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Roof Helmets is not exactly a household name in the motorcycle apparel industry; those who do know them are often impressed with the small French company's ability to innovate and have no small number of compliments about the design aesthetic Roof applies to their helmets. Inside the lids Roof manufacturers, though, are the modern and thoroughly-researched safety features we have all come to expect. Their latest is an idea which was bandied about many years back but never seemed to actually materialize - a motorcycle helmet made from bamboo. The appropriately named Bamboo is made from the fast-growing, super-strong, lightweight wood and even manages to live up to ECE 22.05 certification. It is a 3/4-style lid with the 'Jet' look and even carries some e-cred with it. Take a look, but you cannot yet buy them in North America, unfortunately.
Wooden Motorcycle Helmet? Yes, and a Quite Nice One!
This one simply had to be posted. I admit that I am a design addict - I study it constantly and even do my own, though not professionally, yet (hint, nudge, wink) - so my personal bias certainly figures into this helmet appearing on this blog. However, it could be something to watch as there are some radical designs coming to light lately. At least two recent models may see production. This one might as well, but safety is a concern with that sharp-ish peak...but, new materials science and CAD do make things that were once dreams completely possible. Take the link for a little more information.
http://tinyurl.com/5vrk8q2
Creative Marketing - SHARK and sak_art design
http://tinyurl.com/4y77kmq
Wednesday Evening Moto News - Travis Pastrana + AGV, AMA Vintage Days & Trials Schedule
Travis Pastrana is just the latest addition to the AGV helmet sponsorship program. They already have the two best racers in motorcycle racing history - Valentino Rossi and Giacomo Agostini - and now they have another very successful rider in Pastrana. Now that Dainese owns AGV, it will probably only get better...
http://tinyurl.com/yck729e
The AMA is looking for some good vintage project bikes as a part of AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days this 9 - 11 July 2010. It doesn't matter if you are complete or not, and the destination can be any one you for which you are looking. Just get in contact with the AMA as soon as you can.
http://tinyurl.com/yeq5uba
The AMA released, a few days ago, the schedule for the AMA Racing/NATC Observed Trials National Championship Series, 2010 edition. For the information you seek, take the link. I can tell you that the season starts on 1 - 2 May 2010 in Oklahoma.
http://tinyurl.com/y9frh8k
More Afternoon Moto News - Dainese, Pro Italia & 2010 Versys
Dainese has had a release event for their 2010 line-up of clothing and AGV helmets. The US event was held at the Dainese D-Store in Costa Mesa, California. Though there is little after the link, at least you get an introduction to their new products.
http://tinyurl.com/yaw2rj6
Specific to the D-Air, which was also released: http://tinyurl.com/ybm8a2b
It is on the home page now, but I am not sure for how long. Pro Italia, down in Los Angeles, will be hosting a fund-raiser for Haiti relief. It is a bike wash, a Q&A with local motorcycle police officer John Morena, and a talk with Bill Oberman about customizing your motorcycle. The seminars happen this Sunday (31 January 2010) at 13:00 at their Los Angeles shop. The bike wash will actually be held for the next three weekends and will benefit the Maison Fortune Orphanage Foundation.
http://www.proitalia.com/
And, a nice report on the 2010 Kawasaki Versys comes to us courtesy of MCN (UK). It is simply an early report from the test taking place in Sardinia - yes, Sardinia. Have a read. It's short but very informative.
http://tinyurl.com/yl7xvzj
More Saturday Moto News - Jason DiSalvo, Ryan Capes & SpongeBob
Jason DiSalvo has no problem with Gary McCoy, even after taking his slot on the ParkinGO BE1 Triumph World Supersport team. McCoy and the BE1 team had some problems and their negotiations broke down, so they simply went to find a replacement. They picked up DiSalvo from the US AMA Pro Racing series. I get the impression that DiSalvo is glad to be back in a real racing series.
http://tinyurl.com/yjqe4ak
Ryan Capes has broken the dirt-to-dirt long distance motorcycle jump record - and he did it with very little fanfare. It is an official Guinness World Record and he set it on a Pro Circuit-tuned Monster Energy Kawasaki/Service Honda KX500 at Jeremy McGrath's ranch in California. There is even a video of it after the link.
http://tinyurl.com/yc6t5ub
And, I had to post this one. Are there any fans of SpongeBob SquarePants? If so, you can now get a motorcycle helmet to show your support of the character. Ateliers Ruby has released the 10th anniversary tribute and will only make 200 of the - only to be sold in the US and Europe - and they cost - wait for it - US$1200!
