The Product: ASV Inventions F3 Series Levers (Universal Front Brake Lever/Pro Model clutch lever, Universal w/QA Pro Perch and thumb-operated hot-start)

Cost:  $89.95 (brake) and $169.95 (Pro four-stroke clutch) CDN

Online: www.phatmx.com

Test Rider: Rob McCullough

Duration: Two months

Installation: Twenty to thirty minutes. Please note that  ’07 CRF owners will require a special adaptor to work with the revised front brake master cylinder.

Fit and Finish: The F3 Series Levers are flawless. They are available in anodized blue, black and red, are constructed from 6061 aluminum alloy, and feature a forged, unbreakable design. Depending on the levers you purchase, you can enjoy a one to five year warranty on your ASV levers.


Track Tested

Although the feel and bend of the levers differs from the stock Honda units, the most noticeable change was in the clutch pull.  The pressure required to engage the clutch was reduced dramatically, enabling me to use one finger until arm pumps sets in and renders my fingers redundant.  The ASV levers we tested are forged, allowing for a more contoured shape similar to stock units but, as I stated earlier, the feel of the ASV levers differs from OEM units which is neither a positive or negative, it’s simply an observation.

As riders, we are not created equal and ASV understands this, that’s why they made the levers adjustable for each individual. I liked the adjustable lever reach the ASV levers afforded my big hands, but I would think this would be most beneficial to smaller riders, like Danbro, Little DC, Giver, Matthes’ BFF or whatever handle he’s using these days, who possess short appendages.

The ASV levers had a very precise and positive feel and action that no doubt has been assisted by the double sealed bearings between the perch and lever.  The bearing also helps in reducing lever play in the perch that we have all experienced with our bikes over time.

Our clutch lever came equipped with rubber dust covers on the cable and perch that work well as they have yet required disassembly and cleaning.  At the time of the test we didn’t have a dust cover for our front brake lever but I noticed Chuck had one on his bike this past weekend during the second round of the CMRC Ontario Provincial Championships, so they are obviously now available.
When I think ASV I think unbreakable and to date that’s exactly what I’ve experienced, I have had many small crashes resulting in bent bars and torn grips but no broken or even bent levers—which is a very good thing.

When testing products, I always keep an eye out for racers using the same product so I may ask their opinion and in turn share mine.  In this case, I spoke briefly with Machine Racing’s John Nelson, Kyle Keast and Chuck Mesley.  For anyone who knows John, it’s difficult to get his attention at the best of times so as you can imagine it was nearly impossible to form an opinion from John because in addition to ADD he was being distracted by orders for Kenny Bland replica ’96 CR 500’s. Thankfully, I had more luck with Kyle and Chuck.

Both Keast and Mesley used ASV levers during the ’06 racing season and continue to do so with success, although the levers won’t make a difference between winning and losing they both agreed that the ASV levers were a noticeable improvement over the OEM’s and had yet to break one which is impressive given the riders.

Overall, I would agree with Kyle and Chuck having tested the unbreakable levers before even putting my bike in gear.  You see, after installing the levers, I was pushing my bike up the concrete basement stairs when my ankle gave out resulting in a crushed pipe and a front brake lever bent about 150 degrees.  I picked my bike up and the lever snapped back in place good as new, passing its first unscheduled test.  I would highly recommend anyone looking to replace their existing levers that they give ASV a try; you won’t be disappointed as ASV F3 Series offers a three-year warranty from date of purchase against breakage, defects in materials and/or workmanship.

Rating: 9

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