What’s up people? There was a new AGV helmet on Valentino Rossi’s head at the Sepang MotoGP test.

Rossi has been loyal to the Italian brand for years and has worked closely with the research, development and design team and there’s no doubt that Rossi has had some input into this sleek looking new shell shape.

There was no official word from AGV about the carbon fiber lid, but, since it was free of paint and most of his trademark graphics, you can see the attention to aerodynamic sleek-ness that has been paid to the shape. No doubt at super-humid Sepang the anti-fogging and ventilation elements were given a proper work out.

Interestingly, Rossi alternated between this prototype and his regular AGV.

Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to order your copy of our new Winter/ Spring 2012 print edition of Inline Performance Magazine HERE. Don’t worry, shipping is free!

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Hey what’s going on guys? During the International Motorcycle Show we met up with the importers of the UCLEAR HBC-100 Helmet communicator without boom microphones. They were cool enough to let us test a unit.

What’s cool about these is that no matter where you are, the patented DSP technology continues to suppress ambient noise and provides clean and clear conversation like talking face to face. They claim that even at speeds up to 238KM/h, the UCLEAR HBC-100 allows riders to communicate with unsurpassed quality. Check it out.

As you saw, the unique speaker design delivers HiFi grade music entertainment like your home audio equipment. Riding a motorcycle has never been more enjoyable.

The UCLEAR-HBC100 is also designed to be splash, rain, dust and snow resistant. It continues to perform in different environments.

Come back next time as we give the unit a thorough test!

Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to order your copy of our new Winter/ Spring 2012 print edition of Inline Performance Magazine HERE. Don’t worry, shipping is free!

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Hey guys, Jon here again. Ducati, the world’s most attractive motorcycles, and iSkin, a global leader in premium tech lifestyle accessories, have combined forces to produce a masterful symphony of performance, style and craftsmanship. The iSkin + Ducati product line was borne from the desires of performance-inspired techies the world over.

The Lifestyle collection provides protection for your portable computer, iPad, tablet, iPhone 4/4S and like devices of the same dimensions. Most of the products bear the Ducati colors of red, black and white.

Some notable products include the Sling, an innovative messenger body for your iPad, iPad 2 or for tablet and like netbook of the same dimensions; Jimmy, with spacious sections to contain your tablet and other devices; the Summit, gives an urban style to your iPad and iPad 2 and allowing transport all inside of the padded and light nylon; the Lil Keeper, the version more Small, that it adds a touch of “fashion” to the cares for cameras compacts and iPhone 4/4S. Besides it will be soon available a new line of elegant extremist cares-thin for the last models of iPhone and BlackBerry.

The whole Collection is already available on the site iSkin.com/Dukedoms and a selection is available also on the site shop.ducatis.com. In the next months to come, they will be available in the better shops around the world.

Be sure to check out Ducatist for more Ducati fun.

Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to order your copy of the 2011 print edition of Inline Performance Magazine HERE for only $1.00 till the end of the year!

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Aye, what’s good y’all? I finally decided to buy a racing suit and I have to admit this was something I was dreading. I’ve had temptations of buying a racing suit before, but to be perfectly honest they were all a bit too expensive for me at the time. It has been a great fortune that I’ve found a two piece leather suit priced at $199.00 that is race legal.

This two piece racing suit comes equipped with the standard dual density armor which makes it race legal. It has dual stitched main seams for tear resistance and YKK zippers throughout the suit. The Top Gear Racing suit has perforated sleeves as well as the sides of the jacket to keep the rider comfortable and cool if they ride in hot weather. I have not been able to test this aspect of the suit out because it is now turning cold in the city of San Francisco. But I can honestly say that it does its job well in keeping the rider warm with its 1.4-1.5mm of thick drum dyed, top- grain cowhide leather.

The dual density armor is removable just in case you decide to wear the suit without its armor for regular street riding and this is my favorite part of the suit as it proves its versatility. The suit also comes with velcro patches so that a person can take this suit to the track and drag knee. Overall, there is nothing special about this suit except for the fact it has an inside pocket in the jacket to carry a few items that you might have with you. But when you think about it, you won’t be needing many items if you plan to do some serious riding. The suit comes in several different colors and sizes that provide adequate protection as well as nice flexibility, along with the unique styling of your choice.

Another thing that I like about this suit is that the jacket is detachable from the pant so that you can combined them to any other leathers you have, or you can just wear the two separate for different occasions. The suit does not come with a spine protector, but you can definitely buy one and easily install it in the jacket. I also forgot to mention that this racing suit is unisex! I’m sure this is music to a lot of people’s ears as they find it hard enough to find clothes that fit their body type; be it man, woman, or child. To put it simply, the suit comes in various sizes that will accommodate your body type.

I have worn this suit only a few times, but I can honestly say that it bolsters my confidence. It is very basic but for a person on a budget, this is exactly what you are looking for. You want a suit that you feel will take care of you and will fit you just right. Not only do I feel confident in this two-piece leather suit, but it provides me with a good classic look. I turn heads while wearing this suit, and there is nothing like a race suit that is affordable and makes you look awesome.

Aight folks, this is Studdly signing off but be sure to stay tuned for more updates on more Essential Stuff.

