New Ideas
NEW IDEAS
Unit Garage R120 G/S Kit
Return to yesteryear and BMW's mid-Eighties Paris-Dakar-Rally-winning glory with the R120 G/S body kit from Unit Garage in Italy. Designed to fit 2004-12 R1200GSs, the $5000 kit comes painted, is said to install in about four hours with no permanent modifications to the motorcycle and weighs 14 pounds less than the parts it replaces. "Hubert," "Gaston" and "Fenouil" windshields (as in Auriol, Rahier and Jean-Claude) and black-powdercoated BMW Vario-compatible saddlebag supports are also available.
Unit Garage, Via Annibolina, 1947832 San Clemente (RN), Italy; 011 39 335 8127818; www.unitgarage.com
Alpinestars GP Pro Gloves
Glove-making's equivalent of "bold, new graphics"? No way. Okay, you'll need an educated eye to pick up on all the subtle pattern changes and protective tweaks made to the latest GP Pro ($239.95; sizes S-3XL). Carryover features include the Dynamic Friction Shield knuckle protectors, kangaroo leather palm, dual cuff closure and patented thirdand fourth-finger bridge. Now, however, Alpinestars claims more and better ventilation, enhanced fit and improved flexibility. Just what you want in a premium sport-riding glove.
Alpinestars, 2780 W. 237th St., Torrance, CA 90505; 310/891-0222; www.alpinestars.com
Bel-Ray Blue Tac Chain Lube
Now you see it, now you don't. Blue Tac Chain Lube goes on with a hint of Bel-Ray's corporate blue coloring but dries clear, leaving behind a unique formula that includes anti-corrosion agents. Developed to resist fling-off at even triple-digit speeds, Blue Tac ($8.49, 175 ml; $12.10, 400 ml) is intended for both street and off-road use, including O-, Xand Z-ring applications. For best results, apply Blue Tac after a ride while your chain is still warm and let the bike sit overnight.
Bel-Ray Company, Inc., p 0. Box 526, Farmingdale, NJ 07727; 732/938-2421; www.belray.com
Harley-Davidson Shrink Sacks
Short on space? Maximize luggage capacity by collapsing bulky clothing down to a fraction of its original size with Harley-Davidson Shrink Sacks ($15.95, medium; $17.95, large). Simply load the rectangular-shaped sacks with T-shirts, jeans or other soft goods, roll them up to evacuate trapped air, close the seals and drop them in your saddlebags or Tour-Pak. Each kit includes three sacks with Bar and Shield logos, carrying handles and white areas to label their contents.
Harley-Davidson Motor Co., 3700 W. Juneau Ave., Milwaukee WI 53201; 800/588-2743; www.harley-davidson.com
Wipe 'N Ride Instant Detail Cloths
How to keep your motorcycle's chrome, glass, paint, plastic, leather and vinyl sparkling-clean between hose-and-bucket-of-suds washes? Electrically charged polymers in Wipe 'N Ride Instant Detail Cloths ($9.95 for five; $14.95 for 10) are activated with a quick snap! and said to attract dust and grime, making cleaning up without water or other liquids quick and easy. Stuff a couple of the 12 × 15-inch cloths in the supplied drawstring pouch before your next trip.
Motorcycle Pro Gear, 142 N. Milpitas Blvd. #179, Milpitas, CA 93035; 408/505-6073; www.motorcycleprogear.com
Icon Elsinore Boot
Icon says its Elsinore boot is "old-school MX reinterpreted for the modern sprawl." Now, with the introduction of this limited-edition, red-white-and-blue "Glory" model, that statement rings even truer. This five-strap, alloy-buckle boot has a 12-inch-tall, top-grain leather upper, zippered entry, steel shank and Goodyear welting. MSRP is $265. Twenty bucks less buys the classic Oiled Brown or Johnny Black in half sizes 8-12, plus 13 and 14.
Icon Motosports, 1745 N.W. Marshall St., Portland, OR 97209; www.rideicon.com
Kriega Overlander 60
British motorcycle-luggage-maker Kriega's flagship Overlander 60 pannier system ($795) has been designed to deliver the cargo-hauling capacity of traditional hard luggage while also offering the versatility and weight-savings advantages of soft bags. Four waterproof, 15-liter, 1000-denier drypacks attach to a pair of lightweight, CNC-milled platforms. Back-of-platform 6061-T6 alloy cam levers can be easily relocated to clear bodywork and/or mufflers and lock the platforms to standard 18mm frames from Touratech, Metal Mule or KTM Power Parts. Guaranteed for 10 years.
Kriega USA, 2322 Dauphine St., New Orleans, LA 70117; 504/872-9367; www.kriega.us
Contour +2 and ROAM2
Hey, is this thing on? Contour's latest HD video cameras—the +2 (shown, $399) and ROAM2 ($199)—have large, glove-friendly, top-of-camera instant-on switches that take the guesswork out of recording on-bike action. Plus, with the +2's built-in Bluetooth, you can turn your Android or iOS device into a wireless viewfinder to easily configure camera settings in real time and preview your shot before you record. The +2 is also equipped with a GPS receiver to track elevation, distance and speed, and has live HDMI streaming capability. Both cameras come with a wide-angle, 170-degree rotating lens, convenient laser sighting, a 4GB MicroSD memory card (expandable to 32GB) and a waterproof case that allows full access to all of the camera's features.
Contour, Inc., 3131 Western Ave. #410, Seattle, WA 98121; 866/397-6920; www.contour.com
