2024 U.S. Dirt Bike Events

Usdualsports sits down with our guest editor Dan Seacat for a Q&A review on his new Double Take Adventure Mirrors he recently installed on his KLR.

What made you want to try out Double Take mirrors and replace your stock ones?
I mainly wanted a mirror that could be folded down and out of the way when riding in the woods or situations I felt a mirror might get hit or bent.

Did The Double Take Mirror Kit provide everything needed for your KLR? 
Yes, everything I needed plus an extra base extension for my KLR to get the clutch side Ram ball mount above the brake reservoir.

How long did the install take? 
Under 10 minutes.

Did the Double Take mirrors provide more or less visibility then stock mirrors?
More for two reasons. First the triangle shape of the Double Take mirrors gives the rider a larger view-able area. Second the Ram mounting systems allows you to adjust the mirrors however you want vs the stock mirrors have very limited adjustment.

Do they fold completely out of the way when in "Off-Road" mode? 

Image 2 (Click Image Larger View)

Yes- The XL Ram arm allows you to fold the mirrors completely out of the way pretty much right on top of handle bars. (See Image 2)

Were you able to fold them out of the way with gloves on? 
Yes- The plastic wing nut on the Ram Arm is easily loosened or tightened with gloves on.

Is there anything you would change about these mirrors?
At this current time, I don't feel that there is anything I would change, Double Take Mirrors did their homework and you can tell from the design to the extra mount riser for KLR's.

Is the cost of the mirrors worth replacing stock KLR mirrors? 
I would say yes especially if you ride off road at any time like I do. The stock mirrors do the job, but when it comes to looking behind you OK isn't enough. Plus, the added durability and ability to fold these mirrors to any angle makes them worth the upgrade to me.

As you can tell Dan is happy with his upgraded Double Take Mirrors and Usdualsports thanks him for taking the time to sit down and answer a few questions. If you have any questions of your own, please feel free to comment below and check out Double Takes website at www.doubletakemirror.com

Riding 80-100 miles in a day on a dirt bike takes a toll on your body and your bike. I have found there are ways to make the journey a little easier and more forgiving on your body. The last dual sport that I attended after the first day of over 100 miles my body was feeling it, especially my left wrist. I didn't wreck and hurt my wrist it was just the constant jarring while riding and holding up my weight on down hills. Needless to say, the second day of riding wasa little painful and not so smooth.

I figure I have a few options in order to address this issue. One is exercise and build up my wrist which has helped in the past but that doesn't eliminate the constant pounding that my wrists are taking while riding. So my other choice was to try out Flexx Handlebars which have a built in dampener that allows the handle bars to flex which absorbs the force of you pushing down on them instead of your wrist. When I first got on my bike to try out the the new bars I could tell something was different but couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was. Then I realized that the vibrations in my hands were greatly reduced .  This was added bonus to the rest of the day of riding and trying out the new bars. The property that I rode that day has both a motocross track and woods trail. On the motocross track I could tell that the bars were flexing on the landings which helped the in-pact to my upper body and wrist, but I ride about 99% in the woods so seeing a big change on jumps was not going to happen due to my inexperience with jumps. The most noticeable difference for me was on some single track in the woods. When going over rocks and roots it was like you had another suspension on the front end. The bars would flex just enough to absorb the force placed on them from the bouncing of your body weight, and the pushing up of the bike but not so much that it would throw you off balance. You couldn't tell that they were flexing or moving at all but you could tell they were taking the pounding out of the terrain. I now wish that I had these bars a few weeks prior, and my second day of the Baby Burr could have been as fun as the first. Other advantages the bars offer, that I would call bonuses besides the lower vibration, is the fact that the bars I have are around 1 inch narrower so no need to cut down, but they have more room to mount items like Roll Chart and mirrors.

Although I haven't had the chance to try out these bars on a dual sport or race yet, I can see how they can help with fatigue and abuse. For riders that have been hurt in the past I can see how these bars would help reduce impact and allow for longer, more comfortable ride. The aspect that I didn't talk much about so far but that is worth mentioning, is the ergonomic improvements these bars made; specifically the attack position on the bike and the over all feel of the bike. Ergonomic concern is something that I know exist in dirt bike riding but how the sweep and bend of bars can help or hurt is no way my area of expertise. Cole Townsend from Fasst Company explained it to me, and helped me pick out the correct bars for my riding style, height, and current bars I'm using and hit a home run with getting me the correct set up. I understand these bars are not cheap, but what is when it comes to rider comfort and gaining that competitive edge over other riders.  If you have any question on which bar will suit you best contact the guys at Fasst Company at 877-306-1801 or visit them on the web at www.fasstco.com. They will help you choose the right set of bars to match your riding style while helping to improve the ergonomics of your bike. 

