Leatt X-Frame Knee Brace Review

For years I only wore knee pads because I didn't particularly like knee braces and their bulky feel. In fact there are still a few top pros out there racing that swear by only using pads and refuse to wear knee braces. About five years ago I had a friend give me a pair of his used braces that I had refurbished and rode with for a few days. After I gave those knee braces more than a day's worth of riding, I have been wearing braces ever since. In the past I’ve tested many different braces with that other magazine, but never had the chance to try out Leatt’s latest offering, the X-Frame. Leatt offers the braces in sizes small through extra-large as well as offering right and left sides sold individually. They are made from an injected carbon composite and are CE certified as both a medical device as well as impact protection. One cool feature the X-Frame has are the hyper extension limiters (5,10,15, and 20 degrees) that come with the braces just in case you have limitations from previous knee injuries. In addition to the hyper extension limitations, Leatt also has integrated hyper flexion stoppers to limit meniscus injury.  

When it comes to protective gear with a lot of different configurations I’m a simple man, unless somethings bothering me I just leave it be. I am sure many of you out there can relate. So since I don’t have any knee injuries from the past, I never touched the different limiters that come with the braces, although for someone who has knee problems, I can see how it would be a huge advantage. Leatt did their best to keep the brace thin on the sides, so the braces don’t dig into your leg when squeezing the bike and I feel like they did a good job with keeping them comfortable. There were only a couple times that I had some slight irritation on the inside of my knee. That happened when I wore the Leatt knee brace pants incorrectly and had the braces riding on a sewn seem (of the pant) and it slightly dug into my leg. In addition to that, when my knees are in the slightly bent position I feel slight pressure on my knee cap from the knee cup. This isn’t anything painful, but can be slightly annoying after a long ride. In terms of impact protection these braces held up great, I had a few get offs while testing them as well as hitting plenty of trees/shrubbery while riding off-road. I never felt like my knees were vulnerable while wearing these braces and could wear them for a long period of time without too much fuss. When it comes to taking the braces on and off, it seems as though there are a few options. Both sides of the hook and loop straps come apart and can be adjusted. Not to mention the clips on the straps “clip” on and off of the brace. Every time I removed the braces I just left the clips in the braces and un-did the straps, so I got a nice snug fit every time I put them back on. I know this is a first world problem, but the hook and loop straps were VERY grabby when left undone. They would hook onto the other straps and get twisted up as well as attach to everything in my gear bag. This is not really an issue, just more of a tip for you all out there when using the X-Frame's. 

Only a few years ago there were just a few players in the knee brace game, but now thankfully for us consumers, there are multiple high end options on the market like the Leatt X Frame Braces. I would say these braces are at the higher end of the market in terms of quality for being an off the shelf, non “custom fit” brace. Coming in at $449.99 for the pair, they aren’t going to completely break the bank either when compared to some of their competitors. If you’re looking for a quality knee brace that keeps your knees protected from impacts as well as internal injury, go to your local bike shop and try a set on and give them a shot. 

Keefer’s Note: Please be aware that ALL knee braces take some time to get used to. You are not going to strap on your new knee braces, jump on your bike and everything will feel magical. If you have never worn knee braces before it can take up to a few rides to get used to the bulkier feeling (compared to knee guards). -KK

If you have any other questions regarding these braces feel free to shoot me an e-mail at michael@keeferinctesting. 

Fox Vue Goggle Review

Fox has been building and selling goggles for over ten years, but nothing they have brought to production has been this advanced until now. The Vue goggle is the latest model in Fox’s goggle program and is available now. It’s the product of an extensive R&D collaboration with Fox’s Moto-X Lab athlete Ken Roczen and takes over as Fox’s new top-of-the-line goggle. The Vue’s design focuses primarily on maximizing the rider’s field of vision, but it has two other interesting and practical design elements – the dual-material frame construction and a strap-outrigger system that doubles as a locking mechanism for lens removal/replacement. Genius! Fox offers three different colorways of the Vue goggle, the white and black colorway retails for $119.95 and the red for $129.95 (with spark lens). I am huge fan of the Oakley Airbrake goggle and its wide peripheral and easy to change lens system, so when Fox introduced the Vue, I was excited to see how it worked on my face while at the track. 

The dual-density frame construction (with an ABS/nylon outer frame and softer TPU faceplate) allows the goggle to seal to your face shape really well. They do feel rigid when holding them in your hand, but are flexible enough to give the rider comfort and refrains from letting dirt inside the goggle. The triple-layer face foam is soft and wicks away sweat effectively on hotter days, even my heavy sweater tester commented that the Vue’s foam was more effective than his 100% goggles he currently has. No Maxi Pads needed people! The Peripheral Vision is on par with the Oakley Aribrake and Scott Prospect as the Fox Vue’s field of vision is excellent. The Vue goggle fits inside a wide variety of helmets like the Bell Moto 9, Shoei VFX-EVO, 6D ATR-2, Arai VX-Pro4 and of course Fox’s own V-3. The pre-curved injection-molded polycarbonate lens (which is similar to what appears on the Oakley Air Brake goggle) offers two huge benefits: optical clarity and much better protection against roost than conventional Lexan lenses. I have had more than a few Lexan lenses pop out on me when a sizable rock has hit my goggles (while racing in the past).

 With the polycarbonate lens I have had several roost/rock moments and the lens has stayed in tact. The combination of 360-degree ventilation foam and the lens’ anti-fog treatment means the Vue goggle resists fogging much better than most other goggles I have tried with a single-layer lens. As much as I love the Oakley Airbrake goggle they do have a problem with fogging on colder days. I have tested the Vue goggle in lower 30 degree Fahrenheit temps and the lens will not fog. Boom! I have heard that Fox will be coming out with a dual-layer lens soon for you die hard, east coast, cold weather riders. Changing out the lens is easy to do by popping the outriggers off of the frame then popping the lens off its four posts. However, if I am nitpicking, which is what I do best, I would say that the Oakley Airbrake is easier to change lenses out by a hair. The Vue lenses, to me, are easier to change out than the Prospect by the same margin. Another benefit of a pre-curved polycarbonate lens is when you stack a pack of seven tear offs on the Vue goggle, the clarity stays in tact once installed. The Vue goggle clear replacement lenses are slightly less expensive than the Oakley Aribrake at $19.99 and are the same price as a Prospect replacement lens. 

