MOTOCROSS STUFF THAT MXA CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT: PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR SOMEONE YOU LOVE...LIKE YOURSELF

Whether you plan to be generous to yourself or your friends this holiday season, the MXA wrecking crew wants to share the small handful of concepts, ideas and visions that were creative enough to make our list of must-have products. Of the thousands of products on sale, here is the MXA wrecking crew's list of must-haves. Enjoy your holiday shopping.

The Motool Slacker digital sag scale is an innovative replacement for the old-school, ruler-type sag sticks. It allows racers to check their race sag with an electronic readout that is amazingly accurate. Plus, the new Slacker V4 Bluetooth model simplifies the task of checking your sag by making it a one-person job. You can also use your smartphone to get real-time readings on your sag measurements.

Here's a tip: MXA drills a small hole in the rear fender and puts the hook into it to get an accurate reading without using the C-clamp.

$179.99 (main unit only), $199.99 (Slacker V4 + wireless remote display)—www.motool.co.

Sahara gear is Moose Racing's ventilated line of motocross gear. It is designed to keep you cool on hot summer days. Every gear company boasts about its ventilation tactics, but Moose Racing's Sahara kit is arguably the most breathable gear on the market. With Moose Racing offering six different sets of vented gear compared to the one or two sets that competing brands offer, you can tell that Moose Racing takes its vented lineup seriously.

The entire jersey is perforated with holes to maximize air flow. The front of the jersey and the sleeves use smaller holes to boost durability against roost, while the back of the jersey has bigger holes to let off steam. The pants use highly ventilated polyester mesh material in the front with reinforced, high-denier seat and knee construction.

$49.95 (jersey), $139.95 (pants)—www.mooseracing.com.

Pro Circuit's Yamaha YZ250 exhaust system can be described in one word—explosive. This pipe bursts out an extra 3.46 ponies at 8000 rpm and peaks out at 9600 rpm, producing 49.33 horsepower, which is considerably more than the stock engine at peak. The pipe makes an incredible difference all the way through the powerband, but the initial hit was too strong for some of our test riders.

This is a racer's pipe. This pipe is best in the hands of two-stroke riders with serious skills. It hits hard and pulls even harder.

$317.95 (pipe), $171.95 (R-304 silencer)—www.procircuit.com.

The MXA wrecking crew is hard on its bikes and has suffered engine case, water pump, ignition cover and lower frame rail damage in the past. KTMs don't come with skid plates on their motocross or cross-country models. If you hit rocks, logs or other bikes, a skid plate can save your day and your wallet.

It's no secret that an aluminum skid plate can increase frame rigidity—not a good thing. With plastic skid plates, there is enough inherent flex in the material to eliminate this concern. The polypropylene skid plate is very durable at 6mm thick. The skid plate is shaped to fit snugly against the contours of the engine, reducing space for mud collection. The price of polypropylene skid plates is half that of carbon fiber skid plates. Consider a skid plate comparable to a helmet. We think that helmets and skid plates are investments in a happy future.

$82.95 (orange or black)—www.acerbisusa.com.

These aren't the narrow Italian boots that Sidi is known for. MXA test riders who had wide feet and disliked the tight toe box of previous Sidis felt comfortable in the Atojos. Long-term Sidi fans didn't mind the extra room and complemented the comfort and easy foot ingress (compared to the Crossfire 3 boots). If you couldn't fit in a Sidi because of their slim toe box, you need to try the wider Sidi Atojo boots.

The Atojo boots are all about saving weight. Sidi did most of the weight shedding by going with a three-buckle system and replacing much of the plastic with a suede material. On the track, the Atojo feels very light and nimble, as it offers a supreme connection between your bike and feet.

$569.99—www.motonation.com.

If you want plastic impact protection (front and rear), you have to accept some added girth. Of all the plastic roost guards we have tested, the Alpinestars A1 is the least obtrusive. Plus, it is CE-certified, has a modular design that allows you to remove the back protector, and is perforated for ventilation.

The Alpinestars A1 roost guard is the minimum that a rider can wear and still believe he is wearing protection.

$149.95—www.alpinestars.com.

SKF has a reputation for building the longest-lasting and best fork seals in the motocross biz, and its latest dual-compound innovation goes a long way towards enhancing that reputation. SKF's Dual-Compound fork-seal technology molds two different rubber compounds together in one fork seal. The tougher green compound rubber is used for the fork leg's wipers, while the softer red compound rubber is used against the fork tubes.

Helping the dual-compound rubber is a metal insert that provides structural integrity and a fork wiper that has a self-cleaning, open-wind spring to increase the seal pressure of the wiper.

$43.99 (one seal and wiper)—www.innteck-usa.com.

