Reviews: Shoei RF-1000 Motorcycle Helmet

Shoei’s RF-1000 is designed for the rider who demands exceptional quality, function and features.

FEATURES

~ Aerodynamic Shell Design
~ Aerodynamic properties are maximized through extensive wind tunnel and rider testing
~ The Aero Stabilizer dramatically reduces drag and lift coefficients, thus diminishing rider fatigue and increasing performance Two-Layer EPS Liner System
~ Two-layer liner offers unmatched ventilation with internal channels and exhaust ports throughout the helmet
~ Integrated Upper Air Intake minimizes air turbulence and maximizes air stream in all riding positions
~ Outlet holes in the Aero Stabilizer allow warm air to be exhausted
~ The lower air intake provides an additional source of air flow
~ The neck outlet vent allows for effective air exhaust Lightweight, Advanced Integrated Matrix Plus (AIM+)
~ High performance fiber materials are combined with extremely elastic organic fibers to create a shell structure that is ultra lightweight, rigid and resilientAnti-Fog System
~ The lower air intake provides air flow that helps to diminish shield fogging 3D Interior Liner
~ Removable interior cheek pads available in optional sizes for a custom fit
~ Chin strap cover can easily be removed to allow for cleaning or replacement Standard Chin-Strap Clip
~ Neatly secures chin strap CX-1 V Shield and Lock System
~ Q.R.B.P. (Quick-Release Base Plate) allows tool-less shield removal
~ A wide, 3-dimensionally curved shield offers increased peripheral vision and optical clarity
~ Scratch-resistant coating
~ 100% protection from harmful UV A & B rays
~ A pre-set lever can easily lock the shield in place to prevent it from opening unexpectedly

TV reporter grabbing David Beckham's Balls

TV reporter grabbing David Beckham's Balls in Italy. (Italy's TV show)

China tops the world by manufacturing 17 million of motorcycle units in 2009

Today (Jan 20th), China's Business Bureau announced that, in 2009, the domestic motorcycle industry had manufactured up to a total of 17.175 million units (17,175,000) of motorcycle in China, with a yearly increase of over 12.8%.

The Big Three - Jiangmen Grand River Group, Qianjiang Motorcycle, Zongshen Industrial Co, accounted for 55.1% of the output.

In contrast, as stated previously in my blog, the Japanese output of motorcycle does not exceed 700,000 units for the whole year of 2009. Nowadays, in terms of quantity, China has become the world's largest motorcycle manufacturers and exporters in the world.

Look!! Gundam Zaki DOT Motorcycle Helmet

Rare! Motorcycle Helmet Production Scene with Air-Vacuum

I spotted few scenes last week in one of the top-class motorcycle helmet manufacturers in China with air-vacuum facility, which can make sure the dust-free environment for helmet production.

HARLEY DAVIDSON HD MOTORCYCLE SHOW IN HONG KONG

HARLEY DAVIDSON HD MOTORCYCLE SHOW IN HONG KONG

New Issue of Masei Dark Knight Motorcycle DOT Helmet

New Issue of Masei Dark Knight Motorcycle DOT Helmet

Japanese Motorcycle Bike Production Shrank More Than Half in 2009

Japan's motorcycle production had shrank from 3 million units in 1993 to about 0.6 million this year of 2009. Almost 5 times! in 15 years! This may result from the financial crisis and the aging population in Japan.

The following chart provided by JAMA (Japanese Motorcycle Association) applies up to 2008 (1.2 million units).

Therefore, only considering the year of 2009, it has dropped from 1.2 million units into 0.6 million units. Almost, half of the motorcycle production was cut in 1 year.

New Harley Davidson Motorcycle Bike VR1000 in Tradeshow 2009 (Video)

New Harley Davidson Motorcycle Bike VR1000 in Tradeshow 2009

This is definitely not your average Harley-Davidson, or even one that shares any parts with the usual Milwaukee iron. The VR1000 is a V-twin, it's made in America, but there the resemblance ends. This half orange, half black apparition is built solely for the racetrack: Any resemblance with any other form of Harley-Davidson motorcycles begins and ends with the name on the fairing.

Made in America was the theme for the Harley factory's first built-from-scratch roadracer, the VR1000. Harley's road-racing department put the bike together using a list of American parts suppliers, some with no motorcycle experience, using no existing Harley motorcycle parts.

Safety and certification of ECE 22.05 Testing

Safety and certification of ECE 22.05 Testing

It is recommended to replace the helmet at least every 5 years or if it was involved in a crash or after a violent impact. Even if the helmet doesn't seem to have suffered, the energy absorbed during an impact has undoubtedly transformed the EPS form (expanded polystyrene inner liner) making it useless. High quality motorcycle helmets have to comply with approved international standards defining the minimum safety levels. For use throughout Europe helmets need to meet the regulation ECE 22.05. Lazer helmets meet this standard, and mostly our own quality and safety criteria go beyond it. Lazer helmets also satisfy other international standards.

Each year thousands of helmets are tested and destroyed by certified labs (10 helmets for every 3200 manufactured) in order to guarantee Lazer helmets are safe, comfortable and of high quality.