If you're looking for a great wide peripheral goggle, I think the Fox Vue is a great goggle at getting comfort, vision, clarity and sweat absorption. You can check the goggle out over at foxracing.com and purchase a set over at rockymountianatvmc.com. 

Now, I already know what you guys are about to email me! “Kris, what if I wear Fly or Thor gear? Can I wear these goggles with other branded gear companies”? Ehhhhh boy…I created a monster! Yes, go ahead and wear the Fox Vue goggle with your Fly gear! The Vue goggle is good enough to mix and match, but just make sure your pant, jersey and gloves match though ok? -KK

Leatt GPX 6.5 V-16 Carbon Helmet

After testing and really coming to enjoy the Leatt GPX 4.5 gear I was excited to try their GPX 6.5 carbon helmet. For starters, who doesn’t like getting a new helmet and on top of that, it’s a helmet that matched my gear. Leatt has integrated their 360 degree Turbine Technology into this ECE and DOT certified helmet to try and limit injury from rotational forces.

The first thing I noticed when viewing the Leatt was its small shell size. It almost reminds me of a full face mountain bike helmet. The reasoning for the smaller shell is simple; the less mass the helmet has, the less force is transferred to your head. Obviously there is a fine line between cushion and mass, but Leatt feels that their smaller shell is safer. One of the reasons that the shell can be so small is because the V-shaped impact foam is molded directly to the shell. The small turbine structures used in the helmet are designed to deform or collapse when forces reach a certain point, to help cushion the blow to the riders head. 

Fortunately I never got the chance to really test out ALL the safety technology Leatt put into this helmet since I didn’t have a bad crash while wearing it, but here’s what I can tell you. The helmet is small and very light, which is nice because it doesn’t make you feel like a bobble head. I noticed the smaller shell instantly because I had to adjust my goggle strap tighter than I do with most other helmets I have in my rotation. Speaking of goggles, this is where I had my biggest complaint. The eye port/nose guard of the Leatt helmet was barely large enough to fit the array of goggles I use. The Blur magnetic goggles were tight in the eye port and had to be somewhat pushed into place in order to seal to my face. Any wide peripheral goggle like the Scott Prospect and Oakley Airbrake never really sealed well enough to keep dirt/roost out. For riders wearing smaller framed goggles like EKS Brand, 100 percent Accuri and Scott Recoil this wasn’t an issue. The helmet liner/cheek pads were comfortable, snapped in nicely, and after multiple washings didn’t show any signs of wear. One cool (pun intended) feature of the Leatt is the ventilation. This is the best ventilated helmet I’ve worn in quite some time.  Another feature I absolutely love on the V-16 is the hydration hose clip which is built in the chin bar. Instead of having to use a hook and loop strap, or drill holes and zip tie your hydration hose, you can just snap it into the chin bar. 

After riding with the V-16 for quite sometime, I can say I am pleased with the light weight feeling it gives when being worn. On top of that, since I’m an off-road guy I have to say I love the hose clip as well as the excellent venting the helmet offers. On the negative side I don’t think the V-16 is very aesthetically pleasing in my personal opinion. I feel like the small shell gives the helmet a very awkward, small and un-natural look (this could be partially due to my giraffe like neck). The smaller goggle port also makes it tough to find the appropriate goggle to fit inside the Leatt lid. In terms of functionality and safety I have no problem saying that the Leatt is a high quality helmet that has a lot of thought and technology put into it. With a retail price of $599.99 it is in the range of most premium high end helmets, but can you really put a price on keeping your head safe?  -Michael Allen

If you have any questions about this test please feel free to email me at michael@keeferinctesting.com. 

6D ATR-2 Helmet Review

It’s hard to write about something, that in some cases, can’t be fully tested until shit goes wrong. In the world of helmet safety, we as buyers have to be very trustworthy customers. I mean…We have no choice but to be right? We have to trust in what the helmet company is telling us (about their latest safety technology offerings) is in fact the truth and works in real world conditions, just like the test results say back at the testing facility. The only way to truly know if the helmet “works” or not is to crash and that is something that riders usually aren't looking to do. However, when it does come time to test the safety aspect of the helmet, it better damn well work and be what we paid for. I have worn and trusted in the 6D technology for quite sometime now and even spent my own money on a few helmets for my kid and I. 6D introduced their latest off-road helmet, the ATR-2 and I have had some time on it now to fill you in on what it’s like to ride with.  

 The 6D ATR-2 off-road helmet uses Advanced ODS technology. The ATR-2 is an evolved version of the company’s signature Omni-Directional Suspension system (ODS). The updates have been heavily influenced by the work 6D has done inside the NFL’s Head Health Challenge III Contest, in which 6D and testing partner Dynamic Research Inc. were selected as the Grand Prize Winner. What’s that mean to us off-roaders? It doesn't mean 6D is going to be switching gears and producing helmets for the NFL, but it means that they will have some extra funding now to further progress helmet safety for us dirt bike goers out there. All great news! 

The ATR-2’s Advanced ODS is highlighted by a new Expanded Polypropylene (EPP) multi-impact outer liner and a new Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) replaceable inner liner. Just like on the ATR-1, the two liners are connected via a series of elastomeric isolation dampers, assisting in progressive loading of the ODS system during impacts. Now, however, many of those ATR-1 dampers have been replaced by damping towers that are incorporated into only the outer liner; these towers are capped by newly updated, low-friction disks that slide freely against the inner liner, thus reducing friction under loading and increasing the displacement travel between the two liners. Make sense? Ok, good! 

