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product review

leatt gpx 5.5 review
Leatt recently released their new neck brace called the GPX 5.5. Today, neck braces can be found in most everyone’s gear bag. However, some opt out of wearing neck braces due to factors related to comfort and fitment. Leatt has aimed to create a neck brace that comfortably fits a wider range of shapes and sizes, is easier to take care of, and outlasts its competition.  Is it really as good as they claim? We’ve put it through the ringer to find out.

Durability & Maintenance

The new Leatt 5.5 has a new, slim design. Leatt switched from foam and fabric padding to hard injected, non-removable padding that can withstand a lifetime of abuse. This is a plus because the padding on the previous models wore out fast. The velcro never stuck and if you wanted it clean the padding you had to put it in the washing machine, which speeds up the wear process. To clean the GPX 5.5, all you need is a damp rag.

The Feelback view of gpx 5.5

The feel of the Leatt GPX 5.5 is unbelievable. Leatt made the new neck brace slimmer and lighter, yet maintained their promise to safety. They come stock with removable pads on the shoulders and chest rest to aid in comfort. It’s up to each individual rider if they would like to run them or not. If you are used to the older Leatts, you may opt for the padding. If you’re coming from a different neck brace, like the Alpinestar Bionic Neck Brace, removing the pads might fit your preferences more closely. Anyone familiar with wearing a neck brace would most likely not be able to notice that you’re wearing the Leatt GPX 5.5.
Since Leatt was aiming to make a neck brace that more people would want to wear, they’ve increased the range of motion. Looking around isn’t as strenuous as it used to be. The added maneuverability has also made it easier to find helmets that will work in harmony with the Leatt.

Performance

We didn’t test to see if the Leatt GPX 5.5 would keep us from breaking our neck, but we believe Leatt is the industry leader in neck brace development. We don’t know the engineering and technology that goes into making Leatt neck braces, but you can visit www.Leatt.com for more information.

Why is this Brace so much better? leatt 5.5 folding back

First off, the Leatt 5.5 has easy adjustability. No more allen bolts, no more chips, and no more spacers. All you do is unclip the adjustable “levers” on the front and back, and it slides back and forth. The spinal piece folds in to help with space in your gear bag. Also, the spinal rest is separated into to two strips, which flex during crashes to help reduce pressure on the spine. The new neck brace also has strategically placed weak points that are designed to bend and break if there is ever excessive load. If you break your neck brace while riding, it probably did its intended job . Would you rather buy another $369 neck brace or spend a few thousand in medical bills? This is almost a completely different neck brace than the older versions. If you’ve tried a neck brace before and decided it wasn’t for you, give the Leatt GPX 5.5 a try. It is more adjustable and more accommodating than any of its competitors. Leatt has produced one of, if not the best neck braces out on the market today with the GPX 5.5.
MSRP: $369
Sizes: (Adult: S/M, M/L) and (Junior, one size fits all).
Colors: Black/Grey, White/Black, Orange/White/Black, Red/Black.
Pros:
  • Slimmer feel, lower profile
  • Easy adjustability 
  • Two piece spinal plate for comfort and safety
  • Hard injected non removable foam is more durable
  • Button-style clip instead of latch makes easier to take on and off
  • Several different color-ways
Cons:
  • No pads means no more switching colors. 
  • Button clip will have to be taken apart and cleaned/grease to work properly after mud races

 

Jesse Ansley
jesse ansley gncc

Dunlop MX 32 Tire Review

From the second Dunlop unveiled the new Geomax MX32 tire, I knew I needed one on my bike. After seeing the factory guys run this tire in supercross for the past 6 months, you have to wonder what the hype is all about. So, a few weeks ago I went down to the local bike shop here in Orlando, FL and picked up a fresh new MX32.

First Impressions

For my YZ250, I typically go for a 110/90-19. However, this go around I was so annoyed with my old, worn-out MX51 that I over compensated and bought the 120/80-19. Once the tire was mounted, it just looked like it was going to hook up. Tall, aggressive knobs are exactly what you look for in a tire to take on the Florida sand.

Test 1: Deep Sand Track

The first place I took my new MX32 was to a sand track. Here in Florida, a motocross tire isn’t a tire unless it can pilot through sugar sand with relative ease. The super sized MX32 had no issues getting out of tight corners or lofting the front wheel into rollers. I believe the 120/80 helped get the extra footprint needed to paddle through the deep sand that a normal tire would have struggled with.

Test 2: Gatorback Cycle Park

There is no better place to test a tire that claims it can do it all, than Gatorback MX in Gainesville, FL. Offroad races at the prestigious Gatorback consist of every type of dirt under the sun. Blue groove, sand, loam, rocks, roots, and mud can all be found there. The MX32 is amongst the best rear tire I’ve ever tried on soft to intermediate dirt, which is exactly what this tire was made for. You could make split second decisions to cut in on someone and the tire would have your back. The MX32 was so at home on intermediate dirt that it can give a weary rider confidence. And I mean that.

On the rocky, intermediate-hardpack sections the Dunlop MX32 actually performs better than I expected it to. The MX32 ate up the gnarly uphills at Gatorback with no problems. I could get the MX32 to step out on some of the harder sections, but it was very predictable in everything it did. Dunlop aimed to make a more versatile MX tire and they nailed it.

The only “complaint” I have with this tire is how poorly it performed on blue groove. I’m not talking about just hardpack dirt. I mean concrete-like, lay down the rubber surfaces. I don’t think anyone would buy this tire with hopes that it would do well in these conditions, but for the sake of reporting, the MX32 is no trials tire.

Wrap Up

The Dunlop MX32 rear tire is an awesome option for those looking for a soft-intermediate tire, that can hold its own in sand and hardpack. I would compare this tire to the Michelin S12, but with a little better performance on intermediate-hard dirt. If you’re looking for a new rear tire for your ride, don’t hesitate to throw a MX32 on. This tire does everything it needs to do and more. I’ve had MX31’s and MX51’s and this tire puts both of them in their graves.

With that said, the Dunlop MX32 rear tire set me back $108 on “sale”. MSRP is $149.25! That is a lot of cash for a motocross tire. Especially when Dunlop’s competitors are mostly all in the sub $100 range.

Once I have a little more time with the MX32, I’ll update this post with the durability of the tire.

 

Pros:

  • Great traction on a variety of surfaces

Cons:

  • Leave it to Dunlop to charge more than anyone else in the industry

 

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