| HARDWARE | 89 |
| Design | 17/20 |
| Portability | 8/10 |
| Durability | 9/10 |
| Function | 46/50 |
| Price | 9/10 |
| BOTTOM LINE: Can you guarantee your battery is fully charged at this moment? I can! |
| BATTERY TENDER: 386/736-6458; www.batterytender.com |
Alpinestars Tech-2 Boots
Real Rider Tested: Jim Williams
Hacienda Heights, California
Novice/6'1"/260 lb
I've often been a proponent of good gear. A few of my riding buddies complain about their helmets and their boots not being comfortable. All of those guys have cheap gear. Extra money spent not only promises more protection, but much more comfort. Every pair of Alpinestars boots I have ever worn has been comfortable and designed to protect as best as can be done. This leaves me wondering, Can a half boot really be expected to do much?
The first thing I noticed when I put them on is how much they felt like work boots. This was a whole new experience for me. All of the foot support was there, they were just shorter. I was able to walk unimpeded and forgot that they were on after a while. Ankle support was as good as any work boot as well. My feet never slipped from the pegs or buckled on them as I rode. It was as if I had on a set of motocross boots, only shorter.
It all comes down to what you need. Will these replace my motocross boots on race day? No. In the event of a crash, I want the full shin protection and support. Will I keep 'em? You bet. For a cruise through the dunes or a ute ride they are perfect. You can walk around in them like they aren't even there and still be confident that you are protected. For anyone who rides in work boots, save your Timberlands for the rap videos and step up to something with better qualifications to do the job. Your feet will love you for it.
| GEAR | 84 |
| Style | 18/20 |
| Comfort | 9/10 |
| Function | 40/50 |
| Wash/care | 8/10 |
| Price | 9/10 |
BOTTOM LINE: Not quite a race boot but good
for cruising. |
| ALPINESTARS: 310/891-0222; www.alpinestars.com |
Spider Grips SLT ATV Grips
Grips aren't something that most people give a lot of thought to. The grips that come standard on most ATVs are perfectly fine for most people, and last for a few seasons of riding. But if you want something better, a plethora of options await you.
One such option is the SLT grip from Spider Grips. These $16.95 grips are a definite upgrade from some of the long-wearing but hard stock grips that you may be using right now. The SLT grips have a soft-rubber compound and a diamond pattern, so if you're tired of the plain-old waffle pattern, give these grips a try. Many top ATV racers in the GNCC series run Spider Grips, so that says a lot about their comfort.
After a long ride with the Spider Grips, I can say that my palms didn't hurt as bad compared to stock grips. They're very easy to hang on to, shed water well and, if you're looking for a set of replacement grips for Ol' Betsy, I recommend the Spider Grips SLTs.
-Brian Purtymun
| HARDWARE | 91 |
| Comfort | 19/20 |
| Function | 47/50 |
| Durability | 8/10 |
| Value | 8/10 |
| Installation | 9/10 |
| BOTTOM LINE: Tacky, but in a good way. |
| SPIDER GRIPS: www.spidergrips.com |