20 GREAT MOTOCROSS PRODUCTS YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT

MOTOOL SLACKER V4 BLUETOOTH SAG SCALE

The Motool Slacker digital sag scale is an innovative replacement for the old-school, ruler-type sag sticks. It allowed racers to check their race sag with an electronic readout that is amazingly accurate. Plus, it comes with a hard-wired digital remote that a rider could use to read his own sag while sitting on his bike.

The new Slacker V4 Bluetooth model simplifies the task of checking your sag by making it a one-person job. You can also use your smartphone to get real-time readings on your sag measurements. Here’s a tip: MXA drills a small hole in the rear fender and puts the hook into it to get an accurate reading without using the C-clamp.

$159.99 (main unit only), $179.99 (Slacker V4 + wireless remote display)—www.motool.com or (800) 741-7702. 

ALPINESTARS TECH 10 SUPERVENTED BOOTS

The Supervented boot has the structural build of the Tech 10 boot with increased ventilation through an air scoop in the toe box. The Alpinestars Tech 10 Supervented boot is currently the only ventilated motocross boot on the market, but it is not the first. In fact, Alpinestars introduced its first ventilated boot, the Ventilation boot, over 30 years ago.

Racers who like pliable boots typically don’t like the Tech 10’s rigid structure and long break-in period. Now, they can try the Supervented Tech 10 because it breaks in quicker, flexes more and reduces heat buildup in the boots.

$659.95—www.alpinestars.com or (800) 409-0903.

DUBYA USA EDGE COMPLETE WHEELSETS

Dubya USA is known for providing high-quality wheels to the top Pro racers; however, Dubya’s Edge Complete wheelset offers high-quality wheels at an affordable price. The Edge wheels are for regular motocross and offroad use, and they held up for the MXA wrecking crew at Glen Helen, Pala, Elsinore and Cahuilla Creek MX Parks without any issues. The Edge wheels have upgraded Excel rims.

$799.95 (starting at price)—www.dubyausa.com or (714) 279-0200.

TWIN AIR ICE FLOW RADIATOR CAP

Twin Air’s Ice Flow radiator cap increases the boiling point of the water in your bike by increasing the pressure inside the radiator. The difference between a stock radiator cap and a high-pressure one is dramatic.

Most Japanese bikes come with 1.1 kg/cm² radiator caps, while KTMs and Huskys come with 1.8 kg/cm² caps. A 1.1 kg/cm² cap can handle 14.22 psi before the coolant pushes the valve open. By increasing the radiator cap to 1.8, the radiator can handle 25.6 psi, while a 2.0 cap ups the ante to 28.45 pounds. The higher the pressure, the longer the water in your radiator will resist boiling.

$24.95—www.twinair.com or your local dealer.

ASTERISK CARBON CELL 1 KNEE BRACE

The Asterisk CC1 carbon fiber knee brace is far more durable than previous products. The patella cup is a three-piece design made from Nylon-6 material that leaves no open gaps for the handlebar to ding your knee. The Asterisk CC1 features four Velcro-backed fastener straps that provide multiple ways to snug the straps for that custom feel.

Ever since former AMA Pro Mike Beier took over Asterisk, the entire line has improved in quality and durability. With the addition of the exceptional CC1 brace to Asterisk’s five-knee-brace lineup, the brand has been propelled to a whole new level. This is a compact, functional and durable knee brace.

$799.95 (pair)—www.asterisk.com or (951) 268-6790.

PRO CIRCUIT 2003–2022 YZ250 PIPE & SILENCER

Pro Circuit’s Yamaha YZ250 exhaust system can be described in one word—explosive. This pipe burst out an extra 3.46 ponies at 8000 rpm and peaks out at 9600 rpm, producing 49.33 horsepower, which is considerably more than the stock engine at peak. The pipe makes an incredible difference all the way through the powerband, but the initial hit was too strong for some of our test riders.

This is a racer’s pipe. It produces more power in the upper part of the powerband than any YZ250 pipe we have ever tested. This pipe is best in the hands of two-stroke riders with serious skills. It hits hard and pulls even harder.

$288.95 (pipe), $362.95 (carbon fiber silencer), $141.71 (aluminum silencer)—www.procircuit.com or (951) 738-8050.

6D ATR-2Y YOUTH HELMET

The youth version of the 6D ATR-2 helmet is the spitting image of the tried-and-true adult version with some small, necessary internal changes. The only differences you will find between the adult 6D ATR-2 and the ATR-2Y Youth model are the softer foam liners and freer uncoupling carrier system to increase protection.

Inside 6D’s shell is 6D’s Omni-Directional Suspension system or ODS for short. ODS uses Elastomeric Isolation Dampers between the two separate foam liners. Their hourglass shape provides a progressive spring rate that manages low- and mid-threshold accelerations. Plus, they allow the inner EPS liner to move in multiple directions to lessen rotational acceleration.

