Bikers, Defend Yourself in Traffic!

One of the most popular stories here on RTWW in recent times was our feature on The Motorcyclist’s Ultimate Solution for Tail-gating Car Drivers which featured the bike mounted flamethrower..

So today for a bit of Friday fun we’re featuring other ahhh ‘self-defence’ motorcycle accessories and a couple of classic bikes that could help you tackle road-rage addicted, cell phone using, coffee drinking, blinkered, or asleep car drivers.

First up accessories…

An old classic, the simple addition of a machine gun to your sidecar..

A more modern alternative for clearing slow drivers from your lane..

Straight from Q branch, a very James Bond inspired bike mounted missile system..

Stand up for your right to bear arms… on your handlebars..

For the biker confident in the Force, the lightsaber pannier mount..

Carry your own Terminator for road safety purposes..

Ride alongside this man..

.. and finally some bikes to protect yourself with..

The Bat-Pod – Twin canons, grappling hook system, and it just looks so bloody dangerous people will avoid you..

Streethawk – Fairing mounted particle beam, machine guns, 300mph top speed, and a rocket boosted ‘back flip’ facility to allow you to jump back over the tail-gating swine behind you and take him out.

and when gadgetry fails, or ammo runs out, just ride over the idiots!

Have a great long weekend, and Ride Safe! : )

Harley Davidson Riders Club NI May Day Weekend Event

Ride a Harley?  Then you need to get along to the Harley Davidson Riders Club Northern Ireland International Rally this weekend at Dromore Rugby Club.  A good time is guarenteed!  Contact details for the club can be found in our UK Bike Clubs section for further details.

Find Your Way with the TomTom ‘Urban Rider’

TOMTOM has announced an updated version of its sat-nav device for motorcycles this week.  The third generation Rider , dubbed ‘Urban Rider’ comes in various packs featuring standard motorcycle and scooter mounts along with powered options, and bluetooth for listening to commands and receiving calls on the move.  The device also features an improved ‘gloved finger friendly’ interface and will supposedly run for 6hrs between charges.  Expected to be available at the end of May 2010 keep an eye on http://www.tomtom.com for more details.

Who Needs Advanced Rider Training?

Had to post this clip.  It’s titled ‘Coolest Biker Ever Riding Sideways’ which at first I feared was going to be porn, however, it would perhaps be better titled ‘WHAT THE F**K ARE YOU DOING!!!!’

Bikers…Want eyes in the back of your helmet?

As far back as 2005 Reevu have been showcasing their MSX1 helmet with built in rear-view mirror.  However it’s only now that they have finally got around to realising a production model along with a video courtesy of webbikeworld.com.  There have been other concepts such as this involving cameras and a small internal screen to one side of the visor, but Reevu’s system seems a far better bet.  It’s unclear from the video just how much field of vision you get from the mirror in the MSX1, but it may well be something is better than nothing.  Check out the video below for more information and a closer look at this interesting invention.

Want to look ‘Super’ on your bike?

Okay I’m (Editor Nick) letting my geek self out just a little here but it’s all good fun and still motorcycle related I assure you.  Motorcycle suits makers Universal Designs create replica leather suits of famous film costumes, specifically superhero costumes.  Previously they released a limited editon run of their suit based on Batman’s armour featured in the movie ‘The Dark Knight’.

Their latest re-creation is of Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine character from the X-Men series of films, which while not as flamboyant as the Batman suit, still looks pretty good.

However what I’m really looking forward to is the currently under development suits based on Walt Disney Pictures TRON sequel, TRON LEGACY….

Forget your yellow high-vis vest, who the hell could miss you lit up like this!

Featured Club – Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club – Bangor Section

We’ve already added them to the UK Bike Club section of the site earlier in the week, but a bigger shout-out is due for the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club – Bangor Section.  RTWW Editor Nick met the club at the Fallen Heroes event last Sunday which VJMC had stopped at during their ride out to the Ards Peninsula.   You’ll find their web site at www.vjmcbangor.com where the club has tech sections, contact details, and news of ride outs.  RTWW wishes them all the best for the future and if you are the owner of a vintage Japanese machine RTWW would highly reccomend you seek out VJMC.

VJMC’s next meeting is on May 10th 2010 at the Byransburn Inn, Bangor, Co.Down, at 8pm.  New members always very welcome.

New Ducati Monster 796 launches this week.

