Parts & Accessories Reviews | Rider Magazine https://ridermagazine.com Rider Magazine features the latest motorcycle reviews, news, and videos. This is Motorcycling at its Best. Tue, 21 Feb 2023 21:42:31 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.1.1 Aerostich Zovii Alarmed Grip Lock | Gear Review https://ridermagazine.com/2023/02/10/aerostich-zovii-alarmed-grip-lock-gear-review/ https://ridermagazine.com/2023/02/10/aerostich-zovii-alarmed-grip-lock-gear-review/#respond Fri, 10 Feb 2023 17:11:01 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=71291 Previous to hearing about the Zovii Alarmed Grip Lock, I was apparently naive when it came to motorcycle theft. At home, I always lock both my ignition and fork. What I didn’t know is that fork locks are relatively easy to break, albeit noisily. The noisy part is helpful if your bike is parked at […]

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Aerostich Zovii Alarmed Grip Lock BMW R 1200 RT
Aerostich Zovii Alarmed Grip Lock on a BMW R 1200 RT

Previous to hearing about the Zovii Alarmed Grip Lock, I was apparently naive when it came to motorcycle theft. At home, I always lock both my ignition and fork. What I didn’t know is that fork locks are relatively easy to break, albeit noisily. The noisy part is helpful if your bike is parked at your house, but what if you’re not home or you’ve taken it on a ride? Thieves can also lift a bike into a vehicle in a matter of seconds and take it elsewhere to disable security measures.

To address these issues, Aerostich offers the Zovii Alarmed Grip Lock, a waterproof nylon-construction lock with a 10mm carbide-reinforced hardened steel locking pin and a built-in 120dB anti-theft security alarm. For comparison, most emergency responder sirens range from 110-129db.

Aerostich Zovii Alarmed Grip Lock

The lock is lightweight and compact. It weighs 8.7 ounces, about half an ounce heavier than my iPhone and case, and at 6 x 2.25 inches, it fits easily in the interior pockets on my leather jacket.

See all of Rider‘s Parts & Accessories reviews here.

To activate the alarm, clamp the lock around either grip and front lever on your bike and depress the lock button to arm it. No key is required to activate.

Unfortunately, the width of the stock grips and levers on my Harley Heritage Softail doesn’t allow the device to clamp entirely shut, so I tried it on a friend’s BMW R 1200 RT. The Zovii clicked on his grip and lever easily. However, when we took the bike off the centerstand and rolled it, I was surprised the alarm didn’t make a peep.

Here’s where a slight design flaw exists. The instructions say the unit beeps twice when you unlock it; however, we discovered after tinkering with it that two beeps means the alarm is disabled, even when it’s locked shut. Seems to me when you clamp the unit together and push the lock in, you also want to activate the alarm. However, you must make sure you hear a single beep (followed about five seconds later by a longer tone). If you clamp it together, push the lock in, and get two quick beeps, you must unlock it with the key and push it in again to get the single beep indicating that the alarm is activated. Slightly annoying, but I can see certain circumstances where this might be a good feature, primarily if you’re carrying the Zovii around and have to clamp it shut to do so.

Aerostich Zovii Alarmed Grip Lock

Once we figured out the beeps, a slight jostling of the handlebar was enough to sound the warning tones. If we kept messing with it, we got the whammy 120 decibels, which is disarmed by unlocking the unit. The warning tones are nice in case you accidentally bump the bike or are concerned about how gingerly you have to unlock it when it’s armed.

So besides the minor inconvenience of the single vs. double beep – and the much bigger inconvenience of not fitting my bike – the Zovii is an inexpensive product (just $60) that’s loud enough to send a would-be thief scurrying back to the shadows.

The Zovii Alarmed Grip Lock is available at the Aerostich website.

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https://ridermagazine.com/2023/02/10/aerostich-zovii-alarmed-grip-lock-gear-review/feed/ 0 1 a:0:{} We review the Zovii Alarmed Grip Lock from Aerostich, a waterproof nylon-construction lock with a 10mm carbide-reinforced hardened steel locking pin and a built-in 120dB anti-theft security alarm.
HeliBars Tour Performance Handlebar Risers | Gear Review https://ridermagazine.com/2023/01/17/helibars-tour-performance-handlebar-risers-gear-review/ https://ridermagazine.com/2023/01/17/helibars-tour-performance-handlebar-risers-gear-review/#comments Tue, 17 Jan 2023 16:59:16 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=70870 Seeking relief from some of the strains of adventure bike riding, I thought I would test out one of the HeliBars Tour Performance Handlebar Risers. The riser positions the handlebar 2 inches higher and 2 inches closer to the rider, significantly altering the handlebar-seat-footpegs rider triangle. See all of Rider‘s Parts & Accessories reviews here. […]

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HeliBars Tour Performance Handlebar Risers

Seeking relief from some of the strains of adventure bike riding, I thought I would test out one of the HeliBars Tour Performance Handlebar Risers. The riser positions the handlebar 2 inches higher and 2 inches closer to the rider, significantly altering the handlebar-seat-footpegs rider triangle.