It's no secret that if you start with a five-star design and keep refining it, you will eventually achieve perfection. The TM Designworks Factory Edition SX guide has been narrowed, and ground clearance has increased. It has been imbued with an oil additive that reduces friction, and the chain wear blocks are longer and sleeker. Plus, you don't have to break the chain to install it.

Equipped with TMD's patented, impact-resistant, return-memory-system plastic and hybrid design, the TM chain guide is ready to handle the deepest of ruts with ease.

$92.95 (CRF, YZ, RM-Z, KX-F), $99.95 (KTM/Husky)—www.tmdesignworks.com.

Everyone loves Scalvini cone pipes for their exotic looks and quality materials. They are hand-cut, welded in multiple pieces of hand-rolled steel, and then hammered smooth at the joints. On the track, the Scalvini pipes are famous for their added power on top. In the pits, you see Scalvini cone pipes on many custom-built two-strokes.

But, few people know that Scalvini also make less-expensive stamped two-stroke pipes.$379.00 (cone pipe), $219.00 (stamped pipe), $315,oo (carbon silencer), $209.00 (aluminum silencer). www.motomandistributing.com.

When your bike is new, every part sparkles and shines. Unfortunately, that new-bike look only lasts about 13 minutes. The solution? Spray it with Maxima SC-1 silicone detailer. MXA's test bikes can't look drab and dingy. They need to look new, even after they have 40 hours on them. We rely on Maxima SC-1 to save us time and money. It even works on the sidewalls of our tires. Maxima calls it "New bike in a can."

SC-1 sprays out in a fine mist that covers a large area. We let it sit for a minute or two, and then wipe off the excess with a clean rag. One aerosol can will last for 10 or more washings.

$13.99 (12-ounce can)—www.maximausa.com.

Over a decade ago, 6D changed the helmet industry forever. Their two-layer foam liners, which floated on flexible bumpers, changed the helmet conversation from colors and graphics back to the issue of safety (and, in the process, forced every other helmet to follow their lead). The 6D ATR-2 helmet is the backbone of the company. It is by far the best-selling product they offer—and for good reason. It has led the category in safety and innovation for a few years running, and with the addition of rebuildable components, allows riders to get a few lives out of their helmet if they crash. At $795.95, the ATR-2 continues to set the benchmark for top-of-the-line motocross helmets available today.

$769.95—www.6dhelmets.com.

The Fly Racing hose bender is designed to make filling the fuel tank of your bike easier and to reduce spilling. This is such a simple idea that it's amazing no one thought of it 30 years ago. The Fly Racing hose bender is a thick ABS plastic hook that you clip onto the filler hose on your gas can. The plastic attachment forces the flexible filler hose to bend downward at a 30-degree angle.

We love the Fly hose bender, because we can fill the tank without having to lift a 30-pound gas can above seat height. It is the cheapest performance product we have ever tested—and perhaps the most useful.

$4.95—www.flyracing.com.

The EKS Brand Lucid goggles feature a pre-curved, injection-molded, polycarbonate Extreme Definition Optics (XDO) lens; a dual-compound frame with a stiff outer frame and soft inner frame; 20mm of three-layer face foam; and EKS brand's impressively simple Wavelatch quick-change lens tabs. The stiffer outer frame (to hold the thicker lens firmly) and soft inner frame (to conform to your face) made the Lucid goggles supremely comfortable against our faces, especially with the ultra-thick, 3D-molded face foam.

The pre-curved lens is durable, impact-resistant, anti-fog-coated, distortion-free and available in nine different tints (MXA's favorite lens color is Amber Afterburner).

$99.00 (mirrored lens)—www.eksbrand.com.

Every MXA test rider admires Arai's adherence to a strict design philosophy that is based on the belief that the safest helmet is roundish, perfectly smooth and devoid of ridges. Every Arai helmet uses an organic shell shape based on the continuous curve radius of the R75 shape concept. Arai believes that kinetic energy can be lessened by a helmet shape that is designed to glance off the ground rather than take a direct hit. The absence of exaggerated edges or protrusions on the shell should not be mistaken for a lack of imagination. Additionally, Arai's EPS liners use four different foam densities (molded into a one-piece inner liner with the proper foam for the predicted location of an impact). Arai strives to use the softest densities whenever and wherever possible.

Let's not beat around the bush. We love this helmet. We don't love its price, looks or weight, but we believe it to be one of the best-made, safest, plushest and quietest helmets made. It feels like a second skin.

$629.95 (solids), $759.95 to $769.95 (graphics)—www.araiamericas.com.

The Nuetech Nitromousse is a foam insert that replaces the standard inflatable tube to guarantee that you won't ever get a flat. Mousse tubes are a must-have for any style of off-road racing (fast or slow) and for motocross racers who ride on rocky "flat prone" tracks. Nitromousse gets its name because the micro-bubble matrix of the foam mixture contains a high concentration of nitrogen. This lessens the dead feel of a normal mousse. Nitromousses come in different sizes to fit your specific tire and wheel size.