http://tinyurl.com/ydwk86e
And, More Morning Moto News - Dainese, Fulmer & NZ Superbike
Dainese products are no longer 'Made in Italy'. They are going to shut down their factory in Molvena, Italy, and move all mass-production to Tunisia, where they already have a factory. It is assumed that they are doing this to cut costs in light of the sour economy, and that makes sense. However, they will continue to employ some workers to continue to create motorcycle racing leathers for the riders they support in the large racing series of the world. Well, not even an Italian company will get you Italian made products these days...
http://tinyurl.com/ylz6jhc
Fulmer Helmets recently acquired motorcycle apparel manufacturer Texport (oddly based in MA, not TX), and now the tow companies are merging their assets. Much of the work will be to get the right people into the right positions at the company to get their businesses aligned and working fluidly together. This should help their dealers and customers alike. Only time will tell...
http://tinyurl.com/y8sdypz
A press release from the New Zealand Superbike Championship is getting us all worked up over the next round of the series in Invercargill. They, of course, highlight the Bugden/Stroud competition from last weekends events and tell us what we may expect in the coming rounds of the series. You will also see the current standings in each individual class.
http://tinyurl.com/y8uy5e3
Great work-up on the series: http://tinyurl.com/ycwgnes
Friday Evening News from the Moto World - AMA and Safety
The American Motorcyclist Association has announced the class distinctions and dates for the brand-new 2010 AMA Racing Vintage National Dirt Track Championship Series. This will hopefully be a very successful series throughout the US. The only limitation may be that all of the dates are in the East with the exception of two rounds in Texas. There is good reason for it to head to California or at least team up with the West Coast Flat Track Series to host events. It is very tempting to get out there and join in the fun!
http://tinyurl.com/yjp8qbs
Some people still do not get it - helmets save lives. I have seen racers high-side and land on their head and then walk away - on their own power - because the helmet did its job. I need no more evidence. Riding a motorcycle without a helmet is not accepting your risk. Even if you are the best rider in the entire planet Earth, you cannot control the actions of the cagers sharing the road around you. So, this new study has shown that fatalities have gone up in the seven years since Texas repealed its mandatory helmet laws. D'oh! Of course...the good news is that overall fatalities were likely down in 2009 - but that is simply due to fewer people riding due to the economy and the fact that Americans still consider motorcycles to be 'recreational vehicles.' No helmet = Organ donor
http://tinyurl.com/y9joplj
Motorcycle Safety News from the MSF and German IVM
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation and Germany's Industrie-Verband Motorrad Deutschland e.V. (IVM) are calling for paper submissions for the 8th ifz-International Motorcycle Safety Conference, which will be held 4 - 5 October 2010 in Cologne, Germany. There are specific areas of interest for these papers and the ones selected will be presented at the meeting. It is all supported by the motorcycle industry and is designed to improve the world of motorcycling through ideas and programs worldwide.
http://tinyurl.com/ycb55w4
Friday Evening Moto News - Kenya Concours and TLD Helmets
First up is the announcement that the regulations for the 2010 AccessKenya Africa Concours d’Elegance have been approved. The Concours will have 12 classes for automobiles and 8 for motorcycles. The event will be held on 26 September 2010 and it will be held at the Nairobi Racecourse in Nairobi Kenya. It is amazing how many groups have an interest in this event; they all have to agree to the rules and regulations before the event can be held. It sure would make for a great holiday!
http://tinyurl.com/yellp4g
Troy Lee Designs has managed to procure a three year licensing deal with the estate of the late Steve McQueen, the king of cool (to many). They will be producing a limited edition line of helmets featuring the likeness of McQueen. Even their sponsored Supercross riders will be sporting them at this weekend's event in Anaheim, California. Only 700 will be made and they will retail for US$525. So, get yours soon, if you can afford it!
http://tinyurl.com/ybpsacf
More Wednesday Moto News from Just About Everywhere, Part 4
Wow, we made it to part 4! It is a busy day!
