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BikeExif Custom Motorcycles Honda motorcycles Kingston Custom Other Motorcycle Blogs Trackers

Monkey Business: Kingston revamps the iconic mini bike

2018 Honda Monkey tracker by Kingston Custom
The Glemseck 101 festival being held this weekend is a high-octane celebration of speed and power. At this very moment, thousands of petrolheads are descending on the picturesque market town of Leonberg, near Stuttgart in Germany—seeking out the loudest and fastest customs and racers from all over Europe.

But this year, one of the most interesting bikes will also be one of the smallest: a tiny Honda Monkey built by Kingston Custom for Honda Germany.

2018 Honda Monkey tracker by Kingston Custom
Builder Dirk Oehlerking is best known for his magnificent BMWs, so the little Monkey is a departure for him.

“At the beginning of July I got a call from Erik Mertens of Honda Germany,” Dirk recalls. “He got straight to the point and asked if I was interested in a Honda custom project.”

2018 Honda Monkey tracker by Kingston Custom
There was only one catch, but it was a big one: the bike would need to be presented eight weeks later—today, in fact—at the Glemseck 101.

“I asked which model we were talking about,” said Dirk. “It was the new 125cc Honda Monkey. I did not have to think about it for long, and immediately agreed!”

2018 Honda Monkey tracker by Kingston Custom
The new Monkey is big news. Emboldened by the success of the MSX125 Grom, Honda has thoroughly revamped the mini bike icon and brought it up to date with niceties such as USD forks and ABS, without losing the signature big seat and 70s-style two-tone tank.

A few days later, Dirk picked up a Monkey and whipped out the spanners right away. He quickly set the design direction, a Monkey tracker, and completely disassembled the bike.

2018 Honda Monkey tracker by Kingston Custom
To clean up the look, he reduced the electrical system to its essentials and discarded the ABS and alarm system.

Dirk has been building bikes for longer than most of us have been alive, so he has a treasure trove on the shelves of his Gelsenkirchen workshop. The new bars were the first to come off the shelf: “They’re a bit flatter, and suit the new lines of the bike,” says Dirk.

2018 Honda Monkey tracker by Kingston Custom
The footpegs were also liberated from their lofty perch and installed on the Monkey. “They fitted easily. I think they were from a 1976 CR125 Elsinore.”

To upgrade the suspension, Dirk has ditched the slender stock shocks and installed custom-made YSS units, plus tougher fork internals. The tire choice he found easy: 12-inch all-weather K66 rubber from Heidenau, designed for scooters.

2018 Honda Monkey tracker by Kingston Custom
For 2018, the Monkey gets the punchy engine from the MSX125—which is enough for random wheelies. So Dirk has left the internals alone, and just popped a K&N into the air filter box.

At the exhaust end, he’s swapped out the Monkey’s good-looking but hefty factory system and bulky exhaust shield for a simpler unit. It’s made by the Monkey parts specialist Kepspeed, but adapted by Dirk to fit the 2018 model.

2018 Honda Monkey tracker by Kingston Custom
He’s kept the factory chrome fenders: “They fit perfectly with my design. But I mounted the front fender higher, directly under the fork bridge.”

The massive stock seat is gone though, replaced by a conventional pad with hints of tracker style that sits under the tank line, rather than at the same height. It’s covered with the racer’s favorite cloth, Alcantara.

2018 Honda Monkey tracker by Kingston Custom
Underneath are custom side panels, matching the number board that replaces the bulky headlight up front.

It’s all finished off with a classic red, blue and white color scheme, a nod to the tricolor designs that started appearing on Honda race bikes towards the end of the 70s.

2018 Honda Monkey tracker by Kingston Custom
Kingston’s Monkey loses some of the puppy fat charm of the standard Monkey—but replaces it with an edgier, 70s pit bike vibe that we love.

If this is the first salvo in an impending onslaught of Monkey 125 customs, we’re all for it.

Kingston Custom | Facebook | Images by Ben Ott

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BikeExif Custom Motorcycles KTM Other Motorcycle Blogs scrambler Thrive Motorcycle

Kick Out the Jams: The KTM that inspired a music track

This custom KTM 250 Duke that inspired a music track by Kimo
Custom motorcycles are a form of visual and mechanical art. But this remixed KTM 250 Duke tells a musical story too.

It’s the work of Thrive Motorcycle, one of the shining stars of the booming Indonesian custom scene. And it inspired its owner, electronic music producer Kimo Rizky, to create a unique track.

This custom KTM 250 Duke inspired a music track by Kimo Rizky
Kimo originally just wanted a “toy to play with at the weekend,” Thrive’s Putra Agung tells us. “But then he found the sounds in the workshop interesting.”

“An idea popped into his head: ‘How about I record every sound during the build of my bike, and turn it into music?’”

This custom KTM 250 Duke inspired a music track by Kimo Rizky
So Thrive decided to collaborate on a vision of a custom build and music together, giving the project the name ‘The Sight.’

Next it was time to settle on a direction for the Duke. It needed the versatility of a street-legal scrambler, but Thrive also picked up hints of 80s endurance racers in the KTM’s trellis frame.

This custom KTM 250 Duke inspired a music track by Kimo Rizky
“Luckily, Kimo was a pretty fun person to work with,” says Putra, “as long as we didn’t go way too deep inside his pocket! So he cut us loose with the design direction.”

The 250 Duke comes well specc’d out the box, and this one was literally factory fresh—delivered straight to Thrive’s workshop. So the team opted not to mess with the rolling chassis too much.

This custom KTM 250 Duke inspired a music track by Kimo Rizky
The stock bodywork didn’t fare as well though. Thrive traded plastic for metal, hand-shaping a new aluminum fuel tank, tail section, side panels and front fender. The stock airbox had to go too, and Thrive fitted a K&N filter underneath the tank instead.

