<![CDATA[Gizmodo: motorcycle]]> http://tags.gizmodo.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/gizmodo.com.png <![CDATA[Gizmodo: motorcycle]]> http://gizmodo.com/tag/motorcycle http://gizmodo.com/tag/motorcycle <![CDATA[Super-Realistic Predator Motorcycle Will Definitely Cause Some Accidents]]> How'd you like to see this coming up behind you in the rearview mirror? It's a motorcycle built by Pitstop Motors that's covered in skulls and topped with a horrifying Predator head. If only it could turn invisible!

[Super Punch via io9]

]]>
http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5423491&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[Grace Electric Bike Is Part Motorcycle, Part Race Car and Part Fighter Jet]]> There are plenty of electric bike designs out there, but few (possibly none) can compare to the Grace E-bike. Its CNC-aluminum frame is fitted with eurofighter and Formula One parts, and it has a top speed of 40 mph.

So it's a hell of a lot cooler and more powerful than a scooter, moped or Segway—but the 1300 watt lithium ion-powered motor will only take you between 18 and 31 miles on a one hour charge (depending on weight). That's not enough to make it a serious mode of transportation, but if you live in an urban area it might make some sense. You don't need a parking spot and you can ride it in the same areas as a traditional bicycle. Of course, that kind of flexibility won't come cheap. Expect to pay €5877 ($8742) for the Grace E-Bike when it ships in January. [Grace via DVICE]

]]>
http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5406765&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[Zero S Electric Supermoto Is Street Legal and Hits Top Speed of 60 MPH]]> The Zero S is the latest electric bike from Zero Motorcycles, and is their first street legal motorcycle. The Zero S has 31 horsepower and 62.5lb ft of torque, reaching top speeds of 60mph.

The Zero S is the followup to the earlier Zero X, the dirt bike with a smaller, 20 horsepower engine, which wasn't allowed on the road. The clutchless, one-speed bike has a battery that will let you roam for 60 miles before having to charge it (4 hours 'til full). It uses aircraft-grade aluminum for the body and a custom "Z-Force" power pack for enhanced accleration. On the more techie side of things, the Zero S also has a digital speedometer as well as a special, "projector beam" headlight, which apparently emits more "focused" light.

The Zero S will cost $10000, and can be yours with a $1000 down payment. It starts shipping in May. [Hell For Leather Mag]

]]>
http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5202955&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[Japanese Miso-Balancing Bike Contraption Keeps Soup Steady]]> This precariously elevated bike balancing contraption that Tokyotimes found seems to be the best way of keeping your soup upright when you're swerving through the streets of Japan. [Tokyo Times via Wired]

]]>
http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5123815&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[Yamaha Branded Deus Ex Machina Motorcycle Exoskeleton On Video, Looks Tron-esque]]> We've seen this crazy motorcycle exoskeleton before, but its inventor Jake Loniak has just mocked up a video showing what it would be like in motion. Yeah, we're pretty damn impressed, but the guy gets cocky:

I believe a working prototype could be made, but it would take a great deal of time and engineering. This isn’t fantasy. It’s a green vehicle, and all of the numbers are based in the real world.

But who would actually use this? Sure, it looks pretty amazing and you can park it vertically in a garage to save space, but imagine having to unfasten yourself from this every time you get to work. Or the supermarket. Or grandma's house. At least with a Segway you can hop off and do your business. [Popsci via Crunchgear via Boing Boing Gadgets]

]]>
http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5038876&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle for $3000]]> For DIYers with a lot more technical know-how than cash, an Instructables user has put up a really interesting tutorial on building an electric motorcycle using just $3000. The vehicle has a 70mph top speed, but can only go about 10 miles before it needs to be recharged. It's great for a quick trip to the store, if you don't make any unexpected stops along the way. With gas prices being what they are, you should probably try to make it so everything you would normally need to get to is less than 10 miles away anyhow. [Instructables via Uberreview]

]]>
http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5026996&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[Uno: a Unicycle-Motorbike-Segway Hybrid]]> Sometimes a bike is just a bike... there's no photoshopping going on here, guys. This is Uno, of course, a segway/motorcycle mashup shown publicly for the first time at the recent Toronto National Motorbike show. Technically it has two wheels, but they're right next to each other and it does balance on them under its own power.

