Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/127980
Like water off a duck? ainsuits, here in California, are more often novelty than necessity. Last year's infamous wet weather - El Youknow - changed that and made it a perfect time to try the Belstaff Pro Toura jacket and pants. Not billed strictly as a rainsuit, the Pro Toura outfit nonetheless served well in that role. And that's mostly how we ended up using it. [t is of a fairly lightweight construction and. is generously cut, so it isn't the type of garment we. would rely solely upon for abrasion or impact protection in a crash, although an armor set is available for an extra $49. lt is that generous cut, however, that made the jacket good for slipping over our regular leather jackets and jeans, keeping us both warm and dry without weighing us down. Four hours riding a big-bore sportbike on the highway in a serious, flood- and mudslide-inducing downpour proved that. (It's also good for skiing, though no self-respecting snowboarder would be caught dead in the purple- or redaccented jackets.) Made with four layers of material - a soft Cordura on the R outside, with Entrant (a waterproof, breathable membrane), Thinsulate (keeps you pleasantly warm) and a poly/cotton liner on the inside - the jacket ($259) and pants ($169) zip together at the back, are machine-washable and feature a lot of storage. None of the pockets, however, proved to be completely waterproof, not even the zippered breast pocket. Best to keep what you would like to stay dry in your clothes under the suit. Two complaints: It is made with a European-style zipper, so for men here in the States, it is going to zip "backward"; and my size-ll feet made it impossible to slip the pants on without unbooting, pretty much guaranteeing wet socks when I took the suit off after riding in the rain. Other than that, the Pro Toura jacket (available in all black or black with purple or red accents, sizes 5-XXXL) and pants (black only, sizes 5-XXL) does what it's designed to do, and at a reasonable price. For more information, contact Belstaff North America, Dept. CN, 5331 Santa Catalina AVe., Garden Grove, CA 92854, phone or fax 714/901-1167. eN New Products THE MARK OF AZARO After a year of development, Avon Tyres has released its most advanced streetlegal race tires ever, the Azaro AV39 front and AV40 rear radials. Like the other Azaro tires, the AV39 /40 use the Variable Belt Density design that is said to help both cornering and straight-line stability. However, the AV40 rear tire uses both a different compound and profile than the regular street Azaro, with a higher arch for quicker turn-in and better side grip, as well as a compound more suitable for racing. The AV39 features the same contour as the previous Sport, but has the racing compound. The 120/70ZR17 front retails for $170, while the 180/55ZR17 is $229. ·CBR900RR owners: Note that an AV39 130/70ZR16 is also available. For more information, see your local dealer or contact Avon Customer Service, Dept. CN, P.O. Box 336, Edmonds, WA 98020, 800/624-7470. ~ ~ '" - If 46 FASTER F650 BMW F650 owners looking for a boost in power output are in for a treat: The Rotax engine specialists at Ron Wood Racing Products have developed a full range ofengine-performance parts for the Rotaxpowered F650 that, when used together (a complete kit is available for $2287.50), bumps up the stock bike's horsepow.er rating 47 percent to 60 hp. All parts are a direct replacement for stock items and are available individually; they include an 11:1-compress.ion piston ($240), two 39mm flat-slide smooth-bore carbs ($760), a slip-on megaphone and muffler ($400), a complete exhaust with larger headpipes and midsection ($650), a throttle cable ($23), supersport performance camshafts ($400, exchange), dual valve springs with titanium retainers ($149.50), an offset ignition-advance key ($10) and a K&N air filter ($55). For more information, contact Ron Wood Racing Products, 755 W. 17th St., Unit D, Dept. CN, Costa Mesa, CA 92627,949/645-0393, (fax) 949/645-8692. BUELL SUPPORT Storz Performance has re!eased its Billet Drive Support Bracket for Buells. C Cmachined from aluminum, it is said to offer increased strength compared to the stock, cast swingarm drive support on 51, 52, 53 and M2 models. The $69 bracket is intended for use with the stock Buell sprocket cover. Get yours from Drag Specialties or by contacting Storz Performance Inc., Dept. CN, 239 S. Olive St., Ventura, CA 93001, 805/641-9540, (fax) 805/641-3650, www.storzperf.com. REBODY YOUR F2IF3 1£ you are tired of the styling on your Honda CBR600F2 or F3, Airtech may be able to help you, with its F23 bodywork kit. Designed in conjunction with Machineart Inc., the kit, according to Airtech, should "transform" your bike into an "exotic, eurostyled sportbike." The $695 bolt-on kit of white, high-gloss fiberglass panels includes the main fairing, solo tail section, belly pan, rear fender and front fender, and utilizes the stock tank, seat, windscreen and mirrors. The belly pan and rear fender/ chainguard pieces are also available in carbon fiber. For more information, contact Airtech, Dept. C ,2530 Fortune Way, Vista, CA 92083, 760/598-3366, (fax) 760/598-3336, www.airtech-streamlining.com. PMAGNESIUM Performance Machine has built a lot of wheels, but perhaps none are cooler than these Magnesium Race Wheels. The sixspoke, 100-percent CNC-machined wheel weighs only 6.46 pounds bare and is sealed to • preven t deterioration, then clearpowder- coated for a "bold, bronze, lustrous finish." A wide variety of sizes are available a t a retail price of $1895 per set, including cush 't drive. For 'more information, contact Performance Machine Inc., Dept. CN, 6892 Marlin Circle, La Palma, CA 90623, 714/523-3000.