Aprilia SRV and 2012 Piaggio Group – EICMA 2011 Live Report
Aprilia SRV, Moto Guzzi, Vespa and Piaggio November 14, 2011 – The Piaggio Group had an entire neighborhood full of display stands at the 2011 EICMA show. The brands include Piaggio, Vespa, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Gilera and Derbi. The SFKATAS (The Scooter Formerly Known As The Aprilia Scarabeo) is now its own brand also, simply …
Suzuki Concepts – EICMA 2011 Live Report
Suzuki “Marine”, “Extreme” and “Golf” Concepts November 13, 2011 – OK, here’s a bit of fun for you. I don’t normally think of the Japanese motorcycle manufacturers as being a bunch of wild ‘n’ crazy guys — at least not in 2011. Back in the old days, maybe. But not now. The three-piece-suit, corporate Board …
BMW C 600 Sport and C 650 GT
2012 BMW C 600 Sport and C 650 GT Scooter 2011 EICMA Report Home Highlights of This Report: ▪ Introduction ▪ Hendrik von Kuenheim Comments on the C 600 ▪ BMW C 600 Photo Slide Show From EICMA 2011 ▪ Edited Version of the BMW C 600 Press Release ▪ BMW C 600 Versions and Specifications ▪ BMW C 600 Video …
Nolan N-104 Preview
First Look: Nolan N-104 Helmet Nolan N-104 Information and Photos From EICMA November 11, 2011 – I stopped by the Nolan Helmets display to see what’s new for 2012. Regular readers will recall that last year, the staff from Nolan gave me a personal tour through the factory, which was documented in words and video …
Alpinestars CR-4 Gore-Tex XCR Boots Review
Cool-Looking Gore-Tex Boots The Alpinestars CR-4 Gore-Tex XCR boots are brand new for Fall 2011. First announced in the summer of 2011, the boots are just now available for sale. Designed as a cross between a hiking boot and a motorcycle boot, with light protection, they’re as comfortable as they are good-looking and the inclusion …
Italian Police Motorcycles – EICMA 2011 Live Report
Italian Police Motorcycles and La Poste (France) Scooter Public Service Two-Wheelers November 10, 2011 – I stumbled upon these displays of some of the coolest-looking police motorcycles in the world. The Moto Guzzi Norge shown below looks great in white with green markings. As it turns out, the green is actually a highly reflective striping …
Suomy Helmets – EICMA 2011 Live Report
2012 Suomy Helmets November 10, 2011 – Here’s another sort of whimsy just as as a bit of entertainment. I thought this might be interesting and it provides a break from the serious stuff. Alice and I were walking down an aisle and found this Suomy helmets display. I don’t have any information on the …
Triumph Tiger Explorer – EICMA 2011 Live Report
2012 Triumph Tiger Explorer Triumph Tiger Explorer Photos From EICMA November 10, 2011 – One of the biggest news items of the 2011 EICMA show was the official release of the 2012 Triumph Tiger Explorer. The Explorer was described in the Triumph Tiger Explorer press release a couple of weeks ago, along with some studio photos, but …
Fibre Flares – EICMA 2011 Live Report
Fibre Flare Safety Lighting November 9, 2011 – Hundreds of manufacturers, retailers and distributors are displaying their wares at EICMA; in fact, there are 635, according to show management. It’s impossible to visit them all, and as the show starts to fill up with warm bodies as the week progresses, it’s even more difficult to …
Husqvarna Moab Preview
Husqvarna “Moab” Concept Motorcycle The Husqvarna Moab Concept November 9, 2011 – As I mentioned in yesterday’s report, BMW didn’t have much new for 2012, having busted the development budget apparently for the 2011 release of the K 1600 GT and GTL, the G 650 GS and the Concept C scooter (now referred to as …
Ducati Superquadro Engine – EICMA 2011 Live Report
2012 Superquadro Engine Superquadro Engine at EICMA 2011 November 8, 2011 – Ducati had a “cutaway” Superquadro engine on display next to the Ducati 1199 Panigale (report) at the EICMA show. While the Superquadro isn’t a classic looker like, say, a BSA 441 engine or the original Bonneville 650 cc, it’s the guts that count. …
Ducati 1199 Panigale – EICMA 2011 Live Report
2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale Ducati 1199 Panigale Photos From EICMA November 8, 2011 – Just by coincidence, I entered the 2011 EICMA show for the first time this morning right in the same building as the Ducati display. The new 1199 Panigale was there in its standard and “S” versions. Funny thing — the Ducati …
BMW G 650 GS Sertao – EICMA 2011 Live Report
2012 BMW G 650 GS Sertão 2012 BMW G650GS Sertão Preview November 7, 2011 – BMW had many new motorcycles to present at the 2010 EICMA show, including the Concept C scooter, the six-cylinder K 1600 GT and GTL and the new G 650 GS. This year, not much is new at BMW, so the …
2012 Ducati Streetfighter 848 – EICMA 2011 Live Report