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Hey what’s going on guys? For today’s session of Essential Stuff, we have a pair of riding gloves sponsored by Lee Parks Design. We had the pleasure of meeting Lee at the Progressive International Motorcycle Show last week. Very cool guy! Here’s a quick overview of the DeerSport model.

The first thing I thought when I felt these gloves, was that they were super-supple. And as I put them on, I got this “creamy” feeling from the deer skin. That’s the only way I know how to describe it in words. You definitely do not get the same feeling from typical cowhide or even kangaroo leather.

Another gripe I have with typical race gloves is that you have to break them in. Rough stitching underneath all of my fingernails is not comfortable. With the Lee Parks Design DeerSport model, there is no need for that hassle.

As I mentioned in the video, all of Lee’s products are proudly handcrafted in the United States. They are all trimmed and ironed to provide unrivaled fit, comfort and dexterity. Of course, the seamless palms are the reason for the ultimate in feel without pressure points.

The dual-duty thread provides the strongest seams and won’t cut through leather like Kevlar thread. There is a double-stitched ErgoTech palm patch on each glove that doesn’t bunch up, and provides strong abrasion-resistance. The double layer elkskin backing on knuckles also provides for additional abrasion protection.

That’s it for now. Check back in a few for a follow up review after I have worn these badboys for a while.

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Graham here with a quick update for our Essential Stuff section.

I’ve been using Sedici’s Monza jacket as my primary riding jacket on and off for about 7 months or so, and I’m sad to report that this first update is not a positive one.

The jacket’s zipper had been getting more and more finicky as the jacket got older, and it finally came apart in my hands one day, leading to a less-than-comfy ride home with my jacket flapping in the wind behind me.

Obviously, just over half a year is an appallingly short lifespan for a jacket that’s listed 300 dollars. Luckily, Cycle Gear offers a one-year warranty, even if you’ve long ago lost the original receipt as I had.

Rather than replacing the jacket, though, our local Cycle Gear store in San Francisco chose to pay for the zipper to be replaced. This would have been fine if Cycle Gear had dealt with the repair themselves. But instead, I not only had to take the jacket to the leather repair shop myself, but also pay for the 85 dollar repair out of pocket, before going back to Cycle Gear yet again to collect my reimbursement. By the time the jacket was fixed and I’d gotten my money, it had been a week. Fortunately, I have a car and don’t have to rely on my motorcycle as transportation, but for someone who exclusively rides, it could have been a real problem.

The good news, however, is that Johnson Leathers in San Francisco did a fantastic job, replacing the small, low-quality zipper that failed with a much meatier black oxide version, which not only looks better, but also is much easier to zip up.

So, in short, high marks for Johnson Leathers for their friendly attitude and great work. A passing grade to Cycle Gear San Francisco for covering the repair, but points off for how involved they made the process. Finally, I’m sorry to report, but a failing grade for the Sedici Monza jacket. Even if 300 bucks is cheap for a motorcycle jacket, it’s still far too much for something that breaks in less than a year.

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We’ve been putting our Scala Rider Q2 MultiSet Pro though the paces over the last couple months. While the device has worked great as a Bluetooth headset when paired with a cell phone, we still hadn’t tried using the Scala the way I suspect most riders will—as an intercom between two motorcycles.

But finally we managed to get three of the IPM staff and their motorcycles together in place to put the Scala to the test. The first step was to sync the two headsets with each other, which was a snap—just put both devices in “discoverable” mode, press the “control” button, and you’re good to go. (Check out the video for syncing the Scala with a cell phone for a step-by-step, the process is essentially the same.)

Once synced, we were ready to hit the road. The Scala does offer voice activation, but for this first test, we opted to leave them in “manual” mode. All it took to start our conversation was a press of the control button.

The Scala isn’t too loud. Lets just get that out of the way. Even with the volume turned up to the max, it’s far from blowing your eardrums out. While I found the volume adequate, my fellow road tester Paul struggled intermittently with the low volume, although subsequent testing will be required to determine whether it was an issue with the headset, the helmet, or operator error. One thing that did make a difference, though, was the headset’s dynamic volume, which gets louder as the ambient wind and road noise gets increases.

After riding around for hours in foggy San Francisco, we found that the Scala’s range was about one city block before the reception started to deteriorate. Range was marginally improved outside of the city, but once you get more than a couple hundred yards apart from each other, and you’ll have to press the control button again to restart the conversation once you’re back in range.

That’s all for this time, but keep it tuned here as we continue to put our headsets through their paces.

Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to order your copy of the 2011 print edition of Inline Performance Magazine HERE at the pre-order price until supplies last.

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Hey guys, Graham here with another update on our trusty Sena SMH-10 Bluetooth motorcycle headset.

When you’re in the middle of tearing up the twisties and get a phone call, the last thing you’d want to do is take your hand off the handlebars to answer it—even if answering the with your hand only takes one push of a button. But what if that call you get just as you’re grabbing third gear and blasting onto a straightway is an important one you just have to take?

Fortunately, the Sena once again has you covered, thanks to the SMH-10’s voice activation. Once the voice activation is turned on—as described in the video above—all you need to do is speak loudly when you receive an incoming phone call, and the Sena takes care of the rest.

It worked great in the IPM garage, as the video illustrates, but what about out on the road, where the constant wind and engine noise can easily throw voice control? Well, finally someone called me while I was riding with the headset on, so I got to put it to the test.

