SportBikes

Sport bike riders have some of the most colorful and varied choices in motorcycle helmets. Your sport is technical, on the edge and fast. With high speed comes increased risk (just ask your insurance agent ;-). Maximum protection is essential. You dont just want a fast bike, you want a motorcycle helmet that looks fast too.
The best choice here is a Full Face Helmetfor a couple of reasons. You get the increased protection of the chinbar and cool tinted face shields are available to customize the look.
Consider the ventilation system on a full face helmet. High quality helmets have close fitting shields and snug padding around the bottom to minimize wind noise. The tradeoff to that is that it promotes fogging. Manufacturers attempt to avoid this by installing breath deflectors at the top of the chin bar.
The best ventilation systems incorporate air ducts in the styrofoam safety liner to pull hot air away from your scalp.
If you can, get a face shield system that has a handy tool free design. Most of the mid to high end helmets have this feature.

Examples of SportBike Helmets

High End: Shoei RF-1000 Strife Helmet- Legendary for quality and fit. This Shoei is an example of just how extreme some of the graphics can get at this price point. Expect to pay $350 - $550 for an RF1000, but there are even more expensive lids from Shoei, Arai, Suomy and others.
Mid Range: HJC CL-15 Mutant Helmet- Extremely popular, lightweight and the BEST shield change mechanism make this one of the best street helmet values on the market in my opinion. Expect to pay $150-$300 for a helmet in this range.
Entry Level: KBC Tarmac Hammerhead Helmet- There are plenty of fine quality and good looking helmets if youre on a budget. Consider the KBC Tarmac for example. For UNDER $150 retail you get a DOT and Snell certified helmet with way-cool graphics. KBC did something really smart when they designed the Tarmac. They carried over the shield and ratchet system from the VR-2 race helmt. To me that makes the KBC Tarmac a really smart choice. Speaking of KBC, if you wear a KBC you may want to check out my KBC Helmet Visors page.
At all price points in street helmets, look for closeouts . With ever-changing graphics, distributors have to clear out last years inventory to make room for the new stuff.
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Touring and Commuting

For touring duty you need above all long lasting comfort in your motorcycle helmet. A full face design is not necessary, especially if youre sitting comfortably behind the screen of a Honda Gold Wing or Harley Electra Glide.
Besides, that chinbar will be in the way when you get ready for a drink of your favorite beverage thats probably sitting in your cup holder. :D
An open facehelmet works great for touring and they are available in Snell certified models. The open face design makes it easier to install speakers and microphones for communication and entertainment.
I might go either way in choosing a motorcycle helmet for commuting. If youre a hardcore commuter youll be out in all kinds of weather and in that case a full face helmet is in order. The open face would make it practical to take in that cup of coffee on the way to work though. Daily wear demands comfort and no nonsense design in either case.
There is an alternative to both the full face and open face motorcycle helmets. The modular or flip-up helmet combines the safety of a full face helmet and the convenience of an open face. Modular helmets are not eligible for Snell certification, so no matter what you pay youll be getting DOT certification only.

Examples of Touring Motorcycle Helmets

Modular: HJC Sy-Max II Modular Helmet - HJC always comes to mind when I think of touring helmets. The Symax II is their version of a flip-up lid. Its in the mid price range at about $200 - $275.
Open Face: HJC AC-3 Carbon Helmet- A classic design in an open face helmet. Around $150 (the carbon fiber model shown is actually $250+) but you can usually find it on sale for $135.
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Cruisers and Customs

Theres definitely nothing wrong with wearing any of the previously discussed motorcycle helmet designs while riding your cruiser or custom styled bike. As a matter of fact I do it all the time. I dont however, claim to exhibit the most cutting edge style either. :0
For cruising, most of you will be looking for a minimal lid, just enough to get by the sharp eye of Mr. State Trooper. A lot of cruisers will resort to wearing a novelty or beanie helmets, but please dont. My brain is worth more than $20 to me, is yours?
Cruiser helmets give up protection for the ears and cheeks and represent the minimum protection in a motorcycle helmet. Some do come with a zip off neck curtain to cut down on wind noise and help keep your ears warm.

