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Ducati is producing a motorcycle with built-in radar
The Multistrada V4, which is in production, has rider assistance features.
Triumph is developing its first electric motorcycle
British motorcycle manufacturer Triumph has announced a new program that'll help speed up its development of electric motorbikes. The project, working title TE-1, aims to develop an electric motorcycle powertrain in just two years, and it's got some pretty heavyweight partners involved to help it achieve this goal.
Zero Motorcycles' 2019 line-up boasts more power and longer range
Zero Motorcycles has made a name for itself by producing electric bikes that appeal to motorcycle enthusiasts as well as alternative fuel fans. Its bikes have been a hit with thrill seekers and commuters alike, and its newly-announced 2019 line-up makes it easy to see why the company is consistently performing better than all of its competitors combined.
Zero's latest electric motorcycles boast 200+ mile range
With some of the world's biggest bike makers now dedicating time to electric models, Zero Motorcycles knows it has its work cut out. The company has spent the last 10 years refining its gas-free lineup, gradually adding more power and (more importantly) increasing the range, giving riders the incentive they need to make the jump. For its 2017 roster, Zero has done the same again, updating its Zero S, Zero SR, Zero DS, Zero DSR, Zero FX and Zero FXS models, giving some the ability to go 200 miles on a single charge.
BMW's motorcycle of the future doesn't require a helmet
BMW has unveiled a slew of concept vehicles to mark its 100th birthday, but its fourth and last example might be the most daring. Its new Motorrad Vision Next 100 concept motorcycle would supposedly be so smart that you wouldn't need a helmet, or even a padded suit. The key would be a self-balancing system that keeps the bike upright whether or not you're moving -- newcomers wouldn't have to worry about toppling over, and veterans could push limits further than usual.
This freaky electric motorbike was 3D printed with metal powder
The Light Rider is an electric motorbike that weighs just 77 pounds and has a frame like an alien skeleton. Its creator, Airbus subsidiary APWorks, crafted the bike with 3D printing -- but it's not plastic. The hollow frame is aircraft-grade aluminum (this is Airbus, after all) and it takes shape via thousands of thin metal layers produced in a bed of metal powder.
BMW has the first smart emergency system for motorcycles
While cars and trucks have long had smart emergency systems to send help in the event of a crash (think services like OnStar), motorcycles have had to go without -- a scary thought if you've ever worried about wiping out miles away from help. That's where BMW might just save the day, though. It's introducing the first smart emergency tech for motorbikes, Intelligent Emergency Call, to give the two-wheel crowd a proper safety net. You can trigger it yourself, such as when you need to help a fellow motorist, but the real magic comes with its automatic responses.
ICYMI: Keurig-like cocktails, handmade holograms and more
try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-101414").style.display="none";}catch(e){} #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-101414{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-101414, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-101414{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-101414").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: We break down the lazy man's cocktail machine, filling your bellies with machine-crafted designer drinks for your boozehound friends. An Australian stunt rider rigged a dirtbike to surf the ocean and the video is pretty astounding. And while you wait for Microsoft's HoloLens, you can make a DIY hologram display with little more than a CD jewel case. Doesn't everyone have about 20 of them in the corners of cabinets, no matter how many you swear you've recycled?
BMW's concept motorcycle carries your surfboard
Like surfing, but would rather not strap your board to a big, stuffy car for the trip to the coastline? BMW's Concept Path 22 motorcycle might just let you travel lighter and enjoy the open road. The retro-inspired scrambler (a bike meant for off-roading) has a surfboard holder, so you can hit the waves at just about any beach without worrying about having the space to drive and park a four-wheeler. You might like the bike even if you're content to remain on terra firma, for that matter. The stripped-down look will trigger more than a few 1950's flashbacks, and there are modern touches like a digital dash and turn signal indicators built into the handlebars. There's no talk of whether or not the Path 22 will go into production, but we could see it being just the ticket if you regularly hang ten.
