Description:

Modern smartphones are thanks to GPS and gyro sensors much more than simple mobile phones. For the Apple iPhone 4 to use when riding a motorcycle, has developed the Touratech mount iBracket. MOTORCYCLE underwent the handlebar of a short test.

Is mounted on the handlebar tube preferably links, Touratech delivers this two clamps (twelve and 22 mm) with the same. With the optional GPS add-on adapters in-house can be mounted on the iBracket any motorcycle. The bracket is flexible, so that protective covers on the iPhone can be clamped with. All ports and buttons remain accessible.

The holder can be rotated 90 degrees at all times, shooting rubber and foam from the back to attenuate vibrations. Unfortunately, the Touratech no weather protection, but what can be compensated by an appropriate protective cover for the iPhone iBracket. Installation and operation are easy. The processing of CNC machined parts excellent.

Description:

Curve addicts can not just Scarlett sweat. Even with the wrong dress code on the bike threatens the climate collapse. MOTORCYCLE betrays with what underwear you remain at operating temperature. 17 sets in the test.

Sweating, “says lectures Gore-Tex Press Hans-Peter Rudolph liked,” is a basic, essential body function. “The sentence is aimed primarily at those who sweat despite climate membrane-tipped motorcycle apparel as well as shaking his head descend from the box. Of course, bears the word “breathable”, with which the air diaphragm is provided in the same breath with “wind and water tight”, with this confusion.

Much more appropriate would be to instead speak of vapor permeability.

What would a horror copywriters would describe the operating principle that is much better climate of membranes: human sweat, sweat evaporates, vapor molecules to pass through the air diaphragm (not for big drops of rain), done.

There’s just one catch. Motorcycle riders wear the combination of Gore-Tex type and Co. did not directly on the bare skin. Like to be worn on your favorite T-shirt underneath, and also on the jeans may not waive some bikers. What happened? Man runs, sweats, cotton’s absorbs and brings out the above transfer to a standstill.

Of comfort is with the damp cloth, then glued the clammy body, no trace. Especially Alps driver, who drives out of the warm valley on the cold pass, will have to fight very quickly with the intricacies of this refrigerator effect. For sports enthusiasts such as hikers and mountain bikers in the grip of functional clothing has long been taken for granted.

Motorcycle riders are still quite critical of her on – even though most of them with membrane clothing is on the way. On offer in the motorcycle dealers can not lie though: all of 17 sets are summarized in this review - that had to be found without additional in-or outdoor sports stores.

And the result? The bottom line can truly be proud. For there is nothing, which the testers would be broken out into a cold sweat.

Description:

There are padded bras to conjure “wonderbrare” way a tight cleavage, and there are guards that are as wondrous give the motorcycle protective clothing real super powers. All just posturing?

A protector can help relieve a happy running camber may not prevent injuries. He has no insurance, pass that nothing can, and in a frontal crash with a car you would need even an angel, the one raises it to heal to get away, “said Michele Vulcano, product manager for the protector manufacturer Viscotec in Stuttgart.

Professor Dietmar Otte, Head of Accident Research at the Medical School Hannover, gives a similar account. His team examined every year some 200 motorcycle accidents, Otte is one of the pioneers in the exploration of “Personal Protective Equipment” (PPE).

He still remembers the beginnings in the 1980: “If we had the time examined after the accident, the protective clothing as padding welled still normal mattress foam out to be scoured vulnerable areas.” And in racing, the riders tied first plastic shells around the knee to the fall to slide controlled by a real shock damping you could not talk then.

Otte’s view, were pre-formed trays made of progressively absorbing polyurethane foams from the Swedish prefabricated cable Halvarssons about 25 years ago, the first effective protectors. And only since about 15 years, several research groups at defined potter Standards: Since 1997, which came into force standard EN 1621-1, manufacturers, expressly referred to the protective effect of motorcycle clothing, to certify their products accordingly.

Responsible are accredited testing centers in Germany is about the TUV Rheinland. The CE marking (an abbreviation for “Communaute Europeenne”, French for “European Community”) has since been considered seal for certified safety – so advertise any event, the provider of protectors.