With this new Advanced ODS system in place, the ATR-2 is said to offer improved performance in both linear and angular acceleration mitigation, and at the same time can be made easily rebuildable for a longer service life. In addition to Advanced ODS, the ATR-2 features a number of other updates aimed at improving safety: A structural Brow Rib strengthens the upper eyeport area, while a special designed Cervical Protection Zone works to protect the rider in the event that the helmet is pushed down and back into the neck and spine during an accident. Safety features that have carried over from the ATR-1 include a clavicle cutaway, sternum pad, shear-away visor screws, and emergency removable cheekpads. This is not an ATR-1 with a new name. The ATR-2 is truly unique. 

I usually wear a size medium in almost every helmet, but with standard cheek pads installed inside the ATR-2, it does feel a little loose against the cheeks (side to side). For most other medium wearing helmet riders that I let try on the ATR-2 helmet, they thought it was fine, but I go with a thicker 55mm cheek pad and the fit is great for my round shaped head. If you feel like you need to tighten the space in your ATR-2 try going one size up in cheek pads. The Genuine Dri-Lex liner of the ATR-2 feels slightly softer than the old ATR-1 and is not as harsh against my sensitive face. For guys that grow the beard out and love to moto, this is especially nice as it doesn't irritate your skin. When riding back to back with the ATR-1 and ATR-2 there were a few things that I felt were a noticeable improvement immediately on the ATR-2.

1. The shorter visor. Yes, this is an aesthetic thing, but also safer in case of crash. I feel like it makes the helmet look more attractive as well. Yes, I also care about looks! Sue me! 
2. I can feel a significant lighter feel with the ATR-2. The ATR-2 is only a 100 grams lighter on paper, but feels much lighter than that when riding. 
3. The chin bar/nose area of the ATR-2 is closer to your face, but not so close that you big nose riders out there will start to feel cramped. If you are familiar with the Arai VX Pro-4 you know that it sits close to your nose, but the 6D ATR-2’s nose area sits slightly further away than its competitor. This allows more room for multiple brands of goggle frames, doesn't allow for a ton of roost in side your helmet and also gives you the sensation that your helmet isn't sticking out like a duck bill. 

The ATR-2 sits down on my head correctly and conforms comfortably. Some helmets come too far down on the forehead and that prevents my goggles from sitting in the eye port correctly, but the 6D does not do this. The eye port is huge on the ATR-2, which I love for peripheral vision and awareness when I race. The 6D ATR-2 is still a “loud” helmet when comparing it to others, but this is something I have grown accustomed to when wearing it more. The Genuine Dri-Lex liner wicks away sweat well and dries fairly quickly. The nine intake ports and six exhaust ports ventilate my head extremely well (even better than the old ATR-1, that incorporated eight intake ports and four exhaust ports). I have worn and tested a lot of helmets and the 6D ATR-2 feels like it vents better than any other helmet I have used. Taking the liner out, washing it and putting it back in is not a nightmare and snaps in easily. The ATR-2 is neck brace friendly and is just fine when using in conjunction with an Atlas or Leatt brace. 

If you’re still  a fan of the ATR-1, don’t worry, it is still available and has a lower cost of $525.00. The new 6D ATR-2 will set you back $695.00 and to me is worth the extra cost. After I got my concussion (a couple years ago) I am big on safety features of off-road helmets and to me you will be hard pressed to find anyone else in the off-road world as passionate as 6D is. Like I have said in my previous podcasts, “we all should dress for the crash and not the ride”. 

The ATR-2 is available in three shell sizes covering a size range from XS to XXL and comes with a three-year limited warranty. The ATR-2 exceeds DOT, ECE, AC and ASTM standards.There are several color combos to match up with whatever gear you're wearing and most are available now. You can view the ATR-2 and ATR-1 at 6dhelmets.com.

Vemar Taku Helmet

When asked by Kris to try the new Vemar Taku helmet, I was happy to give it some of that honest Keefer Inc. Testing feedback. While I do not “write” a ton, I do “ride” a lot and have purchased many helmets over my 15 plus years that I have been riding dirt bikes. Vemar has been in the helmet market since 1987, but I have never worn one myself until now. I have been a Bell, Shoei, Arai and 6D owner, but never a Vemar. I did learn through this time testing the Vemar Taku that the company was was one of the first helmet manufacturers to use Kevlar carbon and multi-composite materials in off-road helmet construction. Although Vemar isn't new to the helmet market, they are not as well known here in the states as they are in Europe. Known mainly for their premium VR-X9, Vemar brought in the Taku, which is a new, lower price point helmet to their lineup.

Upon arrival of the Vemar Taku helmet I didn’t really know what to expect, as Vemar is not as well known in the states as let’s say Bell or Shoei. We do know Vemar already has a premium helmet to their name and I was anxious to see what Vemar had to offer in the lower price point realm. To my surprise when I pulled the Taku out of the box I noticed its distinct euro style. As soon as you look at this helmet you can tell it is an Italian born lid, as most European helmets have very sharp lines and more of a squared off look compared to the traditional round look of many helmets. After picking up the Taku you notice how light it feels once you pick up and put it on your head. Vemar claims 3.1 pounds for the medium shell size I received and that weight was true on the scale. The Taku helmet is DOT approved, meets the ECE standard (which is the European version of the USA DOT standard), but is not Snell approved. The Taku is constructed with a R-3P shell with reinforced thermo-polymers offered in six sizes ranging from XS through XXL. Vemar also offers a five year manufacturer warranty on their helmets, but this warranty is from the manufacturer date not date of purchase. The Taku does offer a great ventilation with their VKS (Vemar Klima System) with intake ports above the goggle frame, along with two upper vents and one chin intake vent to help pull the cool air into the helmet. To aid in extracting the air, Vemar uses what they call their hot air exhaust system, which works in conjunction with their VKS vents to help pull hot air from the helmet. Vemar offers the Taku in six different designs and color ways, so you have plenty of options to help you look your best at the track. The Taku has removable cheek pads and an inner liner that are completely replaceable/washable.

