TPR's new YouTube channel

Tarantula Performance Racing has gone mainstream with the launch of its new YouTube channel, TPRquads, this week.

TPR's first video, an overview of the Race Safer Pro Nerf Bars, is posted below. But be sure to follow the link and subscribe to TPRquads for updates on how-to features, product reviews and quad riding and racing action.

Product Review - TPR Kill Switch Mount

TPR Tether Kill Switch Mount 


MSRP: $17.95

WHAT IS IT? Tarantula Performance Racing's Tether Kill Switch Mount bolts on to the stock Yamaha clutch perch in place of the factory parking brake lever. The tether mount fits most aftermarket tether kill switches, including Pro Design and Yamaha's own GYT-R tether kill switch. The mount is made of T-6061 aircraft grade aluminum and features a ribbed bend for added strength and bend resistance in the event of a get-off.

HITS: The TPR kill switch mount gives you a place to mount your kill switch on bars where space is a premium, such as narrow handlebars, fat bars and the new pivoting bars that don't offer much space. By the time you add handguards and new grips to most bars, space is at a premium and you're often left with nowhere to mount your tether kill switch, which is a requirement in almost all forms of ATV off-road racing. The mount includes high-grade stainless mounting hardware. Features a durable powdercoat finish.

MISSES: Currently only available for Yamaha-style stock clutch perch.

THE VERDICT: If you're struggling to find space for your kill switch on your Yamaha, then this mod will solve your problems.

RATING: 1..2..3..4..5..6..7..8..9..10

Contact: www.tprusa.com  330-273-3456

Product Review: TPR nerf bars

TPR Race Safer PRO Nerf Bars

MSRP: $369.95

WHAT IS IT? Tarantula Performance Racing's Race Safer Pro nerf bars break the mold when it comes to conventional ATV nerf bars. These bars offer an increased level of protection to the rider via the "Pocket Bar Bend," which turns up at an angle from the front of the quad towards the rear integrated heel guard. This outer bar, unlike conventional flat nerf bars, does a better job of keeping a competitor's wheels from reaching your legs. And it helps keep your boots planted on the foot pegs if you get squirrelly at an inopportune time out on the track, trail or dunes.

HITS: These nerf bars mount up in a matter of minutes. No bending or ratchet straps needed. They practically fall onto the quad because the mounts are designed with such tight tolerances. The pegs are wide and extremely grippy, and the heel guard netting reduces weight without sacrificing security.

MISSES: We haven't encountered a single problem or failure in more than a year of testing with these nerf bars. They are more suited for motocross due to their width, so some XC riders might be less comfortable dodging trees with them.

THE VERDICT: These nerf bars, unlike some that claim to revolutionize nerf bar design, actually did break away from the traditional flat bar design. The aluminum nerfs are light weight yet strong, and the steel pegs offer a great deal of support. If you're a motocross racer who wants the latest and greatest, this should be your next set of nerf bars.

RATING: 1..2..3..4..5..6..7..8..9..10

Contact: www.tprusa.com  330-273-3456

Product Review: Soft Bars

ATV Four Play's Generation II Soft Bars
MSRP: $325

WHAT IS IT? The best way to describe ATV Four Play's Soft Bars is to say they're suspension for your wrists, arms and upper body. The Soft Bars work by pivoting in a downward motion on a urethane bushing.  The overall bar length is 31.5 inches with 10.5 inches of usable handlebar space in a 7/8-inch diameter bar. The Soft Bars weigh in at a mere 4.5 pounds and are available in the popular 12-degree bend, which is similar to the original Honda CR high bend.

HITS: Unlike their competition, the Soft Bars are fully adjustable without having to unbolt the handlebar mechanism to swap out parts.The resistance level delivered by the cone-shaped bushing is fully adjustable by turning a screw, so each rider can dial in how soft or stiff they want the bars. And the system is progressive, so the resistance increases as the bar moves through its travel. These bars are available for a wide variety of ATV models and stock and aftermarket steering stems. The bars are completely rebuildable.

MISSES: None! These bars are extremely comfortable from an ergonomics standpoint. They help reduce vibration and arm pump all while cushioning the harsh blows motocross can deal to your shoulder and arm joints. The only down side is the price.

THE VERDICT: ATV Four Play is often leading the way in innovation for the ATV industry. These bars are one of the best investments you can make to your quad. We've been riding on them for a year and they just keep getting better.

RATING: 1..2..3..4..5..6..7..8..9.5..10

Contact: http://www.atvfourplay.com/

Product Review: Tail Light Block-Off

HMF Tail Light Eliminator for YFZ450R

MSRP: $59.95

WHAT IS IT? HMF's Tail Light Eliminator for the YFZ450R allows you to remove your stock rear tail light and still protect the vital electronic components tucked behind it. When removed, the stock tail light leaves a gaping hole in the stock rear plastic guard designed to protect the battery and wiring harness. HMF's Tail Light Eliminator replaces the stock black plastic guard and completely surrounds the electronics to protect them from roost and rocks.

