AFX FX-37 Dual Sport Helmet

In the motorcycle industry, you typically have to dig hard and deep to find anything really interesting to quack about. Mix in a little shitty economy on top of that and you have to put on your archeologist's gear to come up with cool artifacts to write home about. That is why I nearly fell off my chair when the national Sales Manager from AFX pulled up to my desk today and plopped down their new "Dual Sport" Helmet for me to check out. The guy was obviously well briefed by his probably very sexy Korean secretary about what Motostrano does and doesn't do before visiting us to present what isn't a Dual Sport helmet at all, but a really good and really affordable Supermoto helmet.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the AFX FX-37 Dual Sport Helmet. We're calling it the AFX FX-37 Supermoto Helmet though.

Lift the shield up for uncluttered viewing both straight, left and right.

Very light weight, typical AFX. Very inexpensive, at just $114.00, another typical AFX characteristic and in this case we're willing to throw out the "how much is your head worth" diatribe. It's been proven over and over again that price doesn't equal level of safety. Comfortable too! That's right, this helmet is comfortable.

Specs:

SAFETY CERTIFICATIONSThis helmet model meets or exceeds both ECE 22.05 and DOT FMVSS-218 motorcycle helmet safety standards. Please Note: Only ECE approved helmets purchased from European importers carry the ECE certification markings. This is due to ECE regulations.SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES* An aerodynamic shell design constructed using an advanced lightweight composite poly-alloy * A flush-fit, quick-release, single-turn screw face shield with side covers. The shield itself is optically correct, compound-curved, scratch-resistant and protects against UV-rays * There are several tinted shields available for this model* Shield can be removed to allow open face riding or goggle use * A helmet liner and cheek pads made with a hypo-allergenic and antimicrobial nylon, all of which are removable and washable * 9 points of ventilation with chin, side, forehead, top and rear vents * A square type D-ring with chin strap holder * Provides ample ear cavity space for speakers * A clearcoat finish to protect paint & graphics * Comes with a Lifetime Warranty

Available at Motostrano.com

Caught in the Act

In just a few weeks, ICON motosports will be releasing their 2009 product catalog. It's the stuff wet dreams are usually made of, so we can't wait. This image is a preview of what to expect and judging by the in-your-face sexual provocation (well, let's just say it- looks like girl on girl action) it sounds like 2009 will be an uplifting catalog, to say the very least. Is there any better way for a woman to wear a leather motorcycle jacket? It's hard to be a guy among guys and think otherwise.

Watching ICON mature over the years has been exciting. Out of no where, an in-house Parts Unlimited brand became one of the premier motorcycle clothing brands in the US and abroad for street riders. It's amazing to see what real product innovation combined with the best distribution system in the business can get you.

Scorpion Stinger Leather Jacket

The Scorpion Stinger Leather Jacket: combined classic / sport look with extreme graphic treatment on back.

"Matte, titanium-tanned, drum-dyed, top-grain, race-weight (1.2-1.4mm) leather aero-dimpled on the shoulders) with unique asymmetrical tattoo-inspired, screened graphics and embroidered trim. 2. Full-fl ow perforated leather provides maximum cooling in hot weather, and a removable KwikWick Thermoliner deals with cool conditions. 3. Race-fi t tapered silhouette powerstretch waist panels and Terramid® Kevlar® stretch panels keep the fi t snug and aero—and a belt loop at the waist provides optional hookup to jeans. 4. CE-approved ventilated armor guards all critical impact areas while it lets heat and sweat escape. 5. Exo-Stitch safety seams in critical areas and proven YKK zippers are designed to complete their mission in even worst-case scenarios."

The Scorpion Stinger Jacket is available at Motostrano.com

Rizoma Motorcycle Parts

Motostrano is proud to once again offer the Rizoma parts collection for sport motorcycles.

Rizoma, designed and manufactured in Italy, has long been one of the premier maker of billet aluminum parts for motorcycles. Perhaps most known for the innovative mirror products, all Rizoma items show true craftsmanship, excellent fit and durability.

