This is an awesome, must-see behind-the-scenes look at how Shoei produces some of the world’s most advanced motorcycle helmets!

SOURCE: SHOEI Helmets

This is an amazing video of a motorcycle helmet being machined out of a solid aluminium billet! Apparently the CNC-controlled milling machine is called a Hypermill. Must-see!

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Dainese has been working on its air-bag-equipped for about 10 years now and are set to release in 2010. The Dainese D-Tec system is the first airbag suit from a major protective bike clothing manufacturer, although small companies have released airbag equipped jackets. Watch the two YouTube videos below to see it in action.

SOURCE

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ProTyre, the UK’s leading independent tyre retailer, has today revealed shocking research that graphically demonstrates the extent of defective motorcycle tyres on British roads. With unrivalled access to motorcycles around the UK via its national network of retailers and fitters, ProTyre states that up to 70% of motorcycles and scooters visiting their premises are being regularly used with at least one dangerously defective tyre – having a tread depth of less than 1mm.

“This is a very worrying statistic”, says Phil Brookes, Operations Director at ProTyre. “Most motorcyclists will be acutely aware of the role that tyres play in motorcycle safety. Grip is everything on a bike and one illegally worn tyre means compromising 50% of potential adhesion. This is a very serious issue.”

The research coincides with TyreSafe’s inaugural ‘Bike Tyre Safety Month’, running throughout March, which seeks to place this crucial issue higher up the agenda. “ProTyre is delighted to support the TyreSafe campaign in any way we can”, says Phil Brookes. “We recognize that some high performance motorcycle tyres can only deliver limited mileage with hard use, but riders must accept the need to act responsibly.”

For the duration of March and in support of Bike Tyre Safety Month, ProTyre outlets are offering riders a free tyre safety check. Anyone wishing to take advantage of this offer can visit the ProTyre website at www.protyre.co.uk to find the nearest outlet. The ProTyre retail chain, currently with 20 outlets including ProTyre Motorsport, is part of Micheldever Tyre Services (MTS), which is the UK’s largest independent wholesaler, distributor and retailer of tyres.

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Defective tyres now account for the fourth biggest failure of motorcycle MOTs in the UK, after lights, brakes and suspension, according to the latest statistics from the Vehicle Operator and Services Agency (VOSA), with the data also revealing that standards of bike maintenance are not getting any better.

The report showed that between 2006 and 2007, close to 5,000 bikes failed their annual MOT because of tyres which were not fit for purpose, compared to nearly 1,700 the year before, equating to a dramatic increase of 66%. Cars and light vans did not fair too much better during the same period, recording a marked 54% rise, meaning that motorcyclists are not alone when it comes to not looking after their tyres correctly.

This presents a worrying picture says TyreSafe, and provides hard evidence of the extent to which tyres are neglected, and the thousands of riders who are putting their lives at risk every day on the nation’s roads as a result of their condition. With a minimal contact patch keeping the rider on the road, tyres which are not properly maintained can affect handling, cornering and the ability for the bike to achieve an optimum balance for the rider.

To emphasise the importance of the role which tyres play in the safety of motorcyclists, Bike Tyre Safety Month will be taking place throughout the month of March, a TyreSafe initiative designed to highlight the dangers of defective or badly worn tyres on motorcycles and scooters. The four-week long campaign, the first of its kind, has received full backing from both tyre manufacturers and retailers, and further details of how to support the scheme may be found on the TyreSafe website at www.tyresafe.org.

For further information on motorcycle tyre safety, visitors may download the “Motorcycle Tyres and Your Safety” leaflet for free at http://www.tyresafe.org/tyre-safety/

TyreSafe is a not for profit, non commercial organisation set-up to promote tyre safety and raise the awareness of the dangers of driving on defective or badly worn tyres. Illegal and worn tyres are a contributory factor in many road collisions particularly in the wet. TyreSafe campaigns for good tyre husbandry – look after your tyres and your tyres will look after you. For more tyre safety information visit www.tyresafe.org.

TyreSafe supports the government’s ACT ON CO2 campaign which promotes Smarter Driving tips to help cut CO2 emissions from driving. For more information visit www.dft.uk/ActOnCO2.

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With the arrival of Spring, many bikers will be looking to get back on their motorcycles, after having been stored away during the winter period. With prolonged static activity, this poses added dangers for riders says TyreSafe, the UK’s leading tyre safety organisation. Tyres may become under-inflated and will be subject to “dry rotting” or “cracking,” particularly if the bike has not been in covered storage, and has been exposed to cool temperatures.

