Articles
Heated Vest for Hyperthermia Treatment
Heated Vest Modifications for Hyperthermia Treatment I received this email on March 8, 2009 from a webBikeWorld visitor who modified the Jett Battery Heated Vest for his wife, who has breast cancer. I edited the document and I am posting this information in the hope that it may help others, but note that I have no personal …
Triumph Partners With Alpinestars for Motorcycle Clothing
New Alpinestars Engineered Riding Apparel Debuts at Triumph Dealers February 23, 2009 – Triumph and Alpinestars have collaborated to create the “Triumph engineered with Alpinestars” line of technical riding apparel. The high performance apparel combines the distinctive Triumph look and premium Alpinestars design for a unique line of men’s and women’s jackets, pants, gloves and …
Best Motorcycle Products of 2008
The 4th Annual webBikeWorld.com Motorcycle Product of the Year Awards January 1, 2009 (The Editor) – Happy New Year webBikeWorlders! Best wishes to all of our visitors, contributors and affiliates for a happy, healthy, joyous and prosperous 2009! Here’s my words of wisdom for 2009: Remember that life isn’t about the destination — it’s about …
2007 Worldwide Vehicle Accident Statistics
International Transport Forum Presents the Latest Available Data on World Accident Rates Editor’s Note: This information was sent by the International Transport Forum, and although it isn’t specifically related to motorcycles, we thought it was an interesting if sobering look at worldwide road safety (or lack thereof). We’re hoping that the ITF’s December 2008 publication entitled …
DOT Motorcycle Helmet Label Requirements Change
U.S. DOT Proposes Changes to Motorcycle Helmet Labeling Requirements October 2008 – The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has proposed a change in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 218, which addresses motorcycle helmet safety standards in the U.S.A. According to NHTSA, “The purpose of FMVSS No. 218 is to reduce …
2009 BMW F 650 GS
2009 BMW F650GS Arrives in U.S. BMW Motorcycle Dealers More: 2009 BMW F650GS Specifications (Below) BMW’s All-New Entry Level Model Makes its Debut with a Twin-Cylinder Engine August 19, 2008 – BMW today announced the 2009 F 650 GS, a revised version of the venerable but relatively slow-selling F 650 GS. This is an important …
Ducati GT 1000 Loose Fuel Tank and Spreading Problem
GT1000 Fuel Tank Spreading Problem We received a few emails recently from GT1000 owners who were asking if we knew anything about a problem with loose GT1000 fuel tanks. Apparently, some owners have been experiencing a “spreading” problem. The polycarbonate fuel tank material starts to spread or sag and the front fuel tank holders no …
University of Missouri Motorcycle Helmet Study
Fatalities Increase With Repeal of Helmet Laws March 31, 2008 – Since 1975, more than 100,000 motorcycle riders in America have died in crashes. The majority of states required motorcycle helmets in 1975, but today only 20 states have universal helmet laws that require all riders to wear helmets. 26 states have partial coverage laws …
Best Motorcycle Products of 2007
Best Motorcycle Products of 2007 January 3, 2008 – Here we are — another year bites the dust, which means that it’s time once again for the webBikeWorld Motorcycle Product of the Year awards! It’s become a New Year’s tradition to pick our favorite motorcycle products and accessories from all of the interesting gear we reviewed …
Home Made Bluetooth Adapter
Make Your Own Bluetooth Adapter! After thinking about it for the best part of two years, I finally purchased an Autocom Active plus intercom system. It worked brilliantly as promised — straight out of the box! Having bought the Autocom and laid it out (as suggested in the excellent article by Spyder), I was confronted with …
How to Repair Threads With a Thread File
The Thread File: A Money-Saving Tool In the process of the “custovation*” of a well used — and possibly abused — motorcycle, you’ll eventually be dealing with threaded hardware replacement. More often than not the decision will be what kind of hardware to select to replace the rusty and buggered fasteners that are holding the …
European Road Safety Charter
Ducati Commits the the European Road Safety Charter Ducati has committed itself to promoting and adhering to the European Road Safety Charter. The European Road Safety Charter is intended to save 25,000 lives a year by 2010. It represents a new phase in the European Union’s commitment to road safety. The European Road Safety Charter was …
BMW R 1200 GS Hand Guard Problem
From “D.W.” (December 2012): “I can’t believe I fell victim to this design fault and didn’t realise until I went looking for the information after the event. The front wheel on my newly purchased R1200GSA locked up as I came off the tar seal onto a gravel section. I have four broken ribs a broken ankle …
Ducati Announces the Desmosedici RR!
