Spidi is proud to unveil today their new 2012 summer collection. The series features mesh fabrics and breathable materials. The collection includes four new products, including the Net7 jacket, the Netix Lady jacket, the Summer Fit pants, and the G-Flash gloves. The Net7 jacket is made of abrasion resistant material and a removable windproof jacket. The Lady jacket is made of the same material, but is better designed for a lady’s figure. The Fit pants also share the same light weight material, but also has Tenax Polyamide with a high abrasion resistance. The gloves come in regular and lady versions and have been designed for short-to-mid range trips. Spidi says that the collection is available now, but the retail prices were not released yet.
The Schuberth S2 full helmet is one of the company’s leading models this year. Recently, the writers from Web Bike World got the chance to review this helmet to see how well it performs. The S2 is a touring helmet and the writers first stated that the helmet has retractable glasses and a compartment to include a communication system. The writers praised the comfortable fitting and the overall build quality. The large face shield provides excellent visibility and has several convenient settings for defogging. The writers did note that the internal sun visor could have been improved on and that the ventilation system was noisier than expected. In the end, the writers stated, “The Schuberth S2 is one of the most highly anticipated helmets of 2012, with a worldwide release. It’s difficult to summarize this helmet; on one hand, it definitely has all of the excellent Schuberth characteristics, but there are a few issues that keep it from a “Five Star” rating in my opinion. I still prefer the Schuberth SR1, which for me is quieter and has much better ventilation. It does not have the internal sun visor which I rarely use anyway, nor does it have the built-in antenna or an SRC-like collar. Neither of those factors bother me either. The S2 is an excellent helmet, don’t get me wrong. But with a $700.00 list price, it is natural for a reviewer to be much more critical when there’s a fault. In other words, everything should be absolutely perfect at that price, in my opinion. Do I like the S2 more than the Shoei X-12 or RF-1100, both of which I think are natural competitors? Yes. And the S2 is certainly one of the top sport/touring helmets available today, so if you’re in the market for leading-edge helmet design and technology, the Schuberth S2 should definitely be on your short list.”
Ducati Monster has a new bike coming soon called the 1000 EVO. The company describes the bike as an “Urban Military Chic” with a 100 horsepower, air-cooled, two-valve engine. The bike includes dual exhausts on the right side and 10 spoke wheels that were inspired by the Streetfighter and 1198 Superbike. Other big features include a 6 speed transmission, a 57.1 inch wheelbase, and a total weight of 373 pounds. The company has not announced a retail price yet for the 1000 EVO.
Harley Davidson is proud to announce today the release of their new Contention Mesh Jacket. The coat feature allover mesh construction with perforated panels for maximum airflow and resistance to abrasion. The company has also included built-in hydration pockets that will allow riders to add water packs for longer trips. There are also pockets on the shoulders and elbows to allow for body armor. The jacket is available in both white and black and comes in sizes S-5XL. There are also costume sizes for taller riders. Harley Davidson has yet to announce the retail price for the Contention Mesh Jacket.
One of the new carbon fiber helmets to be released this year is the KBC VR4R helmet. Recently, the writers from Web Bike World got the pleasure to review this helmet. The first thing they compliment is the helmet’s price. It is one of the cheapest models in the 2012 lineup. The writers highlight the overall build quality and think that it looks very sleek and stylish. Unfortunately the helmet has problems with the ventilation system as the writers state that it promises more than it provides. The vent ports are fairly slick and don’t provide a lot of grip for the rider. They are also lose fitting and the writers thought that they could break easily. The writers did praise the tight fitting face shield and its quick change system. They also liked the helmets sturdiness, but thought that the inner lining looked cheap and the red could be distracting. In the end, the writers concluded by stating, “The new KBC VR4R Carbon has a very nice, solid-feeling shell with outstanding carbon fiber quality. The face shield design is also very nice and the removal system works really well. The helmet looks great, but it’s let down by the vent hardware, which feels flimsy and is not up to the standards of the rest of the helmet. Also, the vinyl on the bottom of the helmet feels cheap — there’s no other word for it — and ours started to show wear almost immediately. The VR4R Carbon is one of the least expensive carbon fiber helmets available, and a redesign of the vents shouldn’t cost any more. In fact, KBC could save money by eliminating the moving parts in the rear exhaust vent, which aren’t necessary. If they can do this, the VR4R Carbon would move from average to outstanding in short order.”
