100% Racecraft Plus (2017)
Overall Review
Not a super brand new product, the Racecraft Plus Goggle has been out since the end of last year, but 100% were pretty low key with the the introduction of the the new goggle and we felt that it deserved a closer look. Speaking of look, without actually holding the Racecraft Plus, you can’t really tell it apart from the standard Racecraft goggle. So, why is there a Plus in the name? Four-layer face foam (rather than 3-layer) and rigid, pre-curved, injection molded lenses. Unlike other goggles on
Neken SFH Handlebars
Vital Review
Tested: Neken SFH Handlebars
The Good
More cushioning for your hands. They look good.
The Bad
Not everyone likes super soft grips. Minor instal issues.
Overall Review
Neken has fast become a well known brand of dirt bike control components. Now, they have a new bar with something sneaky up its sleeve. The SFH (Smooth Feeling Handlebars) are 1-1/8th inches in the clamping area, taper smoothly to 7/8ths in the control area, then abruptly taper to about a 1/2 inch in the grip area. Obviously you have to use specific Neken grips and throttle tube that have a smaller inner diameter to match the smaller bar ends, but are much thicker with more grip material that
Neken SFH Handlebars
Vital Rating:
2019 Honda CRF450X
Overall Review
The Honda CRF450X has lived a double life since its introduction in 2005. At the time, as a replacement for the XR650R, the 450X was a off-road racing machine designed to win desert races south of the border. And it did just that with 11 Baja 1000 and nine Baja 500 victories. Yet as the years went on and more technology and performance-oriented designs where showing up in other off-road models, the X started to transition from a hard-core competition bike to a mellower trail machine. The Honda
Shoei VFX-EVO Helmet
Vital Review
Tested: Shoei VFX-EVO Helmet
The Good
Addresses rotational energy, isn't any heavier than previous VFX-W, very comfortable.
The Bad
Isn't the lightest helmet out there, liner removal/installation is old school.
Overall Review
Out of the hundreds of off-road helmets on the market, there are only a few brands that rise to the top of the list. Shoei is one of those brands and in modern motocross and off-road racing, the VFX-W helmet has been their only off-road model. Now, the VFX-W has been replaced with the VFX-EVO - not just an updated name and look, but an updated protection technology as well. Shoei VFX-EVO Features: Fully loaded with next-level performance, safety, style and progression Proudly boasts the SHOEI
Shoei VFX-EVO Helmet
3
Vital Rating:
2019 Yamaha YZ250FX
Overall Review
Yamaha's XC lineup is becoming quite robust and the little bore machines aren't left out. While the YZ250FX remains unchanged in the performance department, the location of this year's test did. The BluCru decided to give us a crack at the conditions the bike was meant for by dropping us in South Carolina at Randy Hawkin's private facility with plenty of trees, roots, creeks, and tight confines to ride in. Hit the video below to find out more. Video - First Impressions: 2019 Yamaha YZ250FX
2019 Honda CRF450L
Overall Review
I don’t know if there is a word or phrase that perfectly sums up the feeling of waiting for something so long that you forget about it, then it finally shows up and you are sort of in shock that it actually happened... But I do know the feeling. It happened when, at the beginning of the year, Honda announced the full line of CRF models for 2019 and a fully street legal CRF450L was included. For core motocross riders, it might not be earth shattering, but for every other kind of dirt bike rider
2019 Suzuki RM-Z250
Overall Review
While Suzuki showed us the initial photos of this bike and some light comments a few months ago, it's created a waiting game as we got closer to finally riding the bike. To speed things up a bit, Suzuki flew us to Japan to meet with the R&D staff behind the machine and finally see one up close..,oh yeah, and ride it. With the consumer models expected to arrive towards late January to early February, it's nice to get the opportunity to ride the bike so much earlier and begin to develop some
2019 Yamaha YZ250X
Overall Review
The woods and creeks of South Carolina are where the two stroke roams, or in this case our 2019 Yamaha YZ250X which we got to take into some different scenery...unlike the deserts of the West coast. Hear our thoughts on the experience behind riding this machine in the conditions it was truly meant for. Video - First Impressions: 2019 Yamaha YZ250X
2019 Yamaha YZ450FX
Overall Review
A year after releasing an all-new YZ450F motocross bike, Yamaha has taken those same updates plus some additional changes to the YZ450FX. This year we were in for an even bigger treat, as we actually got to fly back to test this new model in trees, creeks, and roots of South Carolina...giving us a feel for what this machine can do on its' home turf. Hit play below for our thoughts. Video - First Impressions: 2019 Yamaha YZ450FX
2019 Suzuki RM-Z250
Overall Review
Suzuki has given us the details on their long-awaited RM-Z250, while we attend their model launch in Japan. One year after the debut of their new RM-Z450, it was expected we'd see a new 250 four-stroke from the Hamamatsu, Japan-based manufacture. Albeit, it's obvious to see this bike received a larger amount of updates then its big brother, which is definitely a good initial sign. Starting off, the 2019 RM-Z250 has gained an all-new chassis; including the swingarm, subframe and main frame itself