Ducati Streetfighter 848 October 31, 2011 – The Streetfighter 848 delivers pure motorcycle enjoyment with the sophisticated combination of a brand new and brilliantly engineered 848 Testastretta 11° engine and the enhanced geometry of a frame that ensures optimum agility with confidence-inspiring feel. With user-friendliness now enriched by a smooth and flexible power delivery, revised …
Arai Signet-Q Review
Arai Signet-Q Helmet The new Arai Signet-Q is an update to the popular and long-lived Signet. It has the typically flawless paint, quality and construction expected from an Arai. And although the price is steep, there is a noticeable difference between this helmet and what some might call the lesser brands. Indeed, a strong argument …
Vemar Attivo Preview
Vemar Attivo Flip-Up Helmet Announced 2012 Vemar Attivo Flip-Up Helmet October 27, 2011 – Vemar will introduce the new “Attivo” flip-up helmet at the 2011 EICMA show. The Attivo will not replace the Vemar Jiano EVO TC Flip-up (review). It will supplement the Vemar lineup as a lower-priced alternative. The Attivo will be sold in Europe …
2012 Rev’it! Clothing – EICMA 2011 Live Report
Rev’it! Acquires Tryonic Rev’it! and Tryonic October 31, 2011 – REV’IT! Sport International announced today that it has acquired TRYONIC, an Italian brand specializing in protection products for motorcycling, skiing and other outdoor sports. “The acquisition of Tryonic is — after acquiring the Gore-Tex license for apparel and gloves in 2009 (report) — the next big moment …
AFX Magnus
AFX FX-Magnus Helmet Review The AFX FX-Magnus is basically an AFX FX-90 (review)writ large. The Magnus is available in size 3XL and 4XL only and it has its own special shell design. New colors for 2012 include Flat Black, Pearl White and Silver with the possible addition of high-visibility yellow. The AFX Magnus arrived several months …
AGV AX-8 Review
AGV AX-8 Helmet Review The AX-8 is AGV’s “top of the line” off-road helmet and it’s “designed for professional motocross use”, according to the company. But there’s no reason why non-professionals like me (and, perhaps, you!) can’t enjoy the AX-8 for dual-sport, adventure-touring or off-road plinking. It comes in a wide variety of graphics and …
SCHUBERTH SR1
SCHUBERTH SR1 Helmet Review The new SCHUBERTH SR1 was designed with Michael Schumacher and incorporates features found in both Formula 1 and motorcycle racing helmets. The SR1 has it all — light weight, outstanding ventilation, comfort and even low noise levels, all wrapped up in a solid feeling shell. The helmet is currently sold in …
2012 Falco Boots – EICMA 2011 Live Report
2012 Falco Boots Falco Boots at EICMA November 14, 2011 – I finally had a chance to meet the staff at Falco during the 2011 EICMA show. Mattia Foscarini, the Director of Sales, showed me all of the new boots for 2012. That included a few new models that were being released at the show …
Vemar VRX7 Review
Vemar Makes and Off-Roader The Vemar VRX7 is a good-looking, light weight and comfortable off-road helmet. Match it with a set of Scott 87 OTG goggles (review). You’ll find that the VRX7 performs surprisingly well as a street helmet. And it’s quieter than many full-face or dual-sport helmets! I don’t often wear off-road helmets and we’ve …
Scott Goggles
Scott 87 OTG Goggles Review Thick padding on the Scott 87 OTG goggles provides a comfortable fit over eyeglasses without nose pinching. Soft foam in sides allows outstanding ventilation with some protection from dust and dirt. Wide strap is adjustable and has silicon grippers, but the grippers could be larger. The 87 OTG shape is …
Clearwater Voltage Sentry
Clearwater Voltage Sentry Review The Clearwater Voltage Sentry is an easy and unique way to keep track of the electrical drain on your motorcycle. Designed to be “thermally stable, highly accurate, reliable, flexible and with a very low power consumption”, the device is small enough to fit just about anywhere. An excellent solution for monitoring …
Klim Badlands Pro Pants Review
Klim Badlands Pro Pants The new Klim Badlands Pro pants are the perfect match for the Badlands Pro jacket (review) — naturally! But the pants are also a good match with many other jackets. They feature the same rugged exterior and Gore-Tex Pro Shell guaranteed waterproof construction used in the Badlands Pro jacket. The Badlands pro pants …
Klim Badlands Pro Jacket Review
The Klim Badlands Pro Jacket The new Klim Badlands Pro jacket and pants outfit is the very definition of “extreme duty” adventure touring gear — no doubt about it. The jacket and the pants provide a go-anywhere, highly protective “suit of armor” feel. It is also surprisingly comfortable in the hottest of summer weather. There …
Knox Handroid Gloves