It takes approximately 30 minutes to break in a new Nitromousse. Mousses start out feeling stiff (similar to 15 psi), but after break-in, they mimic 12 psi. Nitromousse even sells a special, 8 psi mousse. Mousses are heavier than air-filled tubes but hold their shape and don't roll over under side loads.

$139.95—www.nitromousse.com.

Luxon's split triple clamps use the latest design technology and are like no other clamps on the market. Their unique design results in predictable and precise turning, as well as offering added comfort and plusher suspension action. On the track, the CNC-machined Luxon clamps feel precise and accurate. The MXA test riders didn't feel that the stock KTM clamps were overly harsh at any point until we tested them back to back against the Luxon Gen2 clamps.

Overall, the Luxon MX clamps improved comfort when hitting braking bumps without sacrificing precision.

$799.95 (clamps only), $989.95 (including bar mounts)—www.luxonmx.com.

FXR Racing isn't a small pop-up brand; it was well-established in the snowmobile and Snowcross racing markets before expanding to motocross. FXR has the manpower, wisdom and capital to create quality products and market them well. The Revo pants have a slim, athletic fit that conforms to your legs without hindering movement. The jersey is slim-fitting and flexible in the right places.

Although an athletic fit, it's not skintight and fits comfortably, even on riders without an Adonis-like body. If you don't have an athletic-fit body, order one size up. MXA has zero complaints about the fit and function of the Revo gear, but it would be nice to have a little extra material in the front zipper area for more protection and discretion.

$79.99 (jersey), $199.99 (pants)—www.fxrracing.com.

If you own a 2023 KTM 250SXF, 350SXF or 450SXF, you already know how hard it is to keep water from soaking the air filter when cleaning the bike after a race. Originally, MXA tried closing off the large, hand-hold look-alike air vents with duct tape. It didn't work. Luckily, Twin Air was quick to mold a 2023 KTM airbox cover. It has the exact shape of the air filter cage and attaches via KTM's unique plug-in prongs. It was the solution to our problem. Please note that the biggest enemy of air filter oil is water. If water lands on an oiled air filter, the spots that get wet will no longer be sealed. They can and will suck dirt.

Every time you prepare to wash your dirty KTM, pull the dirty filter out and replace it with the Twin Air's plastic airbox cover. Once the bike is clean and dry, pull out the plastic cover and install a new air filter.

$39.95—www.twinair.com.

The KTM 350SXF is the most in-demand race bike in the MXA test fleet. Luckily, we have a KTM 350SXF, Husky FC350 and GasGas MC350F to spread the wealth. The stock 350 powerband is broad and robust, and the handling is agile like a 250 four-stroke. Our only complaint is that most of the power is created so high up on the rpm range, only a few riders can reach it. This is where the Cylinder Works 366cc Big-Bore kit solves our quibbles—for 2022 and earlier Austrian bikes.

It brings the power down in the rpm range where it is easy to use and increases horsepower across the board. Hands down, it is the best horsepower for the money.

$699.95 (includes cylinder, piston kit, top-end gasket kit)—www.allballsracinggroup.com.

When the Austrian Juggernaut added GasGas models to the Husky and KTM platform sharing assembly line, they had to make some noticeable differences. They wanted GasGas models to be the barebones model so they could offer them at an affordable price. Since the same engine is used as the KTM it couldn't be as powerful. An easy way to restrict power by blocking airflow from the air box. The UFO-vented GasGas side panels are the easiest horsepower you will ever get. The MXA wrecking crew loves them. The vented side panels allow more air to flow into the airbox, resulting in more power and stronger performance.

They’re available in red, white and black for GasGas.

$62.99— us.ufoplast.com.

The Gaerne SG-12 is an Italian-built boot that has been a staple in the motocross industry since it was introduced in 2010. Over the years it has been refined close to perfection. The SG-12's thermoplastic exterior offers solid impact protection. The dual-stage pivot increases lateral support while maintaining freedom of movement. The rubber composite of the sole has been upgraded to be even more durable. Gaerne has slimmed down the inner foot area and added a durable insert in the arch for improved rider feel. If you are worried about the slimmer fit, don't be. We haven't found anyone with wide-enough feet to complain.

This is the most durable boot in the MXA arsenal. The white doesn't fade as fast, the sole lasts longer, and the entire boot itself lasts longer than any boot we have ever tested. It is built for a hardcore racer.

$579.99 (white and black), $599.99 (color models)—www.gaerneusa.com.