Only two very small contact patches connect the rider with the road which means that maintaining tyres in good condition and using the correct levels of tyre pressure is critical to safety. Under-inflated tyres can cause the build-up of excessive heat which can lead to tyre failure, whilst over-inflation makes tyres more susceptible to cuts and punctures on high impact. Incorrect inflation can equally cause the bike to become unstable, affecting handling and cornering, but can also lead to an increase in fuel consumption and emissions, and a reduction in the life of the rubber.

One of the most common causes of motorcycle breakdowns is tyre damage, and TyreSafe has the following top tips to keep bikers on the road this Spring:

* Tyre pressures should adhere to those recommended by the manufacturer, and these should be checked from cold at least once a week;
* Inspect tyres for cuts, bulges, uneven wear or objects embedded into the tread pattern;
* Tread depth should be a minimum of 1mm (for bikes over 50cc);
* Old or damaged valve stems should be replaced;
* Tyres should be of the same manufacturer or pattern; and
* Cracked or bent rims should be replaced immediately.

Bike Tyre Safety Month will be taking place throughout the month of March, a TyreSafe initiative designed to highlight the dangers of defective or badly worn tyres on motorcycles and scooters. The four-week long campaign, the first of its kind, has received full backing from both tyre manufacturers and retailers, and further details of how to support the scheme may be found on the TyreSafe website at www.tyresafe.org.

For further information on motorcycle tyre safety, visitors may download the “Motorcycle Tyres and Your Safety” leaflet for free at http://www.tyresafe.org/tyre-safety/

TyreSafe is a not for profit, non commercial organisation set-up to promote tyre safety and raise the awareness of the dangers of driving on defective or badly worn tyres. Illegal and worn tyres are a contributory factor in many road collisions particularly in the wet. TyreSafe campaigns for good tyre husbandry – look after your tyres and your tyres will look after you. For more tyre safety information visit www.tyresafe.org.

TyreSafe supports the government’s ACT ON CO2 campaign which promotes Smarter Driving tips to help cut CO2 emissions from driving. For more information visit www.dft.uk/ActOnCO2.

バイカーブードゥー

This is an awesome, must-see behind-the-scenes look at how Shoei produces some of the world’s most advanced motorcycle helmets!

SOURCE: SHOEI Helmets

This is an amazing video of a motorcycle helmet being machined out of a solid aluminium billet! Apparently the CNC-controlled milling machine is called a Hypermill. Must-see!

バイカーブードゥー

Dainese has been working on its air-bag-equipped for about 10 years now and are set to release in 2010. The Dainese D-Tec system is the first airbag suit from a major protective bike clothing manufacturer, although small companies have released airbag equipped jackets. Watch the two YouTube videos below to see it in action.

SOURCE

バイカーブードゥー

ProTyre, the UK’s leading independent tyre retailer, has today revealed shocking research that graphically demonstrates the extent of defective motorcycle tyres on British roads. With unrivalled access to motorcycles around the UK via its national network of retailers and fitters, ProTyre states that up to 70% of motorcycles and scooters visiting their premises are being regularly used with at least one dangerously defective tyre – having a tread depth of less than 1mm.

“This is a very worrying statistic”, says Phil Brookes, Operations Director at ProTyre. “Most motorcyclists will be acutely aware of the role that tyres play in motorcycle safety. Grip is everything on a bike and one illegally worn tyre means compromising 50% of potential adhesion. This is a very serious issue.”

The research coincides with TyreSafe’s inaugural ‘Bike Tyre Safety Month’, running throughout March, which seeks to place this crucial issue higher up the agenda. “ProTyre is delighted to support the TyreSafe campaign in any way we can”, says Phil Brookes. “We recognize that some high performance motorcycle tyres can only deliver limited mileage with hard use, but riders must accept the need to act responsibly.”

For the duration of March and in support of Bike Tyre Safety Month, ProTyre outlets are offering riders a free tyre safety check. Anyone wishing to take advantage of this offer can visit the ProTyre website at www.protyre.co.uk to find the nearest outlet. The ProTyre retail chain, currently with 20 outlets including ProTyre Motorsport, is part of Micheldever Tyre Services (MTS), which is the UK’s largest independent wholesaler, distributor and retailer of tyres.

バイカーブードゥー

Defective tyres now account for the fourth biggest failure of motorcycle MOTs in the UK, after lights, brakes and suspension, according to the latest statistics from the Vehicle Operator and Services Agency (VOSA), with the data also revealing that standards of bike maintenance are not getting any better.

