Bikes in the Fast Lane: When Relying On Technology Gets You In Trouble - The Navigon Case plus 2 more

---

• When Relying On Technology Gets You In Trouble - The Navigon Case
• Idea: Increase Your Safety With These Vololights Motorcycle Plates - Nifty!
• France: Electric And Hybrid Vehicles Gather Public Support

When Relying On Technology Gets You In Trouble - The Navigon Case Posted: 22 May 2013 09:00 AM PDT #GPS #Navigon #TomTom - I'll be the first to admit it, I am technology lover; I used technology whenever it becomes available. When decades ago the first portable GPS came out, I immediately took to it like a fish takes to water. The GPS was very simple, it just pointed to the way point you specified, but on a motorcycle, it was heaven sent. All I needed to do was try to stay on route to where the arrow was pointing. A few years later, the GPS actually told you to turn left or right, making it even easier to use on a motorcycle. Now, GPS has 3D maps, traffic reports, speed camera locations, and where you can find the closest McDonalds. Recently, you don't need dedicated equipment anymore, a smartphone with the right app will do the trick. So, I have become more and more reliant on this kind of technology, to the point of blindly trusting my GPS. I run an iPhone with the Navigon GPS app (owned by Garmin). It has its quirks, and at times on rides it makes me go a "strange" direction, but usually no harm, no foul. But that illusion just got shattered last week .......... ...........Click on the headline to continue reading this story....... ...

Idea: Increase Your Safety With These Vololights Motorcycle Plates - Nifty! Posted: 22 May 2013 05:00 AM PDT #Safety #Vololights #Kickstarter - You'd have thought that almost anything that can increase our safety on a motorcycle has already been invented, but you'd be wrong. Two bright motorcycle riders in the USA have come up with a great safety product that will not cost you a fortune, nor hours spent installing it. Currently a Kickstart project looking for funding (help them out by donating a few bucks), Vololights is a smartly designed product that can, and probably will, save you from being rear-ended. It has always been one of my fears when riding my motorcycle; when you decelerate your bike by just letting go of the throttle, or by downshifting, your motorcycle slows down faster than a car would, but with no warning to car drivers. If the car driver is not paying attention, like most of them don't, your sudden deceleration will catch them by surprise, and boooom, before you know it at the very least they'll kiss your rear end. It might sound dirty to you, but it's super dangerous. Many motorcycles have found themselves in the ditch,or worse, because the car behind them didn't see them decelerating. The Vololights is a license plate that replaces your current one........... ...........Click on the headline to continue reading this story....... ...

France: Electric And Hybrid Vehicles Gather Public Support Posted: 21 May 2013 11:00 PM PDT #Statistics #Survey #Electric #Ecological - After a recent study of the French market, the survey shows that the French as a nation support in rather large numbers the use of electric or hybrid cars and motorcycles. A survey conducted of some 2,000 people shows that 38% of them would purchase a hybrid vehicle if they had the financial means to do so. That's 15% up over the previous year. 18% of the surveyed said they'd like to purchase an electrical vehicles, up over 2011 when that figure was only 8%........... ...........Click on the headline to continue reading this story....... ...

You are subscribed to email updates from Bikes in the Fast Lane - Daily Motorcycle News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610

Bikes in the Fast Lane: India: PSA - Keep Your Thoughts On The Road - Also For Motorcycles plus 2 more

---

• India: PSA - Keep Your Thoughts On The Road - Also For Motorcycles
• Returning To My Office. Computer Not Used For A While. It Shows!
• On My Way Back. Guess Where I’ve Been?

India: PSA - Keep Your Thoughts On The Road - Also For Motorcycles Posted: 21 May 2013 09:00 AM PDT #India #Safety #Ads - Hmmm.. interesting. Here's a public service announcement coming from India, trying to keep riders and drivers focused on the road. They've got several ads, cars and motorcycle, and in the nicely-done graphics, they show what the driver is thinking. "Obviously" the motorcycle rider is thinking about his Girlfriend, while the car drivers are thinking about the Boss and the Husband..... It's true, that especially when riding a motorcycle, better keep 100% of your focus on the road and not let you mind wander off. ...

Returning To My Office. Computer Not Used For A While. It Shows! Posted: 21 May 2013 05:00 AM PDT #Funny #Keyboard - I know what I'll be seeing when I get back to my little office..... with my computers not used for days, and no one to look after them. ...

On My Way Back. Guess Where I’ve Been? Posted: 20 May 2013 11:00 PM PDT #Funny #KTM #Netherlands - I'm hopefully heading back to home (Normandy, France). Want to guess where I have been? Maybe the photo will give you a hint...... ...

