Italian Convertible Helmet

Flip-up motorcycle helmets are compromises, and the Italian-made Vemar Jiano strikes a pleasant balance. Recognizing that many motorcycle riders will be touring behind windshields, the vented helmet sits coolly on the head, due in no small part to the minimalist, yet comfortable, padding. While the Jiano carries the additional weight that the pivoting hardware adds to the helmet, it is nicely balanced and aerodynamically efficient.

An internal flip-down smoked shield is helpful when the sun is behind you; however, it suffers from excessive glare when hit directly by the sun’s rays. So, while the easily deployed dark shield is more convenient than sunglasses, it is no replacement. Happily, the hinge systems and clasping strap on the well-finished Jiano are easily operated with gloved hands, a big plus for touring and city riders.

Vemar Jiano | Motorcycle Helmet | Motorcycle News and Best Reviews | Ultimate MotorCycling.

in ALTERNATIVE FUELS, ENGINES

Scientists in Liverpool working with some engineers from Ford, have developed anignition system that ignites the fuel mixture with a laser instead of a spark plug. Engines in their labs are currently running with the laser system.

The laser can be split into multiple beams which means it can have multiple ignition points, improving the chance of a complete burn, reducing emissions and improving efficiency in cold and damp conditions.

Part of the laser can be reflected back to provide information about how the engine is running, giving the computer the ability to adjust the air fuel mixture, also raising the possibility of better utilizing alternative fuels.

Ford says they will possibly use the system in their high end vehicles in as little as 2 years. Although this is strictly an automotive system at the moment, there’s certainly no reason this technology couldn’t, at some point, be adapted for smaller engines such as those used in motorcycles. Very cool technology!

Electric powered vehicles of all sorts are touted as the future but the old internal combustion engine just keeps getting better and better. It’s also a huge opportunity for anyone who wants to study and remain at the cutting edge of the technology, mechanics who refuse to learn and evolve will find their opportunities fading fast.

Link: Telegraph via Autoblog

Laser Ignition System Eliminates Spark Plugs – Internal Combusion Engines Continue to Evolve.

Summary

The Zeus ZS-3000 has excellent quality, a solid-feeling helmet shell and a comfortable liner that is removable and washable.  The helmet is also convertible to an open-face style; and, best of all, the ZS-3000 is currently Snell approval in the small shell size (XS to M).

The helmets are also available in a wide array of colors and graphics not often seen on a flip-up.  Combine that with some of the lowest prices around for a flip-up helmet and our prediction is that Zeus won’t be able to make these fast enough!

How do you feel about flip up helmets? Comments welcomed.

For the entire review click on the link below.

Zeus ZS-3000 – webBikeworld.

Unlike the current ST the engine will be mounted with the crankshaft running across the bike (transversely). This configuration allows the sharing of many of the mechanicals of the new VFR.

If true, the ST will drop 100cc’s and come down to 1200cc, but power will actually increase and be comparable to it’s larger competition, such as the Kawasaki Concours 14, and BMW K1300GT. Having come out in 2002 the ST is due for a remake so this would seem to be appropriate timing for an update. The joint development of the bikes would definitely make big sense financially.

Visible in this photo is a remote adjuster for the rear suspension but it seems likely that electronic adjustabilty would be available to compete in this category.

The ST1200 will likely come with removable hard case bags, and lowered pegs. You may also get an engine is a slightly different state of tune than the sportier VFR and gearing to make highway cruising a little less high strung than the VFR.

Photo via MCN

BMW MOTORRAD has announced today that the F 800 R – the naked version of the F 800 – will arrive in Australia in September to sit alongside fellow exhibitionists, the K 1300 R and the R 1200 R.

Powered by the same 798cc 4-valve parallel twin as its faired sibling, the F 800 R develops 64kW at 8000rpm and 86Nm of torque at 6000rpm.

“We are ecstatic to be able to bring the F 800 R to market this year, which will certainly assist in continuing our strong sales position,” Cameron Cuthill, General Manager of BMW Motorrad said.