See all of Rider‘s Parts & Accessories reviews here.

The handlebar position on many adventure bikes is well-placed for both sitting and standing while cruising backroads and maneuvering through technical off-road areas. Even on pavement, I find it helpful to stand up when riding through small towns to give my derriere a chance to get some blood back into it.

On my 2021 Harley-Davidson Pan America, with my 31-inch inseam, when standing on the pegs the stock handlebar position requires me to bend my knees slightly or stoop over a bit, which puts strain on my lower back. This riding position can become tiresome and uncomfortable after riding off-road over rough terrain. After an hour or so, my legs get pretty knackered.

Related: 2021 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special | First Ride Review

Enter the the HeliBars Tour Performance Handlebar Riser. Installation of the HeliBars riser is straightforward. Remove the stock handlebar, release some of the tie straps that secure brake lines and wires to the handlebar, reposition the lines behind the handlebar mount, and then install the HeliBars riser atop the stock handlebar mount. After that, simply re-install the stock handlebar on the new riser using bolts provided by HeliBars and torque them to appropriate spec. Nothing needs to be removed from the handlebar, and all stock lines are retained.

HeliBars Tour Performance Handlebar Risers

On a recent ride in the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California, I put the riser to the test on the Santa Ana Divide Trail. It was fairly rutted with several rockslides and water crossings that required frequent standing. The HeliBars riser not only provided a more comfortable position but also helped with controlling the Pan Am and its significant heft. While I previously would have preferred to sit down for most of the ride, I found it equally comfortable to stand up for long stretches of deep sand and rutted two-track.

HeliBars Tour Performance Handlebar Risers

During long stints in the saddle, the new riser minimizes tension in my arms and shoulders, reducing fatigue and some of those post-ride aches and pains that are familiar to all of us. One downside to the new handlebar position is that it might block part of your view of the TFT dashboard depending on your height. For example, I now must lean forward a bit to see the clock since it’s located in the lower left corner of the screen.

HeliBars Tour Performance Handlebar Risers

HeliBars Tour Performance Handlebar Risers are machined from a single piece of 6061 T6 aluminum with nice craftsmanship, and their solid design reduces flex. They are functional, stylish, and manufactured on American soil in Cornish, Maine. The riser for the Harley Pan Am is priced at $199 – or $209 with the optional RAM ball mount. HeliBars also makes risers and replacement handlebars for a wide variety of other motorcycles. For more information, visit the HeliBars website.

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https://ridermagazine.com/2023/01/17/helibars-tour-performance-handlebar-risers-gear-review/feed/ 1 a:0:{} 1 Bruce Gillies We test the HeliBars Tour Performance Handlebar Risers for the Harley-Davidson Pan America. The riser positions the handlebar 2 inches higher and 2 inches closer to the rider. 1
National Cycle Extreme Adventure Gear | Gear Review https://ridermagazine.com/2022/12/20/national-cycle-extreme-adventure-gear-gear-review/ https://ridermagazine.com/2022/12/20/national-cycle-extreme-adventure-gear-gear-review/#respond Tue, 20 Dec 2022 19:40:42 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=70527 Adventure bike owners love to add “farkles” from companies such as National Cycle to their bikes. A farkle, as many of you know, is an accessory, often a fancy one, that a motorcycle owner is likely to brag about. Some say the word is a mashup of “function” and “sparkle,” but we’ve also heard it’s […]

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National-Cycle-Extreme-Adventure-Gear-XAG 2022 Honda CB500X
2022 Honda CB500X decked out in National Cycle Extreme Adventure Gear

Adventure bike owners love to add “farkles” from companies such as National Cycle to their bikes. A farkle, as many of you know, is an accessory, often a fancy one, that a motorcycle owner is likely to brag about. Some say the word is a mashup of “function” and “sparkle,” but we’ve also heard it’s an acronym for Fancy Accessory, Really Kool, Likely Expensive. (When I Googled “farkle,” the top result was from Dictionary.com: a combination of fart and chuckle, an involuntary fart caused by laughter. Gotta love the internet.)

Best known for its windscreens and windshields, National Cycle also makes accessories for select motorcycle models. As part of its Extreme Adventure Gear (XAG) line, it makes accessories for the ADV-styled Honda CB500X, and we installed some XAG accessories on our 2022 test bike.

Related: 2019 Honda CB500X | First Ride Review

One of the most popular upgrades for adventure bikes is supplemental protection against rocks, road debris, and tip-overs. We started off with National Cycle’s XAG Polycarbonate Headlight Guard (P/N N5400, $84.95), which is made of tough 3.0mm polycarbonate reinforced with the company’s proprietary Quantum hardcoat – said to provide 10 times the strength and 30 times the scratch resistance as acrylic, a claim National Cycle backs up with a three-year warranty against breakage.

