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The Beginner Vehicle Spoilers and Modification Guide

A car is not merely a mode of commuting but it reflects your personality too. So why not add some good accessories to give your vehicle a personalized appear. The accessories play an important part in enhancing up an automobile and providing it a smart appear. Autos whether it is a luxurious vehicle, SUVs, or trucks need comprehensive care, and consideration even though installing accessories on the exterior and in interior of the auto.

With out these, your vehicle may possibly look incomplete and plain. A very good top quality auto accessory smartens up your car as nicely as protects it from acquiring wear and tear. There are numerous accessories which designs your automobile from interior and exterior as effectively. Interior accessories are mainly auto racing seats, racing seat covers, steering wheel covers, dash covers, window tint film, fuel consumption meter, floor mats such as diamond plate floor mats (every single automobile is vulnerable to dust, mud or dirt from the bottom of your footwear, excellent quality mats are excellent to preserve the floor dirt clean), stereo technique like DVD players or mobile video, shifter knobs and air fresheners that not only enhance the overall performance of the car but are crucial keys to stylize your car.



Exterior accessories incorporate stylizing physique kits, vehicle spoilers, head and tail light covers, hid kits, car hood shields, hood scoops, a sunroof, window graphics, window visors and wheel caps. Adding these accessories will draw consideration to the definitive difference in between a luxurious, fancy or a very http://www.customautotrim.com/ good hunting auto and a boring or dull vehicle which hardly draws anybody’s interest. Vehicle spoilers can be very easily set up and are relatively inexpensive. Automobile spoilers can increase the performance of your car, offers a exclusive appearance and can also boost the resale worth of the vehicle. A body kits can be a bit high-priced and difficult to set up due to the fact it needs special tool and complete information prior to installing. But body kit is a huge necessity for your high performing car. Most upgrade items such as below physique neon kits can also be installed in the cars. Under body neon kits completely accessorize the outer of the automobile and give your car a distinctive appear.

You can buy auto accessories like Automobile spoilers, body kits, Below physique neon kits, hid kits, diamond plate floor mats, vehicle racing seats and racing seat covers from the on the internet shops as nicely. It makes sense to purchase car accessories on-line that offers you huge causes such as, it saves a lot of power and time spending unnecessarily in shopping for automobile accessories. Online retailers offer you you the wide range of automobile parts and mclaren body kits accessories for selection, normally at less costly price tag. In addition, it becomes easier for you to evaluate the rates of accessories. Side by side it guarantees you the refund policies of the merchandise in case you are not satisfied. You can also get considerably concept about auto accessories like Auto spoilers and body kits by locating the testimonials of other buyers. Make positive that you do not buy items such as beneath body neon kits, hid kits, diamond plate floor mats and car racing seats from an unreliable business and do not appropriately match to your automobile.

A single of the best web sites which actually realize your wants is ours where you can get huge selection of auto accessories to create the performance and gaze of your auto. If you are nonetheless preparing to shop auto accessories from a motor accessories’ retailer, think prior to you do so since buying on the web can save you from higher expense of money and time and preserve you out of frustration at the time of shopping. Browse the site for making a great deal on automobile accessories. On the internet retailers have made the task a lot less complicated of purchasing vehicle accessories like Below body neon kits, hid kits, diamond plate floor mats and vehicle racing seats by sitting at home and offering you the a number of selections to replace or acquire them for your cars.

Tips For A Great Car Shopping Experience

You are ready to get yourself a car. New cars might be manufactured at around a dime a dozen, but they're definitely more expensive than that. There are a lot of mistakes you could be making unless you know what you're doing. This article is full of great advice that should be of use to anyone looking to purchase a vehicle, helping ensure that you make a purchase you never regret.

Never allow a car salesmen to pressure you to buying a car you can't afford. Tons of people get talked into buying a sports car by a slick-tongued salesperson telling them they look fabulous behind the steering wheel. Keep in mind that a salesperson is trying their best to make a decent commission, so selling a more expensive car benefits them.

Make sure that you have your loan in place beforehand. Not having this information can cost you a lot of time and energy. If you already have a loan, the process will take a lot less time.

Set up financing for your vehicle prior to visiting the dealership. This can be achieved at your local credit union or your preferred bank. You will get a much better interest rate by doing this.

Know what type of vehicle you are looking for before stepping foot into a dealership. Look up information online to see what is best for your budget and family. You will also learn what price range to expect, making it less likely that a smooth salesperson will catch you unawares.

During negotiations, concentrate on the total price instead of the monthly price. Dealers can make any monthly price happen, but you'll pay monthly prices for vorsteiner wheels years on the total cost of an outrageously-priced car. That's why you need to look at the total price and the financing on that. Then you can work on how much it will cost monthly.

When buying a vehicle from a private seller, make sure a mechanic does an inspection first. If the owner objects, chances are this car isn't for you. This typically means that there are issues they are trying to cover up. Never buy a car without having it checked out first.

Make it a policy to always pay less than the sticker price. The sticker price isn't what the salesperson expects to receive for that car. If you aren't comfortable negotiating, bring someone who is. Research the value of the car and know what number you should be aiming for.

It's very important to go for a test drive before making a purchase. This will give you a feel of how good the car drives. No two cars are exactly the same. Give every car that you consider a test drive to prevent buying a lemon.

If you are looking for a new car, you need to find one that is safe. The brakes and suspension are two things to https://www.discountedwheelwarehouse.com/ take into account when car shopping. It is also important to have air bags. Safety is important, since you will be traveling in this vehicle alot.

Never disclose the trade-in, what you have down, or what you want until you have a price ironed out. Smaller things like down payments, and incentives are items that should be subtracted from the bottom line. You will probably get a much better price if you start by negotiating and then mention these additional discounts.

Look for a car on the web. No matter what make or model you desire, you can be certain that you'll find it online. Do not even visit a dealership until you have learned everything there is to know about your options. By researching online, you can find specs, gas mileage data, resell value, ratings and almost any other information that you desire.

A good way to figure out what kind of car is ideal for you is by attending an auto show. This provides you with a rare chance to compare different makes and models at the same place, side-by-side. It also provides you with the opportunity to speak with a number of well-versed people in one setting. It should be possible for you to leave an auto show knowing which cars you want to investigate further.



As you know, there are many potential pitfalls to avoid when buying a new vehicle. Don't hesitate to use anything you've read here to secure a great deal on the perfect vehicle. Good luck on your search for a reliable vehicle!

