MXA TEAM TESTED: MATRIX M30-R FACTORY FOUR-DRAWER TOOLBOX

WHAT IS IT? The Matrix M30-R Factory four-drawer toolbox is used by factory teams, mechanics and weekend warriors. It is a toolbox that was built with quality and customization in mind.

WHAT’S IT COST? $399.95, $79.95 (customizable graphics kit extra).

CONTACT? www.matrixracingproducts.com or (661) 253-1592.

WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with the four-drawer Matrix M30-R Factory toolbox.

(1) Features. This big, red, factory-looking four-drawer toolbox from Matrix is a must-have for anyone from the average weekend warrior to the established pro motocross racer. This toolbox has heavy-duty handles and hinges. The folding security lid is lockable, and two keys are included. The lid fits into pre-made grooves and covers the whole front of the box. The best thing about the folding lid is that it keeps the drawers closed when you are driving down that bumpy dirt road to your secret spot. Nothing is more irritating than having the drawers of your toolbox fly open, because that often changes the weight bias and makes the toolbox spill its contents or, worse yet, bends the drawer rails. This will not happen with the Matrix toolbox. It weighs 62 pounds, stands 13.1 inches tall, is 26.3 inches wide and has 12.5-inch-deep drawers.

(2) Drawers. The drawers have heavy-duty, full-extension ball-bearing slides. When closing the drawers, you can be confident that you have closed them all the way, as you will feel a click. The top three drawers are the same size. The bottom drawer is about double the height of the upper drawers. This bigger bottom drawer is perfect for hammers, air fork pumps and spare parts. The Matrix M30-R Factory toolbox comes with rubber drawer liners to help keep your tools from sliding around too much. The handles on the drawers are extruded aluminum and very durable.

(3) Options. The Matrix Concepts toolbox has customizable graphics in Pro or GP styles and is offered in eight different colors—white, black, blue, grey, green, yellow, red and orange. You can even add your name and number into the graphics. You can also get two-drawer, three-drawer and six-drawer Matrix toolboxes.

WHAT’S THE SQUAWK? Having a custom toolbox with graphics means it is easy to scratch. Just as with a brand-new bike, the first scratch is always the hardest to cope with.

MXA RATING: This is a toolbox that is made for a motocrosser. It is great for the garage, durable enough to travel with and big enough to carry all the tools you need.

TUSK...Style, Function, Value!

Have you ever bent up you shift lever? Perhaps you have just mangled the tip on that big rock you never thought you'd hit. Maybe you just want to customize the look of your bike. If so it's time to visit TUSK.

Visit www.rockymountainatvmc.com

TAG METALS Rebound Grips

Recently I went looking for some new handlebars. I wanted to go back to a pair that had a crossbar. I have always felt more comfortable with that style. I finally setteled on a pair from TAG Metals.  I've been riding with them for a couple of months now and am completely happy but that's not what this is about. I'm sure you've heard the old saying "you can't teach an old dog a new tricK". Well I'm an old dog but I think I learned something new. I've been using the same grips for many years and swore I'd never switch. I mean what can be different, half waffle, full waffle, soft, hard that's about it. Much to my surprize technology has come to grip design. I was skeptical at first but after a few months use I have come to appreciate the shock asporation and reduced hand fatigue these new Rebound Grips provide. Kudos to TAG Metals for bringing a new design to an old product.

 STANDARD SIZE. REBOUND TECHNOLOGY GRIP MATRIX SURROUNDS THE GRIP OFFERING SUSPENSION FEEL FOR YOUR HANDS.

FEATURES

Dual compound with rebound technology

Superior shock absorption; no more blisters

Less hand and arm fatigue

More traction than any other grip

Softest compound material of any grip on the market

The REBOUND TECHNOLOGY grip matrix surrounds the grip in a DNA-modeled molecular structure.

Placing more cushioning material strategically along the entire shaft of the grip in the sensitive thumb area and wraps 360 degrees around the shaft acting as suspension for your hands.

