Alpinestars
Tech 10 Graphics Kit
I'm all about looking factory, so when I started seeing these trick boot sticker kits about a year ago on the feet of riders like Chad Reed and Andrew Short, I knew I had to have a set. At $59.95, these kits are a little expensive, but they look great and are available in several colors, such as camo red and tartan green. Installation was easy on my new Tech 10s. The die-cut graphics stick well to a new boot, but I worry about how well they would adhere to a used pair. On the track, they hold up surprisingly well. The toes of my boot are getting a little chewed up, as is one of the shins where it hits the footpeg. There are no spots where the stickers are peeling up, though, even after a few sessions in front of the pressure washer. I do feel like I've been lucky to have them stay in such good shape, as I can easily imagine how these could get torn up in a hurry in gnarly terrain or with a lot of riding. So far, though, I have been able to maintain my factory image. The only problem with the stickers is that I now feel the pressure to ride as fast as I look!
| Hard Parts | 85.0 |
| Installation | 18/20 |
| Function | 46/50 |
| Durability | 6/10 |
| Design | 9/10 |
| Price | 6/10 |
www.nofearmx.com
323.325.9814 |
EVS Sports
Revolution 5 Chest Protector
I've had a lot of chest protectors during the 34 years that I've been riding-and a lot of injuries. I am not sure how much any protector helps in a crash, since all my biggest injuries have occurred while I've been wearing a full-size, over-the-jersey chest protector.
So for the last two years, I wore the EVS Revolution 4 underprotector mainly to stop annoying roost. Now the Revolution 5 solves the 4's only problem: no shoulder protection. The 5 has shoulder pads that face forward to protect you even more from roost. Chances are that when you crash you will be falling forward, too, so it doesn't hurt (no pun intended) to have the extra protection up front. The comfort of the Revo 5 (or 4, for that matter) is great. You can ride without an undershirt and suffer no chafing or nasty nipple burn. The design of the plastic, with the foam and fabric backing, allows it to breathe well during hot conditions, and cleaning is easy. Just scrub with dish soap to remove the postride smell, rinse heavily with a garden hose and set it in the sun to dry. If you prefer underprotectors, as I do, try the EVS Revolution 5. It's one of the best I've found.
| Gear | 90.0 |
| Style | 18/20 |
| Comfort | 9/10 |
| function | 46/50 |
| wash/care | 8/10 |
| price | 9/10 |
www.evs-sport.com
800.229.4387 |
White Brothers
Powerfilter
Some stock filters just don't last. Especially with the strange brew of filter oils and cleaners I'm always using. Lately, I've been seeing one filter standing strong through the test of time, overuse and harsh chemicals. For our 2006 Yamaha WR250F, one of the first things I replaced was the fading stock air filter with a Powerfilter from White Brothers. It uses dual-layered foam, coarse on the outside and fine inside, and the rim that seats against the airbox is a tough, rubbery material that seemed pretty durable. But how would it hold up?