February 17, 2010
February 15, 2010
Reviews: Triumph Thunderbird 2010
Triumph has unveiled a new Thunderbird 1600 for 2010. Set to be an early release model -- summer 2009 -- the bike will feature a new, 1600cc parallel twin engine with a six-speed transmission and belt drive.With its new Thunderbird 2010, Triumph enters the competitive cruiser segment with a parallel-Twin powerplant unique in this category.
Instead of using a V-Twin, the T-Bird uses a 1597cc vertical-Twin powerplant that is an exceptionally clean lump for a liquid-cooled engine. A 270-degree firing interval essentially turns the motor into a 0-degree V-Twin, if you will. Double overhead cams and four valves per cylinder enhance breathing and combine with an oversquare 103.8 x 94.3mm bore and stroke to enable fairly high (for a Big Twin) 6500-rpm rev limit.
This "T-16” engine is the world’s largest production parallel-Twin motor. Thumps from the 800cc pistons are quelled with twin balance shafts (front, rear) plus a crank-mounted torsional damper. Triumph claims this new mill pounds out a claimed 85-hp peak at 4850 rpm when measured at the crankshaft. Torque crests at 2750 rpm with an alleged 108 ft-lbs.
A twin-spine steel-tube frame uses the engine as a stressed member for a stout platform within its fairly tidy 63.6-inch wheelbase, 0.6 inch shorter than the Harley Dyna Super Glide Custom that Triumph used as one of its targets. A beefy 47mm Showa fork is raked out at 32 degrees with 151mm of trail, while dual Showa shocks with 5-position preload adjustability (wrench under the seat) anchor down the back end.
There's no such thing as a viable cruiser with a tall seat height, so the T-Bird boasts a wide and well-padded saddle 27.6 inches above the ground (same as the Dyna), and this ensures a cruiser-typical feet-forward riding position. The handlebar greets hands a bit further forward than some laid-back cruisers, putting a rider’s spine in a comfortable position slightly rotated forward. A pleasantly tight turning circle is an unexpected bonus.
February 13, 2010
Hint: Safe to ride with a White or Bright Helmet !!
Although black helmets are popular among motorcyclists, they offer the least visibility to motorists at night time. A rider wearing a plain white helmet rather than a black one reduces his or her chance of collision by 24% because it is so much more visible, either both at day or night. Nevertheless, black helmets outsell white ones (photo, above) by 20:1. Helmets of other colors vary in the visibility they provide to motorists by where they fall on a scale from black to white.
February 11, 2010
Motorcycle Reviews: 2010 Honda NT700V
Honda was bringing their all-new NT700V touring motorcycle to the United States last year. Having gained popularity and selling pretty well in Europe for years, Honda’s mid-sized V-Twin is claimed to be a versatile, user-friendly and fuel efficient motorcycle that allows riders to use it both to commute and live adventures on depending on what day of the week is it.
Each cylinder’s four valves are controlled through a single overhead cam, while gas is fed into the engine by Honda’s programmed fuel injection system. The engine is coupled to a five-speed tranny, which should keep things lively and interesting at all times while also maintaining good mileage. Knowing about the standard model’s 566 lbs curb weight (571 on the ABS model) and the gas tank’s 5.2 gallons capacity, we reckon the NT700V should beg for more gas after around 200 miles during long haul traveling and approximately 165 miles around town.
With this all-new NT700V, Honda is walking on soft American ground mostly because riders can go ahead and buy sport-touring models such as the Yamaha FZ6, Suzuki GSX650F, or Kawasaki Ninja 650R for plenty less than what they’ll pay for the NT700V and still ride a much more potent piece of engineering. But the fact is that the Honda NT700V addresses to riders who have long surpassed the “horsepower crisis” and prefer the joy of riding in complete comfort and well protected by wind and weather for miles and miles every day.
February 4, 2010
Alvaro Bautista Moves to MotoGP Class and joins Team REV'IT in 2010
Taking it to the next level. That is what Alvaro Bautista decided to do this year. 2010 Will be the first year for Alvaro Bautista to compete in the King's Class: MotoGP.
In 2002, he had his first Grand Prix debut. He started out in 125cc and then moved up to 250cc, where he also scored many podiums and victories. Last year Alvaro Bautista finished fourth in the 250cc championship. Now it is time to fight along with the big guys. Together with the official Rizla Suzuki MotoGP team, Alvaro Bautista will be fighting for the 2010 championship.
February 2, 2010
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
January 22, 2010
TV reporter grabbing David Beckham's Balls
TV reporter grabbing David Beckham's Balls in Italy. (Italy's TV show)
January 21, 2010
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.
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.
January 20, 2010
January 15, 2010
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.
January 6, 2010
New Issue of Masei Dark Knight Motorcycle DOT Helmet
New Issue of Masei Dark Knight Motorcycle DOT Helmet
January 1, 2010
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.
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.
December 28, 2009
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.
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.
December 20, 2009
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.
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.
December 15, 2009
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.
December 14, 2009
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