QuickShot Accelerator Pump Cover, Motion Pro T-6 Chain Tool - Dirt Rider Magazine

Boyesen
QuickShot Accelerator Pump Cover
As more and more riders make the switch from two-stroke machines to four-stroke ones, there is an equal number of new performance parts flooding the thumper market. Some work well, some don't; and others-such as the Boyesen QuickShot accelerator pump cover-are simply amazing. A small, magnesium-colored piece about the size of a quarter, the QuickShot doesn't appear to be much at first glance. Thanks to an additional hole near the well of the accelerator pump, the QuickShot eliminates any air buildup in the pump chamber, squirts out more fuel-at a much higher speed than stock-when the throttle is first cracked, giving your bike much stronger off-idle throttle response.When installed on our Honda CRF450R test bike, the QuickShot provided immediately noticeable gains at the track. Tight corners, whoops and supercross-style combination jumps are where this part really shines-pretty much anywhere that requires a quick turn of the throttle. The distinct difference with the cover installed is a significant boost in snap or a much cleaner and consistent beginning twist of the throttle. This inspired a lot of confidence, especially when we jumped the 450. These benefits are definitely not limited to motocross, though; amplified off-idle throttle action is invaluable in the woods! We have tried it on a few other bikes-a Yamaha YZ250F and a Husky TC450, both with very finicky jetting on the low end-and the QuickShot cleaned them right up like getting the perfect needle. It is especially noticeable for riders who whack their throttle open quickly because it makes sure the necessary boost of fuel is not delayed.Installing the QuickShot requires a lot of elbow room around the carburetor, but overall, it is a fairly simple task once access is gained. There are some recommended pump arm adjustments (special tool supplied) that can further dial the throttle response, and with the QuickShot the improvement is even more dramatic. The cover does not take up any additional space on the carburetor. Currently available for the Keihin FCR carb, the QuickShot features solid construction and a coated finish for looks.A well-constructed, durable modification with no moving parts and decent installation, QuickShot requires no maintenance once installed and provides strong improvements by sharpening your thumper (even noticeable on an already crisp-running Honda CRF). What's not to like about that? -Chris DenisonMotion Pro
T-6 Chain Tool
Motion Pro offers some excellent chain-breaking and press tools. Now it has a smaller aluminum chain breaker and press kit with a carrying case. The case easily fits in a fanny pack, and it has everything you need to separate master or normal links or connect a 520 O-ring chain and some 525 chains. I've used a chain breaker to remove a master link but ended up pushing the pin out of the back plate, so the removal press is a welcome tool.Of course, it handles breaking chains with ease. Since the body of the tool and many of the press parts are aluminum, the kit (6 ounces) and its zipper pouch (2 ounces) are light and compact. There is plenty of room in the pouch for a few links of chain and master links. This $59.90 chain tool is now a permanent and welcome part of my track tool set for moto as well as a portion of my fanny pack for when off-roading. -Karel KramerCycra Racing
ProBend Racer Kit With Triple Clamp Mounts
I'm attracted by the way these hand guards from Cycra mount to the top triple clamp on the inboard end and have a dip in the bar at the outside end to keep from trapping your hand in a fall. Cycra sells the billet-aluminum hand guards as a Racer Kit, and if buying, you specify whether you want mounts for side- or front-bolt triple clamps. We had the set for front-bolt clamps, which require a top triple clamp that has pinch bolts in the front. Hence we tested them on a Kawasaki KDX200.The guards mounted in a snap, looked great and have proven durable. If you have a bike the $134.95 guards fit, the mount system almost guarantees there will be no cable or hose interference. They are the most sano hand-guard mounting I've come across. -Karel KramerA.R.C.