Ducati Desmosedici RR July 4, 2007 – The fireworks have started! The Ducati Desmosedici RR made its first ever public appearance in action around the Misano Circuit at World Ducati Week 2007 on Saturday, June 30, ridden by official Ducati MotoGP Team test rider, Vittoriano Guareschi. In front of thousands of Ducatisti, the pre-series version …
MSF Experienced RiderCourse
MSF Experienced RiderCourse Review Any motorcycle training course is good, right? After all, there’s no such thing as too much training. Anyone who thinks they’re too good to learn anything new is probably ready for a tumble. Real soon. I was ready for more — just 3 weeks after taking the Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic (review), …
How to Make a Motorcycle Helmet Visor
A Visit to MXL Industries, Inc. How do you make a motorcycle helmet visor? It’s easy. First, buy a 50,000 square foot factory. Next, fill it with a zillion dollars worth of injection molding machines, robots, inspection equipment and raw materials. Then add a highly skilled and experienced staff who know how to design the …
MOMO Helmet
MOMO “Komposit” Carbon Fiber Motorcycle Helmet There was a time not too long ago when the terms “industrial design” and “consumer products” weren’t used in the same sentence. Functionality was the watchword, and no one thought much about how style. There wasn’t a deliberate movement against industrial design – it just wasn’t really considered as anything …
Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic Review
Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic My “Aha!” moment came about half-way through the afternoon cornering exercises. I was fighting the Ducati around the tight oval, trying not to flatten the cones while wrestling for control of the handlebars. It felt like a cage match with The Great Khali, and I suddenly realized that I didn’t …
Ducati GT1000 Fuel Line Recall Fix and Fuel Filter Replacement
GT100 Fuel Filter Fix The Ducati GT1000 was recalled for a loose fuel line hose clamp. Here’s how to do it yourself. Like many other GT1000 owners, I received the official recall notice from Ducati last week. But also like many other Ducati owners, the closest “local” dealer is 30-odd miles away. I’m lucky actually; …
Ducati GT 1000 and SportClassic Fuel Line Problem
Ducati GT 1000 and SportClassic Fuel Line Problem On certain motorcycles, the fasteners from the fuel line to the fuel filler were not tightened properly. The fuel pump hose inside the fuel tank may separate from the fuel filter. This condition will stop the engine from running. UPDATE: March 7, 2007 – Ducati Sport Classic …
Motorcycle Helmet Sizes – Motorcycle Helmet Safety
Choosing Motorcycle Helmets: Link to an older Motorcycle Consumer News article comparing helmets, some of which are older models | See the wBW Safety Page for a lot more info on helmet and motorcycle safety | Motorcycle News article comparing flip-up helmets | Choosing a Motorcycle Helmet by Saferoads.com in Alberta, Canada | What You Should Know About Motorcycle Helmets – reprint of old Motorcyclist Magazine …
Best Motorcycle Products of 2006
Best Motorcycle Products of 2006 December 31, 2006 – Is it 2007 already? Wow! It’s become a webBikeWorld tradition — if you can call two years a tradition — to offer our humble awards to what we consider to be the best motorcycle clothing, helmets, products, accessories and gizmos of the year. And what, you might …
Teknic Sprint Jacket and Pants Review
Excellent Cold Weather Jacket and Pants Outfit It was exactly two years ago today that we took delivery of the unique clone Jacket and Pants for evaluation. At that time, we came away very impressed with Teknic’s “out of the box” thinking and the multiple features that made the outfit a real standout. The uniqueness …
BMW K75S Windscreen Adjustment
BMW K75 Windscreen Fix I was very taken with the webBikeWorld article on adjusting the K75 windscreen. I also read the subsequent contributions regarding how to move the windshield on the BMW K75 model to improve its notorious wind-buffeting propensities. This inspired me to invent an equivalent system for my comparatively rare example of BMW’s sporting …
Motorcycle Carburetor Cleaning and Adjustment
The “Poor Man’s” Carb Adjustment Sometimes, you can get lucky and a simple can of carb cleaner works magic. The Triumph Tiger had been sitting in the dealer’s showroom for several months with a half-full tank of gas when I bought it in the Fall of 2004. The dealer didn’t start it, nor did he …
