Rocketshields - Detachable Sportbike Canopy
June 6th, 2008 by Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider"
Given the rising price of gasoline and more people commuting on their motorcycles to save a little money, why not turn your sportbike into an all weather commuter? With Rocketshields, the detachable sportbike hardtop canopy, you can do just that. You’ve seen similar canopies on scooters, here’s one for your full size motorcycle, in this case a Kawasaki Ninja. Blast down the highway in covered bliss as you laugh at the weather. Be the center of attention wherever you go.
These are one offs at the moment but the builder is planning to produce them in large quantities and he’s looking for a dealer.
Well, … Let’s see, … Hmm, …
Link: Rocketshields
How scooters do it: Piaggio MP3 Roof and Trailer
More interesting bolt ons: The Babe Cage
Posted in Alternative thinking, Motorcycle Accessories
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31 Responses to “Rocketshields - Detachable Sportbike Canopy”
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June 6th, 2008 at 10:12 am
That would look awesome on the 2009 VMAX, a match made in heaven.
June 6th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Looks like a lawsuit looking for a place to happen. A good cross wind is going to be an eye opener. My full face helmet already keeps me dry, thanks. Also, where is the wiper for when you follow the dump truck misting you with mud? I guess you stick your head out the side. Reduculous.
June 6th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Fine if you want your bike to look like a hamster wheel! I wonder why BMW stopped the C1 scooter production? (Laughs b-Movie Dracula style)
June 6th, 2008 at 11:01 am
I dont see a huge market for this thing, wind issues, road splatter issues, storage space issues and you still have to suit up in rain gear! i dont think the full face helmet market will be losing any market shares to this anytime soon…
June 6th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Face the facts, a motorcycle isn’t a car. That is why we love them.
June 6th, 2008 at 11:37 am
dumbest thing I’ve ever seen bolted on a bike…
June 6th, 2008 at 11:48 am
a sunny, coastal photo op is not helping matters
June 6th, 2008 at 11:57 am
again, Miata
June 6th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Bystander Laughter/Actual Rain Protection ratio way too high.
June 6th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Well, I like the idea-
But I think the sportbike arena is not a great fit. He should have pointed this more towards commuter or scooter bikes. Or better yet, something a bit more generic that an owner can adapt to his own bike (no matter what style that might be).
I still think a MUCH better windshield [design] is still on the horizon-
mk.
June 6th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Or, you know, you can just wear rain gear…
June 6th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
That’s tits-on-a-fish stupid.
June 6th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
looking for a dealer, or a dumpster?
June 6th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Most people in this world ride a motorcycle out of necessity. It is the only motorized transportation they can afford to own and operate.
This is clearly a device for those riders for whom a motorcycle is more “utilitarian” than just a “play toy”. My own motorcycle commuting is about 17,000 miles per year. Western Washington state is a very cool, rainy climate. Assuming the question about aerodynamics in a cross wind can be successfully answered and that it does not adversely affect fuel economy…I’d be willing to give it a try.
June 6th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
I ride a Goldwing for commuting - I’m already protected - but, as Ride asked before - what about wipers - how do you clean the windscreen of water - my Joe Rocket rain gloves have a rubber “wiper” built into the left thumb - but I don’t think I could reach the front of this thing…
June 6th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
If your cheeks are too fat for a full face helmet, loose some weight. In seriousness, get a rain suit if you want to ride in the rain. I wish that I had the SoCal climate here in western NY so that I could ride year round.
June 6th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
After reading the website - I hope this rider doesn’t wipe out in his “skateboard style motorcycle skid lid with no sunglasses or goggles”
I think a new and better helmet is in order for this rider - his current full face “squishes his fat cheeks, fogs up when its too cold or too hot, impairs my peripheral vision and hearing, and makes his head smell like a sweaty sock.”
June 6th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
I THINK THE BRITISH, BEET THIS GUY TO THE PUNCH . I BELIVE. IT WAS CALLED THE QASAR.
June 6th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
There’s nothing wrong with a full face helmet, a nice set of gloves, boots (or those bootsocks), and a one piece thermo/raingear suit. This thing not only looks ridiculous, but apparently only keeps the elements off your face. How about some protection for your hands, or your feet? The owner of this garbage could have saved himself the hassel from his full face if he just opened the vents.
June 6th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
No, it’s not the Stupidest thing I’ve ever seen bolted onto a bike, that title goes to the stupid set of crashbars for your passenger that someone thought up a couple years ago. But it does have the honor of being stupid for a trivial reason.
I think I’ll just settle for a windshield, maybe a couple of vents in it.
June 6th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
An interesting design but has some serious real world limitations. Go to youtube and search out motorcycle crash testing and see what happens to the human body in a crash situation. With this canopy there is a high possibility that the rider may be seriously injured due to impacting with the canopy. All a class action lawsuit lawyer needs to prove is that without the canopy the rider may have been thrown over the bike and survived, as many have.
If the canopy is strong enough to withstand a frontal rider-canopy impact, it will result in neck and spinal injury. If the canopy is weak and breaks the rider could be injured by penetration of the canopy into his/her torso. If the rider is hit from the rear the breakoff canopy could decapitate the rider.
He needs to develop a restraint(seat belt) or airbag device to help prevent injury. Failure to do this will result in more time being spent in court than riding your bike.
While I understand his need to remain on two wheels even in inclement weather and comfort, you may want to check out the British Quasar, the Swiss Ecomobile or the Dutch Carver, all designs that are in limited production for those of us that luv riding in the rain, but just hate getting wet.
June 6th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Almost as useful as fat rear tires…
June 6th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
This poor guy is probably feeling pretty stupid about now. Europe has been dealing with 99e/liter ($4.00/gallon) for a long time.. you see alot of people riding scooters around the city with these sort of canopies on them. Now that the US has hit the 4 dollar mark, everyone is freaking out and trying to capitalize on it…
June 6th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Know what this bike needs?
Ape hangers.
June 6th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
You’re damn right, guitargeek.
June 7th, 2008 at 12:20 am
In a attempt to not be rude I am just gonna say that this product is not for me.
June 7th, 2008 at 4:37 am
I say : add two wheels, four doors, some seats, whipers, radio, and your bike will be as comfortable as a car… or will it be a car ?
June 7th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
It reminds me of the helmet Rick Moranis wore in Spaceballs. I’ll stick with my Aerostich and full face shield, thanks!
June 10th, 2008 at 9:44 am
WHAAA HA HA HA HA! WHAAAA HA HA HA HA, Holy, thats the…WHAAA HA HA HA! Snicker, ok really. Im a designer. The concept might have some merrit but it would need to be incorparated into the bike from the start. This thing..this is…WHAA HA HA HA HA…Oh, my sides hurt.
June 10th, 2008 at 11:15 am
ok, that thing is pretty silly given it’s a sports bike and not a three wheeled step-through scooter. But in the interests of bolting strange stuff to your bike (with rising fuel costs or whatever) I want to bolt a surfboard holder (or rack) to the side of mine. A lot of people are going to think this is pretty stupid but from all the articles I read online not only is it not impractical most people even say highway situations with crosswinds are not even that much of a concern whilst carrying a six foot plus plank. Thoughts?
June 10th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Was this thing designed by a cat?