Update-After completing a full season using Flexx Handlebars I found that the stress on my upper body was reduced, and the second day of riding was more comfortable since my wrist were not hurting. The other advantage I found was in tight single track due to the shorter width of the bars. Its amazing how 1 inch narrower bars can make that much of a difference. In all I'm very pleased with these bars, and every bike I own will have a set from here on out. 

Disclosure
*I was not financially compensated for this post. I received a sample for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.*

First Thoughts

First Dirt Bike Wash

Gas VS Electric

• No gas needed
• Low pressure
• Very Portable
• 0 Maintenance

• Electricity Needed
• Take Up More Space

• Higher Pressure
• No electricity Needed

• Have to have gas
• Maintenance Required
• Required More Storage Space
• Higher Pressure Can Cause Damage

• Awesome Work Out
• Helps dirt bike skills
• You get outside
• Apps like strava help keep you motivated

• Bike and Gear Cost
• Chance of getting hurt
• Time
• Need of terrain
• Weather

• Lower Cost
• At Home Workout
• Full Body Workout

• Keeping Motivated
• Space Needed

• Programmable Settings I have one setting that is as hard as you can make it for the whole work out which allows me to get a quick workout in.
• Heart Rate chest strap setting allow you to set what heart rate you want to be in and it will automatically adjust the magnet to keep you in that heart rate. "Cool Feature"
• Foam Handle- this allows for a more comfortable and secure grip.
• Wheels- The build in wheels allow you to move this rower around to help save space when not in use.
• Fold-able Frame- Help save space also when not in use.

As any motorcyclist knows, off road riding can be hard on your machine. Whether you are racing, riding single track, or cruising fire trails, there are always rocks, limbs, and roost to contend with on the ride. One area that is very prone to damage is the cooling system. Damage to a radiator out on the trail can leave you stranded and light in the wallet.

One of the best upgrades you can do to your off-road or dual sport motorcycle is to install a set of radiator guards. When I looked to adding some protection to the cooling system on my Kawasaki KLX250, I contacted Brian Bennett at Unabiker Racing for a set of radiators guards / braces. Unabiker offers a variety of solutions to protect the radiators on a wide range of brands and models.  Even though my bike was seven years old, guards for it were readily available in a variety of finishes.

I passed on the bare aluminum and gold anodized options, and ordered a set of black anodized radiator guards. Upon receipt 2 days later, I observed that the guards were packaged in heavy plastic, with all parts separated to protect the finish, along with hardware and an instruction sheet.

Upon opening the package to read the instructions and see how the parts fit together, I was very impressed with the workmanship. All items were properly de-burred, the support rods were properly finished with small chamfers on both ends and the threaded holes were tapped to the proper depth and were free of chips and debris. The anodizing and overall appearances were first class as well.

The sheet metal parts have sufficient slots that are CNC machined to a specific pattern and spacing to allow adequate air flow, yet stop rocks and limbs from damaging the radiators. The aluminum parts are not excessively thick at .080, but their shape and the formed flanges make for very stiff components. The custom machined parts are supplemented nicely with a selection of stainless steel fasteners required to complete the assembly.


Installation
I started the installation with a thorough reading of the instructions and matching up the parts. I recommend that you match up where each part will go and verify the hole patterns before starting. This step helps to clarify the orientation of the parts and will make the assembly go smoother.  Also, as items are assembled, it is best to thread in all of the screws a few turns before fully tightening any of them.

Considering that the KLX is a dual sport model, there are additional items to consider when fitting a set of radiator guards to this bike. The design of the Unabiker guards allows the horn and fan to remain in their original positions and be fully functional. Also, a possible interference with the front reflectors has been cleverly resolved by moving them to opposite sides, effectively moving them up about 2 inches.

