Leatt DBX Pro (Carbon) - Sea Otter Classic 2011 by brule

85 Comments

+ 89

juniorpnwdh Plus (Apr 16, 2011 at 11:32)

700, for a neck brace?
Why can't they make a cheaper model so everyone can have one, because for most people 280 at their cheapest is too much. Leatt needs to rethink their marketing and offer protection to everyone instead of making new more expensive models, yay! mayb i will see some pros wearing them.
Leatt, if you really care about protecting people make something in the 150 dollar range, i'm sure you'd see a lot more people wearing them

+ 28

Joebohobo (Apr 16, 2011 at 11:44)

yer... i like being protected... but who really wants to spend 700 on a neck brace?

KennyKillsIt (Apr 16, 2011 at 11:45)

If you still want the protection of a Leatt for 150 then go for the Evo neck brace, but trust me, it's a bitch to dial in wear and move around in. Oh an in the event of a crash the paramedics WILL cut it off. So by by brace.

+ 20

cryion (Apr 16, 2011 at 12:00)

m8... if paramedics need to take care of me and cut of my brace after a crash... the cut brace is probably the least sorrow im gonna have

KennyKillsIt (Apr 16, 2011 at 12:05)

Yeah, but after you heal up you'l be like damn, I need money.

SO remember kiddies, make sure to check with your parents if extreme sports and neck injuries are covered in your health care insurance Wink

TravistyVelo (Apr 16, 2011 at 12:19) (Below Threshold) show comment

I'd buy it if I had the money. The price might seem excessive but if someone breaks their neck while wearing one, Leatt are going to have a huge amount of legal costs on their hands so I suppose they overcharge to ensure they'll be able to afford the potential legal costs.

+ 27

Steezysix (Apr 16, 2011 at 12:26)

Cheaper than a wheelchair...

hazdxb (Apr 16, 2011 at 12:40)

"Do you already a neck brace from Leatt and just want to replace the pads?" come on pinkbike at least check your articles before publishing them, making these kinda mistakes really takes away from your credibility especially on an article which promotes a $700 neck brace......

Jamesdh08 (Apr 16, 2011 at 12:41)

In all fairness if you're in a state which requires an ambulance, you've most probably already broken the Leatt and saving it would be the least of your worries

At the end of the day all Leatts meet the same safety regulations, it just depends on what your personal opinion is on how much you want to spend - can you put a price on your neck? A worthwhile investment on ANY of the models in response to my own question. Couldn't agree more with the guy above ^. Just my 2 Cents.

stooky (Apr 16, 2011 at 12:49)

I'm sorry but it's not going to stop you being a wheelchair in certain crashes. It will save your neck i grant you that.

Unfortunately there is currently nothing on the market that will protect both you back and neck.

mattf (Apr 16, 2011 at 12:58)

@Stooky. More and more companies are making neck brace compatible armour (and some companies making back armour compatible neck braces..). that goes some way to protecting both. I don't ever see protection being created that will STOP you ever damaging yourself. But surely every little development helps.

juniorpnwdh Plus (Apr 16, 2011 at 13:04)

Yeah, i got my evs for 65bucks, and i've found that when i went a size too big it fit perfect over my armor, and got it checked by bikeshop and they said i was completly protected, and 635 dollars richer.

stooky (Apr 16, 2011 at 13:53)

@mattf hook me up who is doing what?