National Cycle Extreme Adventure Gear XAG Polycarbonate Headlight Guard 2022 Honda CB500X
National Cycle XAG Polycarbonate Headlight Guard

The guard is thermoformed for an exact fit over the 2019-2022 CB500X headlight, and its crystal-clear optics do not distort or reduce illumination. Installation is simple: Just clean the headlight, remove the adhesive backing on the marine-grade Velcro tabs, and press the guard onto the headlight lens.

Next, to add crash protection as well as a place to mount auxiliary lighting, we installed the XAG Adventure Side Guards (P/N P4200, $429.95), which are also available for the Yamaha Ténéré 700. Made of black powdercoated steel, they complement the CB500X’s styling, especially the Pearl Organic Green/Black color scheme on our 2022 model. The guards are also treated inside and out with an electrophoretic coating to eliminate rust and corrosion.

National-Cycle-Extreme-Adventure-Gear-XAG-Adventure-Side-Guards 2022 Honda CB500X
National Cycle XAG Adventure Side Guards

The installation instructions provide a list of basic tools needed as well as a QR code that links to a helpful video. Installation is straightforward and took about 30 minutes, with the only challenge being a little extra effort needed to line the guards up with the engine mount holes.

The left and right guards attach to the engine in two places, and they bolt together in the middle just below the headlight. Once installed, they provide solid, sturdy protection. A flat metal tab with an open bolt hole that’s welded to the lower part of each guard provides a good attachment point for auxiliary lights.

As Reg Kittrelle says in his Triumph Tiger 900 GT Low review in the upcoming February issue, an ADV is a “motorcycle that can comfortably take me to distant places carrying lots of stuff.” The Honda CB500X is comfortable, but in stock form, it doesn’t provide many options for carrying gear, so we installed the XAG Luggage Rack (P/N P9304, $184.95). Like the side guards, the luggage rack is made of black powdercoated steel.

National Cycle Extreme Adventure Gear XAG Luggage Rack 2022 Honda CB500X
National Cycle XAG Luggage Rack

Also like the guards, installation of the rack requires only basic hand tools, takes about 30 minutes, and is clearly demonstrated in the instructions and video. On a stock CB500X, installation requires removal/reinstallation of the passenger grab handles since the mounting brackets share the same bolt holes. On our test bike, the grab handles had already been removed when Honda’s accessory saddlebag mounts were installed. And be advised: National Cycle’s luggage rack is not compatible with Honda’s accessory saddlebags.

The rack is a solid, stylish, practical add-on. It measures 8.625 inches front to back and has a tapered width that narrows from 6.75 inches at the front to 5 inches at the rear. The rack’s slotted surface and two holes on either side provide anchor points for straps or bungee cords. It sits a bit higher than the passenger portion of the seat, but together they provide a platform up to 23 inches in length for carrying a drybag, duffel, or tailbag.

Related: Motorcycle Camping on a Honda CB500X and Husqvarna Norden 901

Although we didn’t request one for our test bike, National Cycle also makes the XAG Lowering Kit and Kickstand (P/N P4900, $119.95) for the CB500X. It includes a shorter sidestand and two aluminum suspension link arms that lower the seat height by about 1.5 inches (from 32.8 to 31.3 inches). Only basic tools are required, installation takes 30-45 minutes, and you’ll need a wheel chock and a hydraulic jack or lift. As with the other accessories, in addition to the step-by-step instructions with photos, there’s a helpful video.

National-Cycle-Extreme-Adventure-Gear-XAG-Lowering-Kit-and-Kickstand 2022 Honda CB500X
National Cycle XAG Lowering Kit and Kickstand

We put as many miles as possible on our test bikes, so we’re always interested in accessories that improve comfort. We’ve tested National Cycle’s VStream windscreens on many different motorcycles over the years, and we’ve consistently been impressed with their ability to improve wind protection while also reducing turbulence and buffeting. With their patented “V” shape, VStream windscreens are made of 3.0mm Quantum-hardcoated polycarbonate – the same durable material used for the headlight guard (and with the same warranty against breakage).

The VStream windscreen comes in three sizes for the CB500X, as seen below.

National-Cycle-Extreme-Adventure-Gear-XAG-Vstream-Windscreen 2022 Honda CB500X

The Low windscreen is 16.75 inches tall, just slightly taller than stock, and it’s available in dark or light tint for $121.95. We opted for the Mid windscreen ($133.95), which is 19.25 inches tall (more than 2.5 inches taller than stock), much wider than stock near the top, and available only in light tint. The Tall windscreen ($139.95) is 21.75 inches tall (more than 5 inches taller than stock), even wider near the top, and available only in clear.

