Category: New Bike Review
Having the proper safety equipment is very important when you are operating or riding on a motorcycle. Even though I have blogged about motorcycling safety in the past, it does not hurt to repeat it from time to time because the topic is of utmost importance in a biker’s lifestyle. In this article I have given the tips to help you choose the right Helmet.
While a helmet is the most important piece of safety equipment, it will only protect you if it the right type of helmet and it fits properly. Have you ever seen a young child riding on a motorcycle wearing an adult size helmet? In the event of an accident, the helmet would offer no protection to the child’s skull at all.
It is very important that you try on any motorcycle helmet to ensure a proper fit. If you decide to make a purchase over the internet or from a catalog, make sure you are able to return it for a refund if it doesn’t fit well. Keep in mind that each manufacturer sizes their helmets differently. Just because you currently own a size large doesn’t mean that is what you will wear in a different brand. For best results through the mail or internet, measure the circumference of your head and ask them to give you the helmet dimensions. Never purchase a used motorcycle helmet because it may have been involved in an accident and it won’t protect you as it was designed to.
For the best results, try on motorcycle helmets with any accessories you will generally have while riding. For example, many women like to have their hair in a ponytail but may have it straight while trying on a helmet. If you wear prescription glasses while operating your motorcycle, then make sure you take them with you when you are trying on helmets.
A motorcycle helmet needs to fit very securely. Make sure it surrounds your entire head. The chin straps are adjustable but put them in place to ensure you can get them tight enough to fit your face shape. You should also try on the same brand of helmet in one size larger and one size smaller just to make sure you do in fact have the best fitting helmet for your head. For added comfort, consider getting a motorcycle helmet that offers air vents. You can easily slide them opened or closed to allow more air to circulate while wearing it.
You will find motorcycle helmets made from a variety of materials. For the best in safety and quality, choose one that is made from organic fiberglass and layers of carbon fibers. This combination creates a very powerful shock absorbent shell. You also want to make sure the liner features a three layer system. This will offer you additional shock absorption.
If you plan to ride your motorcycle a great deal, consider getting a motorcycle helmet that allows you to easily change the visor. This is a great option for riding during the day and the night. Make sure the visors are fog resistant and offer impact resistance.
Investing in a quality helmet that offers the protection you need while riding a motorcycle isn’t going to be cheap, but it may well be one of the most important investments you make in your life. Statistics show that motorcycle riders who wear a helmet have a 35% less chance of suffering from a head injury. You can fit a helmet that fits well and even have it custom painted to match your motorcycle.
Wish You A Safe Ride,
Deepak
Category: New Bike Review
Armed with my new track bike and a year of experiences, it was decided to further my skills on bike so I signed up for Fast Level 1 & Level 2.
I had some great teachers the year before but I wanted to take the courses as a confirmation of my abilities and get third party advice from someone I don’t know. As seems to be typical with me in the morning a few butterflies were fluttering around in my stomach as I prepared for the days events at Shannonville.
We were broken up into various groups which were constantly changed based on your speed. I was fortunate enough to get with the fast group and stay there. We worked on everything from braking techniques, turning, lines, accelerating, etc. And we were critiqued by the instructors on our ability to apply the techniques taught. I had the honor of John Bickle as my instructor that day. For those who don’t know John, please read the “about” section on his website as he’s been a long supporter of racing in Canada with direct ties to CAN-AM 125 GP series as well as the Air Fence deployed for the national series among others. (click on the Air Fence link and check out the pics where it’s used in MotoGP at Catalungya, Spain, Laguna Seca, USA among other locations. And don’t forget to check them out in action with Factory HRC rider Dani Pedrosa’s crash)
It was a fun day overall on the Nelson Circuit and it allowed me confirm my abilities and gave me some more confidence which is everything when you’re on the track. I even got the fastest rider of the day award which is on my wall.
Level 2 was a continuation from Level 1 and built on the skills that were learned. We were able to get more track time because everyone had the basics mastered. So we were able to work more on cornering and getting a better drive. It also allowed me to work on a couple of corners on the Fabi Circuit track I was having trouble with and our instructor for the day ex. Pro J.F. Cyr was able to help me nail down the lines.
All in all I enjoyed levels 1 & 2 with the fast school. It wasn’t until 2005 when I did level 3 on the Pro Track and boy was that entertaining. I had brought my bike like I had done on the previous dates. However, it was pouring rain and I had race compound tires on vs. the street compounds (see under motorcycle) the fast school bikes were running. I might have well put slicks on because it was like riding on ice. Good thing I had some practice sliding before today.
I still managed to be the fastest one there despite the weather. But what was really cool was that I got completely separated from the rest of the groups and was running solo with current Pro Andrew Nelson my personal instructor for a couple of sessions. Man was he fast in the wet and kept pushing & pulling me faster and faster, oh the slides I was getting faster and more leery of a crash all at the same time. But I can’t complain when it was all said and done I had some fun on the track with Andrew that day.
So what’s next? I guess it was time to get my competition license and go racing.
*Photos provided by Flair Photo
Bryan Fil
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Category: New Bike Review
As I had mentioned in the earlier article on Yamaha FZ16 Midship Muffler, here is the next piece of content on the bike’s radial tyre. If you want to read the original review visit, Yamaha FZ16 Road Test and Review.