CsteveC (Apr 16, 2011 at 14:01)

Actually you can not sue leatt if you still beaks your neck. They clearly stare that. I own the comp and have never felt safer. Wearing a helmet doesn't save you from getting a brain injury. Same goes for neck braces

ryanf93 (Apr 16, 2011 at 14:37)

@ stooky, 661 have made the top 2-3 plateson their core saver removable to allow for a neckbrace, but I dont think it is availabe for retail in Europe because it doesnt meet some safety standard, (they say if you remove the plates and then ride without the neckbrace, you will forget to re-attatch the plates) but you should be able to order one in from the States. The Knox Warrior BC9 is also neck brace compatible, but it looks quite bulky.

http://sixsixone.com/Catalog_661Bike.aspx?id=5e9383ea-09b3-43e4-9e9d-20f6325ab3e6&product=305b9b50-8527-42b1-b971-606f63fe9b07 />http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/protection/suit/product/review-knox-warrior-bc9-brace-compatible-10-35527

Hope that helps (:

mattf (Apr 16, 2011 at 14:44)

@Stooky. Check your inbox... I've just sent an essay Wink

DanB25 (Apr 16, 2011 at 15:44)

hold on a f*cking second @KennyKillsIt medical insurance? hahahahaha great country

oh and "can you put a price on your neck?" I f*cking hate that, you're basically just excusing them of charging whatever price they want
yes I can put a price on my neck because a) I dont have a money tree growing in my garden and b) really how many people break their necks? and out of those how many are actually left severely disabled by it? (dan atherton, matti lehikoinen)

when theyre charging this much for what they claim is basic safety equipment (and their cheapest one is nearly as much as 3 661 helmets), then go on to describe it as 'sexy' and tell us we should wear one because sam hill does, it really says a lot to me about the marketing bullshit going on behind the stupid pointless expensive toilet seat

KennyKillsIt (Apr 16, 2011 at 15:59)

Oh, so much internet hate there bro. Medical insurance, good one, making fun of my f*cked up country. BTW, I live in Germany and am signed with a private international insurance company. SO NUTS TO YOU!

hoolydooly (Apr 16, 2011 at 21:20)

That is still cheaper than the first plastic ones that first came out for MTB. they used to be $1000+

DanB25, your an idiot, did you not read the interview with Dan, or on his blog on Atherton Racing.com? Dan said EVERYTHING had to go right for him to still be walking. the thing that saved his life is the fact that he held his head still with his hands, and he is now wearing a neck brace, as well as Rachel Atherton.

we have had 2 races so far in this years NSW DH State Series and one of which i didn't see, but it got caught on video.

http://www.pinkbike.com/video/186898/

this first one is on one of the easiest parts of the track, just as he landed a jump out of a corner he started to pedal, his pedal dug into the ground, sending him and his bike cartwheeling down the track.

the second on i saw, a guy went strait off a high speed jump, landed and didn't make the turn after the jump. strait into a tree at 50-60 Km/h, the tree didn't move. both of these guys would have been seriously f*cked up if they weren't wearing neck braces. oh and my dads boss broke his back 6 months ago riding Mx.

the thing is once you get used to wearing a neck brace you feel naked without it.

Joebohobo (Apr 17, 2011 at 0:10)

I dunno bout the other comments but yer id buy a neck brace but i just wouldnt spend 700 on it

DanB25 (Apr 17, 2011 at 15:56)

no hoolydooly you're* an idiot..

this whole neck brace business is really beginning to get to me now, the fanboiis are worse than they were back in '09.
before leatt came out nobody made a fuss about breaking necks because it hardly ever f*cking happens, then leatt come along with their 'oh no now weve invented this plastic disc youre guaranteed to break your neck without one' and everyone f*cking fell for it. that guy in that video (who really would have been fine without a neck brace, he went down at 20mph tops) will most likely be sat at home thinking wow this oversized polo saved my life when really it made no difference whatsoever his helmet which cost half as much and is actually rated to a safety standard saved his life

neck braces are 100% marketing bollocks, the price and the amount they invest in sponsorship should tell you that. these f*ckers are making a mint out of gullible idiots like you who are so fussed about your safety youll wear a headset o-ring round your neck but wont even wear full shinpads/elbow pads/back plates

