The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

Future Motorcycle design

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The E4-01 Honda revealed yesterday to be displayed at the Tokyo show has the form of the future motorcycle we may very well be seeing. It looks just like so many other scooter variations out there, electrics included. When you cover up the drivetrain you can substitute almost anything and it still looks the same. Now if you're going to cover everything up, you can still … [Read more...]

Hybrid Motorcycles not necessary

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Some time back we posted about hybrid motorcycles but the definition in that post wasn't clear and after some thought, I believe that is one area of automotive development where motorcycles have no need to follow. Think about it, hybrid cars are a gasoline or diesel engine combined with an electric drivetrain for short distances or low speed driving. The end result is a car … [Read more...]

Honda concept motorcycles – E4-01, NP6-D

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Is this the future of motorcycling? The E4-01 is one of the concept motorcycles Honda will have on display in the upcoming Tokyo show later this month. I'm not sure how to take this, it's a nice looking scooter I guess but their future bikes seem to have that all enclosed and powered by a fuel cell look to them. Something a little more sporty would be nice. These are supposed … [Read more...]

Honda Rider Trainer

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Honda is always coming up with new technology, especially for safety. Just a little while ago they introduced the first motorcycle airbag system and now we have this rider training system. It comes bundled with 2 beginner courses and 14 more advanced hazard courses plus you get to choose day, night or fog. Of course some smart hacker has to get this thing to play something a … [Read more...]

Private transportation saves lives – part 2

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Last month when I said more people in New Orleans needed private transportation to help save them from disaster, some readers took me to task and said public mass transit would be a better answer. Here's another interesting take on the idea I had not mentioned, noting public mass transit is not designed to do in an emergency evacuation what proponents envision. Designing a … [Read more...]

Ghostrider struggling in DARPA qualifying

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Ghostrider, the riderless motorcycle built to take on the DARPA challenge has to make it through qualifying if it's going to run in the actual competition. So far, things have been a bit tough. The Blue Team's autonomous motorcycle "GhostRider" has always been an underdog at the Grand Challenge as no one expects a two-wheeled vehicle to successfully compete against SUVs, … [Read more...]