Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Aerostich Lane-Sharing Tool

New product news from Aerostich; the "Lane Share Test" plate is genius!  Perhaps the official-looking plate would give me the bravery I currently lack to lane-split among aggressive Delaware motorists (can you say "clothes line"?)...or not.

New Release: Aerostich Lane Share Tool

If you are caught being civilly disobedient you'll be cited and fined! Motorcycle 'filtering' or 'lane splitting' is against the law everywhere -- except in California and almost every other country in the world. Hundreds of thousands of riders in those jurisdictions filter through congestion safely every day. One way to justify breaking a law is as an act of protest -- which requires a serious message. Enter the Lane Share Tool. This is an easy-install -- routing the wire between the plate rotation system and the handlebar (or mirror stem) mounted control button, and connecting the fused battery connector midway. Briefly touching the button shows the alternate message for fifteen seconds -- then the tool automatically folds back. For longer filtering, holding the button for four seconds displays the alternate message until the button is touched again. An LED near the button base flashes indicating the alternate message is being displayed. This product is FOR OFF ROAD or entertainment USE ONLY. Use at your own risk. Five available messages: 'Lane Share Test', 'One Less Car', 'Share The Road', 'Thank You' and a Mr. Happy Puppet 'happy face'. Choose one. (We recommend Mr. Happy...) Includes a cd with additional formatted messages and a video installation guide. Much additional information at http://www.aerostich.com/LSTpropaganda-instructions. 12V. Anodized aluminum w/ Stainless hardware. 10.75"x4.5"(9" open).
#3305 $187.00

Watch a video of it in action!



 

 



Features:
  • Includes 'Get out of Jail Free' card
  • No guts, no Glory, but be very careful
  • Easy to install and operate
  • Customizable message panels
  • Great for momentary 'pass-greeting' or filtering
  • All art is political, including industrial art

Friday, September 25, 2009

Teiz Motorcycle Gear


Teiz is new seller of motorcycle gear in the U.S. market and is attracting attention with its prices -- mesh suits from $219 and textile suits from $319! I've never seen a Teiz product (they're only available online direct from Teiz at present), but judging by the photographs I've seen and webBikeWorld's review, Teiz (pronounced similar to "taze" and means "fast" in Urdu) has a long way to go before it can measure up to the likes of Aerostich, Rukka, or even Rev'It! Seems to me Teiz is concentrating more on loading-down its products with features (of which there are scads) when it should concentrate more on basic construction and materials. However, Teiz is going about its product development the right way -- in consultation with its intended customers. The owner, Ghazi, seems to be very responsive to feedback, and keeps running conversations here on Sport-Touring.Net and here on ADVrider.com, in addition to Teiz's Facebook and Twitter presence. If Ghazi can survive the tough ADVrider critics, his company may do OK. For me, it's difficult to justify taking a chance on a Teiz jacket or suit when the same money buys a second-hand, tried-and-true Aerostich. But I'm watching.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Motorcycling Quote of the Day

Think of this next time you've finished a motorcycle tour, or Iron Butt ride, or even just a great day's ride in the boonies.

"Coming home from very lonely places, all of us go a little mad: whether from great personal success, or just an all-night drive, we are the sole survivors of a world no one else has ever seen."  - John leCarre

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Mr. Happy Travels the Web

Motorcycling's favorite puppet, Mr. Happy, has scored his very own website. Click on over to follow Mr. Happy's travels, travails and tales from the road; one never knows what the Hapster will be up to next. There may even be a couple of contributions from yours truly.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Is There a Donkey in the House?

So what does the funniest 8-time world champion in motorcycle racing history do as an encore following his uncharacteristic crash at the Indy GP?   He acknowledges his dumb-ass move by painting a donkey on his helmet for last week's GP at San Marino, Italy (his "home track"), and proceeds to win going away of course.  What will become of MotoGP when Valentino "The Doctor" Rossi eventually moves on?  Sure, there are riders with nearly the talent (and in Lorenzo's case, perhaps just as much), but none with the combination of talent, nerve and transcendent personality.  The racing will be just as good or better, but the spectacle will become...well, less spectacular. Much like boxing has been without Ali.

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Does Commuting by Motorcycle Save Money?

Is it cheaper to ride your motorcycle to work? Ken from Spot Motorcycles isn't so sure.  Check out his post on the topic and the cost calculator he's devised.  I never really thought the lower fuel cost when commuting by motorcycle necessarily offset the cost of frequent tire replacements and gear (particularly for a year-round rider), but I do know "sport-commuting" is a heckuva lot more fun that taking the four-wheeler.  More difficult to drink coffee during the commute, but more fun for sure.