You can't ride on this Harley-Davidson-themed PC case
We don't normally come across whacky desktop towers until Computex (which is less than two months away), so this beast of a PC at IDF was a nice surprise for us. Courtesy of Chinese startup Micle, this case is awkwardly called the "Proud of Blood" but has nothing to do with Diablo; instead, you're better off remembering it as the 90cm-tall desktop tower inspired by Harley-Davidson motorcycles. All the details are there: the V2 engine, the pipes, the tank cover, the spoiler and more. Unlike the plastic prototype we saw, the final version will be mostly aluminum, according to Micle co-founder and famed local modder Wei Zheng.
Get delightfully lost with this route-enhancing motorcycle sat nav
We love a bit of "Choose your own adventure" action, and if a recent Twitter game is anything to go by, so do many of you. The problem with most formats is that they're, well, embedded in a book, or behind a screen. What if you could straddle your Harley, twist the throttle, and go on a real-life adventure? With TomTom's new RIDER bike-centric sat nav, you can. It's actually more about spicing-up an otherwise boring A to B route, than solving The Mystery of Chimney Rock. Or, as TomTom puts it: "bikers can choose the level of twists and turns they want to ride to create their own adrenaline-filled adventure." It does all that other sat nav stuff, too (audio navigation, glove friendly screen, route planning) of course. But hey, now that you can finally afford that Enfield, it's time to soak up whatever those Delaware back roads can throw atcha, right? Adventurers will have to wait until April though, when the RIDER becomes available for an as-yet unspecified price.
Energica Eva is a 'naked' electric superbike for the street
If you liked the basic concept behind CRP Racing's Energica electric superbike (now the Energica Ego) but wanted something that was more stripped down, you've just met your dream machine. The company has unveiled the Energica Eva, a "naked" streetfighter counterpart to the Ego. You'll still find a high-powered 136HP motor (good for 149MPH) and a 95-mile battery (with a 3.5-hour full recharge), but much of the design has been pared down and shortened for urban riding. You'll see more of that electric powerplant, while the handlebars, pegs and wheels should be more city-friendly. As for a launch date and price? CRP isn't ready to hand those out yet, but it was previously aiming for a price between $25,000 to $28,000 -- you'll have to really want a fast, environmentally conscious two-wheeler for the Eva to make sense.
Elite soldiers will soon ride into battle on stealthy hybrid motorcycles
The US' special operations forces frequently can't rely on conventional ground transportation for their covert ops -- a loud engine is guaranteed to blow their cover. To tackle this problem, DARPA has just awarded Logos Technologies a contract to build a stealthy hybrid motorcycle for the military. The design modifies BRD's all-electric RedShift MX (pictured here) with a quiet hybrid power system that can run on multiple fuel types. The overhaul lets soldiers travel long distances while keeping a relatively low profile, and they can run solely on electric power for shorter periods if silence is absolutely vital. It's too soon to say when the bike will go into service or just how well it will perform, but it could be a lifesaver for troops that need both speed and secrecy.
