Motorcycle Blog on 2040Motos

Look, Look and Look Again

North America is not the only Continent in the world experiencing a dramatic increase in motorcycle registrations; you can add the land down under to the list. This is great news for the industry but it also has a downside, the increase of motorcycle accidents, which are up sharply. “Half of all crashes involving a motorcyclist and a car are caused by the driver failing to see the motorcyclist,” claims Tim Pallas, the Roads and Ports Minister.

Video: Tron 2.0 teaser shows off new Light Cycles

Tron, not my favorite movie of all time … but it did have those light cycles and deadly Frisbees. 26 years later these things have been deemed cool again and there’s enough nostalgia out there to warrant a sequel: Tr2n (or Tron 2.0). Jeff Bridges, star of the original Tron in 1982, is set to play “Kevin Flynn” again in this sequel alongside Eomer, son of Eomund.

BMW Standardizes Switches

Whenever you throw your leg over a bike that isn’t your own, there is always a few minutes needed to become familiar with the proportions and controls of the foreign machine. Getting a sense of the clutch release point, brake feel, throttle response and riding position may all differ from what you have been accustomed, but they slowly become second nature after enough seat time is logged. One such control that strays from this rule of thumb is the turn signal operation of many BMWs.

Hot Rod Caskets

The maker doesn’t want it; the buyer doesn’t use it; and the user doesn’t see it. What is it? A coffin.

“The Retriever” is Swedish for Tow Bike

The Honda GL1800 Goldwing may be a versatile vehicle, but a Sweden based company has developed theirs to be something much different; a recovery vehicle. According to their site, the process takes less than 90 seconds with a single operator using the handheld remote control. The bike can allegedly be driven like any other motorcycle when you are not towing a car behind you.

Welcome to The Sidecar – Motorcycle.com Blog!

Often times us journalists have heated discussions around the water cooler or thoughts that pass under the helmet that are not fit to print within the context of a feature or news story. Whether it be impressions of a bike that involve four letter words, travel adventures from the road or just funny things we share to entertain each other at the office, we never quite know what to do with them. Well, they can now be found here at our very own blog.

Mmmmm, Toasted

While some fortunate souls who live south of the Mason-Dixon line are able to ride their beloved beasts all year long, some are forced to put their hogs into hibernation by mother nature come winter time. Although most motorcyclists have little use for wintry weather, autumn is a truly beautiful time of year to ride. Granted, the days become shorter and the wind colder, but navigating your way through winding roads amid the vibrant colors of changing leaves is enough of a reward within itself.

KTM to Enter Supersport Category

As the off-road market continues its tailspin, Austria’s KTM is hedging its bets with a continued surge in its street motorcycle category. Its on-road push began with the liter-size V-Twins in the Adventure, Super Duke, and Supermoto bikes, followed most recently by the RC8 superbike. Now we hear word that the Austrian manufacturer will soon enter the supersport class.

14-Meter Bike Breaks World Record

The Beatles, Big Ben and The BBC – the UK has given the world so much over the years. Unbeknownst to many of their population, Britain has now made another contribution to the world – a 14 meter long motorcycle. Colin Furze, the builder, had to ride it 100 meters in order to qualify for the record, which he accomplished handedly.

Canadian Motorcycle Grand Prix?

When the FIA decided to drop the Canadian Grand Prix from the 2009 Formula One calendar, came as a surprise to race organizers and left North America without an F1 race. The race draws an estimated $100 million in revenue to the city of Montreal and the loss was great enough that bringing back the race became a campaign promise for a major Canadian political party in the recent federal election. Unfortunately, that party did not win the election and F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone recently closed the door on the possibility of the race returning to Montreal’s Gilles Villeneuve Circuit in 2009.

Do you Discriminate?

In my line of work, I am fortunate to ride many fantastic and notably different motorcycles. While some stand out as being superior, they all have something to offer their intended audience. As I could be on any number of models in any given week, I have never really been a die hard for any specific brand.

Suzuki Scooter Concept Turns Heads

The popularity of two-wheeled transportation certainly picked up this summer, thanks mostly to the economy. Not everyone who wants one however, has a choice they can live with. Stylistically scoots sold in the states have been rather traditional and staid, that is until now.

Fun finds on ebay

This will be the first of what I’m hoping is many posts on fun and weird motorcycle-related finds on everybody’s favorite online retailer – ebay. With Halloween just around the corner, we’ll look at the scarier side of motorcycles. First up is the very scary Dracucycle.

World’s First Double Arm Transplant

Many of us have read about the German farmer who lost both arms in an agricultural-related incident and has amazingly been the first recipient of a double arm transplant. Not only is this an incredible medical story, but it also reminds the rest of us to appreciate things we may take for granted. In addition to being able to eat and dress himself, one of his goals is to one day ride a motorcycle.

Used Review: Revit Ride jacket

Most jackets nowadays have a good standard spec, with armour and reflective panels, but the Revit Ride jacket is also well fitted and to me looks like it’s been designed with style as well as function in mind. There are some small details I’m fond of like the thin shiny leather strips used to cover the stitching on the arms and the big pockets at front, basically it doesn’t look like a hefty winter jacket but does the same job. For me it has the right balance between thick and chunky and lightweight and comfortable.

Used Review: HJC FG15 Draco helmet

In desperate search for a helmet with a quick release visor after getting fed up with it taking 20 minutes to change the one on the Roof I had, I stumbled across the HJC Draco. The dragon design is great looking and the metal flake effect really sets off the look. It’s fairly lightweight and thanks to the vents the FG15 is proving a little gem of a find.