The report showed that between 2006 and 2007, close to 5,000 bikes failed their annual MOT because of tyres which were not fit for purpose, compared to nearly 1,700 the year before, equating to a dramatic increase of 66%. Cars and light vans did not fair too much better during the same period, recording a marked 54% rise, meaning that motorcyclists are not alone when it comes to not looking after their tyres correctly.

This presents a worrying picture says TyreSafe, and provides hard evidence of the extent to which tyres are neglected, and the thousands of riders who are putting their lives at risk every day on the nation’s roads as a result of their condition. With a minimal contact patch keeping the rider on the road, tyres which are not properly maintained can affect handling, cornering and the ability for the bike to achieve an optimum balance for the rider.

To emphasise the importance of the role which tyres play in the safety of motorcyclists, Bike Tyre Safety Month will be taking place throughout the month of March, a TyreSafe initiative designed to highlight the dangers of defective or badly worn tyres on motorcycles and scooters. The four-week long campaign, the first of its kind, has received full backing from both tyre manufacturers and retailers, and further details of how to support the scheme may be found on the TyreSafe website at www.tyresafe.org.

For further information on motorcycle tyre safety, visitors may download the “Motorcycle Tyres and Your Safety” leaflet for free at http://www.tyresafe.org/tyre-safety/

TyreSafe is a not for profit, non commercial organisation set-up to promote tyre safety and raise the awareness of the dangers of driving on defective or badly worn tyres. Illegal and worn tyres are a contributory factor in many road collisions particularly in the wet. TyreSafe campaigns for good tyre husbandry – look after your tyres and your tyres will look after you. For more tyre safety information visit www.tyresafe.org.

TyreSafe supports the government’s ACT ON CO2 campaign which promotes Smarter Driving tips to help cut CO2 emissions from driving. For more information visit www.dft.uk/ActOnCO2.

バイカーブードゥー

With the arrival of Spring, many bikers will be looking to get back on their motorcycles, after having been stored away during the winter period. With prolonged static activity, this poses added dangers for riders says TyreSafe, the UK’s leading tyre safety organisation. Tyres may become under-inflated and will be subject to “dry rotting” or “cracking,” particularly if the bike has not been in covered storage, and has been exposed to cool temperatures.

Only two very small contact patches connect the rider with the road which means that maintaining tyres in good condition and using the correct levels of tyre pressure is critical to safety. Under-inflated tyres can cause the build-up of excessive heat which can lead to tyre failure, whilst over-inflation makes tyres more susceptible to cuts and punctures on high impact. Incorrect inflation can equally cause the bike to become unstable, affecting handling and cornering, but can also lead to an increase in fuel consumption and emissions, and a reduction in the life of the rubber.

One of the most common causes of motorcycle breakdowns is tyre damage, and TyreSafe has the following top tips to keep bikers on the road this Spring:

* Tyre pressures should adhere to those recommended by the manufacturer, and these should be checked from cold at least once a week;
* Inspect tyres for cuts, bulges, uneven wear or objects embedded into the tread pattern;
* Tread depth should be a minimum of 1mm (for bikes over 50cc);
* Old or damaged valve stems should be replaced;
* Tyres should be of the same manufacturer or pattern; and
* Cracked or bent rims should be replaced immediately.

Bike Tyre Safety Month will be taking place throughout the month of March, a TyreSafe initiative designed to highlight the dangers of defective or badly worn tyres on motorcycles and scooters. The four-week long campaign, the first of its kind, has received full backing from both tyre manufacturers and retailers, and further details of how to support the scheme may be found on the TyreSafe website at www.tyresafe.org.

For further information on motorcycle tyre safety, visitors may download the “Motorcycle Tyres and Your Safety” leaflet for free at http://www.tyresafe.org/tyre-safety/

TyreSafe is a not for profit, non commercial organisation set-up to promote tyre safety and raise the awareness of the dangers of driving on defective or badly worn tyres. Illegal and worn tyres are a contributory factor in many road collisions particularly in the wet. TyreSafe campaigns for good tyre husbandry – look after your tyres and your tyres will look after you. For more tyre safety information visit www.tyresafe.org.

TyreSafe supports the government’s ACT ON CO2 campaign which promotes Smarter Driving tips to help cut CO2 emissions from driving. For more information visit www.dft.uk/ActOnCO2.

バイカーブードゥー