This month we take a look at some of the motorcycle essentials that every rider should have. Everything from cleaning supplies and disc locks to tailights and trailers.
Rance Renegade Aluminum Trailer
Anyone who hauls their bike to the races (or anywhere else) can definitely appreciate the value of a well-built trailer. In today's crowded marketplace there is no shortage of suppliers willing to trade your money for a collection of metal when it comes to utility trailers; many of them, however, are hardly suitable for long-term use. Until recently, we didn't really understand the differences between a low-cost, bargain trailer and a high-quality, all-aluminum unit like this Renegade from Rance Aluminum, or why we should consider paying more for the latter. Now that we've had the opportunity to spend some time using one of Rance's finest models, we do. Of course, the biggest benefit of aluminum trailers is weight or, rather, lack thereof. Weighing in at less than 1600 pounds, the 7x14-foot Rance V-Nose trailer is an easy 800 pounds lighter than most steel trailers. That adds up to a real savings to you in terms of tow-vehicle efficiency (i.e. fuel economy) and reliability. But the benefits go a lot farther than weight. If you look at most V-nose trailers, you will see the nose of the trailer sits almost at the end of the tongue--a design that reduces costs but also increases your turning radius. The Renegade features an extended tongue to assure you that turning and backing angles are not traded away for the additional space and aerodynamics of a V-nose.
Rance also specs top-quality Goodyear Marathon tires to insure trouble-free towing and utilizes its own patented LED fuse panel, which prevents a wiring short on the trailer from taking out your tow vehicle's running lights. Dexter Tor-Flex axles give the smoothest ride possible and help keep the trailer height low. Maintaining a low deck height is especially important to drag racers--this, paired with a properly designed ramp door like the one Rance uses, prevents your lowered sportbike from dragging on the trailer deck while loading. Other features like high-quality door hinges with grease fittings continue the rust-free design. Various interior packages offered by Rance include features such as floor D-rings or E-Track to secure your bike and wheel chocks and custom dress-up packages. We opted for the top-of-the-line "Warrior" option package, as well as smooth outer sidepanels. On most trailers the aluminum skin is screwed to the aluminum box frame, but on this trailer Rance uses an automotive-grade epoxy for this attachment, resulting in a much cleaner-looking outer surface on the trailer. The bottom edge of the trailer is accented with an anodized trim panel, and the lower part of the V-nose is also covered in a protective ATP to enhance durability. Everything about this trailer is top of the line and built to last, making it worth serious consideration if you are in the market for a hauler fit to carry your carefully prepared race bikes or customs. At $8850, the Renegade Warrior edition is hardly inexpensive, but the best rarely is.
--Don Smith
www.rancealuminum.com
Sayanora Signet, Hello Profile
Arai's midpriced Signet helmet is no more in 2006, replaced by the all-new Profile that features a sleeker and more aerodynamic shell shape than the old Signet. As with other Arai models, the Profile uses the company's latest-generation proprietary fiberglass construction technology (Super Complex Laminate Construction in Arai-speak) and a single-piece, multiple-density EPS foam liner to protect your skull. A new recessed front intake duct with larger intake holes, triple exhaust ducts and an enhanced side-exhaust port improve ventilation, and the dual-position chin vent now features an integrated, activated-carbon air filter just like your favorite luxury car. For those familiar with Arai's shell shapes, the Profile has a "long-oval" interior shape (for a rider whose head is longer front-to-back and more narrow side-to-side) and is available in sizes XS-XXXL for a suggested retail price of $475.95 to $584.95, depending on which of the 18 available color combinations you choose. www.araiamericas.com
Feeling "Not So Dry"?
Sop up all that post-wash moisture and keep your bike's surface spot-free with the Absorber, a versatile, lightweight drying cloth that is said to be 50 percent more absorbent than other drying cloths and able to be reused over and over again. Resistant to bleach, detergents, grease, oil and most chemicals, the Absorber can be rinsed clean or machine-washed to keep grit off of your bike. The Absorber is safe to use on all painted surfaces or finished metal surfaces, as is its companion, the Glosser, a disposable microfiber cloth super-saturated with cleaning and waxing agents for quick and convenient clean-up and polishing of any type of paint for removing grease and road grime on the go. It can be used without water and without worry of scratching, and it is sold in a handy pack of five. Take them with you to shows, where they are perfect for a quick polish before the judges stop by.
www.theabsorber.com
www.theglosser.com
Color: The New Clear
Now that most bikes come stock with clear lenses over the turn signals and taillights, the only way to stand apart from the flock is to add some color back! Clear Alternatives, the innovator in aftermarket clear lenses for motorcycles, is (ironically) the first on the market to introduce color-tinted taillight and turn-signal lenses in blue, green, red, yellow or smoke to match the paint of almost any bike. Taillights feature LED bulbs that still shine red for brake/running lights and integrated turn signals that shine yellow, even through the colored tint. Available for most current models, prices start at $89.99. Wonder if the company is considering a name change to "Colored Alternatives" anytime soon? www.clearalternatives.com
On the Down-Low
Whether your bike is stretched, slammed or you just like that racetrack-refugee look, Hindle's latest Sidewinder is the pipe for your bike. With proper tuning and mapping The Sidewinder can boost peak horsepower by as much as 20 hp, the company attests--so it's a legitimate performance upgrade, in addition to looking the biz. Available as either a slip-on or a full system, Hindle currently offers fitments for the Yamaha R1, Kawasaki ZX-12R, ZX-10R and ZX-14 as well as Suzuki's GSX-R1000 and Hayabusas. www.hindle.com
Just Try to Leave Home Without It
Have a problem remembering your disc lock when you leave home? Check out the new RoadLoK Motorcycle Immobilization Device (MID), the world's first locking mechanism that mounts directly to the motorcycle so that it's impossible to leave behind. Made from hardened aluminum, stainless steel and titanium and designed specifically for each motorcycle model for a perfect fit, the RoadLoK MID replaces the factory rear-brake-caliper-mounting bracket with a new bracket that has the disc-lock mechanism built in. Since the lock is always attached to the bike, the rider only needs to carry the BrakeBolt locking pin on his or her key ring--not a bulky disc lock--to secure the bike. Additional BrakeBolt locking pins will be available with an LED status indicator by midsummer. Prices for the RoadLoK MID Arachnid start at $259.99. If you are an ADD-afflicted rider, this is the lock is for you. www.roadlok.com