The first step in the installation is to bolt the support rods into the inside face of the radiator face guards. After removing the stock louvers and shrouds, the radiators are unbolted and the face guards are slipped between the radiator flanges and the frame. Unabiker Racing provides button head caps screws that are 5 mm longer than the stock fasteners to accommodate the additional thickness of the flange. The stock fasteners could have worked, but the reduced thread engagement could lead to problems. This is another small detail that makes this product stand out.

The next step was to bolt on the brace that ties the frame to the side of the radiators. The rear attachment point is fixed to the frame via the fuel tank bolts, whereas the front screws thread into the outer ends of the support rods. The last step is to re-install the factory shrouds and double check all fasteners.

While each of the components is sufficiently strong as single item, the strength and rigidity of the assembly is superb and provides protection against blows from all directions.

Pros

• Rock solid protection at minimal weight.
• Radiators do not require draining to install guards.
• Excellent workmanship and attention to detail.
• Made in the USA

Opportunities for improvement

I would suggest labeling or engraving each component to clarify part type and orientation. This addition could be helpful for people who are installing a product like this for the first time.

Summary
Time will tell how these guards hold up over the long haul. But considering I have a 2003 Yamaha WR450 equipped with Unabiker guards that have protected the radiators for nearly 10 years, I am confident that this set will protect the KLX250 cooling system in a similar fashion. Find out more or get a set of your own by going to www.unabiker.com Also receive Free Shipping by ordering your set by phone at (574)-626-3150 and mentioning Usdualsports.com.


Disclosure
*I was not financially compensated for this post. I received a sample for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.*

Knowing how to change a dirt bike tire not only saves you money, but is also very useful if you have a flat on the trail.  Less than half of my riding buddies think they can change a tire. But this is only because, like many people, they have never done it or think its too hard. On the other side of the equation, guys like myself that do their own tire changes are always looking for an easier way to perform the task. The hardest part for me is usually spooning on the last few inches of the tire and it seems to have the highest chance of pinching a tube. Therefore no matter what level tire changer you are, a tool to make tire changes easier is helpful for everyone.
Disclosure
*I was not financially compensated for this post. I received a sample for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.*

One of the biggest inconveniences of dirt bike riding is not being able to communicate with the group of riders that you are with. How many times have you turned around to find that no one else is around? So then you are left to wounder where they went and hope that no one is needing help somewhere. This issue forces a rider either to just sit back and wait to see if they catch up, or double back and take the chance of having a head on collision with another rider.  A good form of communication would really relieve this riding strain. The good news is now Sena has a blue tooth headset that allows riders to talk with up to 3 others at the same time, as well as answer your phone and listen to MP3 player all while riding through the middle of the woods. Most often I have used the headset to talk with other riders, but on a long dual sport ride it will be nice to have some music on the road sections. 

While testing this product I was impressed by the amount of distance in the woods the units worked, and by how clear the sound came through. The other thing that surprised me was how much more riding you can accomplish because your buddy can say "Hey I turned left up here", therefore saving the confusion of trying to figure out what direction everyone went. The Sena Bluetooth unit proved most useful when we came face-to-face with a group of ATV's coming at us on the trail, and we were able to relay that information to the rest of the group before we had any safety trouble. 

Another advantage (that I don't get to take advantage of yet), is the ability to talk to your kids when your riding with they or trying to help them out on the track. All you have to do is switch the unit to intercom mode and you can talk live (instead of when they get back and they have already forgot the situation). 

The specific unit that I have been using is the Sena SMH10 Dual Pack . It was simple to install in a closed face helmet, but I should add that it also came with everything you need for and open face street helmet. If this site gave out awards for the products that were tested, Sena would get the product of the year since it adds safety, and is useful in more ways then one. Below you will find a video of the helmet communication in action. 

Update: Sena released the 20S-01 unit which allows up to 8 riders to communicate and increased the range to 1.2 Miles. Also all units can now link with other communication brands by updating your firmware. Use links below to find the best prices at all leading motorcycle stores. [More Info]

Good Prices

1. Ebay-$299.00 [Get Deal]
2. Amazon-$299.00 [Get Deal]
3. RockyMountain ATV/MC-$299.00 [Get Deal]

Last weekend I attended the Moto GP race in Indianapolis. While walking through the vendor area, I discovered a booth of LS2 Helmets. I'm guessing many of you are like me in that this is the first time you have heard of this brand.  At the booth, I got the opportunity to chat with Phil who gave me some background on the company and how it is the fastest growing helmet manufacture in the U.S. He then simply told me "You need to try one on." After doing so, I immediately understood why they are growing so quickly. The cheek pads are made from a solid piece of foam vs the wedge type design found in the competition. The visor was easy to operate and retracts out of the way for a full spectrum view. I then told Phil I needed to get my hands on one of these helmets to review further, and he agreed. So here is the review on the LS2 MX453 Dual Sport helmet. Check out this link find the Top Selling Dual Sport Helmets.