HITS: The Tail Light Eliminator is made of T6061 aluminum, so its extremely durable. The opening where the wiring harness exits the eliminator is lined with rubber to protect the harness from rubbing or being cut by the aluminum. It features full coverage to help keep mud and water out of the electronics in addition to rocks and dirt. The eliminator mounts quickly and easily, and HMF provides the mounting hardware.

MISSES: The only issue we can think of is the fact this guard is made of aluminum, so it does add a minimal amount of weight to the rear end and out at the end of a poorly supported sub frame on the YFZR. There are some carbon-fiber models out on the market, but they don't look as good as the HMF block-off in our opinion.

THE VERDICT: Every woods racer should have one of these to protect their vital electronic components from the nasty debris on cross-country tracks. The eliminator is a bonus for motocross racers to protect from your own roost and rocks and looks much better than the stock plastic guard. All it takes is just one rock or deep mud hole to ruin your day. Regardless of where you ride, if you're planning to remove your stock YFZR tail light, then you should buy this eliminator.

RATING: 1..2..3..4..5..6..7..8..9..10

Contact: www.hmfracing.com

Product Review: Chassis Skid Plate

B-Tek SKIDEZ Chassis Skid Plate

MSRP: $169.95

WHAT IS IT? B-Tek's aluminum, single-bolt ATV chassis skid plate system mounts with brackets that slide into the lower frame rails and hook the skid plate in place. Tested on the YFZ450R, a rubber spacer and a single bolt mount in the access port in the lower frame rail for the bottom steering stem nut. Included is an allen wrench for the mounting bolt.

HITS: The single-bolt system works flawlessly in that our test model has never come loose in a year of testing on rough motocross tracks. It's a much faster mounting system than other chassis skid plates, which typically use the 4 to 6 mounting bolts used for the stock plastic skid plate. The skid is cushioned where it meets the frame rails with half-inch adhesive neoprene padding. And the single-bolt system fits so well that you never have to worry about losing a corner mounting bolt and having a floppy skid plate.

MISSES: Occasionally the single-bolt rubber mounting system can be difficult to line up and can take a few minutes to actually secure the skid plate. It's easiest to mount the skid with the quad standing on its rear grab bar. You do have to remove the skid plate for oil changes on the YFZR.

THE VERDICT: The single-bolt SKIDEZ (Skid-ease) is an extremely well designed, solid part. It's held up well to bottoming on rocky, rutted motocross tracks, and the single-bolt system has never come loose on us. This is the future of ATV skid plates. It's available for the YFZ, YFZR, TRX, LTR and KTM 450 sport models.

RATING: 1..2..3..4..5..6..7..8..9..10

Contact www.btekperformance.com/

Product Review: PCV

DynoJet Power Commander V

MSRP: $369.95 from DynoJet

WHAT IS IT?  DynoJet's PCV allows ATV, dirt bike and street bike owners whose machine has EFI to adjust and tune their electronic fuel ignition map to accomodate modifications such as an aftermarket exhaust, air intake or internal engine upgrades. The PCV is DynoJet's latest electronic fuel tuner and attaches inline to the machine's EFI system and mounts to the machine.

HITS: We tested the PCV on our project quad Yamaha 2009 YFZ450R. The PCV installed easily, and downloading a modified fuel map to the quad was as simple as downloading fuel maps from PowerCommander.com, plugging the PCV into our laptop via a USB cable and clicking send! The PCV is water resistant, and it offers the user the ability to fine-tune and adjust individual fuel map settings with a laptop. DynoJet has several ready-made fuel maps available for download for a variety of different modifications from basic to full-on race engines with different combinations of aftermarket exhaust brands.

MISSES: Many EFI quad owners, particularly YFZ450R owners, are already scrambling for the latest fuel module. The PCV is a great unit if you have "standard" aftermarket mods, such as a filter, exhaust and piston. All you have to do is download a ready-made fuel map and you're good to go. However, if you have more complex modifications done to your quad and need to fine tune your fuel map, the process is very complex and difficult to learn. If you're not electronics savvy, not just the PCV but any fuel tuner is going to make you long for the days of carburation.

THE VERDICT: DynoJet's PCV installed onto our YFZ450R quickly and easily, and downloading and trying different maps took about 60 seconds each, compared to the time involved with changing pilot jets and needle settings in the past. The PCV is easy to use, but for those who need help tech support is readily available and DynoJet approved tuning centers are located throughout the U.S. For another $259.99, you can buy DynoJet's Auto Tuner and the PCV will make automatic adjustments to your machine as you ride.

RATING: 1..2..3..4..5..6..7..8..9..10

Contact: http://www.powercommander.com/