The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

Live traffic data

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Even if you know the shortest route to your destination, sometimes taking the longer route is still quicker. You know how it is, you come around a turn, look up and all you see is an endless string of tail lights crawling along. Darn! If only you could have known sooner. Well, lots of companies are working on that problem and solutions are getting pretty close. Seattle is … [Read more...]

Delphi Infrared Side Alert

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Delphi has developed an infrared side alert system, called Forewarn, to detect vehicles in your blind spot. It measures temperatures in the lane 10 feet to your side and 26 feet back and if it detects a vehicle it signals in your side mounted rearview mirror. The information on the company website describes the sensor system as designed for light duty vehicles but it has just … [Read more...]

Motorcycle Air Pollution – part 3

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The study we mentioned twice before is now online. Reading through the findings confirms a few things, the study reflects the Swiss traffic fleet and the vehicles in use there. It includes two stroke motorcycles or scooters in the mix which we do not have in the U.S. and the motorcycles, as outlined previously, were not new, in fact some were a decade old. Other than … [Read more...]

Hybrid Motorcycles are not necessary – part 2

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So, Yamaha wants a hybrid motorcycle before the end of the decade. Can someone explain why? When Yamaha president Takashi Kajikawa said that was one of his goals for the company, it had me scratching my head. A couple months ago I said there was no need for hybrid motorcycles (right before the Gen-Ryu appeared) and I'll say it again. Motorcycles already get great mileage and … [Read more...]

Honda Innovation in Motorcycles – no surprise

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Have you seen ASIMO? Honda's humanoid robot is constantly improving and they just came out with an upgrade that makes the little guy oh so helpful. He can perform the duties of receptionist, museum guide and deliver your coffee or various office supplies. Helpful, cute and almost a little, hmm..., what's the word I'm looking for, a little creepy. I'm not sure we're ready for an … [Read more...]

Michelin Airless motorcycle tires

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Michelin has been working on their Tweel for some time now which is a tire and wheel ("tweel", get it?) technology that needs no air. They also have an airless tire that mounts on a separate wheel but uses plastic bands for the sides in place of the normal sidewall. You get the flex characteristics of a normal sidewall tire without any air required. Although I had heard of … [Read more...]