These are some of the latest hot products out now. We check out street bike gear and accessories like motorcycle helmets, disc locks, and even trading cards.
Riveting Headgear
Rosie the Riveter was always pictured wearing a polka-dot bandanna, but we're pretty sure that if she had swapped her rivet gun for a sportbike, Scorpion's EXO-700 "Rivet" would definitely be her lid of choice. Selling for under $200, the Rivet is front-loaded with big-buck features like a fiberglass/Kevlar composite shell and a slick SpeedShift quick-change visor system with an optically correct, no-fog, anti-scratch shield. The removable, washable KwikWick interior liner wicks moisture and can be swapped out for a variety of different patterned designs (including camo, leopard and other prints) for a cool, custom touch. www.scorpionusa.com
Big Dog Security
We can think of two good ways to protect your bike from thieves: One, buy a pit bull and leave him chained to your bike around the clock; two, fork over $36.98 for OnGuard's newest disc lock, the Boxer 5054. With a hardened, 5/16-inch ultra-steel pin and an armored, hardened case, the 5054 offers maximum protection thanks to an anti-pull, anti-drill and pick-resistant "touch lock" and a special, titanium-plated body. The Boxer 5054 is sold complete with five laser-cut keys, a carrying pouch and an orange reminder leash to make sure your first trip after using the lock isn't an extra-short one. www.onguardlock.com
Bling Rings and Lustrous Links
You know that you've taken your custom sportbike project all the way when you start contemplating chrome-plating your chain and sprockets--the grimiest part of the motorcycle. But if you're not afraid of keeping a chrome chain clean, Drive Systems USA just made it easier to upgrade this area with off-the-shelf kits that include a special plated and polished DID X-ring chain and polished and chrome-plated AFAM front and rear sprockets. All you need now is chromed grease. www.afamusa.com
Best of Both Worlds
Imagine if you had a Hummer that could pull 45 mpg and park in a compact spot. The best of both worlds, huh? Shift promises similar satisfaction from its latest Dyer Hybrid jacket, which combines the abrasion resistance of leather with the lightweight flexibility of a textile piece. Featuring leather main panels held together with KorMax/Aramid panels in the stretch zones, the Dyer Hybrid is 25 percent lighter than a full leather jacket but offers similar protection thanks to ample leather components and removable armor on the shoulders and elbows. Retailing for just under $300, the Dyer Hybrid is a good value, too--complete the look with the $99.95 Dyer Hybrid glove that features a similar leather/textile composite construction, with the same benefits of superior protection and enhanced flexibility--just like that mythical compact Hummer. www.shiftracing.com
Hey, Ladies!
The best thing about being a female rider in 2006? It has to be the exploding selection of hot-looking--and functional--women's riding apparel that is now available. Gear giant Joe Rocket is the latest company to throw in to the women's mix with a huge line of just-for-the-ladies riding apparel, highlighted by the "Trixie" jacket ($349) and pants ($249) shown here. Constructed from 1.0mm-1.4mm leather for road-ready protection, both the jacket and pants incorporate C.E.-approved soft armor at all impact points and a variety of comfort features (including "Variable Flow" vents and a removable liner in the jacket and full-flex stretch panels and precurved legs in the pants). Offered in a range of cool colors and designs, the Trixie gear looks just as good off the bike as on. www.joerocket.com
Huggie Bear
Dress up the underbody (and protect that expensive aftermarket exhaust) on your late-model R1 with one of these trick rear hugger fenders from Puig. Made from ABS plastic and available in two finishes (straight black for $142.95 or carbon-look for $166.95), these huggers feature a trick, laser-cut aluminum logo plate at the trailing point for a stylish, high-tech look. In addition to the R1 fitment shown here, Puig offers similar huggers for nearly every other late-model sportbike, too. See their web site for complete details. www.puigusa.com
Tail Lights
To be street legal, all 50 states require motorcycles to have both a license plate light and a red rear reflector. Do you have either? The first mod that most custom sportbike enthusiasts make is to chop off the ugly stock rear fender, which usually houses both the plate light and reflectors. What to do to be legal then? Check out CycleSignals Plate Lites, which locate small LED lights in a rubberized plastic housing mounted on a 14-inch license plate bolt. Basic Plate Lites sell for $18 a pair with a red reflector on top; spend $28 to get the Tear Drop Jr. Lites, which add six red LEDs to the caps that can be wired as turn signals, brake or stop lights. Skip the ticket and make it legal first. www.cyclesignals.com
StuntCards!
Here's a blast from the past: trading cards, only instead of the doped-up major leaguers and the blockheaded linemen of our youth, StuntCards feature real athletic heroes--sportbike stunt riders! Featuring big-name riders from around the world, each card includes an action shot of the rider on one side and a profile that lists that rider's favorite stunts, video appearances, sponsors and web sites on the reverse. Current card series include "Street," "International," "50 Riders" and "Team," with plans to add more soon. Sorry, stale gum not included. wwww.stuntcards.com
Under Pressure
Exactly two things matter to downhill mountain bike racers: protection and freedom of motion. Conveniently, those are the same things that matter to stunters, which makes the SixSixOne SP-2 Pressure Suit, designed originally for downhill racers, of special interest to stunters, too. Featuring articulated, injection-molded spine protection (removable), adjustable hook and loop strap closures, dual-density EVA impact pads on the arms and elbows and a Race Fit protective foam underlayer, the SP-2 can be worn by itself or under your existing riding gear for additional protection. Bonus: Rock it under a hoodie at the club on weekends and try to impress the ladies with your overnight muscles. www.sixsixone.com
Rose-Colored Glasses
How can you tell that stunt riding is getting big? One indication is that big-name riders are starting to get signature-series apparel designed especially for them, like these pink-tinged sunglasses designed by Liquid Eyewear to honor pinked-out SoCal stunter Kane Friesen. Currently available in two styles--the wraparound Sea Rays [top] and the squared-off Mini Mobs[bottom]--the Kaneone-edition specs feature Grilamid nylon frames for durability, polarized lenses for optimum performance outdoors and a one-year warranty. Retail price is just $65, available exclusively through the Pink One's web site. www.kaneone.com