Then they unbolted the Duke’s stock subframe, and fabricated a new one for a narrower-than-stock rear end. The tail’s retro sportbike shapes, and twin taillights, add a fresh spin to the scrambler genre. (Thrive treated this particular item as a prototype for their T/H/R/V parts division, with a view to producing it as a bolt-on upgrade.)

This custom KTM 250 Duke inspired a music track by Kimo Rizky
The idea, says Putra, is “to manufacture our test bed products for the entry level market, so they can absorb our kind of spirit by their own hands.”

Other T/H/R/V parts on the Duke include a set of grippy ‘Odipus’ foot pegs, and a beefy exhaust muffler, complete with a custom-built connector pipe.

This custom KTM 250 Duke inspired a music track by Kimo Rizky
With classy WP Suspension at both ends, as with most KTMs, there was little need to shop for upgrades. But then Öhlins Indonesia offered up a rear shock with full adjustability, and a remote reservoir that could be tucked away wherever the guys wanted it. Bingo.

Lower down, they refinished the stock rims in all black, ditching the OEM orange highlights. Then they wrapped them in a set of go-anywhere 17” Pirelli MT60 tires.

This custom KTM 250 Duke inspired a music track by Kimo Rizky
Moving to the cockpit, Thrive kept the Duke’s stock handlebars in play, but removed the original controls and switches. They upgraded the clutch to a hydraulic system, installing Brembo RCS master cylinders for both the clutch and brake, with ‘naked’ reservoirs.

Rounding out the package are mini switches, a Domino throttle, new grips, and Thrive’s own bar-end turn signals.

This custom KTM 250 Duke inspired a music track by Kimo Rizky
Lighting up front is provided by a pair of punchy PIAA spots, mounted up on a custom bracket. This Duke is still fully street legal, but the rear turn signals are hard to spot. (They’re mounted in recesses underneath the tail.)

There’s some clever cost-cutting going on too, and a few practical considerations. Stock bits like the radiator covers and sump guard still match the Duke’s refreshed aesthetic, negating the need to swap them out. And Thrive have even left the rear fender be.

This custom KTM 250 Duke inspired a music track by Kimo Rizky
There’s not a hint of orange left though; just a slick black paint job, accented with white pin stripes. ‘The Sight’ might be a mash-up of more than one style, but we love the final effect. What’s more, it’s even lighter and more compact than the already svelte donor bike.

As for Kimo’s custom motorcycle-inspired track? Apparently it’s just as weird, wonderful and playful as ‘The Sight.’ We’re told there’s a music video on the way—so stay tuned.

Thrive Motorcycle | Facebook | Instagram

This custom KTM 250 Duke inspired a music track by Kimo Rizky

Categories
Cruising Other Motorcycle Blogs

Sosa Metalworks Recasts A 1940 Indian Scout

1940 Indian Scout
Bikes

The “Suavecito” custom is a 1940 Indian Scout reborn

Cristian Sosa turns raw metal into rolling art, in Indian Scout form.
Categories
Gear Reviews Motorcycle Glove Reviews Other Motorcycle Blogs review Waterproof Glove Waterproof Glove Reviews Web Bike World

REAX Ridge Waterproof Gloves Hands-On Review

Introduction

The REAX Ridge waterproof gauntlet glove is part of the new, recently launched Comoto family of riding gear, that includes jackets, pants, and gloves. I recently reviewed the companion jacket to these gloves, by the same name – Ridge. You can read about that, and see what I learned about what goes into their creation.

Styling of the Ridge glove is very conservative, with a color palette that is the same as the Model T’s once was – you can have any color you want, so long as it is black. Truth be told, even if I had a choice, this would be it. A black glove, even once well worn, or even quite dirty, still looks good!

Badging of the gloves is subdued, with a small “REAX” logo sewn into the arm closure, and a heat embossed logo in the panel above it, both done in black. The index fingers have a printed “REAX” logo on them, in gray, with matching small stripes on the middle and ring fingers. These three fingers also have small reflective stretch panels sewn in above the knuckles – more on those later.

The Ridge is a gauntlet style glove, that is said to be waterproof, by way of a bonded interior layer of a material called “McFit”. No, really, “McFit”. Go ahead and settle the “Fries with that?” question that readily comes to mind.

This material is very similar in feel to genuine Gore Tex, but presumably is costing less to manufacture. Provided it works as well, I’m pretty OK with this, as it would be helping hold the line on the cost of buying the gloves. I’ll be putting that waterproof claim to the test below.

The balance of the glove is a mixture of materials, chosen I believe for both comfort and durability. Let’s get a better look at how they are built.

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Construction

REAX Ridge Waterproof Gloves Left Glove View

REAX Ridge Waterproof Gloves Right Glove View

As mentioned above, the materials chosen for construction of these gloves is a mixture, and it is a good mix. These were obviously designed by folks who actually ride, and it shows.

The primary material the gloves are built from is cowhide leather, 0.8 – 0.9 mm, thick enough to be protective, without being too stiff. All seams in the gloves are double stitched, and the stitching in them is even throughout.

The fingers are precurved, and the finger leather panels are cut to avoid having seams between them. The leather on the top of the glove has a finer grain than what is on the bottom of the fingers and palm – possibly to make it more durable, possibly for appearance.

The leather is a natural finish that does not have a glossy appearance layer. That will preserve their appearance over time, with nothing to crack or peel.

REAX Ridge Waterproof Gloves Interior View

The glove features two leather closures that are well thought out on a couple of fronts. Both use hook and loop material for fastening.

First is a strong wrist strap, an important safety feature. No glove can protect your hands if it is able to fly off in an emergency, and I would not wear street gloves that don’t have this feature.

Behind that is the arm strap, that both closes small enough to stay only on your arm, or large enough to easily fit over a jacket sleeve. It also has a foam pad sewn in on the outside of the wrist, helping to protect your wrist from impact injury.

