Daily news about motorcycleshttp://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/en-usTue, 21 May 2013 18:00:00 +0200 Thu, 23 May 2013 18:00:00 +0200

#Steam #Train #Design - It looks like design student Colby Higgins in Boston has combined several of his passions; design, steam trains and motorcycles. He has created a motorcycle that looks like a steam train. A perfect design:

Now if it could really work with steam, the bike could make a fortune during these tough times. With petrol costing an arm & a leg, imagine putting some wood or coals in the motorcycle and steaming away, like they used to do in the past...........

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]]>http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/steam-train-motorcycle---cool-design.htmIdeasMike Wernerhttp://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/steam-train-motorcycle---cool-design.htm?opendocument&commentshttp://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/steam-train-motorcycle---cool-design.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dxcomments/steam-train-motorcycle---cool-design.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/steam-train-motorcycle---cool-design.htm?opendocument&comments Wed, 22 May 2013 14:00:00 +0200

#Safety #Vololights #Kickstarter - You'd have thought that almost anything that can increase our safety on a motorcycle has already been invented, but you'd be wrong. Two bright motorcycle riders in the USA have come up with a great safety product that will not cost you a fortune, nor hours spent installing it.

Currently a Kickstart project looking for funding (help them out by donating a few bucks), Vololights is a smartly designed product that can, and probably will, save you from being rear-ended. It has always been one of my fears when riding my motorcycle; when you decelerate your bike by just letting go of the throttle, or by downshifting, your motorcycle slows down faster than a car would, but with no warning to car drivers.

If the car driver is not paying attention, like most of them don't, your sudden deceleration will catch them by surprise, and boooom, before you know it at the very least they'll kiss your rear end. It might sound dirty to you, but it's super dangerous. Many motorcycles have found themselves in the ditch,or worse, because the car behind them didn't see them decelerating.

The Vololights is a license plate that replaces your current one...........

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]]>http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/idea-increase-your-safety-with-these-vololights-motorcycle-plates---nifty.htmIdeasMike Wernerhttp://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/idea-increase-your-safety-with-these-vololights-motorcycle-plates---nifty.htm?opendocument&commentshttp://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/idea-increase-your-safety-with-these-vololights-motorcycle-plates---nifty.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dxcomments/idea-increase-your-safety-with-these-vololights-motorcycle-plates---nifty.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/idea-increase-your-safety-with-these-vololights-motorcycle-plates---nifty.htm?opendocument&comments Fri, 17 May 2013 14:00:00 +0200

#iPhone #App #Dangers - We told you some 2 weeks ago about a French initiative to use crowd-sourcing to highlight road infrastructure problems. The initiative was not bad, but quite limited since it requires to you to remember where the danger spots where during a ride and then fill them in on the web later. However a much better method has been launched in Belgium for its surrounding countries (so not limited to one country) using smartphones. The approach is quite interesting, innovative and biker safe. Maybe you can lobby the developer to release the app for the rest of the world since everyone can benefit from this app.

The app is called Moto Smarty and currently works on iPhones with an Android version in test (they are looking for testers). It's the way they allow you to share your experience in bad or dangerous roads that makes this application so interesting.

Basically Moto Smarty records all hazards; potholes, manholes, fissures, slippery surfaces, bumps, dangerous curves, etc... they even warn you of speed bumps. The danger points are pointed out by other motorcycle riders (even car drivers) traveling those same roads and encountering the problem areas.

But here's where it gets interesting...........