$459.00—www.6dhelmets.com or (714) 772-2121.

WORKS CONNECTION SHORTY FORK BLEEDERS

After a long moto, your forks will be considerably stiffer than they were when the moto started. Every manufacturer puts a bleed screw on the top of the fork caps to allow the rider to release the trapped air pressure with a screwdriver or a #20 Torx driver. Bleeding your forks should be high on your must-do list between motos, but you can make the job a lot easier by installing Works Connection’s Shorty push-button air bleeders.

The world does not revolve around how quickly you can get the excess air pressure out of your forks; it revolves around whether or not you actually let the air out. The choice between digging in your toolbox for a tool or pressing a button should be fairly obvious.

$24.95—www.worksconnection.com or (530) 642-9488.

FMF POWERBOMB GOGGLES

The goggle design is owned by 100%. If you are asking which 100% goggle design it is, you would have to go back a few years. The FMF Powerbomb goggles look exactly like 100%’s Accuri design, which 100% doesn’t offer anymore (although there is an Accuri 2).

The frame has ample flex, which helps it fit snugly against a wide variety of facial shapes. If you want more flex, you can remove the nose piece. It fits in all of MXA’s popular helmets without interference. This is a straightforward goggle with an iconic motocross nameplate, offers high performance and is a collaboration between hardcore motocross companies.

$42.50 (clear lens), $57.50 (mirrored or smoke lens)—www.fmfracing.com or your local dealer.

CYLINDER WORKS HUSQVARNA FC270 BIG-BORE KIT

You can make your Husky FC250 four-stroke torquier, broader and more powerful in one simple step. The Cylinder Works 270cc kit includes a brand-new cylinder, 3mm-larger Vertex piston and a Cometic gasket kit. It is a bolt-on kit that ups the bore from 78mm to 81mm (and the displacement from 250cc to 269.5cc).

For $690, we gained horsepower and torque at every point along the dyno curve—from as little as 1 horse down low to 5 more horses through the middle. The added torque allowed the FC250 to pull a taller gear when it counted. It hit harder and didn’t lose any rev on top. It was sweet. Best of all, it is the best way to get competitive power at a wallet-friendly price.

$701.90—www.cylinder-works.com or your local dealer.

ACERBIS KTM SKID PLATE

The MXA wrecking crew is hard on its bikes and has suffered engine case, water pump, ignition cover and lower frame rail damage in the past. KTMs don’t come with skid plates on their motocross or cross-country models. If you hit rocks, logs or other bikes, a skid plate can save your day and your wallet.

It’s no secret that an aluminum skid plate can increase frame rigidity—not a good thing. To combat this, some aluminum skid plates come with rubber grommets around the bolts. With plastic skid plates, there is enough inherent flex in the material to eliminate this concern. Consider a skid plate comparable to a helmet. We think that helmets and skid plates are investments in a happy future.

$82.95 (orange or black)—www.acerbisusa.com or your local dealer.

DUNLOP GEOMAX MX12 REAR TIRE

The Dunlop Geomax MX12 rear tire is a soft-terrain tire designed specifically for sand and mud conditions. The Geomax MX12 is the replacement for the MX11 and provides next-level performance in a broader range of terrain.

The MXA test riders loved the solid, strong and aggressive pull out of corners. They were able to use alternate lines that were too deep or soft for an intermediate tire. When compared to the Dunlop MX11, the MX12 made it easier to maintain a smooth line through rough corners. Surprise! On intermediate terrain, the MX12 hooked up surprisingly well. It felt like a premium intermediate tire.

$128.11 (80/100-21), $160.48 (100/90-19), $165.70 (110/90-19)—www.dunlopmotorcycletires.com.

 

 

 

KTM POWERPARTS 60-PIECE TOOLKIT

KTM’s 60-piece toolkit has a 3/8-inch drive, which means all of your existing sockets will fit on it. It is a comprehensive kit. It has nine Torx bits (from #15 to #50). The sockets include 6mm to 24mm with 10 deep sockets (8mm to 19mm). It has Allen sockets in 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 7mm, 8mm and 10mm. It contains a selection of Phillips and flat-blade screwdriver bits, plus a 3/8-inch ratchet, breaker bar, 3-inch extension and swivel extension.

We never liked the KTM 38-piece kit, but the 60-piece kit has almost everything you need in one handy carrying case. It beats going through the pits trying to borrow a #20 Torx from the same guy you borrowed from last week. All that’s missing is a 32mm socket for the rear axle nut.

$145.95 (60-piece); $74.95 (38-piece)—www.ktm.com or your local dealer.

 

 

DECAL WORKS GRAPHICS GUARDS

On most modern motocross bikes, where the rider’s boot meets the front edge of the side number plates, the constant movement of the rider’s feet frays the vinyl graphics. Not only do the number-plate graphics get torn, the sticky glue interacts with the rubber sole of the boot and leaves big black marks.