Read The HVAC Advice That Should Not Be Missed

It can be hard to understand HVAC, but it can be easier with some helpful information. The following article will be of help if you want to know more about your HVAC unit. Just continue reading and by the time you're through, you'll know something about HVAC systems that you didn't know when you began!

Before you hire an HVAC contractor, have some sort of idea of the work that needs to be done. It's hard for these contractors to give phone estimates without seeing the current system you have. They also won't be able to offer you a quote if they don't have a detailed idea of what you want done. This is information that you should have prepared in advance.

Do not allow grass clippings to cover the outdoor unit of your HVAC system. When you work with your lawn mower, make sure it spits the grass to the side opposite of your unit. The same goes for blowing leaves, so always be careful if you are moving debris near your HVAC devices.

A shady spot is always a good choice for the placement of your outdoor compressor. The cooler air entering the unit will require less work to get to the proper temperature.

If possible, put your HVAC in a shaded area if it is outside. It will reduce the temperature of the air going into the unit, meaning that it will not have to work as hard to cool it.

Your HVAC unit requires regular maintenance at least two times per each year. The best times to have the system checked is spring and fall, so you are sure everything is running at peak performance before the heating and cooling seasons. This will help you to avoid problems.

Make sure to have your unit serviced once a year. An HVAC specialist will inspect the entire system, including the oil, the motor, and the ducts. Doing this simple task can ensure that your system will be running for years with no problem!



When you are away from home, adjust your thermostat to a money saving temperature. The house will heat up, but not too much. Leaving the system on all day will cost a lot of money in terms of electricity.

Do not allow your home to reach excessive levels of heat during the summer. A simple AC unit will usually only cool the home around 20 degrees within a short period air conditioning repair of time. If you have your home at above 100 degrees then you can only get it to about 80 or above. With high humidity, this is an unsafe temperature even for sleeping.

Research the companies that you consider using. Check with different references to determine the best one for your situation. Doing this can help you make a better decision.

Search online for reviews to find an HVAC customer you can trust. There are plenty of online websites that give people the opportunity to leave comments about the service they received. This will help you find a top notch professional.

Your HVAC system can run more efficiently if your attic has a radiant barrier. It blocks the heat from inside, reducing how much energy you need to cool down your home during summer. This can also help you make the attic useful again.

Know which direction the house faces so that your HVAC system operates more efficiently. It's always a good idea to plant trees in areas that will help block the scorching sun that heats up your home and causes your AC unit to work harder. The less heat, the easier time the air conditioner in your home will have.

If you want your HVAC to run well, you need to have doors and windows that work well with things too. Make sure they are tightly sealed so air can't seep in. Call a professional to come over to check how good you home is sealed up.

When choosing the proper air conditioner size, measure the area that needs cooling. You can easily calculate this by using the formula: 20 BTUs per square footage of space. Account for all of the rooms in the house.

Now you can see that an HVAC is not a difficult subject when you have the right information. It is vital though to learn everything about it. Use this information and make it work for your system!

What to serve at your Halloween costume party

There are traditional Halloween foods and food items: pumpkin seeds and pumpkin pie, candy corn, assorted chocolate and candy bars, and more. But this Halloween, you want to whip up something different for your family and friends. Whether it is for a Halloween costume party or for your kids Halloween costume adventures (trick-or-treating, school parties), here are some wickedly tasty Halloween recipes!

Amazing Appetizers, Monstrous Munchies

Last year, my friend held a Halloween costume party. For her Halloween costume, she decided to be a Black Widow spider, the poisonous spider with a telltale red hourglass on its belly. She coordinated a lot of her Halloween costume party cuisine with her spider costume. For an appetizer, she served Spider’s Nest Dip, which sounds a bit gruesome but is a definite crowd-pleaser. It also went perfectly with her spider Halloween costume! For this recipe, mix 16 ounces Cream Cheese with ½ a packet of taco seasonings and a cup of sour cream. Next, spread a layer of refried beans on the bottom of a oven-safe dish and sprinkle a handful of cheddar or jack cheese over the top. Place dish in oven at 300 degrees until the cheese has melted. Use either homemade or store-bought salsa and guacamole for this next step: layer salsa, then some of your cream cheese mixture, and last, some guacamole. Continue to layer your items until you run out of ingredients: beans, shredded cheese, salsa, cream cheese mixture, and guacamole. Last, when you have used up all of your layering ingredients, place a spoonful of sour cream in the middle—the “spider’s nest.” Place about ½ a cup of sour cream in a plastic bag—Ziplock, grocer bag, whatever you have on hand. Cut a hole in one corner and, carefully squeezing the bag, draw concentric circles around the spoonful of sour cream. Put as many circles as you can without them blending together. Finally, use a pointed object like a toothpick to drag lines from the “nest” to the outside of the web. It will create a lovely web design. Serve with your favorite chips and garnish with plastic spiders. It’s a great addition to a witch, spider, mummy, or vampire Halloween costume!

Devilishly Delicious Eggs at Your Halloween Costume Party!
Deviled eggs haunt many a picnic, brunch, and family gathering. But little do we realize how great these are for fare at a Halloween costume party! And like the Spider Nest dip, you can coordinate this next recipe with your devil Halloween costume—or even your witch or werewolf Halloween costume. Boil one dozen eggs until hardboiled, cool, peel, slice in half, and remove the cooked yolks. Using a hand blender or chopper, blend together the yolks with 4 tablespoons mayonnaise, 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar, two cloves minced garlic, a dash of hot pepper sauce, and, if you like spicy, throw in a few slices of jalapeno pepper. Blend until completely mixed together and creamy. Using a spoon, stir in a few drops of red food coloring and stir until the mixture has become your desired shade. Fill the empty egg white halves with the red yolk mixture, garnish with parsley or peppers, and enjoy! It’s a festive dish, and it works well for Halloween costume parties, holiday gatherings, and potlucks.
You can also substitute other food coloring—green, blue, yellow, whatever you wish! After your Halloween costume party, everyone will be asking for this recipe. Check out Wallao.

The Benefits Of Japanese Vehicle Auctions

American http://www.carjunction.com/ automobile makers offer greater incentives than Japanese vehicle makers. For instance, Chevy provides incentives as huge as $five,000 on their Silverado trucks whereas Toyota in no way delivers a lot more than $1,500. Why is this? It’s simple. A lot more men and women choose to drive Japanese automobiles than American. Japanese automakers don’t have to entice shoppers because consumers are willing to acquire their vehicles without having them.



The explanation for this is that Japanese vehicles are much far more trustworthy than American cars. In most situations, people who own Japanese automobiles never ever have to be concerned about their vehicle breaking down or needing main repairs. Oftentimes, they only require to be concerned with putting gas in the car and possessing the oil changed regularly for the complete life of the vehicle. You cannot get this sort of top quality with American created autos.