In practice, the norm is controversial, had finally been agreed in the early days after a tough tussle between science, politics and economy (each with different interests of various countries’ representatives) to limit, to be according to current knowledge, something out of thin air seem. Namely, a standard-compliant true residual force of 35 kN on bones and joints would actually, this is – pulverize – loosely speaking.

Basing on newer, more targeted research currently meet international working groups on an amendment to the standard. “Germany would have liked there, the force-time behavior of anchored, because we believe may be the acceleration peaks, which are transmitted through the protector, especially critical,” explains Christoph Gatzweiler, head of technology at the Motorcycle Industry Association (IVM) in Essen.

One can quickly blow with comparatively small force be more dangerous than a more powerful, in which the bone but has more time to digest it: means and thus simplified. With this demand the Germans could prevail not, yet is situated in mid-2012 standard, can be after the now joint protectors (such as back protectors now) tested in accordance with Level 1 and 2, where the limit of the level 2 from 35 to around 20 kN is to be reduced. “At least a step in the right direction,” says Gatzweiler.

It is clear that joint and back protectors are useful, even if divorce is still the spirits as to whether hard or soft foam cups are better.

Specialist Otte considers the combination of both the silver bullet, but generally noted: “. Can hardly prevent bone fractures, but the influence of fracture type well” Protectors may touch dangerous open fractures (infection risk) and complex comminuted fractures that are often a result of strong selective pressures, “convert” to relatively simple fractions (with a better chance of recovery).

Also protect themselves simple hard-shell and foam parts skin and tissue well against abrasion and friction-related burn injuries, because they serve as an additional grinding protection, if the upper jacket and pants on the asphalt in pleasure dissolves (in a crash usually after three seconds slip time). Prerequisite for increased security in addition to the wearing of good motorcycle boots and gloves is that the guards sit. Bad idea to blindly order from the Internet, especially since many do not fit at all protectors in the appropriate pockets.

Protectors should be firmly attached to the outer fabric and not too loose dangling in the appropriate pockets. When she would fall to turn away – then protection: nil. In order to test driving posture and a helper can check how the protectors fit snugly to the back and joints.

Protection well and good, but not the freedom of movement should be restricted. Helmut Faidt, protector developers in Sas-Tec in the Swabian Markgroningen notes: “We could foam protectors manufactured so that they only have a residual force of five kilonewtons to pass through, but that would be three inches thick and would restrict the active safety. “Counterproductive.

A certain air circulation for enhanced ride comfort is also desirable, as are all experts agree.Of the current test candidates bailed in the comfort rating but no one really, that’s very gratifying, and – more importantly – the majority of the tested protectors provides good shock absorption. So there is much to be said right now rather than go out and beef up its safety perhaps something in the aging motorcycle clothing with protectors of the latest generation.

Description:

Traction control make sport bikes are safer and certainly in the future are all standard equipment. Even today, retrofit systems are on the market, which is why HP examines their function and operation.

And there it was again! When accelerating on the long straight, the cart is at right angles, a spectacular start to erase a fat black bars on the asphalt turns, then suddenly in a fighter jet with the malfunctioning of their pilots and stripped by ejection seat.

Bird’s flight is already in the calculation of repair costs will be started, if you look at the phase of flight still remembered. But no matter how happy the machine stores, 1,500 € are even more tentative in contact with the ground there. Not to mention the pain that the pilot has to endure to the usually very hard ground.

If you believe the manufacturers of aftermarket traction control (from here on referred to as TC), these systems can prevent classic high-side-falls. This falls to 95 percent are caused by the driver himself, as he quickly with the loss of adhesion of the rear wheel and the associated breaking of the tail is usually a reflex the missile? Gas. This eliminates the acceleration force on the rear wheel, which caused in connection with the incessant breaking the liability side of the tire (Slide).

By now falling acceleration force of the rear tire again builds cornering force (grip in slope) on. This is just like closing the throttle, suddenly.

