USA, Inc., 2780 W. 237th St., Torrance, CA 90505; 310/891-0222; www.alpinestars.com
Arai XD Helmet
XD stands for “cross-over design” -as in a street helmet for the dirt, or a dirt helmet for the street. Depends on where you've been and where you’re going, but this hybrid lid with its removable peak and “Twin Cam Shield Pivot System” is a good compromise either way you look at it, especially for adventure-touring and supermoto types. Even though the sealing of the flip-up visor is excellent, this Arai is designed to allow the use of goggles in extremely dusty conditions. With the vents closed, dust only slowly migrates in through the bottom of the helmet. The XD is also quiet, much more so than popular flip-up-front-style head protection. Aerodynamics are the best we’ve experienced with a visored helmet, especially at high speeds. And when the vents are open, air flows freely through the shell. With the added free space in the nose/mouth area compared to typical street lids, this is a very airy-feeling full-facer. The XD is offered in XS-XXL sizes in white or black ($484), Aluminum Silver or Aluminum Grey ($517) or "Storm" graphic ($577). Arai Helmets, P.O. Box 9485, Daytona Beach, FL 32120; 800/766-2724; www.araiamericas.com
