Bent but not Broken!

Durability Testing

I have had the opportunity to evaluate products for the long haul with a couple of things being apparent.  One is that I can destroy almost anything if you give me enough time and the other is that some of the products are of such good quality and function I am amazed I don’t see them on every bike I pass.

The two items I have had the chance to long term test are a shift lever and an oil cooler, both being used and abused on a Honda CRF-X 450. The oil cooler is manufactured by IRP-LLC and is such a simple and clean bolt on operation that someone might think it can’t work. 

 But rest assured it does. The increased oil capacity and out of the motor circulation the cooler provides has more than doubled the time between oil changes. I also believe it is the reason this bike is not requiring piston, ring and valve replacement that I have been hearing of others having to do on the same model bike.  The durability part has been proven by repeated bashing through boulders and anything on the trail without a single failure in 3 years on two different bikes. I have even had to replace a side case without doing anymore damage to the cooler than a nasty gash. I am thoroughly impressed with this product and would have to give it a solid “10” rating.  You can contact them at ian@irp-llc.com or 503 860-5712.

The second item is a Hammerhead shift lever. I have used this shifter for approximately 2 years until I damaged it on the same boulder that the oil cooler survived. The Hammerhead shifter worked as designed until I smashed and bent it beyond use or repair. I had in fact worn out one replaceable tip and upgraded to a +10mm tip for easier boot clearance. Replaceable parts and adjustability, this alone is worth the price of admission.  The shifter was bent outward beyond normal use but still functioned to get home on. Greg at Hammerhead explained to me that they designed them that way in an attempt to not damage the shift shaft on the bike since that would be a more costly and time consuming repair. The best part was when I checked with Hammerhead through their website the warranty was for the first 6 months. Fair enough since this sucker was at least 2 years and two tips old.  Then Greg offered to replace it at 50% off retail even without the receipt.  I was pleased and surprised to find a company willing to take care of a customer that used their product for that amount of time and made it an easy and pleasant experience. My new replacement shifter is on the way! Hammerhead can be reached at www.hdmoto.com

Hope this information is useful to mx43.com readers, and do your best to avoid BIG rocks,

#33