National Cycle Extreme Adventure Gear XAG Vstream Windscreen mid 2022 Honda CB500X
National Cycle VStream Windscreen Mid size

Compared to stock, the Mid-size VStream pushes air higher up and around the rider. Airflow hits at helmet height, but there’s no buffeting. There’s also excellent visibility over the top of the windscreen, providing an unobstructed view of the road ahead.  

Unlike most farkles, National Cycle’s XAG accessories are practical and reasonably priced. If you’ve got a Honda CB500X, check ’em out by clicking on the linked product names above.

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https://ridermagazine.com/2022/12/20/national-cycle-extreme-adventure-gear-gear-review/feed/ 0 1 a:0:{} 1 Greg Drevenstedt Extreme Adventure Gear (XAG) from National Cycle for the Honda CB500X includes a headlight guard, side guards, luggage rack, and a low suspension kit. We also tested a VStream windscreen.
Legendary Best Motorcycle Seats | Gear Review https://ridermagazine.com/2022/07/21/legendary-best-motorcycle-seats-gear-review/ https://ridermagazine.com/2022/07/21/legendary-best-motorcycle-seats-gear-review/#comments Thu, 21 Jul 2022 14:11:27 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=68214 As I roll gently into my retirement years, I’ve taken to scouting used motorcycles on Craigslist to stock up my garage. I never know what will grab my attention and tickle my heart, and as I unearth hidden two-wheeled treasures, I’m usually delighted to inherit a rich assortment of accessories previous owners have lavished upon […]

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Legendary Best Motorcycle Seats

As I roll gently into my retirement years, I’ve taken to scouting used motorcycles on Craigslist to stock up my garage. I never know what will grab my attention and tickle my heart, and as I unearth hidden two-wheeled treasures, I’m usually delighted to inherit a rich assortment of accessories previous owners have lavished upon their bikes – now to become my next ride.

When acquiring used bikes, the one item that often requires my attention is the seat. Many riders work at lowering reach to the ground, but I’m 6 feet tall with a 31-inch inseam and grouchy hips. I like legroom. So when a newly acquired bike doesn’t fit me correctly, I head over to Legendary Best Motorcycle Seats in Ventura, California.

I’ve been using BMS for seat alterations for decades, beginning back in their Ojai days under Bill “Rocky” Mayer (BMS used to stand for Bill Mayer Saddles). Now, longtime stalwart Adrian Mercado handles the business, turning out the same quality work he’s crafted for all these years.

Legendary Best Motorcycle Seats

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The personal fitting service at BMS is terrific. If you can devote a half day or so on site, Mercado and his crew will craft a custom-made seat built to your liking and personal fit while you wait. BMS also appears at rallies and other riding events across the country to provide custom services, or you can also send in your seat with your necessary personal dimensions for mail-order service.

Mercado listens to your requests, then makes suggestions based on his decades of seat-building experience. He’ll give you what you want, but I’ve learned to follow his advice, typically after some give-and-take regarding comfort versus aesthetics. The decision often comes down to a simple question: Do you want the bike to “look right,” or do you want the seat to coddle your rear end over a full day’s ride? Personally, I tend to lean toward the comfort side, but you can have it your way, exactly so.

Legendary Best Motorcycle Seats

Custom-built BMS seats absolutely transformed my new-to-me 2015 Ducati Multistrada 1200 S and 2017 KTM 690 Duke. Due to an extra-low seat at purchase, I found the Multi virtually unrideable, while the 690’s aftermarket rearsets shortened the seat/peg relationship and made things too cramped. Mercado fixed all of that, making both bikes more enjoyable – and “all mine” in the process. Nice. Problems solved.

Pricing begins at $595 to build a solo seat, pretty much in keeping with other custom seat options.

For more information, visit the Legendary BMS website.

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https://ridermagazine.com/2022/07/21/legendary-best-motorcycle-seats-gear-review/feed/ 2 1 a:0:{} Legendary Best Motorcycle Seats customizes seats for riders, both taking requests and offering suggestions to provide the best fit and feel, with pricing starting at $595 to build a solo seat. Ken Lee
Sargent World Sport Performance Seat | Gear Review https://ridermagazine.com/2022/06/20/sargent-world-sport-performance-seat-gear-review/ https://ridermagazine.com/2022/06/20/sargent-world-sport-performance-seat-gear-review/#respond Mon, 20 Jun 2022 12:45:00 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=67867 Some things never change, such as the lack of comfort delivered by a typical OEM motorcycle seat. The stock perch on my ’09 BMW F 800 GS was a butt pincher, while my Yamaha Ténéré 700’s seat, with its cool rally look, is more plank-like. It seemed okay at first, but a couple of long […]

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Sargent World Sport Performance Seat

Some things never change, such as the lack of comfort delivered by a typical OEM motorcycle seat. The stock perch on my ’09 BMW F 800 GS was a butt pincher, while my Yamaha Ténéré 700’s seat, with its cool rally look, is more plank-like. It seemed okay at first, but a couple of long rides proved me wrong. The comfort solution for my BMW was a World Sport Performance Seat from Sargent Cycle Products. Hoping lightning would strike twice, I sourced one for the Yamaha, and my derriere hasn’t stopped thanking me since.