A must have for any one interested in customizing their sport bike. Rizoma has been particularly popular with naked bikes and Ducati owners. Offering rearsets, turn signals, a variety of standard bar mirrors, fairing mounted mirrors and bar end mirrors, parts are available in a variety of anodized colors.

Winter Glove Sale

Yesterday we stocked up on some great clearance gloves direct from Alpinestars close-out shelf. In our opinion, one of the best winter gloves you can buy, the Alpinestars Vega Drystar Gloves are on sale at our clearance web site at about 30% off. Limited sizing and colors available. What's so great about them? Well, most winter gloves you see are either something more like snow gloves, textile, or, they are regular leather gloves with a liner in them. The Vegas are made with both leather and gore-tex, are fully lined and even feature solid carbon fiber knuckle protection, all in a gauntlet style long glove with double wrist closures. They fit great too. In our opinion, they were under-priced when they weren't on sale.

Meanwhile if you haven't taken advantage of some of the other clearance items, peruse our close-out section off the main web site for $150 leather jackets and $500 full leather suits.

Factory Aprilia Darryl Atkins Announces Retirement

Factory Aprilia Darryl Atkins Announces

Retirement from AMA Supermoto

I have decided to retire from AMA Supermoto, to move forward with the more pivotal aspects of my life. I am thankful for all of the success and fulfillment I have had throughout my career as a racer / team owner, and am truly grateful to have the opportunity to focus more intently on my various alternative business ventures.

Supermoto is a great sport, and I’ve given it an enormous portion of my soul over the past 5 years. 4 AMA National Championship wins, twice being Vice Champion, and having been awarded 2007 Team Champion have all been outstanding achievements for myself and my team. Unfortunately, at this point some controversial political circumstances within the sport have caused me to lose interest in continuing with AMA Supermoto.

The current global economic condition, and the new focus from Aprilia USA on the AMA Roadracing series are additional reasons to withdraw my Factory Aprilia Rip It Race Team from AMA Supermoto. I will redirect my attention, and existing relationships to the more flourishing areas of my life, and this industry. If given the chance you may see the Team back for the X-Games.

Currently, I am in negotiation with Factory Aprilia for Ben Carlson to compete in the S2 World Supermoto Championship. If everything comes together and goes smoothly, Ben could quite possibly become America 's first Supermoto World Champion. All my best to the Carlson family in this exciting new endeavor.

I have built great relationships within the sport, and it is not easy for me to say goodbye. With that being said, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved. All of the Factory Aprilia Rip It sponsors, along with the talented group of guys whom I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the past 5 years. Most importantly, the greatest blessing I have ever been given, my beautiful, supportive and understanding wife Heather.

Factory Aprilia Rip It 2008 Team Sponsors: Aprilia USA, Rip It Energy Fuel, Parts Unlimited, Bel-Ray Oils, Dunlop Tires, Global Freight Solutions, AF1 Racing, Supermoto Engineering, Race Tech, FA-BA Wheels, Ice Parts, Silmoto, Sunoco Racing Fuels, Beringer Brakes, Scott Goggles, Thor, Alpinestars, Renthal, Asterisk, Works Connection, Twin Air, Supersprox, Suzuka Tire Warmers, Regina Chains, Ogio Bags, Mechanix Wear, ZLT, Pit Bull, G2, CR&A Customs, Acerbis, Tecbolt, Stomp Grip, AP Designs, Power Commander, Dyno Jet, Cycle Cynch.

Special Thanks to Factory Aprilia Rip it 2008 Team & Crew: Ben Carlson (2007 AMA Unlimited Supermoto Champion), Amauri Nunes, Chuck McCarty, John Weiss, Steve Mora, John Papola, Ed Cook and Robert Pandya for the fantastic job. I'd also like to extend a special thanks to Mike Bell my personal trainer and Mitch Hansen, along with everyone at HMC KTM for their effort and support during my first two years on the AMA circuit.

