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/127994
Erion Racing VTR1000 Slip-Ons and Jet KitlK&N Air Filter Thunder, in stereo By Mark Hoyer uietly minding my own business on our bright-yellow 1999 VTR1000 tester the other day, a guy 0 a 900SS idled up next to me at the stoplight and threw me a few revs. Yeah, me and the Honda smoked him to the next light, but his Termignoniequipped twin definItely won the eardrum Olympics. No, the stock Honda silencers, while pretty in their polished-stainless finish, just weren't going to do anymore. A call to Kevin Erion and Erion Racing made things right with our VTR. Erion slipped on a pair of free-flowing and soulfulsounding $499 exhaust canisters, and for good (fuel) measure also added a jet kit Q to the big Keihins ($99). We later installed a K&N oiled-gauze air filter. Estimated installation labor is five hours, and a good shop, such as Erion Racing, will charge around $65 an hour (urn, that's around $325). The results were pleasing to the ears and pants seat. Because in addition to making the big twin sound like a BIG TWIN, the VTR also is freer-revving (with a peak 4-hp gain at 8500 rpm, so 100.7 hp now), with markedly improved throttle response. Horn monos are just a twist away (that's bitchin' wheelies for the Brit-speak impaired). And the pipes look cool too, with polished T304 stainless inlets and outlets, and spring clips holding them tight to the intermediate pipes. The black powder-coated aluminum canisters are straight through and, wllile loud ish, are . not too loud. The jetting is now spot-on, with a nice, pJ'!',asing crack)e on quick upsmfts and a cool burble on overrun. As far as we're concerned, there's nothing but good here, and after one ride, most testers agree: Desma, schmesmo. So now our VTR1000 doesn't just move us more quickly, it moves us more qtYckly. CIII Erion Racing 5 6 7 8 9 10 RPM (x 1(00) As measured on Dynojet's Model 150 Dynamometer It doesn't'exactly suck By Scott Rousseau y ou may not know it, but the National OffHighway Vehicle Council is your friend. NOHVCC's many roles in the off-road community could fill an entire page, but the organization's task list includes education, land-use coordination and networking with groups such as the AMA and the motorcycle manufacturers to ensure the continuation of OHV usage in the 21st century. than Ra ther depend solely upon benevolent funding, NOHVCC has instead decided to help support itself via the sale of the Fluid Support Teclll1ology line of backpacks, fannypacks and personal hydration systems, like the $78 XSpurt shown here. Among the several different FST models in the lineup, our XSpurt could definitely be considered as the do-it-all version. The XSpurt features a twin- zippered main compartmenUn the middle, with the insulated, zippered pouch for the SportTank water bladder located closest to your back and a QuickStash exterior pocket on the outside for easy retrieval of oft-grabbed goods. Capacity is a healthy 175 cubic inches. Like the rest of the line, the XSpurt utulizes fisT's unique TorsoPac design, which places a flexible plastic rod abov~ the Coolmax shoulder straps and stresses the pack so that it places most of the weight around your waist when the XSpurt is properly tacKed in place via its plastic lock buckles. The XSpurt can be worn with or without shoulder pads. The ba ffled $portTank bladder is another item that is unique to FST products. Boasting an 82-ounce capacity, the bladder utulizes a roll-up top rather than a cap or a push-in plug for easier filling and cleaning. FST's Screamer Valve is also designed to provide max flow through the larger-than-standard feed line. So did we like it? Yes and no. After taking the XSpurt for a 300-mile spin in the Mojave Desert, we appreciated the fact that the XSpurt's heavy-duty construction is designed to withstand the rigors of off-road riding and racing while only weighing in at 21 ounces, making it an ideal pack for mountainbikers and hikers as well. The strapping system definitely takes the weight off your back just as promised, making it easier to go long distances without feeling like you have an anchor between 1200 N. Barsten Way Anaheim. CA 92806 8001700-3599 Fax 714/630-8870 www.erionracing.com your shoulder blades. All of the pockets are easy to open, and we managed to stuff a lightweight riding jacket into ours, along with tools, wallets, etc., with no problem. Unfortunately, we didn't dig the ·hydration system quite as much. Wllile the SportTank raises the bar of bladder design to new heights, the Screamer Valve fails to keep up with the package. We experienced difficulty with the valve when attempting to sip water while on the trail. Unless the valve is placed just so, all you get is air instead of water. Yet when the valve is set so that it will flow correctly, it leaks all over .the place, seemingly not stopping until it empties the con ten ts of the bladder on the ground. We know it's not a fluke, because we've had three FST valves do the same thing to us now. Your best bet is to go to your nearest mountain-bike store and buy a proper-sized bite valve and O-ring from another manufacturer. That should solve the problet;l\. All in all, we would like to see FST correct its leaky-valve problems before wholeheartedly recommending the XSpurt. As 'l pack, it offers excellent durability, portability and comfortability, bu t the hyd.ra tion system need.s work, and that's something to consider when shelling ou.t your hard-earned dough. Just remember that there is a good cause involved here. That has to CIII be worth something. NOHVCC 4718 Taylor Drive Sheboygan. VVI 53081 800/348-6487 fax 920/458-3446