MXA TEAM TESTED: HRP BIO-D RIPP OFFS

WHAT IS IT? Tearoffs that won’t still be floating around when your grandkids start riding.

WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with HRP’s Bio-D Ripp Offs.

(1) Plastics. HRP (Bob Hannah Racing Products) has been in the motocross business for 22 years. Different plastic companies have been developing formulas for biodegradable polymers and polyesters for years, and HRP has had a finger on the pulse of some of this development. For four years, HRP has been waiting and testing different formulas for tearoffs, and they finally found the right one.

(2) Bio vs. Mylar. HRP readily admits that functionally, conventional Mylar tearoffs are much better. They don’t have the slight brown tint and won’t scratch or tear as easily. But, the folks at HRP also feel strongly about tearoff trash at the track.

(3) Ingredients. Bio-D Ripp Offs are 100-percent organic. They are made from wood pulp and a derivative of acetic acid (vinegar). There are no food-related sources or fossil fuels in the ingredients of the Ripp Offs. During development, they have passed state and civic burial and sewage culture tests and are legitimately certified as biodegradable. Ripp Offs’ ASTM D6400 certification means that the tearoff will degrade completely in a commercial compost heap, and after three months of composting, no more than 10-percent residue will remain when the compost is sifted through a 2mm sieve. Luckily, Bio-D tearoffs won’t dissolve in water; they need bacteria to decompose.

(4) Performance. We tried Bio-D tearoffs on EKS Brand, Scott, Oakley and Fox goggles. The Bio-D Ripp Offs fit well in the frame of each goggle. We had to be more careful during installation to avoid tearing. We could run up to five Bio-D Ripp Offs before vision became too hazy. We could stack four comfortably, with a slight haziness on the fifth, which we pulled after the start.

(5) Cost comparison. HRP also offers traditional Mylar tearoffs in packs of 20 for $7.99 (2-mil thickness) and $9.99 (5-mil thickness). Each Bio-D Ripp Off costs 10 cents more than HRP’s thick Mylar tearoffs and 20 cents more than the thin ones. The name “Ripp Offs” may sound like a negative reference to the cost, but they are cheaper than most of the tearoffs offered directly from the goggle companies.

(6) Applications. HRP offers Bio-D Ripp Offs for all major brands and models of goggles.

WHAT’S THE SQUAWK? (1) For races where we wanted to run more than five tearoffs, we switched to regular tearoffs. (2) Some of our Scott and Oakley tear-off post holes were slightly oversized. (3) The plastic formula is cutting edge for 2012, but we’re certain that there will be stronger, clearer, quicker-degrading formulas in the future.

They aren’t quite as optically clear or strong as traditional tearoffs, but they are completely functional. If you feel guilty about littering, run Bio-D Ripp Offs, but keep some regular tearoffs on hand in case of excessive roost.