MX22O Roller Gear Bag
I love a rolling gear bag. Who wants to carry these weighty things to their truck? A.R.C. has a very reasonably priced ($79.99) unit in basic black with yellow trim. It isn't fancy but does have features I like. The side of the bag is a padded door that unzips; inside is a half-round padded pouch, so a helmet goes in crown first. I toss in gloves and goggles in as well, though there is a fleece-lined pouch for goggles. It's tight, but I can get two sets of gear including a chest protector in the center section. The opposite end will hold boots.The problem with many rolling bags is there is no easy way to lift it. The A.R.C. bag not only has handles at both ends but two on each side as well. The handle you use to pull the bag could be a bit longer and the venting better, but my gear seems secure and protected when traveling. -Karel KramerRace Tech
Fork Cap Wrench
Some tools are an outright necessity, while others are delightful but something of a luxury. I'd say this fork-cap wrench falls somewhere between. I recently replaced a fork seal on a Honda Showa twin-chamber fork leg. The Showa top cap is machined in the shape of a 46 or 50mm nut, and this wrench fits both sizes as well as older Suzuki conventional fork caps. The caps are made of aluminum and are easily marred or damaged if you use an incorrect tool. The Race Tech tool fit perfectly, and it made the job a true pleasure. The tool features a different-size box-end-type wrench at each end and a large slot opening in an middle. This wrench won't fit the new Kayaba twin-chamber-type fork, but Race Tech also makes a wrench for those. The wrench is $39.99, and with its many options, it should remain a useful tool for many years. -Karel KramerWilliams Motowerx
Honda CRF25OR Exhaust System
Williams Motowerx is a new company trying its hand in the very competitive four-stroke exhaust world. All of its systems use a continuous taper, even through bends, utilizing a proprietary manufacturing technology. It opted to send us a $649.95 system for our Honda CRF250R.Stock, the little red bike feels a bit soft in the power department compared to its competition, and a pipe is a good way to liven it up. Constructed with a stainless steel header and midpipe then finishing through a hard-anodized silencer body, Motowerx's pipe has its own look and is built tough. The canister is bulky yet still fits behind the sidepanel. The machined billet end-cap isn't really rounded like a traditional exhaust system. Bolting on the Motowerx system was simple: A band with a rubber liner attaches the canister to the stock mount on the subframe; the header pipe mounted easily without springs. One concern for the weight-conscious: The Motowerx exhaust is a tad heavy, weighing in at 7.2 pounds.On the track, the power comes on stronger in the bottom-end with more roll-on power. Midrange power pulls stronger and quicker when compared with the stock exhaust. Top-end power is solid; but since the bike revs quicker and there is very little sign-off, we bounced into the rev-limiter more often. We ran the exhaust the way it was sent to us, and it was on the noisy side. We are skeptical that it would pass a 102-decibel check, so we docked it for function. Motowerx makes different inserts that are claimed to meet most sound requirements, and now its pipes are coming standard with a sound insert.Overall, the Williams Motowerx system noticeably livened up the CRF's mellow motor and mounted up in just minutes. -Corey NeuerFactory Connection
Team Works Preload Ring
Some things are trick, some things are gimmicks. Distinguishing between the two can prove difficult, especially when some things are meant for the highest level of tuning. The $109.95 FC preload ring is one of those parts.Designed to replace one of the standard metal rings holding your shock spring in place on the shock body, this ingenious collar has a large needle bearing riding inside to allow the spring to twist without binding. Since the shock travels only about 3 to 4 inches during its stroke, the amount the spring twists is a matter of debate. A similar device in the fork (some forks have bushings that accomplish this) might be more effective due to the long stroke length of the spring. Nevertheless, the collar allows the spring to "float" free all the time.They are available for 50mm Showa shocks and 46mm KYBs. We used the ring on both a Yamaha YZ250 and YZ250F. Some riders did not notice a difference, even in back-to-back riding sessions. But some quickly did, especially on bumps that used the shock's full travel.Did it make a huge difference? No. What we feel this collar is best used for is someone who wants to eliminate all the inconsistent variables from his suspension tuning, spring bind being one of them. The collar will surely need attention to be kept clean, even more than the linkage demands, as it is quite exposed to the elements. And it makes changing the shock preload more of a chore as the spring spins without tightening or loosening itself-just tap or push on the collar to make the adjustment. But with everything on bikes getting better and better, this is no gimmick but a sign of the high tuning level you may need to attain to achieve better performance. -Jimmy LewisSixSixOne
Flight Boot
Any rider knows the importance of having a good, solid boot. The new Flight from SixSixOne is just such the boot, providing strong protection and killer style in an affordable package.From the sole of the boot to the shin plates and buckles, almost every piece looks good and is functional, which can be a difficult combination to pull off. SixSixOne did a commendable job with providing comfort for the proper shaped foot. The boots require only a few rides to break in. For me, there was no pinching or pressure points from the flexion areas of the plastic, and the toe and side protection are excellent. Some riders complained of rubbing in the toe and ankle, so it would be a good idea to try these boots on before buying. The Flight boot features a large bulge on the back of the heels which looks a bit silly at first but provides for a great snag for your shift lever when grabbing that next gear on a start. The buckles never scratched or scuffed, and the black plastic and leather were easy to clean and stayed in awesome shape.I'd like more padding on the inside front of the ankle, and I felt the tread suffers from a serious lack of grip, due to the timid pattern of the rubber. But at $269.95 retail-nearly $200 less than some footwear on the market-the Flight boot is an affordable option for those looking for proper protection that is still stylish. With the help of a file for your footpegs, this boot is all you need to keep your feet out of harm's way. -Chris DenisonMoose Racing
XCR Pant, Jersey and Glove
