PC Racing FLO X Air Filter System, Kenda K772 Carlsbad Sticky Tires - Dirt Rider Tested

So it has to kill performance right? Well, in actuality, you can't even feel a difference in normal trail-riding situations, and this was a big surprise. Even when holding the bike wide-open for some long runs on roads, it was hardly noticeable, and it withstood all the abuse we put it through. Although it weighs in at 2 pounds, you hardly feel it was there while riding the bike. It has the added benefit of making it really hard for water to enter the muffler. Some goop will accumulate on the Snorkel, but it wipes right off with degreaser.

Right now, the dB Snorkel is only recommended for two-strokes. The manufacturer has not done enough testing on four-stroke bikes, whose exhaust is hotter (and louder-we really need it for these!) than a two-stroke's. Hopefully the company will have a unit for them out soon. -Jimmy Lewis

Moto Knee Carbon
Carbon fiber. Ahhhh, just saying it brings forth images of aerodynamic top-secret super jets and factory-tuned race bikes. Well, the gurus at 661 have taken basic knee protection to the same supersonic level with their $100 Moto Knee Carbon guards. Starting outside, the hard, protective knee and shin plates represent their namesake well as they're actually made from high-quality carbon fiber. Now, real carbon fiber has many benefits in a knee guard. It's light, it's super strong, and it actually makes knee cups look cool. Underneath the slick outer shell is abundant padding of thick open-cell foam, two massively wide and ultrastretchy Airprene straps and, most important to my riding pals, removable and washable liners. While I'm almost completely distracted by the carbon-fiber parts of the guards whenever I put them on, I have to admit it's the way the pads stay put while riding and the washable liners that are really winning me over. Basically, I forget I'm wearing the 661 units when I ride. No rubbing, moving-around or fit issues ever arise. At 100 smackers, these are sure pricey, but not dealing with the smell of my old pads is worth it. -Jesse Ziegler

Acerbis
Plastic Kits
Acerbis offers Yamaha complete plastic kits in stock blue and other colors. The kit comes with fenders, shrouds and all three number panels-more than enough to make a tattered bike look new. Our YZ250F wasn't rough, but I wanted it to look different, so I ordered the kit in white for $129.95 (www.yamahaoftroy.com lists the stock parts at $153.52). The Acerbis parts take more fussing to mount up than the stock pieces. No cutting was required, but I did open up some holes. Once on, the parts look like a factory fit, with no odd gaps or misalignments. With white and 1989-style shroud stickers, the bike confused more than a couple of people, and that was fun. The '89 stickers don't cover much of the plastic as modern graphics do, so the finish of the plastic took the wear, but all the plastic looks fine after more than six months of riding. No serious crash testing, but all the parts are still there. I liked having a different look, and thanks to Acerbis, I know I'll do it again. Karel Kramer