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motorcycle posts

Honda's timeless Super Cub motorcycle showcased with a touch of EV

by Ross Miller posted Oct 21st 2009 at 8:36PM

The world's best-selling motorcycle of all time (60 million as of May 2008) is dipping its gears into the EV industry. Honda unveiled this week at the Tokyo Auto Show an electric version of its Super Cub motorcycle. Seeing as the gas-based equivalent can already get over 300 miles per gallon, we wonder just how more efficient this new concept could be. Honda reps told Wired it's a concept designed "to be just as functional and convenient" as its brother bike, so if it does reach mass market, we're holding out hope it also maintains that low price point.

Zero off-road electric motorcycles get recalled, might crash more than usual

by Donald Melanson posted Oct 16th 2009 at 5:23AM

The Zero S our own Tim Stevens rode fearlessly through the streets of New York apparently isn't effected, but it looks like Zero's off-road electric motorcycles (the Zero X and Zero MX) have been hit with a recall after it was discovered that they might crash when it's not entirely the driver's fault. Turns out the throttle can get stuck in the open position or become disconnected, and that the "Easy" or "0-25" modes can "unexpectedly" lead to full power when the bike is turned on -- both what you might call "bad things." Of course, this is a fairly small recall (some 200 vehicles), but if that includes you, you'll want to get in touch with Zero to arrange for a free repair. Hit up the link below for all the necessary details.

iBike Rider case for iPhone aims at bikers, people with their arms full

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Oct 8th 2009 at 7:34PM

The iBike Rider is a wrist-mounted iPhone case designed to give you easy access to your handset as you cruise around town looking for fights. When paired with its heaphone / mouthpiece, you can listen to tunes or accept calls via the headset. Of course, if you actually wanted to place a phone call it's a simple matter of stopping the bike, removing the phone from its case, removing your gloves, and then dialing away. But once you've done all that, jump back on your "hog," look both ways before entering traffic, and you're an Easy Rider once again! This bad boy is also useful for turn-by-turn GPS instructions -- but if you don't know your way to Bass Lake by now, what kind of a Hell's Angel are you? Available now for £34.10 (about $54).

[Via So Easy GPS]

Gallery: iBike Rider case for iPhone

Mission One electric motorcycle surpasses 150 MPH, heading to Snake River Canyon

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Sep 15th 2009 at 10:24AM

It was no idle boast when Mission Motors claimed that its Mission One all-electric motorcycle could reach 150 MPH speeds. In fact, the company's showing in the 2009 BUB Motorcycle Speed Trials at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah has proved all this and more, with the bike hitting single pass speeds as high as 161 MPH, and a two-pass average of 150.059 MPH, setting the Land Speed Record for Electric Motorcycles in the process. And this isn't a vehicle that taunts you, forever unavailable, like Evel Knievel's rocket-powered cycle. No, this is a production prototype featuring the same powertrain that customers can look forward to shelling out close to $70,000 for when it becomes available sometime next year. But don't take our word for it, peep the video for yourself after the break.

[Via AutoBlog]

Continue reading Mission One electric motorcycle surpasses 150 MPH, heading to Snake River Canyon

Toshiba lights up the streets with Satellite U500 Ducati

by Darren Murph posted Sep 4th 2009 at 10:54AM

Ducati may have its roots firmly planted on the highway, but the high-end label certainly isn't scared of stepping out from time to time. After gifting firms like SanDisk and Sony Ericsson with the right to use its name on various gizmos, the motorcycle maker is now linking up with Toshiba on a special edition laptop. The Satellite U500 Ducati is a 13.3-inch ultraportable equipped with an ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4570 (512MB), an Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 and 4GB of RAM. Naturally, the primarily white device will boast its fair share of Ducati badging, but seemingly lacks the company's trademark desmodromic valve actuation. Precise pricing information wasn't made public, but you can bet only those with more money than sense will take interest when it ships later this month in Italy.