REAX Ridge Waterproof Gloves Palm and Wrist closeup

Moving down toward the wrist area, the glove features a spandex panel that is well placed above the wrist, for freedom of movement. One band of leather reinforcement is found here, above the knuckle panel.

REAX Ridge Waterproof Gloves Knuckle Closeup

The top of the knuckle has what I believe is a TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) plastic panel sewn in. Although it can be flexed, it is very stiff. Fortunately, it has thin foam pad sewn inside the glove to make it comfortable against your hand.

I was not able to verify that is what it is made of, and it is not removable.

REAX Ridge Waterproof Gloves Palm & Finger material closeup

Moving over to the palm, the safety built into these gloves, along with riding utility, really shines. From the bottom ¾ of the thumb, extending and inch (2.5 cm) into the index finger, and across the palm below the knuckles to the pinky finger is a layer of goatskin leather, sewn in with red threading.

For this high wear point on the gloves, this is a good choice. Abrasion resistance is also better with the goatskin.

REAX Ridge Waterproof Gloves Worn on Model

The outside of the thumb, along with the inside of the index finger, are covered in a layer of what feels like suede leather, useful for wiping a visor.

REAX Ridge Waterproof Gloves Lower Palm and Wrist Closeup

Saving the best for last, is the outer part of the palm. An additional layer of leather is sewn on, starting at the top outside of the pinky finger, and down into the palm beside the thumb. Into this panel is a sewn in, foam backed, Superfabric panel. This material is said to be pretty amazing stuff, in its ability to resist abrasion and tearing. Tiny laser welded ceramic plates go into it, and it still remains flexible.

The McFit interior lining is also well thought out, in that it is bonded to the glove, versus being sewn in. This prevents it from moving when taking the gloves off, or putting them on.

Both the index finger and thumb are made to be touch screen capable. Although they are in fact, I did not find this feature to be very useful. Unless I was using a rather large screen, such as a tablet, the dexterity needed escaped me. With a handlebar GPS or cell phone, I’m pulling them off.

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Comfort / Sizing

REAX Ridge Waterproof Gloves Worn on Model with Fingers Fully Extended

With no seams in the interior of the gloves, and padding placed where it needs to be, the Ridge is quite comfortable to wear.

Ventilation in these gloves is precisely none. I’m sure this was done in the interest of maintaining their waterproofing. The gloves also do not have any insulation.

With no ventilation to deal with summer heat, or insulation to deal with winter cold, the Ridge is really a two season glove. If your bike is equipped with heated grips, you might likely be able to comfortably extend their use into the colder months.

Unfortunately this is not something I was able to test, as I am doing it in the summer. I can say the lack of ventilation is quite noticeable now. They get pretty hot, pretty quickly.

Sizing in them in said to be American, and I found them to be true to size. My hands, measured below the knuckles and around, is 9.5 inches (24.13 cm). Using the Cycle Gear size chart, that puts me at the top of the Large glove range. Although a little snug at first, they broke in nicely.

Also of note here is that although the fingers are longer than some European sized gloves, they are not really any wider. If your fingers are especially wide, you may want the next size up.

The Ridge is available in sizes Small through 3 XL.

Protection

REAX Ridge Waterproof Gloves worn on Model with Hand Closed into Fist

I am pretty impressed by the protection these gloves offer. The Ridge is aimed at the sport touring / commuter rider, and makes no pretense at being a race glove.

Outside of the TPU piece over the knuckles, it does not feature armor. Given the mission for this glove, I think more effort went into their construction with regard to abrasion resistance than many similar gloves do.

At city speeds, particularly for commuting, I think this is the most likely way I would be injured in a crash. The goatskin in the palm, combined with the Superfabric panel, will work to keep my hands protected while sliding.

REAX Ridge Waterproof Gloves closeup of fingertips material

The gloves are said to feature “Subtle Reflective Highlights” in both the small stretch panels sewn in over the finger knuckles, and in a small strip on the outer part of the palm. They are definitely subtle, in that they do not work.

Even in a dark room, concentrating very bright light at them, they simply don’t reflect any real light back. I ran into the same issue with the Ridge jacket, and would offer the same advice with the gloves: know that other motorists will not see this at night.

Waterproofing

REAX Ridge Waterproof Gloves undergoing a waterproof test in sink

I tested the waterproof claim in the style familiar to readers of Web Bike World reviews over the years – filling a sink, putting them on, and immersing them for about five minutes.

I am pleased to report the Ridge glove is, in fact, waterproof! Although the water did begin leaking through the outer layers of the gloves, none got through to my hands inside the McFit liner. It works.

Conclusion

I like the Ridge glove for several reasons. First, is the safety I believe it offers. The wrist strap, goatskin leather, and Superfabric panel all speak to that.

Although wearing gloves that are really stylish makes you feel good about how they look, for me form takes a backseat to function every time. If the time comes that you need them to protect your hands, I want gloves that are up to the task.

It should be said that the conservative styling of the Ridge might be exactly what you after. There is something to be said for not showing up at the office in Buck Rogers gloves.

It is apparent considerable thought was put into their design with regard to utility and durability as well. Waterproofing that really is, suede for wiping a visor, and solid double stitching used throughout.

Misses are few. The “subtle reflective highlights” in them aren’t. Having no insulation for winter use is a minus, but the lack of ventilation will actually make them better in that regard. For full on summer use, you will likely want something that is ventilated.

The value proposition here is very good, I think. As of the time of this writing, the Ridge sells for $129.00. The quality of the materials used and their construction would cause most to believe they are more expensive than they are.

I rate these gloves at four stars.