Currently there are two different working principles on the market. This one is limited to the monitoring of the rear wheel in relation to various engine parameters, the second act with wheel sensors. It recognizes different wheel speeds of front and rear, evaluates them and uses according to the diagnosis of a slip at the rear.

The Bazzaz system focused on the monitoring of the rear wheel. The basis of speed, gear, throttle position and engine speed increases, the defined algorithm detects an unnaturally sharp rise in the rear wheel speed and the slideshow.

IRC and grip in contrast, have one extra wheel sensors that detect the respective front and rear wheel speed. Their ECUs compare these values with each other constantly and react when the rear wheel speed over speed increases proportionally to the front. If this is the case, it is used in all three systems for control action.

How exactly this is therefore very secure, is at all a closely guarded secret. Relatively safe, however, is the first exposed to the ignition or the Fruhzundwinkel is withdrawn and cut off the fuel supply until later for a few milliseconds. The procedure is at least in others, offered as standard traction control systems.

The TC-Bazzaz has another very big advantage over the two competitors. First, it provides an excellent standard circuit breaker, for others it is a complete engine management system. It offers all important functions, for example, a Power Commander from Dynojet has also, and it can be an “auto-mapping module” on the network which optimizes while driving through lambda probe, the injection mapping under real conditions.

The Bazzaz control device costs € 1099, to be sure the system sold for 179 € map switch and cockpit lights for 99 €, which visually display the rules of the TC. For an installation of Bazzaz, whose vote and a detailed introduction further 400 € to be paid. Power by the 1750 € for the complete, meaningful package.

Description:

Who is the boss in the battery-ring? Ten juice dispensers compete in MOTO and GTU test battery to provide power. Watt Volt her? Always full charge!

There was once a time when motorcycle batteries were (yes, it is correct to batteries, but this is NOT the “VDI-Nachrichten”) broke down. Just like that. They died on the field of honor, or had been zerruttelt zerschuttelt and after many, many starter keep the fun in revision. Those days are over.

Nowadays, starter batteries usually die a quiet death. You will forget, not required, is not maintained – they are easily broken and sultatieren Sun the low-mileage drivers are becoming more and more debt. As one can construct a battery manufacturer with a wolf, it’s no good when responses ignorance, forgetfulness and ignorance, an unholy alliance and normal consumers only over the existence of an acid-filled component reflected when it again is too late in a vain attempt to start after nine months of winter break.

The consequences for a utility-oriented motorcycle batteries would actually be to publish only stories about basic care and supplemental battery so all two or three years, a test of (permanent) to launch chargers.

Since the last MOTORCYCLE battery test now but already more than seven (!) Years ago, it was once again feel at the time, the black boxes to something closer to the teeth. Happiness skills that the Society for Technical Supervision, GTU short, one had to compete with TUV and DEKRA experts standing organization, also the subject of motorcycle batteries on the agenda.

Together they have brought in the automotive industry as an independent testing institute renowned Automotive Testing and Engineering Center FACT into the boat and bought in the free trade ten maintenance-free batteries of the popular size twelve volts / twelve ampere hours. The exact allocation permitting Japan code is YTX14-BS and tells the connoisseur, that the juice dispenser in a lot of Japanese big bike, but also in K-and R-models from BMW, one way or another triumph, with Aprilia, and even for different Harleys fit.

Eight of the ten tested AGM type batteries were classified as “kit” supplied where the customer is an accompanying acid pack can still put on himself / should be and then wait at least 30 minutes, was flooded up to the perfectly measured amount of sulfuric acid, the six cells. Then the filling openings permanently sealed with plugs and may never be opened again. The procedure was in the Intact and Harley-battery not required, since both batteries at the factory before delivery filled with acid and with a stopper tightly.

The Harley-ion had probably been waiting a little longer to customers, which is revealed to be more modest capacity value in delivery state.

But the emphasis afforded to the first store – which is recommended by the way, after the initial fill for each battery – no more further weakness. How ever spared the entire test field of real failures remained, what does not, however, that there were no significant differences in quality. It remains however to be feared that the differences in critical-care behavior even worse.

