Summary
The MAKO360 is a vibration dampening handlebar mount made for most dirt bikes. The design allows it to stop vibrations from all angles and directions using specially engineered polymers. It was even more fun to ride my KTM with such smooth bars!
Intro
XC Gear was founded in 2015 by a fellow rider named Lance Smith. All theirproducts are made in the USA with a focus on innovation and quality.
Build Quality and Price
One of the first things I noticed when opening the MAKO 360 box is the attention to detail in the packaging and that carried over into the product itself. The pieces of the bar mount are all machined out of aluminum. I’m not sure what their accepted machining tolerance is, but I can tell you that these are produced with precision. Every line and cut seems to have been done with care. In fact, while installing, all 12 screws lined up perfectly with ease. That is uncommon with aftermarket parts. The quality is top shelf and the price reflects it at $399.99.
Installation and Adjustment
Installing the MAKO 360 was a breeze. Two bolts hold it to the triple, slide the polymers over the handlebar and line them up with the grooves in the bar clamp. Mine had polymers with no cuts, the newest ones have slots cut so you can get them around the bar without removing everything off your bar. After that just snug your screws so you can rotate your bar until itswhere you want it before tightening the screws. They even have the torque info stamped on the shark bite clamp so you will know how tight to get them.
The windows cut into the top clamp are perfectly placed to see the degree marks on my Nekken bar. The way the recess has been machined an arrow is formed from the tool marks to line your bar up to. These little details were very helpful for installation and adjustment.
Performance
I immediately felt less vibration in the bars, even in the garage. Where they really shine is about an hour into a hard ride. Arm pump was less of an issue and fatigue was lower from not dealing with all the vibration in the bars. Its stuff we just get used to and never realize how much it effects our energy level and endurance until its gone. The MAKO 360 has no metal to metal contact with the bar so I was worried about losing the important feedback needed for riding, but that just simply wasn’t an issue.
Final Opinion
The MAKO 360 bar mount is a top quality product that will help you ride longer and harder. Reducing the vibrations are beneficial for arm pump, injuries, endurance, and energy conservation. Its awesome to see another American company innovating a sport I love and producing a product that helps our bodies perform better. After spending some hours with the MAKO 360 I highly recommend it.
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.