Just over a month ago, there was much fanfare about two bikers in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, who incited riots with their motorcycles’ exhausts and who were eventually charged with terrorism. It is worth mentioning that San Luis Potosi has been hit with drug violence, and that its residents were already on edge. Still, terrorism? :continue:
Last wednesday, I participated in a discussion in the comments section of HFLʼs last installment of the Life Electric series, something that lead to a very spirited exchange between myself, designer JT Nesbitt and a bunch of regular readers. The crux of the article concluded that electric motorcycles, while interesting and fun, have not arrived to a point of development which makes them practical for most users. I blithely commented my total agreement, but added words to the effect that this was symptomatic of any disruptive technology, and that electrification was the inevitable future of personal transportation. Some passionate reader publicly asked JT for a retort, which kicked the whole thing off. :continue:
My time with the 2012 Zero DS is up. The nice man from Zero came and picked it up this morning. For three whole weeks, the fastest, longest-range electric motorcycle ever was my only transportation. I didn’t drive any cars, I didn’t ride my bicycle, I didn’t hop on any other bikes. I might have walked a little bit once or twice. Why? I wanted to know if it was possible. Early adopters and techno geeks and and greenie weenies aside, can a normal person with normal transportation needs really make the switch to zero emissions? Well…the answer is not what what I was expecting.
Photos: Sean Smith
So far as ADV riding goes, you can’t get a lot better than the proven reliability and simple ruggedness of the BMW G650GS. But, momentum is still your enemy and dropping the 423lbs bike at speed is going to break stuff. It’d also be nice to be able to carry a few things without those things being stolen. Enter Touratech, which has thrown its entire catalog at this Sertao in an effort to make it round-the-world capable. :continue:
Little known in the US, Knox has been leading motorcycle safety innovations from the UK for over a decade now. For 2012, this new Meta-Sys back protector promises to boost protection, comfort, convenience and area of coverage while the firm’s innovative Scaphoid Protection System and Boa lacing technology make their way to dirt bike gloves, items that typically offer barely any protection at all. :continue:
It’s no secret that we’re huge fans of the high-end custom bikes coming out of Philadelphia-based Hammarhead Industries. Much more than just looks, they’re genuinely boosting the functionality of the Urals and Triumphs and Hondas they’re based on to a whole new level. All that while remaining super tasteful and understated. You can apply the same plaudits to the company’s burgeoning range of accessories, like this new backpack. Waxed cotton and leather construction will make it water resistant and incredibly strong, but keeping the logos off it and the colors all black means you can use this equally well off the bike too. Handmade by D’Emploi in Brooklyn, quality should be as high as Hammarhead’s bikes.
“We are going through a time of color blindness,” Miguel Galluzzi told us last year. “People want things in black or white and, if they do choose a color, they go for grey. Working for Aprilia and Guzzi, we don’t think like that. We try to push new colors.” These new V7s are a great example of that, and also the precise, emotive detailing that so defines the brand. There’s this absolutely gorgeous new fairing for the V7 racer and some stunning new colors and finishes too. :continue:
“The bike was, as you would expect from a company such as Mugen, a well-designed and well put together proper race bike,” stated 17 time Isle of Man TT winner John McGuinness shortly after his first ride aboard the Mugen Shinden. “As soon as I got underway it felt natural and I almost forgot it was fully electric while I was also learning the Twin Ring Motegi circuit for the first time.” :continue:
What you’re looking at here is the 2012 Triumph Bonneville T100. It swaps in a 19-inch, spoked front wheel, tubes, two-tone paint, a flat seat, more conservative suspension geometry and higher, narrower, more swept back handlebars for a $1,400 premium over the standard Bonneville. Worth it? Nope. Those mods effectively ruin what’s otherwise a great bike.
Photos: Grant Ray :continue:
There was a time when I saw Scorpion helmets and turned up my nose, assuming it was so cheaply made I’d invariably break a lid just by trying one on. However, the EXO-400 I purchased for our Labrador expedition opened me to a brave new world. Somehow, that $130 Scorpion managed to be nearly as comfortable and functional as the much more expensive AGV GP-Tech I was wearing at the time, except I didn’t panic every time the EXO-400 got dinged. Scorpion’s $320 EXO-900 Snow Ready is a modular helmet that may be meant for snowmobiling, but it also might be the best damned helmet for any winter riding, regardless of price. :continue:
