Features

If you've traveled to any race, you know that the Ogio 9900 is a staple in the industry. With its SLED design providing lots of structural stability to the huge 9900 cubic inch bag, there are separate areas for boots, helmets, gear, as well as all your accessories. There's even a goggle pocket and fold-ouch changing mat, and to transport it around, you've got a retractable handle and heavy-duty wheels that even work off-road.

Below you'll find three new flavors, all for a suggested retail of $199.00. For more information visit www.ogio.com or check with your local dealer.

Prizmata

Digi Invasion

Stealth

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Video!
Click the following link for a video featuring the 2009 Zero MX.
Don't forget, if you're a Vital MX member, you can comment on any of the photos in the gallery. Not a member? Join now! It's fast and free.

The last time we got our hands on one of the Zero electric motorcycles, it was one of their 2008 X models, which featured lighter wheels, tires, and suspension components that were more reminiscent of something you’d find on a mountain bike. This time around, they’ve upped the performance in all those areas, and while it’s still not quite what you’ll find on a modern MX bike, it’s definitely a step forward.

Also gone was the stinkbug feel that we experienced in the past. This time around the seat was much flatter and more comfortable. Zero has also been expanding their line, with a full street legal version, off-road light kits, and more.

Controls take a bit of getting used to. You turn on a key, which is mounted on the right side of where the fuel tank would normally live. Make sure your kill switch is off, and your panel of lights on the board will come to life. Once you get a green light on the dash, you’re good to go. With a single-speed tranny, there’s no shifter, there’s also no clutch, and both brakes are lever-operated. Rear on the left, and front on the right. It does take some adjustment to get used to, but the Hayes hydraulic discs work well.

Run time when you’re aggressive? About an hour. Charge time? About two hours. According to the crew at Zero, most purchasers of their bike opt for an additional battery, but at $3,000, it’s a pricey item. The bikes themselves aren’t exactly cheap, either, starting at $8,250. There’s also an “Extreme” upgrade, with components like a Marzocchi Shiver fork, and a little faster engine.

So who are these bikes for? First of all, they’re great for anyone looking for a ton of fun. But they’re definitely good for riding in areas where noise is an issue. They’re pretty darn close to silent, and the noisiest part might be the chain clanking on the swingarm, or the suspension working. They’re surprisingly quick and powerful, and have made big strides in performance with the MX version.

There has been lots of development on electric bikes over the last few years, with more companies jumping into the fray. If the jump in performance between model years is indicative of what we can expect to see in the future, things are looking very interesting in the electric realm.

For more, be sure to check out the video (see the link at the top of the article).

ZERO MX 2009 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

ENGINE
Type Brushed Permanent Magnetic Electric
Torque 50 ft-lbs (67.7 Nm)

POWER SYSTEM
Type Patent-Pending Lithium Ion Array
Capacity 2 kWh (58 volts @ 35Ah)
Range 45 minutes to 2 hours
or up to 40 miles (64 km)*
Recharge Time Less than 2 hours
Input Standard 110V or 220V

DRIVE TRAIN
Transmission Clutchless One Speed
Drive System 13T / 71T, 420 Chain

CHASSIS/SUSPENSION/BRAKES
Front Suspension Travel 8 inches (203 mm)
Rear Suspension Travel 9 inches (229 mm)
Front Brakes 4 Pot Hydraulic, Stainless Rotor,
Hand Actuated
Rear Brakes 4 Pot Hydraulic, Stainless Rotor,
Hand Actuated
Front Tire 19 x 3.0 inches
Rear Tire 17 x 3.5 inches

DIMENSIONS
Wheel Base 54 inches (137 cm)
Seat Height 36 inches (91 cm)
Head Angle 24 degrees from vertical with 8 inch
(20 cm) fork

WEIGHT
Frame 18 pounds (8kg)
Power Pack 45 pounds (20.5 kg)
Total Weight 156 pounds (70.75 kg)
without Power Pack 112 pounds (50.8 kg)

ECONOMY
Operating Cost Less than $.01 per mile or kilometer

www.zeromotorcycles.com

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• Frame constructed of ultra-flexible polyurethane.
• Tri-Density foam for ultimate sweat protection.
• Adjustable strap treated with three beads of non-slip silicone.
• Anti-fog/Anti-scratch mirrored LEXAN lens equipped with tearoff posts.
• CE U.V protection.
• Tearoffs, Rolloff system and replacement LEXAN lenses available.
• $55.00-$75.00

www.blitz-vision.com

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The ASV Solo Sag Scale is one sweet addition to your toolbox. Billet construction, laser-etched graphics, and a plastic carrying case, are all cool features, but it's the function that we like.

If you’ve been riding for any time at all, you know how important it is to set the rear suspension sag measurement on your bike for your weight…and that’s something that needs to be checked frequently, since you’ll get variances depending on what you weigh at a particular point in time, changes to the gear you wear, etc. In the simplest terms, it can mean the difference between having a headshaking monster, a bike that’s riding choppered out, or one that’s working correctly.