You are subscribed to email updates from Bikes in the Fast Lane - Daily Motorcycle News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610

Bikes in the Fast Lane: If The Red Baron Would Have A Motorcycle, This Would Be It plus 2 more

---

• If The Red Baron Would Have A Motorcycle, This Would Be It
• France: Self Teaching Site On The Dangers Of Motorcycle Riding
• France: Honda Claims Gold Wing Not Designed For Taxi Service

If The Red Baron Would Have A Motorcycle, This Would Be It Posted: 20 May 2013 09:00 AM PDT #Amazing #Strange #Chopper - If ever the famous and notorious Red Baron would have had a motorcycle, this one would have been it. It's a custom made chopper, using a real aircraft engine, in this case a radial engine. You should have a look at the video below, and TURN UP THE VOLUME. This is one engine you'll want to hear purr away. Amazing. I'd say the motorcycle has an enormous torque, but also that it's very heavy........... ...........Click on the headline to continue reading this story....... ...

France: Self Teaching Site On The Dangers Of Motorcycle Riding Posted: 20 May 2013 05:00 AM PDT #Safety - Here's an interesting site developed by the Prevention Routière et Assureurs Prevention, an organization for the prevention of accidents funded by insurance companies. The site, called MotoPrev (as in Motorcycle Prevention) is like a video game without the controls. It shows you how and when motorcycle accidents happen. It allows you to identify areas where you may be in danger. There are 7 main areas, and each area loads a video (using high quality animated graphics) which you can view from either the motorcycle's point of view, satellite/above view or the car's view. There's at the end also an explanation, but it's in French (as is the whole site)........... ...........Click on the headline to continue reading this story....... ...

France: Honda Claims Gold Wing Not Designed For Taxi Service Posted: 19 May 2013 11:00 PM PDT #Taxi #Honda #Goldwing - Honda France may have shot themselves in their feet. 25% of all Gold Wing motorcycle sales are to taxi companies, since many (bikers and clients) consider the luxury and comfortable tourer the best and only way to ride through a busy city. But taxis ride many kilometers every day, more miles per bike than "civilians". And that's where the problem lies. Honda France have stated that the Gold Wing was never designed to swallow so many kilometers every day, especially the clutch. Riding in an urban environment means shifting gears continuously, and that means actioning the clutch. So Honda France have stated that they although they will honor the normal warrantee on the Gold Wing if used by a taxi company, but that defects that are related to overuse, especially the clutch, will not be honored or repaired under a warrantee program........... ...........Click on the headline to continue reading this story....... ...

You are subscribed to email updates from Bikes in the Fast Lane - Daily Motorcycle News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610

Bikes in the Fast Lane: Turkish Motorcyclists Celebrate National Independence Day In Holland

---

Turkish Motorcyclists Celebrate National Independence Day In Holland Posted: 19 May 2013 03:00 AM PDT #Turkey #Ataturk #Netherlands - As luck (or skill) will have it, I was in The Netherlands this weekend in the great city of Utrecht, and while walking the canal streets of this old and beautiful city, I stumbled upon this. Today is the National Holiday of Turkey, celebrating the Commemoration of the founder of Turkey, Ataturk. To celebrate this national event, Turkish motorcycle riders living in The Netherlands gathered today to mark this special occasion. Speeches, gathering, talking between friends, and of course the mandatory ride out........... ...........Click on the headline to continue reading this story....... ...

You are subscribed to email updates from Bikes in the Fast Lane - Daily Motorcycle News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610

Bikes in the Fast Lane: Top Internet Stories - 17 May 2013 plus 2 more

---

• Top Internet Stories - 17 May 2013
• App: Help Others On Motorcycles Be Safe - Great Software
• China: Annual Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Gathering - China’s Sturgis

Top Internet Stories - 17 May 2013 Posted: 16 May 2013 11:49 PM PDT I'm on the road, somewhere dusting the road, clocking up speeding fines and not enjoying the bad weather we've got in Europe. But to keep you amused, here are several motorcycle related articles that have appeared during the last week that you may have missed. - Great American Motorcycle Road Trip Usa Four Corners Tour (Motorcycle Blog From Jafrum) - Backpacks On Motorcycles: Life Savers Or Back Breakers (About Motorcycles) - Sidi Motorcycle Boots Review (Michael Padway And Associates) - The Basics Of Motorcycle Protective Gear (Self Sufficient Slackers) ...

App: Help Others On Motorcycles Be Safe - Great Software Posted: 17 May 2013 05:00 AM PDT #iPhone #App #Dangers - We told you some 2 weeks ago about a French initiative to use crowd-sourcing to highlight road infrastructure problems. The initiative was not bad, but quite limited since it requires to you to remember where the danger spots where during a ride and then fill them in on the web later. However a much better method has been launched in Belgium for its surrounding countries (so not limited to one country) using smartphones. The approach is quite interesting, innovative and biker safe. Maybe you can lobby the developer to release the app for the rest of the world since everyone can benefit from this app. The app is called Moto Smarty and currently works on iPhones with an Android version in test (they are looking for testers). It's the way they allow you to share your experience in bad or dangerous roads that makes this application so interesting. Basically Moto Smarty records all hazards; potholes, manholes, fissures, slippery surfaces, bumps, dangerous curves, etc... they even warn you of speed bumps. The danger points are pointed out by other motorcycle riders (even car drivers) traveling those same roads and encountering the problem areas. But here's where it gets interesting........... ...........Click on the headline to continue reading this story....... ...