Zero Motorcycles, preeminent electric motorcycle manufacturers in California, have received a new round of investment funding. They have managed to pull in US$5.56 million in a Series A add-on. This brings the total to somewhere north of US$10 million and should keep them stable for years to come - especially considering how many they have already sold.
http://tinyurl.com/yjg3zlc
Team Green Kawasaki (UK) was the result of hard work by Alec Wright. He passed away after suffering a heart attack at his home a few days ago. He was responsible both for the Team Green effort and for bringing true professionalism to motorcycle road racing in the United Kingdom. It is sad news for all motorcycle race fans...
http://tinyurl.com/yksm6zr
Now for something different - a new helmet technology which might reduce injuries to the neck and spine by 50% or more. This comes to us through the MIT blog and is a good read. The Pro-Neck-Tor helmet design differs greatly from what is no available on the market, but it could easily fit right in as the helmet shell can remain unchanged. This could be our future, so take a look as it could save your spinal cord!
http://tinyurl.com/yl9keg9
Some Intriguing Motorcycle Helmet Designs
Some of these are not very original or interesting at all, but many actually have some great thought put into them. There should be some 35 examples here for you to look through. They may even be ideas which have been floating around in your mind brought to life...or, not.
http://tinyurl.com/ydmaswx
The Caberg Sintesi Helmet - Part II, A Follow Up
The original article was posted back in September of 2009, and the author did not exactly like the helmet - but, it had some nice innovations. Well, the new Sintesi from Caberg - an Italian company - has released a better version with many improvements. It is often that a first release has problems, so it was worth giving them a second chance. It was well worth it! This could be my next helmet, if I can ever afford it.
http://tinyurl.com/ylo4euc
Limted Edition Steve Hislop Arai RX-7GP Helmet
Crossan Motorcycles is responsible for the new helmet. It is a design which Hislop used in many British Superbike Championship and Isle of Man TT races. It is known as the 'Flying Haggis' and is pink/blue/white, so you are probably familiar with it if you watched him back then - or, you are lucky enough to have watched some recordings of those events. Only 750 of the £599.99 motorcycle helmet will be made, so get your soon. Some of the proceeds will go to the Hislop family.
http://tinyurl.com/ybzv8b2
Bell Helmets Announces 2010 Star Motorcycle Helmet
It is the flagship of the Bell motorcycle helmet line and will be available at dealers very soon. First of all, it meets Snell M2010 standards (as well as DOT) and has some all new design features. They have also added another graphic to the line-up - you should take the link and see it. It looks very good and word is that Bell is making a quality lid in the Star, so try one on and see if you may protect your noggin' with one of these.
http://tinyurl.com/ydqyfga
Do Not Forget - 2010 Toronto Motorcycle Show This Weekend!
The 2010 Toronto Motorcycle Show will be held 11 - 13 December 2009 at the South Building of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Even more brands have been announced now; Norton, Royal Enfield, Husqvarna, Saga, Zero and more will be in attendance in addition to the already broad spectrum of manufacturers already known. There will be tons of exhibitors with accessories, parts, apparel, helmets, and much, much more. It is worth the price of admission!
http://tinyurl.com/yjfpc6k
Buy A Ducati in the UK and Get Ducati Corse Gear Free + More!
It is that simple; if you purchase a Ducati 848, 1098 or 1198, you get: Ducati Corse leathers, Arai Chaser helmet with Ducati Corse graphics, Ducati Corse gloves, Puma Desmo V2 boots, Ducati back protector. If you buy a 1098 or 1198, you also receive a FULL-SERVICE Ducati Track Day and a ticket to a World Superbike round - TBD. Amazing! What's holding you back now?
http://tinyurl.com/yjozlrk
Read This! The Ins and Outs of the Motorcycle Industry - Mostly Europe
The author calls it Euro Gossip, but he does not limit himself there. This is a very good edition and you should NOT miss it. The really cool helmet tech is enough to keep you interested - both of which I have reported here before. Look deeply into the ThermaHelm and the cool helmet covering from Lazer in Belgium - it could be a very important safety feature on ALL helmets someday. Don't miss Rieju's new model. Just read this!
http://tinyurl.com/ykszdms
Helmet Review: Vemar VSRE Diadem - also On Sale!
Dr. Hugh H. "Harry" Hurt, Jr. Died Sunday, 29 November 2009
Very sad news...A pioneer of motorcycle safety and responsible for the last major study on motorcycle crash causation passed away Sunday of an apparent heart attack. The study has been named after him, The Hurt Report, and was conducted in the late 1970's and released in 1981. It changed many accepted beliefs about motorcycle crashes and changed many minds - helping to further the cause of motorcycle safety training and improvements in transport systems. It would have been nice if he could have seen the new one completed...
http://tinyurl.com/yjah6ta
http://tinyurl.com/yjah6ta