MotoCzysz e-motorbike crackles past 100MPH at TT Zero for $15,000 prize
Jitters over wet track conditions didn't stop MotoCzysz's Michael Rutter from becoming the first electric motorcycle rider at the Isle of Man's TT Zero to hit 100MPH -- aka the fabled "ton". He also snapped up the £10,000 ($15,400) prize offered by the island's government for the achievement, although two other riders also managed to zap the milestone. Being the first to do it was all that counted, though, and after coming close last year, it looks like MotoCzysz's recent doubling up on horsepower seemed to do the trick. Thanks to the boost, Rutter easily cruised past the mark at 104.056MPH. At this rate, a day at the races could become a pretty serene experience. [Thanks, John]
Garmin outs motorcycle-centric zumo 350LM
Garmin's torn the wraps off its zumo 350LM for those of you who prefer to zip around on two wheels. Though its 4.3-inch glove-friendly touchscreen is encased in a waterproof exterior to withstand a beating from the elements and "fuel sprays," it'll happily sit inside your car with an included mount and built-in speaker. Those sticking to motorcycles, however, can pipe turn-by-turn voice-guided navigation through the sunlight-readable device to compatible Bluetooth headsets or helmets. Stat-happy bikers can record their chopper's maintenance work with the service history log feature and use Garmin's Basecamp utility to plan out trips beforehand. The zumo's expected to ring up at $699.99 -- as pricey as its older siblings -- and roll out in the third quarter of 2012.%Gallery-157014%
2012 MotoCzysz E1pc may set an e-motorbike speed record, our hearts afire
Our first peek at the MotoCzysz E1pc was at the 2010 Isle of Man TT, where the fearsome-looking e-motorbike smashed potential speed limits, even if it didn't completely rock the two-wheeled establishment. Improvements were made in 2011, but the new 2012 model is the one that's really poised to upset the cart. The updated E1pc's most conspicuous changes are on the outside: it tackles the problem of wind resistance at high speeds by bringing on aerodynamic ducts and fins. Inside, torque looks to be down to 162 foot-pounds, but the equivalent to 200 horsepower (twice what we saw in 2010) should more than compensate -- and a much upgraded battery cooling system should keep MotoCzysz' creation running at full bore for considerably longer before rider Michael Rutter has to back off the throttle. That consistent speed may be even more important to MotoCzysz and Rutter than actually winning at the TT Zero race, practice for which starts June 2nd. The Isle of Man very nearly handed over a £10,000 ($15,369) prize to the team for breaking a 100MPH average speed barrier for electric bikes last year, and the substantial tweaks could make all the difference. [Image credit: Asphalt and Rubber]
Brammo's 100MPH Empulse coming May 8th, spooks electrons with six-speed gearbox
By rights, Brammo's street-fighting Empulse should have gotten here quicker, but at least we now have a firm launch date. Sporting an all-new six-speed gearbox in place of the one-speed original, Brammo's spec sheet shows a 121-mile city range (or 56 miles on the highway), 100+ MPH maximum hustle and a re-juicing time of 3.5 hours in fast-charge mode. We're not sure if the price has budged from the original $14,000 estimate, but if you want to see what that ballpark sum might get you, the video after the break is all yours.
Visualized: BRD RedShift MX poses for the camera, shows off its rugged good looks
Remember our testdrive of the RedShift SM through the hills near San Francisco? Well, if that didn't get you revved up for BRD's electric duo, perhaps these new studio shots of the MX can help. The folks in Northern California have passed on a few shots of the upcoming RedShift MX motocrosser that is expected to pull into garages later this year. If you recall, BRD says this electric motorcycle performs just as well as any race-ready four-stroke 250-cc gas-powered machine and splurging for one will set you back around $15,000 -- for a base model. Go on, hop in the gallery below and take a closer look.
Brutus 2.0 electric bike appears with moody paint job, helmet and goggles not included
Electric bikes just got a cool new poster boy. This deceptively battery-powered bike is a sequel, matching the five-speed transmission found on the original, but now gifted with a shadowy new look and some appealing chrome licks. The Brutus 2.0 also plumps for a lithium battery over the lead battery of earlier models. A chain setup replaces the belt of its predecessor, which presumably helps it power through 0-60 in just under five seconds. Top speeds remain as dark and mysterious as the bike's paint job, but the maker promises that the 500 pound beast will easily blast past the 100 mph mark, with a range of over 100 miles per charge. The electric bike is still being worked on, but until we hear more on a retail-ready model, you can gawp at the moody non-moped in action right after the break.
EVDrive offers first batch of e-Moto-CRF250R bikes for $13,700
Motocross riders, go electric and the wildlife will love you for it. In fact, equip yourselves with second-generation e-Moto-CRF250R from EVDrive and human onlookers will love you too, because the 80 horsepower Honda electric motor is plenty sufficient for catching high altitudes and hurtling between trees at 70MPH. It should run for up to 110 minutes on a charge and perform much like its fossil-fueled equivalent, while also being less expensive to run and a heck of a lot quieter. How much quieter? Click past the break for a video of the previous e-Moto in action -- and honestly, there's no need to adjust your volume dial.
