TransWorld Motocross — September 2017

PRODUCT REPORT PHOTOS BY DONN MAEDA

What It Is
Padded shorts are worn by many
motocrossers beneath their riding
pants, as the built-in chamois pad
offers great protection against the
dreaded “monkey butt” syndrome
encountered when turning in long
motos. The Alpinestars Paragon Bib
Short is designed to offer additional
protection for downhill mountain
bikers, but it has great crossover val-
ue for motocross. In addition to the
built-in chamois, the Paragon Bib
Short features removable hip pads,
Lycra, and 3D mesh construction for
comfort and breathability, but the
feature we are most impressed by is
a CE level 1 back protector that slips
into a pouch in the backside of the
bib, covering the wearer’s spine.

Hits

• The Paragon Bib Short is comfort-
  able and breathes well enough that
  it is impossible to detect while riding.


• The thigh compression of the
  short helps support your muscles
  and fight the buildup of lactic acid.


• Built from flexible, soft, viscoelastic,
  shock-absorbing foam, the back pro-

Price: $249.95

ALPINESTARS

PARAGON BIB SHORTS

042

s

g p some of the best brake rotors and pads in the

p fly Aluminum Oversized Rotor Kit features a mas-

f t rotor, a caliper spacer, and a set of high-quality

brake pads. The floating Batfly disc now floats on

instead of stainless steel. We installed this kit on

ki KX450F test bike, which comes stock with an

d 0 mm rotor.

Hits

• To be honest, we were worried about the stopping power that the
  280 mm Braking Batfly rotor would yield, but we were pleasantly
  surprised to find that although the stopping power was improved,
  it was stiff, controllable, and predictable.


• The Batfly rotor just looks mean. With its directional design, com-
  plete with cooling fins for temperature control and mud and dirt
  shedding, it has a look like no other disc.


• Installing the kit is simple and requires only minutes. The quality
  of the billet aluminum caliper spacer is excellent.

Misses

• Because it is larger than stock, the kit weighs a little more than
  the stock components.


• Care must be taken to install the Batfly rotor in the correct
  direction.

The Verdict

Front brake rotor sizes have grown in recent years, and when

Kawasaki equipped its KX250F and KX450F with “oversized” 270

mm rotors on the showroom floor, we wondered if that would

make a dent in the oversized rotor market. Braking has responded

with a massive 280 mm kit that offers even more stopping power,

while retaining great feel and modulation.

braking.com

$

BRAKING BATFLY ALUMINUM OVERSIZED KIT

tector covers your spine and offers a

level of added protection against im-

pacts in the event of a crash.

• The back protector is comfortable
  and low in profile, and easy to get
  used to within a matter of laps.


• Removing the back protector
  when washing the bib is easy, as it
  slips in and out of a pocket that’s
  built in to the bib easily.

Misses

• If you’ve never worn cycling shorts
  or a bib shorts before, the feeling
  can take some getting used to. The
  chamois pad, especially, can feel
  much like a diaper.

The Verdict

Let’s face it: Motocross is a dang

ous sport, but at the same time

is also fashion-fickle and wearing

full-coverage chest protector is ’

as popular as it should be. T

Alpinestars Paragon Bib Short

a great way to protect your spi

undetectably.

alpinestars.com

ALPINESTARS

What It Is

Braking produces

sport, and the Batf

sive 280 mm front

Braking sintered b

aluminumcarriers

our 2017 Kawasak

“oversized” 27 0 m

Hits

Price: $372.9 0

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