Lazer sends an arbitrary set of helmets from the production chain to the certification body. During 24 hours these helmets are subjected to extreme conditions, some of them are placed in a fridge at – 20°, some in an oven at 50° and others are exposed to spraying for several tens of minutes with water, creating different simulation environments for helmets.

Subsequently, a series of tests is carried out in these 3 conditions (cold, heat and humidity).

ECE 22.05 certification tests

Shock absorption test

The helmet is placed on a dummy head. It is then dropped from a height of 3 meters and falls onto an anvil. Three-dimensional sensors inside the dummy head measure the acceleration transmitted to the head. 4 points on the helmet are tested one after another. The standard defines a value threshold which is not to be exceeded by the helmet.

Retention system test

A 10 kg weight attached to the helmet strap falls from3/4 meter height in order to test the retention system's resistance. The temporary elongation is measured during this dynamic test followed by the permanent elongation afterwards. Both elongations have to remain within the limits defined by the standard.

Roll-off test

A 10 kg weight attached to the front or back of the helmet is dropped from a defined height in order to measure its tendency to come off the head, either front to back or back to front.

Slipping test
The helmet is firmly pressed down against a plate representing the ground with a 2 cm edge. It is then horizontally launched at great speed against this edge in order to verify if no protruding ridge gets caught on it.

Visors test

A projectile is launched at high speed against the visor which shouldn't break. Then sand is projected under high pressure to verify the helmet's scratch resistance. For optimal vision under all circumstances, the visor's optical quality is scrupulously measured in laboratories.

New Issue of Masei Tiger Tora 820 Motorcycle Helmet 瑪星兒虎年頭盔

Top Secret - Carbon Fiber Helmet Production Details

Carbon fiber helmets are being seen more and more on the road as carbon fiber motorcycle helmets and carbon fiber bike helmets. The appeal is, of course, the light weight and strength of the material.

Especially for road bikers and cyclists, weight is a huge concern. So, the more carbon fiber on a bike or setup; the better. That means that if a carbon fiber helmet is within the budget, it's a must have item.

Helmets, made out of an advanced Carbon Fiber Composite Weave, are extremely lightweight and durable. It can weigh around 2.0-2.5 pounds and 1/2 pound less than your usual helmet. Each carbon helmet comes with accessories for the specific weather, and will cost you US$200 each on the market.

Well, the carbon fiber helmets are difficult to manufacture and requires a high investment. Why it costs so much? Each day, one mold and one machine can only produce 20-25 units, which means each month one machine can only output around 700 carbon helmets.

I have seen some so-called carbon helmets sold online for US$20-40! God! They are fake! only put carbon pattern over ABS plastics.

I inspected one of helmet production lines in Taiwan last week and taped this rarest and the most precious moment for motorcycle fans.

Air-Brushing Helmet in Mass Production manually...

Rare video!!! I took it last year in one of the obsolete Chongqing Helmet suppliers... Old-Fashioned way to air brush the helmet. Well, nowadays, big brands all use automation system to air-brush. Very hard to see this air-brush video in reality.

Rare!! Helmet Mountain for recycling!!

SUZUKI GSR400/GSR400 in Tokyo Motorcycle Bike Show 2009

check out this Masei Chrome Helmet !!

Funny & Weird Masei Helmet Fashion Pattern.

Funny & Weird Masei Helmet Fashion Pattern, but I love it.
See their coming releases on Feb 2010. I am still working on them now.

Honda Valkyrie in Motorshow 2009

Honda Valkyrie in Hong Kong Bike Show

The Honda Valkyrie is a motorcycle that was manufactured by Honda, from model years 1997–2003. It was designated GL1500C in the US market and F6C in other markets.

The Valkyrie engine is a 1520 cc horizontally-opposed six cylinder liquid cooled boxer engine transplanted from Honda's Goldwing model. This was unusual since most "cruiser" style motorcycles were based on a V-twin engine design similar to the engine of a Harley-Davidson. In its transplant from the Goldwing, the most notable engine changes were the camshaft and the change to six individual 28 mm carburetors, one for each cylinder. These changes were made to increase power and torque. These changes also gave the engine a little more character by giving it a unique sound.

The Valkyrie was offered with a reverse gear in Japan. The Valkyrie was made in the U.S.A. at the Honda motorcycle plant in Marysville, Ohio.

EICMA Milan Motorcycle Show 2009 Video by Luu

EICMA Milan Motorcycle Show 2009 Video by Luu

Let's begin with the across the hall fun at the EICMA International Bicycle and Motorcycle Exhibition which took place this past weekend. Although the organizers have proclaimed the bicycle show a success, with 45,000 visitors, many of the same visitors have noted that the bicycle portion continues to shrink and is now housed in only one pavilion. Not even all the most significant manufacturers attend anymore.

BMW DELTABOX R1200 EICMA MOTORCYCLE 2009 Video

There are some BMW R1200GS riders who never venture offroad but who take full benefit of its excellent touring abilities. Those riders may be tempted by BMW's dedicated tourer, the R1200RT.

• lighter (wet: 25kg, 11%) (1)
• better power:weight ratio (wet: 2.5%) (1)
• more chuckable so more fun!
• wider handlebars make steering easier
• better ground clearance
• offroad ability
• cheaper