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| | Wed, 01 Sep 2010 04:14:11 +0000 | | 
I usually don't rattle off stories about horrific motorcycle wrecks, as bike-phobic cagers are usually the ones perpetrating cautionary tales about how bad things can get when two-wheelers are handled irresponsibly. But this story, brought to my attention by reader Pete, shows the potential consequences when a motorcyclist rides well beyond his or her limits.
A Canadian news item recounts how an unidentified rider-- traveling at an estimated 180-190 km/hr (roughly 110-120 mph)-- was riding a "racing-style motorcycle" and weaving through traffic. We've all seen this sort of thing firsthand, no doubt, but what followed in this instance was nothing short of shocking.
I won't go into the gruesome details, but ask you to check out this CNEWS story and comment here on this unfortunate but obviously avoidable incident: what do you think would be fair punishment for this rider if he or she is captured by Canadian authorities?
Source: CNEWS
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Photo © Manny Rodrigues, canoe.ca
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| | Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:54:39 +0000 | | 
MotoGP racers get plenty of freebies thrown at them, but here's an interesting one that crossed my desk today: at yesterday's Red Bull Indianapolis Moto GP, Cardo sales director Jamie Cheek (left) handed Rizla Suzuki riders Loris Capirossi (middle) and Alvaro Bautista (right) their latest G4 PowerSet, a Bluetooth system that enables riders to listen to music or chat with fellow Bluetooth-equipped riders.
I enjoyed testing the G4 while putting around city streets, canyons, and two-lane highways... but I really want to know: will Capirossi and Bautista be jamming to Justin Bieber while touring Gold Wings in their spare time, or-- with the system's mile-long range-- will they chit chat about racing as they drag knees through the seven remaining races of the season?
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Photo © Cardo; click to enlarge
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| | Sun, 29 Aug 2010 23:02:59 +0000 | | 
What a difference a month makes; the last time we enjoyed GP racing on U.S. turf-- the 2010 Red Bull US MotoGP at Laguna Seca-- Jorge Lorenzo took the top spot, Valentino Rossi finished third on a still-healing leg, and Ben Spies came in an impressive sixth.
The universe has tilted dramatically since Laguna Seca; Rossi has announced he'll race for Ducati next year (who subsequently reported they're abandoning World Superbike), Spies has picked up a coveted factory spot on Yamaha's team, and Nicky Hayden has been fighting a wrist injury he sustained during qualifying at Brno.
The proceedings at Indy started on a tragic note, when up-and-coming 13 year-old Peter Lenz was killed after being struck by another rider during a warm-up lap of a United States Grand Prix Racers Union event aboard his Honda/Moriwaki MD250. Lenz was the youngest fatality at the 101 year-old track, and the first death since an IndyCar accident in 2003.
The main event saw Spies launch from pole position and maintain a lead until Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa closed in and took over for the remainder of the race. With Pedrosa taking the top spot and Spies attaining a best-to-date second place finish, Fiat Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo rounded out the podium, while Rossi crossed the finish line after Lorenzo. Americans Colin Edwards and Nicky Hayden were heavily featured (and hyped) along with Spies during Speed TV's pre-race coverage, and Hayden finished a respectable sixth while Edwards dropped out, citing tire and handling issues.
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Photo © Getty Images Sport; click to enlarge
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| | Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:33:47 +0000 | | 
Planning a motorcycle trip and need new digs for you and your bike?
Check out Nomad's trick, two-person Ténéré Expedition tent, which has a dedicated, enclosed "garage" for your motorcycle so your bike doesn't end up looking like this in the morning*. The whole thing packs up to a mere 13 pounds, 6 ounce package measuring 8 x 21 inches, and uses only three poles.
Though pricey at $400, the Ténéré Expedition should appeal to riders who take their motorcycle camping more seriously than the next.
Sources: Nomad, Gizmodo, Uncrate
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* Note, however, that it's considered a 3-season tent.
Photo © Nomad
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| | Thu, 26 Aug 2010 23:42:10 +0000 | | 
Do you ride with a helmet? According to this survey, many of you say you do-- which, incidentally, is the single easiest way to increase your chances of surviving a spill.
For those on the fence (or simply in the market for a lid), I've compiled a breakdown of helmet types, which offers a visual guide with definitions of motorcycle helmet types.
This is the first of a series, so stay tuned for more safety gear overviews in the next few days.
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Photo Montage © Basem Wasef; Click for Motorcycle Helmets 101
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| | Wed, 25 Aug 2010 03:01:31 +0000 | | 
Want to keep up on motorcycle news, reviews, and photos without checking this blog?