China: Annual Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Gathering - China’s Sturgis Posted: 16 May 2013 11:00 PM PDT #Harley-Davidson #China - No matter where you are in the world, like-minded motorcycle owners will turn up at some annual event. The biggest is Harley-Davidson's Sturgis, and this Chinese event falls way behind in terms of participants. But in a country where a Harley-Davidson's import tax is as much as the motorcycle itself, it's only the rich that can afford it. And not many of them participate in these "rowdy" events... BTW is that the Village People in photo #10? ...

You are subscribed to email updates from Bikes in the Fast Lane - Daily Motorcycle News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610

Bikes in the Fast Lane: Movie Review: The Baytown Outlaws plus 2 more

---

• Movie Review: The Baytown Outlaws
• Gone On A Trip, This Is What I’m Doing With The 1st Radar I See
• Pakistan: And Why Do You Think There Is Fraud In Elections?

Movie Review: The Baytown Outlaws Posted: 16 May 2013 09:00 AM PDT #Movie #Review - A review of the movie entitled "The Baytown Outlawz", a Tarantino-style movie, with two interesting motorcycle gangs, one a hooker biker gang, the other Native-American bikers who scalp their victims. Interesting movie, interesting plot, lots of action, guns, motorcycles, girls. A to-be-seen action comedy movie. ...

Gone On A Trip, This Is What I’m Doing With The 1st Radar I See Posted: 16 May 2013 05:00 AM PDT #Funny #Radar #Pee -I'm off on a trip for a few days, back on Tuesday afternoon if everything goes well (traveling in Europe usually means things don't go as planned). I've programmed a series of articles to keep you amused and interested, so no zapping! The first speed radar I see will get this treatment. I wonder what kind of a fine I'd get? Probably all they can do is public urination, or would it be destruction of public property? Anyway, see you on Tuesday, hopefully. Tonight I sleep in Paris, then it's destination-mystery.... ...

Pakistan: And Why Do You Think There Is Fraud In Elections? Posted: 15 May 2013 11:00 PM PDT #Elections #Fraud #Pakistan - People sometimes (okay, often) wonder why there's fraud in elections, and how it's possible. The answer is quite simple: because we make it possible! Transporting the ballot boxes like this on a motorcycle is spelling trouble.... or in any vehicle, in bags. ...

You are subscribed to email updates from Bikes in the Fast Lane - Daily Motorcycle News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610

Bikes in the Fast Lane: Video: Is This A Real Harley-Davidson Ad Or A Fake? Opinions? plus 2 more

---

• Video: Is This A Real Harley-Davidson Ad Or A Fake? Opinions?
• One European Hotel Chain That Caters For Motorcycles
• When A Pillion Has Total Confidence In The Biker

Video: Is This A Real Harley-Davidson Ad Or A Fake? Opinions? Posted: 15 May 2013 09:00 AM PDT #Harley-Davidson #Advertisement #Fake - Here's a TV commercial that has got me baffled. Is this a real Harley-Davidson motorcycle advertisement or just a fake? It's not in English, but that shouldn't matter.... just looking at the images makes me wonder if this is real. Somehow I doubt it... I don't think Harley would touch the subject. And what do the words say??? Anyone? What do you think? Real or Fake? ...

One European Hotel Chain That Caters For Motorcycles Posted: 15 May 2013 05:00 AM PDT #Logis #Hotels - The private hotel chain Logis, a French group and France's biggest hotel chain, has started a campaign to attract motorcycle riders to their establishments. Many of you who travel on holiday on a motorcycle will know that often hotels for some reason do not like bikers. They see us a rowdy and loud people, and are often not equipped to receive us and our stinking and noisy motorcycles (all true, but still....). Logis seem to be going out of their way to accommodate us. They have recently sign a charter to make our lives more bearable when travelling. Out of the 2,556 hotel properties in Europe (2,429 in France, 32 in Spain, 25 in Belgium, 24 in The Netherlands, etc) 290 are already converted to servicing bikers. They are called Logis Moto........... ...........Click on the headline to continue reading this story....... ...

When A Pillion Has Total Confidence In The Biker Posted: 14 May 2013 11:00 PM PDT #Pillion #Funny #Texting - Many pillion riders are a bit anxious when sitting on a motorcycle. You put your lives in the hands of the rider, so who wouldn't? But here's a pillion who is totally at ease with the rider, so much so that even in a steep curve she/he is texting. Cool or what? ...

You are subscribed to email updates from Bikes in the Fast Lane - Daily Motorcycle News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610