“Gauging by the early interest in the F 800 R, this urban and sporting style of riding is sure to appeal not only to existing BMW customers but also to those that may not have considered a BMW before.”

The mass compensation of the parallel twin is implemented by a system which sees an additional swivel rod compensating the first order and second order mass forces, ensuring that the two cylinder engine runs with an unusually low level of vibration, which BMW says delivers superior comfort for the rider.

The lack of fairings drops the F 800 R’s dry weight to 182kg, or 204kg fuelled. The chassis, with its double-sided rear-wheel swing-arm has also been specially adapted to suit the dynamics of a naked bike.

The F 800 R can be optioned with switchable ABS, which features a newly developed pressure sensor for improved regulation of the braking system.

The new F 800 R is available initially in three colour ways: a two-colour finish in Alpine White non-metallic with Black Silk gloss, Fire Orange non-metallic, and White Aluminium metallic.

Official retail pricing will be released closer to launch, with initial pricing expectations in the vicinity of $14,000.

Click here to read TMR’s review of the BMW F 800 ST.

GALLERY » 2009 BMW F 800 R

Posted on 07.1.2009 15:06 by Maxx Biker
Filed under: Aprilia | Sportsbikes | Aprilia Mana

Aprilia has been producing the Mana 850 as an entirely naked bike only, but the Italian manufacturer now also produces the sport-touring version called the Mana 850 GT. At its base, the bike remains the same all-rounder with nothing more than a half-fairing and an adjustable windscreen that is new for 2009, but it is claimed to be a completely new motorcycling concept and that definitely raises a few question marks.

Introduction
Naked motorcycles are known as being versatile and user-friendly, qualities that turn veritable fun commuters out of these things, which always seem to easily find their place on the market. With the 2009 Mana 850 GT, Aprilia adds touring capabilities on top of what still is the body and soul of the original, innovative naked bike.

The new bike is powered by an unchanged 839,3cc, 90-degree V-twin engine (Euro 3 homologated) and values the 76hp and 73Nm with the use of a Sportgear transmission. The intelligent transmission is a Mana characteristic and offers two riding modes: Sequential and Autodrive. The first allows the rider to decide when to change gears either in the classical way (pedal) or by pressing a switch on the handlebar. In case that the rider forgets to downshift when slowing down/decelerating, the Semi-Sequential function intervenes and starts changing down gears. Autodrive mode lets electronics and the CVT transmission to do the entire job for the rider, who only needs to accelerate in order to be supplied with all the needed get-up-and-go. The best of it is that it offers three different mappings: Touring (docile engine and great mileage), Sport (100 per cent use of the engine’s potential) or Rain (to be activated on slippery roads, allowing the rider to change down gears for safe riding). The rider can switch from one mode to another and use the innovative transmission in his favor virtually at all times and in all riding conditions and situations.

2009 Aprilia Mana 850 GT ABS

Aprilia builds the Mana 850 GT on a robust steel tube trellis frame with a single piece aluminum swingarm. This, together with the 43mm upside-down fork and spring preload and rebound damping adjustable shock absorber has much to do with the bike being able both to filter traffic around town and gather up hundreds of miles during those long weekend trips.

Like any veritable sport-touring motorcycle, the GT is fitted with an ABS system. The latest generation 2-channel Continental ABS enables riders to use the bike’s entire braking potential even on surfaces with reduced grip without risking to crash as a result of locking the wheels.

Yet another innovative feature of the Mana is the under-seat fuel tank. The 4.22 gallons unit allows for good autonomy, but that’s not the reason why you’ll find it there. A helmet compartment with non-scratch lining for a full-face helmet, with mobile phone holder, toolkit/glove-box and 12V-power socket is located where the fuel tank would normally be and that is why the Italians went for the under-seat tank. Does this mean that you can even ride the Aprilia Mana 850 GT to the office wearing a suit? Yes, and you don’t need to carry the helmet with you and nobody will be aware of the ride that you had on the way to work.

See complete article here

Avon Tyres is advising bikers across the UK to check their tyre pressures ahead of this Bank Holiday weekend, which traditionally heralds the start of the motorcycling summer.

