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When I bought my 2006 YZ450F, it came with the stock exhaust.  That simply will not do.  After an exhaustive session of online research, I ended up going to MRD Racing for their stainless steel PROCOMP full exhaust system with spark arrestor for just over $400. 

Reading forums revealed that the pipe people own is the “best pipe out there”.  Because of the desert terrain and technical trails I choose to ride, this is what sealed the deal:
MRD pipes are designed for durability as well as performance. We utilize thicker gauge material in damage prone areas like head pipe, mount section, and muffler canister. If your pipe fails or is damaged in a crash, MRD will fix it free of charge.
It

After almost six years of blood, sweat, tears, and Arizona brush (along with one header from an endo), it was time to replace my helmet.  Originally, my priority was cooling.  Period.  That led me straight to the Klim F4 helmet, but the lack of reviews and the info from the one owner that I know steered me away.

SIDEBAR:  The guy I know is local and also rides in the AZ heat.  He said it was the best helmet he has worn in terms of cooling.  The problem was with durability of those ’scoops’ as he had already broken one off.  We ride similar terrain and while the cooling was nice, a cost to maintain broken pieces was not in

I wrote a review of the standard z-Start Clutch w/ Perch by Rekluse that I had on my YZ426f.  Back in February of this year, I replaced that bike with a 2006 YZ450F and added several goodies.  Based on the above review and experience with the standard system, I decided to go with a z-Start Pro Clutch.

Everything good about the original system is still part of the Pro system (Please read the standard z-Start Clutch review as I suck at typing).  Robbing the text from their website, everything that they claim (below) is true:

• Perfect override through the entire RPM range
• Smoother engagement with more consistent clamping force
• Billet aluminum center clutch maximizes clutch performance and increases durability
• Simple installation
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It was recommended to me that I try one of the Rekluse systems when I started riding the more technical single track trails.  I had been riding single tracks for a year or two, but nothing with real elevation changes and usually by myself (this was five years ago).  Auto clutch?  No f’ing way.  That stuff is for sissies.

Move ahead to fall of 2007 when I had just bought a 2005 YZ250 to compliment my current 2000 YZ426f.  I found one used on thumpertalk.com and bought it.  This was the standard model with the perch.

The installation seems intimidating due to the amount of parts, but if you have a little patience it can be done by the typical weekend

With real winter looming over the inter-mountain West, I decided to head south for the Thanksgiving holidays and get a last fix of moderate temperatures before acquiescing to the frosty seasonal grip. I drove almost 2000 miles through 4 states, visited old friends, made new ones, freeloaded, camped-out under the stars and wrapped it all around several days of on and off-road riding. Exactly what every motorcyclist should do with free time, especially with some extra days around holidays.

I started my journey headed to Phoenix, but unlike previous trips, which had me skirting the Grand Canyon, weather predictions indicated potentially substantial snow in the high country, so I kept my elevation down and limited my travel to the Interstate. This

The press release from the Arizona Game and Fish says it all…
News Media - Dec 19, 2008 -New state laws requiring purchase take effect Jan. 1

A coalition of state agencies has agreed on a price for the new off-highway vehicle (OHV) decal that will be required in Arizona to operate most ATVs, dirt bikes, and other OHVs meeting certain criteria beginning in January.

The “OHV Decal” will cost $25 and will be issued annually through the Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division (MVD). Revenues from the purchase of the decal will help better manage Arizona’s exploding OHV use and help protect natural resources.

“This is the most important legislation that I have sponsored,” said Rep. Jerry Weiers (R-Glendale). “This

We were cleaning house in preparation for Christmas. The decorations were up and, as we stowed away the empty ornament and tree cartons in the garage, we noted some of the other storage boxes gathering dust therein. One of the boxes was marked “motorcycle gear.” It had been sitting in storage for the past 16 years or so. I couldn’t help myself; I brought the box into the house wondering at its contents. The passage of time dimmed my memory of what had been sealed in the mysterious box. So, in essence, this was my first Christmas present of the season.

I opened the box and started rummaging through its contents. The first three items hardly related to motorcycle gear - except in remote fashion. You see, the

Over the course of my 30-year riding career, I’ve had many experiences with the general public that have both confounded me and brought hope. I’m primarily referring to the number of times total strangers have purposely approached me to start a conversation just because I was riding a motorcycle. Ever since the movie “The Wild One” permanently scared the reputation of riders, labeling them “bikers”, and assigning them all manner of undesirable qualities, us 99%-ers have been living with the stigma ever since. According to the media, our ranks are still feared by the Joe or Josephine Average. But the vast majority of my experiences have proved this not to be the case.

I’m not sure the exact social dynamic, but

…for the previous, previous owner of my dirt bike.  See, Arizona is a ‘notary state’ which eans the signature of the seller MUST be notarized on the title prior to the sale in order for the buyer to transfer the title.  Herein lies the problem.

I knew this was the case, but what turned out to be a pretty smokin’ deal on my 2006 YZ450F at the time is now creating a little drama.  The guy I bought the bike from neither got a notarized title nor transferred the title into his name.  Normally this is no big deal for a dirt bike and that was the case…until now (well…Jan 1st, 2009).  At that time, all dirt bikes will have to be registered and pay

First of all, for all the idiots looking to sue, I am not an attorney and do not offer this material below as professional advice.  The below information is to be treated as reference material and is what I have discovered through my own research and conversation.

If you have came across this article because you just got a friendly piece of mail from the ‘State’ that includes a ticket for speeding via a photo speed enforcement camera, you have my condolences.  Our system in Arizona is not about safety but rather revenue generation.  I personally have a few problems with the camera system versus a real live cop issuing me a ticket.

• Circumstance - the ability to have a real live discussion
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