Kendon Stand-Up Trailer
Is your motorcycle trailer gathering rust in the backyard because garage space is at a premium? Kendon's folding, two-rail, stand-up trailer might be the answer if you can give up a 6.5-foot, 24-inch deep parking spot.
Folding? Stand-up? That's right. The tail section folds over and the entire unit can be stood up on three casters built into the rear portion of its powdercoated, triangulated steel frame. With a carrying capacity of 2000 pounds and a pair of six-inch-wide, 91-inch-long rails set 30 inches apart, the trailer can handle anything this side of a duo of Boss Hosses.
As the trailer is only 14 inches off the ground, we had no trouble pushing any steed up the 44-inch ramp. Using a Canyon Dancer bar harness, each sportbike we rolled up-with the exception of a new, short-handlebarred GSX-R750-could be affixed without plastic-interference problems.
Instead of a solid axle and leaf springs, this trailer rides on an independent, rubber-cushioned torsion bar-type suspension. The system not only offers a great ride when fully loaded, but also allows towing just one bike with great stability.
Besides the rather steep price ($1795 base price, plus $100 for the spare tire and $250 for the utility box), we found the trailer's security tether too short, the ramp difficult to open and the 350-pound unit (plus spare and box) a bit tough to lift up onto its casters and push around. Finally, due to the pivoting design, it's also quite noisy while being towed. Overall, though, it's a decent compact hauler.
Price: $1795
Rating: HHHHH
Verdict: Easy to load and great on the road, this unique trailer is a bit cumbersome to handle in the garage.
Kendon Industries, Inc.
3711 East La Palma Ave
Anaheim, CA 92806
(714) 630-7144
www.kendontrailers.com
Digital Defense System
Spare your mitts from savage pavement with Teknic's new Speedstar gloves. You'll thrill to tough chrome Ultratek knuckle armor, first-rate cowhide and a kangaroo-skin palm. Get 'em for $169.95 at your dealer in seven color combos and standard sizes, or contact Specialty Sports Limited at (616) 866-3722 and on www.teknicgear.com.
Kryptonite New York Disc Lock
Kryptonite doesn't throw "New York" around loosely. In fact, the New York designation is given to only its toughest locks, suitable for use in "urban areas and other high theft danger areas." Its newest disc lock earns the title. Since your more sophisticated crooks now have the measure of the old barrel lock, the NY has a new "PiKSafe" cylinder and conventional key, which Kryptonite claims is virtually pickproof. And thieves with less finesse will find the lock's 13mm Kryptonium steel shackle and heavy-duty double crossbar body even more resistant to leverage than before. In fact, the only criticism we can level is that the thing is now too heavy to hook to a belt loop as you tool around town. Comes with a carrying pouch anyway, and a nifty vinyl-covered "reminder" cord that loops around the throttle.
Price: $64.95
Rating: HHHHH
Verdict: You're living in a fool's paradise if you don't secure your bike when you're out and about. A good disc lock is much better than nothing.
Kryptonite
320 Turnpike St.
Canton, MA 02021
(781) 828-6655
www.kryptonitelock.com
Muzzys ZX-12R Big-Bore Kit
If your ZX-12R still isn't fast enough, Muzzys Performance Products has a 1270cc piston and cylinder kit for you. Featuring a 2.5mm bore job on your cylinders and 13.5:1 forged pistons, this tasty assemblage of insanity delivers a prefinished nickel/silicon carbide-composite-plated cylinder, rings, pins, circlips, head gasket and base gasket. Get the works for $1179.95 (plus a refundable $695 cylinder core charge) from Muzzys Performance Products by calling (541) 385-0706 or online at www.muzzys.com.Sidi Vertebra Race Boot
You saw it here first: the world debut of Sidi's all-new Vertebra Race Boot. Sidi's equally exclusive, new integral ankle brace and adjustable toe-flex system conspire with the Vertebra armor and carbon-fiber shin plate for what the company says is "maximum protection" from hostile pavement. Those aerodynamic, bolt-on toe and calf skids are adjustable and replaceable. Choose black, blue, red or silver, in men's sizes 6-11 for $350 from Motonation at (877) 789-4940, or visit www.motonation.com.