The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

Hybrid Motorcycles not necessary

By

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 Rider Trainer

By

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...]

Ghostrider struggling in DARPA qualifying

By

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...]

Ravelco vehicle anti theft device

By

This is a nice variation on the annoying sirens and horns in the parking lot. The Ravelco anti theft device is a multiholed plug installed in your car, and I would think it would work in motorcycles, too, that has a matching dongle with pins to fit into the holes. All sorts of circuits are interupted by the wiring going to the plug, fuel pump, computer, ignition, etc., and … [Read more...]

Automatic transmissions in motorcycles

By

Have you noticed a trend developing in the transmission area? The Suzuki Stratosphere concept bike is an automatic. The Yamaha FJR1300 AE is clutchless paddle shift. Nissan just came out and said 40% of their cars will go a step further and have CVT by 2008. There are cars and trucks these days, perhaps most, that do not even have a manual shift option available. Have we … [Read more...]

Motorcycle Horsepower Wars – Are they back?

By

While I was perusing the new Yamaha models yesterday, I noticed something we haven't seen for some time, ... horsepower numbers. Right there among all of the other specs were clearly stated horsepower figures, FJR1300 at 145 hp, FZ1 at 150, R1 at 183, pretty interesting stuff. When Kawasaki released their new models, those numbers were missing but with the ZX-14, for instance, … [Read more...]