ASV F3 Series Brake Lever, Rotator Clamp and Pro Clutch Assembly were some of the very first things we bolted onto our Baja pre-runners. They all worked flawlessly.
When MCUSA decided to build some Honda XR650Rs for our desert assaults, we knew that one thing was for certain; we were going to crash - a lot. With only the smallest amount of desert racing experience, we began preparing for the worst by protecting ourselves and our bike with as much armor as possible.
Sympathizing with our expected pain,
ASV Inventions stepped up and donated a whole box-full of their high-quality products. First out of the goodie-bag was a set of F3 Series front brake levers (MSRP $65) and F3 Series Pro Model clutch assembly (MSRP $125). The bitchin' anodized red (also available in black and blue) and bold ASV laser engraved markings immediately had us salivating over the trick components.
We had enough of these goodies to fully equip all of our pre-runner bikes, which was a good thing because we sampled Mexican soil many times on our Baja voyage. The clutch and the brake levers had everything we needed to ensure our comfort and survival in the desert. Both have an easy-to-use set screw that allows for the distance between the grips and levers to be adjusted. Our hand sizes ranged greatly between the seven of us who spent time on the bikes, and we were all able to quickly personalize our setup. The clutch assembly comes with a thumb-operated, integrated hot-start lever, which we used for our compression release on the Honda XRs. Naturally, the smaller lever matches whichever anodized color you choose.
The real feature that has makes ASV levers as popular as they are is that they have a "special pivot design" that helps save the lever from breaking or bending in the event of a crash. Hinged on a pair of chrome steel, sealed bearings, the levers will bend backwards away from the handlebars and then spring back into position by way of a high-tension,
This isn't the first time that we've tested the ASV levers, but the Pro Clutch Assembly comes with more to offer than the last time we ordered a set. Our original set of levers didn't have the nylon-sleeved rotator clamps - a very nice improvement.
chrome silicon spring. This design protects the lever whether the bike tips over in the pits or is cartwheeling down the trail. Believe me, we tested both scenarios.
Not once did a rider complain about the position or feel of the levers, which are forged out of 6061 aluminum. As far as controlling the clutch and front brake action, the ASVs felt much like the stock units for both our Honda XR650Rs and the Yamaha WR450R. Pull and feel is consistent and comfortable, though the units felt a bit heavier than OEM parts before we installed them. Once on the bikes there was nothing to suggest a discrepancy in weight.
We've known for years that leaving the bolts on your mounting perches a bit loose can prevent broken levers by allowing them to rotate in a crash. Another trick to accomplish the same thing is to wrap the handlebars with electrical tape under the perches. However, after using these methods for some time, on a host of different bikes, we've also experienced the frequent loss of bolts as they vibrate loose, and the inconsistent performance of the taping method. However, the guys at ASV have addressed the rotating issue too.
The clutch assembly comes with a mounting bracket that includes a nylon sleeve, but the brake lever does not so as we dug further into our bag of ASV swag, we discovered some of their Rotator Clamps. Consisting of the back portion of
Not much comes in the Rotator Clamp package, but the upgrade that it offers your ride is worth every penny (MSRP $25). There's definitely going to be some of our personal bikes sporting these gadgets in the future.
a mounting perch, the Rotator Clamp has the same nylon sleeve that goes between the handlebars and the actual clamp. We were able to cinch down every bolt and the levers still rotated out of harm's way when we had to bail.
Like the levers, the Rotator Clamp is CNC machined out of 6061 aluminum and is engraved with the logo. For a bit of individuality, the Rotator Clamp is also available in four anodized colors to match your bike and help keep your riding buddies from snagging it when their levers are reduced to jagged stubs.
All of these products are universal and will fit most bikes. To top everything off, the F3 Series levers come with a 3-year guarantee against breakage. They also claim that if the product doesn't meet your expectations then you can return it for a refund. We have yet to put this guarantee to the test which is a testament to the products' performance.
