Raptor Titanium Xtreme Footpegs

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There was a time, not too long ago, when MX pegs were no wider than two fingers side by side, and with teeth no sharper than your own molars. By contrast, today’s stock footpegs are far more adequate to handle the rigors of racing, even on a professional level. However, much like many other parts on a dirt bike, footpegs are also not meant to last forever. Wear and tear, especially on the extremities of your motorcycle (handlebars, levers, fender, tires, etc.) is inherent, and that is where aftermarket companies have found a strong niche.

When replacing stock parts, riders have three choices: 1) Opt for a cheap alternative; 2) Use OEM or equivalent parts; 3) Upgrade and go for stronger, lighter…and more bling. Of course, if one can afford to, option number three is always the way to go, and for where to plant your feet, Raptor Titanium Xtreme Footpegs are a newer entrant into the market.

Raptor Titanium Xtreme Footpeg Feature Highlights

Ti - Titanium parts are nothing new. Heck, there were a few works bikes back in the ‘70s that had titanium frames, but as the lightweight metal has become more costly, it’s usage on MX machinery has decreased. The Raptor Xtreme pegs take advantage of the light and strong element.

Width - The Raptors are much wider than stock by several millimeters at 57mm, but not to a point where they prevent your feet from pivoting on the pegs.

Huge Teeth – The grip factor on any footpeg is the most important feature, and the enormous teeth on the Raptor pegs make us think they should change the name to Tyrannosaurus.

Initial Impressions

There are only a handful of materials out there that make MXers drool, and titanium is right near the top of the list. But implementation of the exotic metal does not mean much on its own. The true wow factor comes in the construction quality of the part, and the Raptor Titanium Xtreme Footpegs has that in spades.

The main laser-cut pieces of the teeth have a refined look that instills confidence. At the same time, the laser etching of the company logo and respective brand the footpegs are intended for (Yamaha in this case) denote an air of sophistication. Then comes the bling: the welds.

On the inside of the teeth, the beads are precise and methodical all the way from the base and around the inner curvature. In contrast, the welds that connect the pivot to the teeth have a much more raw look that make you think they came straight from a factory R&D department. Sweet! From a construction standpoint, the Raptor Xtreme footpegs have a handmade aura of quality.

On the fitment end, the Raptors were surprisingly easy to install on our YZ450F. Where the pivot can occasionally be a bit too snug on some aftermarket pegs, the Xtremes were a breeze to install, which was made even easier by the included replacement steel springs.

On the Track

When first hopping on the bike, the grip is immediately noticeable and almost surprising. While there are innumerable options nowadays for footpeg teeth, sharp triangle-style teeth are tried and true, and on the Raptor Titanium Xtremes, they work very well.

Different riders have different stances and foot placements, but the need for grip is a constant. Having bigger feet (size 13), I need all of the traction I can get and was happy to find that the Raptors have plenty to offer. My feet have never felt more planted on a bike.

Obviously the teeth are the biggest contributor to grip, but the placement of the middle row, a separate laser-cut piece welded into the center, provides both extra support on the sole of your boot and additional purchase. The other contributor is the width, which is noticeably more than that of the stock Yamaha footpegs (and probably any stock pegs for that matter), yet is not too wide as to inhibit foot pivot or get in the way of using the shifter or brake pedal. Then again, if you wear a size six boot, you may have a different experience.

Things That Could Be Improved

We would complain about the high price, but it is basically implied in the name of the company, Raptor Titanium, that their products are going to be high end and priced accordingly.

For the footpegs themselves, I honestly cannot find any flaws in either the construction or function. However, as a taller rider, I am always looking out for options to lower my center of gravity and to make it easier to grip onto the bike with my legs. For footpeg companies, lower and higher platform options (for shorter riders) might be small markets, but are greatly appreciated and sought after by those who need them. As of right now, there is only one height available, but I would like to see a higher and lower options.

Long Term Durability

Titanium is used in motocross because it is both very light and very strong. For exhaust pipes there is a certain amount of risk because when titanium gets hot it becomes quite malleable, but from a hard parts perspective, such as bolts, the only disadvantage is price.

For footpegs, Ti is one of the best materials available, and the Raptors have been showing us why. After about 15 hours of hard use by both myself and our pro test rider, Bryan Wallace, the Xtreme footpegs show virtually no signs of wear. The teeth are every bit as sharp as they were when first installed. From a cosmetic standpoint, since the metal is raw and without any colored coatings, the only signs of damage are a few scratches on the outer curvature. Many other pegs can look far more worn in far less time simply because the paint or anodizing begin to show nicks and scratches almost immediately.

The negative of this durability and continued tooth sharpness? The wear on boot soles is far more noticeable. It makes you appreciate why factory riders (many of whom use the Raptor footpegs) go through so many sets of boots.

Hard Boiled Truth

Do you really need new footpegs? If your bike is new, then probably not. However, if you are a serious racer, you must consider every possible advantage. Aside from the weight savings of the Raptor Titanium Xtreme footpegs, the added grip and security they provide is certainly an advantage. Yes, they are some of the more expensive pegs on the market, but they might also be some of the best.

For more information, visit www.raptortitanium.com.

Raptor Titanium is distributed in the USA by Hammerhead Designs, www.hdmoto.com.

-Bayo Olukotun

About The Reviewer

Bayo Olukotun has been riding dirt bikes since he was nine years old. Far from a child prodigy, Bayo (pronounced “bio”) spent countless hours learning toride from watching Seals Communications’ epic crash video, Thills, Spills, and Chills hosted by Dave Despain and Larry Maiers, Fox Racing’s Terrafirma series, and endless replays of the 1992 AMA Camel Supercross Series. What he didn’t learn from sitting in front of the television he acquired from racing on AMA District 6 tracks and instructing the Tony D. Motocross Schools for far too long. Nowadays, Bayo considers himself to be a top SoCal pro practicer, but still enters the occasional Loretta Lynn’s qualifier so that he might one day be able to call himself one of the best “never-was-a-pro-over-30-years-old-with-the-resources-to-race-at-Hurricane-Mills” riders in the country!

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Raptor Titanium Xtreme Footpegs
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$349.99
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