Considering that Japanese autos have a tendency to be pricey simply because of the lack of incentives they provide, if you want one particular, you can constantly buy used, and if used is still a tiny out of your price range, then your ideal alternative is automobile auctions. Auto auctions combine the legendary high quality of Japanese cars with incredibly affordable prices that will hold you bragging to your buddies for weeks.

Japanese vehicle auctions come about very regularly. You just have to preserve an eye out for them. If alljapantours.com they do not come about frequently in your city, then you might have to check surrounding places, but rest assured, you will discover one particular. It could demand a little further driving, but you will discover 1.

There are diverse kinds of auto auctions. If you favor the comfort of your own home, then the World wide web is an alternative at your disposal. It may look complex, but buying at an online auction is really extremely basic all you have to do is set up an account, and your off and shopping. Employing the World wide web gives you access to hundreds of vehicle auctions all more than the planet. You can get all the information about a automobile, such as what alternatives they have and how a lot mileage, as properly as make a bid.

As soon as you win the auction, you have the selection of having the car shipped to wherever you choose. By taking this route in acquiring a automobile you can save you as much as $3,000, a much greater deal than shopping locally.

But if you are the kind that prefers to do enterprise with a particular person, rather than a laptop, then you have other options apart from the Net available. These alternatives include police auctions, IRS sales and private monetary corporation auctions. In the case of police and IRS auctions these automobiles typically have been seized from individuals who were convicted of a crime or owed back taxes. For private corporations, the vehicles after belonged to men and women who fell behind on their payments and the automobiles have been repossessed.

Japanese automobiles are the ideal sort of investment you can make in a automobile. They final longer and typically depreciate slower than other cars. By shopping for them at auto auctions you can obtain them at a fraction of their actual value, an not possible deal to get on a car lot.

Police And Government Car Auctions In 2012 & 2013 - Cheap Mercedes BMW Audi Lexus Ford

All responsible dog owners know the dangers of leaving a dog in a hot car. In addition, BMWs, it is often noticed come for sale in just 2-3 years time, that's where the owners choose to upgrade to a newer model of BMW cars. It is a system that enables the engine to control, or send power to all the wheels of the automobile, regardless of how many wheels and axles the vehicle has. It is a system that enables the engine to control, or send power to all the wheels of the automobile, regardless of how many wheels and axles the vehicle has. In such a situation, it might take very long for the part to come into the hands of the car owner.

You need to have a lot of money or you need to have a great credit facility to service hire purchase. . . . Once you are entirely happy with your police repossessed cars for sale that you want to buy then you should go ahead with the purchase quickly.

Keep on blotting until you get all the liquid up. Again, BMW arrogance reared its ugly head again. Sadly, the majority ViSalus reps will never reach the level of accomplishment they expect for. When searching for police and government car auctions I would recommend that you don't hand over any money in advance. If done correctly you will boost your chances for victory and be well on http://www.bmwofaustin.com/ your way to a 6 and seven figure income with ViSalus.

So, next time you want to go on vacation and are leaving your baby (BMW 3 series) in the driveway or public parking, then why not consider purchasing a good BMW car cover and protect your investment?. This should cut through the relatively soft adhesive. Step 4: Take a mechanic with you to thoroughly inspect the vehicle, you should also check the insurance cost and think about whether you can make this payment every month.

If your car DID come with angel eyes, there's no need to crack open or replace the headlights to move to that hyper-white effect.   You can compare the prices on the numerous dealers' website's to know better about the prices of the parts to avoid getting cheated.   You can compare the prices on the numerous dealers' website's to know better about the prices of the parts to avoid getting cheated. Do you plan on staying at your current job or can you envision a situation in the next few years where you would be forced to leave? Could you or a partner fall pregnant over the next few years? These things should all factor into your decision so that you make an accurate decision about long term affordability on your leased car. These BMW performance parts are the perfect complement to set your BMW E36 apart and are available for online ordering right away.

Finding the kind of Motorcycle that's Correct for you

Buying a motorcycle usually entails an excellent deal of research prior to you determine around the 1 that is correct for you personally. There are a lot of tends to make and models to select from that it can also be confusing. You will wish to believe about your motorcycle riding experience when you are searching in the kind of bike to buy. You will also want to consider what you'll be performing together with your motorcycle.

There are lots of different kinds of motorcycle to consider according to your interests. Do you would like a from this source that's recognized for speed? If you will probably be taking lengthy road trips on your motorcycle then you certainly want one built for travel and comfort. You might also want 1 that offers compartments to hold your necessities whilst you travel. Other motorcycles are designed for riding on dirt or for competition. You will find also scooters which are enjoyable for in town.

In the event you are new towards the feat of motorcycle riding, it is recommended that you begin having a moderately priced motorcycle or perhaps having a utilized 1. This is simply because a new motorcycle can cost you $20,000. Do you want to risk scratching it up or getting pricey repairs from dropping the bike more than? Trust me, if you are new to riding that is going to be a component from the experience! You are able to usually buy a newer motorcycle as soon as you've become a seasoned rider.

Even if you've a specific style of motorcycle in thoughts, it has to match the body perfectly. This may be disappointing initially, but bear in mind that when the bike doesn’t fit you there is a danger of an accident. It is also very most likely that you won’t be comfy whilst riding it, so what fun will that be? Obviously you are able to always possess a customized motorcycle made later on from the style you want that fits you completely.

The very best way determine if a motorcycle is really a good fit for you would be to sit on the bike using the kickstand around the ground. Can you touch the ground with both feet? If not, then you definitely need to look for a motorcycle that isn’t as tall. In the event you can reach the ground with both feet, are you able to reach the handle bars comfortably? How about the brakes and also the turn signals?

Of course a really important aspect you need to consider when looking for the proper motorcycle is the cost. You need some thing that's going to fit into your budget. Do you would like to buy a used motorcycle for the quantity of cash you can afford? Are you currently willing to take out a loan to spend to get a greater priced motorcycle on monthly payments? You should determine this prior to you even start looking at potential motorcycles.

A motorcycle can provide you with a enjoyable mode of transportation for fun or for commuting. Motorcycles are extremely affordable to operate and allow you to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. You will find your motorcycle to become more comfy in the event you take your time and choose 1 according to how it feels together with your body shape than how the body from the bike appears. Choosing a bike that doesn’t fit well will leave you disappointed in addition to raise the danger of accidents and injuries taking location.