And, to my slight surprise, the voice activation worked perfectly. Ok, well almost perfectly. If you just say “Hello?” in a normal voice, like you would to answer your phone, it’s too quite for the headset to pick up over the racket of the motorcycle. But after the first “hello” did do the trick, I positively shouted it the second time. Just what the doctor ordered, it seems, as my phone call was immediately connected.

I have to admit, while using a headset to communicate between your biker friends when you’re all out on a ride is great, I was initially skeptical about needing to use my phone while I was riding—after all, many of us ride to get away from the annoyances of life.

But after three months with different headsets now, I’m hooked. Truly, I seldom answer when I’m on the road—riding a motorcycle is takes a lot more focus than driving a car—but I still love know that I’ve received a phone call or a text so that I can make sure to check it out the next time I stop for a break.

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Keep it tuned for more, not only on the Sena, but also how it stakes up to its rivals from Scala, and be sure to order your copy of the 2011 print edition of Inline Performance Magazine HERE at the pre-order price until supplies last.

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Hey guys, Graham here with a quick tutorial update on the Scala Rider Q2 Multi Set Pro.

One of the features that sets this Scala apart from other helmet headsets that it has a built in FM radio in addition to all the other Bluetooth functions.

To put the Scala in radio mode, just hold the “MC” button (the farther toward the back of the two) for three seconds. Once the radio is switched on, the volume is still controlled as usual via the two buttons on the back of the headset.

Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to order your copy of the 2011 print edition of Inline Performance Magazine HERE at the pre-order price until supplies last.

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These two buttons also double as the tuner for the radio—just hold either button for three seconds to change the radio station up or down.

The Scala can also store six favorite stations. Tap the MC button to cycle between the preset stations. After finding a radio station you like, press the MC button within 20 seconds of tuning in to set it as a favorite.

But of course, the radio’s musical selection is pretty weak these days, but luckily the Scala can also wirelessly stream music from any Bluetooth-enabled mp3 player (or phone).

Stay tuned for more, as we finally get out on the road and test the Scala between two motorcycles, and be sure to order your copy of the 2011 print edition of Inline Performance Magazine HERE at the pre-order price until supplies last.

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As our regular readers may have noticed, we’ve been on a bit of a Bluetooth headset kick here at Inline Performance Magazine, and today is no different.

But this time, we have a new toy to play with: The Scala Rider Q2 Multi Set Pro wireless motorcycle headset. The Multi Set Pro can be used as a hands-free headset for any Bluetooth enabled device as well as an intercom between riders.

Of course, before we could do anything else, we had to open up the box and check out our new toy. The Multi Set Pro is sold in sets of two headsets, and also comes with two wall chargers and two trick little pouches that fit on your belt to carry the headsets in when you’re away from your motorcycle. Also included are a couple of 3.5mm headphone-style cables to connect non-Bluetooth music players to the headsets, as well as hardware for mounting the headsets using either clamps (the recommended method we prefer) or double-sided adhesive tape. All this will set you back about 250 dollars.

Conveniently, the two headsets are already synced with each other, so if you only want to use the Multi Set Pro as a rider-to-rider intercom, all you need is buddy to wear the second headset and you’re good to go.

When using the Multi Set Pro as a hands-free headset, though, you’ll have to sync it to your phone—or other Bluetooth-enabled device like a GPS or MP3 player—first. Put the headset into “discoverable” mode by pressing and holding the control button until the light alternately flashes red and blue. With the headset now ready to sync, go back to your phone and access the Bluetooth menu. The exact process varies from phone to phone, but it’s no different than syncing any other Bluetooth device—if your phone asks for a security code, enter 0000.

Once synced, the Scala Rider Q2 Multi Set Pro not only allows you to take phone calls while riding, it also allows you to wirelessly stream music from your phone or MP3 player. One some devices, like an iPod or iPhone, for example, you can even pause or skip tracks, all from the headset and while on the fly.

That’s all for this installment, but stay tuned for next time when we explore the Multi Set Pro’s FM radio features.

Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to order your copy of the 2011 print edition of Inline Performance Magazine HERE at the pre-order price until supplies last.

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Hey guys, Graham here again, and today I will be showing you how to sync the SENA SMH-10 headset to your cellphone. Since I have an Apple iPhone 3GS, I will be using that. I will also be using Alex’s iPhone 4 in this demonstration.

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Last week for our essential stuff section, we gave you an overview of the Sena SMH-10 Bluetooth headset.

The SMH-10 is really a multi-use device: It can be paired with other headsets to work as an intercom between riders, it can be used as a headset for hands-free calling with pretty much any cell phone, and finally, it can simply be used as in-helmet headphones, either wirelessly using Bluetooth or using the included 3.5mm headphone cable and jack.

For this first segment of our test, I stuck to using the SMH-10 as headphones—allowing me to wirelessly play music and stream turn-by-turn GPS directions directly inside my helmet.

The first step was to sync the SMH-10 to my cell phone, an Apple iPhone 3gs. Sena provides step-by-step instructions, and once I’d put the SMH-10 into “sync” mode it was a snap. Once synced, the SMH-10 (and presumably your phone) “remember” each other so that you don’t need to sync up every time you want to use the headset.

Syncing with my bike-mounted GPS unit—an older Garmin Nuvi 660—was just as easy.