Description:

With the ever growing number of good onboard cameras in the price range at € 300 it is necessary either to score points with outstanding quality or special equipment. The Gobandit GPS HD tries to distinguish itself with a positioning function, but will that be enough?

Video Quality
The Gobandit GPS HD records video at a maximum resolution of 1280×720 pixels and a wide angle of 135 degrees. The issue goes to the competition, because they cover a larger and higher resolution wide-angle. The manufacturer promises a refresh rate of 30 frames per second. In our test shots, this fell during some scenes but partially below the critical mark of 24 frames per second, which resulted in visible jerkiness.

The contrast of the images is good; the color reproduction was slightly distorted, however. Reacted for the GPS HD Gobandit quickly to changing light conditions, such as those found in forests.

Whether the GPS signal is strong enough, shows a satellite icon on the display. The results in this test were mixed. Even in supposedly good GPS location provided the camera is rarely reliable data. Also, an update of the camera software (firmware) did not ensure improvement. For the video and GPS data, the camera puts one file on the memory card.

Merge in the software GPS data and video. In it can select the desired scene and adjust the graphic display of speed and altitude. One has the choice of several designs. The operation is simple. After calculating the videos can be uploaded directly to a video platform like YouTube or Vimeo.

Conclusion
In terms of video quality, the Gobandit GPS HD-average results and lagged rivals in the € 300-class behind a little. The unique feature of GPS unfortunately attracts only conditionally, because the feature did not always work and is already Contour with another manufacturer with an onboard camera with similar features come on the market.

Description:

Fun for beginner’s motorcycle without a license: the SB Superbike material from the birch with pneumatic tires, even with the tougher stance should still provide enough smoothness and comfort.

With a seat height of up to 35 centimeters, we recommend the hot real wood but rather for the three-to five-year-old moped offspring. Price: 129 €.

Description:

When the sun pops out, it must be confessed later than the first color stop. Then decides what’s underneath: the T-shirt. With rib there is nothing to win. MOTORCYCLE shows his favorites for summer visitors:

Held: The imprinted on the front line-double ornament makes stalk eyes – we find that the Lady Shirt (Held Item number: 9986) but totally wrong. You should let the calm eyes have much time to get used. Also available in purple and white for € 19.95.

Fox: The fox is now for more than just off-road motorcycle racing. Fox is a lifestyle for urban trendsetters. Who wants to come across as fresh as his own children, is with the “triple vision” for € 29.95 so well served.

Moto Mania: Motto-shirts are actually true only for bachelors-partings in vogue, but the T-shirts from the Moto Mania series of artist Holger Aue gehen. Mit a good shot of self-mockery for bikers in full order. The price is okay too: € 16.95 at Polo.

Cafe Racer: The flocked and embroidered T-shirt € 16.95 for a fair may harm both those who were already in the 1960s, a regular at the Ace Cafe, as well as those who were not even at the time of their parents in planning. A timeless chic.

Thor: The style of motocross boys and girls playing in the league on the coolness level of top surfers, skaters and snowboarders… The “Jumbotron” with its disco-clean design is fashionable even in difficult hipsters without motorcycle. Price: 17,65 €.

King Kerosene: wild and “old school” like a sailor’s tattoo. The shirts of brand King kerosene fully meet the nerve of motorcyclists and female drivers. The Spaghetti Top “True Love” for € 23.95 at any rate to fall in love!

Description:

The long-time sponsor of the Honda factory MotoGP team arrives in Germany: Repsol lubricants and care products are marketed in this country of the future Menek Ltd. Repsol was founded in 1987, now employs over 36 000 employees, is the market leader in Spain and Argentina and is one of the largest private oil company in the world. The AG is originally Menek provider of warranty services.

Description:

The new handlebar grips from LSL.
News from the handle-turners and ratchet cutters from Krefeld: The gripping combination of aluminum and rubber is € 29.95 per pair shiny anodized in silver, black and gold to get. The right handlebar weights in a double cost € 20.95 and are available for steel (18 mm) and aluminum handlebar (14 mm).The thing weights 85 grams per side, there’s more information at LSL Motorcycle engineering.