Pros

  • Durable materials, built with an eye toward safety
  • Solid construction throughout
  • Waterproof
  • Good value for the money

Cons

  • Two season use glove, no ventilation or insulation
  • Reflectivity is poor
  • Touch screen use difficult

Specs

  • Manufacturer: REAX
  • Price (When Tested): $129.00
  • Made In: Vietnam
  • Alternative models & colors: Black only
  • Sizes: S – 3XL
  • Review Date: August 2018

Shopping Now? We Recommend:

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RevZilla

Free shipping on orders over $40
30-day no-nonsense return policy
Excellent selection of all major brands
Awesome pricing

Buy These Boots on RevZilla

REAX Ridge Waterproof Gloves Image Gallery

The post REAX Ridge Waterproof Gloves Hands-On Review appeared first on Web Bike World.

Categories
2LOUD Custom BikeExif Bobber Motorcycles Custom Motorcycles Harley bobber Harley-Davidson Harley-Davidson Sportster Other Motorcycle Blogs Sportster bobber

Grey Matter: An ingenious Sportster hardtail from 2LOUD

An ingenious Harley Sportster hardtail from 2LOUD
We always love featuring the latest builds from the big names in the custom world, but there are a few lesser-known workshops that we keep a very close eye on too.

One of those shops is 2LOUD of Taiwan, run by Max Ma. He’s an esoteric kind of guy who can turn his hand to any style, but his bikes all have one thing in common: the build quality and levels of finish are right up there with the very best in the US and Japanese scenes.

An ingenious Harley Sportster hardtail from 2LOUD
Max first caught our eyes with a tiny, jewel-like Suzuki TU250, and his last build was an R nineT that looked like no other oilhead. This time, he’s tackled one of the most familiar platforms in the bobber scene: the Harley-Davidson Sportster XL1200.

Max built this sublime hardtail for the wife of one of his best customers, the Taiwanese musician Zhang Zhenyue. It’s configured to suit her physique, with a low-riding seat and decent pullback on the bars.

An ingenious Harley Sportster hardtail from 2LOUD
This time, there’s nothing radical about the styling. The peanut tank, short sissy bar and backswept bars are staples of the bobber scene. But few custom Sportsters can boast such perfect stance and style.

Ms. Zhenyue may be compact in stature, but this Sportster is not short on power. Max has swapped out the EFI for a chunky Mikuni HSR carb that delivers smooth fueling and an extra 15 (or so) horses to the back wheel.

An ingenious Harley Sportster hardtail from 2LOUD
Custom timing and clutch covers clean up the side of the engine, and the low-key air filter is also a one-off. Exhaust gases now exit via a pair of almost symmetrical straight-shot shorty pipes: Max says that they sound quieter than they look, thanks to hidden baffles.

Adding a hardtail to a custom bike in the US or Europe is a well-trodden path. But in Taiwan, things get tricky—the inspection regulations are amongst the strictest in the world.

An ingenious Harley Sportster hardtail from 2LOUD
Max made the hardtail assembly himself, configuring it so that he can remove the upper struts and install shock absorbers before going to the testing station. Despite this complication, the setup is as clean as they come.

At the front, Max has lowered the forks a little and polished the stanchions until they gleam. The wheels gleam too: they’re actually the standard rims, but given a fresh coat of glossy metallic paint and fitted with new stainless spokes.

An ingenious Harley Sportster hardtail from 2LOUD
The rubber is Duro Adlert, with a modern bias ply construction hidden under a vintage-style sawtooth pattern.

This is one of those bikes where there’s a place for everything, and everything is in the right place. Max has created all the bodywork himself, from the tiny tank to the bobbed rear fender and the side panels.

An ingenious Harley Sportster hardtail from 2LOUD
The righthand side panel conceals a Shorai lithium ion battery, and right above is a beautifully crafted black leather seat—complete with curved accent stitching for a feminine effect.

On the left, the side panel is part of the new handmade oil tank, with access granted after lifting up the seat cushion.

An ingenious Harley Sportster hardtail from 2LOUD
Max bent the sissy bar from 16mm stainless steel tubing, and machined up a set of new brackets to flush-fit the old school headlight nice and tight between the fork stanchions.

An ingenious Harley Sportster hardtail from 2LOUD
The paint is the best we’ve seen on a custom for a long time. Max describes it as a ‘cement grey,’ with a mix of deep and light silver tones. At the base of the tank is the word ‘AMISAWU’—the name of Zhang Zhenyue’s wife, and the lucky new owner of this machine.

An ingenious Harley Sportster hardtail from 2LOUD
The whole vibe is monochrome without being too stark or masculine. The chain provides the only flash of color: Max has converted the Sportster to conventional drive, and fitted a beautiful gold RK 530 chain.

An ingenious Harley Sportster hardtail from 2LOUD
The Sportster is probably the most customized motorcycle model in the world, so it takes a lot to stand out from the crowd. But 2LOUD has delivered a subtle and stylish machine that speaks softly and carries a big stick.

We reckon it’s time Max Ma took his place in the upper echelon of custom builders—and we can’t wait to see what style he tackles next.

2LOUD Facebook | Instagram

An ingenious Harley Sportster hardtail from 2LOUD

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Cruising Other Motorcycle Blogs

The Wild Gypsy Tour Is A Game Changer For Women In Motorcycling

City of Sturgis

Women’s-only event provides three critical “value adds” that didn’t exist until now

For the 2018 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Stacy Bettison spent five days with other women motorcyclists at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip to attend the Wild Gypsy Tour.
Categories
Full-Face Helmet Reviews Gear Reviews Helmet Review Motorcycle Helmet Reviews Other Motorcycle Blogs review Web Bike World Zox zox primo

ZOX Primo C Track Helmet Hands-On Review

In this article, I will be reviewing the third of three ZOX helmets, the Primo C Track.

This is a full face helmet. A full face helmet covers the entire head, with a rear that covers the base of the skull, and a protective section over the front of the chin.

This type of helmet offers the maximum protection to the rider’s head in the event of a crash.

ZOX Primo C Track Helmet Box Details

I tested this helmet using a Ducati Monster 821 provided by Bow Cycles in Calgary. Check out their website here.