When you first slide the Taku helmet on your head you do notice that the inner liner is very plush and feels good on your face. The Taku is more of a mid-oval shape and gives you more room front to back than ear to ear. Like I mentioned earlier, the Taku does feel as light as the scale says (when riding with it) and that is a very good trait to have especially during a longer off-road race. Some helmets feel great right away with little to no break in, but the Taku is not one of those helmets. The first 15-20 minutes of ride time the Taku felt as if it didn’t conform to my head as quickly as others, but the more time I spent with it, the better it started to feel. With intake vents above the goggle frame and two upper intake vents on top of the helmet it definitely keeps the fresh air circulating through the helmet. I am normally a heavy sweater, so ventilation is important to me when racing longer GP style events. I had no issues with ventilation with the Taku, but this can be a catch 22, since the Taku has no way of blocking off the vents. Even though I would never block off the vents living here in California, I can see this being a drag for you east coast riders, on very cold days where your head will get a little chilly. I do notice that more sound (similar to a 6D ATR-1) does gets through the Taku compared to a Bell or Shoei, so you may want to consider ear plugs if it is too bothersome. I had some issues with the eye port while wearing larger framed goggles like an Oakley AirBrake and Scott Prospect. You really had to take your time and work the goggle in to find that sweet spot for proper sealing. The Taku is neck brace friendly and works well with the Leatt GPX-5.5 and Atlas neck braces. When used with these neck braces I had no movement issues while riding, had normal range of motion and the Taku never obscured my line of sight while looking far enough forward down the trail. The Taku has a long visor, which did take a couple laps to get used to, but offers great protection from roost and helps with the sun on evening motos.

 No, I haven’t taken a spill in the Taku yet (knock on wood), but I do feel safe enough when riding with it. Yes, I do have some gripes with this helmet, mostly having a smaller eye port area and a longer than normal break in time, but to me Vemar did a very good job building a lower price point helmet that is fairly comfortable. The ventilation is a strong point; flowing more air than some premium helmets I have worn in the past, it's light, is compatible with neck braces and has a 5 year manufacturer warranty. In my opinion you are getting a great value for an entry level helmet. For the rider on a budget or if you're new to the sport, this could be a good option, if cost is an issue. Head over to vermarhelmets.net to view all the models. -Matt Sirevaag (Pay For My Own Stuff, Blue Collar Electrician, 9-5'er)

Thor Sentinel GP Roost Deflector Product Review

I haven't been on the chest/roost protector bandwagon since I was 18 years old. My dad used to make me wear one when I was young, but once I turned 18 and I started paying my own way to race, I thought I would try not wearing one at the track. Well.... That turned into not ever wearing a chest protector because I got used to all the freedom I had on the bike by not wearing one. Throughout my professional career I didn't wear any chest protection and luckily for me the difference of not having one on never came into play. I would occasionally wear something under my jersey to protect my chest from roost when I raced, but if the dirt was soft enough, I would just raw dog it for the most part. Fast forward to 2018 where my own son now sits and asks me, “Dad, how come you don’t wear a chest protector and I always have to when I ride”? Crap, that little sucker got me! I really had no answer for him. So in order set an example for my kid and try to promote better safety, I went searching to get back on the chest protector bandwagon and now I find myself here. 

 I can tell you that I have tested a lot of chest/roost protectors over the course of 15 years with Dirt Rider, but I recently only came across a couple that I could actually live/ride with. The Thor Sentinel GP Roost Deflector comes in six different colors, three size options and will cost you $129.95. The Thor Sentinel is a lightweight certified stone shield that is constructed with energy dispersing molded panels and is a level 1 back protector constructed to reduce impact energy transmission. The Sentinel has an adjustable elastic torso strap with a ratcheting buckle closure that comes with strategically placed ventilation ports for maximum cooling. Its chassis has a soft liner molded for maximum comfort and also supports a back strap kit (just in case you want to remove the back panel) and ID panel that is sold separately. The Sentinel stone shield is tested and certified according to European Standard and the back protector is also tested and certified according to the European Standard. 

Note: Stand by for the AMA to step in at some point and require all AMA sanctioned events to have some sort of standardized chest/back protection rule in place soon.  

Sizing is true to form as I wear a size medium/large in the Sentinel, which is normal for my 170 pound 6’0 frame. I wasn't all that excited (on the inside) about setting a good safety example for my kid, but once I slipped the Sentinel on over my jersey, I started to re-think my fatherly decision. The Sentinel hugs your body and wraps around just enough to where it feels like it’s a part of your body. I was also impressed by the lightweight feel of the Sentinel and that it had enough ventilation for me not to bake out in the desert heat. I love that it has a ratchet style closure system and not a clip on style system as well. With the ratchet style system I can really feel the closure system start to hug around my torso and the Sentinel doesn't flop around on my body while riding. The soft shoulder pads don't do much for protection, but in this case for me, I do not mind the lack of plastic protection up on the tops of my shoulders. The downside to the soft shoulder foam padding is that it can rub the skin around your neck a little raw. If the collar of your jersey doesn't go up far enough around the neck area it can be bothersome. Although I didn’t have this problem on my Sentinel, my chest protection, pot-stirring son Aden did get a little chafing around the neck (from the foam padding moving across his skin). The Thor protector also is neck brace friendly as it accepts the Leatt and Atlas braces that I had on hand to test with the Sentinel. 