Follow About.com's Motorcycles Twitter feed by hitting twitter.com/aboutmotorcycle!
Logo © Twitter
Click for motorcycles.about.com's Twitter page
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| | Mon, 23 Aug 2010 04:35:08 +0000 | | 
Helmet Bluetooth devices are a hotly debated matter of personal preference: some motorcyclists insist on keeping their riding experience pure, while others don't mind listening to music, chatting with fellow riders, or even talking on the phone as they roll the road.
Cardo's Scala Rider G4 PowerSet (seen here, pointed out by a red arrow) is the next-gen Bluetooth system that replaces Cardo's G2, which I reviewed at the end of last year.
How does the G4 compare, and is this bundled pair worth the extra $100? Read my Cardo Scala Rider G4 PowerSet Review to find out.
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Photo © Brian J. Nelson; click for review
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| | Fri, 20 Aug 2010 04:14:01 +0000 | | 
One of my biggest regrets of the year was missing the track launch of the BMW S1000RR due to a scheduling conflict. Though I knew I could eventually get my hands on a press bike back home, I also suspected it would be nearly impossible to push this bike's awesome limits on the street.
But when an S1000RR test bike finally found its way to my garage, it turned out there were plenty of ways to experience BMW's sophisticated traction control system on public roads. Find out how in my 2010 BMW S1000RR Review, and see pictures in this photo gallery.
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Photo © Basem Wasef; click for 2010 BMW S1000RR Review | |
| | Wed, 18 Aug 2010 02:13:32 +0000 | | 
In a shockingly frank admission on the ill health of the motorcycle industry in Canada-- which can at least partially be correlated to the U.S. market-- Honda's senior marketing manager Warren Milner said that "as far as we're concerned, the motorcycle business (in Canada) is bankrupt. We've hit rock bottom, so now we're going to rebuild."
Honda's issues are shared with the other three major Japanese manufacturers (Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha), and according to Milner, they "are losing huge money. And projections for the next two years are that they'll lose huge money." As we've mentioned here before, Honda's big picture is looking up thanks to the global sales of scooters and small displacement bikes, but the North American market remains in the doldrums due to diminished demand.
The situation in Canada is one of low inventory, aided by discounted prices which are also supported by a story we've previously run here about how Honda has slashed prices in Japan to levels that haven't been seen since 2000. But blogger Mark Richardson adds that Honda's image "sucks," and that "people expect Japanese bikes to be cheap, because that's the way it's always been. They'll pay more for Harleys and BMWs and Ducatis and Triumphs because of the lifestyle image associated with them, but in comparison, there really is not much of a lifestyle image associated successfully with any of the Japanese products."
How soon can Honda climb out of their Canadian sales slump, and do their problems relate to the U.S.? They've already brought much-needed, attractively priced bikes like Shadow Phantom and NT700V to the U.S. market, and expanded their lineup to include the PCX, Elite, and SH150i scooters. And while Honda's image is what it is (and it's extremely unlikely that they'd attempt to sell big dollar, low volume bikes like Harley's CVO models), the U.S. market still lacks beginner-friendly options like the CB125R-- which, incidentally, is Honda's best-seller in Canada, and the second-best seller up North behind the Kawasaki Ninja 250R.
Time will tell how quickly Honda's-- and the motorcycle industry in general's-- problems will disappear. But until then, chime in on ways you think Honda can make buying a new bike exciting again.
Source: Mark Richardson's Wheels.ca Blog
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Photo © Basem Wasef; click for Honda Buyer's Guide | |
| | Tue, 17 Aug 2010 05:54:15 +0000 | | 
Itching for a road trip aboard my long term Triumph Bonneville, the perfect opportunity finally presented itself with the So Cal Cycle TT, an annual ride that covers 500 miles of choice Southern California roads over the course of two days.
The event is known for its predominantly classic bent, so when I approached organizer Tad Yenawine about joining, I first asked, "Is my 2010 Triumph Bonneville SE old enough?"
Turns out the event was open to both old bikes and new, and the Bonneville would soon find itself embedded with a slew of stylish Nortons, Yamahas, and BMWs-- not to mention one oddball Beemer/Harley hybrid.
Read all about it in Triumph Bonneville Long Term Update #4, and see shots from the rally in this 2010 So Cal Cycle TT Photo Gallery.
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Photo © Basem Wasef; click for long term update #4 | |
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