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]]>http://192.168.1.4/Testblogs.nsfdx/app-helps-other-on-motorcycles-be-safe---great-software.htmIdeasMike Wernerhttp://192.168.1.4/Testblogs.nsfdx/app-helps-other-on-motorcycles-be-safe---great-software.htm?opendocument&commentshttp://192.168.1.4/Testblogs.nsfdx/app-helps-other-on-motorcycles-be-safe---great-software.htm http://192.168.1.4/Testblogs.nsfdxcomments/app-helps-other-on-motorcycles-be-safe---great-software.htm http://192.168.1.4/Testblogs.nsfdx/app-helps-other-on-motorcycles-be-safe---great-software.htm?opendocument&comments Wed, 8 May 2013 18:00:00 +0200

#Luggage #Business #Suits - When traveling for business, it's usually difficult to ride a motorcycle, since you can't really show up to a meeting dressed in your leathers and biker boots, can you now (unless you are maybe a loan shark or hitman)? And taking your business clothes, including your shoes, is a hassle and the end result will probably mean that your suit is as wrinkled as a 90 year old woman who has been sunbathing in the nude all her life.

But it does not need to be like this. The Skyroll Wrinkle-Free Luggage Carrier could solve your problems. In the center is a hollow tube into which fits your "dress" shoes, while your clothes, including suit, roll around the tube. Simple and very effective to make sure your suits are wrinkle free and easy to transport...........

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]]>http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/idea-traveling-on-a-motorcycle-for-business.htmIdeasMike Wernerhttp://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/idea-traveling-on-a-motorcycle-for-business.htm?opendocument&commentshttp://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/idea-traveling-on-a-motorcycle-for-business.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dxcomments/idea-traveling-on-a-motorcycle-for-business.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/idea-traveling-on-a-motorcycle-for-business.htm?opendocument&comments Thu, 2 May 2013 18:00:00 +0200

#Safety - Riding your motorcycle at night means that with the few lights we've got on our rides, we're pretty much invisible for cars. Already during the day we're often invisible, but at night, with one small rear light, we might as well fix a big bullseye on our backs.

Another crowd-funding Kickstarter project that has already received ample funds is the Tracer360. The Tracer360, from Noxgear.com, is a multi-colored fiber "vest" that you can easily slip over your motorcycle jacket...........

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]]>http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/idea-be-seen-at-night-on-your-motorcycle-be-safe.htmIdeasMike Wernerhttp://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/idea-be-seen-at-night-on-your-motorcycle-be-safe.htm?opendocument&commentshttp://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/idea-be-seen-at-night-on-your-motorcycle-be-safe.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dxcomments/idea-be-seen-at-night-on-your-motorcycle-be-safe.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/idea-be-seen-at-night-on-your-motorcycle-be-safe.htm?opendocument&comments Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:00:00 +0200

#Technology #Rain #Safety - Riding your motorcycle in rain is no fun especially at night, but the real danger is that rain makes it more difficult to see. It's like trying to see the bottom of a pool. When rain comes down in big quantities, the rain drops throw up a screen that makes our vision of what is ahead blurry. Couple with that your motorcycle's headlights illuminating the drops and you have a sure recipe for disaster.

But Intel together with Carnegie Melon University are developing technology that will enable you to see through rain (and the other forms of rain, snow and hail). They are using a camera that is stuck inside the headlight assembly, and when it detects rain, it anticipates the path the rain is taking. Since it know (more or less) where the raindrop will be, it can block out the rain drops that would normally be illuminated by your headlights..

In other words, it scrubs the rain from your field of vision, a bit like Photoshopping a fat roll from your favorite Playboy Centerfold...........

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]]>http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/idea-see-through-rain-while-riding-your-motorcycle.htmIdeasMike Wernerhttp://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/idea-see-through-rain-while-riding-your-motorcycle.htm?opendocument&commentshttp://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/idea-see-through-rain-while-riding-your-motorcycle.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dxcomments/idea-see-through-rain-while-riding-your-motorcycle.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/idea-see-through-rain-while-riding-your-motorcycle.htm?opendocument&comments Mon, 29 Apr 2013 18:00:00 +0200

#Quirky #Valve #Invention - We've customized about everything you can think about on our motorcycles; frames, fuel tanks, saddles, handlebars, wheels ... you name it and someone has customized it. But has anyone ever customized the plain old and very boring valve stem cap? You know, those boring black thingies that prevent air from coming out of our motorcycle tires?