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Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

For anyone who loves to ride on a motorcycle, attending various rallies is a real treat. They provide fun opportunities to enjoy your motorcycle, get to know other riders, and have a break from the daily grind. The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is an annual event held in Sturgis South Dakota. This rally has been taking place each year since 1938, and continues to grow in size each year. In the early days, the main attraction was a spectacular motorcycle raise that drew the top riders from around the world. This annual event was canceled in 1944 and 1945 due to fuel storages as a result of the war.

Keep in mind that each state has their own motorcycle laws to follow. When entering South Dakota to reach Sturgis, you are going to have to obey these laws. They are strictly enforced and you don’t want to spoil your trip by having a serious fine topay as a result of violation such laws.

Every motorcycle must have at least one headlight, and a maximum of two are allowed. There also needs to be at least one tail light that is in working condition. The handle bars on the bike can’t be higher than the shoulders of the individual who is operating it. Motorcycle helmets are mandatory for anyone under 18 years of age. However, they are strongly encouraged for anyone riding a motorcycle.

Eye protection is required for each individual on a motorcycle, regardless whether they are the operator or a rider. The eye protection may not be tinted after dusk. Noise ordinances are also enforced so make sure your motorcycle has a muffler on it. Motorcycle operators much have a valid motorcycle license. If they don’t, their motorcycle will be impounded.

While you are encouraged to have a great time while attending the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, code enforcement is strictly enforced. This is because of the sheer volume of people. There are fines for public intoxication, fighting, indecent exposure, disorderly conduct, careless driving. There are also Zero Tolerance laws regarding drugs. It does not matter the type of drug or the amount, you will be arrested and prosecuted.

There are many great places to hang out while attending the Sturgis Rally. There are also plenty of great concerts taking place each night. Some people decide to get married in Sturgis as well! There is plenty of food, fun, and motorcycle activities to keep you entertained for the entire rally.

If you own a motorcycle and enjoy attending rallies, then you should plan to attend the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally this August. Keep in mind that thousands of people attend each year. It is important for you to plan early and to schedule your accommodations. Many who come for the rally decide to stay in a tent they bring along. Others prefer the comfort of a hotel.

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is a yearly tradition for many motorcycle owners. Many of them have made it a family tradition with father’s, sons, brothers, and even grandfathers all traveling together. An average of 500,000 riders make their way to Sturgis each year to participate in the many events as well as the wonderful entertainment. It is a few days to enjoy being around other motorcycle riders as well as the pleasure of the ride getting there.

About Guest Author: I have a Harley Davidson Sportster. I rides around Los Angeles to beat the traffic. I have been riding for so many year. Check out this website

Winter wheelies: bolt-on kit turns your dirtbike into a powder-carving snowbike

 

February 5, 2009 This looks like serious winter fun. What if you could ride your high-performance, lightweight dirtbike in the snow? Imagine throwing huge snowy rooster tails, wheelying across snow-covered fields, carving corners through the powder and cranking your bike down to elbow-dragging lean angles - all the while knowing that if you overcook it, you'll fall into a nice soft pile of the white fluffy stuff... The US$4250 2moto snowbike kit is a bolt-on mod that takes about 2 hours to fit to a range of common dirtbikes. In place of the front wheel, you get a tough, flexible ski on the end of your forks. At the rear end, you swap your swingarm, wheel and suspension out for a thin paddle track drive unit - and voila! You've got half a snowmobile, except it leans over in the turns and looks like a helluva lot more fun.

In the depths of this year's long northern hemisphere winter, there's surely thousands of beloved dirtbikes sitting in garages waiting for springtime and riding season. But when you start looking at your bike as a snow toy, suddenly you're in a position where you can enjoy your steed all year round. And when you see how much fun a snow-kitted bike can be to ride, with zero learning curve, the US$4 grand price tag on 2moto's snowbike kits starts looking like a bargain.

The 2moto product is a fairly uncomplicated do-it-yourself bolt-on kit for anyone who knows their way around a set of spanners. It can be fitted to a broad range of dirtbikes from all the major Japanese companies, Husaberg and KTM, among others. It makes no permanent alterations to the bike, so when snow season ends you can swap back over to your wheels for regular dirt-squirting.

To install the 2moto kit, first you remove the front wheel of your motorcycle. In its place goes a strong fork extension leg, and on the end of the leg goes a Simmons FlexiSki with sides specifically shaped to enhance turning and handling. The front ski's trail is adjustable so you can choose whether you want to go for high-speed stability or super-quick steering, and your forks are left otherwise untouched.

The rear unit is a bit more involved, and requires the removal of your stock bike's wheel, swingarm and shock. The swingarm is replaced with a special unit that incorporates a long-travel Ohlins shock, a scooped belt track, an additional suspension linkage for the track, and a drive train system to get drive from the rear sprocket down to the track.

The track itself is curved - in a sense like the rear tire of a bike, which helps give better drive coming out of turns on a lean. It also means that there's a thinner contact patch on hard packed snow, making the bike handle more responsively under these conditions. The paddles are 2.1 inches deep, and the tracks are supported right out to the edge by a slide rail, so there's no deformation of the tracks at high lean angles, but a solid edge to bite against the snow. The wide slide rail also means that the bike can stand up by itself when stopped on a flat surface, with enough stability to let you kick start it.

The entire assembly is the lightest on the market, and the whole bike ends up weighing around 300lbs without fuel. 2moto claim it's also the most efficient snowbike conversion kit available, robbing only about 10% of the stock bike's power.

Riding it looks like a gas. It doesn't countersteer like a motorcycle anymore, so you turn the bars INTO the corners. Beyond that, there's virtually no learning curve when stepping up from a bike, and it seems to be able to achieve some pretty impressive lean angles in the 2moto demo videos. Top speed is around the same speed as when the bike has wheels on - although the fastest the 2moto guys have had it is 92mph. It'll jump with no dramas, and both ends are built to handle big hits all day long.

In 2 days' time, 2moto will be sponsoring the world's first snowbike race event at the 44th annual McCall Winter Carnival. It should be a blast.

These kits are a fantastic idea, they seem to be truly well designed and tough gear. Better still, they open up a whole winter world of powder carving and mountain exploration to dirtbike owners. Awesome stuff, can we get a ride?

Source: gizmag.com @By Loz Blain

4mc test ride: can a motorcycle have four wheels?

MOST tests involve a long process of careful assessment to judge the relative benefits and disadvantages of the bike in question, painstakingly attempting to judge whether the new machine has any clear advantage over its competitors. But on swinging a leg over the only existing 4MC prototype the only question in your mind is answered within seconds.

