Thor Gear – MXracer Magazine

The designers behind the Thor motocross machine have been tearing up the industry over the past few years. They’ve been defining the cutting edge with their magazine ads, television commercials and riding gear designs. The new Thor gear lineup does nothing but push their momentum up one more notch on the warp meter.The most impressive piece of gear in Thor’s ’03 line is probably the spankin’-new Force chest protector. The Force is perhaps the most lightweight and comfortable protector we’ve ever used. It can be fitted to any rider using its three settings to adjust the size. Big guys can wear it without looking as if they accidentally put their six-year-old’s chest protector in their gear bag, and smaller guys can dial it in so it’s not hanging off the shoulder. The custom fit is also important because having the shoulder pads in the right place can help prevent the helmet edge from coming down to snap the ever-so-popular collarbone. The Force fits correctly to maximize protection, feels light and is almost completely invisible.The new Core 5 pants incorporate all the things we’ve come to expect from a superior pair of moto trousers. They are super-roomy in the leg area for knee braces and pads, even if you have thick troll legs. The closure system uses a two-button snap that’s bulletproof, and there are straps on the hips that allow for a tight fit so you don’t get what we like to call the Jason Webb plumber effect. Up top we hardly noticed the Core 5 jersey at all because it fit perfectly. The low-cut collar helps pull heat away from your body, and loose cuffs let air flow so circulation in your hands isn’t cut off. The Core 5 glove also bends in all the right places, and the hook-and-loop closure is long enough to attach without strangling your wrists.If you’re going for the full factory look, you’ll probably want to coordinate your new Thor gear with one of the company’s stylish helmets. The SVR2 helmets are cool-looking and have all of the trick features you’d expect from a top-quality lid. The liner is removable and washable, has a ventilation system and even comes with a fin if you’re into the extra accessories. This helmet is comfy, provides good peripheral vision and looks great with the rest of the Thor ensemble.We did have a hard time wearing the T30 boots, but we are super-picky about what we put on our feet. The boots would probably be fine for the weekend play rider, but they just don’t offer the same features as some of the more expensive, serious motocross boots.Overall the Thor package may be the best setup on the market. If you’re looking for a new set of gear that’ll leave you with just about nothing to cry over, take a close look at the ’03 Thor lineup.THOR GEAR
FORCE PROTECTOR, $129.95
CORE 5 PANTS, $139.95
CORE 5 JERSEY, $54.95
CORE 5 GLOVEm $33.95
THOR SVR2 HELMET, $249.95
T30 BOOTS, $129.95
619/448-8467
www.thormx.com