There are only two things that can get me to wear a chest protector. One is my son telling me he wants me to be safer and the other is the chest protector has to be very, very comfortable. It can’t hinder my movement on the bike and must be cool enough to where I am not hot as hell when riding. The Sentinel checked all those boxes for me, but it took me a while to find a chest protector that fit my way of moving around on the bike. I figured I would pass on the information to all of you about how comfortable the Thor Sentinel GP Roost Protector is and how I have come to really enjoy wearing this when I ride. Yes, even when I wear other sets of gear besides Thor, you will now know that there could be a Thor Sentinel GP Roost Deflector under my jersey. Yes, it can be worn under the jersey as well so you don't have to worry about mix matching while riding. You’re safe! You can buy some Thor gear (Prime Fit is my favorite out of what Thor offers) and wear the Sentinel over the jersey like me or if you’re wearing another brand of gear you can wear it under. 

Thanks Aden for bugging me enough to wear some protection. Your dad is getting up there in years and I guess I need to start dressing for the crash and not the ride. Thanks Thor for making a nice chest protector that isn't bulky and protects me well. You can check the Sentinel out at www.thormx.com. 

If you have any questions about this test feel free to email me at kris@keeferinctesting.com 

Leatt GPX 4.5 Pant, GPX 4.5 Lite Jersey And GPX 2.5 X-Flow Gloves

Leatt may be known mostly for their groundbreaking neck brace invention that changed the way most people think about rider/neck safety, but in the past couple years their off-road riding gear has been making a name of its own. We recently received a box full of Leatt protection pieces, including knee brace pants, knee braces, a helmet and some gear. Stay tuned for reviews on the other Leatt products, but for now let’s talk gear. Leatt sent us a 4.5 pant, 4.5 lite jersey and the 2.5 X-Flow glove to test, so we obliged and put it through some wear and tear. Being that California hasn't experienced winter yet this year I was just fine with testing a more lightweight, vented gear set in mid-January. Don't be jealous Minnesota peeps! 

When it comes to jerseys, I feel as though they can be over priced at times, but the GPX 4.5 Lite jersey comes in at only $39.99, which doesn’t hit the wallet too hard. Don’t let the fact that the 4.5 gear is Leatt’s price point (AKA less money) gear scare you away, the jersey is nicer than some other companies high end jerseys that we have tried in the past. The Leatt 4.5 jersey is made from Moisturecool 3D stretch material and isn’t just a baggy one size fits no one fit. In fact the fit is what I normally like in a jersey. It has a precise athletic fit, but not so tight that it looks like I’m in a skin suit skiing down a mountain. The cuffs have a slightly stretchy material, so they don't ride up too high on your arm, but at the same time won’t cut off your circulation. Being that it’s a “Lite” jersey, it has excellent ventilation. That being said, it has such great airflow, that on chillier mornings, I found myself wearing a vest (yes I’m an off-road guy) until the temperature came up, so be forewarned. The overall stitching has held up well, but the material of the jersey tends to fray after being snagged on a few bushes (think creosote bushes). Other than the little fray points, I feel like the 4.5 Lite jersey is high quality for a fair price. 

The GPX 4.5 pant, like the jersey, is Leatt’s price point pant at $119.99, but again don’t let the term “price point” fool you. The knee area of the 4.5 pant, which tends to be most riders weak point on pants, uses an Amara material. This material is soft and semi-stretchy, but still durable and so far has held up excellent to my knee braces, especially with how much I squeeze the bike with my knees. The 4.5 pant is somewhat like the jersey in that it’s a fairly lightweight construction and has quite a bit of venting, which results in a very breathable pant. The pant has held up to bushes and the occasional tree branch, with no rips. The zipper is smooth, hasn’t gotten stuck and also comes with a hook and loop strap, which keeps the pants closed at the top of the zipper (this comes in handy after lunch time). The main closure on the pants is the ratchet style system Leatt incorporates, which has worked flawlessly. There is also elastic inside the waistband that helps keep the pants snug along with silicone (like on the backs of goggle straps) on the inside of the waist band.  The fit of the pant is true to size, is very comfortable to wear and for the price is a great product.

When it comes to gloves a lot of riders are like Goldilocks “these are too soft, these are too hard, these are too bulky, these are too thin", but in my opinion the $29.99 Leatt GPX 2.5 X-Flow glove is like wearing heaven on your hand (if you can imagine what heaven would feel like). Although some people would complain about it being too minimal, I LOVE the 2.5! Yes it’s thin and its intended purpose is not to protect you from branches or roost (I use handguards so I don’t care). It contours to my hand perfectly in all the right places, doesn’t bunch and oh man is the palm material great. The material in the palm is called MicronGrip and it feels like a very soft, smooth, slightly stretchy leather. My ONLY complaint about the glove is that the stitching can be weak when putting the glove on that is typical of minimalistic gloves. Almost every minimalistic glove does the same thing. These gloves are meant for performance and comfort, not durability. You can choose between Leatt's other model gloves if you want a little more durability, but if you want comfort look no further. If you have a bad habit (like I do) of pulling hard on the glove where the wrist elastic meets the palm material you might go through these faster than the riders that do not do that. After more than several riding days the stitching gave out and the elastic separated from the palm, but just to show you how much I like the gloves, I kept wearing them even with the tear because it didn’t really bother me when I was riding. If Leatt can beef up their stitching in this area a little and maybe put a little pull tab on the end of the palm, it would be a flawless minimalistic glove.  