Paul Sr. demonstrates OCC's electric chopper, Fox News seems mystified

by Tim Stevens posted Aug 14th 2009 at 3:12PM

Paul Teutul Sr. may not be the most eloquent of men, but he's good at what he does and has developed quite a following both on and off the reality TV circuit. Apparently none of those followers work at Fox News, as he got something of an odd reception when going on air there to show off Orange County Choppers' latest creation: the Siemens Smart Chopper. A different sort of bike than either the Zero S or Brammo we've ridden this year, the Chopper has a 27hp electric motor and a top speed of over 100mph while still managing a 60 mile charge. It sports LED lighting and recycled components to further up its green cred, a combination that seems to, for some reason, raise the ire of the hosts of Fox and Friends. Or maybe they're just trained to always sound loud and incredulous. Decide for yourself in the video after the break.

[Via Gizmag]

Continue reading Paul Sr. demonstrates OCC's electric chopper, Fox News seems mystified

Zero Motorcycles bridges the dirt/street gap with the Zero DS electric motorcycle

by Tim Stevens posted Jul 30th 2009 at 9:49AM

We love motorcycles, and we love things that help the environment, so it's no secret that we loved the Zero S electric supermoto when we got to take it for a spin through the urban wasteland. That bike has now been set free from the world of asphalt, given some knobbies, beefier wheels, and brawnier suspension to make it just as good when the pavement ends, as the video below shows. It also has a much brighter light, which may put something of an additional drain on the battery (range is still rated at 50 miles), but will make it easier to find puddles to avoid -- or to aim for. This bike fills the void between the company's street and dirt offerings, and while it might not be quite as good over the yumps as the offroad-only Zero MX, it has the distinct advantage of not requiring a truck or trailer to get there in the first place. The DS costs $9,950, the same as the Zero S, and is available for order now.

Continue reading Zero Motorcycles bridges the dirt/street gap with the Zero DS electric motorcycle

Video: Flossie the robot can 'ride' a motorcycle, remains oblivious to good oral hygiene

by Thomas Ricker posted Jul 20th 2009 at 7:37AM

The best and worst part about robots is the fact that they can be purpose-built to perform any task at hand. Oh sure, they can be built to kill, or they can built to test motorcycles without risk to our feeble (yet tasty) meat-sacks. Introducing Flossie, the Castrol-developed test rider that's threading a Fireblade between its "legs" in the shot above. The robot features a self-learning mode that enables it to get a feel (throttle response, clutch drag, gear shifting patterns, etc.) for any stationary bike upon which it's perched -- right, stationary... he's no Murata Boy. Still, as the ultimate precision rider that never tires, Flossie allows Castrol to evaluate its lubricants as effectively as possible. See it in action after the break.

[Via Faster and Faster, thanks Jensen]

Continue reading Video: Flossie the robot can 'ride' a motorcycle, remains oblivious to good oral hygiene

Brammo Enertia electric motorcycle now available

by Laura June posted Jul 7th 2009 at 9:41PM

The Brammo Enertia electric motorcycle -- which we took for a joyride around the streets of New York City last month -- can now be yours, as it's officially on sale. The eco-friendly bike has a horsepower rating of 13.7, with torque at 31 ft/lbs, and weighs about 280 pounds. With a top speed of about 50 miles an hour, the bike's got a 45 mile range before needing a 3 hour recharge. It's not the most powerful of motorcycles to be sure, but it's got plenty of style, and it can be yours for about $12,000.

[Via Coolest Gadgets]

BMW kicking Garmin's zumo 660 up a notch with the Motorrad Navigator IV

by Ross Miller posted Jul 6th 2009 at 3:11AM

Sure, Garmin's zumo 660 was designed with the biker in mind, but BMW's taking it one step further with the latest in its branded Motorrad series, the Navigator IV. Based on Garmin's GPS ditty, it's got the same 4.3-inch "glove friendly" touchscreen, voice control, and A2DP support. It can withstand heavy vibration, fuel sprays, UV rays, is waterproof and most importantly, can play your favorite adrenaline-pumping tunes for when those other precautions are being handily tested. Additionally, we've got a four-button motorcycle mount and it comes pre-loaded with a database of BMW dealers, just in case you ever need one in a jiff. Coming third quarter to US and Europe, there's no word on price yet, but as a basis for comparison, the cost of the zumo 660 is about $700.