Prior to getting the SMH-10, I’d gotten in the habit of riding with headphones so that I could play music or listen to radio station streaming to my phone (hooray for unlimited data plans!). So stepping up to the SMH-10 felt like a huge upgrade. No wires to connect or tangle, all I had to do was switch the headset on and press play and voila—instant music in my helmet!

Once underway, the SMH-10’s wheel controller makes it easy to adjust volume while on the fly—turn the wheel backwards to increase the volume and forwards to decrease it. The headset makes a beep to let you know when you’ve reached the maximum volume. My daily rider is our project XT-600 Yamaha, which is neither especially loud nor especially quiet, and the SMH-10’s highest volume setting was loud enough, but only just. If I’d been riding a big American bike with open pipes or even an uncorked sportbike, I definitely would have needed the volume to increase further.

My favorite feature of the SMH-10—at least so far—is that it allows you to skip tracks while listening to music. All it takes is pushing and then twisting the control wheel to skip forward or back. This might not seem like much, but trust me, it’s a big improvement over just using an iPod and headphones. Unless you have a death wish, digging around in your jacket pocket to find your iPod and then skip a track while en route is a horrible idea.

Using the SMH-10 to receive turn-by-turn instructions from the GPS unit also worked just as promised, although personally I found it more obnoxious than helpful—no fault of the SMH-10, but I simply don’t need to hear where to go when the map in front of me already makes it clear. While glancing down at the map does indeed take your eyes off the road, in the case of my Garmin, the turn-by-turn voice guidance isn’t really enough to rely on, so either way you’ll be looking down at the map.

So all in all, a good first report for the SMH-10, but keep it tuned till next week for the next section of the test—using the SMH-10 not just as a passive listening device, but also making phone calls and talking with other riders.

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Hey guys, Graham here with more great gear for our Essential Stuff section.

Anyone who has regularly commuted on a motorcycle will be quick to tell you the highlights—easy parking, less time stuck in traffic, and the freedom to use California’s carpool lanes, just to name a few. But for someone who is used to the cushy luxuries of commuting in a car, making the daily journey to work or school on a motorcycle can feel like quite a Spartan experience: No radio, no phone, no music, just you and the machine.

Fortunately, Sena addresses all those concerns and more with their SMH10, a Bluetooth-enabled stereo headset and intercom designed specifically for motorcycles. The SMH10 retails for around $220, which might seem a bit steep, but you do get a lot of extras in the box. Your two bills get you two headset and speaker units, two wall chargers, two car/cigarette lighter chargers, all the necessary cords and plugs, and hardware for several mounting options.

When used as an intercom, the SMH10 allows for 2-way communication between up to four other headset-equipped riders or passengers. Additionally, the device can be used as a hands free headset for any Bluetooth-enabled mobile device, including nearly any modern cell phone and many GPS navigation units. How cool would it be to have turn-by-turn directions right inside your helmet? Finally, for older devices that aren’t Bluetooth-ready, the SMH10 can connect to any device with a standard 3.5mm stereo headphone jack. If you can listen to it using headphones, you can listen to it right in your helmet with the SMH10.

The SMH10 is designed to mount on the left side of most motorcycle helmets. The standard mounting option, which we used, works by clamping onto the hard external shell of the helmet. By clamping on instead of using an adhesive pad, the SMH10 can be removed or easily remounted on another helmet. The downside of this mounting method is that it requires you to pull the foam padding away from the hard shell of the helmet in order to slide the clamp between the two, and it takes a surprising amount of force. I had no reservations about doing this to my old and battered test helmet, but I might think twice if my helmet was top-of-the-line and brand-new. Fortunately, for those that don’t want to mess around with clamping, Sena includes a stick-on mount as well.

Whichever mounting option you chose for the headset, the speakers mount inside the helmet using their Velcro backings, which makes it easy to get the speakers in just the right spot—close to your ears, but not interfering with the fit of the helmet. Less easy, however, was figuring out a space for the microphone pick-up. The pick-up is on a long and flexible wire, which should make placement easy, but on my relatively tight-fitting test helmet, there wasn’t enough room between my mouth and the front of the helmet to squeeze the microphone in without it literally being pressed against my lips. We’ll have to wait for our full road test to see if this is a problem or not when using the headset.

You’ll have to tune in next week for more as we put the SMH10 through its paces and try out all of its features, but an quick run-through gave us something to look forward to: The SMH10 was easy to sync, intuitive to use, and comfortable in the helmet.

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If you ride motorcycles, sooner or later the day is going to come when you want to record yourself riding. Maybe it’s because you need the world to see you tearing it up on the back roads or flying down the freeway at triple digit speeds. Or maybe it’s because you’re going riding with some beginners and want to make sure you catch any crashes on tape. Regardless of your reasons, you need a helmet camera.

Here at Inline Performance, we have an arsenal of cameras and mounting equipment, but when it comes to simplicity and ease of use, it’s hard to beat our Contour HD camera. While fancier cameras like GoPros offer more features, the Contour’s compact size and simple, one button operation make it an ideal choice for a helmet cam.

