Intro
Its not every day that a product comes out with this kind of cool factor; you can’t stop without another dual sport rider asking what it is. Doubletake has not really broken new ground with a folding mirror, but what sets them apart is the way it is executed.
The Company
Doubletake mirrors are manufactured by a company called Adventure Mirror, LLC. Adventure Mirror is owned by a name I would hope you know; Ned Suesse. Ned has been a huge part of the dual sport and adventure motorcycling world for many, many years. Ned designed the Doubletake mirror, and also runs dualsportridng.com who makes instructional dvd’s. If you have time I suggest you read up on him at www.neduro.com
Construction, and Options
The Doubletake mirror is ordered custom for each bike based on make and model. Specific kits are available for BMW, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Suzuki, Yamaha, Triumph, and Husqvarna. Parts can be purchased separately or as a kit containing the mounting ball, ram arm and mirror. The mirror is produced by Adventure Mirror LLC, right here in the USA. Adventure Mirror is an authorized dealer of RAM-Mount Components who is the manufacturer of the rest of the kit. RAM-Mount products have an excellent reputation as being both strong and versatile. The mirror, guaranteed against breakage and constructed from 43% glass filled zytel. The RAM-Mount parts are made of an equally exotic blend of hard as nails plastic.
What’s in the Box
Since each kit is designed to use factory mirror mounting holes you usually receive a 1” ram ball with a threaded end. Then you have a choice of RAM-Mount arms; either short (2") or long (3"). For this review I chose to use the long arms. The final piece to the puzzle is the mirror. The end result was a mirror kit that totaled $95. For my KLR650 that's only about $10 more expensive than a set of OEM mirrors. If the motorcycle did not come with factory mirrors, or you need a more custom kit there is also a bar mount is available.
Fit and Finish
Each part fit exactly as intended and there were no modifications of factory components necessary on my KLR650. The mirror and RAM-Mount arms all worked well and fit each other excellent.
What Could Be Improved
There has been only one thing I've had to worry about since installing these mirrors on the KLR650, and that has been theft. I only worry that someone will know just how cool these mirrors are and attempt to steal them. The only thing I know of that would help prevent theft is the RAM mount keyed lock, but they would be very bulky on these mirrors. If you are leaving your bike out overnight. I suggest you take the mirrors in with you.
Conclusion
I believe that these mirrors are probably one of the best improvements for a dual sport or adventure bike. I firmly believe that these mirrors are a worthwhile investment especially if you ever take your bike into the woods, or have a habit of falling over. The lifetime guarantee does not warranty the actual mirror reflector, but it does warranty the housing. The reflector can be purchased separately. I found that once you set the mirror where you wanted it you had to make sure the ram arm was tight, or it would move at speed. The remedy for this was to tighten it down as much as possible. In my testing these mirrors did vibrate, but not more that a factory mirror would. As if the cool factor wasn't enough; these mirrors are made in the USA.
More information can be found by visiting www.doubletakemirror.com
Thanks for reading. If you have any questions or would like to know anything I may have forgotten to mention please feel free to leave a comment and I will respond as quickly as possible. The opinions in this review are my own. If you found this review helpful, please consider supporting our sponsors with future purchases.
Written by Jacob Roby (OklahomaKLR), Contributing Editor for Spirit Strike.