Pete Peterson
Klim Inversion Jacket
This jacket isn't new, but nearly everyone on staff still wears theirs even with all the new clothing coming in to the DR offices, It never wrinkles (hear that, bachelors?), keeps you warm (Windstopper fabric) and looks so sharp I actually got compliments on it when I was in Milan, Italy, the fashion capital of the world. This makes my POTY for its staying power.
www.klimusa.com
208.552.7433
Jimmy Lewis
Trail Tech X2 And Extreme Race Lights
I like riding a lot and sometimes the sun goes down during my rides. I don't want to stop riding, and lately I've been addicted to a couple of improved lights from Trail Tech. With better ballast technology they fire quicker and stay brighter even when batteries get low. The race light is plain insane, and the X2 is just a step under it in light output but so much lighter and more compact. Ride all night I say!
www.trailtech.net, 360.687.4530
Chris Denison
Motion Pro TiProlight Titanium Wrenches
Motion Pro's new titanium wrenches are so lightweight, when I first got my mitts on them I could've sworn I was being Punk'd by Ashton. These puppies don't weigh a thing! With high-quality Motion Pro craftsmanship and a cool factor that approaches the Batmobile, the TiProlights were one of the hottest items at this year's Indy trade show and have since become a staple in my fanny pack. Innovative, original and totally usable, these titanium wrenches most definitely deserve my POTY nod.
www.motionpro.com, 650.594.9600
Karel Kramer
FMF MegaBomb Header And Q4 Quiet Muffer
Like every DR staffer, I am adamant about a quiet bike for off-road, so during the course of 2009 I used a variety of FMF Q4 mufflers for everything from a Honda CRF150R to a Yamaha YZ450F. In every case the Q4 made the sound responsible and always maintained excellent performance. In fact, I preferred the Q to the stock YZ450F motocross pipe and often ran the Q at the track! I also found the Q4 was even more impressive in combination with the FMF MegaBomb header pipe. In my opinion the results are most impressive on 300cc and smaller thumpers, but the results are always good. My only wish is for the MegaBomb in durable stainless steel for off-road.
www.fmfracing.com, 310.631.4363
Jesse Ziegler
ProTaper 11/2-Inch Tiedown
The annoyance of flapping straps in the back of my trar (truck-car) is now ancient history-just like the bailing twine and duct tape I used to use. Thanks to the handy-dandy hook-and-loop strap, I simply secure and forget. These babies are super long for bigger rigs, have an ingenious swiveling carabiner clip and still look new nearly a year after I first put them to use. If you haul bikes, you know the value of a good tiedown. The ProTaper tiedowns are my favorites.
www.protaper.com, 951.736.5369