Mounting a camera on the curved, smooth surface of a motorcycle helmet would be a challenge, was it not for Contour’s purpose-built motorcycle helmet mounts. The mounts retail for just under twenty bucks, and have a slight curve built into them so they fit flush against the curved sides of the helmet. Contour offers mounts with the proper curvature for either the left or right side of the helmet, so make sure you know in advance which side the camera will be on before you buy.

Attaching the mounts to the helmet couldn’t be simpler. Make sure the surface of the helmet is clean, peel the backing of the double-sided tape on the mount, and firmly press it into place on the helmet. Just make sure that the mount is lined up right because the adhesive that Contour uses is extremely strong—once the mount is in place, it’s there for good. (We put the camera on the mount before we stuck it on the helmet, just to be sure our alignment was correct.)

Contour recommends allowing the mount to sit for 24 hours before use, and this is probably a wise idea, considering that a camera falling off your helmet is not only an expensive lesson, but also a potential hazard for any riders behind.

Of course, we were too impatient to wait a whole day, especially with a brand new loaner GSX-R 600 from Suzuki sitting in the garage. We’re happy to report that the mount worked perfectly, even at higher speeds. Even better, because the Contour HD camera makes beeping sounds to indicate when it’s recording, starting and stopping the camera with the helmet still on your head is a snap.

Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to order your copy of the 2011 print edition of Inline Performance Magazine HERE at the pre-order price for a limited time.

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Hi guys, Paul here again. With all of the cool carbon fiber trim pieces on the Ducati Hypermotard 1100, you guys may be wondering if there are any performance related carbon fiber parts available besides the Remus Hexacone exhaust system.

The answer is, of course there are! Check out this air box that EVR designed completely out of carbon fiber last year.

However, it is unlikely to fit if you have installed the 6.4 gallon extended gas tank from California Cycleworks like we do, as this air box increases volume by 25% over the stock air box.

It was designed to optimize the way the air-fuel mixture reaches the intake in a quest for more power. The air filter and velocity stacks are incorporated in the space inside the carbon fiber air box.

The pre-impregnated carbon fiber air box can be installed on a closer-to-stock Hypermotard with no modifications on the motorcycle needed to get it to fit.

Weighing in at a scant 2.4 pounds, the EVR Ducati Hypermotard 1100 Carbon Fiber Air box is available from hundreds of dealers for a few bills under $2,000, including Mota-Lab where these lovely pictures come from.

We can only wonder if EVR is going to be included in the loop if Ducati ever brings their frameless superbikes to market.

Be sure to voice your opinion at Ducatist.

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Some people want smaller helmets, like Jessica Dunn’s Proteus three-quarter folding helmet, or no helmet at all. However, Arai is bucking the trend and making larger helmets. Their new three-quarter helmet for this year is the XC and the XC-RAM. The abbreviation standing for Extended Coverage, it is in contention to be the largest three-quarter helmet ever produced and extends the lower portion more than three centimeters further forward on each side than traditional three-quarter helmets.

Available in four colors, the XC, and the upgrade model, XC-RAM, were designed for more comfort in a safer helmet, says Arai. The larger full-face helmet styled cheek pads are removable and washable. The padding at the rear of the neck is also vented to help dissipate heat buildup. The only place the XC is thinner is at the attachment for the face shield. The attachment covers are mildly sleeker than Arai’s previous three-quarter helmet. The XC has the same ventilation ports as the RX-Q line in the front as well as the rear.

The higher priced XC-RAM offers considerable improvements over the base XC model. In addition to the large removable and washable cheek pads, and the vented neck padding, the rest of the interior is padded with a removable and washable Dry-Cool moisture-wicking liner.

The enhancements are not just on the inside, the outer helmet also has a few nice features. The XC-RAM uses the ventilation ductwork from the Corsair V but includes larger vent toggles. The same slimmer face shield attachment covers are on the XC-RAM, but for further aerodynamic improvement, the top of the helmet has been fitted with a Fixed Air-Wing. Basically, a nifty spoiler to prevent the helmet from lifting off your head at high speeds.

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Helmets are large rigid structures that are difficult to cram into most portable luggage for easy carrying. This is due in large part to their unique function of not changing volume size when being impacted from external forces. Full-face helmets take the most volume, but three-quarter helmets generally take nearly the same space.

As an innovation project candidate for the Australian 2011 James Dyson Award, the Proteus folding motorcycle helmet offers a solution to the storage and carrying problems. It starts as a normal three-quarter helmet, but through a new folding system is able to reduce its volume by 20% when not being worn. This is intended to allow it to fit in most standard sized backpacks.

The visor and mount had to be redesigned to allow the sides of the helmet to fold inward to the space a head would otherwise occupy. The protective layers of the helmet were based on the recommendations of the Australian safety standards for motorcycle helmets. This includes an expanded polystyrene foam inner shell, a lining made of a pliable material that hardens on impact, and a polycarbonate resin outer shell.

No word on colors or anticipated pricing, but even if Jessica Dunn’s entry does not win the award, you may be able to see similar innovations introduced by helmet manufactures in the future.

Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to order your copy of the 2011 print edition of Inline Performance Magazine HERE at half off the cover price for a limited time.

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Graham here for another update of our Essential Stuff section. Last week, we showed you Sedici’s Monza motorcycle jacket, and this week we bring you the other half with Sedici’s Monza motorcycle pants.