Built by Ben J. Poss Gulak, it's an electric vehicle that uses a similar sort of microgyro-motor system as the Segway, but with two gyros: one for forward and back, and one for turning. Its got just one control —a power switch— and everything else is done by leaning, which must make for one hell of an adrenaline-packed ride. It's the culmination of a number of vehicle projects by Ben, and uses electric propulsion for eco-friendliness, since Ben visited China where he found that "the smog was so thick, we never saw the sun."

Ben designed the 120-lb vehicle himself, using Google SketchUp to help with the plans as he couldn't afford professional software. How does it perform? We don't know, but we suspect it's a lot of fun. And though Ben got some advice from expert motorbike modders, and a robotics expert for the gyro programming, he deserves a round of applause— he's only 18 years old. And that's just amazing. [Motorcycle Mojo via Make —Thanks Daniel]

]]>
http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=384074&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[Roadrunner Beware: Real-Life Crotch Rocket Spotted in the Wild]]> Hope and doubt are at war today as we pore over this picture of a literal crotch rocket. On the one hand, it looks pretty legit, right down to the stabilizing fins, exhaust port for the motorcycle housed within, and blast marks that are no doubt from one of the many instances where this beast dumped out while breaking the sound barrier. On the other hand, the kids and their Photoshoppin' these days means everything online is suspect (isn't that right, Steve?). Perhaps most damning of all, however, is the fact that the only creature capable of conceiving such a bike is nowhere to be found. Wile E. Coyote, could you please step forward and lay claim to your glorious invention? [Accordion Guy via Neatorama]

]]>
http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=381848&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[DIY Moped Runs on Air]]> This Puch moped only has a range of about 7 miles and with a top speed of only 18 mph, it isn't going to break any land speed records, but there is definitely something special about it: it runs on air. Jim Stansfield, an aeronautics graduate outfitted his Puch with a pair of carbon-fiber air cylinders, two rotary air engines and the rest, as they say, is history.

The air powered Puch is a very interesting concept and while the seven-mile range might not sound like much, it is plenty for getting around city centers. Add to that the convenience that it takes only a couple of seconds to refill the air from a larger cylinder and you have something that could just work.

The only drawback to this system as I see it is that it is running on clean air; of the sort that is generally found in diving cylinders. If you have your own bottles, that is going to cost you $5 or $6 per big bottle and could push the running cost up a little over an electric bike. On the other hand, there is no need to run the system on dive-grade air. If you are not going to use the cylinders for breathing then there is no reason why you couldn't fill it yourself with standard compressor air. [Motorcycle News via Ecogeek via DVICE]

]]>
http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=380725&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[Homemade Electric Motocycle Gets 300mpg]]> Yes, this homemade electric motorcycle gets the gas price equivalent of 300 miles per gallon. Yes, its speeds hit 40mph within its modest 15 mile range. And yes, the engine runs silently with zero vibration. But don't blame the auto companies. They work really hard. And besides, with their limited resources, how can they be expected to compete with one guy who has limited mechanical training buying all of his parts on Craigslist? [hellforleather via bbgadgets]

]]>
http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=376698&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[NVIDIA Motorcycle Casemod is the Fastest Computer On Two Wheels, Kinda]]> There are roadwarriors with their ultraportables and then there's master modder Dennis Ilyin, who took computing on the go literally with this ambitious motorcycle casemod. While the two-wheeled computing wonder lacks an engine, it more than makes up for it with massive LED-lit water tanks and what's sure to be ample processing power. The compu-bike was part of an NVIDIA-sponsored modding contest and actually came in second to this green thing. Fair? Unfair? Take a look at additional pics after the jump and you tell us.