After many days on the track and trail, I have to say I’m very pleased with the quality of the Leatt “price point” gear. Other than some bushwhacking that I have done and the glove separation, I feel like this is a set of gear I would love to purchase for myself to ride on long warmer days. Although I will say that for riders who strictly ride off-road, this gear my not be for you because the more you go through shrubbery the more frays and snags you might begin to see. For the guy that motos 70 percent of the time, rides off-road 30 percent of the time, the Leatt 4.5 pant/jersey and 2.5 X-Flow gloves are something seriously to consider. -Michael Allen 

If you have any questions about the Leatt 4.5 pant, 4.5 Lite jersey or the 2.5 X-Flow gloves, please feel free to email me at michael@keeferinctesting.com 

Alpinestars A-4 Chest Protector

Since I’m the resident “off-road” guy at Keefer Inc. it's only appropriate that I am also an avid chest protector wearer. Ever since I was a little guy I’ve worn chest protectors. Everything from the crop top looking JT of the 80’s, to the knight in shining armor bulky Thor of the 90’s. I’ve worn them all so I know what I like and don’t like. My current chest protector was showing signs of age, so Keefer mentioned that he had tried the Alpinestars A-1 roost guard and he was impressed. I looked more into the Alpinestars product line and came across the A-4. When it comes to chest protectors I’m a bit picky in terms of fit, comfort, and compatibility with over/under jersey wearing, as well as being able to use a hydration pack. 

In terms of fit, the strapping system was pretty straight forward. There is a wide Velcro strap on each side that comes from the back and wraps around your side, giving you a nice hugging sensation. Once those are strapped there is an elastic strap on each side that clips onto the front of the chest pro and keeps everything in place. Something I wasn’t a huge fan of was the long back plate on the A-4. It felt excessively long and went down too far near my rear end. When worn over the jersey this wasn’t a huge deal (although in my opinion it still looks too long), but when worn under the jersey, the end of the chest pro was below my pant line, which caused a weird bunching when riding. When it comes to comfort (over the jersey) the A-4 is extremely comfortable and not bothersome. The A-4 feels like you’re being hugged in a good way and not too restrictive to my riding technique. There are no pressure points or uncomfortable areas when I’m moving around on the bike, which is important to me. The A-4 does not come with upper arm protectors and for me that’s just fine because I find them cumbersome. I end up always removing them on chest protectors anyway that come with them. One thing I think the A-4 could benefit from is a little bit of plastic protection  on the shoulders. There are thin foam pads over the shoulders, which in most cases is fine, but I think a little added protection in that area would be a plus. That being said, when wearing a hydration pack, sometimes plastic shoulder protection can cause your hydration pack straps to bunch up and become uncomfortable, that’s not the case with the A-4. When wearing a hydration pack it feels very comfortable and feels like it’s part of the chest protector because the straps can lay flat over the foam shoulder pads. 

After logging many miles with the A-4 both on the track as well as on the trail, I’m very happy with the overall performance and it has now become my go to chest protector. Although it’s advertised as an over or under the jersey protector, for me it’s much better when worn over the jersey. If you’re a diehard under the jersey guy, Alpinestars makes the A-1 which is more minimal (and Keefer’s favorite under protector). If you feel like you want added protection they make the A-10 which is a full chest protector. On top of that they also make a full line of other armor protection as well. Another perk to buying Alpinestars protection is that it doesn’t matter if you mix it with other gear brands because they are one of the few companies that are given a pardon when being worn with other gear brands. This means you don’t have to be worried about having “clashing gear” out on the trail (if you care about that kind of thing). At $179.95 it may not be the cheapest, but if you’re in the market for a new chest protector, give Alpinestars a look. They most likely have something that will fit your needs no matter how much protection your riding style requires. -Michael Allen

Blur Optics B-50 Goggle Product Review

I’m always excited to try new products when it comes to testing, especially when it’s a product that some people laugh at or may write off before even trying it. When I first heard I’d be testing a goggle that had a magnetic lens I too had some questions, but after several rides I have the answers to your questions that you may be asking to yourself. The B-50 is Blur’s highest price point goggle with an MSRP of $89.99, which admittedly seems like a lot since Blur has been more known for selling a lower price point, budget goggle. However, don’t judge a book by its cover; the B-50 has become my go to goggle in my assortment of goggle choices. 

Tiny yet powerful magnets hold the lens in place. Yes, it's strong. 

Starting with the frame, the B-50 gives you a fairly large field of vision since it doesn’t need to have a tall frame for the lens to sit in. The vents on the top and bottom of the goggle breathe very well, and even though I had some no fog cloth on hand, it never caused any fogging issues, even on colder days, doing longer moto’s or trail rides. The foam fit my normal sized nose nicely, sealed to my face well, and fit great inside of 6-D helmet that I wear most of the time. We did also fit the goggle inside of a Shoei VFX-EVO, Arai VX-Pro4, Fox V4, Bell Moto 9 and Suomy with no fitment issues. Admittedly I’m a bit of a sweater and when the goggles were new the foam didn’t absorb my heavy sweating very well. I had a few drips fall into my eyes at the beginning of the test, but for reasons unknown to me the more I rode with the goggles, the better the foam seemed to break in and soaked up my perspiration adequately. One of the many upsides of the B-50 is since the lens pulls right off, I was able to wash my goggles with the rest of my gear, and re-use the same lens after washing without much fuss. The adjustable strap is nothing fancy, but does the job well and always stays in place with the silicone grippers. 

Let’s get to the part that everyone wants to know, does the lens fall out easily? No, I never had a lens come off unintentionally. I’ve had some small crashes (not head bangers), been roosted by Keefer lap after lap (when he’s lapping me), and taken many bushes to the goggles and have yet to have any issues. As far as I’m concerned, if you have a lens pop off, you have other issues……like how you’re getting back to the truck or how much your hospital bill is going to be. Not your goggle lens. Does it seal to the frame? Yes, the magnets are very strong, and the lip of the frame has not let anymore dust into the goggle than any other goggle on the market that I have tested. Does the lens rip off when you pull a tear-off? No, I’ve gone through traditional tear-offs as well as the laminated packs, and the lens never budged. Since the lens is so large, they all come with a mud flap at the top (that is out of the viewing area), to put the tear offs under so nothing gets between your tear-offs and lens. One downside is Blur does not offer a roll-off style system yet, so all you east coast mud-boggers may want to take that into consideration before making the purchase. 