Like the jacket, the Monza pants are made primarily from leather, ranging from between 1.2 and 1.4mm thick. While I opted for the stealthy-looking matte black option, the pants—and jacket as well—are also offered in red, white or blue color schemes for those who want something a little flashier.

For added protection and comfort while riding, the seat area uses two layers of leather, which are augmented by a memory foam coccyx pad to keep your tailbone in one piece if you go down.

Full leather pants can be hot and stuffy while riding in hot weather, but Sedici solved this problem by adding perforated leather above the knee area and stretch fabric around the crotch and on the insides of the legs.

While all this does work great to keep you cool, in colder weather it can actually keep you too cold, especially during long stints on the highway. On the positive side, I got stuck in the rain more than once in these pants, and considering that they aren’t sold as rain gear, they kept me decently warm and cozy and were no worse for wear after they dried out.

As mentioned last week, the Sedici also offers the Monza jacket and pants as a one-piece jumpsuit, but since I prefer pleasant, mellow rides rather than horrifying mountain blasts, I chose the practicality and flexibility of the two-piece version.

But in case you are someone who appreciates a good blast through the twisties, the Monza pants include plastic sliders below the knees that are held in place by Velcro and are easily changeable. Additionally, the knee area features CE approved armor, just in case. And, if you decided you want the added protection of a jumpsuit, the pants include zippers that can be sewn on to most any motorcycle jacket.

Whether you opt for the pants and jacket separately or the one-piece, you’ll only be set back about five hundred dollars, making the Monza line an affordable way to get some serious protection.

Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to order your copy of the 2011 print edition of Inline Performance Magazine HERE at the pre-order price for a limited time.

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Hey guys, Graham here with an update for our Essential Stuff section with a review of the Sedici Monza motorcycle jacket. These are actually made by the folks over at Cycle Gear. After years of peddling other people’s gear, they have decided to come out with their own super affordable line.

The jacket is actually just half the Monza set of riding gear, matching pants are available as well—stay tuned next week for that review. Because I’m tall have a hard time finding a one-piece jumpsuit that fits
properly, I opted to go for the two-piece, pants and jacket route, but Sedici also offers the Monza set as a one piece suit if that’s more to your tastes.

The Monza jacket is primarily leather, between 1.2 and 1.4mm thick. While the jacket doesn’t have hard plastic back and chest guards like some more serious outfits do, it does have additional padding in the front and back for protection. The shoulders are also capped with plastic armor, as well as the elbows. A big plus in my book is the pre-formed moldings for the elbow pads, which makes it more comfortable to keep you arms in the riding position.

Even though the jacket is sold separately from the pants, it does include zippers that can be sewn onto any pair of motorcycle pants, giving you nearly the protection of a full suit but offering more flexibility and practicality—I often find I want to ride with the jacket, but not bother with specialized riding pants. Who wants to walk around school or work all day wearing leather?

The jacket is vented up the entire length of the inside of the arms, but personally I found this more of a drawback than a plus. For me, riding in the chilly Bay Area air, the vented arms actually keep me too cool, forcing me to wear long sleeves under the jacket—but we’ll see, maybe the summer heat will change my mind. Luckily, the jacket features a zip-out, quilted satin liner that can be removed when the temperatures rise.

Whether you prefer to ride with pants and a jacket or a jumpsuit, Sedici’s Monza line is well worth a look.

Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to order your copy of the 2011 print edition of Inline Performance Magazine HERE at the pre-order price for a limited time.

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Hey guys, Graham here with a quick review of Alpinestars’ S-MX 5 riding boots for our Essential Stuff section.

The S-MX 5 Waterproof boots shown here are actually just one of three versions of the S-MX 5 boots that Alpinestars offers. In addition the waterproof model, a largely similar but non-waterproof version is also available, as is a women’s version. Listed for $250, the S-MX 5 Waterproof version is still the most affordable, full-height road and track boot offered by Alpinestars, although if you never ride in the rain, you can save yourself about 30 bucks by sticking to the regular versions.

When it comes to features, the boots offer the standard faire that’s come to be expected of street-bike focused boots like these. The construction is a combination of leather and synthetic materials, while the mostly smooth rubber soles offer solid grip on most sport bike pegs, and a decent grip on the ground when it’s time to dismount and walk around.

As with most riding boots, the S-MX 5s include plastic armor for the heels, ankle, and other vulnerable parts of the feet. There are also plastic toe sliders, although avid track day riders will lament the fact that they are not removable or replaceable.

Slipping on the boots on is easy, thanks to the long zipper on the side that’s complimented by Velcro flaps that are designed to work with motorcycle pants.

On the road, the boots work great, keeping my feet warm, cozy and protected regardless of the weather outside. Even in the rain, they kept my feet nice and dry even while the rest of me was not.

The only gripe I had was that while the smooth rubber soles probably work great for street bike pegs, on a enduro or dirt bike, they don’t grip the spiky metal pegs (or the muddy ground) as well as a purpose-built dirt bike boot would.

But for an all around boot, the S-MX 5—especially in waterproof guise—are a versatile and affordable option that riders can grow with.

Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to order your copy of the 2011 print edition of Inline Performance Magazine HERE at the pre-order price for a limited time.

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Hey what’s going on guys? For today’s session of Essential Stuff, i will be showing you the Contour HD Carrying Case.

