Motorcycle Resources
Adaptive headlights?
I was searching the web for "motorcycle bank angle detection" because, for a few years now, I've been thinking it must be possible to have your headlights aim into a turn when you lean into sharp turn on twisty mountain roads.
Seems I'm behind the curve (ahem) yet again.
Click here to continue...Another cage-related motorcycle fatality
Another cage driver kills a biker. This was a seriously messed-up situation.
The biker, Gregory Clyde Shannon, of Placerville, California, was minding his own business, when along comes a suspected drunk driver in a pickup truck, and hits him head-on. Hit him hard enough to knock the driver's side front wheel off the truck.
The truck driver leaves the scene, still driving the truck sans front wheel. Sparks flying.
Adding insult to injury, it appears that the truck driver continued on for 7 miles - starting numerous brush fires and totally destroying three homes in the process.
Click here to continue...Book Review - Sport Riding Techniques
From the publisher:
Contemporary sport bikes accelerate faster, brake harder, and slice through corners deeper than ever before. These technologically advanced motorcycles are exhilarating to ride, but to really get the most out of your motorcycle's performance capabilities you need to develop your own personal performance. You need to take your skills to the next level.
Publisher:
David Bull Publishing
Copyright:
2003
ISBN:
1893618072
Pages:
128
Price:
24.95
Synopsis:
From the publisher:
Contemporary sport bikes accelerate faster, brake harder, and slice through corners deeper than ever before. These technologically advanced motorcycles are exhilarating to ride, but to really get the most out of your motorcycle's performance capabilities you need to develop your own personal performance. You need to take your skills to the next level.
Now, in this book written specifically for sport riders, well-known journalist, racer, and riding school instructor Nick Ienatsch provides you with the tools and techniques to help you analyze and develop that personal performance.
If you're an experienced rider, Nick will help you hone and perfect your skills, operate controls with even greater finesse, and apply race-proven techniques on the track. If you're a beginning rider, Nick will show you how to develop proper skills and safety habits that will add to your motorcycling enjoyment and stay with you for the rest of your life.
Review:
Nick Ienatsch has raced and ridden the top street and race motorcycles as a journalist and racer.
This book has top-notch photography and illustrations including new photos and some great shots of famous racers.
The text covers all aspects of riding a motorcycle including the mental control required and physical control including barking, counter-steering and proper body position. The material is presented in concise yet understandable terms with examples that really make this a valuable learning tool.
The following is a synopsis of some of the key concepts required to ride safely and efficiently that are expressed in this book.
Master your motorcycle – practice and continue learning how to maximize your control of your motorcycle. Learn your limits as well as those of your motorcycle.
Mental Control – Know when to chill and when you can go fast. Analyze traffic hazards, road conditions and potential hazards. If you are unfamiliar with a road CHILL it’s not a race. The more familiar you become with a section of road the more relaxed you will be and the more fun you will have riding.
Ride “the pace” – Limit your speed on the straights and have fun in the corners. There are too many single bike accidents caused by riding too fast and exceeding their skill level or riders exercising poor judgment about the surface conditions.
This is not a book you want to read once and put away, it can be a valuable training reference that you con continue to refer to as your skills progress. I recommend this book for both new and experienced riders alike.
Metzeler ROADTEC Z6
I just had a set of Metzeler MEZ6 tires (120/70ZR17 front, 180/55ZR17 rear) installed on my '98 CBR1100XX. I do more straight-up riding than I'd like to admit, so I tend to stay away from the hard-core sport compounds (otherwise, I end up with wearing out the center long before the edges), and I have always liked Metzeler tires on my Honda sport-touring bikes.
I'm somewhat surprised at the installed cost of the tires, though. Purchased from a retail shop in the Sacramento area, including mounting and balancing on the wheels that I brought in, the bill approached $380. Add to that the travel time to Sacramento (about an hour and a quarter one-way), fuel expenses, and hassle factor, the actual cost is well over $400.
Click here to continue...Motorcycle News and Reviews
News and Reviews
Latest motorcycle equipment and news
Must-have gear: Bungee cargo net with adjustable ABS plastic hooks
I've used these on my bikes for years. I keep a couple under the seat, in the storage compartment of the rear cowl.
Most cheap bungee nets have wire hooks with plastic coatings, which can wear through to the metal, or, the metal ends protrude out of the plastic coating, ...
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Fulmer AF-6B Helmet Product Review
The Fulmer AF-6B full-face helmet with iShade The AF-6B full-face helmet is DOT approved, and sports an internal smoke-tinted shield (bearing the trademarked 'iShade' name). The 6B's suggested retail price is $149.95. Basic Features
iShade™ retractable internal sun shield Optically correct, quick release, clear external shield Adjustable forehead ventilation Includes Fulmer helmet sack Rear exhaust diffusers UV ...Read the rest »
Cardo Scala Rider Q2 Multiset Review
Introduction The Scala Rider Q2 MultiSet is a Bluetooth-compatible communications system offering two-way rider communication, ability to take and make mobile phone calls, GPS integration, and MP3 player connectivity (mobile phone, GPS, and MP3 require user-supplied compatible equipment). Main Features
Full-duplex operation–no need to wait for your "buddy" rider to stop talking in ...Read the rest »
Buying a replacement motorcycle battery? Who made it, and how to ...
Spring is on the way, and if you aren't lucky enough to have a long-lasting motorcycle battery, you're probably going to be buying a new motorcycle battery soon.
Here are a couple of resources that can help you choose a new motorcycle battery.
First, here's a Consumer Reports automotive battery ...
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9 New Models for 2010 - 2010 Harley Davidson Models Announced
Here are the highlights from the 2010 Harley-Davidson motorcycle model line-up announcement on July 25, 2009. The announcement includes 9 new models—here is a list of the 9 new models:
FLHTCUSE CVO Ultra Classic Electra Glide The CVO™ Ultra Classic® Electra Glide® is a limited-production motorcycle for the discerning touring rider ...
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2009 Harley-Davidson FLHX Street Glide - First Ride
The 2009 Harley-Davidson Street Glide, part of the 2009 Harley-Davidson Touring lineup is new from the ground up.
This lean and mean bagger features a lowered rear suspension and a smoked mini-wind screen. There are attractive styling features on the Street Glide, and the Black Pearl bike I rode ...
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Flossie, the Castrol robotic motorcycle rider...
The uber-techs at Castrol have been hard at work perfecting a bad-ass robotic test "rider". Well, it doesn't really ride, but it can sit atop the motorcycle and do all the throttle, clutch, and shift actions that a human rider does.
Among the many stated benefits:
Flossie can be fitted onto ...Read the rest »
Lowepro Slingshot 200 All Weather Backpack Product Review
What do you do when you love to ride and shoot photos once you've graduated from a point-and-shoot camera? How do you bring along your digital SLR camera, spare batteries and memory cards, accessories, zoom/telephoto and other lenses, cleaning materials, and other goodies?
Sure, you can stuff ...
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