I wouldnt mint half as much if they charged a reasonable price for them, actually widely published their supposed research that proves that everyone who doesnt wear one will invariably die, and the idiots who buy them started wearing protective kit that actually does something useful

and kennykillsit really dont see how thats a boast I get my healthcare free of charge as and when I need it

hoolydooly (Apr 17, 2011 at 16:46)

are you for real? pause it at 00:07 see how his whole body is flexed, the only thing that his stopping his neck from bending back further and breaking is his neck brace. its not rocket science dude, all it does it stop you flexing and compressing your neck in a crash. and $300 for a neck brace is a lot cheaper than a wheel chair and a lot better than never walking again. and id say you would get at least one or two people a day breaking their neck due to MTB related accidents around the world.

hoolydooly (Apr 17, 2011 at 16:54)

and no he is not sitting at home, the weekend after he was out racing again. he didn't need to be sitting at home because he was wearing a neck brace, if he wasn't he would have been in all kinds of shit.

DanB25 (Apr 18, 2011 at 2:57)

A wheelchairs free if you live in a country that knows where its at but thats beside the point again I suppose...
I really can't see how you can believe that guy would be in a wheelchair without that neckbrace, but it goes back to the point I made before I suppose. I've been in and seen much worse crashes than that, I've seen someone break his sternum with the chinpiece of his helmet and his neck was fine. As you say "at least one or two people" will break their necks in MTB yet everyone thinks that 0.0000001% risk is worth £300 when theyll complain if a helmet that protects you from pretty much a 100% risk is over £100. I'm still yet to hear of someone who has had any long term problems from a neck injury in MTB.

KennyKillsIt (Apr 18, 2011 at 4:35)

Maybe it's just me not wanting to get anymore notifications of internet jargon, but how about we drop the subject?
Just like anything else in the mid to high end bike world it's about personal preference (and a whole lot more about your income)

What I'm saying is, we should agree to disagree, some of us will swear by Leatt, some of us won;t and we all have our reasons. If you can afford one and want it: then kudos. If you can't and want one: sorry brah. Lastly, if you just plain hate the idea: then Kudos for sticking to what you believe.

At the end of the day you know what's really important? That you got your ass outside, swung your leg over a steed and blew through some choice lines without making love to a tree like I did yesterday.

DanB25 (Apr 18, 2011 at 5:32)

Fair point Kenny

My hate isn't directed at Leatt riders (except for the select few who perpetuate the myth by claiming that everyone who crashes in a leatt would have died without it), it's directed at the company for feeding us this shit and manipulating our concern for our own safety

KennyKillsIt (Apr 18, 2011 at 5:51)

I just call that good marketing, I'd do the same if I were in a company position. lol
Capitalism, ehh lol

hoolydooly (Apr 19, 2011 at 1:10)

i have never seen anything about them advertising their "you will die in a crash if you don't wear a Leatt neck brace" but im sure its around. iv never even looked at their web site. but im only 16, i have the rest of my life ahead of me and i sure as shit don't want to spend it in a wheel chair. ill give my $300 away for a Leatt no questions asked.

KennyKillsIt (Apr 19, 2011 at 2:28)

Leatt brace or Xbox.....Guess who gets really bored during winters and rainy days Razz

hoolydooly (Apr 19, 2011 at 3:07)

Well i have both. :p ily mum

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+ 10

danbraderz (Apr 16, 2011 at 11:41)

im sorry, but 700 for a bloody neck brace? i mean they are important...but christ! i wish they would make some a bit cheaper for the people who cant afford it. fair enough its carbon but come on! Frown

mike-gillespie (Apr 16, 2011 at 15:18)

just dont go for the carbon one. is their not other models cheeper? but i do argee im sure they could most likely go for a bit cheeper

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MrMania (Apr 16, 2011 at 11:46)

"Sam Hill wears one, so should you!"
Not a fan of this line. If Sam Hill jumped off a bridge, I should too?
Yes neck braces prevent injury and save lives but they just cost too much for the average rider.
Along with this neck braces have just become a mainstream thing in the last couple seasons, people have been riding for years without one. Sure there are tons of armor choices to protect every aspect of your body but eventually we'll all end up wearing medieval era suits of armor. (Made of carbon of course)

briandiener (Apr 16, 2011 at 11:53)

they're not indie enough, just a bit to mainstream

KennyKillsIt (Apr 16, 2011 at 13:34)

too mainstream? I think you might be looking for the fixie section, it's over in isle "hipster"