With this nifty little accessory, you’ll be able to pack your Contour Video Camera, up to 4 micro SD cards, an extra battery, and a USB cable with you wherever you go.

This compact but durable case is the perfect compliment to make sure your wearable video camera and accessories never get lost in your gear bag.

Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to order your copy of the 2011 print edition of Inline Performance Magazine HERE at the pre-order price for a limited time.

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Hey guys, Graham here with my first session of Essential Stuff. Today I will be giving you guys a quick review of my Z1R helmet.

I picked up this great helmet probably eight years ago now, and while this model, the ZRF-1, is no longer available, its durability and performance over those eight hard years is a testament not just to the helmet, but to the quality of the entire line of ZR1 products.

While I don’t recall the price, I know I didn’t pay more than 150 dollars for the it at my local motorcycle shop, making the price hard to beat, especially for a helmet that features SNELL-approval along with the usual DOT certification. Although it’s an entry-level piece, ZRF-1 offers a lot of features not always available for such a low price.

Many cheaper helmets have chin and forehead vents that cannot be closed, but the ZRF-1’s vents can be completely closed, as well as opened in three different positions, allowing you to let in just enough air to keep the visor fog-free without freezing your face off. There are also exit vents on the back of the helmet that help to draw air out and keep the top of your head cool.

The visor is the normal, clear affair, although when the helmet was new there were tinted ones available separately—I prefer my shades under a clear visor anyway because I hate having to swap visors to ride at night. I do appreciate how many different positions the visor will “click” into, I especially like the position that’s just a crack open to keep the fogging down.

Moving around to the inside, the padding is plush and very comfy, and even better, it still feels and looks good after years of use, as does the nicely padded chinstrap.

Stay tuned for more updates, as well as an update on my recent tumble that put both my helmet and leathers to the test, and be sure to order your copy of the 2011 print edition of Inline Performance Magazine HERE at the pre-order price for a limited time.

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Hey, what’s going on guys? Today, I want to show you a brand new feature in a motorcycle helmet that can potential save the lives of many of us. Below, is a video showing ThermaHelm Technology in action. Ninety percent of motorcycle fatalities are a result of injury from the neck up. ThermaHelm Technology affords an accident victim endothermic (that means cold, for all you laymen out there) energy from the moment of impact. Check it out.

ThermaHelm Ltd. has developed patent pending brain cooling technology that takes crash helmet safety to an unprecedented level. Crash helmets have remained virtually unchanged for over three decades but now ThermaHelm has integrated two proven technologies to create its life-saving endothermic helmet.

In the event of a collision where single or multiple impacts are received on the safety helmet, ThermaHelm immediately activates and cools the accident victims head. This form of cold therapy helps to prevent brain swelling in the crucial minutes before emergency services might be able to arrive on the scene.

It is common practice for paramedics to apply ice packs to the heads of serious head trauma victims at the scene of an accident if able, to physically remove the helmet from the victim without causing further injury. The consequences of any delay can mean the onset of brain swelling and further damage. ThermaHelm endothermic cooling technology within the lining of a helmet helps to mitigate this problem.

Today’s post is brought to you by the good folks over at Webmaster Talk Forums, who know the true CRM Definition.

That’s it for today folks. Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to reserve your copy of the 2011 print edition of Inline Performance Magazine HERE.

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Hey guys, Jon here again. Today the good folks over at Sena sent over their SMH10 Bluetooth v2.1 Class 1 Stereo Headset with long-range Bluetooth Intercom designed specifically for motorcycles Dual Pack.

With the SMH10, you can call hands-free on your Bluetooth mobile phone, listen to stereo music or voice instructions of GPS navigation by Bluetooth wirelessly, and have intercom conversations in full duplex with a passenger or other motorcycle riders.

Today, I will just be showing you how to set it up. Check it out.

Thanks to the latest Bluetooth v2.1 and the advanced digital processing technology, the SMH10 offers the best sound quality for both incoming and outgoing sound in its class. Also, the easy-to-access and intuitive button operations make the SMH10 a perfect companion for motorcycles.

Stay tuned for more videos as I show you how each function works. See you next time. Be sure to reserve your copy of the 2011 print edition of Inline Performance Magazine HERE.

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What’s good riders? This is Africa here bringing you the scoop on the Icon Airframe Helmet for today’s session of Essential Stuff. There are various graphics to choose from for the Airframe (I have the Infernal), it’s light weight, and fits my noggin well, for a reasonable price. Check it out.

First, let’s discuss what’s good. The Icon Airframe Helmet comes with a very durable, comfortable, cushy inner lining. The helmet comes fully assembled in a nice, compact, no fuss package. There aren’t a hundred add-on pieces to worry about. It’s just pop it on and go. And the two large top air vents serve their purpose well in all weather conditions.

My complaints: If you care about how your helmet looks but are clumsy with handling it, then this helmet is not for you. The graphics chip up like a cheap paint job, and the face shield gets easily scratched. You probably noticed in the video that I like to keep the helmet on top of my gas tank. You also probably saw that the area on the helmet touching the axle nut was completely worn off.

Also if you are an avid rider, expect to lose the chin guard within a couple of months. This piece is the only annoying piece of the helmet because it detaches too easily.

However, bottom-line, you can get the Airframe between the price range of $200-$300 bucks. At that price, you get a reliable, comfortable and awesome looking helmet.

