The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

Yamaha HV-01 hybrid scooter

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Just to be sure I knew hybrids were in their future thinking, Yamaha also has this HV-01 hybrid scooter. From Yamaha: This is a parallel hybrid scooter mounting an electric motor and gasoline engine. Despite the large body that gives a feeling of spacious comfort to the ride, this model has torque-y power development in the low rpm range that delivers the acceleration … [Read more...]

Yamaha MAXAM 3000

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Looking like something from a sci-fi movie, the MAXAM 3000 is Yamaha's scooter concept, and it's big, the 3000 is 3000mm in length, that's 118 inches, almost 10 feet long! That's one monster scooter or "weekend leisure cruiser" as they call it. Loads of storage and leather seats, and the overhangs in the front and rear practically give it a car like crush zone. Whenever I see a … [Read more...]

Yamaha Gen-Ryu hybrid motorcycle

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So, a few days ago I say there's no need for hybrid motorcycles and Yamaha turns around and introduces the Gen-Ryu hybrid motorcycle concept to be displayed at the Tokyo show. I guess they weren't listening. It has both a 600cc R6 engine and a high output electric motor, the combination of the two is said to give performance equivalent to a 1000cc motorcycle. It also has the … [Read more...]

Ethanol Power and sugar subsidies

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One of the many fuels bandied about as substitutes for gasoline is ethanol. In the U.S., corn is one of the major plant sources for this fuel, however, in Brazil, sugar cane is the plant stock used to ferment the fuel. In Brazil, a lot of cars are sold as flex fuel capable meaning they can run on gasoline or ethanol blends, some models are only available in flex fuel … [Read more...]

Sustainable Abiotic Oil vs Peak Oil

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Got a tip from a friend of mine, (Thanks, Eric!), with some interesting info about synthetic oil. Along with that info was a link to the idea of abiotic oil. In all of the hoopla about oil reserves and peak oil and what comes next, I had never run across this idea before which is that oil is generated by natural processes in the earth's magma, not by deteriorating fossilized … [Read more...]

Mobec 3-Rod

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This looks like a Harley V-Rod that's been assimilated by the Sidecar collective until they became one, it's the Mobec 3-Rod. The sidecar has a carbon fiber body with a top that opens with some sort of electrical hydraulic mechanism. Full independent suspension and a Mobec duo drive with reverse, foot clutch and a hydraulic parking brake on the sidecar. Interesting design. … [Read more...]