Sargent builds its seats from the bottom up, molding Poly-Tec material to fit individual motorcycle models. The new pan for my Yamaha has the same tool storage area underneath as the stock unit, and it fits perfectly to that seat’s attachment points. I only had to transfer the Yamaha’s rubber grommets and washers to the new seat for a painless installation. The World Sport is lower than the stocker by nearly an inch and weighs 0.6 lb more, likely due to a wider pan and larger padded area.

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Atop the pan sits the comfort zone, a sculptured slab of Sargent’s proprietary Super Cell Atomic foam, designed to damp vibration while remaining firm and resilient. A memory foam layer molded inside that slab is said to relieve hot spots by conforming to your rear. One more comfort enhancement – a central channel much like those on some bicycle seats – takes the pressure off your nether region. Covering it all is black, UV-stabilized, marine-grade vinyl, hand sewn to a perfect fit. If my GS seat is any indication, this seat will last for many years with no care regimen other than an occasional scrub-down when it gets dirty.

Sargent World Sport Performance Seat

Wider at the rear than the stock perch but narrowing at the front with rounded edges for better control while standing, the slightly dished seat distributes rider weight over a larger area. I found it comfortable for sitting back on highway slogs, sliding forward for the twisties, and standing on the pegs when off the pavement. The sides are grippy enough for decent control while standing, while not interfering with tossing the bike side-to-side on curvy pavement. All of this adds up to a much-improved perch for extended riding days, something I’ve appreciated on several long rides with the World Sport under my rear.

Sargent offers a host of options and upgrades to the basic model reviewed here ($369.95), starting with color-coordinated welts. I went welt-less, preferring the smoother edge look. Those who want to match up their rear seat can order a do-it-yourself rear cover, and heated seats are available for those wanting bottom-up warmth. Sargent makes the World Sport seat for a dozen brands of motorcycles, and probably yours. When my buns were burning, they put out the fire.

For more information, visit SargentCycle.com.

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https://ridermagazine.com/2022/06/20/sargent-world-sport-performance-seat-gear-review/feed/ 0 1 a:0:{} 1 The Sargent World Sport Performance Seat from Sargent Cycle Products provides maximum comfort and options and upgrades to enhance the seat to your ride, including a do-it-yourself rear cover. Arden Kysely
S100 Cycle Care Kit | Gear Review https://ridermagazine.com/2022/05/26/s100-cycle-care-kit-gear-review/ https://ridermagazine.com/2022/05/26/s100-cycle-care-kit-gear-review/#respond Thu, 26 May 2022 16:53:00 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=67529 Like most motorcyclists, I prefer riding bikes to washing them, so I’m always on the lookout for a better (cleaning) mousetrap. When it came time to knock the barnacles off my Harley Dyna, I tried the S100 Cycle Care Kit. The kit includes spray bottles of Total Cycle Cleaner, Detail & Wax, and Corrosion Protectant, […]

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S100 Cycle Care Kit

Like most motorcyclists, I prefer riding bikes to washing them, so I’m always on the lookout for a better (cleaning) mousetrap. When it came time to knock the barnacles off my Harley Dyna, I tried the S100 Cycle Care Kit. The kit includes spray bottles of Total Cycle Cleaner, Detail & Wax, and Corrosion Protectant, a tube of Total Cycle Finish Restorer, a sponge, a drying towel, and a handy carrying case.

Starting with the Total Cycle Cleaner, I sprayed the bike liberally and then rinsed it off. My Dyna was already much cleaner, and I hadn’t even busted suds with the sponge yet. In fact, I only used the wet sponge and cleaner on the spokes to remove some nasty grunge that’s been on there longer than I care to admit.

The drying towel is little strange. It comes sealed in a plastic bag that lives in a hard plastic container, and it’s already wet/slippery when you remove it from the packaging. The directions say to rinse it with very warm water to unfold the towel. A garden hose did the trick, and the magic towel did its job, removing the water and leaving the bike dry and streak-free. Like a regular chamois towel, only better.

Next up was the Total Cycle Finish Restorer. This stuff comes in a tube and helps polish metal surfaces that may have dulled, and it also removes minor scratches. I used it to brighten up the triple trees and the chrome on the forward controls. With a bit of elbow grease, the parts came back to life and shined bright once again.

