Skip to Content

Summer Budget Travel Tips from Gadling
AOL Tech

motorcycle posts

Brammo Enertia electric motorcycle now available


The Brammo Enertia electric motorcycle -- which we took for a joyride around the streets of New York City last month -- can now be yours, as it's officially on sale. The eco-friendly bike has a horsepower rating of 13.7, with torque at 31 ft/lbs, and weighs about 280 pounds. With a top speed of about 50 miles an hour, the bike's got a 45 mile range before needing a 3 hour recharge. It's not the most powerful of motorcycles to be sure, but it's got plenty of style, and it can be yours for about $12,000.

[Via Coolest Gadgets]

BMW kicking Garmin's zumo 660 up a notch with the Motorrad Navigator IV

Sure, Garmin's zumo 660 was designed with the biker in mind, but BMW's taking it one step further with the latest in its branded Motorrad series, the Navigator IV. Based on Garmin's GPS ditty, it's got the same 4.3-inch "glove friendly" touchscreen, voice control, and A2DP support. It can withstand heavy vibration, fuel sprays, UV rays, is waterproof and most importantly, can play your favorite adrenaline-pumping tunes for when those other precautions are being handily tested. Additionally, we've got a four-button motorcycle mount and it comes pre-loaded with a database of BMW dealers, just in case you ever need one in a jiff. Coming third quarter to US and Europe, there's no word on price yet, but as a basis for comparison, the cost of the zumo 660 is about $700.

[Via NaviGadget]

Zero MX all-electric motorcycle takes on the trails


Not one to rest on its ultra-quiet laurels, Zero Motorcycles has just introduced its newest zero-emissions bike: the Zero MX. Hitting the scene just a month and change after we test drove the Zero S, this whip is engineered specifically for track riding and motocross, with the fork, shocks, wheels and tires being all new for this model. In fact, we're told that the MX will enable riders to jump higher and land softer, with a beefier front-end and a "custom rear shock that gives riders a fully adjustable spring preload and easily tuned damping." Better still, it's available as we speak for the not-at-all-reasonable price of $8,250, though at least we're heading in the right direction -- the aforesaid Zero S rang up at nearly ten large (while that Brammo bike we tested today starts at twelve grand). Live action video is after the break.

Engadget cruises with the Brammo Enertia electric motorcycle (with videos!)

Engadget cruises with the Brammo Enertia electric motorcycle (with video!)
Little more than a month after getting our sweaty, gloveless mitts on the Zero Motorcycles Zero S we received an offer to ride yet another high-tech wunderbike: the Brammo Enertia. Naturally our first reaction was excitement -- excitement only slightly dampened by news that we'd again be using the gridlocked NYC streets as our test track. But, we risked life, limb, and the ire of many a taxi driver to get some impressions of the latest electric motorcycle to hit the streets, and grabbed some video action of it all too. Read on for the lot.

MotoCzysz E1pc electric superbike packs iPhone in the dash


We've certainly seen Apple's iPhone act as an integral part of a vehicle before, but we've yet to see one front and center on a motorbike. Hailed as the planet's first "digital superbike," the MotoCzysz E1pc packs some pretty sick technology from end-to-end. Aside from being a zero-emissions, all-electric motorcycle, it reportedly relies on Apple's darling for its instrumentation. Sadly, details about what exactly the iPhone handles are few and far between, but hopefully we'll hear more after its upcoming run in the TTXGP on June 12th. Two more looks after the break.

[Via Hell For Leather]

DIY Solar Flyer motorcycle tearing around Phoenix, Arizona


Phoenix area resident and motorcycle enthusiast Richard Gryzch got tired of gassing up his bike all the time, and he decided to do something about it. Rather than getting a fancy electric motorcycle, he modded one for himself -- making an electric bike that is seemingly covered in solar panels. The motorcycle uses no gas, goes up to about 90 miles per hour and has a range of around 50 miles. There are very few details about the inner workings of the bike, so we're loathe to say it's 100 percent solar, but Richard does plan on extending his bike's range of 300 miles. Hit the read link to watch an extremely tiny video of Richard and his bike.