Check'em out at www.tagmetalsracing.com

Best in Class...SKF Fork Seals

After years of frustation with OEM Yamaha seals I switched to SKF several years ago and what a difference. I agree completly with the review from MXA listed below. SKF seals are the absolute best in class!

MX43

MXA Review

(1) Leakers. Nothing is more frustrating than looking down at your fork leg and seeing oil oozing towards your front brake rotor. A leaking fork seal means down time–because modern upside-down forks require a modicum of know-how and tools to replace a fork seal

(2) Usage. The MXA wrecking crew races seven bikes every weekend and when you add in the midweek test days, we have a lot of experience with fork seals. And, by the very nature of the beast, all experience with fork seals is bad, because when they don’t leak you don’t think about them.

(3) Experience. A motocross fork lives in a dirty environment. Even worse, it has to endure a very long stroke at high shaft speeds with instantaneous direction changes. When you add the side loads, contamination and migration of particles to the picture, it is amazing that any seal can live up to the demands of motocross. And most don’t. At any given time one or two of MXA’s fleet of test bikes has a leaker. Our experience revealed to us that Showa seals were most likely to leak, Kayaba second most likely and WP the least likely. Why? Because KTM’s WP forks come stock with SKF fork seals. As a test, we started fixing every leaker with replacement SKF forks seals. The results were promising. The SKF fork seals seemed to have double the life of the stock OEM seals.

(4) Static friction. SKF seal kits consist of a new oil seal and a new dust wiper. SKF’s self-lubricating rubber compound not only enables them to keep the oil in, but to reduce static friction (stiction) by a significant amount. Less stiction means that the fork moves more accurately over small bumps and light loads–when stiction is at its greatest.

(5) Durability. In MXA’s opinion, modern fork seals are lightyears better than seals from a few years ago. It is highly likely that a 2015-era fork seal would never leak or wear out if dirt wasn’t introduced into the equation–which is why SKF insists on installing a new dust wiper every time you replace a seal. It’s not a matter of keeping the oil in, as much as the dirt out. Sadly, a large percentage of leaking fork seals are caused by nicks in the chrome forks legs, nicks that are caused by the front wheel of the bike throwing debris. Even the best forks seals can’t avoid getting torn by a nick. You need to learn to find nicks, by feel, and burnish them off with 600 grit sand paper before they tear the rubber.

WHAT’S THE SQUAWK? Price. SKF fork seals cost more than most aftermarket seals, although the price includes a new dust seal. Given the cost of replacing forks seals, the price of a seal that last twice as long is worth it.

MXA RATING
The added performance gained by the reduction in stiction is icing on the cake. The cake itself is almost double the fork seal life (if a ding doesn’t get it first). Great seals.

May Be the Best Buy in Goggles!

MXA PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: $25 EKS BRAND FLAT-OUT GOGGLE

EKS Brand GOX Flat-Out goggles is one of the best selling goggles in EKS Brand’s line. The 2019 version features and ultra-pliable Poly-Flex urethane frame (now with a matte finish, multi-layer neoprene fleece lined face foam, and anti-fog coated lens). The exclusive frame material allows the GOX goggle to conform comfortably to a variety of face shapes. The GOX Flat-Out features a fresh looking matte finish

The GOX Flat-out lens is made from the highest quality polycarbonate, is shatter-resistant, anti-scratch and anti-fog coated lens with 100% UVA protection. Tear-off posts integrated into the premium lens for quick and easy tear-off installation. Anti-static smudge resistant goggle bag comes standard in every box.The strap is woven with double buckles for maximum adjustability, silicone backed for secure strap placement and firm hold around your helmet. The GOX Flat Out includes 17mm thick, 3-layer face-foam, lined with a moisture-wicking fleece lining, providing the best anti-drip, sweat protection available. The specially designed 100-PPI reticulated vent foam induces maximum airflow while keeping unwanted dust and debris out, which also allows

moisture and condensation to escape freely, preventing lens fogging in varied riding conditions. Best of all, the retail price of the EKS Brand GOX Flat-out goggle (with a clear lens) is an amazing $25.99 in blue, flat black, grey, flo yellow, black/red/ red/white’blue and black/white. For more info go to www.eksbrand.com