DeCal Works graphics guards work like sneeze guards at a salad bar. They are small, clear, molded pieces of plastic that encapsulate the area where your boot hits the number plate. The plastic layer never lets your boot touch the vinyl, thus the vinyl never tears, rips or rolls up. And since the graphics guard is clear, it allows the color of the graphics to show through.

$25.95—www.decalmx.com or (815) 784-4000.

DRC GYRO WHEEL-TRUING STAND

The DRC Gyro wheel-truing stand is an affordable and foldable wheel-truing stand that can be used for lacing wheels, truing wheels, balancing wheels and running bearing checks. Because the gyro stand can be folded flat, it doesn’t take up much space. The gyro stand accepts rim widths of up to 5 inches, rim sizes as large as 23 inches and axle diameters of more than 15mm (there is an optional axle for bikes with bearings from 10mm to 15mm).

Compared to the old-school wheel truing stands that most shops use, we prefer to use the Gyro stand. It is more precise and less obtrusive when not in use. Given its reasonable price, the DRC Gyro stand could pay for itself in a couple of do-it-yourself wheel-maintenance sessions.

$127.95—www.drcproducts.com or your local dealer.

SIDI ATOJO BOOTS

These aren’t the narrow Italian boots that Sidi is known for. MXA test riders who had wide feet and disliked the tight toe box of previous Sidis felt comfortable in the Atojos. Long-term Sidi fans didn’t mind the extra room and complemented the comfort and easy foot ingress (compared to the Crossfire 3 boots). If you couldn’t fit in a Sidi because of their slim toe box, you need to try the wider Sidi Atojo boots. But, be sure to double-check your size at the dealer.

The Atojo boots are all about saving weight. Sidi did most of the weight-shedding by going with a three-buckle system and replacing much of the plastic with a suede material. On the track, the Atojo feels very light and nimble, as it offers a supreme connection between your bike and feet.

$549.99—www.motonation.com or (619) 401-4100. 

OGIO RIG.T3 GEAR BAG

The Ogio Rig.T3 is a three-in-one bag that includes removable bags for your helmet and boots. It is designed to carry everything you would need for a day at the track. At $499, the Rig.T3 is a big investment, but it costs less than the stuff you are putting in it.

The Ogio Rig.T3’s extra-wide opening allows easy access to the entire gear bag. The large lid has four zip-up pockets, and you can unzip a smaller opening in the lid to access small items. The Rig.T3 comes with separate and removable helmet and boot bags. There are four different handles, plus a telescoping handle to be used when rolling it on its heavy-duty wheels.

$499.99 (helmet and boot bag included)—www.ogiopowersports.com or (800) 326-6325.

SKF DUAL-COMPOUND FORK SEALS

SKF has a reputation for building the longest-lasting and best fork seals in the motocross biz, and its latest dual-compound innovation goes a long way towards enhancing that reputation. SKF Dual-Compound fork seals are the best seals on the market.

SKF’s Dual-Compound fork-seal technology molds two different rubber compounds together in one fork seal. The tougher green compound rubber is used for the fork leg’s wipers, while the softer red compound rubber is used against the fork tubes. Helping the dual-compound rubber is a metal insert that provides structural integrity and a fork wiper that has a self-cleaning, open-wind spring to increase the seal pressure of the wiper.

$39.99 (one seal and wiper)—www.innteck-usa.com or your local dealer.

ODI EMIG PRO V2 LOCK-ON GRIPS

The first thing you notice on the ODI Emig Pro V2 lock-on grips is the extra-soft, undercut, independent ribs that extend across the outer two-thirds of the grip. The ribs are angled downward towards the inside of the grip to encourage better hand positioning. The grips also have a raised Jeff Emig logo pattern that conforms to your palms for extra padding and reduced vibration. Alloy-reinforced end caps lessen the chance of the grip’s knob tearing in a fall.

The raised traction ribs improved adhesion, even when we fell in the mud. The alloy-reinforced end caps have a diameter slightly larger than the grip. Our test riders felt the end caps while riding, which was unusual, but they appreciated it because it made them aware of their hand positioning.

$28.95—www.odigrips.com or your local dealer.

MOTO TASSINARI VFORCE4R REED VALVE

The VForce4R reed valve has a new manifold, reed cage and air guide. The reed-tip surface is 10 percent larger, and the new pre-curved reed petals ensure a better seal. Plus, the frontal area of the central wing has been reduced by 15 percent to improve aerodynamics.

If we had to complain, we’d say that we expected a bigger improvement over OEM, but that is unrealistic on a KTM or Husky because their stock reed-valve system is a Moto Tassinari copy. We love this reed on a Yamaha.

$168.00—www.mototassinari.com or (603) 298-6646.