Engadget shreds on the Zero S all-electric motorcycle (with video!)

Zero S electric motorcycle test ride and review
It's not the first. It's not the fastest. It's not the lightest, the strongest, the cheapest, or even the best looking electric motorcycle out there. It is, however, one of the very few you can order today and, when it ships next month, ride it (legally) on the highways and byways of all 50 states. Europe, too. Among that very limited group the Zero S electric supermoto (or electrimoto as we've taken to calling it) is certainly a standout, completely custom-built around battery and motor, and we were lucky enough to take it for a spin on a hazy, dingy, frequently traffic'd New York City side street -- just the sort of conditions a two-wheeled urban warrior/commuter relishes. Read on for our full impressions and a video that will take you along for the ride.

Garmin's zūmo 660 motorcycle GPS shipping this month


Hot on the heels of Mio's introduction of its C523 V2 motorcycle-centric navigator comes good news for American bikers. Garmin's zūmo 660, which was originally announced at CES with a monstrous $800 price tag, is apparently set to ship before the end of this month. Aside from the widescreen design, advanced Junction and 3D building views, Bluetooth connectivity, large-format keyboard, the device also includes a 4.3-inch sunlight-readable panel, ruggedized and waterproof chassis and a built-in feature that hunts down other obnoxiously loud exhaust pipes. Yeah, we're just kiddin' on that last part, but at least you'll have this bad boy before you make the trek to Myrtle Beach next month and Sturgis in August.

[Via I4U News]

Mio's C523 V2 navigator aims to route motorcyclists


Not that it's impossible to find a GPS for motorcyclists or anything, but your options are certainly limited. Mitac's Mio branch is looking to give hog and crotch rocket riders one more alternative with the 4.3-inch C523 V2, a somewhat varied version of the 2007 original. The included "rider mode" supposedly enables motorcycle riders to not spend as much time glancing at the screen, though we suppose the tweaked interface could still work for folks in traditional motorcars. Crazily enough, the unit also supports 1seg digital TV tuning in Japan, though we wouldn't recommend checking out your favorite programming whilst dodging those much, much larger automobiles whirring around you. Pricing is set for ¥44,800 ($446), but there's no indication of when (or if, even) this will head stateside.

[Via NaviGadget]

Zero S electric motard set to scare commuters later this month

Zero S electric motard set to scare commuters later this month
In the world of motorcycling the motard is a bike for crazies -- not packing much power but offering plenty of grunt for wheelies and other urban antics, making them quite popular amongst those who ride the city streets. They're typically modified off-roaders, as is the case with Zero X's new Zero S. The company took its electric dirtbike, added some street-friendly tires, tweaked the suspension, and doubled the battery life to offer 60 miles to a charge despite keeping the weight down to just 225 pounds. While a zero-to-60 time of five seconds won't win any awards from two-wheeled aficionados, that's more than quick enough to ensure victory at stoplights. A top speed of just 60 mph means highways are to be avoided, but they're no fun anyway. You can throw your leg over your own later this month for $9,950, or catch a video of this near-silent screamer right now after the break.

Brammo Enertia electric motorcycle to be sold at Best Buy


You're already buying TVs, washing machines, cheap keyboards and cell phones at Best Buy, why not a $12,000 electric motorcycle? That seems to be the thinking going on at Brammo HQ, where an infusion of cash from Best Buy's investment arm last year has now led to plans to sell the $11,995 Enertia at five West Coast Best Buy stores in May. Okay, sure, but we're way less optimistic about plans to let the Geek Squad handle basic repairs and maintenance -- we don't let those fools near our laptops, god forbid Pimples McUpsell touch something that could actually kill us. Eventually Brammo wants to sell bikes at every Best Buy location around the world, but we'll see how this initial test works out.