As far as I can tell, no one has, until now. A Quirky project, in which the inventor needs your vote (so head on over to vote for this project), wants to change this. Gene Sherman has a better idea what to do with valve caps, since they do create a few problems:..........

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]]>http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/valve-stem-cap-the-final-customization-frontier.htmIdeasMike Wernerhttp://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/valve-stem-cap-the-final-customization-frontier.htm?opendocument&commentshttp://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/valve-stem-cap-the-final-customization-frontier.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dxcomments/valve-stem-cap-the-final-customization-frontier.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/valve-stem-cap-the-final-customization-frontier.htm?opendocument&comments Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:00:00 +0200

#iPhone #Tools #Motorcycle - When you ride motorcycle you know you always need access to some basic tools. It's a given, motorcycles shake, rattle & roll, so chances are that something is going to give on your bike one day. For that you need to have some tools handy to make some quick repairs; basic tools like a screwdriver, Allen keys, pliers, etc.

But not all bikes have sufficient space to carry all these tools, and carrying them on you is a bit too much. Having a good Swiss Army Knife is one good way, or something like a Leatherman can save the day. But you need to remember to take it with you when riding your motorcycle.

But if you have an iPhone (4 or 5), this Indiegogo project can make your day. It's a crowd-funding project that has already received all its needed cash to turn this into a real product. We're talking about the TaskOne tool kit for the iPhone:..........

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]]>http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/idea-turn-your-iphone-into-a-swiss-army-knife-for-your-motorcycle.htmIdeasMike Wernerhttp://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/idea-turn-your-iphone-into-a-swiss-army-knife-for-your-motorcycle.htm?opendocument&commentshttp://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/idea-turn-your-iphone-into-a-swiss-army-knife-for-your-motorcycle.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dxcomments/idea-turn-your-iphone-into-a-swiss-army-knife-for-your-motorcycle.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/idea-turn-your-iphone-into-a-swiss-army-knife-for-your-motorcycle.htm?opendocument&comments Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:00:00 +0200

#Kickstarter #Pockband - This has happened not once, but twice to me. I went out for a quick motorcycle ride, putting the house key in my trouser pocket, and when I arrived home, the key had shaken out of the pocket and was gone forever. Sounds familiar? I now need to tie my house key, or put it in with my papers, but biker trouser pockets are never deep enough to stop stuff from spilling out. That's why this idea could work for me.

It's another Kickstarter project, ie crowd-funding (but you don't need to help out, they are over-funded), called Pocketband. Pocketband is a small silicone based wristband which can hold your keys and even money...........

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]]>http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/idea-pocketband---store-your-keys--money-on-your-ride.htmIdeasMike Wernerhttp://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/idea-pocketband---store-your-keys--money-on-your-ride.htm?opendocument&commentshttp://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/idea-pocketband---store-your-keys--money-on-your-ride.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dxcomments/idea-pocketband---store-your-keys--money-on-your-ride.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/idea-pocketband---store-your-keys--money-on-your-ride.htm?opendocument&comments Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:00:00 +0200

#Gadget #Tracking #GPS -There's a never ending list of cool projects, products and ideas coming from crowd-funding web sites like Kickstarter. Many have not been created for motorcycles, but some can be used for bikers with some adaptation. One of those projects is Bike Spike.

The Bike Spike project is a very small tracking device that is meant to be installed on bicycles, but shouldn't need much work to be installed on a motorcycle. The hardware has not only a built-in GPS but also communication hardware allowing it to send data via the GSM networks to the web. And from the web, you can see where your motorcycle is via a browser, or by using iPhone or Android smartphones.

The device also has an accelerator module that can see if your motorcycle is crashing...........

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]]>http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/idea-spike-your-bike-with-bike-spike.htmIdeasMike Wernerhttp://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/idea-spike-your-bike-with-bike-spike.htm?opendocument&commentshttp://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/idea-spike-your-bike-with-bike-spike.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dxcomments/idea-spike-your-bike-with-bike-spike.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/idea-spike-your-bike-with-bike-spike.htm?opendocument&comments