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Then I moved on to the Corrosion Protectant. I enjoy rides along the Pacific Coast Highway, and over time the salty air corrodes metal surfaces. The instructions say to spray a fine mist over the surfaces you want to protect and then buff it off. The stuff is slick, so you’ll want to avoid things like brakes, tires, seats, and grips. The directions recommend using the protectant periodically throughout the year and before you put the bike away for the winter.

Last but not least was the Detail & Wax, which has an old-school waxy aroma. Unlike other watery spray waxes, it goes on kind of thick and you need to buff it off. It contains carnauba and beeswax, and the shine it left behind on the paint and chrome was primo.

The S100 kit contains everything you need to get your bike clean and looking sharp. The amount of time required to use the entire kit will depend on how dirty your bike is, or how much chrome you have, but everything is easier and faster with regular use. My two favorite items in the kit are the Total Cycle Cleaner and the Detail & Wax because they get regular use. The only problem now is that I no longer have an excuse to have a dirty bike.

You can find S100 products online, at dealerships, and in powersports shops. The Cycle Care Set retails for around $55.

For more information, visit s100.com.

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https://ridermagazine.com/2022/05/26/s100-cycle-care-kit-gear-review/feed/ 0 a:0:{} 1 1 We review the S100 Cycle Care Kit, which includes Total Cycle Cleaner, Detail and Wax, Corrosion Protectant, Total Cycle Finish Restorer, a sponge, and a drying towel. It's so easy to use and effective, you'll no longer have an excuse to have a dirty bike. Scott Grattish {"id":"d560b397-b7bf-47df-91ff-a1bc181a3161","recipients":10000,"external_id":"dbacd7a0-20dd-fd9b-71c1-b58ee4e0856a"} 200 10000
AltRider Skid Plate for Yamaha Ténéré 700 | Gear Review https://ridermagazine.com/2022/03/16/altrider-skid-plate-for-yamaha-tenere-700-gear-review/ https://ridermagazine.com/2022/03/16/altrider-skid-plate-for-yamaha-tenere-700-gear-review/#respond Wed, 16 Mar 2022 13:00:00 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=66578 When I look at protecting a motorcycle for multi-surface touring, my first priority is the soft aluminum underbelly, better known as the crankcase. Difficult to field repair and expensive to replace (over $1,400 from one online source), those intricate castings are the inner sanctum for the motor and tranny. Like most OEM skid plates, the […]

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AltRider Skid Plate for Yamaha Ténéré 700

When I look at protecting a motorcycle for multi-surface touring, my first priority is the soft aluminum underbelly, better known as the crankcase. Difficult to field repair and expensive to replace (over $1,400 from one online source), those intricate castings are the inner sanctum for the motor and tranny. Like most OEM skid plates, the Yamaha Ténéré 700’s 2mm-thick aluminum stock unit is adequate for mellow dirt-road travel, but it doesn’t provide enough protection against the serious rock impacts that can occur when the road deteriorates. For something more substantial, I turned to AltRider for its 4mm-thick aluminum plate, which is TIG welded by hand in the USA.

Read our Yamaha Ténéré 700 long-term review

It attaches to the same four mounting points as the stock piece with the included stainless-steel hardware, and to four rearward frame bolts, unitizing the undercarriage. AltRider’s compact design keeps the plate close to the engine to prevent rocks and debris from collecting; protects the header pipes, oil filter, and sidestand switch; and is vented in key areas to shed heat. The oil sight glass is still visible, just a tad harder to see.

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To complete the armor package, I also sourced AltRider’s Linkage Guard, a 6mm high-density polyethylene piece that bolts to the tail of the plate. Riding just below the T7’s exposed rear suspension joints, the flexible guard helps the bike slide over obstacles while limiting impacts to vulnerable suspension components.

The skid plate installation video on AltRider’s website was a helpful guide during installation, to the point of showing how to keep the forward spacers in place with a dab of grease while lining up the screw holes. My 700 has the OEM centerstand fitted, which complicates matters somewhat, because the stand’s thick bracket shares the frame attachment points used by the rear of the plate. Having some visuals would have been helpful for aligning everything and getting the bolts threaded, but perseverance and some colorful language carried the day.

AltRider Skid Plate for Yamaha Ténéré 700

Testing began in the wilds of Nevada, with clunks and clanks ringing out from below as the T7 conquered rocky climbs and roadways-turned-creek beds. The extra-thick metal and stout welded structure gave me the confidence to plow through or smack aside anything in my path –good thing, since at times there was no option but to slam on ahead. The abuse continued into California, where the back way into Bodie State Historic Park dished up more rocks and rubble. Damage assessment: zero, to either bike or plate (not counting scratches), and no small rocks left rattling around between the crankcase and its armor.

Consider me satisfied. The skid plate runs $383.97, or $405.97 with the guard, in either powdercoated black or clear-finished silver.

For more information, visit altrider.com.