Mission One electric motorcycle boasts 150 MPH top speed, extreme price tag

The Mission One EV electric sports bike got a proper unveiling at this week's Technology, Entertainment, Design (TED) conference, and boy does this baby exude power. Mission Motors says the motorcycle's got an 150 MPH top speed and 100 foot-pounds of torque at any point between 0 and 6,500 RPM. That's a good deal faster than the Electric Motorsport GPR-S, which tops out at a now-paltry 100 MPH. The lithium-ion battery keeps it running for 150 miles, and charge time is targeted for under 2 Hours at 240V (8 Hours at 120V). Its stylish form factor comes from famed industrial designer Yves Behar. Yeah, we're excited, too, but here's the part where you flinch: the deathly silent super-scooter will first show up in 2010 with a 50-unit limited edition run costing $68,995 apiece. A more affordable model will be announced sometime this summer. If you've got a need for this much muted speed, be prepared to mortgage a house or two.

[Via Autoblog Green]

Garmin's new nvi 885T, z?mo 660 and G5 GPS units for drivers, bikers and golfers


Garmin's gone all diversity-happy on us this morning with three new chock-full-o-features portable GPS devices. The nüvi 885T is the real flagship here, offering speech recognition, lane assist junction view and MSN Direct traffic info and other cloud-based services. The unit centers on a 4.3-inch 480 x 272 touchscreen, and offers up Bluetooth for hands-free calling and an FM transmitter to pump turn-by-turn instructions and music through your car stereo. Unfortunately, the hotness doesn't come cheap: the 855T goes for $800, with an MSN and Bluetoothless version going for $700. The z?mo 660 is built for motorcycle types, with a 4.3-inch glove and sunlight-friendly touchscreen display. There's Bluetooth for pumping turn-by-turn directions to your helmet headset, and more of that lane assist goodness, but the $800 pricetag might quell your enthusiasm. Finally, the G5 offers up a 3-inch touchscreen, with what sound to be some pretty intuitive tap and drag functionalities. Pictures of the 660 and the G5 are after the break.

Read - Garmin nüvi 885T
Read - Garmin z?mo 660
Read - Garmin G5

Electric Motorsport's GPR-S e-motorcycle available now for $8,000


When we spotted Electric Motorsport last year the company was pushing a high-ish performance electric motorcycle prototype, with a top speed of 100 MPH, 100 mile range, a $15,000 pricetag, and a whole bunch ugly battery strapped underneath. Lucky for us, they've taken a very mass-market approach to their next bike, the GPR-S. Boasting a 60-70 MPH top speed and 35-60 mile range, the sleek little bike just might be the perfect commuter ride, and the $8,000 pricetag is much more palatable. The bike can charge in about four hours, or 1.5 hours with an optional speed charger. Even better, the bike is modular in nature, which means you'll be able to swap in a better power system once one comes along with a minimum of hassle. Electric Motorsport has sold 25 of these so far, but they're up and running and ready for sales at volume -- which is surprisingly still an incredibly rare feat in the electric transportation industry, even in 2008.

Wearable airbags keep the elderly from hitting the ground so hard


Elderly? Enfeebled? Just plain clumsy? Tokyo-based Prop has your back. Its newly announced personal, wearable airbag looks like a cool fanny-pack and weighs a mere 1.1 kilograms (2.4 pounds) -- but springs forth in one-tenth of a second when sensors detect you're headed for the floor, protecting your head and ass with two inflated bags that contain 3.9 gallons of gas each. Similar to the various airbag-equipped suits already used by some motorcyclists, the airbag is yours for a cool ¥148,000 ($1,400). Or you could just not fall down.

[Thanks, Steve]
Follow us on Twitter
Engadget Video


AOL News

Joystiq

Download Squad

TUAW

BloggingStocks

Asylum

Autoblog

Switched.com

FanHouse

Autoblog Green