sli_machine_bf2.jpg

496_dimas5.jpg[TopMods, via TechnaBob]

]]>
http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=376608&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[Whirlygig Emoto Steampunk Motorbike Has Electric Motor, Will Steam Your Face Off]]> You Steampunk fetishists are being spoiled today; first it was the Clarinet Gun Mod and now you have a freaking Steampunk motorcycle. The Whirlygig Emoto by Tom Sepe is so many awesome things in one, it really is amazing it is permitted to exist; it's a motor biking, steam throwing, electricity utilizing, Sci-Fi bag of fantastic. The motorcycle is built on a 1967 Tote-Gote frame, has a 15bhp electric motor and generates a pulses of gushing steam whilst driven, all thanks to a rear mounted boiler. Yes, it has a damn boiler affixed for the crazy effect.

We say effect, but we're not too sure what Tom does with the steam it expels. We seem to think he is a superhero that punishes villans by melting their faces off on the boiling hot outlet. As soon as he gets back to us with his answers to our short interview, we'll let you know if that's true. Until then, checkout the video to see the Whirlygig Emoto in action. [Steampunk Workshop]

]]>
http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=371145&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[Sbarro Pendolauto, 4-Wheel Motorcycle]]> Not so long ago we showed you an absolutely wicked 4-wheel motorcycle, the Yamaha Tesseract (hit that link if you haven't seen it, trust us). Now the design is looking to be a trend with this recent unveiling of Sbarro's Pendolauto at the Geneva Motor Show. Adding a bit of stability to the standard crotch rocket, but still lean-turning like a motorcycle, it's too bad that America will absolutely never let these vehicles on our streets. Hmm...where could they fit the airbag? [salon]

]]>
http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=364551&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[Acabion's 750bhp GTBO Motorcycle Blazes at 340mph]]> Get a load of this: the cockpit-like Acabion GTBO features a a 750bhp, turbocharged Hayabusa engine that is capable of hurling the bike down the road at 340mph with a 30 second 0-300mph acceleration time—and, amazingly, that speed is capped. If all of that wasn't eye popping enough, the bike is also fuel efficient. It can get 100mpg at 100mph and 25 at 250.

Designer Peter Maskus is releasing the Acabion to the public in extremely limited quantities, although the price is a little steep at €1.87million or around $2.7 million US. Plus, you have to wait for 3 years while the bike is built. Its probably just as well though. I mean, where would you drive it? And even if you could, the odds seem pretty high that you would end up as a stain on the road should you ever decide to open it up. More photos at Jalopnik. [Acabion via Hell for Leather via Jalopnik]

]]>
http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=346802&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[Suzuki Biplane Pities Harley-Davidson]]> The Tokyo Auto Show is bringing us some wicked concepts, including this Suzuki Biplane motorcycle. Inspired by the classic biplane first introduced by the Wright Brothers, we're a bit confused exactly where the twin stacked wings fit within this redesign, but who knows, maybe Suzuki has made motorcycles fly. Not to mention, there's about a 50/50 chance that you could instantly turn into a super hero when sitting on this bike...which counts for something. Hit the jump for a big pic, or the link for a full gallery. [jalopnik]

]]>
http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=314483&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[Impact Jackets (a.k.a. Wearable Airbags) Finally Make It to the US, and Are Immediately "Tested"]]> Impact Jackets, originally designed to save Japanese construction workers from long falls by inflating prior to impact, have finally made it to the United States. Only instead of construction workers, it's our motorcyclists that seem to be reaping the benefits. And it didn't take too long to see some results.

Joeseph McPhatter of Baltimore, MD, recently was cruising along when he was abruptly cut off and wrecked his motorcycle. Upon crashing, McPhatter was launched over 100 feet at a rate of 140MPH and instantly became the Impact Jacket's first "real world" motorcycle crash test. Medics claim that if McPhatter hadn't been wearing the Impact Jacket, his injuries, which amounted to a few sore ribs, would have been severely worse—if not fatal. Thanks, Impact Jacket! [Baltimore Sun via Core77]

]]>
http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=311554&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[Yamaha Tesseract Hybrid, Motorcycle for Superheroes/Badasses/Us?/No]]> The Yamaha Tesseract concept for Tokyo Motor Show is not a motorcycle. Because it's way more awesome than a motorcycle.

