Classifieds

2009 Literbike Shootout

The Pursuit of Perfection

It’s been nearly 12 years since I began working as a full-time motojournalist, and I get wistful for those simpler days. Back then, the literbikes (CBR900RR, ZX-9R, GSX-R1100 and YZF1000) were separated by nearly 100 pounds of weight and huge power disparities, and ergonomics ranged from racetrack refugee to something we now call sport-tour-y. Even a neophyte motojourno could pick a clear winner.

But today, we’re stuck in a world of finely honed and fully featured literbikes whose level of diversity is amazingly insignificant. They all haul ass around a racetrack, chassis geometry distinctions are measured in fractions, and peak horsepower differs only by about 5%. Unless you’re a nationally ranked Superbike racer, each of these bikes is way better than you are, and saying one is significantly better than another is mere hair-splitting.

ATV Reviews

Shift Racing Gear Review

Since Shift first stormed onto the powersports scene in 1997 it has been producing some of the most creative and unique looking designs in the industry. Shift provides a full line of gear from head to toe including sick looking helmets, well-ventilated pants and jerseys, and comfortable boots.

We started off trying on the new lid. The Agent helmet fit a little snug at first, but after a few rides the pads began to soften up just enough to make the helmet a bit more comfortable. The Agent helmet has several vents that allow air to flow throughout the pads. We never found our head getting sweaty even after putting lap after lap on Los Angeles County Racing’s grueling motocross track when we originally tested the Yamaha YFZ450R.