Stuff that works and stuff that, not so much

[coblefutch]

We have all been there, bought something you saw hyped on the internet or in a magazine only to be disapointed in how well it worked.
So I thought it would be a good thing for everyone to post one thing that they bought that worked beyond expectations and one thing that was a big disapointment.
I will get it started. I race enduro and hare scrambles in the midwest, it gets super humid late in July August. I had yet to finish a race with my goggles still on my head due to steaming up so badly. After getting a tree limb in my eye my wife bought me that little Haber Eliminator fan that goes in your goggles, the price was kinda steep was my first though and I was going to return them and get a new front tire instead but at her insistance I tried them out and I have been very pleasantly suprised the keep the steam in check and I have finished every race since with my goggles on. GOOD STUFF http://www.habervision.com/product/HaberEliminator.aspx
For my disapointment, Michelin Starcross intermediate rear tire, Great grip but it chunked off over half the knobs in the FIRST race.

For a added bonus I will throw in another good Item. Although I didn't purchase, it was on my bike when I bought it. It has proven worthwhile and I would buy it. Toyko Mods 10x ignition. For woods riding it is a very cool thing. I can switch between 2 differnt map with a handlebar switch One map is allways the aggressive map but you can choose the other from 9 different settings. Unlike many other things you can actually feel a big difference between the mild and aggressive map. I use the mild map in the tight gnarly stuff and the agressive in the open.  Makes the yz easier to manage in the tight stuff especialy late in the race when this old man gets tired. Pricey but like I said it is a differnce that you will actualy feel. http://www.tokyomods.com/igntions/igntions.html#ecuign

[gpnewhouse7]

Well I'll start on a positive note. When I ride it tends to be for a long time, either when I'm racing at my local hare an hound enduros or when I go on practice days at motocross tracks with friends. Anyways I always used to get really bad blisters which ruined the fun of the day however I recently switched to the protaper pillow top grips, I haven't had a blister since (sometimes I'll wear them down to the throttle tube on where my thumb goes in one day though so that's a bit of a downer) so big plus for me.

For my negatives have two, one being the set of arttrax tyres I bought which were absolutely rubbish giving poor traction to start with followed by being worn out completely after 2 days hard riding and the other negative is for the full fmf fatty pipe and shorty silencer I bought for my old rm125 which made no difference what so ever compared to the stock pipe also it wouldn't interchange with the stock pipe at all so I could only have all fmf or all stock. 

[SachsGS]

I like the WER steering dampers.I find they are simple,effective and their mounting position down on the front fender means no cluttered up handle bars.

[coblefutch]

Sachs, you forgot your bad investment example... I have another one that I just discovered, again at the advice of the wife. After the tenn. national enduro this year I was so chaffed up in my tainter region from rubbing on the seat. My wife suggested that I apply anti-perspirant to the whole area. I have some of the kind that is more of a paste than a solid so I was able to get a good coating before the start of the race and after 2 hours of racing I had no monkey butt at all. Cheap and effective...

[coblefutch]

Well I'll start on a positive note. When I ride it tends to be for a long time, either when I'm racing at my local hare an hound enduros or when I go on practice days at motocross tracks with friends. Anyways I always used to get really bad blisters which ruined the fun of the day however I recently switched to the protaper pillow top grips, I haven't had a blister since (sometimes I'll wear them down to the throttle tube on where my thumb goes in one day though so that's a bit of a downer) so big plus for me.

For my negatives have two, one being the set of arttrax tyres I bought which were absolutely rubbish giving poor traction to start with followed by being worn out completely after 2 days hard riding and the other negative is for the full fmf fatty pipe and shorty silencer I bought for my old rm125 which made no difference what so ever compared to the stock pipe also it wouldn't interchange with the stock pipe at all so I could only have all fmf or all stock.

Pro Taper pillow tops are the only grips I will use too.