Not shocking, the lenses are hands down easier to change than any other goggle on the market, it really is that simple, just pull on the tab, and they come off from the bottom right corner. Being that they are so easy to change the B-50 makes the need to have 3 sets of goggles (one with each style lens) null and void. For example, you're going on a long trail ride and start the day off with a smoke or tinted lens and then the sun start dipping behind the mountains. Most of us off-road guys have been there right? Instead of having to take your goggles off (in order to see) to get back to the truck simply take an extra clear lens with you (in your fanny pack) and pop it in! Boom! Clear vision and goggles on all the way back to the pits! Lenses are obviously more expensive than standard lenses at $29.99 each, but unlike other high end goggle manufacturers, whose lens prices vary from $25.00 for clear, to $95.00 for special lenses, the B-50 lenses are all the same price. So if you have to be the “cool” guy and have the name brand popular goggles that’s fine. However if you’re open minded and want to try a really cool, innovative product, I highly recommend you give the Blur B-50 goggles a try. From easy lens changes to an easily washable frame, Blur seems to be trying to add more of a high end google to their line up and to me it’s not only a great idea, but a great goggle to wear as well. You can go to bluroptics.com to check out the complete line up that they have to offer. -Michael Allen  

If you have any questions about this test please feel free to email me at michael@keeferinctesting.com

Shoei VFX-EVO Product Review

It’s been nine years since Shoei came out with a new/updated off-road helmet! Nine years! Shoei’s new VFX-EVO is their latest DOT and Snell approved off-road helmet that pays tribute to its VFX-W predecessor while updating some styling and incorporating a rotational-impact-protection system that Shoei calls "Motion Energy Distribution System" (M.E.D.S.). Other helmet companies have implemented a similar system, known as "Multi-directional Impact Protection System" (MIPS), so it’s interesting to see helmet technology moving in this direction, though each helmet manufacturer has its own way of marketing it.

This is Shoei’s first helmet to feature this technology. The design uses a new two-piece EPS liner that reportedly doesn’t negatively affect overall weight, fit, or the impact absorption capability of the helmet. A fixed outer layer and an inner layer are anchored together by a center column that swings in the event of an impact, crushing surrounding perimeter columns to absorb energy. Shoei claims the system offers a 15 percent reduction in rotational forces to the brain. Plush materials are used in the lower areas of the cheek pads and, as with several full-face models, this helmet features E.Q.R.S (Emergency Quick Release System) pull tabs to easily and safely remove the helmet from the head of an injured rider. 

When comparing the EVO helmet with the VFX-W you can feel the weight difference when putting the helmet on your head. The EVO feels slightly lighter and the shell of the EVO seems to have slightly more flex near the chin bar than the VFX-W. To me this a good thing as the older VFX-W shell is one of the hardest of all off-road shell types. A little flex is good in a helmet as you want it to absorb big impacts. If you push on your personal helmet, you can see it will have some flex. This is normal and that doesn't necessarily mean the helmet is less protective. The inside liner and cheek pads have much more of a comfortable feel and the coarse feeling cheek pads of the VFX-W is now gone. The Shoei VFX-EVO has more of a pillow/plush feeling against my cheeks (almost Arai VX-Pro4 like). Although I don’t sweat a lot, the EVO’s liner wicks away sweat more than the VFX-W liner. When testing the EVO and VFX-W back to back you can tell there is much less moisture in the EVO compared to the VFX-W. The eye port is the same size as the VFX-W, but the ventilation of the helmet is much better with sixteen intake and exhaust ports throughout the helmet. The mouthpiece has increased airflow and is the first thing you’ll notice (that is improved) when riding with the EVO. 

The overall shape is close to the VFX-W, but with added lines throughout the helmet. Shell-integrated goggle channel forms a perfect goggle retention system that will not leave you with that goon style “Ronnie Mac” goggle strap. When you put the EVO on you will notice it does hang down low at the rear of the helmet, which can leave some neckbrace wearing riders with less movement of the head. Even though I do not wear a neckbrace I know some of you may wear one so I tried a few on. I tried on an Alpinestars, Leatt and Atlas and noticed the EVO has less rotational movement with the neckbraces on than a Bell or an Arai. If you are not a neck brace type of rider than you will not notice any of this. 

After wearing the Shoei VFX-EVO for some time, I have come to the conclusion that it’s one of the most comfortable helmets available on the market today. I can’t speak much for the safety features first hand as I haven't tested that yet, but I am confident in Shoei’s new proprietary M.E.D.S. technology just like I am the MIPS or ODS technology. There are few helmets that I trust on my head and the Shoei VFX-EVO is one of those helmets. The Zinger TC-2 shown has an MSRP of $719.00, but an all white or black EVO is $539.00. The EVO is available now at your local dealer or you can check out the full line over at shoei-helmets.com.

If you have any questions about this test please feel free to contact me at kris@keeferinctesting.com 

2017 Favorites

The holiday season is upon us and 2017 is almost a thing of the past. When I am at the track I often get asked what are some of my favorite things I have tested and used for 2017? Although this is tough to narrow down because I have tested so many great things throughout the year, I wanted to compile a list of some of the most memorable bikes, parts, gear and accessories that I either wanted to keep in my garage or I would purchase myself. Here is part one in no particular order. 

2017 KTM 450SX-F Factory Edition: I liked it so much that I got heat from Matthes on if I was going to turn full orange brigade. I chose to race the 2017 KTM 450SX-F Factory Edition at Loretta’s and became a fan of its smooth roll on engine character, an air fork I could live with and a chassis that loves hard pack square edge tracks. Although I struggled at Loretta’s, I learned a lot about the bike and what its advantages and disadvantages were. It was reliable (for the most part) and I enjoyed my time on it on thoroughly. One of the top three bikes for me in 2017. 

2017 Yamaha YZ450F: You knew this was coming. No, it’s not the sharpest handling 450 machine out on the market, nor is it the lightest of them, but the Yamaha is stable, has an incredible engine (that is exciting) and suspension comfort every other manufacturer should try and emulate. Did I mention it was reliable? Yes, that too! 