[Via NaviGadget]

Zero MX all-electric motorcycle takes on the trails

by Darren Murph posted Jun 9th 2009 at 5:23PM

Not one to rest on its ultra-quiet laurels, Zero Motorcycles has just introduced its newest zero-emissions bike: the Zero MX. Hitting the scene just a month and change after we test drove the Zero S, this whip is engineered specifically for track riding and motocross, with the fork, shocks, wheels and tires being all new for this model. In fact, we're told that the MX will enable riders to jump higher and land softer, with a beefier front-end and a "custom rear shock that gives riders a fully adjustable spring preload and easily tuned damping." Better still, it's available as we speak for the not-at-all-reasonable price of $8,250, though at least we're heading in the right direction -- the aforesaid Zero S rang up at nearly ten large (while that Brammo bike we tested today starts at twelve grand). Live action video is after the break.

Continue reading Zero MX all-electric motorcycle takes on the trails

Engadget cruises with the Brammo Enertia electric motorcycle (with videos!)

by Tim Stevens posted Jun 9th 2009 at 12:57PM

Little more than a month after getting our sweaty, gloveless mitts on the Zero Motorcycles Zero S we received an offer to ride yet another high-tech wunderbike: the Brammo Enertia. Naturally our first reaction was excitement -- excitement only slightly dampened by news that we'd again be using the gridlocked NYC streets as our test track. But, we risked life, limb, and the ire of many a taxi driver to get some impressions of the latest electric motorcycle to hit the streets, and grabbed some video action of it all too. Read on for the lot.

Gallery: Brammo enertia test-ride

Continue reading Engadget cruises with the Brammo Enertia electric motorcycle (with videos!)

MotoCzysz E1pc electric superbike packs iPhone in the dash

by Darren Murph posted Jun 8th 2009 at 5:15AM

We've certainly seen Apple's iPhone act as an integral part of a vehicle before, but we've yet to see one front and center on a motorbike. Hailed as the planet's first "digital superbike," the MotoCzysz E1pc packs some pretty sick technology from end-to-end. Aside from being a zero-emissions, all-electric motorcycle, it reportedly relies on Apple's darling for its instrumentation. Sadly, details about what exactly the iPhone handles are few and far between, but hopefully we'll hear more after its upcoming run in the TTXGP on June 12th. Two more looks after the break.

[Via Hell For Leather]

Continue reading MotoCzysz E1pc electric superbike packs iPhone in the dash

DIY Solar Flyer motorcycle tearing around Phoenix, Arizona

by Laura June posted May 6th 2009 at 7:39PM

Phoenix area resident and motorcycle enthusiast Richard Gryzch got tired of gassing up his bike all the time, and he decided to do something about it. Rather than getting a fancy electric motorcycle, he modded one for himself -- making an electric bike that is seemingly covered in solar panels. The motorcycle uses no gas, goes up to about 90 miles per hour and has a range of around 50 miles. There are very few details about the inner workings of the bike, so we're loathe to say it's 100 percent solar, but Richard does plan on extending his bike's range of 300 miles. Hit the read link to watch an extremely tiny video of Richard and his bike.

Continue reading DIY Solar Flyer motorcycle tearing around Phoenix, Arizona

Engadget shreds on the Zero S all-electric motorcycle (with video!)

by Tim Stevens posted Apr 23rd 2009 at 11:08AM

Zero S electric motorcycle test ride and review

It's not the first. It's not the fastest. It's not the lightest, the strongest, the cheapest, or even the best looking electric motorcycle out there. It is, however, one of the very few you can order today and, when it ships next month, ride it (legally) on the highways and byways of all 50 states. Europe, too. Among that very limited group the Zero S electric supermoto (or electrimoto as we've taken to calling it) is certainly a standout, completely custom-built around battery and motor, and we were lucky enough to take it for a spin on a hazy, dingy, frequently traffic'd New York City side street -- just the sort of conditions a two-wheeled urban warrior/commuter relishes. Read on for our full impressions and a video that will take you along for the ride.