[racer142]

maybe im just a wuss but i still get blisters with my pillow top grips(they were on the bike when i got it). one of my favorite investments was actually a cheap 1500 psi electric pressure washer. im big on cleaning my bike. its never the prettiest simply bc i ride it hard and could care less what the plastics look like as long as they stay on and and the internals are good but its always cleaned. its electric i just plug it up and go. it cut wash time and water useage by %75 and it isnt harsh on plastics nor does it have enough pressure to blow into the exhaust or airbox or do any other damage. worst investment was an ims shifter. i bought one and the spring brokes AFTER THE FIRST SHIFT! i thought it had to be a defect. rigged the shifter to work the weekend and got it replaced on monday and the next weekend went back riding and the second one BROKE ON THE FIRST SHIFT AGAIN! I couldnt believe it. rigged it again and monday morning exchanged it for a different brand and never had another problem.

[SachsGS]

Stuff that doesn't work?I dislike Michelin tires.

[rmpilot]

I tried hand guards and those things i just cant stand i kdont know how people are comfortable using them.


something thats work is is metzler mc 4 tires. they just last and last.

[lauterbacher]

You guys keep it coming, this is the practicle stuff that helps and saves money.Thanks to the guys that have already posted. I'm just getting back into vintage pretend racing at 55. I used to do this stuff on a CZ 125 about 38 to 40 years ago. I'm just finis :Dhing up a MX 6 can am 250 and am looking for good tires so I appreciate the Info.

[ford832]

Stuff that doesn't work?I dislike Michelin tires.

Have you ever tried an s12 rear?My favorite combo is an S12 rear with an M12 front.That said,an M12 rear is quite possibly the worst tire made in the history of dirt biking.The rest of the Michelin line is nothing to write home about imo,but i swear by the m12f/s12r combo.

As for stuff that doesn't work around here-most of the aboriginals 

[scotty dog]

Stuff that doesn't work?I dislike Michelin tires.

Have you ever tried an s12 rear?My favorite combo is an S12 rear with an M12 front.That said,an M12 rear is quite possibly the worst tire made in the history of dirt biking.The rest of the Michelin line is nothing to write home about imo,but i swear by the m12f/s12r combo.

As for stuff that doesn't work around here-most of the aboriginals  

Here too ......... i dont think i've bought anything that hasnt worked to my satisfaction, maybe coz i dont buy much, the only gripe i suppose would be my kick start hits my FMF pipe, Tried to adjust it but it only goes on one way really and can be a bit annoying as it vibrates a bit.
Oh! Pre oiled filters are shit i think, the cheap ones ya buy at your local auto parts store, not worth two knobs of goat shit

[SachsGS]

I don't know what I dislike more, Yamahas or Michelins (just kidding).

I'm definitely old school,Bell helmets,Sidi boots,Metzler/Pirelli/Dunlop tires,Bel Ray filter oil etc.The Euro bikes I ride typically come with all the high end components so don't need a lot there.

I've got a CZ 125 that I traded for a case of beer over a decade ago and I love that thing warts and all.The Checz's got it right so many years ago. 

[beaner]

I like CZ's, but I also like Michelin tires 

Ignition (brand) air filters. They're cheaper than even the cheap preoiled ones, but when you take it out of the bag for the first time, you can feel that it's a good filter, and they last. It's also a Canadian company, so I don't mind supporting them.

I bought a $20 pair of ARC padded riding shorts for a little extra protection. The padding is well done, and the added bonus is no monkey butt or sore cheeks after a few hours in the woods. I'm very happy with them.

What I didn't like was a sixsixone pressure suit. I got a good deal on it, but if I paid full price, I wouldn't be too happy. Fit wasn't good, it was heavy and uncomfortable, and that back protection was ridiculous. I sold it for what I paid and bought something else.

[ford832]

I've got a CZ 125 that I traded for a case of beer over a decade ago and I love that thing warts and all.The Checz's got it right so many years ago.

The other guy got the best part of the deal .Years ago I traded a Mercedes 190 that needed a master cylinder,a 230d with a blown engine,a 230 d with a rotten frame but a good engine and a 190 4cyl gas engine that had been rebuilt by Isnor Motors Benz in Halifax for.............a bag of pork chops. There's a story behind it..........but the chops were gooooooodddd.

[coblefutch]

I will add one more disapointment. I got a pair of Fox comp5 boots for Xmas this year and they already have holes in the sole and instep of the boot from the kick starter. Will not buy them again. Any ideas about a good 200 dollar pair of boots that LAST.... " title="Angry" class="smiley">