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TrailbuilderDK (Apr 16, 2011 at 15:01)

Awesome kit..
Got the first one that landed in Denmark, and now two of my buddys got one too!
Rode the Comp DBX all last summer and that was perfect, but the carbon model just takes the cake Smile

Thanks Leatt for making such an awesome safty product, and in carbon too...
I´ll never ride without one again..

joshinthebox (Apr 20, 2011 at 19:03)

no one has to wear this brace. for those who can afford the brace, good. you get a way lighter brace thats a little lower and has some nice extras built in. For those who cant afford it, well, theirs cheaper models, and if you cant afford that. theres other brands, but leatt is in my opinion the best out there (reason why 80% of all neck braces worn are leatts). Right now I dont have the money for the Carbon (even with the team price i get) but I have a cheaper model. Yea its not AS luxurious as the carbon but its potentially saved me a few times now. and it works just about as good as the carbon.
So just so you know. Noone is forcing you to buy this. its just another great option from leatt.

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CoN-AiR15 (Apr 16, 2011 at 12:04)

I love the brace its brilliant and so are the others but really to put a price on protection and saving a life or less, theres us young DHr's who have to ride harder and harder due to the evolution of the sport but buts us in more danger, but who at 15-17 really can afford after taxes around 800 bucks when you could invest in new parts, its just gonna turn out for heavily supported riders and rich kids and working older guys, i wish i could afford a leatt but im stuck with my EVS brace for now, i hope you guys can help out in someway.

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Shawn-SD (Apr 16, 2011 at 15:35)

How could this be a $700 piece and a FULL CARBON Troy Lee D3 is $200 cheaper for more material and a MUCH more important safety piece?????????? Sorry Leatt, not getting my $$$.

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UncleCliffy (Apr 16, 2011 at 11:59)

Lots of hate as usual, and I agree. The price is nutty.

Now, not to be a hypocrite, but I have this brace. Truth be told, I got it at a discount, but I still feel you can't put a price on your own neck. Get a cheap one at least... I had the means, so I picked this one for it's light weight and metal clamps. With my D3, I have full range without any strange movement issues. Money well spent? Yes for me, no for others I guess.

JoeyBratten (Apr 16, 2011 at 12:07)

u have too much money lol would u like to buy me a m9 lol

UncleCliffy (Apr 16, 2011 at 12:11)

Just had a healthy tax return this year. Wink

KennyKillsIt (Apr 16, 2011 at 16:15)

Praise Uncle Sam for that one

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letsgetit Plus (Apr 16, 2011 at 14:25)

Um..yea...it's carbon...and it has vents...if your a downhiller this is the one for you.......sooooo......you better get it before somebody else does. (at the %150 mark-up)

Wish he would have told me sooner!!! I'm sold.

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KennyKillsIt (Apr 16, 2011 at 11:55)

I like mattf's argument! My friend had a hard crash a few years back and fractured his neck (some mumbojumbo i don't feel like whipping out on PB). It defiantly changed my mind about protection gear. I think the Leatt is the only reason my mother even allows me to swing my leg over a bike and bomb a hill.

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trailchef (Apr 16, 2011 at 11:38)

whistler and other chair access bike parks should get a bulk deal, buy a few thousand each so they can sell them at a reasonable price, then make them mandatory. that may get the ball rolling on affordable neck braces.

hoolydooly (Apr 17, 2011 at 17:05)

yeah its not going to be long before the UCI makes them mandatory for DH racing.