Please keep a lookout for my article reviewing this amazing motorcycle in the near future.

ZOX Primo C Track Helmet Back View

ZOX Primo C Track Helmet Back View Closeup

I like the protection that a full face helmet gives me when I am on a motorcycle. In 2016, the United Nations published the motorcycle helmet study. This study determined that motorcycle helmets improve the chances of survival of a rider involved in a traffic crash by 42% and help avoid 69% of injuries to riders.

A PDF of this publication can be found here.

Diagram of impact areas on crash-involved motorcycle helmets

Source via the Dietmar Otte, Hannover Medical University, Dept. of Traffic Accident Research, Germany

The diagrams above show the impact areas on crash-involved motorcycle helmets. Note that 35% of all crashes showed a major impact on the chin bar area. This means that if you ride with an open face helmet, you are accepting only 65% of the protection that could be available to your head.

Appearance and Finishing

ZOX Primo C Track Helmet Side View with Visor Down

The helmet is very good looking with clean lines and the finish is also very appealing.

The inside of the helmet is excellent. The material used was very good at keeping my head relatively dry. The interior liner is removable for cleaning. I removed the interior liner and reinstalled it without any issues.

The only thing lacking is a micrometric buckle to ensure that the helmet strap is properly fastened. The lack of a micrometric buckle made cinching the strap difficult with gloves as it requires the wearer to loop the chin strap through the buckle.

ZOX Primo C Track Helmet Underside View

Fit and Comfort

ZOX Primo C Track Helmet Fitted View on Model

I found the Primo to be very comfortable. ZOX’s patented conehead technology assures that the helmet provides excellent support around the head without having downward pressure from the top of the helmet.

I found that once the helmet was on, it wanted to naturally stay on my head, and once I was riding, in town as well as at highway speeds, the helmet did not feel like it was moving around at all.

This helmet weighs 1650 g (3.6 lbs). It is not the lightest helmet I have worn; however, because of the conehead technology, it was comfortable and did not feel like a weight on my head.

The inside of the helmet features communication ready EPS ear pockets. The added space of these ear pockets makes the helmet that much more comfortable.

Airflow and Venting

ZOX Primo C Track Helmet Rear view on top of ZOX Box

The helmet has integrated ducts for maximum airflow and rear extractor that create a venturi-effect to keep your head nice and cool. It was approximately 26 degrees Celsius (80 degrees Fahrenheit) when I tested this helmet. The ducts worked very well.

The front vent can be opened or closed using a lever incorporated in the vent. It provided ample airflow to keep the helmet from fogging up.

ZOX Primo C Track Helmet Fitted View from Front on Model

Noise

The helmet worked very well at keeping the road noise at a low level. The Ducati Monster 821 has an awesome exhaust note, but it is not very loud. I found that the helmet did an excellent job at keeping road noise and wind noise to a minimum even at highway speeds.

Visibility

This helmet has excellent visibility. I rode with the visor up and the visor down (mostly down given I was on a sportbike). The visor is clear and is also scratch resistant. My peripheral vision was not affected by the sides of the helmet.

The design of the chin bar is such that you can still see your instrument cluster clearly without having to lower your head and using the mirrors did not require moving your head due to an obstruction.

ZOX Primo C Track Helmet Fitted View from Side on Model

Exterior Visor

The exterior visor is very well constructed. It is scratch resistant on the outside and is fog resistant on the inside. I was able to remove the exterior visor and reinstall it without difficulty and without tools using the quick release visor fastening system. Should I need to replace it in the future, the process would be quite simple.

The functionality of the exterior visor is excellent with solid clicks as you lift or lower the visor from one position to another. A rubber gasket ensures that the visor seals to the helmet.

ZOX Primo C Track Helmet with Visor Up

Conclusion

The ZOX Primo C Track is a very good helmet at a very affordable price.

If you are looking for a premium full face helmet, this one is a great choice. A full face helmet is probably the most important piece of safety equipment you will ever own. I am confident that this helmet will meet or exceed most people’s needs. It is well built, it looks good, it is quite comfortable to wear and has a scratch proof, fog proof visor.

ZOX Primo C Track Helmet in protective fleece helmet bag on top of ZOX Box

In the box, the helmet ships in a protective fleece helmet bag. Included in the box is the owner’s manual and two ZOX stickers. The finish of this helmet in matte black is subdued and clean. It will go well with your leathers or with your kevlar jacket.

ZOX Primo C Track Helmet on top of ZOX Box

I recommend this helmet.

The lack of a micrometric buckle on this helmet reduces the ability for quick donning and doffing; furthermore, if you have gloves on, getting the strap through the buckle is a bit awkward. This does not affect the retention of the helmet on your head. Once the strapped is cinched, the helmet is secured.

The helmet is very well priced at CAD$199.99 MSRP

*disclosure: ZOX helmets provided the PRIMO C TRACK at no charge for the purpose of this review.

Pros

  • Aesthetically Pleasing
  • Good Quality
  • Comfortable
  • Affordable.

Cons

  • Lack of a micrometric buckle for the chin strap.

Specs

  • Manufacturer: ZOX Helmets
  • Where to Buy: ZOX Helmets
  • Price when tested: CAD$ 199.99 MSRP
  • Made in: China
  • Alternative Models and Colors: Matte Dark Silver, Matte White, Matte Hi-Viz. Yellow, Red, and Blue.
  • Sizes: XS, X, M, L, XL, 2XL
  • Safety Designations: Meets or exceeds DOT Safety Standards FMVSS 218, SNELL M2015, AMA Pro Racing, RACE, CMRC and other Professional Racing Standards
  • Review Date: July, 2018

ZOX Primo C Track Helmet Image Gallery

 

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Gear Reviews helmet Motorcycle Helmet Articles Other Motorcycle Blogs Web Bike World Zox zox helmet

Affordable Helmets by ZOX: Our Impressions

About ZOX Helmets

For over 10 years, ZOX helmets have been providing quality helmets at a great price. The philosophy behind the ZOX brand is to provide an affordable, safe, stylish helmet to the public.

