It's Springtime, It's Ridin' Time, It's...
Keep Your Digits Clean
The Mako Multi Purpose Glove by Instinct Performance Hand Protection ($19.99) is a fully washable work glove, with stretch panels in the knuckles for comfort and ease of motion. The Mako stays secure on your hand with elastic and hook-and-loop fasteners on the cuff. Color options for the glove are black, blue, grey, red and yellow, and you can see other gloves by Instinct Performance at www.instinctgloves.com or call (800) 796-3235 for details.
A Blow-Dryer For Your Helmet
Don't put your helmet away soaked with sweat; use the Helmetek Helmet Drying System. Helmetek says its system will dry a helmet in 15 minutes or less, and it helps eliminate bacteria and odor. Encased in a metal shell and operating on 110 volts, the $125 Helmetek dryer is available in black, red and white, with custom colors available upon request. More information can be found at www.helmetek.com or by calling (480) 704-3737.
Freeon Keeps You Cool
The AXO Freeon is a fully vented jacket with ballistic material in the elbows and shoulders plus a memory-foam back pad. The $169.99 jacket has adjustable forearms and waist straps for a custom fit that helps avoid "flappage." Contained in the rear pocket is a waterproof outer jacket to keep you dry on those rainy days. The Freeon mesh jacket comes in grey/black/red and grey/black/white. Go to www.axo.com to find your closest dealer or call (877) Axo-Race.
Timing Is Everything
Dale Walker's Tune for Power, Step by Step Cam Degreeing DVD makes it easy for amateur and pro alike to understand how to get more performance from your engine. The DVD ($26.95) is about 20 minutes in length and is split into chapters for easy reference and review. By the way, Dale Walker has four national dragracing championships and more than 50 national records to his credit, so he knows something about engine building and tuning. Check out www.holeshot.com for more information.
Ground Control To Major Tom
Made by Joe Rocket, the Sonic Boot ($139.99) has leather construction and is 100-percent waterproof and breathable. It has molded plastic impact protectors and a padded ankle as well as a reinforced gearshift area. The Sonic comes in sizes 7-13, and color options are black and black. See more Joe Rocket gear and where to purchase it at www.joerocket.com or call (800) 635-6103.
A Little Light Reading
"BMW Motorcycles: The Evolution of Excellence" ($29.95) is a 178-pagehistory of the airplane-engine builder that turned to motorcycles. Written byKevin Ash, the book follows the developmentof the marque from early race victories to present-day success. Read about the company's struggle through wars, post-war restrictions, world recessions and the onslaught of the Japanese manufacturers. Go to www.white horsepress.com or call (800) 531-1133 for more information. "Motorcycle Evolution, Design, Passion" is written by motorcycle racer and historian Mick Walker. The $35 book traces the complete evolution of the motorcycle, from 19th-century Gottlieb Daimler and Hildebrand & Wolfmuller to present-day manufacturers. Mr. Walker uses 224 pages and 300 color pictures to describe the rise of the two-wheeled motorized vehicle. Available through John Hopkins University Press at www.press. jhu.edu. You can also call (410) 516-6900 for more information.
Sounds Good To Me
Arata has a complete line of titanium exhausts for most sportbikes. Pictured here is the company's offering for the latest Yamaha R6 ($1699). Along with full systems, Arata also carries a line of slip-on silencers for your sportbike, including the ever popular MotoGP-style pipes. For more information, go to www.arata-ex.com or call (714) 374-9491.
Go Green, Buy A Hybrid
The Shift Havoc Hybrid pant is constructed of both leather and textile. The $199.99 Havoc Hybrid combines the best feaStures of streetwear but adds the styling of an over-the-boot off-road pant. The pants have 1.0-1.2mm leather in the abrasion areas and CE-approved armor in the knee and shin areas. Two hip pockets keep your small valuables easily accessible. Check out www.shift racing.com or call (888) 826-5143 for the scoop.