DanB25 (Apr 18, 2011 at 8:09)

I hope not and highly doubt it

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alexmoss (Jul 20, 2011 at 15:12)

im a serious racer and had a bad over the bars crash (warst and most dodgey crash ever) .. i snapped the rear plate of my brace,, i think that could well have been my neck .. all my body was hurt for weeks, the only part of me not hurting was my neck ,, i dont always wear my leatt ,, just when im riding fast downhill .. i wont ever ride on the limit without one .

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ElVenezuelan (Apr 16, 2011 at 11:49)

I agree with most of the people in this one. Leatt are Good but its not worth that much in materials, they should be ALOT Cheaper !!!!!!!!! Or some other brands should development some similar, its like helmets you can by your TLD for 500 or your remedy for 130, but went you crash, if you are going to get f*ck you can be wearing the ironman suit and you will get f*cked its murphy's law.

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Luke-99 (Apr 16, 2011 at 16:23)

Amazing but expensive. I think this model will be aimed more at the pro's or people who can just pull money out of their ass Smile

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bikegeek24 (Apr 16, 2011 at 17:52)

Hmmmmmmmm, although you can't put a price on your neck, I can see where people are coming from. If they made a excellent one for £100 or less, everyone would get one. Stack 'em high, sell 'em cheap.

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Dodgerhater93 (Apr 16, 2011 at 12:04)

Can't put a price tag on your body...280$ and 700$ is a huge difference and for something that you will buy less often than a new helmet, it makes a lot of f*cking sense, guys drop 450$ on helmets...its just like everything else, there is always going to be the big spenders, so if you own a company, then you are obviously going to compensate for the big spenders.

God Bless America

cedrico (Apr 16, 2011 at 18:23)

Does saying "god bless america" make your patriot ass feel superior to everyone else by living in the US?
I wish I could explain to all the americans like you who say that how stupid, arrogant and ignorant you sound when you say that...

CsteveC (Apr 16, 2011 at 18:49)

He's forgetting his country is in 3 wars. in what is it like 12 trillion dollars of debt, oh and wait... China owns more us currency then the US government. If there is a god the last place he would bless would be your terrible war driven country. Have fun being owned by china in the next 20 years.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTSQozWP-rM

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cale (Apr 16, 2011 at 14:08)

My neck is worth $280, and considering how durable they are assume it lasts 5 years. $60 a year for a MUCH safer ride is worth the cost, regardless of it being overpriced or not.

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tiredsoul (Apr 16, 2011 at 20:13)

I have over two grand invested in avi gear for the sled so 700 for this doesn't sound too unreasonable.

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Hotwheels09 (Apr 16, 2011 at 23:41)

When buying consider the least to moderately priced braces and hopefully that will force them to lower the price.

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Views (Apr 16, 2011 at 12:09)

awesome thing! now go make a cheap one Razz

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konacoilair78910 (Apr 16, 2011 at 11:35)

expensive but feathers on your shoulders!!!

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codered3 (Apr 16, 2011 at 12:42)

yeah cause I just happen to have $700 to buy one....when are you guys gonna start making them more affordable ?!?!!

hoolydooly (Apr 18, 2011 at 18:38)

For f*ck Sake!!!!!!! this is the top of the line model!!!! you can get the Adventure for $250 -$300. you don't have to buy this one, they will all save your neck!!! f*ck

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fantaman (Apr 16, 2011 at 11:36)

Seen allot of AMA Supercross riders wearing the DBX Pro

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Boedker (Apr 20, 2011 at 11:14)

Sooo sweet!!!! Big Grin

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dennisbarrera (Apr 16, 2011 at 23:18)

$700 what a rip off.

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MeAlex (Apr 16, 2011 at 15:57)

"Ventilation" LOL

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Below threshold threads are hidden

variiis (Apr 16, 2011 at 11:32)

overpriced piece of shit, its even more than my bb torch, protection gear should be cheaper. damn

Greenwood102 (Apr 16, 2011 at 11:33)

Ok yes its expensive but just dont buy it then, its designed for those with money to waste or Pros (hence the name).

huckerbike (Apr 16, 2011 at 11:37)

or its designed for people who don't want a broken neck Smile

+ 10

KennyKillsIt (Apr 16, 2011 at 11:41)

300 bucks for a good brace or a life threatening neck injury followed by the largest medical bills you will ever see or even worse, paralyzation followed by even larger medical bills to cover special aid services for the rest of your life.

