New motorcycle products: KBC & Vemar helmets, Power Trip & Joe Rocket jackets, Maxima coolant, Arata pipe, Yuasa maintnenace-free batteries, and Muzzys big-bore kit for Kawasaki ZX-12R.
Vemar Carbon Helmet: For Extra-Special Heads
For those of you looking to encase your head in the absolute finest, check out the limited-edition VSR Carbon from Vemar Helmets. While Vemar's a new name to the U.S. market, the Italian manufacturer has been making high-end helmets since 1981, and is currently the largest producer of composite helmets in Europe. The VSR Carbon, seen here, is the flagship of the four-model Vemar streetbike line (full-race to sport-touring and everything in between), and will only be offered as a limited-edition item -- expect about 500 of them to be available at around $600. Sporting a carbon-fiber shell construction, this ultra-lightweight lid (2 pounds 14 ounces in size L!) is certified to both U.S. DOT specs and Europe's strict ECE-22.05 standards. A Breath-Mesh inner liner and dual-density cheek pads -- available in three sizes -- are way comfy and removable for easy cleaning. Ventilation appears on par with any of the other premium offerings, and the visor is fogproof and features quick-release mounting.
Vemar Helmets USA
(888) 313-2510
www.vemar-usa.com
Muzzys Kawasaki ZX-12R 1427cc Kit: Supersize It
Most of us are in agreement that the one thing Kawasaki's ZX-12R really needs is more displacement, more power and more speed. But apparently, the madmen at Muzzys actually feel this way, as evidenced by their new 1317cc "drop on" Billet Big Block kit and 1427cc stroker kit. The $2850 "drop on" kit is comprised of 87mm bores, machined from billet and finished with tough, nickel silicon carbide, allegedly good for 200-plus horsepower. The kit includes forged pistons, rings and gaskets. If you need more, a 60mm stroker crank will up displacement another 110cc and leave you with a 1427cc mill. For you "dragracing only" types, a dry, noncooled version of this block is also available -- for $2500.
Muzzys
(541) 385-0706
www.muzzys.com
Power Trip TT Jacket: Put on a Power Trip
No, we're not talking about the Butcher's office politicking style...this Power Trip is an all-new line of motorcycle apparel offering extensive choices of leather and textile riding gear for men and women. Among the 16 different jackets Power Trip offers is the $150 TT Jacket seen here on Gina. The TT is obviously a textile piece -- constructed of 500-denier Hitena nylon -- and sports such features as a mesh lining, a zip-out insulated vest liner, zipper-controlled vents, and high-density armor in the shoulders, elbows and back. Sizes for the TT and the rest of Power Trip's line range from Stark-sized small to Dexter Ford-like XXXL. Color options abound, and the retro dragracer stripes are a take-it-or-leave-it choice that we chose to take.
Power Trip
(800) 343-5984 www.power-trip.com
Joe Rocket Corona Suzuki Replica Jacket: A Safe Corona
Betcha never thought the day would come when there'd exist a Corona that we recommend you tie on before riding. We sure didn't, but are plenty happy to see the Corona Suzuki leather and textile jackets from the good people at Joe Rocket. The leather "Corona Suzuki Replica" variant is made of 1.4mm cowhide and features dual-density armor in all the places you'll want padded if you absolutely, positively have to crash. Expect to lay out five C-notes ($500) for this Corona. If that's too rich for your blood, or if you're just not a leather guy or gal, check out the similarly styled textile "Corona Suzuki Superstock" jacket ($200). Like its cattle-killing counterpart, Joe Rocket's textile piece is chock full of armor and other cool features such as reflective striping, a 360-degree zipper, flexible arm panels and an adjustable waistband.
Joe Rocket
(800) 635-6103
www.joerocket.com
Maxima Coolant: A New Cool-Aide Flavor
No, not the mix-it-yourself, Big Red-pitcher spokesman-having beverage, we're talking about Cool-Aide -- a new cooling system treatment from the oil maestros at Maxima Racing Oils. Formulated to reduce engine temperatures by providing improved contact on heated surfaces, and thus greater and more efficient heat transfer, Cool-Aide -- like all Maxima products -- has been tested and proven on the racetrack. That said, Cool-Aide -- available in a ready-to-use 64-ounce bottle or as a Kool-Aid-style mix-and-pour 16-ounce concentrate -- does not provide any antifreeze properties, and as such is technically for race use only. Cool-Aide is approved for all types of racing on paved surfaces, and being that it contains no glycol, it will not make track surfaces into ice-skating rinks in the event of spillage.
Maxima Racing Oils
(619) 449-5000
www.maximausa.com
Arata Exhaust: Arata Less Weight
In the market for a high-quality titanium exhaust system that'll add ponies while shaving tonnage? Of course you are, and that's why you should ping Dan Kyle of Kyle Racing and hook yourself up with an Arata exhaust. The system seen here is for the 2003-and-up Honda CBR600RR. This system -- like all Arata systems sold through Kyle Racing -- features full titanium construction, employs oval-shaped tubing for maximum horsepower and drips with Japanese quality. At $1099, it's priced cheaper than comparable systems, and with a total weight of just 9.3 pounds (14 pounds less than stock!), it's as light as anything on the market. Best of all, Kyle -- a multiple winner of the AMA Tuner of the Year award and championship-winning crew chief -- throws in free custom Power Commander mapping with all Arata systems. So what are you waiting for? A better deal...ain't gonna happen.
Kyle Racing Engines
(866) 667-4925
www.kyleusa.com
Yuasa MF Battery: Crank It!
Yuasa Battery Inc. -- the largest American manufacturer and distributor of batteries for motorcycles, scooters, ATVs, personal watercraft and snowmobiles -- offers industry-leading cranking power for virtually every bike on the planet. Every Yuasa battery meets or exceeds OE specs, with many offering up to 30 percent more cold-cranking amps. And what really makes Yuasa batteries worth their weight in gold is their ability to help ye snowbound riders (don't worry, spring will arrive eventually, we promise) avoid the dreaded dead battery on the first day nice enough to ride. We've all been there, and it sucks, which is why we enjoy the fact that Yuasa goes to great lengths in engineering its batteries for longer life and class-leading durability -- independent testing has proven Yuasa batteries to pack more than twice the lifespan of its competitors.
Yuasa Battery
(866) 431-4784
www.yuasabatteries.com
KBC Patriot Helmet: I Pledge Allegiance...
...to the flag, on the KBC Vision Patriot helmet. To you Pledge of Allegiance fanatics amongst our readership: We know we've taken some artistic liberty in the previous sentence, so please spare us the letters, and instead focus on the patriotic paint colors doused upon the aptly named Patriot by KBC. Manufactured from KBC's proprietary blend of fiberglass, Kevlar and carbon composites, the Patriot shell is available in two sizes to ensure fitment on a wide range of noggins. Said range is further expanded by the availability of many different cheek-pad sizes for the fully removable and washable Airlux, coolmax and Alcantara interior. Riders can go longer between washing this interior thanks to the generous ventilation afforded by the large forehead intake, chin-bar/mouth intake and rear exhausts. Like the rest of the KBC line, shield swaps are a toolless proposition, and shields are available in a number of different tints and mirrored iridiums. All the statisticians will be pleased to know that the Patriot packs Snell, DOT and BSA certification.
KBC Helmets
(818) 526-7771
www.kbchelmet.com