Ducati will officially launch their new Monster 796 this Wednesday from Ducati HQ in Bologna, and it’s a bit of a looker.  The latest Monster will be a direct competitor for the new Fazer FZ8 and the already established Triumph Street Triple R, and gives the Monster brand a three bike range alongside the 696 and 1100.  Ducati had this to say of their latest creation;

The Monster 796 is the perfect synthesis between sports performances, aesthetics and daily riding pleasure. Cared for in each single detail, it is the ideal bike for each riding style and represents the utmost evolution of the Monster family.

Technical specs for the 796 are below along with a couple more images, and further details can be found on Ducati’s web site

Engine

Type

L-Twin cylinder, 2 valve per cylinder Desmodromic, air cooled

Displacement

803cc

Bore x Stroke

88 x 66mm

Compression ratio

11:1

Power

64kW – 87hp @ 8250rpm

Torque

8.0kgm – 58lb-ft @ 6250rpm

Fuel injection

Siemens electronic fuel injection, 45mm throttle body

Exhaust

Lightweight 2-1-2 system with catalytic converter with twin lambda probes

Transmission

Gearbox

6 speed

Ratio

1st 32/13, 2nd 30/18, 3rd 28/21, 4th 26/23, 5th 22/22, 6th 24/26

Primary drive

Straight cut gears; Ratio 1.85:1

Final drive

Chain; Front sprocket 15; Rear sprocket 39

Clutch

APTC wet multiplate with hydraulic control

Emissions

Standard

Euro 3

Chassis

Frame

Tubular steel Trellis frame

Wheelbase

1450mm (57.1in)

Rake

24°

Front suspension

Showa 43mm upside-down forks

Front wheel travel

120mm (4.7in)

Front wheel

Y-shaped, 5-spoke in light alloy 3.50 x17

Front Tyre

120/70 ZR17 Pirelli Diablo Rosso

Rear suspension

Progressive linkage with preload and rebound Sachs adjustable monoshock

Rear wheel travel

148mm (5.8in)

Rear wheel

Y-shaped, 5-spoke in light alloy 5.50 x 17

Rear tyre

180/55 ZR17 Pirelli Diablo Rosso

Front brake

2 x 320mm discs, 4-piston radial caliper

Rear brake

245mm disc, 2-piston caliper

Fuel tank capacity

15l – 3.8gallon (US) / 13.5l – 3.6gallon (US) ABS version

Dry weight

167kg (369lb) / 169kg (373lb) ABS version

Instruments

Digital unit displaying: Speedometer, rev counter, clock, scheduled maintenance warning, oil temperature, trip fuel, air temperature, lap time, warning light for low oil pressure, fuel level, fuel reserve, neutral, turn signals, overrev, immobilizer. Ready for DDA system

Warranty

2 years unlimited mileage

Body Colour (frame/wheel)

Red (red / back) – Arctic white silk (red / back) – Diamond black silk (red / back) – Monster Art colours (red / back)

Versions

Dual seat

Seat height

800mm (31.5in)

Fallen Heroes MCC Bike Safety Awareness Open day – A Great Success!

RTWW was in attendance at the Fallen Heroes first club event, their Bike Safety Awareness Open Day, held in Comber Fire Station Co.Down.  The day was a great success with plenty of  bikes stopping by and great demos by the Northern Ireland Fire and Ambulance Services.  The rain did strike briefly as always happens when you plan something like this, but it didn’t affect the high spirits, nor the lads ability to cook burgers outdoors!  The PSNI’s Bike Safe team were conducting rideouts throughout the day giving free assessments to riders on their skills, and during one of the emergency services demonstrations, a doctor gave an excellent and informative commentary on what happens at the scene of a crash.   We also made a new club contact in the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club – Bangor Section, a great group of people who’d stopped by during their planned rideout to support the event.  You’ll find information for the VJMC in our UKBikeClubs section and we’ll feature the club later in the week.

Pictures from the Fallen Heroes Open Day are available now on the RTWW Flickr Photostream and some rough and ready video of the N.I.Fire and Ambulance demo will be available on the RideTheWildWindTV YouTube channel shortly.

Well done Fallen Heroes, looking forward to your next event!

Fallen Heroes MCC – Bike Safety Awareness Open Day

Northern Ireland motorcycle club Fallen Heroes MCC are holding their Bike Awareness Open Day on Sunday April 18th from 12pm to 4pm at Comber Firestation Co.Down.  Hot Food is being provided by the Fire Service with all proceeds from the food going to a fund for the family of two Firemen in England who tragically lost their lives earlier this month (6/4/10) trying to help others, James Shears and Alan Bannon.   A link for the Facebook page for donating to the firemen is here.. Click Here Come along and support a great event.