I chose neck brace, I have my whole life ahead of me, don't want to spend it in a f*cking wheel chair (wheel chairs cost about 200, are they a piece of shit too?)

mattf (Apr 16, 2011 at 11:48)

Overpriced? yes.... piece of shit? no. Having been in the unfortunate situation where I did break my neck, I'd have much rather had a neck brace on (any of them to be fair...). I believe if I had one at the time, my break would've been preventable.

I ended up buying a Leatt comp brace. Still an expensive bit of kit, but in my eyes, worth every penny. And I'd really rather not break my neck again Wink

Prices will come down. As neck braces gain popularity, more companies are starting to get involved with a range of braces from Leatt, Alpinestars, EVS, and a bunch of other lesser known companies. There's rumours flying around about some mx and some mtb races that are going to start enforcing neck brace use, so that should also help to drive prices down as the various manufacturers have to compete.

There's already a ton of pros in the mx and mtb world running neck braces. Sure half of them are paid to, but there's plenty doing it out of choice too. I don't know the full story about the Athertons, but all 3 are running Leatts this season, presumably down to Dans break last year.

huckerbike (Apr 16, 2011 at 11:52)

ye i broke my collar bone in august (due to neck brace), out for a couple of months, if i'd not been wearing one i may have been out for a lot long or not ride again. BARGAIN

ridetrek7 (Apr 16, 2011 at 11:57)

KennyKillsit: yes wheelchairs are a piece of shit im in one

KennyKillsIt (Apr 16, 2011 at 11:59)

Leatt is probably the only reason my mother lets me ride DH

DexterH (Apr 16, 2011 at 11:59)

Agree with everything above tbh, I want a neck brace as you never know when you could crash and injure yourself... However, I cannot afford one so I can't get one. Safety equiptment should be made more accessible for all price ranges tbh. I am sure they could make a bog standard, no thrills version for under £100.

At the end of the day safety should be promoted to all as serious injuries can change lives.

KennyKillsIt (Apr 16, 2011 at 12:46)

Why'd I get neg propped? i was just meaning that my mom is a safety nut so wearing the brace makes her feel more at ease and so do I.

Edit: and at ridetrek7: Damn, sorry to hear that, you gonna recover?

ridetrek7 (Apr 16, 2011 at 14:26)

KennyKillslt: The doctor dont know how long the recovery can be some say i could be riding in 8 months some say it is questionable if i will ride a bike the rest of my life.

I highly recommend everyone get a neck brace i didnt and my life is screwed

KennyKillsIt (Apr 16, 2011 at 14:40)

Dude, best of luck to you and hope your nurses are f*cking hot as hell!
And yes, I ride trek tup

ridetrek7 (Apr 16, 2011 at 14:45)

Haha ya ride trek I love your session

KennyKillsIt (Apr 16, 2011 at 14:56)

thank you sir, and it loves you, she loves everybody! Except that one guy down the street who rides a fix...she hates him

ridetrek7 (Apr 16, 2011 at 20:41)

Whats her name

cheapbike (Apr 16, 2011 at 22:03)

You bought a torch: this is proof that you're a dumbass. That POS was outdated BEFORE its release. Nice going. Now don't criticize Leatt putting a price on non-retarded people's necks.

KennyKillsIt (Apr 16, 2011 at 23:45)

@ridetrak7: i calls her rose

ridetrek7 (Apr 17, 2011 at 15:23)

@kennykillslt:my old bikes name was rachel but she was the one i had my crash on

KennyKillsIt (Apr 18, 2011 at 0:02)

Oh, damn

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