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https://ridermagazine.com/2022/03/16/altrider-skid-plate-for-yamaha-tenere-700-gear-review/feed/ 0 1 a:0:{} Arden Kysely AltRider's 4mm-thick aluminum skid plate with linkage guard for the Yamaha Ténéré 700 provides added protection over the stock unit. {"id":"b51b21f6-64c3-4919-88fd-a4947b6ec6af","recipients":10000,"external_id":"9d1547a9-fc51-3b31-6dc8-656494c35221"} 200 10000
Koso Apollo Heated Grips | Gear Review https://ridermagazine.com/2022/03/01/koso-apollo-heated-grips-gear-review/ https://ridermagazine.com/2022/03/01/koso-apollo-heated-grips-gear-review/#respond Tue, 01 Mar 2022 23:19:00 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=66576 Koso Apollo Heated Grips promise a more comfortable ride for those of us who refuse to submit to Old Man Winter. They feature an integrated thumb switch and LED on the left grip, which allows the rider to turn them on and off and toggle between five different temperature modes on the fly. With winter […]

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Koso Apollo Heated Grips

Koso Apollo Heated Grips promise a more comfortable ride for those of us who refuse to submit to Old Man Winter. They feature an integrated thumb switch and LED on the left grip, which allows the rider to turn them on and off and toggle between five different temperature modes on the fly. With winter temperatures dipping into the single digits here in New Jersey, it was an opportune time to put these Apollos to the test.

Installation on my 2021 Honda Trail 125 test mule was easy since the Apollos arrive with a wiring harness ready to connect to a bike’s 12-volt power. These Koso grips are the same size as the Trail’s stock ones, with a 7/8-inch opening for the left grip, a 1-inch opening for the right grip to allow space for the throttle tube, and an overall length of 5 1/16 inches (130mm). Koso offers grips in other common sizes as well.

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Simply remove the stock grips, slide the new ones on with a suitable glue, plug the grips into the wiring harness, and carefully route the harness to power securely. Finally, snap the grip end caps into place. Everything has the look and feel of factory equipment.

Two common concerns: Do these grips exceed a small bike’s generator output? Will they run the bike’s battery down if left on accidentally? On both counts, no need to worry. Koso’s wiring harness has a 4-amp fuse, and I measured the current draw on the highest setting at 2.9 amps –a meager amount that even a mini-moto like my Trail can handle with ease. As for draining the battery accidentally, the Koso’s circuitry continually monitors battery voltage and automatically shuts down should voltage drop below 11.5V. The rider is alerted to this by the LED flashing purple. Once voltage rises to 12.5V for a few seconds, the grips automatically resume operation, again indicated by the LED. The whole process is seamless and automatic.

Out on the road, the Koso Apollos were easy to use and effective at their primary task of keeping hands toasty warm. Ergonomics are excellent, especially since the rider’s hand never leaves the grip to control the heat level. The integrated switch on the left grip controls power and heat level, with each level corresponding to an intuitive coloron the LED light –20% is blue, 40% is green, 60% is yellow, 80% is orange, and 100% is red. Thoughtfully, when the switch is depressed for 3 seconds to shut the grips off, the Koso circuitry remembers the last setting.

In the subfreezing temps encountered during testing, the Apollos stayed on the maximum setting. Even with heavy winter gloves on in single-digit temperatures, they got warm in as little as 5 minutes. After about 15 minutes, they were fully up to temp and delivered significant heat. Overall, Koso Apollo heated grips are a highly functional addition to any winter steed in your stable. They retail for $144.95; see website for other fitments and pricing.

For more information, visit kosonorthamerica.com.

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Adventure Designs Premium Highway Pegs with Secret Storage | Gear Review https://ridermagazine.com/2022/01/15/adventure-designs-premium-highway-pegs-with-secret-storage-gear-review/ https://ridermagazine.com/2022/01/15/adventure-designs-premium-highway-pegs-with-secret-storage-gear-review/#comments Sat, 15 Jan 2022 23:44:00 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=66554 Sometimes it takes a while to reach good ADV riding, so I wanted highway pegs to stretch out my legs. I was looking to mount them to aftermarket crash bars so the peg system folds away flush. That way, the crash bars can do their job if the need arises. What I found works great […]

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Adventure Designs Premium Highway Pegs with Secret Storage

Sometimes it takes a while to reach good ADV riding, so I wanted highway pegs to stretch out my legs. I was looking to mount them to aftermarket crash bars so the peg system folds away flush. That way, the crash bars can do their job if the need arises. What I found works great on my BMW F 750 GS are Premium Highway Pegs with Secret Storage from Adventure Designs.