Arai VX-Pro4: One of the most comfortable helmets you can put on your head. The inside of an Arai VX-Pro4 is like wrapping a soft, cozy pillow around your brain bucket. The round shape of the shell fits my head well and I appreciate some of the colorways Arai offers. The Arai VX-Pro4 has been around a while, but they have updated the helmet and gave us long nose riders more room near the chin bar now which is a welcomed site. The helmet has ventilation you can open or close and an eye port big enough for wide peripheral goggles.  

FAAST Company Spoke Torque Wrench: The most important tool I have in my track toolbox is this Faast Company spoke torque wrench. This spoke torque wrench comes pre-set at 48 inch pounds, but can be adjusted to  your specification anywhere from 10-100 inch pounds, select your own torque or use Faast Company’s recommendation for your application. Simply tighten the spoke until you hear and feel a click, and you know the spoke is adjusted to the correct amount of tension providing you an even pull over your whole wheel for exceptional strength. Dumb ass proof! Just the way I like it! 

Oakley Airbrake Goggles: Expensive, but there is no other goggle that is as comfortable on your face as the Oakley Airbrake. Most average consumers would not want to purchase a $160.00 rigid frame goggle and I understand that. I am simply putting the Oakley Airbrake goggles in here because they are the goggle I look to when I get geared up. A wide peripheral goggle with a lens changing system that literally takes 10 seconds, foam that is not only plush but soaks up sweat well and laminated tear offs that do not distort your vision when you stack 14 or more on!  

CTi Knee Braces: After all these years riding a dirt bike and I finally got a pair of CTi knee braces this year. CTi knee braces are custom fitted to your legs and are second to none in quality. The carbon frames are super lightweight when putting them on and the rotating knee cup system is smooth and never gets hung up inside your pants. They mold onto your legs and almost feel like they are not on at times. When it comes to protection of the knees, these braces set the standard for others to follow. 

Works Connection Elite Clutch Perch/Lever: You want a buttery smooth feeling clutch pull? You have come to right place. The Works Connection Elite Clutch Perch/Lever has been around for years, but never gets old when you put one on your machine. Whether you have a brand new 2018 or you got your old 2004 two-stroke sitting in the garage, the WC Elite Perch/Lever makes your clutch pull feel like new. The adjustment wheel is big enough that you can adjust on the fly and the detent pressure is set to just the right amount of pressure to make it easy to spin in the air. 

Alpinestars Tech 10: I ride with a lot of different brands of boots, but the Tech 10 has been a staple for me and my size 10 feet for quite sometime. The Tech 10 boots are very comfortable on hard landings and have an incredible soft feeling sole. The shock absorbing quality of these boots are second to none and as I get older I appreciate this more. My ankles and feet have never been sore after a long day of riding and the Tech 10 boots have me feeling secure and locked in on the bike. The Tech 10’s weigh in at roughly 10 pounds and while they are not the lightest boot on the market, the protection I do feel on the track is so good I am willing to overlook the heavier feeling I get at times. As you can see these are a fairly worn pair of Tech 10s, but they are still in the rotation and keep my feet happy on long test days. 

VPT4E: Looking for a good pump replacement fuel? The VP T4E is great for all early and late model four-stroke motorcycles. The newly blended T4 fuel, which now is called T4E gives you better throttle response and more pulling power from bottom to mid range. It’s not going to transform your machine to an instant fire breather, it just gives a little extra crispness and is more consistent of a fuel than your standard pump gas. 

Garmin Forerunner 910XT: If you don’t have a manfriend or a hot chic with large ta-tas to write times on a pitboard for you while you are doing motos the Garmin Forerunner 910XT is the next best thing. The GPS enabled watch can record your lap times with its auto lap feature, take your heartrate, speed, how many calories you burned and much more. This is one thing I don’t leave home without when I go to the track to burn laps. I can log all of my data from my watch to my laptop at home with just a simple USB cable. If you're looking for a do it all moto/cycling watch the 910XT is the best that I have found. Check out Amazon for the best deal on these suckers!

Asterisk ZeroG Pant: You're a knee brace guy and your knee braces slip down over a long day of riding Asterisk has the fine for you. The Asterisk Zero G pant is a base layer compression pant that encompasses the knee brace to help keep the brace in place against your leg. The extra long length of the pant can fold back up and over the brace, traps the brace and a Velcro enclosure (located at thigh area) holds it all together. The Zero G pant is designed to make it simpler for all of us to slide the pant over the knee brace, as well as allowing the brace to move with your legs without restraint on the bike.

Fox FlexAir Pant And Jersey: The new second generation FlexAir  pant has a new chassis that includes a new knee design that removes some material for a more aerodynamic, streamlined fit. There is an updated two-piece rigid waistband and closure system along with the removal of the pant liner to try and decrease ounces and unwanted heat for the summer. The updated 2.0 FlexAir jersey has a new bonded cuff along with a TRUDRI fabric blend to keep weight down and breathability up. For 2017 this was one of my favorite gear sets to wear on any given day. The fit was great and the ventilation of the gear was second to none. Not to mention all of the LE colorways Fox came out with in 2017 was insane! Come on Fox lets see some bad ass LE colors for 2018! 

Pro Taper Fuzion Handlebars: Are you a crossbar kind of rider? If you're looking to go from a 7/8 handlebar to a 1 1/8 size the Fuzion is a great option. The flex locking system allows riders to choose between a stiffer, more controlled handlebar feel or a softer more shock absorbing feel depending on terrain and rider preference. Changing the bar from “Locked” to “Unlocked” takes only seconds by simply turning a knob. The Fuzion utilizes Pro Taper’s exclusive aluminum alloy, 4mm wall design for lightweight, strength and comes in six different bar bends. If I am going the crossbar route, this Pro Taper handlebar is a less rigid choice.