Stay tuned for more updates.

Studdly.

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Hey what’s going on guys? Today’s edition of Essential Stuff is brought to you by the folks over at EVOTEK engineering. After seeing our review of the iPhone Bike Console by Tirga Technologies earlier this year, they sent over the 4Lock, confident it is a better alternative. Check it out.

So, as you saw, the 4Lock iPhone case was designed to easily open and close with just one finger and thumb. And the key feature is that there is no risk of disconnecting the device while doing so. That’s Italian ingenuity for you.

The 4Lock ensures that plugging and unplugging the device is a quick and simple move.

The 4Lock is relatively inexpensive as none of their products costs more than $50.00. There are a number of different mounts that you can also purchase for when you are not on your bike. Please check out their website for more information and to purchase their products.

Stay tuned for more updates.

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Hey guys, Jon here again. During tomorrow’s Valencia MotoGP race, Jorge Lorenzo will wear this special one-off crystal-studded helmet to commemorate his world championship. Check it out.

The helmet took 96 man-hours to create. The X-Lite X802 helmet itself typically retails for $475. It was hand painted in gold and had 1,800 Swarovski crystals applied to its top in the shape of Lorenzo’s logo.

Want one? Well, Jorge Lorenzo’s championship-winning, Swarovski crystal-encrusted helmet is on sale. The lavishly decorated Nolan X-802 was listed at £10,300 by the Italian branch of Nolan Helmets. Interested buyers should email: lorenzoworldchampion@nolan.it.

For those of you who can afford it, the gold painted helmet’s 1,800 Swarovski crystals have been given a metallic coating to create a rainbow oil slick appearance. It also has the Lorenzo cross and crescent “Por Fuera” or “Outside Overtaker” symbol that has marked Lorenzo’s helmets since he earned the nickname in 2003.

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Hey, what’s going on guys? Other than the Batman and Iron Man motorcycle suits, the folks over at Universal Designs have come out with their best replica suits yet: the Tron Cycle suit.

Like all their products, the suit is fully functional and fitted with CE-certifed armor. Unlike the other two costumes, the Tron motorcycle suit is almost as sleek as the film version, which means it’s entirely black, loaded with tastefully placed reflective safety piping. But, the stripes don’t light up.

This is actually not a bad deal, considering most Dainese suits are well over a thousand dollars. And, while this is no Dainese suit, the whole lot is $995 for the Tron Cycle suit, gloves and boots.

The bad news here is that Universal Designs has limited the production run to 1000, but the upside is that sizing starts at XXS for women. Not for tiny women. Just so that regular sized women will look extra hot. You get it.

Stay tuned for more updates.

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Hi guys, the good folks over at Gimoto wants to let you know about the launch of their WAS+ race suit, the world’s first ergonomic and homologated race suit that exceeds CE EN 13595 level 2.

Rider safety has been the core focus of Gimoto for many years, with their made-to-measure production of leather suits, the most critical aspect of rider protection. Ten years ago, the Gimoto research and development center designed a homologated airbag gilet.

WAS+, developed and produced completely in Italy, is born directly from that Gimoto technical expertise and the professional skills of our team, combining in just one product the highest levels of resistance to abrasion, impact tears and seam bursting, with no compromises in rider comfort and quality of fit.

This important outcome, based on innovation in new materials, new ergonomic studies and many technical features, has also resulted in the development and introduction of a new elasticated fabric – called G-nforced™ – developed and patented directly by Gimoto and used exclusively in the WAS+ suit.

WAS+ also introduces the new 3D inner liner that gives higher breath-ability and comfort to the rider. WAS+ is available now for the 2011 season with prices from 1250,00 euro (plus delivery and taxes).

TECHNICAL FEATURES
- Cow leather (1.2 mm – 1.3 mm)
- G-nforced™ stretch panels
- Ergonomic, one-piece race cut
- CE EN 1621-1 protection inserts on shoulders, elbows, knee and hips
- Additional foam protection on legs and body
- Elasticated leather panels on shoulders, back and knees
- New 3D™ inner liner with stretch panels
- Aerodynamic hump
- Removable knee sliders
- CE EN 13595 level 2 certification .

- On Measure (made-to-measure, custom fit, personalized colors, logos, sponsors)
- Kangaroo hide
- Perforated version
- Removable inner liner
- Race Team design service

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Hey guys, it’s Jon here again. Like most of you, it’s the end of summer and back to school for me this month. Anyways, on to today’s Essential Stuff item!

I found these while I was supposed to be buying my textbooks online. The folks over at Scott Sports are proud to release the long awaited Hustle Goggles featuring the patent pending SCOTT FIT SYSTEM. Check them out.

Not only do these goggles allow for adjustment to a rider’s individual cheek shape, but they also adjust the width of each individual’s nose bridge size. The customizations are screwdriver-adjusted and should only need to be set once. Well, unless you get fat or something.

The Hustle also claims improved peripheral vision thanks to a wider aperture and incorporates all the usual goggle features like anti-fog coating on the Lexan lenses and sweat-wicking foam.

We can’t wait to test them out in person. Send on over guys! I would totally switch to an open-faced helmet so i can rock a pair of these. Full faced helmets are just to restrictive for me while riding in the city.

Stay tuned for more updates.

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