The Radial Tyres of Yamaha FZ16: This is the first radial tyre ever featured as a standard equipment on a bike in India. A radial tyre has a construction in which the cords of the structural structural skeleton of the tyre, known as the carcass, run radially around the tyre at right angels in the direction of forward motion. The structure gives the tyre excellent firmness and prevents excessive distortion of the tyre’s shape due to forces from the road, reduces rolling resistance and helps improve fuel economy. Most people know the heavy, woobly feeling while riding on a bicycle with low air pressure in the tyres, and when the tyres are fully inflated there is little distortion in its shape, even when going over bumps on the road surface. That is what is meant by low rolling resistance.
We asked the Yamaha engineers about the actual user benefits that comes from this radial tyre. “The FZ16 has been developed with the aim of going beyond the conventional commuter bike to achieve true sports bike performance that offers the owner real fun of riding. As one of the ways to achieve this goal, we adopted a radial tyre for the excellent firmness it provides. To optimize, the balance between the tyres and the frame, we also adopted an extra sturdy front fork with thick 41mm diameter inner tubes.” We began by asking about more detail on the merits of a radial tyre. “Because of its excellent rigidity, a radial tyre can be designed with less tyre height. And because the tyre is thinner and flatter, it weighs less. The size of the radial tyre on the FZ16 is 140/60-R17, compared to an equivalent 120/70-17 bias tyre. And, although it has roughly the same diameter, it weighs less than the biastyre. This also means lower inertial mass at the rear axle. You might compare this to the feeling of wearing light sneakers as opposed to heavy shoes.
Another benefit of radial tyres is that their added firmness means that even a fatter tyre provides a firm ride with a sharp handling response. Generally speaking, a fatter tyre tends to flex under pressure and therefore does not give a sharp handling feeling. But a radial tyres inherent firmness means that even a fatter tyre there is a quicker convergence of external forces, which means sharper handling and a sportier, more agile ride. It is a tyre that provides a solid feeling of road contact.
To develop the radial rear tyre for the FZ16, Yamaha’s design staff worked closely with the technical staff of the tyre maker MRF and exchanged information numerous times about the exact performance qualities they wanted for this model. The specifications of a custom designed tyre like this involves more than just the various size dimensions. This also involves longitudinal and lateral rigidity balance, grip qualities and flexing (distortion) characteristics and a mutual balance amongst these various factors. Of course, it is not this tyre alone that gives a bike like the FZ16 a sporty, agile ride. Adjustment of the specs of the various chassis components to achieve an optimum mix is also necessary to bring out the maximum performance potential. Here is what the Yamaha engineers had to say about the chassis development: “The FZ16 frame is a newly developed diamond type frame. Viewed externally, it may look similar to the frame of the Yamaha Gladiator, but in fact it is completely different and was developed wfth a prime focus on reducing weight. Also, rigid mounts were used instead of rubber mounts in a design that makes the engine function as a structural member of the frame.
Then we worked on achieving the best specs for the many related parts and components in detail, through repeated tests. The stay that holds the engine (cylinder) head to the frame are made of steel plate with a thickness of 3.2 mm and high-rigidity die-cast Aluminum was used for the parts that connect the pivot assembly to the frame. These parts are especially effective in providing quicker convergence (absorption) of external forces when running at higher speeds. Also, a hard rubber close in consistency to plastic resin is used for the rear hub damper to increase rigidity. This combines with the effect of the rear radial tyre to make this a machine that achieves excellent response to the rider’s handling actions.
In simple terms, you won’t feel any “sloppiness” in the handling response while riding through traffic on the city streets. Instead, you get a response that enables agile riding. The FZ16 has a chassis performance that provides direct response to the rider’s throttle work, and at Yamaha we call this, “drivability with a feeling of directness.” And it is part of their definition of the fun of riding that they want this model to deliver. Another important chassis feature of this model is the extra sturdy front fork with thick 4lmm-daimeter tubes. The 41mm inner tubes of this front suspension are the size usually used on 400cc class sport bikes. Why did Yamaha choose such a high-spec unit? “Besides, its shock-absorbing function, the front fork is also a component that determines the overall rigidity of a motorcycles chassis. To achieve the optimum balance with the new frame and the radial rear tyre, we chose a unit with 41mm tubes to achieve a high level of rigidity.
In addition to providing good rigidity and stability in straight-line running, it also functions especially well to give a good, solid feeling of machine stability on rough roads with continuing bumps and during sharp braking,” the Yamaha engineers comment. That’s not to mention the distinctive look it gives to the bike’s appearance. And, the larger spec also improves the fork’s suspension function. “These thick inner tubes improve the mechanical functioning of the suspension. If you have two suspension units with the same cushioning capacity, the one with the larger inner tube circumference will function better, because the increased surface area reduces the friction per unit of surface area and thus produces better response. Of course, the larger diameter also means that you can give it a larger diameter spring as well. With the FZ16s front fork you wont feel any “bottoming out” when going over bumps or during sudden braking because of the strong, solid cushioning function it delivers”.
The fatter fork may look heavier but that is only the visual impression. “This fork uses tubes with thinner walls to reduce weight, and the handlebar crown that supports the fork is also a lightweight cast Aluminum unit. The design of the ribs on the inside of this crown was also optimized by conducting repeated tests. The specs of the fork offset, caster and trail were also optimized in relation to each other to help contribute further to the enjoyable and highly stable handling feeling”. Another characteristic you will notice with the handlebar crown and the under-bracket on the FZ16 is the wider breadth of their span. They are about 10mm wider than those on the Gladiator and this surely contributes to the stability of the front assembly.