ZOX has been involved in the Canadian racing community since the very beginning on a local, provincial and national level. They are involved in several charitable projects and support youth and professional riders across the country with helmets. They also sponsor numerous riders, races, and series.

Construction and Safety Standards

The helmets themselves are well designed and are constructed from the latest technology materials. The facility in which the helmets are manufactured in is state of the art and is certified to ISO 9001-2000 standards.

Testing of the products is rigorous to ensure compliance by meeting or exceeding DOT and Snell certifications.

DOT is the US Government’s Department of Transportation (DOT). DOT sets minimum standards that all helmets sold for motorcycling on public streets must meet. The standard is the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218 (FMVSS 218) and is known commonly as the DOT Standard.

The Snell Memorial Foundation is a private non-profit organization that sets voluntary standards for motorcycle helmets, bicycle helmets and auto racing helmets, as well as other kinds of protective headgear. Snell standards are the world’s toughest and demand quite a bit more protective capability in helmets than anybody else on the planet.

ZOX helmets offer a warranty against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of purchase with proof of purchase.

ZOX has a great lineup of helmets for everyone regardless of what you ride. They have a product line of Street, Dirt and Snow helmets.

Street

The lineup of street helmets offered by ZOX includes Full Face, Modular, Dual Sport and Open Face categories.

Full Face

ZOX Full Face Helmet

In the Full Face Category, ZOX helmets start at CAD$ 89.99 for the GALAXY SOLID, all the way to C$349.99 for the ODYSSEY CARBON VIGILANCE.

ZOX provided me with the Primo C Track for review.

I found the helmet to be of excellent quality at a great price of C$199.99. This helmet was priced in the middle of the price range for ZOXs full face helmet line.

I tested this helmet on a 2018 Ducati Monster 821. I was amazed at just how well it fit and performed.

Modular

ZOX Modular Helmet

ZOXs Modular category has a good selection of helmets starting at C$139.99 with the CONDOR SVS SOLID all the way to the BRIGADE SVS VOYAGER at C$179.99.

I was provided a Brigade SVS Solid by ZOX for review.

I tested this helmet on my 2007 Harley Davidson FLHTCU. I was impressed at the quality of this helmet. It was comfortable, kept my head cool, was easy to put on and to remove due to the micrometric buckle on the chin strap.

The quality of the build was excellent. The buttons were easy to use with gloves. All in all, it proved to be an excellent modular at the affordable price of C$ 149.99.

Dual Sport

In the Dual Sport category, ZOX offers a product line that starts at C$149.99 with the RUSH SFX up to C$259.99 for the Z-DS10 STITCH.

I have not had the opportunity to review a ZOX Dual Sport Helmet yet, I hope to have the chance in the future.

Open Face

ZOX Open Face Helmet

ZOXs Open Face Category features a very comprehensive lineup of helmets to suit most Open Face helmet riders needs. From half helmets, traditional open face helmets with or without a visor to open face helmets with a face shield, ZOX has a helmet that will fit your needs.

Prices start at C$59.99 for a Classic Solid (C$ 49.99 Classic Junior Solid for kids) all the way to C$123.99 for the Mikro “Custom” Flare.

ZOX helmets provided me with a Mikro Old School Solid for review.

It tested this helmet on my 2008 Harley Davidson XL Custom Bobber. I usually wear a half helmet while riding my bobber.

I enjoyed the helmet a lot. It was very comfortable. It had a micrometric buckle that made it easy to put the helmet on and to take it off, even with gloves. The look of the helmet was very sleek. The helmet I reviewed was Matte Black that gave it a nice subdued look.

Also, the Mikro does not have a visor or snaps for a visor which I prefer in a half helmet.

Dirt

ZOX has a complete lineup of dirt bike helmets, both in the Motocross and Open Face categories.

Motocross

The Motocross category is well covered by ZOX. Prices range from C$104.99 for the Rush Solid to C$329.99 for the Matrix Carbon.

For Kids, there are three Rush Junior helmets available in Solid at C$79.99 as well as Sharpie and Code at C$89.99.

I have not reviewed any of ZOX’s Motocross helmets at this time.

Open Face

At the time of this article, ZOX offers two open face helmets for dirt applications. The Classic Camo at C$99.99 and the Banos STG Camo at C$109.99

Snow

ZOX helmets offers a full range of full face, modular and open face helmets for snow applications. I will not go into details on the snow line given that this article is focussed towards motorcycle riders; however, I was quite impressed at the selection of snow helmets available on ZOXs website.

Sizing Information for Maximum Protection

New riders sometimes get caught up in brand names and can end up with very expensive equipment that may not get a lot of use.

The important thing to remember when it comes to a helmet is in order for it to offer maximum protection, it has to fit properly. It should be snug and sized correctly. It should not feel too tight or too loose.

In order for a ZOX helmet to fit properly and fit comfortably, the helmet must be snug. It must be sized to your head correctly. The best way to check sizing is to put the helmet on and see that it feels snug equally all around your head.

The ZOX website offers a chart to use in order to ensure that your helmet will fit properly. Alternatively, any dealer that sells ZOX helmets will be able to help you find a helmet that is properly sized for you.

Conclusion

I am impressed with ZOX helmets. They are a progressive company with a mission to make safety affordable.

As an experienced rider, I have had many helmets in the past. I find that the quality of the helmets produced by ZOX to be very good. It is important to have good safety equipment while riding.

I feel that the price should not be a negating factor to ensure that your protective equipment is in good condition. ZOX helmets understands this and has been able to provide affordable safety without compromising quality.