If you want a comfortable, roomy pant with no restrictive feel, the Moose XCR is it. We count eight stretch panels in each leg! One is vented, and it runs up the inner thigh almost from knee to knee to flow the cooling air. It is almost too much in cold weather. The pant is sewn in a precurved shape to make it fit better. A large, soft leather patch inside each roomy knee makes it tough to wear out. The front closes with a zipper and a snapped flap, but two hook-and-loop tabs on each side of the pant snug the waist. With all the features, the pant is a little heavy, and the knee area is so roomy that the leather bunches against the tank a little-even when I'm wearing my CTi2 knee braces. The sizing is on the large side and another reason I love the pant. The pant goes for $139.95.The $49.95 XCR jersey is also constructed with various panels and fabrics, including a semi-vented portion. Of course, that also means there are seams. That may or may not bother you. All of the fabrics used are stretchy, including around the neck and cuffs. The jersey is roomy like the pant. It looks great, and though it is lightly padded, it doesn't offer much protection.There isn't much fancy about the XCR glove-a washable artificial-leather palm, elastic material around the sides of the fingers and a vented back-and I like it that way. The closure is simple hook-and-loop. There is some molded rubber ribbing on the back of the glove, but almost no padding. The glove is light and comfortable, sized accurately and not overly hot. I toss them in the washing machine with the other gear, and hang it all to dry. The $29.95 glove is as soft as new again.This gear is super comfortable, tough, easy to care for and long-lasting. It works for me. -Karel KramerHuskypro
3/8-inch-Drive
Rotator Ratchet
I'm always on the lookout for tools that make life easier. Husky Mechanics Tools (available at Home Depot) has a new rotator ratchet in a 31/48-inch drive. It works like any other fully polished professional-grade ratchet, but if you twist the handle, that also turns the socket. So if you are in a tight spot, you don't need any room to swing the ratchet-just twist the handle. It doesn't matter which way you turn the handle, it will still rotate the attached socket in the direction you have set. There is a push-button socket release, and the $29.96 tool has a lifetime replacement warranty. It has a knurled ring on the back to change direction (I prefer a lever switch), and the round head is larger than pear-shaped pro ratchets. Those were the only reasons I didn't give it a perfect score. -Karel KramerSteahly Off-road
Engine Lockup Tool
Ever need to lock up your two-stroke motor to get a bolt loose? Sure, we've all wedged a penny between the gears, locked the rear brake or bound the chain. But there is an easier way for 60-380cc machines (though it is not long enough for 500cc engines), especially when it comes to installing flywheels. Steahly makes a plastic spark plug insert that stops the piston and makes knocking a bolt loose a cinch. You just need to be careful with the plastic threads getting started correctly in the head, then place the piston against the plug so it doesn't ram into it. Retailing for $9.95, it is just another tool you'll be glad you have when you really need it. -Jimmy LewisDunlop
D952 Tires
Miss the old Dunlop 752? Maybe you're looking for a slightly lower-price-point tire that still has a decent level of performance and a longer life than a top-shelf knobby. Either way, the D952 might be for you. Molded after the 752 with a large rectangular knob pattern, it is the company's recreational tire-though getting Dunlop to explain exactly what is sacrificed in performance to yield a better price is a bit of a challenge.The tire has a tough carcass and the rubber is not as soft as a 739 or 756. It mounts right up and has a nice lip to show the bead is seated. We ran ours on 250cc, 400cc and 450cc four-stroke off-road bikes in 18-inch rear ($77.99 to $99.22) and 21-inch front ($77.74) sizes. Air pressures ranged from as low as 10 psi for soft and up to 16 psi in really rocky conditions. Plainly put, the tires have good grip, especially in straight-up acceleration, just like the 752 did. The 952s slide with acceptable control in turns and bite really well regardless of the terrain. This tread pattern is one of the most versatile we've ridden. The only complaint was a lack of confidence when braking in corners, where both front and rear tended to slide sideways more than normal-just like the old 752 did-and the same is true of riding off-cambers. Braking in straight lines is excellent.As for wear, the 952 seemed to lose its edge as quickly as any other tire but then stabilized and wore slower. Chunking wasn't bad in rocky terrain, though small chips were spit off. And the performance stayed decent until the tire looked haggard (as shown). Its performance was better than most "cost point" tires, but it did lose more as it wore, but only because this tire had more performance to start with. Overall, the 952 ranks well, coming in on the higher end of cost-conscious tires. But remember, we use MSRP, and the street price is usually less. -Jimmy LewisEBC Brakes
Carbon Graphite Brake Pads
One of the worst habits dirt bike riders can develop is excessive dragging of the rear brake. A little brake dragging is great for control-too much and you start to deal with failed brakes, especially with the new lightweight rear brake systems. EBC makes some lofty claims for its new carbon graphite pads ($26), and I felt compelled to put them to the test. I tested the red pads on both a Honda CRF450X and a Yamaha YZ450. These pads are built with more material-organic as opposed to metallic-that contains a carbon graphite compound which is claimed not to absorb as much heat without using the insulator pad of the stock brakes.Right away, I noticed these pads have nowhere near the bite of a standard pad, even after being used for a few rides. Used by a normal rider, they will never get the same bite. But drag the rear brake, heat up the system a little bit, and then they begin to work. And the hotter they get, the better they seemed to work, taking a lot of pedal pressure to get the rear wheel to lock up. Somehow they do a really good job of keeping the heat from getting to the caliper and to the brake fluid.How well do they work? I abused the brakes and rode on the pedal as if it were a footpeg for a couple of miles, or laps, at a time and never got the brakes to fade. It reached the point where the brakes were squealing yet still worked fine, albeit always taking more pedal pressure than standard pads required. I did this repeatedly and never had a problem arise; I only backed off because I was killing the motor from dragging the brake! Wear on the pads, admittedly tested in dry conditions, was just a little more rapid than normal. Simply put, if you have brake-dragging problems, EBC has some pads that truly work. -Jimmy Lewis