Superbyke Blog

Off-road

aaron — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 08:00:50 +0000

There are several different types of off-road motorcycles, also known as dirt bikes, designed and specialised for specific functions. For off road use they typically, when compared to road going motorcycles, have:

Light weight
Long suspension travel and high ground clearance
Simple, rugged construction with little bodywork and no fairing
Large wheels with knobby tires, often clamped to the rim with a rim lock

Off road motorcycles are often specialized for a variety of off road motorcycle sports, notably;

Motocross — A uniquely designed track of a variety of different obstacles where people compete to win the race. The motorcycles have a less than 2 gallon tank which makes them light. Their precise suspension travel allows riders to fly over jumps at high speeds. There are two different classifications of motocross classes. 250cc are usually two-stroke and 450cc are usually four-stroke. A rider chooses his/her bike depending on the preferences they prefer.
Rally raid, or Rallies — long distance racing, typically through deserts for long distances. Road legal machine (like enduro) but with significantly more fuel. Capacities tend to be larger, around 450 cc to 660 cc (two or four stroke), and an upper limit is often imposed for rider safety.
Trials — an extremely specialized form of competition focused on balancing skills and precision rather than speed. Thus low weight and quick power is the priority leading to small (125 cc to 300 cc) engines, often two strokes being used. Seats are unnecessary and affect the centre of gravity so they aren't installed (sometime they are jokingly referred to as banana bikes due to the lack of a seat). Fuel is kept to a minimum so range is very limited.
Track racing — High-speed oval racing, typically with no brakes, no suspension, at most two gears, fuelled by methanol (not road legal machines).

Scooters and mopeds

aaron — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 08:00:56 +0000

Motorscooters are similar to motorcycles and are also designed for being ridden on the road. Scooters usually have the engine as part of the swingarm, i.e. their engines travel up and down with the suspension. They often have smaller wheels (generally less than 14 inch (357 mm) diameter), automatic transmissions, small (generally less than 125 cc) engines, and a step-through configuration allowing the rider to ride with both feet on a running-board and knees together.

In Mediterranean Europe, particularly Italy, scooters are very popular. In the United States, scooters have long been a fixture on college campuses and strapped to the back of Recreational Vehicles due to their portability and exceptional fuel economy. However much larger scooters with engine displacements greater than 250 cc are becoming more popular. The Honda Silver Wing, Honda Reflex, Yamaha Majesty, and Suzuki Burgman are the most popular "maxi-scooter" models available in the United States. Australia introduced the Honda Silver Wing 650 cc in late November 2006. The Italian-made, three-wheeled Piaggio MP3 also falls into the maxi-scooter category.

An underbone is a small-displacement motorcycle with a step-through frame, such as the Honda C70. They are differentiated from scooters by their larger wheels and their use of footpegs instead of a floorboard. They often feature a gear shifter with an automatic clutch.

The moped used to be a hybrid of the bicycle and the motorcycle, equipped with a small engine (usually a small two-stroke engine up to 50 cc, but occasionally an electric motor) and a bicycle drivetrain, and motive power can be supplied by the engine, the rider, or both.

In many localities, mopeds are subject to less stringent licensing than bikes with larger engines and are popular as very cheap motorbikes, with the pedals seeing next to no use. Mopeds were very popular in the United States during the late 1970s and early 1980s, but their popularity has fallen off sharply since the mid 1980s.

Standard / Naked

aaron — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 08:00:44 +0000

This is the basic form of the motorcycle stripped down to its fundamental parts.

This style of motorcycle became the "norm" in the 1970s and early 1980s (with the advent of the Universal Japanese motorcycle), but fell out of favour as motorcycles evolved and niches developed for sport, touring, and cruising. The "naked" saw a resurgence at the end of the 1990s, driven in large part by the European market, with many manufacturers releasing new models with minimal or no fairings. Current naked bikes are usually given a modern, more-or-less sporting suspension, unless they are intended to have "retro" styling. The Ducati Monster, Triumph Speed Four, and Suzuki SV650 are popular examples of naked motorcycles. Large engine displacement versions of naked motorcycles, especially those built in Japan, are often referred to as "muscle" bikes, for example: Honda CB 1300 Super Four, Suzuki Bandit 1250.

Touring

aaron — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 08:00:03 +0000

Although any motorcycle can be equipped and used for touring, manufacturers have brought to market specific models designed to address the particular needs of long-distance touring and heavy commuting riders. Touring motorcycles commonly have large displacement engines, fairings and screens that offer a relatively high degree of weather and wind protection, large capacity fuel tanks for long ranges between fill-ups, and a more relaxed, upright seating position than sport-bikes. These motorcycles can be further subdivided into multiple sub-categories, which are commonly used terms within the motorcycle industry.