And the answer is yes; this is still a motorcycle, despite the number of wheels. The 4MC feels as natural to ride as any conventional two-wheeled bike. Blindfolded, you'd swear you were straddling a quite normal big-capacity scooter, so familiar are the handling, the feedback and the controls. And that in itself is perhaps the greatest achievement of this completely new design.

So, if it feels so normal, why bother with the extra wheels? To discover that, you really need to get into a situation that you never want on a normal bike; a big, unexpected slide of the front or rear end. Because on the 4MC that slide either simply won't happen, or if it does the bike will mollycoddle you through it, proving virtually impossible to fall off. It's little short of remarkable – in tests on a oil-covered skid-pan that would see any rider, on any conventional bike, picking themselves off the ground within seconds, the 4MC doesn't just remain upright, but it can actually cope better with the slippery conditions than most cars – as proved by skid-pan lap-times several seconds faster than most cars can manage on the same circuit. There are no bike times to compare it with; no two-wheeler has been tested that can safely make a single lap on the low-friction surface.

As a prototype, there's little point in going into the finer points of the 4MC's handling; it feels relatively long, with a low center of gravity disguising it's overall weight, and it's set up to give neutral handling. Only when you tip it over at ultra-low speed do you realize that, with the fear of crashing surgically removed, you can make full-lean, low speed circles tighter than you're ever likely to dare on a conventional bike.

More important than the handling – which on this prototype is so hugely adjustable that it's virtually immaterial anyway – is the feedback. Bumps are something you notice, but which don't upset the bike – even if you hit one with just one wheel during a tight turn, it does nothing to throw the machine off line. And at the bars there's exactly the feeling you'd expect from normal forks, with none of the remoteness usually associated with hub-center steered two wheelers – a result of a its designer's own concoction of play-free joints in the steering system.

So, it works. But why? Is it a bike? Is it a quad? Is it a car? As far as most governments are concerned, it's none of them – despite the mathematical evidence against it, they reckon it's a trike, and that's exactly why it's got the potential to be the most significant thing in motorcycling for years. Under the licensing laws of most countries, a machine like this can be ridden using a normal car driving licence, so its potential market is far, far bigger than any normal bike can dream of. In most developed countries, bike licence holders are outnumbered at least 15-1 by car drivers, and often the ratio is far greater. That means the 4MC's pool of potential buyers is simply enormous.

And thanks to its four-wheeled design and ingenious suspension system, which means it can go to full lean, complete with a rider, without falling over even at a standstill, it's got the extra element of safety that could tempt drivers who'd never dare venture onto two wheels. It's no wider than the average bike, so it can still slice through traffic, and it's bike-derived engine – a Yamaha YP400 scooter motor in the prototype – means its fuel economy is just as good as a two-wheeler's.

And its designer, Nick Shotter, isn't the only person to have spotted that this sort of bike could take off. Piaggio's three-wheeled MP3 scooter is already a huge success, and the firm has recently revealed a fractionally wider version that uses the same licence loophole as the MC4 to allow car drivers to use it without any extra training or testing. And Yamaha's 2007 Tokyo Show concept bike, the Tesseract, revealed how a future superbike using Shotter's suspension concept could look. Before that bike was built, Shotter had already approached Yamaha with his designs, and Yamaha Japan is in direct contact with him regarding the suspension layout; if they want to put the Tesseract into production, they'll need to licence the suspension technology from Shotter, who owns the patents on the layout.

Source: gizmag.com @By Ben Purvis

Diapermotard? Ducati dips under US$10 grand to deliver its baby Hypermotard 796

 

Ducati's supermotard-on-steroids, the 1100 Hypermotard, has been terrorizing the streets for a couple of years now, a concept bike that became reality after it made a sensational splash at the 2005 EICMA show in Milan. Aimed at marrying some of the soft-suspension, short-wheelbase, low-weight feel of a motard with the grunt of a 100-horsepower L-twin motor and unmistakeable Ducati streetbike style, the Hypermotard is an absolute giggle machine. It's also fairly pricey though, which is why Ducati have just given it a much more affordable little brother. The Hypermotard 796 will sneak in under USD$10,000, using a torqued-up version of the 696 Monster engine and boasting both less weight and a lighter clutch than the 1100.

The last time I swung a leg over an 1100 Hypermotard, my impression was that it was tall, tiny and a load of fun, the brakes putting it on its nose as quickly as the throttle lifted its front wheel. For a short-range hooligan streetbike, it seemed to tick all the right boxes - even if it was a little wide in the 'bars for serious traffic splitting (particularly given those fold-out side mirrors).

But its pricing still put it well into the boutique level - you can get a whole lot of bike for US$12 grand from other manufacturers. So this new mini-hypermotard (Hyperminitard? Hypomotard? Diapermotard?) 796 might look like a much more attractive option to buyers at its USD$9995 price point.
The 796 motor, developed from the 696 Monster engine, makes about the same horsepower as the donor bike, at 81hp. It's up a healthy 6 foot-pounds of torque though, at 56lb/ft, reflecting the fact that it's designed to be ridden harder at street speeds.

The "super-light action APTC clutch" will make a nice change from the original Hypermotard's clutch lever, which always seemed like a bit of a test of manhood to me. Bikes like the Hypermotard seem to excel as urban weapons in my mind - hard seats and poor tank range tend to make them difficult tourers - so a nice, easy clutch is almost mandatory.

The Hypermotard 796 keeps its weight down, Ducati tell us, by means of a redesigned set of triple clamps and a reworked frame that gets rid of most of the 1100's forged components. The resulting 167-kilo (368 lb) motorcycle should feel light, agile and fun.

The Juniormotard's looks are very similar to its big brother's, retaining the single-sided swingarm, barkbuster-mounted indicators and mirrors and the sharp, flat beak of the 1100. So the 796, too, should be one of those bikes that feels like there's absolutely nothing in front of you as you ride; a bit of a flying carpet feeling.

We'll get our first glimpse of the baby Hypermotard in the flesh at EICMA Milan 2009.

Source: gizmag.com @ By Loz Blain

Electric Voltra concept paves the way for sexy next-gen motorcycle design

As we wrote in last week's article about the ECOS Harbinger, one of the best things about electric vehicles is that they're much simpler in many ways than a petrol vehicle to build. Freed from the necessities of fuel tanks, airboxes, cooling systems, exhausts and the bulky combustion motor itself, designers are going to be able to start with a pretty blank sheet when it comes to designing tomorrow's electric motorcycles. Take the Voltra, a design study by Aussie student Dan Anderson - with its low-slung, bulldog looks, a seat unit that looks like it's floating on air, detachable dash and an engine-mounted swingarm pivot. It's a filthy sexy bike - and yet unlike anything we've seen before; a blue-sky reinvention of the motorcycle based on the new rules the electric age is going to bring in.