Fit - The single foam design cheek pads gives full support across your cheeks vs only the top part of the pad on other helmets I have.

Field Of View - They call it a 360° Concept, and I agree 100% with them. With the eye port being so large it allows you to use your peripheral vision which is important when dodging cars on the road.

Shield - Lifts very easy and smooth with one gloved hand. The shield can be adjusted to any height or just cracked a little to help with fogging. When in the full up position it is out of view completely and also closes nicely with goggles on. Curve of shield does cause a slight reflection in certain lighting conditions which can catch your eye while riding.

Noise - Road noise was better than other Dual Sport style helmets I have tried in the past. The gasket around the eye port is thicker and more pliable which makes for a better seal.

Color Design - I really like the designs; they are simple and clean. With that being said I wish they offered an orange pattern and my decision would have been easier.

Safety - This helmet is both DOT and ECE approved.

Ventilation - The ventilation on this helmet is standard, it gets the job done and is glove operation friendly.

Weight - 3.4 LBS for Large Helmet

Price - $169.95

Features Over Competition -

• Fit
• Shield Operation
• Goggle Friendliness
• Road Noise
• Weight
• Field Of View

Disclosure
*I was not financially compensated for this post. I received a sample for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.*

"The Most Trusted Name in Powersports", jafrum.com,  is a great place to start if you are looking for motorcycle gear.  They carry a wide selection in everything from jackets and boots to pants, vests and other apparel.  They also specialize in motorcycle gear such as tires and motorcycle helmets; on road, off-road and dual sport.  Since I do quite a bit of dual sport riding, I was curious about the differences in a typical off-road helmet and a helmet designed specifically for dual sport riders.  Jafrum carries many of the big name brands such as Shoei, Icon and Fly Racing. Check out this list for the Top Selling Dual Sport Helmets.

I tried out the Fly Trekker Dual Sport helmet made by Fly Racing and sold by jafrum.  One of the specific advantages I found with the dual sport helmet (compared to a typical off-road helmet) is the removable face shield which dampens the cold air, rain and wind in the cooler months then, during the warmer months, the shield can be removed and goggles worn to allow greater air flow through the helmet. It is even possible and surprisingly comfortable to wear goggles under the face shield for ride-type flexibility. From a cost perspective, a single dual sport helmet will cost you the same as either an off-road helmet or an on-road helmet.  The advantage for dual sport riders is that it is only necessary to purchase one helmet (therefore essentially reducing the overall out-of-pocket expense in half).  Also to note, the weight of the dual sport helmet is very close to that of an everyday off-road helmet.  All-in-all, the bottom line is that you get all the capabilities of an on-road and an off-road helmet all bundled up in one.

If you have an interest, like I did, in purchasing a dual sport helmet, I would recommend taking a look at jafrum.com.  The customer service was 5 star.  I also liked that they provide a warranty on the products as well as a money-back guarantee.

Disclosure
*I was not financially compensated for this post. I received a sample for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.*

Loading and unloading a dirt bike in the bed of a truck is not easy if you don't have the right dirt bike ramp. As I am sure you have also seen, there are a number of creative ways to load and unload your bike into the bed of a truck.  Some choose to ride the bike up a single board, others "push" the bike up while stepping on a crate.  I typically use two ramps, one for the bike and one for me.  All of these methods become even more challenging when you add a bit of rain or mud.  Of the three methods, the two ramp system usually proves to be the safest.  Loading this way allows you to stay at the same height as the bike, and you have more control over the bike. The downside is trying to find room to store both ramps somewhere in the back of your truck (which is already tight on space). Extreme Max Products offers a two-ramp system called the RampXtender that also serves as a truck bed extender. When folded out the ramps are 8 feet in length, and have a slight arch that makes pushing a bike up by hand easy. The major advantage is you don't have to allocate any storage space in the bed of your truck when stowing the ramps.  Instead, you actually gain some additional usable space. The 2 ramps join together to make a bed extender that is very securely held in place by a series of 4 straps. One set of straps hooks into your tail gate lock pins, and the other set attaches to the lock pin receiver. Once attached, the straps do a nice job with securing and stabilizing the bed extension unit. 