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BikeExif Custom Motorcycles Other Motorcycle Blogs scrambler Yamaha motorcycles Yamaha SR500

The NeverEnding Story: This SR500 took 7 years to build

A hot-rodded Yamaha SR500 scrambler by Simple Sycles
Building a decent custom motorcycle is a far more intensive process than some might realize. Joseph Savor found this out the hard way: it took him seven years to finish this little firecracker of a Yamaha SR500.

Joseph’s based in Sydney, Australia, and customizes bikes part time as Simple Sycles. This SR isn’t his only custom build, but it was the one he started with—and it’s been in a constant state of evolution since. “I’m equally happy and sad to say it’s version four,” he quips.

A hot-rodded Yamaha SR500 scrambler by Simple Sycles
It all started when Joseph bought his first bike: a customized Yamaha SR400 from a well-known local shop. He soon developed an itch to build his own bike, figuring it’d be a walk in the park. So he sold the SR400, broke even, and started hunting for a replacement.

Soon after, Joseph spotted a 1978 SR500 at a wrecker about three hours drive away. It seemed like a good deal—until he got it home. He realized it needed a full motor rebuild.

A hot-rodded Yamaha SR500 scrambler by Simple Sycles
Joseph doesn’t actually have his own workshop—instead, he hoofs it over to his parents’ house in Oatley, and takes over their back yard. “Mum and Dad have put up with a lot of mess and a lot less space in their yard for a long time,” he jokes. “No garage, just tarps to cover up once I’m done, and always praying for no rain so I can keep working.”

He’s also not too big to admit that he can’t do everything, so he’s gradually built up a network of skilled pros that can jump in when needed.

A hot-rodded Yamaha SR500 scrambler by Simple Sycles
Between Carl Batey from Café Racer in Wattle Flat, and Greg from Greg Ball Engineering, the SR motor was rebuilt and bored out. Capacity was bumped to 535 cc, and the SR was treated to an upgraded cam, rockers and springs, and a 40 mm Dell’Orto carb.

Joseph rode the bike for a while, bolting on a few off-the-shelf bits as he went. But somewhere along the line, he decided to ditch the bolt-ons and go all in. And that meant radical changes to the suspension at both ends.

A hot-rodded Yamaha SR500 scrambler by Simple Sycles
Greg was called in again, this time to graft on the mono-shock swing arm from a Yamaha RD250 LC, and rebuild the subframe to match. The swing arm was sourced from Ebay, and paired up with a Hagon rear shock.

For the front, Joseph sourced a complete Suzuki GSX-R front end from Cognito Moto, complete with triple clamps and an 18” laced front wheel. Along with a Cognito rear loop with an integrated LED taillight and turn signals, they were shipped straight to Greg to install.

A hot-rodded Yamaha SR500 scrambler by Simple Sycles
The SR500 was slowly taking shape, but it was also standing parked for extended periods. “Not riding this bike truly became the norm to me,” says Joseph, “with the people around me constantly shaking their heads.”

The remaining mods gradually came together—like the custom seat, which Joseph was pedantic enough to send back to his upholsterer, Streamline Trimming, four times. “My mindset was that this was my bike,” he explains. “I was never going to sell it, so no point in being complacent.”

A hot-rodded Yamaha SR500 scrambler by Simple Sycles
As the months passed by, the Yamaha was upgraded with a full rewire from DC Electrics. It now boasts a full complement of Motogadget bits, including an m.unit controller, keyless ignition, speedo and LED cockpit lights. The headlight is from JVB Moto, but it’s since been upgraded with more potent LED internals, and integrated turn signals.

The fuel tank is from a Honda CB250, and the fenders are modded SR numbers. Bolt-on bits that still remain include a Rizoma brake reservoir, a mix of POSH and Motogadget switches, a Joker Machine gas cap, vintage-style rubber foot pegs, and CNC levers.

A hot-rodded Yamaha SR500 scrambler by Simple Sycles
Joseph thought he was all done about a year ago, at which stage the SR had been massaged into a cute café racer. But then he decided ‘scrambler‘ was much more his flavor, and a final round of mods ensued.

The bike was torn down, and built up again with a few new parts. Those included a set of scrambler bars borrowed from another bike, a new oil cooler from Omega Racer, and a Brembo front brake upgrade.

A hot-rodded Yamaha SR500 scrambler by Simple Sycles
Joseph ditched the custom exhaust that he’d already installed. In its place is a custom titanium header from DNA Customs, hooked up to a titanium muffler from AM Performance. DNA also whipped up an air intake pipe to match.

Colourfuel gave the tank, fenders, frame and calipers all a fresh lick of paint. All while Joseph nipped and tucked a hundred small things in pursuit of perfection.

A hot-rodded Yamaha SR500 scrambler by Simple Sycles
“I’d like to say this was always the plan and image I had in my head,” he sighs, “but this bike has morphed and changed as my style and skill set has evolved. Mistakes have led to lessons, which have created opportunities for me to create my ultimate bike.”

Joseph’s bought, customized and sold a bunch of bikes since staring on the SR535 (some of which funded this build). He’s finally calling it though—the SR535 is officially done, and up for sale.

A hot-rodded Yamaha SR500 scrambler by Simple Sycles
Somebody please buy it soon, before it gets dragged back into the yard for another round.

Simple Sycles Instagram | Images by Jim Robinson

A hot-rodded Yamaha SR500 scrambler by Simple Sycles

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Benelli BikeExif Custom Bikes of the Week Custom Motorcycles Other Motorcycle Blogs

Custom Bikes Of The Week: 26 August, 2018

The best cafe racers, scramblers and bobbers of the week
A super-fresh Benelli from Malaysia, a Harley cafe racer from Japan, and a Sportster street tracker from Sweden. Plus a wild Indian Scout from a NASA engineer. Enjoy.