Featuring 4 wheels for enhanced stability, the frame is apparently still not much bigger than a normal bike. And somewhere in there fits two different engines, one gasoline of undisclosed size and another electrical (to dual impress biker chicks and eco babes, though probably offering some impressive performance payoffs as well). The important note to remember is that the Tesseract is not a motorcycle. Please spread the word and make sure every wife knows it while we pray Yamaha actually puts the...vehicle...into production.

We're also hoping to see the Tesseract transform into a Gundam robot and fulfill its true destiny. [autoblog]

]]>
http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=307966&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[Intel and Orange County Choppers Create Satan's Motorcycle]]> Intel and Orange County Choppers combined their mutual know-how and created this monstrosity of a motorcycle—also known as Satan's ride. This isn't the Satan you know, this is the bad-ass futuristic Satan from 2046. The bike has four dual V-twin motors and multiple Intel quad-core processors. What are they for? To power two rearview camera displays, the speedometer, various virtual gauges, a web browser and StreetDeck Infotainment. Jesus is jealous.

That's not all. To start up the bike, all you have to do is put your finger on the fingerprint reader, then punch the virtual ignition button. Oh, and there's an on-screen kickstand control too. If you thought Ghost Rider's hog was nice, well, you're right. But this is even better, despite its lack of flaming tires. [Intel via Mystic Gadgets]

]]>
http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=288926&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[The Stallion, World's Most Expensive Bigwheel]]> $30,000 may sound like a lot to pay for a three-wheeler, but The Stallion by Thoroughbred Motorsports seeks to be an economic performance vehicle, combining car comfort with motorcycle acceleration.

Featuring a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that pushes 150HP, five-speed automatic transmission, and even A/C, The Stallion would make one hell of an unimpressive car, but it's not a car, it's a superlight vehicle that we're certain gets a crazy 0-60. The rider and passenger sit front to back, which won't allow for easy conversation, but the 45MPG highway might make up for lost chatter (besides, who likes easting bugs anyway).

I'm not in love with The Stallion, but I could be. A reworked body, the proper marketing campaign, and maybe a few extra miles per gallon in the city (35 isn't much), and I'll be on board. Just convince my wife that it really isn't a motorcycle. [product via scifitech]

]]>
http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=288581&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[Zero X Electric Motorcycle is Fast, Eco-Friendly, USB Compatible]]> What have your lithium-ion batteries done for you lately? Forget powering those handheld gadgets, the king of lithium-ion batteries is sitting in the heart of the Zero X electric motorcycle. Named for its lack of emissions and noise, the 120-pound Zero X still pumps out 20 horsepower and tops out at around 50 miles per hour. A single charge of the battery will take you 40 miles, but the battery packs can be hotswapped in mere seconds and fully recharge in about three hours. Though the engine is roughly equivalent to that of a 250cc gasoline-powered bike, the lightweight electric motor makes the Zero X accelerate much faster. If it's too fast for you, plug the bike's brain into your PC via the USB port to access the bike's virtual control panel.

zbrain.gifThe ZBrain computer opens up a host of customizatin options for the electric bike, including the ability to create multiple riding profiles for different users. You can blaze to work at full throttle all week, then tone down the acceleration and top speed and make the younglings run errands for you on the weekend. While the bike is suitable for on- or off-road adventures, it isn't street legal just yet. Zero Motorcycles is hoping to put a modified commuter version with lights and blinkers on the market in a few months. You can pick one up by joining Zero's fan club for a $2,000 fee, which is then credited against the purchase price of $6,900 when you place your order. [Zero Motorcycles via C|Net]

]]>
http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=285995&view=rss&microfeed=true