Sport touring

Sport-tourers combine attributes of a sport bike and a touring motorcycle. They are built for comfortable long-distance travel while maintaining a forward-leaning riding position, good handling, and high performance.

Sport Bike

aaron — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 08:00:40 +0000

Sport bikes emphasize speed, acceleration, deceleration, and manoeuvrability. Because of this, there are certain design elements that most motorcycles of this type will share. Sport bikes have comparatively high performance engines resting inside a lightweight frame. The combination of these help maintain structural integrity and chassis rigidity. Braking systems combine higher performance brake pads and multi-piston callipers that clamp onto oversized vented rotors. Suspension systems are advanced in terms of adjustments and materials for increased stability and durability. Front and rear tires are larger and wider than tires found on other types of motorcycles to accommodate higher cornering speeds and greater lean angles. Fairings may or may not be found on a sport bike. When used, the fairings are shaped to reduce aerodynamic drag as much as possible, and generally offer less wind protection for the rider. The performance of some stock sport bikes is so high that they can be used on a race track right off the showroom floor.

Rider position and ergonomics favour function. This generally means higher foot pegs, which position the legs closer to the body, and a longer reach to the hand controls, which positions the body and centre of gravity forward, above the fuel tank.

Cruiser

aaron — Mon, 31 May 2010 08:00:20 +0000

These motorcycles mimic the style of American machines from the 1930s to the early 1960s, such as those made by Harley-Davidson, Indian, and Excelsior-Henderson, even though they have benefited from advances in metallurgy and design. The riding position always places the feet forward. Usually the hands are up and the spine erect or leaning back slightly, with some compromise of control. Chopper-style motorcycles would be categorized as a type of cruiser.

Some cruisers may have limited performance and turning ability because of a low-slung design. Riders who enjoy cornering at higher speeds may need to customize to enhance lean angle, or start with a performance or sport cruiser. Cruisers are often custom projects that result in a bike modified to suit the owner's ideals, and as such are a source of pride and accomplishment. Cruisers are sometimes called custom even in the absence of aftermarket modifications.

Street Motorcycles

aaron — Fri, 28 May 2010 14:00:08 +0000

Road motorcycles are motorcycles designed for being ridden on paved roads. They feature smooth tires with a light tread pattern and engines generally in the 125cc and over range. Most are capable of speeds up to 100 mpg (160 km/h), and many speeds in excess of 125 mpg (200 km/h).

In India and Pakistan, motorcycles are more popular than cars as means of transport due to low operating and ownership cost. Typical displacements are small (50-450 cc), and as a result these motorcycles give better fuel efficiency – reportedly 1.25-2.5 litres/100 km (94-188 mpg) being common.

Road motorcycles are themselves broken down into several sub-categories, over the next 2 weeks I will be explaining the categories and giving some details of each one.

10 must have iPhone motorcycle apps

aaron — Fri, 28 May 2010 08:00:51 +0000

Dynolicious app - $12.99

Review | Official site

Dynolicious is the first automotive performance meter available for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Dynolicious uses the hardware built-in to your iPhone to measure the performance characteristics of your vehicle. No external wires or equipment are necessary, simply slip the iPhone into a cradle or cupholder and go!

Featured Highlights:

0-60 Acceleration
1/4 Mile Trap Speed and Time
Estimated Horsepower
G-forces in 360°

MOTO KIT & app for iPhone - 39€

Review | Official site

The MOTO KIT for iPhone consists of a forearm or handlebar-mounted waterproof iPhone case, an in-helmet hands-free kit and an optional external battery.

Which leads on to the…

iBike Rider – £ 26.71

Review | Official site

Are you are biker? Do you have an iPhone? Tired of missing calls? You want your iPhone to be a GPS or radar warning? It is finally possible! iBike Rider meets all your needs! You’ve acquired the best smartphone ever made! Enjoy it!
2XL Supercross game – $7.99

Review | Download

From the review: “I could watch the intro over and over, the graphics are unreal and the game play is stellar. It’s fast as hell on an iPhone 3GS and the controls are the best. Turning the iPhone is so natural you feel like you are really riding the bike. This is not only the best motorcycle racing game on the iPhone, it’s the best motorcycle racing game on any platform and that includes the PS3 and XBOX 360.”

Moto Chaser game - $1.99

Review | Official site

The hottest racing action for your iPhone and iPod touch! Grab your bike and hit the road with Wingnuts Moto Chaser! Developed exclusively for the iPhone and iPod touch, Moto Chaser provides a unique racing experience.

Trapster app - the application is free

Review | official site

From the review: “Did you miss the days when folks would high-beam you with their headlights to warn you of parked police cars ahead? Those hiding police will get you if you’re not careful these days. Now you can have a modernized high-tech high beam solution in Trapster. Consistent use and reliance on the goodwill of others will steer you clear of speed traps.”