Electric motorbikes usually are limited when it comes to speed. Today, the Znug Design unveiled their fastest design to date, the ZecOO. This bike is capable of reaching p to 75mph with a range between 55 and 85 miles per charge. The bike also has a new streamlike design that looks like it came from an anime cartoon. The battery requires 4-6 hours per charge and has its own retractable power cord. The company did not release a lot of information at the moment, but we do know that it will be releasing soon in Japan, where it is receiving the most attention. The bike will be a limited edition production run for now and each bike will cost $70000.
The Brammo Empulse electric motorcycle has been one of the many anticipated bikes of the year. Today, the company unveiled several new details about this bike. The bike will have two versions; the standard version and the R-spec version. The R-spec version will be a fully-faired sportbike that was developed by Brammo’s TTXGP North America-winning Empulse RR. Both bikes will include a water-cooled permanent magnet AC motor and a BPM 15/90 battery pack. This will allow riders to travel up to 121 miles in the city at an average speed of 19 mph, or 70 miles on the highway. The bikes are light weight, weighing only 440 pounds. “The Empulse and Empulse R are a milestone for Brammo and the new electric benchmark for the motorcycling industry. I know when I reveal the bikes on May 8th people are going to be blown away by the integrity of the design and the focused presence this motorcycle commands,” said Bramscher in a company press statement. “When we first revealed the Empulse prototype, our customers had some very clear feedback for us and that feedback has inspired much of what you will see in the production version.” Other major features include 54 horsepower, a 3.5 hour charge time, and a 6 speed gearbox. Brammo did not release retail prices yet for either bike version.
Spidi announced a new set of riding gloves will be released soon. The Carbo Track gloves are the next generation after the Carbo 3 gloves. The Carbo Track gloves were designed for the racetrack and street riding. The gloves come with a highlighted shield that is applied on the outside of the gloves. The shield has been reduced in thickness, but provides better shock absorption and more flexibility. Pietro Zanetti from Spidi’s Safety Lab R&D says, “The Warrior technology modifies the material’s geometries, opposing the impact with a 35-percent improvement, compared to a flat surface. The back protector certification tests are more strict for the KERBSTONE use (swing test stepsha ped). The mission is to protect every part of the body as it was the most important.” The gloves come in sizes between Medium and 3XL and will retail for $262.
Saddlemen is happy to announce the release of their new product, the Destination Pack. This saddle is a 44 liter portable security bag that has been wrapped in the company’s exclusive Steel Cage technology. The bag features two layers of scratch free liners that sandwich a wire mesh cage. The metal cage prevents items from falling out if the liner material ever fails. Other major features include weather and theft resistant features, a six foot long flexible stainless steel cable with a keyed pad lock, and it is big enough to hold most jackets, helmets, gloves and other gear. The Destination Pack is available now for just under $100.
One of the new full helmets from Vemar is one called the Storm helmet. Recently, the writers from Web Bike World published their review of this particular model. They first start out by highlighting the low retail price, which makes it affordable for budget riders. The face shield has several levels on which to set it, but it does need some fussing in order to set it to defog the shield. The venting system is unique because it includes three vents on the head, including a brow vent, which is not normally found in cheaper helmets. While they are usable, they can be hard to use, especially with gloves on. The chin bar is stylish, but the button to open the vent is placed inside the helmet instead of outside. The writers concluded by stating, “The new Vemar Storm is a bit of a paradox. It offers a lot for the money, with a nicely made, comfortably plush and silent interior, good overall looks and close-fitting tolerances on the plastic bits. But a few minor issues could be addressed to turn this into a real winner in the sub-$150 category. The most frustrating parts are the vents, which look great and actually work pretty well but are difficult to open and close. It’s not uncommon to find balky switchgear on either the top vent(s) or the chin vent, but in this case, all four vents have issues. The top vents are too smooth and difficult to grab. The brow vent is too stiff to operate and the chin vent switch is flush with the inside of the chin bar, making operation difficult when wearing gloves. These cons don’t necessarily outweigh the pros; indeed, the Vemar Storm has better than expected ventilation, excellent noise control, a comfortable interior and a tight-fitting face shield. If you’re OK with setting the vent openings before you start your ride, you’ll probably never notice these issues and you’ll be wearing a very satisfying sub-$150 helmet.”