The British-based tyre specialists know how important running the correct pressures is to the safety and stability of a bike, thanks to a century of motorcycle tyre experience.

Peter McNally, Avon Tyres’ Technical Product Manager for Motorcycle tyres says: “Tyre pressures on a motorcycle are critical to the safety of the rider aboard it – there’s no other way of putting it. The tyre’s connection with the road has to be perfect and if the tyre is under inflated after a winter’s lay-off, the bike will not handle properly and it could be dangerous.

“During testing for our range of tyres – including our new VP2 Sports tyres – we have seen how under-pressure tyres can degrade handling, affect steering, as well as leading to increased and un-even tyre wear.”

McNally says the tyre pressure check should be the first thing on the agenda for any rider who’s contemplating getting back on to two wheels this weekend, and offered his top tips for bikers wheeling out their machines for summer.

Make sure you use an accurate tyre pressure gauge – the ones found on the forecourt of your local service station could easily be out by several psi

Know what the optimum tyre pressures are, front and rear, for your bike and tyres fitted; keep a note of them in your wallet or under the seat

Checking your tyre pressures should be at least a weekly ritual, more often if you commute to work on your motorcycle

If you get into the habit, you’ll spot other safety concerns, such as when your chain needs adjusting or when your tyres are coming to the end of their life

Avon Tyres is a Cooper Tire & Rubber Company brand, and has been designing and manufacturing tyres for many different motorcycles and specifications since 1885 and manufactured their first motorcycle tyre in 1911.

For more information go to: http://www.avonmotorcycles.com.

via Don’t Be Under Pressure This Summer, Says Avon Tyres.

Press Release:

 If you’re looking for comfort, functionality, style and safety all under one lid, look no further than BMW’s brand new System 6 helmet.

Key features:

•    Low weight:  1570 g (smaller shell),  1670 g ( larger shell)

•    Extra neck band to prevent the helmet from twisting

•    Excellent aero-acoustics

•    Chin guard with quadruple-joint mechanism

•    Double visor as standard

•    Drop-down sun visor

This light helmet is the latest item to be unveiled by BMW Motorrad. In addition to boasting a minimal weight of 1570g for the smaller shell, it is one of the quietest flip-fronts on the market, has a drop down sun visor and pride’s itself on a stylish design. It is smaller and more compact than the System 5 with a cleverly designed chin bar pivot which moves in an elliptical path keeping it close to the helmet shell.

With safety at the forefront of BMW designs, the System 6 is no exception to the rule. It has exceptionally high standards of impact-absorbing qualities and has an extra neck band to prevent the helmet from twisting on impact, ensuring it remains in the best possible position on the rider’s head.  

This innovative piece of BMW Rider Equipment also boasts outstanding quality. An anti fog, three dimensionally curved double – glazed visor comes as standard, absorbing 100% of UV radiation and ensuring clear visibility even in poor weather conditions. The helmet also out performs the System 5 in terms of noise control with a mere 86 dB (A) at 100 km/h.

In hot weather the helmet’s design and technical capabilities are sure to keep the rider’s head cool. A large vent at the top of the helmet combined with low-pressure vents in the neck and four air channels in the inner shell, provide significant air-flow. The helmet is also aerodynamically neutral- when the rider turns his head, only slight torsional forces are generated, thanks to exhaustive wind tunnel testing.

BMW Motorrad’s latest Bluetooth Communication System is also available for the System 6.

BMW Parts and Accessories Manager, Dave Alexander said:

“We are extremely pleased to see that the development process of the System 6 Helmet has paid off. Years of effort have gone into producing this piece of BMW Rider Equipment and we are delighted with the end result which is both safe and comfortable.”  

The System 6 helmet is priced at £325 in single colours and £355 for the patterned versions. It is now available in BMW Motorrad Dealerships.

For further information on the System 6 or any other BMW products or to locate your nearest BMW Motorrad Dealership, please visit http://www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk or call 0800 777 155.

via The Latest In Helmet Design For BMW Motorrad.