Click On, Click Off
OK, so the bling value of these fuel-line quick disconnects is virtually nil, but take our word for it: These trick clickers are the most functional bits presented in this month's product focus. Heck, don't take our word for it, just ask the Kawasaki factory superbike technicians who used these quick disconnects from Colder Products on Eric Bostrom's ZX-7RR racer last season. No more fussing with wonky spring clips and reluctant rubber lines--if you need to pop your tank off, these couplings break the fuel line at the push of a button with no drips or dribbles thanks to a built-in auto shutoff valve and fuel-compatible O-rings. Highly recommended. More info (and more solutions) at www.colder.com.
Ventus Maximus
Or Vent Max for short, modeled here by the NHRA's prince of Pro Stock, Antron Brown. Vanson's new Vmax mesh shirt is a trick piece of minimalist riding gear designed to provide a modicum of protection on those hella hot days when it's too much to don a traditional riding jacket. Made of 1000-denier Cordura mesh with a super-breathable inner lining and leather padding on the elbows and shoulders, this cool and comfortable piece is available in black only (with metallic chrome logos) for $119. Catch up on the rest of Vanson's expansive apparel line at www.vansonleathers.com.
Stoppie Power!
Carbon fiber? Please... If you want to make a serious performance upgrade to your sportbike, forget the fiber and bolt on a set of SBS's latest Dual Carbon (DC) brake pads. The DCs are said to offer numerous advantages over the company's standard sintered pads, including higher thermal stability to better resist heat fade and a higher friction coefficient for improved initial bite and more consistent performance. Couple this with SBS's Dynamic Energy Surface Treatment (for even greater fade resistance) and you get brakes that can't be beat. If you're riding a modern sportbike, SBS has a fitment for it. Find out more at www.parts-unlimited.com.
Carry On
Sportbikes are not exactly celebrated for copious carrying capacity--in fact, you're pretty lucky if you can jam a wallet and a cell phone in the tailsection and still manage to squeeze the seat back on. And tank and tail bags, though functional, are decidedly anticool. If you've got a load to carry and you want to carry it in style, cop a move from combat veterans and pick up a pair of LBZ Trail Cargo pants, available in black, blue, gray, red or tan for a cool $99.95. Built for the long haul from heavy-duty, abrasion-resistant Cordura, these cargo pants feature spacious, two-button pockets set off with a reflective LBZ logo. Zebra belt not included. More, and better, pictures at the never-work-safe www.lbz.com.
Be Just Like The Boyz...
...the Starboyz, that is, by throwing one of these crunk carbon exhaust cans from Kerker's Starboyz signature line on your own road iron. Available exclusively through Parts Unlimited for nearly all late-model sportbikes (including the Honda CBR954RR shown here), these cans feature carbon sleeves with brushed-aluminum end caps and a stunt-style shortened body so they don't foul the ground when you're out rockin' 12s (or so your friends will believe). Modular in design, the basic muffler is paired with an application-specific inlet adaptor for easy installation, and each is crowned with the Starboyz-designed checkered-star badge. www.supertrapp.com.
Made In The Shade
Memphis Shades are the Oakleys of the aftermarket windscreen world, lauded for their top-quality materials (ICI Lucite), construction techniques and seamless tint gradients that result in both unmatched clarity and a show-quality finish. One point they don't match Oakley on, though, is price--at a suggested retail of just $69.95, a Memphis Shades screen is actually cheaper than most Oakley shades! These screens mount in minutes using your bike's original-equipment mounting hardware and are available in many styles and colors to fit every popular sportbike. See them all at www.memphisshades.com.
Spin To Win
RC Components, one of the biggest names in aftermarket wheels, joins the revolution in 2004 by releasing its own line of sportbike spinners, debuting seven different styles available in nearly every popular sportbike size. Forged from the highest-grade T6 aluminum and offered in the company's most popular patterns--including Marshall, Regal, Sheriff, Slash, Starfighter (an exclusive sportbike design not shared with the company's cruiser line), Warlock (shown) and Wicked--the RC rotators can be had in your choice of polished or chromed finishes. Take your pick at www.rccomponents.com.
Streetfightin' Man
Not down with the superhero styling of most leather riding wear? Looking for something a little more street smart? Check out Speedrag's newest "Streetfighter" jacket, drawn up like a classic prison work coat but cut from heavy-duty nylon Cordura and filled out with CE-approved armor in the elbows and shoulders to help maximize your menaceability. Finished with adjustable waist fittings, zippered cuffs and Speedrag's own "Bones Cross" logo embroidered on the back, the jacket is offered in sizes M through XL in black (really, is there any other choice?), red or royal blue. Suggested retail is a coin-conserving $109.95. www.speedrag.com.
Uncluttered Undertails
Call it a Brazilian for your bike: Hotbodies' new GP undertail line is the quickest and coolest way to clean up your sportbike "down there"--underneath the tailsection. Cast in OEM-quality ABS, the undertails feature up-to-the-minute dual brake-light styling (LEDs optional), clear lenses and chrome rims. These sheaths are available in factory-matched colors or fully chromed. In addition to the GP-spec 'tails, Hotbodies also offers a lower-priced Super Sport line (which uses the stock taillight and deletes the chrome trim) along with a full selection of rear hugger fenders to keep your swingarm and rear shock fresh and clean. Eyeball it all at www.lockhartphillipsusa.com.
Diamond: A Drag Racer's Best Friend
Slammin' a new CBR600RR--with its somewhat complicated Unit Pro-Link rear suspension--isn't an easy task unless you dial up Diamond Powersports to get your hands on one of its trick CBR600RR lowering links. This three-piece unit rides on "R-Lube" oil-impregnated bushings (included) and offers two-position adjustment--allowing you to drop the seat height by either one or three inches, depending on which hole you select. Crafted from super-stout 7075 T6 aluminum, this link adds some diamondlike sparkle to your CBR's underside as well thanks to a highly polished finish. $154.95. Order info at: www.diamondpowersports.com.