Ducati Limited Edition Paul Smart Print
July 12, 2006 – Ducati has announced the availability of a limited edition, fine art print of Paul Smart on a Ducati at Imola in 1972. Why Imola in 1972? This setting and date are engraved Ducati’s racing heritage. When Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari came first and second in the inaugural 200-mile race, the …
Motorcycle Magazines
Our Favorite Motorcycle Magazines Labels and stereotypes; for good or for evil, they put people and things into little boxes with closed lids. Labels tend to shut off debate and prevent people from dealing with real issues. But labels are a reality, so we just have to learn to live with. If you can’t beat …
TPro Forcefield vs. Bohn Monza Back Protectors
TPro Forcefield vs. Bohn Back Protectors The TPro Forcefield is the most comfortable and least obtrusive back protector we’ve tried so far. We’re still in shock, but for some reason the reviews of the Knox Ricochet and Knox Stowaway back protectors we posted recently are among the most popular articles on webBikeWorld, generating lots of …
Craft R2 and RX-6 Helmet Review
Craft R2 Aerospeed and the Craft RX6 Summary Quiet, comfortable, excellent value, good quality for the price. Introduction Craft Helmets are becoming popular in Europe, and they are now being distributed in the U.S.A. through SMF Cycles. One of the interesting features of all Craft Helmets is that they are U.S. DOT FMVSS 218. …
BMW K 1200 S World Land Speed Record
BMW K1200S Sets New World Land Speed Record at Bonneville November 8, 2005) – A 2006 production model BMW K1200S has set a world land speed record. The record is in the 1000-1350cc stock, partially streamlined, naturally aspirated motorcycle class. This was attained at Utah’s famed Bonneville Salt Flats. The motorcycle, piloted by 56-year-old Andy …
Triumph Thunderbird Sport Coolant Change
Coolant Change on the Thunderbird Sport It seems that the Thunderbird Sport is turning out to be a pretty easy bike to work on. Routine maintenance, so far, has been straightforward. The “nakedness” of the bike helps — you don’t have to peel off layers of fairing before you can start the task you set …
Triumph Thunderbird Sport Air Filter Change
Triumph TBS Air Filter Change I’ve done a lot of motorcycle maintenance in my time. But replacing the air filter on my 1999 Triumph Thunderbird Sport probably ranks as one of the most frustrating mechanical experiences ever. It even beats the wacko oil filter change on the oil-cooler equipped BMW R100RS, which involves radical contortions …
NOJ Quiet Rider Review
Motorcycle Helmet Wind Block and Noise Reduction Attaches to bottom of helmet between liner and shell. Difficult to fit on some helmets. Doesn’t block all noise, depending upon helmet design. Windproof, claimed waterproof. Our Motorcycle Helmet Noise page has generated a stack of emails since it was first posted. These confirm our belief that helmet …
Motorcycle Helmet Reviews: SCHUBERTH vs. Shark
SCHUBERTH S1 vs. Shark RSR The Battle of the Big Ones! You’re looking at about $1,400.00 worth of motorcycle helmets. These are two of the most expensive helmets on the planet. But decent helmets can easily be found for $200.00 or less, so are these really 3-4 times better? Is the SCHUBERTH S1 the “ultimate …
OSI CoolGuard Motorcycle Gloves Review
OSI “CoolGuard” Motorcycle Gloves We must get at least a dozen emails each week from factories in Pakistan, India and other points around the globe with interesting offers of motorcycle gloves, jackets and other apparel. Since we don’t sell any products through webBikeWorld, the offers end up in the email trash bin, but not without some …
Motorcycle Maintenance-Free Battery Installation
Installing a Maintenance-Free Battery on a Triumph Thunderbird Sport My luck with motorcycle and car batteries has been awful. If the warranty expires in 36 months, I can guarantee that on or about the 1st day of the 37th month, my battery will fail. It’s happened to me so many times, with cars and bikes, …
Motoport vs. Aerostich
Motoport Ultra II Air Mesh vs. the Aerostich Roadcrafter Review When it comes to protective clothing, the truth is I don’t care what you wear: Aerostich, Motoport, Joe Rocket or you name it. Spend as much money on buying the very best gear you can afford. When I returned to riding a few years ago …