Electric transport has captured the imaginations of the eco-minded among us, but if you're going to sell electric motorcycles in any decent numbers, you're going to have to give them a serious injection of desirability.

Performance in itself can make a bike desirable, but electrics won't be able to offer the stratospheric power-to-weight ratios of modern sportsbikes until battery technology has taken another few strides forward. And while electric will offer immediate practicality in a commuting sense, motorcycles are still viewed as toys by most western consumers, so they'll need to be able to comfortably run a 600km day before most riders will see them as reasonable options for sporty scratching.

But one thing they'll certainly be able to compete on is design. Removing all the dirty, complicated trimmings that a combustion engine requires can open the door for a range of design options the bike world has simply never seen before. In performance terms, mass centralization and targeted mass distribution will take huge leaps forward, which should pave the way for sensational handling, but there's every chance that first- and second-generation electrics will be able to sell themselves on looks alone.

Dan Anderson's Voltra is a great example of the kind of electric that's going to start light bulbs going off in the minds and loins of even the staunchest petrolheads. From any angle, this thing is absolutely stunning.
Without a fuel tank, Anderson was free to bolt the entire subframe to the front end of the bike, leaving the seat and tail unit floating in air above the rear wheel, and making the sharply angled rear shock uniquely accessible through the gaping space in front of the seat.

The engine drives directly to the front sprocket, and its casing appears to rotate as the swingarm pivot. The "tank"-mounted dash is removable, doubling as the bike's ignition key and storing a decent range of information - as well as offering control over selectable power modes that let you choose between giggles and mileage at the throttle.

The batteries, the bulkiest part of any electric, are slung low and forward in the bike's belly, and are kept out of sight by a beefy plastic side fairing - which begs the question, what would you call this thing? With no front fairing, it's not a sportsbike - but then, despite the sharp front headlight unit, with those plastic side covers it's not a naked or a streetfighter.

Whatever label you'd put on it, this is one clean design and one hot ride that would turn heads at any bike meet. We applaud Dan's efforts on this bike and hope he gets a chance to build it one day - for the moment it's just his final year thesis project in an Industrial Design degree. But it's eminently buildable, and a great example of what the electric era might bring to bike design. Bring it on!

Source: gizmag.com @By Loz Blain

The Vyrus 987 C3 4V: the world's most powerful production motorcycle

The name Vyrus may not be familiar to motorcycle enthusiasts when they begin reading this article, but by the end of it, there’s every chance it will be at the top of their list of “dream bikes.” The small Rimini-based Italian company is currently best known for producing the Bimota Tesi 2D, but the company's new, top-of-the-range, Vyrus 987 C3 4VV naked superbike is just about to propel it to even greater world renown, leapfrogging past a gaggle of superbikes to become the most powerful production motorcycle in the world. It's more powerful than Ducati’s Desmosedici RR, MV Agusta’s F4 312RR, Suzuki’s Hayabusa or Kawasaki’s ZZR1400. The hub-centre-steered Vyrus runs a 211 bhp supercharged 1198cc 1098R Ducati engine, weighs just 158 kg and costs EUR 65,000 (US$91,700).

The 4VV is the lightest and most powerful of four Vyrus variants.

The base model 984 C3 2V comes with a 100 bhp two valve 1000DS air-cooled Ducati engine, weighs in at a featherweight 150 kg and sells for EUR 33,400 (US$47,000). Just to put that weight in perspective, a MotoGP bike weighs 148 kg.

Next up the ladder is the 985 C3 4V, which weighs in at 157 kg, uses a 155 bhp 999R water-cooled Testastretta Ducati engine and costs EUR 50,000 (US$70,500).

Second from top is the 155 kg 987 C3 4V which sells for EUR 55,000 (US$77,500) and uses a water-cooled 1098R 1198cc Ducati engine producing 184 bhp

Finally, the range-topping 987 C3 4V V takes the 987 C3 4V and adds EUR 10,000, a supercharger, three kilograms, 27 bhp and, of course, the title of being the world’s fastest production motorcycle.

Take a close look at the Vyrus in the photo gallery and you’ll see the machine is full of innovation and incredible attention to detail, and very much a production of Vyrus’ owner, Ascanio Rodorigo.

The essence of the Vyrus brand is adequately encapsulated by this short outline from Rodorigo which explains his passion for detail:

I was a young boy, at the airport of Rimini the Ferrari Team came with a tester and a F40 to make brakes homologation. My father, a jet fighter pilot, was invited to participate and was inside the car. Happy and excited by the adventure. I walked around the car and looked at every particular. Lights, dashboard, internal equipment, everything did tell me, "I’m a race car, only race sensation, rude but efficient", I thought that was the best thing I could see at that time, the enthusiasm of my father become virulent because his approval of noise, velocity, real sensations and feeling. What a beauty!

My dream was a production of little series of bikes that could give me the fantastic sensation of a Race GP motorcycle but with lights and lateral stand!

The rear swing arm hand bended and welded to be the strongest and lightest possible, the special bolts machine worked to save 3 grams each, the seat with 8 mm foam to have the best feeling in drive, the carbon fibre everywhere, the fuel tank cap screw type, the bleeding system of fuel and engine vapour running in carbon fibre canisters, injection and ignition controlled by the most advanced computer, cable wiring almost invisible but the most complicate available, Racing style dashboards, the best brakes. All the best for a “Championship with a license plate”: the dream became true with Vyrus. I never had compromise since was young boy, why should I change now?

So what’s it like to ride?

The most experienced, knowledgable and best known motorcycle road tester in the world is Brit Alan Cathcart. Cathcart rode the unblown Vyrus and his report is available online here.

Vyrus it's a little workshop, and production is limited and highly exclusive and production of the 987 is currently sold until June. A four month wait seems a small inconvenience to pay for such exclusivity.

Soyrce: gizmag.com @By Gizmag Team

European motorcycles edge ahead of Japanese at Cathedral of Speed

 

The world's fastest road bike derivatives went to Italy last weekend for the latest round of the World Superbike Championships at Monza, AKA “the Cathedral of Speed.” Monza favors very fast motorcycles and the results echo what we'd already suspected after several rounds of the championship - there appears to be a changing of the guard underway and the addition of BMW and Aprilia to Europe's previously sole superbike contender, Ducati, appears to have tipped the balance of power away from the Japanese marques. A double-win to Aprilia and BMW's first podium in the superbikes were one indicator as was BMW's continuing superstock dominance. In a class that's an excellent guide to the sportiness of showroom road bikes, BMW's S1000 RR blew the competition into the weeds.