The O’Neal Prodigy line is the most advanced gear set that O’Neal Racing has ever made. Every detail was carefully crafted to ensure you look and perform your best on the track. This limited-edition line utilizes superior materials to give you unsurpassed freedom of movement, while the four-cell fabric and intake venting work to keep you cool in the most severe conditions. The Prodigy gear blends different materials in a creative patchwork that moves with you.

Best of all, Prodigy gear comes with a wraparound belt that allows you to cinch it as tight or as loose as you want.

$74.99 (jersey), $219.99 (pants)—www.oneal.com.

The MXA test riders can use whatever they want and they have the advantage of being able to test the full scope of motocross products—so the sky is the limit. Thus, it is surprising that when ask what their personal favorite products are that hey tend to go for practical stuff—especially products that they have a long history with.

JODY WEISEL—"I still wear old-school leather boots, which are hard to come by in this plastic-clad, molded-sole, hinged world we live in. Luckily, Alpinestars still imports the original all-leather Alpinestars SuperVictory boots, which were called the Hi-Point Champions in the 1970s when I first started racing in them. They are available in sizes 7 through 13 and in any color as long as it is black. You may have noticed that I wear all-white Super Victory boots, but that is because the late Alpinestars founder, Sante Mazzarolo, hand-made my boots for me most of my career (three sets at a time)—and I still have one set tucked away that he made for me before his death."

$369.95—www.alpinestars.com.

DENNIS STAPLETON—"The Works Connection Pro Launch start device is a must-have product for me. As an avid racer, I always think putting myself near the front of the pack is safer and much more thrilling. They also sell all the individual parts separately. That helps if you are picky and need an extra body to have a spare fork guard built with a different position depending on the soil behind the gate. Works Connection has a Pro Launch device that fits all the modern bikes. This really helps, especially when I am assigned different model test bikes. A custom drill-guide template and countersinking tool are included."

$129.95—www.worksconnection.com.

JOSH MOSIMAN—"The Guts RJ Wing seat is high on my must-have list. I first saw Dean Wilson use it in 2017. It offers the normal pleated Guts gripper seat cover, but comes with 1 inch of extra foam that bulges out on each side of the seat. The bulges make perfect gripping points for your knees to lock into when you’re standing. It is a big improvement in keeping your body perfectly positioned over the bike. I describe it to everyone as free traction. By holding on with your legs and butt, you save arm and shoulder strength for when you need it."

$159.99 (seat cover), $423.99 (complete seat and seat base)—www.gutsracing.com or (530) 642-9118.

BRIAN MEDEIROS—"Since suffering injuries to both of my hands and wrists, I have had issues with my hands going numb. I tried thick and thin grips, but nothing helped until I tried ODI Emig Pro V-2 lock-on grips. My favorite thing about the ODI grips is that they offer a soft feel to my hands, and both the clutch and throttle grips are the same size. With glue-on grips, I can feel that the throttle grip is bigger than the clutch grip and that makes one arm pump up more than the other. The Emig Pro V-2 grips reduce handlebar vibration coming into my hands, which allows me to feel the front of the bike instead of the buzzing of my hands."

$29.95—www.odigrips.com.

DAN ALAMANGOS—"We had a really hot summer this year that made racing in 105-degree weather a chore. Thankfully, Fly Racing's Kinetic Mesh dual-mesh construction let air pass through the outer material of the gear while still keeping dirt out. The jersey's 100-percent polyester mesh offers exceptional breathability‚ so much so that it is actually see-through. The pants are not tight like the athletic-fitting Fly Lite gear, but they aren't baggy, either. I’m on the small side, so I appreciate the sans-a-belt Velcro straps that give me 2 inches of waistband adjustability."

$39.95 (jersey), $129.95 (pants)—www.flyracing.com.

DARYL ECKLUND—"One of my favorite powerplants over the last decade was the 2015 Kawasaki KX450F. It had a manageable powerband that got to the point quickly. There was power when you needed it. In 2016, my favorite engine went soft. The easiest way to bring that oomph of power back was to add an FMF exhaust system. Even with the affordable FMF Powercore 4 HEX slip-on muffler, it gave the KX450 the grunt I was longing for while also cutting the weight down by over a pound. I have stuck with FMF mufflers on my KX450s ever since. For the price, it is hard to find better bolt-on power for the KX450."

$399.99—www.fmfracing.com.

RANDEL FOUT—"The Thor Prime Strike gear has four features that are unbeatable. (1) They are super light; I don't feel like I have anything on. (2) The fit isn't as tight as most athletic-fit gear. There is plenty of room for my knee braces. (3) There is nothing on the inside of the pants to catch on my knee braces. The Thor Prime pants don't have a liner, but I don't need one because I wear full-length motocross socks. (4) The jersey is light and breathable. The jersey doesn't have tight-fitting cuffs or a tight neckline that make it hard to get it off."

$64.95 (jersey), $169.95 (pants)—www.thormx.com.