The RampXtender is an easy to use system that retails for around $399. This is a reasonable price when you consider your getting a set of ramps, and a bed extender. Check out www.extrememax.com or more information, and to find a set of your own. 

Update: After using these ramps for some time now we have noticed that they do rub the top of the tail gate causing scratches on the plastic. Keep this in mind if you have a new truck. A simple towel under the ramp while loading and unloading with cure this issue. 

Disclosure
*I was not financially compensated for this post. I received a sample for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.*

Recently Allen from Dual Sport Armory contacted me with a request to advertise on the site. I explained to him how advertising on this site works; instead of money I asked him to donate a few items to serve as door prizes at the next dual sport event I attend. As you can see, he was more then happy to donate some merchandise for door prizes. He also sent a Wolfman Enduro Tank Bag for me to try out.

I wasn't expecting to be writing a review tonight, especially after riding over 150 miles the last couple of days.  However with the evidence I've seen of a a product working as well as these thumb savers, I feel like sharing this information as soon as possible will hopefully save a few riders from some not-so-pleasant blisters.  I have always used thumb savers during dirt bike rides in the past due to the horrible blisters that I would get if I didn't.  But before my last ride I was working on the bike and forgot to put one on my clutch grip, and somehow neglected to notice that it was missing when I packed up for this weekend's ride.  After two full days of riding, you can see from the picture that my left (clutch) hand suffered a popped blister.  This will definitely serve as a reminder for me to check that I have both thumb savers before leaving for the next ride! To keep your palms blister free check out our review on Palm Savers.

Find A Set Of Your Own
KTM Grip Donuts Doughnuts-$10.29

Stock Tank 1.9 Gal

Clark Tank 2.7 Gal

As any dual sport or adventure rider knows, getting out into the country and onto the back roads is why we ride. A requirement for these extended trips is a versatile motorcycle with adequate fuel range. While a Kawasaki KLX250 is solid, do-it-all motorcycle, fuel range is not one of its strong points. With a fuel capacity of approximately 1.9 gallons, riders can expect about 90 miles or so before switching to reserve and heading toward for a gas station.

KLX250 riders wanting to log more miles per fill up can look to Clarke and their 2.7 gallon fuel tank to extend their range and adventure. Clarke has been making extended fuel tanks for decades and is the go-to company for riders wanting to ride in remote areas.

I received the Clarke Tank for my 2007 KLX250 and reviewed the contents and instructions. The first thing that caught my eye was the detailed instructions. Not only did the instructions cover the details of the Clarke tank installation, it also provided several details that are unique to the KLX that made the installation go smoother.

Installation Tips  KLX250

1. Since the KLX250 uses a frame mounted petcock, getting the tank as empty as possible makes installation easier and minimizes the mess.
2. If your motorcycle is several years old, I would suggest new O-rings for the bottom of the tank, as well as new fuel lines. With the tight location of the fuel lines, replacing these while it was taken apart seemed to make sense.
3. The tasks that are somewhat tricky are identified, along with suggestions to make them easier. It should be noted that these items are due to the design of the motorcycle, and are equally challenging with the stock tank.

Fitment 
With the tank installed, it was time to attach the seat and radiator shrouds. The workmanship of the Clarke was very obvious when attaching these final items. The radiator shrouds have 4 holes, 3 of which mount to the tank along with the final bolt that attaches to the radiator. All 4 bolts lined up without any twisting or finesse, very unusual for any installation.

Hits ✔

• Shrouds Fitment
• True 2.7 gallon capacity as advertised
• Added 65 Miles Per Tank
• Leak Free Tank
• All Parts Included
• Detailed Instructions
• Workmanship
• The shape of the tank does not interfere with a rider’s position, either standing or sitting.
• No issues with other accessory products such radiator guards or handlebars.
• Quality of fit

Misses ✘

• Needed extra .030 washer "Most likely seat issue"
• Gas cap doesn't lock like stock cap.