If you’ve ever hung out in the pits before practice, you’ve no doubt seen teams working with their riders to set the rear suspension sag. It’s one of those weekly rituals that they all go through for each rider in the quest for optimum handling. Fortunately, most teams are blessed with plenty of personnel to help out. Most often, you’ll see the rider in full gear climb aboard his bike, while one mechanic stands at the front to hold the bike upright, while another uses a long ruler to gather the before and after measurements to determine the sag.

Here's the standard arrangement for setting sag with a pro rider, with the Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki crew working on dialing in Tyla Rattray.

Unfortunately for most of us, we don’t have nearly that kind of support, so we’re left to attempt it ourselves, which is pretty much impossible using the standard tools. That’s where the ASV Solo Sag Scale is a bit of genius.

The Solo Sag Scale features a telescoping design, so it’s compact, and it’s constructed from CNC-machined 6061 aluminum, with laser-etched measurement numbers. (Check with your owner’s manual or suspension tuner for the recommended spec for your bike.)

By attaching the upper clamp of the Solo Sag Scale to your rear fender, and sliding the extension on the lower end into the center of your rear axle, you reset the scale, and then settle onto the seat in your normal ride position. After you carefully climb back off the bike, the Solo Sag Scale maintains the mark from maximum compression, so you can instantly see the result. There’s no math involved to get the difference between the first and second measurement, you just get a direct readout. That’s very cool.

The upper end of the Solo Sag Scale clamps to a sideplate or fender. (We opted for the fender on this RM-Z250.)

We’ve been using one of these for a while now, on a variety of bikes, with excellent results. No more waiting around, trying to get someone to help out, trying to bribe your wife or girlfriend to try and learn how to do it (and dealing with that frustration). If you’ve been able to get them to figure it out? Well, you’re better than we are, or you just may have found a real moto girl.

The Solo Sag Scale comes in a sturdy plastic case to protect it, and it even has a convenient hole molded into the case so that you don’t have to remove the rear axle extension each time you’re done using it.

Oh, and for those of you who look for this kind of thing, it’s also made in the USA, and comes with an unconditional five-year guarantee. Suggested retail? $125.00. Yep, while pricey, it’s a high quality tool, and has saved us at least that amount in frustration.

For more info? Check out www.asvinventions.com

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Here are two of the new Scott USA LTD models that are in stock now. Both of these goggles feature custom graphics and different strap patches, for a different look from Scott's main line offerings. Both come with Scott's all new NoSweat 3.2 face foam, factory installed works adjustable tearoff posts, nofog anti-fog lens treatment, durable silicone-lined straps in some stylish new graphics.

Scott's Sweet Toof LTD. Click image for a larger version.

The Sweet Toof LTD is based on the NoSweat Xi goggle, and uses the 80 Series lens and tearoffs. It comes with a 100% UV protected Works Clear Lexan lens, and has matching custom frame and strap graphics. It also comes with an optional Ventilation Visor, which can be attatched to ensure an adequate gap between the goggles and helmet for max airflow. Both models also come with an Xi noseguard.

Scott's No. 67 LTD Goggle. Click image for a larger version.

The No. 67 LTD is a Voltage series goggle, which differs with its patented RAM air ventilation system.

Want more info? Check out www.scottusa.com

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Besides their normal array of quality oils, Maxima has expanded into filters with their new ProFilter division. Dealers will be able to order them through major distributors like Parts Unlimited or Tucker Rocky, and they'll be available in mid-November.

Their ProFilter ready-to-use Air Filters are pre-oiled with Maxima FFT for max airflow and horsepower. The dual-stage filter uses a 6mm outer foam, 10mm inner foam, and plush 13mm sealing foam along with industrial strength glued seams. They even come with a pair of disposable gloves, all for a $9.95 retail.

They've also got two styles of MaxFlow replacement oil filters, either in an OEM ($4.95) or reusable stainless steel style ($29.95). Both varieties exceed OEM specs, and the stainless model uses a Swiss-made micronic filber cloth that filters particles as small as 35 microns. It's also designed to allow you to clean and reuse it.

If you want to get some additional oil flow, you can swap out your stock oil filter cover for one of their light and durable 6061 T-6 billet aluminum models ($29.95).

More info? Check them out at:

9266 Abraham Way, Santee, CA 92071 USA Tel: 619.449.5000
www.profilter.com

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Ready for a value-priced holiday three-pack of hop-up items for your dirt scooter? The ASV Holiday Pro Pack consists of their:

• F3 Series Pro Model clutch lever and perch with quick adjuster, pivot bearings, rotator sleeve and an ASV dust cover
• Matching F3 Series front brake lever
• Color-matched Rotator Clamp for the front brake master cylinder perch
• Front brake dust cover

Normally $219.95 at retail, it's on sale for $159.95, a $60 savings.

We've had good luck with ASV's folding brake and clutch levers. They're good stuff. Reach-adjustable, and available in "shorty" or standard lengths, they're available in red, blue, or black. Construction is forged 6061 aluminum with perch pivot bearings, they're rebuildable, and have a three-year guarantee. The Holiday Pro Pack is available in limited quantities, for a limited time, from participating ASV dealers in the USA. More info? ASVinventions.com.

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