Machined from aluminum in California by a family-owned company, the pegs are about 5 inches long folded back, and when deployed they stick out about 3.75 inches. The peg itself is 1 inch in diameter. The surface is machined with a grippy cross hatch pattern and finished with silver or black anodizing. Tension balls in the hinge snick the pegs into detents at both the deployed and folded positions. The mounting hardware and U-bolt are zinc coated to resist oxidation.

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Premium Highway Pegs with Secret Storage

Importantly, the mount’s multi-axis adjustability allows it to go pretty much anywhere there’s room on a round crash bar (7/8- to 1-inch diameter). Given all the ADV bikes and aftermarket crash bars out there, this design offers flexibility to provide the reach and height you find comfortable. During installation, I put the bike on the centerstand and played with the pegs’ location before tightening everything up.

I’m finding these pegs do the job they’re designed for while addressing my preference for keeping things flush. Bonus: The hollow space inside each peg provides storage to hold a couple waterproof matches (or perhaps something you’d light with a match), a couple rolled up twenties, or what have you that fits into a space that’s 0.5 inch in diameter by 2.75 inches long. A slotted cap screw with an O-ring should keep the inside dry. The cap screw fits snuggly; I cannot remove it without a tool. A penny works if you don’t have a screwdriver.

Premium Highway Pegs with Secret Storage

When mounted to the black crash bars on my mid-size GS, the black highway pegs are hardly noticeable when folded back, but I sure notice them when my feet are resting in a different position for a while. Aaaaah… They’re not as luxurious as the flat pegs or floorboards found on big touring bikes, but they feel fine, and as I’ve mounted them, they fold away nicely for ADV duty. (Plus, they have secret storage … shhh, don’t tell anyone.)

Adventure Designs offers its Premium Highway Pegs with Secret Storage in black or silver. A set costs $199.99.

For more information, visit advdesigns.com.

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Knight Design Lowered Footpegs | Gear Review https://ridermagazine.com/2021/10/12/knight-design-lowered-footpegs-gear-review/ https://ridermagazine.com/2021/10/12/knight-design-lowered-footpegs-gear-review/#respond Tue, 12 Oct 2021 16:45:17 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=64936 My heart will always belong to liter-class sportbikes; they are my all-time favorite machines to ride. The rest of my body, on the other hand, isn’t feeling the love. I can no longer coax my not-so-young bones into folding up pretzel-like in a full-on sporting posture for any extended length of time. My body simply […]

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Knight Design lowered footpegs review
We tested silver-anodized lowered pegs (about 1.4 inches lower) with the aggressive Quadtrax tread, plus silver-anodized lowered toe pegs for the shifter and brake pedal.

My heart will always belong to liter-class sportbikes; they are my all-time favorite machines to ride. The rest of my body, on the other hand, isn’t feeling the love. I can no longer coax my not-so-young bones into folding up pretzel-like in a full-on sporting posture for any extended length of time. My body simply rebels.

That’s why I recently purchased an Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory 1100. It’s a ready-to-go sportbike with all the thrills, but offers rational ergonomics that are a better match for my needs these days. However, even with its relaxed fit, the Tuono’s footpegs are mounted just a pinch too high for my aging and oft-abused hip joints.

Seeking relief, I was happy to learn that Knight Design provides a quick and easy solution. Knight Design is a family-run business based in Corvallis, Oregon, that manufactures parts in-house for a wide variety of motorcycles, predominantly footpegs and foot controls. They offer pegs in various sizes and designs, plus silver- or black-anodized finishes or natural silver. 

Knight Design lowered footpegs review

For my Tuono, I chose silver-anodized lowered pegs (about 1.4 inches lower) with the aggressive Quadtrax tread ($149.95 per pair), plus silver-anodized lowered toe pegs ($64.95 each) for the shifter and brake pedal. The parts boast excellent finish and workmanship, and they swapped out readily with the stock units. I didn’t even need to go anywhere to confirm the wisdom of the new pegs; just hopping on the Aprilia in my garage provided proof aplenty of the extra legroom.

Better yet, long days in the saddle are now distinctly more comfortable and accommodating. No more kinks in my hips. Hooray! Since I don’t move around in the saddle a lot when I ride, the grippy Quadtrax tread suits me well, and I appreciated the enlarged toe pegs, which I find easier to locate and operate. Some might worry about the loss of cornering clearance given the lowered pegs, but there’s still plenty available for the type of riding I do. I’m not planning on spending much time at the track with my Tuono nowadays, just some spirited backroad rides. So, the Tuono and I are just fine, thanks.

In addition to lowered pegs, Knight Design also makes regular-height pegs, wide pegs, and pegs with rubber tread for a variety of motorcycles. Whether you’re looking to change up your riding stance a bit or just add a little bling, it’s well worth checking out the options.

For more information: Call (541) 286-4455 or visit knightdesignllc.com

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https://ridermagazine.com/2021/10/12/knight-design-lowered-footpegs-gear-review/feed/ 0 1 a:0:{} Ken Lee