Harley Sportster cafe racer by Tetsu Mitsuhashi
Harley Sportster by Tetsu Mitsuhashi After working for years under the scrutinizing eye of Aki Sakamoto of Hog Killers, Tetsu Mitsuhashi has learned the art of an exacting touch. So it’s no surprise that his first build looks as tightly knit as this Sportster cafe racer.

Working from a 2001 XL1200, Tetsu handcrafted everything on this build, save for the engine and the core of the cradle frame. A Dunstall style fairing delivers a slender and stylish bit of aero that to give this Sportster a slimming appearance. That vibe continues with Tetsu’s treatment of the fuel cell, which appears pinched instead of fully scalloped.

Harley Sportster cafe racer by Tetsu Mitsuhashi
The modified subframe sits nice and flat and, thanks to creative relocating of the oil tank to the rear tail hump, delivers excellent use of negative space. A pair of Progressive shocks have been fitted in the rear to help accentuate that cafe stance.

While I’d personally spec a different set of shoes for this bike, I’m a big fan of the overall aesthetic of blacked-out uppers and shiny lowers. Obviously the lacquer goes a long way with that: The paint and powder coating were tackled by Andrew Babish, owner of Orange County’s Paint by Bondo. [More]

Custom Benelli TNT 300 by Beautiful Machines
Benelli TNT 300 by Beautiful Machines When it comes to custom styling trends, SE Asian builders seem to march to the beat of their own drum. We’re constantly amazed by the new concepts and directions they’re exploring—and Arthur Loh and Malaysia’s Beautiful Machines are doing it even better than most.

This latest BM build is this funky take on the cafe racer theme that, and it’s been fabricated as a bolt-on kit: All you need is some basic spanner-spinning know-how, and a spare Benelli TNT 300 in your garage.

Custom Benelli TNT 300 by Beautiful Machines
Of course, creating the bits and pieces that make this transition easy was no walk in the park. The machining and sheet metal work is top notch. The tank is an all-new aluminum unit with its mounting points matched to those of the stock cell.

Aluminum again was bent, hammered and molded to create the neo-retro front fairing, and it’s secured to the tank via custom brackets. In the rear, aluminum was again the alloy of choice for the humped cowl, and the new taillights look absolutely stunning. [More]

Indian Scout Bobber Build-off winner by Alfredo Juarez
Indian Scout Bobber by Alfredo Juarez The results are in from the Indian Scout Bobber Build-Off, and even though the cafe’d version we showed you a few weeks ago didn’t win, we’re not disappointed with the final result. NASA engineer Alfredo Juarez is the man behind the winning machine, with this elegant bit of old-skool chopper work.

Indian Scout Bobber Buildoff winner by Alfredo Juarez
Alfredo describes himself as having an engineer’s brain but an artist’s heart—so form and function are in complete symbiosis with this build. He wanted to showcase that magnificent V-Twin, so he let his grey matter calculate how to make it a stressed member.

Working from scaled drawings, Alfredo grafted a new frame from 1-inch 4130 Chromoly tube and then used drawn-over-mandrel tubing to create that exquisite front end. The Scout’s tank was modified so it would sit just right on the new spine, and a set of scripted badges was fixed in place of the block lettering from the factory.

Indian Scout Bobber Buildoff winner by Alfredo Juarez
With the business of making things work sorted, Alfredo let his heart loose on the ornate detailing. The copper fairing and body panels are all his work—as is that beautiful seat pan, which would be a crime to cover. And is probably as compliant as the stock unit, anyway. Congratulations Alfredo! [More]

Honda XL600R street tracker by the Lloyd Brothers
Honda XL600R by the Lloyd Brothers If you frequent this space, the Lloyd Brothers are no strangers to your lexicon. Their fabrication skills have been helping Ducatis carve grooves in the dirt oval for almost a decade now, and they toyed with street legality last year.

This traffic-dodging tracker is based on a Honda XL600R. It was a father-and-son project when the eldest Lloyd brother, Bill, donated it to younger brother David and his son James. With only 2,700 miles on the clock, the engine was practically new—so most of the attention was turned elsewhere.

Honda XL600R street tracker by the Lloyd Brothers
The wheels, brakes and Pro-Link swing arm have been swapped for units from an ex-racer Aprilia SXV 550. There’s a new subframe from Desmo Pro race team member Rich Lambrects, now topped with a Woods Rotax-inspired tail. Race Tech internals inside GSX-R forks and an R6 shock keep the Honda planted in corners.

The XL600 looks like it was fun to build, and we hope James finds it fun to ride too. We’d love to see the Lloyd Brothers crank out a few more of these trackers for the public, but rumor has it that the next project is a 1968 CB350 for David’s daughter. [More]

Harley Sportster street tracker by Injustice Customs
Harley Sportster street tracker by Injustice Customs You may have noticed that The Motor Company pulled the wraps off another new bike earlier this week. And while the FXDR 114 has a healthy dose of badassery going on, we’d rather see something like this street tracker in their lineup.

It’s a once-stolen Sportster Roadster and Anton Knutsson, the man behind Stockholm’s Injustice Customs, had never wrenched on a Harley before tackling this project. Which is a surprise because he’s absolutely nailed things here. The tweaking of the subframe and snubbing of the fender suit this bike to a T, and do a fantastic job of showcasing the seat.

Harley Sportster street tracker by Injustice Customs
A set of tracker bars sits atop the stock H-D triples but the forks have been reworked with a set of stiffer springs. Out back, Anton went with Öhlins to keep the 19-inch Maxxis DTR-1 hoops planted.

On the aesthetic side of things there are a handful of little gems too. The blued, rainbow finish on the titanium fork stanchions and burnt brass coloring on the calipers are subtle standouts but it’s Anton’s work on the exhaust that seals the deal. Fifty-six joints have been welded together to deliver a beautiful piece of craftsmanship that we’re sure sounds just bonkers. [More]

Harley Sportster street tracker by Injustice Customs