Dirt Rider Magazine's 2004 Products of the Year

Nothing sets off a bout of benchracing more than the question: What's the product of the year? Every year we subject ourselves to countless hours of head-scratching recollection, dysfunctional debate and soul searching to uncover what we feel are the top new products on the market. The hard part is there is such a crop of really deserving and well-made items that trying to cull the top of the heap is truly a delicate operation. But, hey, that's what we get paid to do here, right?

Three items shot to the top like RC blasting away from the pack at an AMA National: Motion Pro's T-6 Combo Tire Lever with 3⁄8-inch Drive Adapter, Scott USA's Team Goggle Case and Seal Mate, now distributed by Motion Pro. The tire levers are an appreciably more off-road-biased product, but the next two, Seal Mate and the Team Goggle Case, are universal whether you're a moto-junkie or weekend trail rider.

PODIUM FINISHERS

Motion Pro T-6 Combo Tire Lever with 3⁄8-inch Drive Adapter For most riders, it's probably hard to get excited about tire levers. Pick up one of these $14.90 beauties, though, and it's practically love at first touch. Made from aluminum, they are functional tire irons the same size as traditional fanny-pack levers; they are tough and durable yet weigh next to nothing. And opposite the tire spoon is an axle hex wrench that can be converted into a 3⁄8-inch socket drive via a socket drive insert. Eliminating two heavy wrenches in the bag gave the Motion Pro tool the holeshot. Using these levers, especially the 12/13 combo lever (for rim locks) with its lipped spoon to keep you from pinching the tube, cemented their place in our hearts--almost to the point of making us want to change tires.
Motion Pro: 650/594-9600; www.motionpro.com.

Motion Pro Seal Mate This gets a nudge into second place mainly because it's the best-bang-for-your-buck product. Sold for $5.85 apiece, this cheap tool fits in your toolbox, fanny pack or even your back pocket, and it can save a lot of trouble and money. If your fork seal is weeping, it slips under the seal to remove any grit and grime, thus saving you an expensive fork rebuild or a brake pad replacement later. Never leave home without one.
Motion Pro: 650/594-9600; www.motionpro.com.

Scott USA Team Goggle Case Rounding out our top three, the goggle case seems to be a limited application that's aimed only at those who have multiple pairs of goggles prepped for racing or serious riding. However, it is a great idea and more versatile than it appears at first glance. Besides keeping all of your critical goggle stuff in one location without its getting crushed in the gear bag, the $24.95 Team Goggle Case earned kudos because it's also a cool, safe place to store glasses or even a bottle of contact solution.
Scott USA: 208/622-1000; www.scottusa.com.

RUNNERS-UP

ACN Machining Hand-Guard Mounts Nothing creates more frustration when mounting a set of hand guards than trying to negotiate the myriad of cables and hydraulic lines with the inner mounting bracket. Usually, to get around the controls the bracket must be mounted at a lower-than-desired angle, compromising the guards' functionality. The $39.95 ACN units not only hold hand guards as clamps should but also install in minutes, make cable routing easy and are stout enough to use as tiedown points.
ACN Machining: 408/258-4772; www.acnmw.com.

Hot Cams Valve Shim Kit Usually the hardest part of adjusting valves is having the correct shims on hand. With this kit, which runs either $49.95 or $69.95 depending on the bike model, you can save yourself at least three trips to the dealer, and it is cheap if you count the driving time to get there!
Hot Cams: 515/402-8005; www.hotcamsinc.com.

Cycra Stealth MX Handshields What's not to like about a two-minute installation that doesn't require exact hardware to replace the lever controls? These $54.95 handshields don't interfere with the lever action at all and work quite well as roost guards.
Cycra: 740/929-0188; www.cycra.com.

Makita USA 14.4-Volt Cordless 3⁄8-inch and 1⁄2-inch Impact Wrench with LED Light (6933/6934FDWDE) Yes, there are two tools here, but they're the same, differing only in drive size. Ever since we wrapped our mitts around these $259 babies, they have endeared themselves to us. Bike disassembly and assembly chores are painless and almost a joy with the lightweight and powerful tool--and best of all, you can do it anywhere.
Makita USA: See your local authorized Makita distributor; 800/4MAKITA; www.makitatools.com.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Acerbis MX Undershirts Available in six styles ($24.95 to $35.95), these light, fabric-blend undershirts wick away sweat, keeping you comfortable, cool and dry.
Acerbis: 800/659-1440; www.acerbis.com.
Blue Ridge Racing Enduro Bag Fully outfitted with tools in three levels. Runs $79.95 and up.
Blue Ridge Racing: 877/299-7353; www.blueridgeracing.com.
Maxima Racing Oils SC1 Silicone Detailer It works great, smells good and can be used on everything: boots, helmets, chest protectors and bikes. A 20-ounce aerosol can retails for $5.98.
Maxima Racing Oils: 619/449-5000; www.maximausa.com.

Hot Cams Stage 1 CRF450R Cam Kit Improved performance for only $159.95--versus spending $700 on an exhaust system.
Hot Cams: 515/402-8005; www.hotcamsinc.com.

High Roller Stay-Lock Tiedowns A great idea that makes loading bikes easier, and it is less likely to come undone so your ride won't fall over in the truck or knock out the window of your van. Cam-lock, $24.95; ratchet type, $31.95.
High Roller: See your local dealer; www.highrollerproducts.com.

Motion Pro Folding Trail T-Handle Set Sometimes small is good--especially when it comes to tools sitting in your fanny pack. This little trail aid is $29.90.
Motion Pro: 650/594-9600; www.motionpro.com.

ProTaper Limited-Edition Soft-Compound Grip This $7.95 grip's gentle feel is ideal for tender and sensitive mitts, and the soft material molds to your hands.
ProTaper: 951/736-5369; www.protaper.com.

THQ MX Unleashed Video Game For those who would like to do big triples when they don't have the time (or skill) to do them at the track. Retails for $49.99.
THQ: www.thq.com.