FGPnow app (For Canada) – free

Review | official site

FGPnow! is a free mobile application that shows Canadians tomorrow’s gas price around 5pm every day. Version 1.0 will provide gas prices for Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal. Future versions will include prices for additional major cities.

MX Mayhem game – $0.99

Review | Download

From the review: “Moto X Mayhem is a neat dirt biking game. It may be one among many in the App Store, but it does its own little thing pretty well.”

MotoGP live timing app – $2.99

Review | official site

MotoGP season 2009 at your finger tips. The official MotoGP iPhone application is your window to LIVE TIMING race information:

Race lap, rider position, lap time, gap time, top speed. Get updates lap by lap from the comfort of your home, on the go or at the circuit! The MotoGP iPhone application also provides access to race results, championship results, latest news, rider profiles and a huge photo gallery. The photo gallery is updated for each race and features official photos of circuits, riders, racing action and “paddock girls”.

AccuFuel app - $0.99

Review | official site

AccuFuel™ Fuel Efficiency Tracker makes monitoring your vehicle’s fuel efficiency simple and fun. Is your SUV guzzling gasoline? Is your hybrid saving you money? With AccuFuel, you’ll instantly see how your driving habits affect your fuel efficiency.

WeatherBug app – free or £0.59 for elite

Review | official site

WeatherBug is the only source for truly live, local weather, providing users access to the largest network of professional weather stations in the US and thousands of locations around the world. Choose WeatherBug or WeatherBug Elite and put live, local weather in the palm of your hand.

Top Ten Motorcycle Tyre Safety Tips

aaron — Thu, 27 May 2010 13:56:00 +0000

Here are our tips to help ensure that you, and your motorcycle, get the most from your tyres. Properly maintained tyres can make a big difference to the enjoyment of your ride, will save you money, and, most important of all, they may save your life in a pinch.

Pressure: Check your tyre pressures weekly using an accurate gauge – you can buy them in Halfords for pennies. Remember to do it while the tyres are cold – the pressure will increase as the tyre heats up which will give you an incorrect reading. You should maintain your tyres to the pressure recommended in your manufacturer’s handbook. Your bike will perform better, and be more economical. Incorrectly pressurised tyres contribute to a surprisingly large number of accidents.

Integrity: Inspect your tyres for any obvious defects, including any cuts, bulges, rips or foreign objects. Check for signs of uneven wear. If you are in any doubt about the tyres integrity or safety, bin it. Your life is more important than a few quid for a new one.

Cap It: Always use valve caps as they will keep dirt and oil away from the valve and give you an additional seal too keep everything airtight.

Wheels: Check your wheel rims. If they show signs of warping, cracking or other damage, replace them – they are crucial to keeping your tyre attached to your wheel, and you don’t want to find out they aren’t working properly while you are on the move.

Tread: Check that your tread depth is well above the legal minimum of 1mm (for bikes over 50cc). In practise, 2mm gives you a better safety margin and you should start thinking about replacements when your tread gets to this level.

Stems: The valve stem is easily damaged, because it sticks out, and can also rub or shear against the wheel rim where it pokes through the hole. Pay particular attention to this area.

Direction: Make sure your tyre is fitted the right way round, by checking that the directional arrow is pointing the correct way. It is surprisingly easy to get this wrong if you’re not careful, and this will compromise safety, and cost you more money as your bike will be less efficient.

Balance: Have your wheel assembly properly balanced to ensure even wear and maximum economy. This will only cost a few quid and could save loads in fuel costs.

Clean: Wipe your tyres with a washing up liquid solution – this will clear away any oil and grease they’ve picked up from our filthy roads – just don’t use the wife’s favourite dishcloth…

Buying: Check that, where possible, both of your tyres are made by the same manufacturer with the same tread pattern and rubber. Select the correct type of tyre for your machine – often you’ll have a choice of tyres to suit different conditions and different riding conditions. Your local tyre specialist should be able to help you choose something that meets your needs if you aren’t sure. If you are a four seasons biker you should definitely get a set of specialist winter tyres for the winter months.

Helmet Cameras

aaron — Thu, 27 May 2010 13:33:33 +0000

As we all know, the roads in the UK are becoming busier by the day and is making motorcyclist’s lives even more difficult. More and more cars are taking to the roads, congestion is becoming a total nightmare and unfortunately this is increasing the number of road traffic accidents.

Thanks to modern technology, motorcyclists are now using wireless helmet cameras to record their journeys in case of an accident. This is becoming increasingly popular amongst UK bikers not only for the joy of watching the footage back but also for the safety aspect as well as being hard evidence for insurance claims.

We would advise all motorcyclists to invest in a motorcycle helmet camera, you can buy a good quality system for as little as £129.99 now which is a small price to pay when you take everything into consideration.