Examples of Cruiser Motorcycle Helmets

The smallest, lowest profile helmet to meet DOT certifications that I know of is the Skid Lid Original Helmet.
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Dirt Bikes

Distinctive styling and single purpose design sets dirt bike helmets apart from the rest. Instead of having a face shield, these lids usually have a place for goggle straps. Almost all have a baseball cap type visor.
Colors and graphics are almost unlimited in Motocross helmets. Look for replicas of your favorite racers helmet, but expect to pay more for the trick look.

Examples of Dirt Bike Helmets

High End: - Arai VX-Pro III Milsap Replica Helmetfeatures a Hypershark II peak with adjustable forced-air intakes and fully removable/replaceable Dry-Cool� liner. At around $450, this is for the serious racers only. But this thing definately looks HOT!
Mid Range: - Get great bang for the buck in the mid range in dirt bike helmets. Fox Racing doesnt cut corners on their gear and the helmets are no exception. They have a very affordable and killer looking line called the V-1. Fox Racing V-1 Razor Helmetis pictured below. Its right smack in the middle of the mid-range at about $160 retail.

However, the development of the main differences will be revised as many, and that one more story, motor 1151cc V twin radar SportlThe current model, now 1200, 2009, 4 additional Ttemilgibodaneun ended valves, Part 2 is the head, a 1200-bit games have declined 4V underage.

Full carbon wheel with forged center

f.e.:

Fa: 9,0x20" Carbon wheels with tyres 235/30/20 Conti Sport Contact III
Ra:11,5x20" Carbon wheels with tyres 295/25/20 Conti Sport Contact III

Price wheelset: 18067 EURO/net

KTM is ready to lift the covers of the much awaited Duke 390.KTM might introduce the new bike in EICMA.KTM Duke 390 follows the traditional design of other KTM models like the Duke 125 and 200.Frame and body parts looks same from the Duke 200.KTM Duke 390 trellis frame is done in orange color.New paint job of white black and orange color combination looks superb.Suspension parts is done in white color.

KTM Duke 390 is powered by 373.2 cc water cooled single cylinder engine which produces 44 PS @ 9500 RPM and torque of 35 NM @ 7250 RPM.Fuel injected system is made by Bosch.KTM has given 6 speed manual gearbox.One of the impressive part is that KTM has maintained the weight of Duke 390.KTM Duke 390 weighs 139 Kgm only.Which gives the power to weight ratio of 316 PS per ton.Which will maintain the feel of other KTM bikes.

KTM Duke 390 offers ABS for the brake.We can expect KTM to offer ABS here.Because most of the riders who will ride duke 390 are youngsters.So ABS option will be very helpful.KTM duke 390 shares so many parts with others.So KTM can price the Duke 390 very well in India.KTM duke 390 arrives next year.KTM Duke 390 is expected to price at RS 2 Lakh.

source : nieuwsmotor.nl

BMW is working on bringing a M version on the 1 series saloon model.Now BMW M3 is entry to the M range.If BMW can make a new entry level M1 then the chances of success are very high.Compact Performance car is all set to take a big leap in sales charts in the coming years.BMW is still on the early part of development while the competitors Audi and Mercedes are already ready to make their models on Road.

Mercedes CLA 45 AMG and Audi S3 are the two saloons which will fight against the M1.BMW is currently working on development of the existing products.So we can expect the small M1 to arrive later than expected.BMW is not sure to take Rear wheel driven or front wheel driven.They are yet to take the final decision.We can expect the M1 to be powered by 2.0 Turbo charged which makes 300 BHP of power.We can expect the BMW M1 to come in the middle of 2015.

source : Autocar UK

From the 19th In January 2013 the new Toyota Auris is available at dealerships. The third generation of the vehicle, it is clear more confident and agile. also the first time a hybrid model is less expensive than comparable diesel variant. (Photo: Toyota)


"Toyota makes a jump" - said Alain Uyttenhoven, Vice President of Toyota Motor Europe, yet in March at the International Motor Show in Geneva. While he was referring to sales figures for 2012, the engineers of the leap already: The new Auris occurs compared with its predecessor on much more mature. The interior has been completely redesigned to improve the feel of the surface. With very few exceptions, the choice of material is managed. Optional - or contained in the "Executive" trim line - are soft-touch surfaces and a leather covering for the dashboard. This is the new Auris one piece and creates a solid and quality feel. The steering wheel can be order with nappa leather coat.