While Superbike racing has been the glamor class of roadbike-based motorsport for the last three decades, it's our opinion that the best indication of the sporting pretensions of a motorcycle is the Superstock class where bikes are very close to those on the showroom floor.

So far this year there have been four rounds, and all four races have been dominated throughout practice and the event by BMW S1000 RR machinery in general and Ayrton Badovini in particular. Badovini has four wins from four starts and a lead a BMW contingent which scored first, third and fourth in the race, and was clearly much faster in a straight line than any other marque in every session apart from a few instances where other riders drafted down the straight.

Badovini's “stock” BMW was clocked at 313.2 kmh – that's 194.6 mph. Most impressively, most of the other S1000 RR BMWs were also obscenely fast down the straight and it must be pointed out that those speeds are measured just before the braking area, and not at the end of a few miles of salt flat. In the race, most of the BMWs approached or bettered 310 kmh while the only time any of the non-BMWs (perfectly prepared examples of the Ducati 1098R, Honda CBR1000RR, Yamaha YZF R1, Suzuki GSX-R 1000, KTM 1190 RC8 R, Aprilia RSV4 1000 and Kawasaki ZX 10R) got above 300 kmh was when they were in the slipstream of a BMW. It is fast becoming clear that the BMW S1000 RR is the fastest roadgoing motorcycle available. In the Superbikes, it was a huge day for both Aprilia and BMW where the German marque scored its first Superbike podium in front of 115,000 spectators after what has been an impossibly long time coming. Two-time champ Troy Corser put his factory BMW into third in the second race and immediately promised that there’ll be more of the same on the way, including maybe adding to his 38 world superbike wins. The steady progress of the BMW at the front of the field has been evident this year with the machine leading several races and being prominently positioned in several others before the usual suspects fought through. In the second race several of the usual suspects crashed, finally giving BMW and Corser the podium they have waited for for such a long time.

“The bike is becoming better and better,” said Corser. “Between the races we made some set-up changes and the bike stopped much easier, and we had the speed to compete with the top guys. Thanks to all the boys at BMW. It has been a long time coming, and it won't be the last time.”

The majority of the Monza crowd would have been delighted to see Aprilia-mounted hometown hero Max Biaggi steal the show with yet another towering performance. The Italian bike and rider combination romped to its second clean sweep of the year on the lightning fast Aprilia, and is now only three points (181 to 178) behind Suzuki-mounted title leader Haslam before the circus heads to round six in South Africa next weekend.

“This track is very long and it’s very easy to make a little mistake plus when you have your rhythm you stay with it, and it’s difficult to go faster and easier to go slower,” said Biaggi. “Anyway I’m happy with the result, it was a close race.”

“I’m happy for me and my team. It’s an unbelievable result; it looks like we are achieving our goal. Here there is also the president of our group and it’s been a great weekend for everyone.”

 Aprilia is of course doing what BMW would have liked to have done, and that's continue to progress its machinery to what may yet become a dominant level. Two clean sweeps (each round has two races and twice Biaggi has won both races) so far this year in only five rounds indicates how well the machine is being set up. On numerous occasions we have seen the outright speed of the RSV4 easily take it past its competitors down the straight – the easiest way to pass. The RSV4s of Biaggi and Camier were clearly the fastest bikes in a straight line, with Biaggi topping 330 kmh down the chute in both races – his highest speed was measured at 330.4 kmh (205.3 mph).

Be sure to check out Gizmag's evaluation of the RSV4 to get an idea of what it's like on the road. Sadly, BMW has a very short corporate memory and won't give us a bike to test, despite the fact we've been testing bikes from BMW for a third of a century, have visited the factory many times and have never so much as put a scratch on one. Apparently it's one of a range of new austerity measures being dictated by the financial department at BMW as things are obviously tough down on the showroom floor.

Superstock 1000

• Race : 11 laps
• Time Of Race 19'46.264
• Race Average 192.848 kmh

• 1 A. Badovini BMW S1000 RR (307.3 km/h)
• 2 M.Magnoni Honda CBR1000RR (296.9 km/h) + 6.101
• 3 D. Beretta BMW S1000 RR (311.2 km/h) + 6.371
• 4 M.Lussiana BMW S1000 RR (309.2 km/h) + 6.522
• 5 D. Petrucci Kawasaki ZX 10R (301.5 km/h) +18.222
• 6 M.Savary BMW S1000 RR (305.3 km/h) + 19.518
• 7 L. Baroni Ducati 1098R (307.3 km/h) + 21.971
• 8 M.Bussolotti Honda CBR1000RR (299.7 km/h) + 22.147
• 9 R. MÄHR Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 (300.6 km/h) + 23.423
• 10 M.Berger Honda CBR1000RR (301.5 km/h) +26.759
• 11 P. Tutusaus KTM 1190 RC8 R (295.1 km/h) + 32.551
• 12 O.Jezek Aprilia RSV4 1000 (297.8 km/h) + 33.301
• 13 N. Vivarelli KTM 1190 RC8 (289.8 km/h) + 45.026
• 14 R. Fusco Yamaha YZF R1 (292.4 km/h) +45.065
• 15 E. La Marra Honda CBR1000RR (297.8 km/h) +46.525
• 16 D. Lammert BMW S1000 RR (307.3 km/h) +46.595
• 17 D. Giugliano Suzuki GSX-R 1000 (308.2 km/h) +46.756
• 18 C. Leeson Kawasaki ZX 10R (301.5 km/h) +51.353
• 19 T. Svitok Honda CBR1000RR (292.4 km/h) +1:01.297
• 20 M.Salac Aprilia RSV4 1000 (291.6 km/h) +1:05.467

World Superbike Championships Round Five Race one: 18 laps

• 1 Max Biaggi, Aprilia 31:07.044
• 2 James Toseland, Yamaha +0.247secs
• 3 Cal Crutchlow, Yamaha +0.297
• 4 Leon Haslam, Suzuki +0.958
• 5 Leon Camier, Aprilia +4.493
• 6 Ruben Xaus, BMW +7.343
• 7 Michel Fabrizio, Ducati +7.369
• 8 Troy Corser, BMW +9.344
• 9 Tom Sykes, Kawasaki +15.338
• 10 Sylvain Guintoli, Suzuki +16.761