New: Nexx Ice X60 helmet

Pink and all things that glitter do appeal to me sometimes but this just doesn’t cut it. Firstly it didn’t fit properly and is loose at the sides, but fair enough that might just be my head. Secondly it has a really fiddly chin strap lock that to undo you have to pull awkwardly at a piece of ribbon – like that’s going to last more than a week.

New: BMW Streetguard 2 Jacket

BMW clothing offer an array of sizing, not just ‘small, medium and large’ of other manufacturers. They will let you pre-order a choice of size combinations to try with no obligation to purchase. As for the quality you’d think you were on a visit to Nasa with everything they’ve thrown into their textiles – Gore-tex laminated with Armacor provides abrasion and heat resistance.

New: Rev-it Pearl textile jacket

This is almost an exact copy of a Hein Gericke jacket that I reviewed earlier in the year, except scaled down in quality along with the price. Billed as a four season urban jacket, it matches its criteria, suitable for rain showered journeys of the urban commuter and scooter bunny but I’m not sure it’s robust enough to handle a motorway slaying through winter’s worst. Adjustable bits at the waist, collar and hem with button down biceps give some shape and the Hydratex waterproof and breathable membrames help as much as it can from sweaty moments.  Like the fashion high street before it, the motorcycle clothing industry has realised that copying designs and making them cheap is insatiable business, and at a time when scaling back is de riguer, this jacket is right on the button.

Used Review: Richa Spiker leather jacket

The first thing that drew me to the Richa Jacket was its clean look, which I really like. Since then the Spiker has been comfortable and the removable lining proved a great addition with the ever changing temperatures which we seem to be experiencing. The built in armour sits snugly and doesn’t make you look like your wearing ‘80’s style shoulder pads like some jackets I’ve seen- which is always a bonus.

Used Review: Davida Jet Mashed helmet

Wearing this helmet has become an everyday thing for me now that the weather has picked up. It’s perfect for me in lots of ways and suits the style of my current longtermer. Davida do a huge range of styles in a number of funky paintjobs so you too should be able to find one to suit your bike.

Used Review: Clover GT3 jacket

I’ve been wearing this waterproof textile jacket since March and it’s performed very well. The silver colour shows up dirt something rotten, there’s a stark lack of useful pockets and the cut is quite square, but as a jacket to keep the cold and water out it’s been right up to the job. It’s my daily commuting top, one of those jackets you throw on without thinking about it, and now that it’s summer I can’t see the point in getting a replacement anytime soon.

Used Review: Berik GPX boots

These have been worn non-stop since I joined the magazine nigh on a year ago and are now showing signs of the wear and tear they’ve been put through. They are extremely comfortable and not a bad-looking boot and are often worn during the day in the office without any major discomfort. The zip on the left boot broke pretty quickly and the lack of waterproof material quickly showed up during the wet winter we just had.

New: Richa Elegance Glove

A mild winter / rainy summer glove that is actually really good. A fleece-lined interior gives comfort and warmth while they’re thin enough to retain feeling and dexterity on the levers, and the soft leather padded palms and underside give great grip when wet. They have a breathable and waterproof Hipora liner so no fear of clammy hands and should keep your mitts dry through the ever-lingering showers.

New: Dainese G-Stripes Pelle Lady Jacket

With this jacket the smell was the first sensory indulgence that struck me, then the sublime softness of the leather and the realisation that this was a great jacket. Italian style at it’s very best, sexy, flattering and functional all in one package. I couldn’t have been quicker putting it on, jumping on the bike and going for a ride.

New: Bering Butterfly textile jacket

It was only a few years ago that there were real issues getting motorcycle clothing for girls that flattered the female form. So it still thrils me when I see a manufacturer taking a risk and giving significant commitment to the female market. There’s no getting away from it, this jacket has GIRL stamped all over it.

New: NZI Chic Chupa Chups helmet

The business of branding staggers me at times. The only hint of association between a lollipop and a motorcycle rider that I can think of would  be on a thin day with a crash helmet on I might, with blurred vision, look like one. However the prominence of Chupa Chups helmets is sure to increase with Jorge Lorenzo’s (or Lothario as I like to call him) dominant success this season.

New: Daytona Lady Star GTX boots

The unique feature with these boots is the 2.5 cm platform integrated into the heel, combined with the 1cm outer heel to give a useful gain in height. As a shorter rider they really do instill confidence. I’d heard whispers about these boots in the past but had always been put off by the steep price, having tested them daily over the past month, I can say that they’re worth it.

New: Alpinestars Stella Rebel air flo jacket

Alpinestars are a consistently reliable brand that always delivers with ladies motorcyle clothing. This lighter summer/spring textile jacket is again a flattering cut, with breathability in the fabric. A waterproof liner to the inside keeping you safe from the risk of ever present summer showers.

New: Richa Summer gloves

Rain all winter and snow in April has drastically lowered my expectations of the impending Summer (I prefer to be pleasantly surprised than disappointed), therefore these mid-season gloves may be the main pair nestled in my helmet over the next few months. Mostly leather with textile mid length gauntlets and deliciously soft fleece lined interiors make for a decent pair of mitts. A zip on the gantlet to pinch them in gives you the option of wearing them either in or outside your jacket sleeve and the Velcro wrist strap tightens at the right spot, far better than some of the prettier pairs on the market, which in my book make them great for the daily commuting grind.