Knox Handroid Gloves Review Unique, that’s for sure! The Knox Handroid gloves look different and they are that, without a doubt. It’s fun to watch the reaction you’ll get showing these to motorcycle riders…and to the rest of the unwashed masses. Knox has developed a complex solution to be sure, but I have to admit, …
Leatt STX Brace Review
The Leatt STX Neck Brace The Leatt STX Road Brace is designed for street use. Worn over clothing, it helps prevent rider neck injuries. OK, so it may look a bit strange and perhaps even complicated. But it’s surprisingly easy to wear, requires no maintenance and it’s nearly unnoticeable to the rider. The new Leatt …
Clearwater Krista Lights Review
Ultra-Powerful Road Blasters! The Clearwater Krista lights use the latest generation of LEDs for retina-melting power at minimum draw. The light output can be varied by turning a rotating dial or the lights can be turned off completely. The quality of construction, mounting hardware and the light output are outstanding. In the 12 or so …
Spartan Leathers Charge Race Suit
Spartan Leathers “Charge” 2.0 Leather Suit Review The Spartan Leathers “Charge” suit is available as a one- or two-piece versions. The leather is as supple as I’ve ever felt and the suit feels perfectly broken in from day one. High quality stitching and construction compliment the soft leather. The pants have large sections of elastic …
AFX FX-90 Review
AFX FX-90 Helmet Review The FX-90 is the entry level full-face helmet in the AFX 2011 lineup. It’s an excellent value with very good quality and a very comfortable liner. Ventilation is better than expected and beats quite a few helmets costing a lot more. The FX-90 also meets both DOT and ECE 22.05 safety …
Motorcycle Horn Comparison
Motorcycle Horn Comparison Redux Hella does it again with a 115 dB rated disk-type or diaphragm “pancake” horn. They’re not pretty, but the slim size fits where others won’t. Pair up the high and low tones for a particularly obnoxious and attention-getting sound. This didn’t start out as anything like a Part 2 of our …
Pocket Floodlight
A Super Pen Light Pocket Floodlight The Maxxeon WorkStar 220 Pocket Floodlight lives up to its name with a broad, even swath of light with no hot spots. About the size of a classic Bic “Stic” pen, the Pocket Floodlight puts out an amazing amount of light for its size. The Pocket Floodlight has absolutely …
REV’IT! Energy HV Jacket
REV’IT! Energy HV Jacket Review The new Rev’it Energy HV (High Visibility) jacket introduces a new direction for Rev’it. This commuter-oriented jacket is value priced and easy to use. It forgoes many of the expensive high-tech fabrics and race protection of other Rev’it garments while incorporating some unique features to make a reliable, highly wearable city, scooter …
REV’IT! Axis Pants
Lightweight REV’IT! Pants The new REV’IT! Axis pants were announced in 2011 as a match for the REV’IT! Energy HV (review)commuter jacket. These lightweight pants have a clever and unique design. But they’re missing a few important features, perhaps making them too much of a compromise. The REV’IT! Axis pants (or trousers as they’re known in …
BikeVis Blue Bullets LED Lights
Blue BikeVis Bullet LED Lights Blue version of the BikeVis Bullets, small LED accent lights that that are amazingly bright for their size and can help improve motorcycle visibility. We installed a pair of the original white-colored BikeVis Bullets (review) on a Ducati Multistrada 620 a couple of years ago and they’ve been going strong ever since …
Nexx X30 Review
Nexx X30 “Maxi Jet” Helmet Review The Nexx X30 is a radical-looking helmet with a new type of construction designed to bridge the gap between flip-up and full-face. Nexx is a relatively new motorcycle helmet manufacturer. The company is based in Portugal, a country that is establishing itself as a force in European motorcycle helmet …
SW-Motech Skid Plate Review
Heavy-Duty Engine Protection Just for the record, the SW-Motech skid plate, as we call it in the States, is officially known as the SW-Motech Engine Guard. This type of engine guard is also referred to as a “bash plate” and probably a few other colloquialisms as well. “Engine guard” seems correct to me, but many …
Bell RS-1 Review
Bell RS-1 Helmet Review The RS-1 rings the Bell (sorry!), with outstanding quality, modern design and a leading-edge feature set. Factor in the super-plush, very comfy interior, excellent ventilation and superb noise control for a hard-to-beat combination and a very good value. The RS-1 also meets both DOT and Snell 2010 safety standards. The internal …
Scorpion EXO-500 Review
Scorpion EXO-500 Helmet Review The new Scorpion EXO-500 helmet introduces an impressive new level of build quality for motorcycle helmets. Even more impressive, the helmet is chocked full of EXO-1000 style features, yet carries a sub-$200 price tag. With modern styling and beautiful, close-tolerance cut lines and creases, the EXO-500 is the new star of …