Noteworthy Alpinestars Close-Outs for 2009

Our price desk was recently alerted to a number of price slashings of the Alpinestars variety. It's always a good thing when you can get the hottest brand in motorcycle clothing for cheap. And, you may want to stick around, because we hear more are on the way. In the meantime, there's plenty to be had right now while they last.

The Alpinestars SG-1 suit, sold all day long last year for $649.95 and it's available now for $499.00, in both a ONE or TWO PIECE variety. Inventory is flying out of here so act quick!

If you're a big guy, you've got 3 colors and two sizes to choose from in a full blown sport jacket from Alpinestars that sold last year for a full $499.00. Grab them now for just $149.00. The Alpinestars Vector jacket.

Among many others, the last one we'll tell you about here (go check the site for others) is the Alpinestars TZ-1 leather jacket. A real steal at just $213.00.

Motostrano Nor Cal Series Expert Class Number Plates

Laid out on the floor.

Companies

I realized a funny thing today. Something funny about small companies. It probably applies to large companies too.

I came home from work today and as I opened the gate a shiny shipping folder was sitting in the mail box by our entrance. I checked the address and saw that it was addressed to my wife and carried it inside. The packaging looked brilliant and expensive. Kind of a chrome bubble wrap envelope stuff.

I set the package on the counter and later my wife opened it up.

I asked her what it was, and she said something like it was some strange brand of really hard to find baby clothing from France or something like that. From the store "Loveyoubaby".

(But this is what really struck me) Then she said "Every time she puts something on sale, I have to buy something." The operative word there being "she".

It seemed odd to me that my wife identified her shopping as buying something from a person directly in stead of from a company, or a web site, or a business. It seemed so personal, rather than impersonal and this was from a web purchase.

Then I realized that many of Motostrano's customers, "my" customers, probably have the same sort of buying experience.

I hear it from customers, you, often. "I check your site a lot". "I'm on there every day". "Call up Joe".

It's fulfilling and at the same time odd to hear. We, er, I, spend a lot of time building a "brand", a "company", a web site. But it's really a facade in front of just a few people, in front of a person, in between you, the customer. It may as well be Joe's Moto Stuff that's the destination, but I call it and you know it as Motostrano.

I checked out "Loveyoubaby". I first typed in "loveyoubaby.com" and that directed me to a one line web page that simply said "Love You".  Unrelated to the store I was looking for. That, in itself, is one of the coolest things about this company. Imagine, if every time some one recommended your company and when they searched for it on Google they first had to stumble on some other web site entirely that simply said "love you",  and then they had to back track and dig just a little deeper to find the actual store.  Kind of a nice accident.

A little more google magic took me to www.shoploveyoubaby.com and the web store. Cute little site. Cute stuff, baby stuff. googoo gaga stuff. Like a little boutique you'd find on some little side street in some little town selling cute little stuff. Looking a little deeper, it had a lot of signs of a small one person little company, perhaps even run out of a garage or back room for all I knew. But the surface was clean and advanced. Very cool items for sale. Very unique.

Made me think- are we coming to the end of the "big company", the "corporation". We've probably already reach that point and I'm just late to the party, as usual. But has the web turned the corporation on its head so now individuals can be companies and create elaborate brands around just a few people?

Alpinestars Close-Out Sale

Motostrano has uploaded some price reductions on some great close-out Alpinestars jackets and suits for Men and Women. Now's the time to buy a full leather one piece or two piece suit from Alpinestars for just $499!! The Alpinestars SG-1 Suit has been marked down in both one and two piece varieties.

A simply great jacket to swipe up while supplies last is the Alpinestars Vector Leather jacket. This is the 2007 model and originally sold for $499!! This jacket is on par with the Alpinestars MX-1 and SMX Air Flow Jackets. The best part of the story? It's on sale for just $142.95!

Like Yellow? The Alpinestars 7-2 Jacket is on sale for just $213.95.

Looking for a solid leather women's jacket? Grab the Alpinestars Dyno Leather Jacket while supplies remain for just $142.95!

More great deals are available at our web site, www.motostrano.com.