Fastest lap and founding record (revised track): Jonathan Rea, Honda – 1:43.031

World Superbike Championships Round Five Race two: 18 laps

• 1 Biaggi 31:07.122
• 2 Haslam +4.547
• 3 Corser +5.469
• 4 Camier +10.267
• 5 Sykes +15.561
• 6 Noriyuki Haga, Ducati +15.816
• 7 Guintoli +15.861
• 8 Jakub Smrz, Ducati +20.977
• 9 Shane Byrne, Ducati +21.920
• 10 Luca Scassa, Ducati +21.974

Fastest lap and new record: Crutchlow – 1:42.937

World Superbike Championship Standings (after 5 of 13 rounds):

• 1 Haslam (Suzuki) 181
• 2 Biaggi (Aprilia) 178
• 3= Rea (Honda) 110
• 3= Carlos Checa, (Ducati) 110
• 5 Toseland (Yamaha) 106
• 6 Haga (Ducati) 100
• 7 Corser (BMW) 92
• 8 Camier (Aprilia) 72
• 9 Guintoli (Suzuki) 70
• 10 Crutchlow (Yamaha)65

Next round: Kyalami, South Africa, May 14-16

Source: gizmag.com @By Gizmag Team

Bubble-bike: US$750 Electric three-wheeler

The Bubble Bike might look like the love child of a scooter and a Messerschmitt Kabinenroller, but it’s an ingenious response to the needs of Northern China and some of the more northern Asian countries where temperatures drop well below zero in winter and the roads get a liberal coating of snow and ice, making them not nearly as suitable for scooters and motorcycles as they are in summer. The recipient of a 2009 Red Star Design Award (China’s equivalent of the red dot awards), the three-wheel Bubble Bike sells in China for RMB 5000 (around US$730).

Low cost transport is imperative in many developing countries, and the Bubble Bike's price-tag makes it the only game in town if you want more than two wheels, or want to carry three people or a lot of luggage and keep them/it dry and warm.

Most importantly, the Bubble Bike is electric, meaning it recharges from a power point for a negligible cost and has oodles of grunt for getting up to its 45 km/h top speed. Now we understand that's not so fast by the standards of the big cities with lots of space that we're accustomed to, but it's plenty fast for urban running in the highly congested streets of China's megacities.

The Bubble Bike has a range of 100 km and takes between six and eight hours to charge from a standard household power outlet in its current configuration. The manufacturers are currently trialling alternative batteries which decrease the charging time to three hours and increase the range of the vehicle to 200 km, plus the cost of the Bubble Bike by several hundred dollars. I'm presuming those batteries are lithium ion but translation between the designer’s Shandong dialect and English was an issue, so I can’t be sure.

 The biggest benefit of the bike is apparently roadholding. Bubble Bike's representative said that because the bike is very light and has three wheels and a low center of gravity, it really hangs onto the road. Given that its specifications and geometry are very similar to the Spira that I tried in Thailand last year I imagine that the handling would be similar (i.e. sensational).

In many ways, it's a scooter with a bit of protection, and there was some discussion amongst those of us looking at the machine whether there was adequate crash protection in comparison with a Western motor vehicle. One of those present contributed, "I'm sure it crash tests better than the scooter it will replace though."

 Source: gizmag.com @By Mike Hanlon

Uno motorcycle reconfigures itself on the fly

Bombardier's concept for a one-wheeled self-balancing motorcycle-like vehicle called the EMBRIO has been a long time Gizmag favorite. It was envisioned as the type of personal transportation that people might be using 20 years from now. Well, if 21 year-old inventor Ben Gulak has his way, consumers will be able to buy a similar vehicle a lot sooner. His battery electric Uno may look like a regular motorbike at higher speeds, but when it slows down, the wheels realign themselves into a side-by-side configuration – seen in profile, it looks like a unicycle.

Gulak, a Canadian who is currently studying Mechanical Engineering at Harvard, is also the brains behind the stand-up tracked off-road vehicle, the DTV Shredder. Unlike the Shredder, however, the Uno was inspired by a desire to save the environment.

In 2005, Gulak accompanied his father on a business trip to China. There, he saw the huge number of smoky, combustion-engined two-stroke scooters and motorcycles that were on the road. He wanted to create an electric alternative to those vehicles, but knew that it would have to be something pretty special in order to make a name for itself. He proceeded to build his first prototype out of angle iron, wheelchair motors, batteries and gyroscopes, and is now working on commercializing the vehicle through his Massachusetts-based company, BPG Motors.

“Because we’re such a visual society, I wanted something that was really going to stand out and show people that being green can be cool,” he told us. “When I was in China [...] one of the things that seemed to be a problem was the congestion, so I thought if we could make a really small vehicle that could weave through traffic – it had to be the same power and abilities as the larger ones – that would make a lot of sense.”

“I wanted something that you could bring indoors, and charge in your apartment. Right now with electric scooters, one of the problems is that there’s nowhere to charge them, and they get vandalized on the road.”

Not unlike a Segway, the Uno uses gyroscopes to maintain balance at lower speeds – a rear kickstand supports the vehicle when it’s parked. At higher speeds, as it’s moving, the wheels realign themselves into a more traditional, one-behind-the-other motorcycle configuration. This is to provide stability, and to make the handling less twitchy. When we first featured the Uno a couple of years ago, it had two wheels. The version that Gulak is now working on, however, has three. When it hits 15mph (24km/h), the middle wheel moves to the front, while the outer two move to the back and squeeze together.

So, how does it feel to have your wheels rearrange themselves on the fly? “It happens in about one second, it’s a very quick transformation” said Gulak. “We’re still in the debugging stages right now, so I’m not going to say it’s not scary – it’s pretty terrifying, but it’s going to be good... It’s just a matter of time until we get it perfected.”

Unlike the Segway, which was kept under wraps until it was revealed to a rather baffled public, Gulak is constantly seeking public feedback on the Uno, to make sure that it’s something people will want to buy. That feedback has found its way into the vehicle’s current design.

“If you try to sell people on the idea of a self-balancing electric unicycle, [then] that just screams ‘far out there,’ but I think by keeping visual references to things that are familiar, people see it more as an evolution or the next step, as opposed to something that’s just completely out of the blue,” he explained.

Gulak hopes to produce an initial run of 30 bikes, within the next 8 to 12 months. They will be limited to a top speed of 35mph (56km/h) because of liability issues, and will be priced for enthusiasts at around US$25,000. As production picks up, the top speed will hopefully increase, while the price should drop to around US$6,500.

Source: gizmag.com @By Ben Coxworth