Sporty, low seating position

Behind the driver sits in the new model generation whopping 40 millimeters lower, the steering wheel was also made flat by two degrees. The Auris ducks ten millimeters closer to the road, the overall height of the vehicle, the developer lowered by 55 millimeters. What at first sounds after limited headroom brings car with 0.277 the lowest drag coefficient of the class and the test proves to be trouble: Even riders over 1.90 meters tall, find a good seating position. The low center of gravity also ensures a more dynamic driving behavior. Large share of this is the modified chassis.













Revised suspension

On the front and rear axle, the Japanese revised, among other springs, dampers and body shots. It also received the electric steering a more direct ratio and the body was stiff ten percent against twisting. The resulting driving experience in the new Auris can most accurately describe "lightly" with.

In the test particularly liked the 2.0-liter diesel engine. It delivers 91 kW/124 hp and a maximum torque of 310 Newton meters from 1600 to 2400 rpm. The engine comes not of cooperation with BMW, but is an aggregate of the house. Toyota is the top speed of the so-motorized Auris with 200 km / h, accelerates from zero to 100 km / h should be done in ten seconds. The test used the refined diesel engine with 6-speed manual transmission and standard start-stop system - loaded with three people and luggage - on mountainous switchbacks and some through roads around Lisbon around 5.6 liters per 100 kilometers.

The Auris Hybrid

A first in the model range is the Auris Hybrid, or its price tag: With 22,950 euros starting price he is 200 euros cheaper than the equivalent 2.0-liter diesel. Toyota has also calculated according to its own calculations over a useful life of three years, a saving of up to € 2,500 for the hybrid compared to the diesel. These include not only the pure consumption value, but also details of how the lower wear of the brakes, by means of regenerative braking during deceleration or subsequent oil change, when the engine is used less frequently.

Pure electric up to two kilometers

The hybrid is a combination of a 1.8-liter VVT-i petrol engine and electric motor. The system output is 73 kW/136 hp. For the sprint from zero to 100 km / h, the hybrid needed according to the manufacturer 10.9 seconds with top speed at 180 km / h. Consumption was tested at just under five liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers. The interplay of the two drives works mostly well - without paying attention to the instruments can not always say with certainty which makes engine just for propulsion. Only the combination of continuously variable transmission sometimes annoying when the engine speed is stable at full load shortly before the limiter stays - but this is not the hybrid thought. It can be for the so-called EV mode to move up to two kilometers on electric power - h with a top speed of about 50 km / Short city stages are local emissions feasible.

Luggage recovered

Inside the hybrids falls on the space-gain: The battery of the drive is now located under the rear seat - the luggage compartment capacity is therefore the same as the petrol and diesel models and is 360 liters. The instrument cluster provides an eco-drive monitor shows the driver the hybrid-related data. Visually, the Hybrid interior is also manifested by a blue-colored E-shift lever. Toyota expects the full hybrid with a third share sale, thus clarifying the importance of hybrids for the carmaker. For the EU market, the Japanese are planning sales of 115,000 vehicles - and thus a proportion of hybrids 15 percent of total sales.

Five trim levels

The new Auris is from 19 January 2013 in five trim levels at the dealers. "Auris", "Auris Cool," "Life," "Life Plus" and "Executive" At launch also a special limited edition model is available, the "Start Edition". Standard in all variants are LED daytime running lights, a hill-start assist and now a comfort indicator. With "Touch & Go" Toyota also offers a navigation system with enhanced connectivity and access to online content and apps. Bluetooth phones can be coupled to the system. In addition, bi-xenon headlights are available with Adaptive Headlights and a panoramic glass roof.


Driver Assistance: Too low demand

When the driver assistance, the Japanese show modest: Although the Auris with an automatic parking system called Sipa (Simple Intelligent Parking Assist) available. So that the vehicle driving by automatically detects a suitable parking and controls it at almost without driver - this only needs to adjust the speed. Safety assistance systems such as adaptive automatic braking assistance but one looks in vain in the options list. Toyota justifies this with insufficient demand for such systems in this segment.

The starting price of the Auris is 15,950 euros for the 1.33-liter Dual VVT-i petrol engine with 73 kW/99 hp and 6-speed manual transmission.