KBC Super-X Spitfire Helmet, TGT Racing Suspension Handlebar - Dirt Rider Magazine

KBC Super-X Spitfire Helmet
As I was afforded the opportunity to be an honorary member of DR's Husaberg team at this year's 24 Hours of Glen Helen, I took advantage of the saddle time to test the KBC Super-X Spitfire helmet.Aesthetically, this KBC is a winner. Bold and creative without being gaudy, the lid has the looks of a custom paint job, with smooth, flowing lines that transitioned from various color schemes into an integrated painted visor. It looks sharp.Of course, no matter how good a helmet looks, fit and visibility are of primary concern. My casaba is in between a medium and large, and this test model was a large. The fit was snug, and over the course of five-plus hours protecting my dome, I never had any issues with it feeling too tight or sliding around. One thing I was very pleased with was the wide face area, which provided ample room for my Roll Offs-equipped goggles. The field of vision was top-notch and proved its worth in the hours of night riding. The Super-X has a slide-out visor extension, tinted to provide added protection from glare. When I slid it out, I heard a slight rattle that I thought would drive me nuts during the race; however, it was not really noticeable once I got into the groove of riding. If it truly bothers you, it can be easily removed. Since race conditions were cloudy to rainy, the glare protection couldn't be fully evaluated, though I do feel the extension did assist in limiting the amount of rain hitting my goggles. Although cleanup can be an issue with other models, with the Spitfire it was simple, as the liner was easily removed, washed and replaced.When I think top-of-the-line helmets, the KBC brand doesn't usually stand out. However, after using this lid I have to reconsider. At $189.95, the cost is less than other helmets that would catch my eye (I would have thought the price to be higher). This is a big step up for KBC in aesthetic appeal, and I found it to match any of the helmets I have ever worn in fit, vision and quality. $500-plus or $189.95-think about it.

||| |---|---| | GEAR| 91| | STYLE| 19/20| | COMFORT| 8/10| | FUNCTION| 47/50| | WASH/CARE| 9/10| | PRICE| 8/10| www.kbc-helmet.com818/526-7771TGT Racing
Suspension Handlebar
The performance of AirCell's fork bottles (or any company's similar product) was so excellent that we voted it the 2005 Product of the Year. But the bottles weren't perfect, as they lacked on-the-fly adjustment and they really filled up the tight confines of the headset area. Then we ran across the TGT suspension handlebar.What TGT has done is quite ingenious. It has taken a handlebar and turned it into an air canister. By plugging the ends and plumbing in the air from the fork through an easily adjustable valve, TGT has solved the space and adjustability issues in one swoop. Mounting takes just a bit longer than with a normal handlebar, and all the fittings and hoses install neatly and securely. One of the best features is the simple, single bleed-valve for getting rid of air buildup in the fork. Once installed, the handlebar works just like the bottles we have on our other test bikes.For motocross, the stiffness, or initial bump-compliance, can be microtuned, and front-wheel traction is adjustable to a lesser extent. Off-road is where the bar really shines, though, especially in varying terrain, as it's so easy to reach down and turn the knob a few clicks. We seemed to settle in around 17 clicks from fully closed (one full turn) most of the time. When in rocks and chop (or for a "mushier" front-end feel), it's as simple as opening up four to six clicks. If you want to liven up the front end, especially good on smooth dirt or sand, just turn the adjustment knob the other way. We have been adding slightly more fork oil (5-15cc) to each leg to gain additional bottoming resistance since the additional air chamber volume allows this without affecting harshness. Even with a Scotts steering damper mounted, TGT is able to keep the valve in front of the bar, where it remains easy to reach. The bar can even be set up to accommodate wraparound hand guards.There were some concerns during testing, but they never materialized. During testing, some feared the oil that works its way into the bar might not equally return to the proper fork leg, or that bar-bending crashes would be costly. In the event of such a digger, TGT will sell the plugged and plumbed bar alone for $85 (71/48-inch bar) and $95 (111/48-inch bar). But even at $239 for the standard bar kit and $254.40 for oversize applications, these chambers are still cheaper than other bottle systems by themselves! Overall, this product is just like our 2005 Product of the Year and then some! -Jimmy Lewis

||| |---|---| | HARD PARTS| 93| | INSTALLATION| 19/20| | FUNCTION| 48/50| | DURABILITY| 8/10| | DESIGN| 9/10| | PRICE| 9/10| www.tgtracing.com559/651-412O1X International
XR650R Triple Clamp
I can deal with a lot of the shortcomings of my Honda XR650R-from its weight (I made mine way heavier) to its mellow power delivery (mine is pretty much stock, motorwise). But one thing I couldn't deal with was the cramped riding position. Changing out the bar isn't enough, as you really need to move the handlebar mounting position forward, or in the case of the 1X International clamp made by BRP, a whole 29mm forward of the stock position. I opted for the 111/48-inch oversize handlebar to allow me to run a Fasst Company bar and utilized the top clamp to mount a Scotts steering stabilizer, all included in the $389.99 price tag. I originally mounted only the top clamp, but when I finally took the time to press the steering stem into the more rigid bottom clamp, I was rewarded with better steering feel, especially considering the extra girth on my bike with its 6-gallon gas tank. The main improvement, and the real need for this clamp, is the revised bar position, and for that, these are clearly a huge improvement. Plus, the blue color makes my bike look as cool as Johnny Campbell's racer. -Jimmy Lewis

||| |---|---| | HARD PARTS| 89| | INSTALLATION| 15/20| | FUNCTION| 48/50| | DURABILITY| 9/10| | DESIGN| 9/10| | PRICE| 8/10| www.1xinternational.com951/894-6117Pro-Action
Suspension Service
I had Pro-Action revalve and respring the suspension on the 2004 Suzuki RM250 I've owned for a year. Since the stock suspension was too stiff for my 150 pounds, I had serious issues with the fork jerking out of my hands and the rear end swapping out. It was getting to the point where I wasn't feeling safe.I contacted Pro-Action and told them exactly what was going on with my bike and that I wanted more plushness in the setup but needed to keep some bottoming resistance to help on my not-so-clean landings.After a fairly short turnaround time, I was back in business with my new suspension. Shock action is very sweet, and the bike tracks straight through the nastiest sections. The back end rarely swaps out, and after two months of riding and racing, I've yet to get close to crashing or feeling uncomfortable because of the rear.The fork action is plush in all but the squarest of bumps. Even when hitting small, choppy stuff, it acts controlled and the bar never feels like it is going to get jerked out of my hands. I was pleasantly surprised to find that bottoming resistance isn't compromised at all-in fact, it's enhanced. On one occasion, I missed the landing of a jump by some 15 feet and got a long look at the scenery and time to think about how bad it was going to hurt.Surprisingly, two other benefits have surfaced. First, my bike shifts easier going through large acceleration bumps due to the fact the shock is working properly and keeping traction (and load on the motor) consistent. The overall increase in traction is even notable on concrete starting pads.The total price was $845 including revalving, springs, new seals, bushings and a shock piston.Overall my experience with Pro-Action, from the national office to the local Utah shop, has been pleasant and the customer service has been top-notch. Before I had Pro-Action set up my suspension, I used to think about getting it done all the time. Now all I think about is having fun on my motorcycle!

||| |---|---| | SERVICE| 92| | FUNCTION| 48/50| | COMMUNICATION| 10/10| | DESIGN| 9/10| | PRICE| 7/10| | TURNAROUND TIME| 18/20| www.pro-action.com724/846-9055